Henna Party: A Taste of MENA Wedding Traditions
Jan 30, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
AN IN PLAIN SIGHT: JEWISH ARTS AND LIVES IN THE MUSLIM WORLD PROGRAM
Experience the special garments, tastes, songs, and spirit of a traditional Sephardic and Mizrahi Henna Ceremony!
- Led by Rabbi Tsipora Gabbai, the world’s first female Moroccan Rabbi, and Gina Bublil-Waldman, President of JIMENA
- Middle eastern food by Hummus Bodega
- Music & dancing
- Private guided tour of the unique exhibition In Plain Sight: Jewish Arts and Lives in the Muslim World
- Wanted: volunteers to model the wedding costumes of the wedding party, limited to 12 spots!
Presented by the Magnes and Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa {JIMENA).
Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 pm
In person at the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
RSVP information to come
If you have any questions about accessibility or require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact us at magnes@berkeley.edu or call us at (510) 643-2526 with as much advance notice as possible.
A Mizrahi Jewish Henna ceremony is a traditional pre-wedding celebration, deeply rooted in the cultural practices of Jewish communities from the Middle East and North Africa. As with many Jewish diaspora traditions, the Henna ceremony evolved through the dynamic interplay between Jewish customs and the cultural influences of the non-Jewish societies in which these communities lived. Jewish communities in countries like Morocco, Libya, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran adapted local customs—including the ancient practice of using henna to mark life events—to suit Jewish values and practices. The ceremony typically takes place a few days before the wedding and centers around the symbolic application of henna paste onto the hands of the bride, and in some traditions, the groom as well. This reddish-brown dye is meant to bestow blessings, protection, and good fortune, while warding off the evil eye and ensuring a prosperous future for the couple. During the event, family and friends gather to sing, dance, and dress in ornate traditional clothing, often reflecting the styles of the couple’s ancestral communities. The celebration is marked by music, festive meals, and the sharing of sweets, symbolizing the joy and unity of the extended family. This unique blend of local cultural influences with Jewish traditions highlights the adaptability and resilience of Mizrahi Jews, resulting in a beautiful expression of their diverse heritage and history.