Sephardic Jews Party at Mimouna

By COLlive reporter

Forget pizza, there’s a Mimouna!

Jews following the traditional customs of communities in Morocco, Algeria and North Africa concluded the 8 days of Pesach with a celebration that’s all about chametz and sweets.

Held the day after Pesach (this year on Motzoei Shabbos), Sephardic Jews throw open their homes to visitors, after setting out a lavish spread of traditional holiday cakes and sweetmeats.

The staple dish is the mofletta, a thin crêpe made from water, flour and oil. It is cooked in a greased frying pan until it is yellow-brown in color and generously covered with butter, honey, syrup or jam.

Lubavitchers of Sephardic origin celebrated the holiday as well tonight, with some recalling how the Rebbe commented “kiflayim l’tushiah” (Twice for salvation) referencing those holding Moshiach’s meal followed by the Mimouna.

Lubavitch families such as Amram Malka in Rishon L’tzoin, Levi Edrey in Kfar Chabad and many others in Israel gleefully hosted friends and neighbors. Larger celebrations in Rechovot and Kiryat Malachi were attended by Chabad rabbis.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attended the Mimouna festivities in Or Akiva. “I would like to wish all of you that your wishes come true, that our country continues to flourish, prosper and grow and I assure you that I will do everything to see to national unity, the national welfare and the security of Israel,” he said.