Dalida`: The Extraordinary Singer’s Calabrian Jewish Roots

Dalida` - As a “Bat Anousim” she was “I nostri”  - “one of us.”

Although she was born Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, when it came time to select a stage name, she chose “Dalida`,” from the Hebrew for “delight.” And, as Dalida` she became one of the world’s most beloved performers, singing and recording in more than ten languages, including Hebrew.

What is Dalida’s Calabrian Jewish connection?  Her parents, Pietro and Giuseppina were born right here in Serrastretta with the surname “Gigliotti,” a local name  recognized as Jewish  from Inquisition times. In addition it was  “nonno Enrico,” Dalida’s grandfather, who professed Algerian Jewish roots – all of which lead to Dalida’s place of honor in the hearts of Calabrian Jews and of B’nei Anousim everywhere.

Dalida’ was born in Egypt after her parents settled there, a move they made so that her father could pursue his career as a concert violinist. Dalida’ spent her early years in Egypt’s bustling Italian Egyptian community, but she lived most of her adult life in France.

Dalida’ career spanned 30 years with a debut in 1956 and a final recording in 1986, just months before her untimely death. Known throughout Europe and Asia for her sultry voice and thoughtful lyrics, Dalida` is credited for bringing the first ethnic fusion hit to the contemporary music scene. “Salma ya Salama,” based on a traditional Egyptian folk song, was translated into French, Italian and German and sung around the world.

American appreciation of Dalida’ soared after her critically acclaimed Broadway-themed show at Carnegie Hall in New York City, but we Serrastrettesi remember her for the concert she brought to her home town in the 1970’s.

Dalida’s performance of Hava Nagila earned her acclaim early in her career. When asked about why she chose a Hebrew melody, Dalida’ told the audience that the melody was in her blood.  

This year the Serrastretta community remembered Dalida’ on the 25^th anniversary of her death. Our local cultural society, “Associazione Dalidà,” offered a concert in an outdoor theatre that bears her name and special museum exhibit at Casa Museo Dalida`.

As the Italian Jewish Cultural Center in Calabria continues to discover and establish our ancient Jewish presence here in the south of Italy, we are honored to claim the beloved Dalida’ as one of our own.

Mimouna

Mimouna (mee-moo-na) Celebration for the End of Pesach

There are several ways to celebrate the crossing of the Sea of Reeds and our path to freedom. For those of us celebrating Pesach in the West, one perhaps lesser-known tradition is more commonly practiced in Sephardi synagogues of Mediterranean countries: the synagogue is opened at one minute after midnight (at the end of the eighth night of Pesach), the Torah is taken from the ark, and the Song of Songs is read while congregants dance in the aisles.

It is after this Torah reading that the Mimouna festival begins. The Mimouna celebration honors Rabbi Maimon, the father of Moses Maimonides who was the beloved leader of the Moroccan Jews The celebration begins after nightfall on the last day of Passover. Moroccan and Algerian Jews throw open their homes to visitors, after setting out a lavish spread of traditional holiday cakes and sweetmeats. The table is frequently laid with various symbols of luck and fertility, with an emphasis on the number "5," such as five pieces of gold jewelry or five beans arranged on a leaf of pastry.

In Israel, the Mimouna has become a popular annual happening featuring outdoor

parties, picnics and BBQs. After settling in Israel, Jewish immigrants from North Africa

(Maghrebim) celebrated the Mimouna with their families. In 1966, it was introduced as

a national holiday, and has been adopted by other ethnic groups, mainly in the Mizrahi

sector. The festival has been celebrated by Amsterdam's Moroccan Jewish community for many years, while in 2006, the Moroccan Jewish community of Paris, France, celebrated the holiday publicly for the first time.

Regardless of where one celebrates Mimouna, one of the holiday favorites is Mofletta, a thin crepe made from water, flour, and oil, rolled thinly and fried. Other traditional Mimouna foods include pita bread, cut into pieces and eaten by dipping a piece into honey. The meaning behind this tradition is that the pita and honey will glue the family together and slavery and oppression will never again separate us.

For a special child's take on this festive holiday, scroll down for a brief explanation of Mimouna courtesy of Shalom Sesame. And as you consider your plans for next year’s Pesach celebration, you may wish to include a Mimouna of your own; mark your calendar for April 2, 2013.

Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival

Remarkable Jewish Cinema? This festival is sure to be packed with some wonderful independent films. For those of you in the Sarasota area, the festival will present a number of films in your own backyard. Even if you miss the festival, I encourage you to check out some of its offerings down the line.

Here's a bit about the festival itself, and at the end, I've provided a link directly to the website:

The Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival presents 2 weeks of award-winning films from around the world, plus speakers and special events. Through collaborations with educational and cultural organizations as well as businesses, the Festival provides audiences a multifaceted exploration of contemporary Jewish culture, secular and religious life, history and politics.
 


Films are screened across the Pioneer Valley – this year in Amherst, Chicopee, Greenfield, Longmeadow, Northampton, Shelburne Falls, Springfield, and West Springfield - in venues ranging from the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield to the Garden Cinemas in Greenfield with many stops in between. 


The PVJFF is a collaborative effort of dozens of volunteers and professional staff from organizations across the Pioneer Valley. The Festival offers, among other things, a temporary common ground where community members interested in experiencing Jewish culture via film can learn, be inspired, and enjoy being together. Cinematic stories of joy and celebration, love and loss, tolerance and activism, ethics and history - all demonstrate time and again how important film is as a medium to help us to understand who we are, where we are from, what life is like for others around the globe, and how all of this relates to our contemporary lives and choices.
 



Film Festival