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

www.antoniosrestaurants.com