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Moroccan Jews Prohibited to Adopt Names Which Are Not in Old Testament

January 9, 1961
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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.

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