Stranger From the East, by Solomon Chriqui

Morocco, Israel, America — An Outsider in Every Land, a Son of Them All

Stranger From the East by Solomon Chriqui recounts his family’s journey after being uprooted by the catastrophic earthquake that struck Agadir, Morocco, in 1960. Tracing their roots back to the Jewish expulsion from Spain in 1492, the Chriqui family’s lives were deeply intertwined with the vibrant Jewish communities of Essaouira and Agadir. Under the French protectorate, they enjoyed a thriving, European-influenced existence—until the earthquake forced them to confront the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.

In its aftermath, Solomon’s parents saw an opportunity to fulfill their ancestral dream of immigrating to Israel. Leaving Morocco was fraught with challenges, but the family eventually arrived in the young state of Israel, settling in the remote development town of Hatzor HaGlilit. The dramatic cultural shift—from French Morocco to a small, diverse immigrant town—brought new struggles.

As the eldest of seven children, Solomon became the family’s unintended chronicler, recalling the warmth of their Moroccan roots, the trials of adapting to life in Israel, and his time on a kibbutz during high school. He later served in the army, where he faced the grim realities of the Yom Kippur War.

Eventually, Solomon left to go to the United States, embracing the challenges of starting over in a new country. With determination and grit, he built a life, achieved the American Dream, and found gratitude in the journey that shaped him.