Joshua Berdugo

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Joshua ben Jacob Berdugo (1878 1953) was rabbi of the Raphael Berdugo Synagogue.

He was born in Meknes and went on to have seven children.

Joshua ben Jacob Berdugo had a strong personality and on a number of occasions was in conflict with the leaders of the Church and with members of the French government, by whom he was respected.

He was open to the modern world, and encouraged the reopening in 1911 of the Alliance school in Meknes despite the opposition of his colleagues. In 1913, he founded the first Zionist organization in Meknes Hibat Sion. The communal rules and regulations adopted during this time were published in the pamphlets of The Council of Moroccan Rabbis (Casablanca). Berdugo was named chief Rabbi and Dayan of Meknes in 1904 with Rabbi Salomon ben Chettrit. He was named vice president of the Rabbinical Tribunal of Meknes in 1924. In 1928, he founded the first synagogue in the New Mellah (which was later named after him). He was named president of Rabbinical Tribunal in 1932. In 1941, he succeeded Rabbi Yekoutiel Haim Berdugo as president of the high rabbinical court and Chief Rabbi of Morocco. He distinguished himself by his great openness of spirit and his firmity in confronting authorities.

Founded a synagogue (named after him) at the Nouveau Mellah ("New" in French and "ghetto" in Arabic). Another synagogue (the New Synagogue or Slat Jdida) was founded just afterwards by his detractors.

The rabbi retired in 1949 due to illness. His funeral in 1953 in Meknes was one of the largest in the history of the community.

None of his books have been published.