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The Moroccan Jewish Piyyut: A Judeo-Arabic Cultural Synthesis, Joshua Levitt

MALS Final Projects, 1995-2019

I first became interested in Moroccan piyyutim in 1996 upon working with a modem Moroccan ensemble Sultana, directed by Yoel Bensimhon. One of the pieces performed was the piyyut "El Barukh Gedol" by Rabbi David Bouzaglo, which caught my attention. As director of the Mesaouda Judeo-Arabic ensemble (founded in 1995), I began looking for a way to include this tradition in my group's performances. After meeting Marc Hazan, the Cantor of the Manhattan Sephardic Congregation on East 75^th street, we began an artistic relationship which eventually led to the recording of a CD, Tehillot Israel (2000).