A visit to the center is spiritual, cultural and artistic. Much thought and effort has gone into preserving the authentic, ancient atmosphere. The building is greatly enhanced by the visually pleasing Andalusian garden and the Moroccan-Moorish art, in the style of the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
The center works to preserve, pay tribute to and study the legacy of North African Jewry for those in Israel and abroad. It is located on King David Street in the Mahaneh Yisrael neighborhood which was established in 1865. The center is housed in the neighborhood’s oldest building which has served as a learning center for men of North African descent, a hostel, a general house of study and a synagogue. It was renovated after being declared a historic and architectural heritage site. This work was done by artists brought from Morocco and architect Elie Mouyal of Marrakesch under the artistic supervision of artist David Soussana.
Today the building houses exhibition halls with both permanent and temporary exhibitions, photographs of Jewish life in North Africa and unique items from there. There is a research library with original manuscripts, studies and monographs. The center hosts seminars on the topic along with academic institutions.
The David Amar Worldwide North Africa Jewish Heritage Center is also the host of social and cultural events such as literary and study sessions, poetry readings, musical and liturgical evenings, lectures, Oud playing classes and more.