Mizrahi Jews don’t always get as much spotlight as other Jewish groups, like the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews, but their culture is just as rich and beautiful. I am excited to explain who these people are and the huge impact they have made on Jewish culture today.
While Ashkenazi Jews come from Europe and Sephardic Jews from Spain and Portugal, Mizrahi Jews (meaning “East”) are the ones who stayed in the Middle East. They’ve lived for thousands of years in places like Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, and even though Mizrahi Jews sometimes get lumped in with Sephardics, it’s not quite the same thing. Unlike Sephardic Jews, who were expelled from Spain during the Inquisition, Mizrahi Jews never had a connection to Spain. Instead, they developed their own unique languages, traditions, and cultures while living alongside their Arab neighbors.
A lot of people think most Jews come from Europe, and I get it – it makes sense because in North America, most Jews are of European descent. But fun fact: Jews have lived all over the world – in Argentina, India, Ethiopia, and beyond. Mizrahi Jews, in particular, trace their roots back to ancient Judea (modern-day Israel) and spread out across North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia after being displaced almost 3,000 years ago. That’s where Mizrahi dance and music were born – from the experiences of these diverse communities.
There’s a ton of diversity in Mizrahi music and dance because these communities were spread out across so many different places. Take Yemen, for example (which is part of my heritage). There, Jewish dance was influenced by their status as dhimmi (second-class citizens), while in other regions, the dances resembled their Muslim neighbors’ but with a distinctly Jewish meaning.
Today, Mizrahi music and dance continue to influence Israeli culture. Israeli folk dance, for instance, draws heavily from Mizrahi traditions to create something fresh that brings people together. Mizrahi music mixes elements of Arabic, Turkish, and Greek music sung in Hebrew, and often incorporates Arabic or other languages from the regions where these communities lived. It’s got a signature sound – lots of violin or guitar with Middle Eastern percussion – that makes it stand out. Here are a few songs for you to listen to what Mizrahi music sounds like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_P1pCwvB1Y
https://youtu.be/VD9F_7N_MbI?si=VMwZk_4aDshrx0UJ
https://youtu.be/OQeXnpiOuXY?si=tEg1fyQatB9Zwga4
https://youtu.be/ZRnzTTYk7_Q?si=maDQn3RPLMxQJ5Fc
At the end of the day, learning more about Mizrahi Jews and their culture gives us a fuller picture of Jewish life around the world. As dancers, we’re cultural ambassadors, and diving into the deep history behind the music and movements we share just adds so much more meaning to what we do. And let’s not forget, it’s the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and other groups that have all left their mark on Arabic culture, music, and dance. That cross-cultural exchange is what makes this history so rich.
I’m super excited that November is Mizrahi Heritage Month, and we’ve got two awesome workshops lined up to celebrate! First up is Untold Stories: Honoring the Jewish Contribution to the Arab World with Dror Sinai, where you’ll hear stories, music and possibly some movement of the Jews of various regions. Also, I’ll be teaching a fun Mizrahi Bellydance Choreography workshop, where you’ll get to experience bellydancing to a Mizrahi song (bellydance experience recommended). It’s the perfect chance to learn more about the rich history behind Mizrahi culture and how it’s shaped both Jewish and Arabic traditions. You won’t want to miss these!
So everyone… I am so excited for you to experience this, and hope this sheds a little light on a people that’s been woven into the beauty of the Middle East for thousands of years.
Yallah,
Oreet