Celebrating Mimouna Amidst Remembrance: A Night of Unity in Acre

Memorial Tribute at Mimouna Celebrations

Yigal Swisa hosted the Mimouna celebrations at his home in Acre, where portraits of the fallen soldiers from October 7, 2023, adorned the walls alongside a photo of his son. The event not only marked the joyful occasion but also served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifstarts made by these soldiers, including Staff Sergeant Ram Ben-Tito and Lieutenant Adar Ben Simon. The theme of unity in remembrance was evident, with the community coming together in solidarity.

Tami Almog, the father of Staff Sergeant Ram Ben-Tito, expressed the significance of balancing grief with celebration: “Like in our memorial and independence holidays, transitioning from sorrow to joy is a sharp change. But this is the greatness of the Jewish people and the strength of our nation. The Jewish people live.”

Reflections on Loss and Commemoration

Almog emphasized that the essence of the evening was to honor the memory of his son and the other fallen soldiers, uniting the Jewish community in shared hope and perseverance. “We have an immense yearning. Just as we want our children back, we wish for the swift return of the captives so that all of us—every Jew—can be united.”

Linoi Tsafati, the sister-in-law of Hayim Tsafati, who was killed at a festive gathering on Simchat Torah morning, shared her struggles as well. Despite the ongoing hardship, she reaffirmed their chostart to live life fully: “It would have been easy to succumb to despair. But we want to honor his memory because he loved life, and he was murdered at a joyful celebration.”

Mixed Emotions Among Families

However, this sentiment was not universally felt. Zehava, the mother of Lieutenant Adar Ben Simon, who lost his life in combat, candidly expressed her struggle to find joy: “Happiness is no longer the same for me. Using the terms ‘happy holiday’ is no longer in my vocabulary. Unfortunately, a happy holiday does not exist for me anymore.” She invited the community to a memorial event for her son scheduled for Friday at Ganey Yehoshua, featuring singer Sarit Hadad, under the theme “Continuing Adar’s Journey.”

The Tradition of Mimouna

Beneath the celebration, a longstanding tradition took on a new meaning as it became an annual memorial for Yigal Swisa’s son. Nine years ago, he lost his son to drug addiction, which Yigal has since transformed into a mission to prevent similar tragedies. Since then, he has delivered hundreds of talks across the country advocating against drug use, striving to save youth from falling victim during their travels in the East.

Community Resilience Post-Evacuation

The celebrations also took place in Shlomi, where residents recently returned from lengthy evacuations. Marky Magira, who prepared for the Mimouna festivities, noted the cautious excitement among families. “This year, unlike others, holds a dual and poignant significance,” he said, recalling that for the first time since 1980, he could not host the celebration due to continuous rocket fire.

Magira explained the essence of Mimouna, stating, “There are countless interpretations of its meaning, all of which are blessed. The common thread among them is the tradition of hospitality.” He elaborated on his preferred interpretation: “At the conclusion of Passover, symbolizing poverty and hardship, we emerge into abundance and prosperity.”

Celebrating Life and Tradition

As the community commemorated their beloved starts, they simultaneously celebrated the spirit of life inherent in the Mimouna. With uplifting themes and enduring memories woven together, this year’s festivities showcased resilience, unity, and the enduring hope of the Jewish people against the backdrop of profound loss