Farewell Passover: Israel welcomes back bread with Mimouna celebrations

Various politicians attend traditional festivities originating from Jewish communities in North Africa that mark outset of Pesach.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, JEREMY SHARON
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at a Mimouna celebration in Or Akiva. (photo credit: Mark Neiman/GPO)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at a Mimouna celebration in Or Akiva.
(photo credit: Mark Neiman/GPO)
Mimouna celebrations marking the end of Passover began in Israel at nightfall Monday with several politicians attending the traditional festivities.
The celebration is a tradition that began in the Jewish communities of Morocco and North Africa.
The festivities lasting through sundown on Tuesday see families open up their homes to guests and provide leavened products - prohibited during Passover -  such as bread, cakes and various other delicacies including mufletta, a type of pancake eaten with honey.
The festival has since been widely adopted throughout Israel.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at a Mimouna celebration in Or Akiva. (Mark Neiman/GPO)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at a Mimouna celebration in Or Akiva. (Mark Neiman/GPO)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at a Mimouna celebration in Or Akiva. (Mark Neiman/GPO)
President Shimon Peres (C), former Sephardi chief rabbi Shlomo Amar (L) and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (R) celebrate Mimouna festivities in Jerusalem.
President Shimon Peres (C), former Sephardi chief rabbi Shlomo Amar (L) and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (R) celebrate Mimouna festivities in Jerusalem.
President Shimon Peres (C), former Sephardi chief rabbi Shlomo Amar (L) and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (R) celebrate Mimouna festivities in Jerusalem. (GPO)
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon celebrates Mimouna in Modi'in. (Facebook)
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon celebrates Mimouna in Modi'in. (Facebook)
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon celebrates Mimouna in Modi'in. (Facebook)
Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat at Mimouna festivities in Rishon Lezion. (Courtesy)
Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat at Mimouna festivities in Rishon Lezion. (Courtesy)
Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat at Mimouna festivities in Rishon Lezion. (Courtesy)