On the day after Passover, Israeli Jews of Moroccan and North African descent celebrate the Mimouna holiday.
If you cannot see video below of Mimouna in Ashdod, click here%video%
The name Mimouna is derived from the word emunah, which means faith. The ancient Jewish sages said that just as in the Hebrew month of Nissan, the Jewish People were redeemed from Egypt (on Passover), so too will they be redeemed in Nissan in the future. Each year that the holiday of Passover ends with the Jewish People not yet having merited redemption, Moroccan Jewry celebrates the day as a great statement of faith, that even though the Messianic King delays his coming, the Jews will continue "to long for him every day."
Other explanations have also been offered for the origin of the holiday.
On Tuesday, public parks across the country filled with Sephardic Jewish celebrants. The festivities featured Moroccan Jewish music, colorful dress, grilled meats, fried dough called mufleta, and many pastries.
Still photos courtesy of Jewish Agency