Mizrahi Heritage Month

Every November, Mizrahi Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa, and remembers the nearly one million Jews who were displaced from Arab countries and Iran in the twentieth century. The month closes on November 30, the official day of remembrance for Jewish refugees from the region.

How it began

From a day of remembrance to a month of heritage

On June 23, 2014, Israel passed a law designating November 30 as an annual national day to commemorate the departure and expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran, and calling for this history to be taught in schools.

JIMENA saw an opportunity to bring this recognition to North America. In 2015, we spearheaded Mizrahi Remembrance Month, mobilizing our Speakers Bureau to bring the personal stories of former refugees to college campuses across the United States. In 2016, we expanded the effort into Mizrahi Heritage Month to honor not only the history of displacement, but the full richness of Sephardic and Mizrahi culture and heritage. Today the month is marked by Hillels, schools, synagogues, and Jewish organizations across the country, and JIMENA continues to serve as a central resource for speakers, content, and guidance.

Why it matters

Completing the Jewish story

Jews lived across the Middle East and North Africa for more than 2,500 years, yet their history and culture are often missing from classrooms and Jewish communal life in North America. Mizrahi Heritage Month is a chance for every community to learn these stories, celebrate this heritage, and better understand the full diversity of the Jewish people.

Ways to take part

Bring Mizrahi Heritage Month to your community

• Schools and classrooms: Teach with our free lesson plans and Cultural Heritage explainers, or use our Mizrahi Heritage Month educator guide.
• Campuses and Hillels: Host a JIMENA speaker, screen a film, or plan a program with your Jewish student community.
• Synagogues and communities: Host a Mizrahi Shabbat, invite a speaker, or share first person testimonies from our Oral History Project.
• Families and individuals: Watch JIMENA Celebrates Mizrahi Heritage, cook a family recipe, and explore our videos and podcasts.

Planning a program? Contact us and we will help you find speakers, content, and ideas for your community.