Passover ends rather tamely in much of the world, but the Moroccan, and now Israeli, Jewish community do it so well! They have the holiday of Mimouna. In a burst of returning to eating yeast leavened food and drink they have a feast. It may be too late to plan such an event this year, but put it on your planner for next year.
Originally observed in the home, the holiday has spread to the public realm in Israel. Here’s a nice overview of the holiday. Be sure to watch the Israeli video suggesting that celebrants invite an Ashkenazi Jew to join their festival. I’d love to be there too!
As I researched Mimouna recipes mufleta kept coming up. So here’s a recipe.
This article offers some research into the origins of the holiday. You’ll notice the reference to Berbers, an Arab people of North Africa. My son’s closest friend growing up is the son of a Berber man and an American woman. The Berbers are a minority community and our friend, the father of Samir, told me that when he was growing up in the mountains of Algeria the Berbers and the Jews lived together in peace. In fact, his village elected a Jewish mayor and when the Nazis came they refused to give him over to them.
While researching Mimouna I learned more about the origins of his people, the Berbers. They are part of the “Maghribis”.
“Maghrebis were known in medieval times as the Roman Africans or Moors. The term Moor is derived from Mauri, the Roman name for the Berbers of Mauretania, land of the Moors, the Roman name for the western part of the Maghreb.”
Quote is from Wikipedia
(I love the way one topic leads to another.)
Back to Mimouna…
More recipes and pictures of food are in this article from the Jewish Journal.
Cookies and small sweets laden the Mimouna table, so here are some cookie recipes from a secular paper, the Milwaukee Journal.
PJ Library has collected some fun videos about Mimouna here. Included is a Shalom Sesame video of a little girl celebrating Mimouna with her family and friends in Israel. It’s a nice window into another Jewish community.
I suggest we all plan a Mimouna event next year! Who will join me!?