Moroccan Jewish Community in Washington Celebrates Mimouna

Rabat – The Moroccan Jewish community in Washington celebrated the traditional festival of Mimouna on Sunday in an atmosphere of unity, cultural pride, and shared heritage.

The Moroccan Embassy in the US and Sephardic Heritage International DC organized the event, which took place at the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC. It brought together members of the Moroccan Jewish community, US officials, diplomats, and figures from the public and private sectors.

Speaking at the event, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, said that Mimouna is a long-standing Moroccan tradition that reflects coexistence and mutual respect between religions and communities. He described it as a moment of sharing passed down through generations in Morocco and abroad.

Mimouna is a traditional celebration that Moroccan Jews observe at the end of Passover (Pessah). It takes place on the night when Passover ends, when Jews are allowed again to eat leavened foods, like bread, which they avoid during the holiday.

The ambassador also recalled the place of Jewish heritage in Moroccan identity, which is recognized in the Constitution, and pointed to ongoing efforts to preserve this cultural legacy, including restoring heritage sites and teaching Jewish history in schools. He noted the role of King Mohammed VI in protecting the spiritual and cultural rights of all citizens.

Amrani noted that this year’s celebration coincides with 250 years of diplomatic relations between Morocco and the United States, noting it as one of the oldest uninterrupted ties in US history.

The event also featured traditional Moroccan pastries and cultural activities. Moroccan Jewish singer Neta Elkayam performed at the gathering.

Organizers said the gathering helped highlight Moroccan Jewish culture to an American audience and shared the history of coexistence between Jews and Muslims in Morocco.

Moroccan Jewish singer Neta Elkayam performing at the gathering.

The Jewish community in Morocco has deep historical roots that stretch back more than two millennia, and has long been an integral part of the country’s cultural and social fabric.

Moroccan Jews historically lived alongside Muslim communities across cities such as Fez, Marrakech, and Essaouira. They contributed to trade, scholarship, and cultural life while maintaining distinct religious traditions.

Although the community has significantly declined in size over the past decades, its heritage is still strongly present in Morocco’s identity.

According to a 2024 study by the Pew Research Center on global migration patterns, Morocco is one of the most important countries of origin for Jewish migrants worldwide.

The study estimates that around 200,000 Moroccan Jews live outside their country of birth, with the vast majority, about 160,000, having moved to Israel. This makes Morocco one of the top contributors to Jewish migration globally, alongside countries such as Ukraine and Russia.