The Chief of Police in Casablanca today received an order to prohibit Moroccan Jews from adopting first names which are not in the Old Testament.
The order bans the adoption of such names as Serge, Michel, Bernard, Paul, Andre, Albert, etc., which are in use among Moroccan Jews. Under the order, the only permissible names are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.
Meyer Obadia, president of the Casablanca Jewish community, made a formal protest to Casablanca authorities and it was indicated that the dispute would be settled to the satisfaction of the Jewish community.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.