DAHAN Origin of surname
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from an occupation, profession or trade (also connected with raw material, finished product or implements associated with that trade).
Dahan is an Arabic term for "house painter", but also for "oil merchant". Both words, being linked to oil, are sometimes traced to the biblical "he who anoints" (Leviticus 8.12). Some experts believe that, as a Jewish family name, Dahan derives from the biblical Tahan, son of Telah, a descendant of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7.25). In certain cases, Dahan and its variants could be linked to Danan, which means "well known/famous" in Aramaic. One of the variants of Dahan, Abendahon (the "son of Dahon"), is recorded in Spain in 1370. Dahan, which sometimes becomes Daan, is documented in 14th century Spain and 16th century Morocco. Eddahan is mentioned in Spain and the North African city of Fez in the 16th century, and Bendahan is recorded in Morocco in the 17th century. In the 20th century, Dahan is recorded as a Jewish family name with Yehouda Dahan, who died in the tragic Egoz incident. The ship Egoz, carrying immigrants from Morocco to Israel, had been chartered by the Jewish underground in Morocco. It sank with the loss of 44 passengers on January 10, 1961.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Dahan include the 16th century Moroccan Rabbi A'ish Dahan, the 18th century Moroccan poet Moshe Dahan and the 20th century mayor of Tiveria (Tiberias), Simon Dahan.
Mordechai Dahan Recounts His Childhood in Bani Malal, Morocco, 2018
(Video)Mordechai Dahan was born in Morocco in 1939. His father died and his mother remarried and the family moved to the city of Sale, and three years later to Bani Malal in northern Morocco. Mordechai studied at a French school, and also attended the Talmud Torah. He describes poverty and deprivation, as well as contempt and abuse of the Jews by the Arabs. At the age of 18 he was chased by an Arab who wanted to kill him. He tried to find refuge with Arab friends, but they expelled him. He arrived at the police station, but the policeman also drove him away. That's when he decided to immigrate to Israel along with the entire family. In 1955 they arrived at a camp in Casablanca, and from there to Marseille in France. They boarded a the ship and sailed to Israel. In Israel, they arrived at night at Moshav Peki'in.
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This testimony was produced as part of Seeing the Voices – the Israeli national project for the documentation of the heritage of Jews of Arab lands and Iran. The project was initiated by the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality, in cooperation with The Heritage Wing of the Israeli Ministry of Education, The Yad Ben Zvi Institute, and The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot.
The Oster Visual Documentation Center, ANU - Museum of the Jewish People. The film was produced as part of the Seeing the Voices project, 2019
Daniel Dahan
(Personality)Daniel Dahan (b.1969), rabbi, as of 2020 he has served as Grand-Rabbin of Lyon and of the Rhône-Alpes region of France, born in Annecy, France. He attended the Lycee-Yechiva of Aix-les-Bains and then at the Séminaire israélite de France (SIF) in Paris graduating in 1992. He continued his studies at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem and was ordained by the Israel Chief Rabbis Ovadiah Yosef (1920-2013) and Mordechai Elyiahu (1928-2010) as well as by Shalom Messas (1913-2003), the former Chief Rabbi of Morocco and Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. During 2008-2013 he attended law studies at the University of Aix-en-Provence obtaining a PhD in 2013. Dahan was named deputy rabbi of Nancy and the Lorraine in 1994 and then became Chief Rabbi of the city until 2014, when he was appointed Chief Rabbi of Aix-en-Provence. In May 2020 he was elected Grand-Rabbin of Lyon and of the Rhône-Alpes region.
His works include Agounot: "Les femmes entravées". Problèmes et solutions du droit matrimonial hébraïque, Préface du Pr. Raphaël Draï (2014).