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Mimouna is a joyous celebration held
in Israel on the day after Passover. Brought together by food,
family, singing and dancing, people across the
country celebrate this holiday in their homes and in the
streets. These photos capture the best of Mimouna, so
enjoy and chag sameach!
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These
women are dancing in the traditional Moroccan style at a
Mimouna celebration in Migdal Haemek. The origin of the name
Mimouna is unclear. Some believe that it comes from Maimon (Rambam’s
father), saying that Mimouna celebrates his birth or his
death. Others believe that it comes from the Arab word for
luck. Still others think it’s related to the word emunah,
meaning faith. Regardless of its meaning, Mimouna is
a celebration of togetherness and tradition.
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Pictured here
is past Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Perez
celebrating with a family in 1986.
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The
family in this picture, like many others, is celebrating
Mimouna in the park with a barbecue meal. They eat
traditional Moroccan foods including mufleto,
a very thin pancake eaten with butter and honey.
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The
first public celebration of Mimouna in Israel was in
1966. Previously, it had been a holiday only celebrated in
the home. This attempt to make it a national holiday was
very successful, gaining the participation of 10,000 people
in 1968. It soon spread to multiple celebrations all over
Israel with senior Israeli officials in attendance. This
photograph from 1979 shows Prime Minster Menachem Begin
celebrating on stage with a group of people in traditional
dress.
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Mimouna
was previously celebrated in Morocco by
sending food baskets between Jewish and Muslim
neighbors. At the end of Passover, the Jews
would send their Muslim neighbor a basket of
Passover food and in return the Muslim family
would send them a basket of bread and other
non-Passover foods. This allowed for the Jews to
begin the Mimouna celebration as soon as Passover
ended.
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Families
and friends come together to celebrate Mimouna in
Israel’s parks by eating Moroccan foods,
wearing traditional clothing, dancing and singing.
Like many others in the park, this family
is singing and laughing together to celebrate the
end of Passover.
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In the Exodus story, it
took the Jews seven days to reach the Red Sea.
After the Jews crossed the parted Red Sea and
the Egyptians drowned in its waters, the Egyptians’
jewels washed onto the shore for the Israelites to
take. Some people believe this event is related to the
Mimouna celebration because it marks a week after
the start of Passover and the Exodus. People
become more energized in their faith and often
wear elaborate clothes and jewelry to celebrate. |
 This
article has been reprinted from BabagaNewz, a fullcolor monthly
classroom magazine for grades 4 through 7 that accurately
analyzes major news stories, religious holidays, cultural
events, and youth trends that play an important part in our
children’s lives. Each issue of BabagaNewz is
organized around a specific Jewish value. Sign up for the
free e-letter at www.babaganewz.com. |
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Having
a richer SPIRITUAL life.