MIMOUNA, Toronto, April 28, 2011

MIMOUNA (Hebrew: מימונה‎ Arabic: ميمونة‎)
-> A colorful traditional North African Jewish celebration held the day after Passover.
Marks start of Spring & return to eating CHAMETZ,
i.e., Leavened bread and bread by-products,
which are forbidden throughout the week of Pesach.

Some believe the source of the name is MAIMON, the father of the RAMBAM,
Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, & MIMOUNA marks the date of his birth or death.

MIMOUNA is also the name for the seasonal change
& its festival in tribal languages in northern Mali and Mauritania
fr. which the custom may also have originated.

MIMOUNA's now a popular annual Israeli party, picnic, bbq event.
MAGHREBIM, N. African Jewish immigrants, celebrated it w/ their families.
In 1966, it was introduced as a natl. holiday, & has been adopted by the MIZRAHIS.
Celebration begins > Sunset on last day of Pesach.
Moroccan & Algerian Jews throw open their homes to visitors.