THE BERDUGO FAMILY

THE FAMILY OF ANNA and SAMUEL BERDUGO

SAMUEL BERDUGO can trace his roots to Rabbi Moshe BERDUGO or "Grande Sabio." Moshe was born around 1600. According to tradition, he is a descendant of the male line of King David via the exilarch Bustanai. Moshe BERDUGO married Luna.

The Rabbi Raphael BERDUGO synagogue on rue El M'da (Bath Street) attached to the Benaroch Synagogue was founded around 1492 by the BERDUGO family shortly after their arrival from Spain. It was named after the famous Rabbi Raphael BERDUGO (The Angel Raphael) and then his grandson Jacob. Early in the century, the synagogue was led by Rabbis from the BERDUGO family including Joshua ben Ya'acov. The synagogue was longer than it was wide, and rather plain. It would hold 150 congregants and served on occasion as Yeshiva under the direction of BERDUGO Rabbis. Once a year, during the month of Elul, Rabbis met there to celebrate the Pidiyoun Hanafashot ceremony (symbolic redemption of souls with money given to community poor, guaranteeing a long life).

ANNA BERDUGO  can trace her roots to Yikutiel son of Mordecai is the founder of branch C of the BERDUGO family. Member of Beth Din in Meknes. Known as "Ha-Tsadik" (the saint). Author of Mimuqim al Hatorah.   Listed as a saint in Culte des Saints et Pélerinages Judéo-Musulmans au Maroc. Born around 1742. Died in 1802. Buried in Rabat.