52 | APRIL 14 • 2022
PASSOVER
guests who wear chains with
simulated gold coins around
their waists.
The Mimouna tradition
originated in North Africa,
and some Israelis wear
traditional Moroccan
dress, including a fez, at
these festivities. Mimouna
celebrations have expanded
beyond Israelis of Moroccan
and Algerian descent.
Families host large-scale
parties that have become
very popular throughout
Israel, with many Ashkenazi
Jews participating as well.
Jews of Moroccan descent
who live in other countries
sometimes celebrate
Mimouna.
Morosohk points out that
Passover customs extend
beyond the menu with
special customs to help tell
the Passover story. Afghan
Jews “whip” each other
with scallions or leeks —
imitating the cruel Egyptian
slave drivers — while
singing “Dayanu.” She says
that a Romanian tradition
includes women walking
around during the seder
carrying pillow cases with
heavy weights to symbolize
the strenuous burden of the
Hebrew slaves.
“In Hungary, there is
a tradition of bling —
having gold and silver on
the table. In Poland, seder
participants reenact the
crossing of the Red Sea by
pouring water on the floor
while lifting their coats and
other clothing,” she says.
Myriam Cohen, a West
Bloomfield resident of
Moroccan descent, follows
some Sephardic traditions
in her family seder. A
signature dish is a Passover
soup with vegetables and
fava beans. She says that
they use Sephardic melodies
as they recite the Haggadah.
Another tradition is for a
father or grandfather to
hold the seder plate over
each individual’s head while
saying “May you succeed.”
She has hosted Mimouna
festivities — post-Passover
parties with baked goods
and traditional mufleta
(pancakes) — to symbolize
a wish for sweetness in
life. Cohen says that she
added pizza to please her
children, who missed
it during Passover. She
adds that in Sephardic
communities, families often
went from house to house,
participating in multiple
Mimouna events.
“ONE INCREASINGLY POPULAR
ISRAELI PASSOVER CUSTOM IS
THE MIMOUNA … PROSPERITY
IS A MIMOUNA THEME.”
— ARYE SCHWARTZ
continued from page 50
S P R I N G O P E N S T U D I O
M A Y 7 + 8 2 0 2 2
1 0 A M - 5 P M
WORKSHOPS + GALLERY
770 Orchard Lake Rd
Pontiac, MI 48341
(248) 745-3786
A Family Tradition
Since 1964
CUCINA ITALIANA
We will be closed at all of our locations on
Sunday, April 17th and Monday, April 18th
in order for our staff to spend time with
their families.
Thank you,
Antonio Rugiero
CEO. President. Antonio’s & Roman Village
On behalf of the Rugiero
Family-Happy Passover,
Buona Pasqua and Happy Easter!
All locations featuring banquet facilities
& full service bar.
Carry Out & Party Trays Available.
Canton • Dearborn • Livonia • Farmington Hills • Dearborn Heights
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