Celebrating Mimouna (National Library of Israel)

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

A short primary source lesson from the National Library of Israel in which students analyze a photograph of Moroccan Jews celebrating the Mimouna and plan a celebration or awareness campaign of their own.

Overview

On the night Passover ends, Moroccan Jewish families throw open their doors for the Mimouna, a celebration of hospitality, good luck, and the first sweet foods after the holiday. In this short lesson from the National Library of Israel, students examine a historical photograph of a Mimouna celebration, discuss what the holiday is and who celebrates it, and then plan a school Mimouna party or design an awareness campaign about this little known festival.

Questions Students Explore

  1. What is the Mimouna, and who celebrates it?
  2. What does a photograph tell us about a community’s traditions?
  3. Why are hospitality and good neighbors at the heart of the Mimouna?

What Students Do

  • Describe and analyze a photograph using NLI’s primary source worksheet.
  • Discuss the holiday’s customs, foods, and meaning.
  • Plan a Mimouna celebration, including making mufleta, or design posters or social media posts about the holiday.

At a Glance

Grade level: Middle school; adaptable for upper elementary
Time: One 30 minute session, plus an optional project
Source: National Library of Israel, Education Department

About this resource

This lesson was created by the National Library of Israel. It is not a JIMENA lesson. Teacher background: The Mimouna is celebrated by Jews of Moroccan and North African descent on the evening Passover ends and into the next day. Its origin and the meaning of its name are uncertain. Families set tables with sweets and mufleta, thin pancakes with butter and honey, and in Morocco Muslim neighbors often brought flour, milk, and honey so Jewish families could bake again. Today it is a national celebration in Israel.

View the lesson on the National Library of Israel  Opens on education-en.nli.org.il

Procedures

Before You Teach

  • Download the teaching aid and the photograph analysis worksheets from the NLI lesson page.
  • Note a correction: the NLI page describes the Mimouna piyut as Yemenite; the piyut in NLI’s Mimouna Piyutim lesson is Moroccan.
  • Public schools: present the party as a celebration of Moroccan Jewish culture and hospitality; check allergies before serving food.
Body of Lesson

Lesson Steps

  1. Look closely: describe the people, actions, expressions, and clothing in the photograph.
  2. Ask: What is the Mimouna? Who celebrates it? What do people do?
  3. Discuss: personal experiences of the holiday, other little known festivals, hospitality, and good relations between neighbors.
  4. Create: plan a school Mimouna party or design an awareness campaign.
Conclusion

Reflection

Students write one sentence explaining why the Mimouna is a holiday about opening your door.

Assessment Ideas

  • Formative: the photograph analysis worksheet and discussion.
  • Summative: the party plan or awareness campaign.
Extension Activities
Resources and External Links