Max Barchichat

  Max Barchichat passed away peacefully at the home he loved in Van Nuys, California on March 9, 2023, corresponding to Adar 16, 5783. He was surrounded by his family and friends, both in person and on FaceTime, who shared stories, laughs, tributes, and many tears. Max was beloved by his family, friends, and community and was an extraordinary contributor to the Jewish people at home in Casablanca, in Israel, and in the United States. Max was born in Casablanca, Morocco on August 31, 1929, to Itzhak and Sol Barchichat. Morocco was then a French Protectorate, so he learned French and Arabic, and later in life became fluent in Hebrew, Spanish, English, and a little Yiddish. Max went to school in Casablanca, and became fond of America through the movies shown in the open-roof theater he used to sneak into! In 1940, the Nazis installed a puppet government in French Morocco and so-called “travel agents” sent flyers announcing plans to send Jews to Europe. Days before that happened, on November 8, 1942, 90,000 Allied forces, sailing from ports in Virginia and Britain, landed in Algeria and Morocco, in what was called Operation Torch. Max never forgot the dogfights of the French, German, and American airplanes, as the Americans liberated North Africa and set up an airbase at what is now Casablanca International Airport. Max, having learned English through the movies, became a camp manager interfacing between the Americans and the locals, and dreamed of going to Hollywood someday. In 1947, Max traveled by foot, truck, and boat to Israel to fight in the Israeli War of Independence and helped create the State of Israel as part of the Golani Brigade. He remembered fighting with guns made by the Nazis in World War II and driving a Jeep through the desert. He returned to Morocco after the war and married Yolande in 1955, who was descended from one of the most distinguished rabbis in Jewish history, Chaim Pinto. Yolande soon became pregnant, and she and Max traveled to Israel in 1956 where he again served in the Israeli Army during the Suez War. While there, Yolande gave birth to Emile in Haifa in 1956. After the war, Max “gave this guy” a box of 76 RPM records to allow the young family to travel to Paris, France in August 1957, where they awaited a visa to go to America. While there, daughter Monique was born in June 1959. Max worked at the Orly Airport PX, and came home one day to a surprise; the visa to emigrate to the U.S. had finally arrived! The family flew on a TWA Boeing 707 from Paris to New York and then to Louisville, Kentucky in 1960, where they lived until June 1964. Max worked as a warehouse manager and Linda Lou was born there in 1962. Still longing for the Hollywood he fell in love with in Casablanca’s movie theaters, Max moved to LA in June 1964, and Deborah Ann was born in 1965. Max’s happiest day was when he, Yolande, Emile, and Monique became naturalized American citizens in 1965. Max is predeceased by his beloved brother Armand Barchechat, and is survived by all of his children: Emile (and Bonnie) Barchichat, Monique Golob, Linda (and Don) Maher, and Deborah (and Mark) Cannon. He even officiated the weddings of three of his children and two of his grandchildren! Grandchildren Brittany Golob (and husband Michael Griffin), Bridget Golob (and husband Graham McConnell), Thomson Maher, Isabella Maher, and great-granddaughter Abigail Griffin, who was born four days before Max passed away, remember him with love. He was beloved by all, including many cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers, and sisters in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere, and very many friends too numerous to name. He was a founder and supporter of Em Habanim Sephardic Congregation, an honoree of the State of Israel, a leader in the Machal organization, and an avid lover of his adopted country of America. Max never stopped loving the movies; his favorite pastimes included watching Turner Classic Movies and listening to swing music. He was a skilled dancer, a great dresser, and loved a good cigar. His last instruction to Emile was, “Close the cover to the record player, it hasn’t been played in a while.” We will always remember and love Max for the blessing that he was. And maybe dance together a little more!