I love parties. But I honestly was not planning on doing anything to commemorate my 65th birthday. It was enough that I made it to Medicare age. The emotion of realizing I was now officially a senior bothered me a bit. Although I am not afraid of getting old. It is more of a disbelief that I am older than I feel I am in my heart.
Nomi Eve and me.
The idea for my party started with a book, Henna House, written by Nomi Eve. I loved the book. Although people seem to know the stories of the Ashkenazi Jewish diaspora and the horrific times in Europe with the Shoah, many do not realize that there is a large population of Mizrachi (Jews from Arab countries) Jewish residents in Israel now. They were cast out of their countries when Israel was created, but even before suffered from anti-Semitic laws.
In Henna House, Nomi Eve discusses the world of the Yemenite Jews focusing on one girl as she grows and her family. I loved it so much, I offered to chair a committee to bring Nomi to Kansas City for a book event. Since, I have been helping with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City’s book events for well over 20 years, I hoped that they would agree to this event.
It was approved. On a side note, Nomi Eve was supposed to be in Kansas City on a tour for her first book, The Family Orchard. I was on that committee as well. In the last minute, she was unable to make that book event. She told me, when we met in December, that she felt she owed Kansas City and had to come. I am glad she did!
Nomi Eve had an henna art done while she was here.
For this event, we decided that having a henna demonstration for those who attended would be a great experience for all and enhance the book event. An henna artist, Jason from Henna Being, (See website below) came to provide a demonstration. He was fantastic.
A thought took seed in my mind! Why not a henna party for my birthday. Henna is often put on for happy occasions like a wedding or an engagement. Others put on henna when they are pregnant to bless their babies. To me, a 65th birthday seemed to me to be an important celebration that deserved to be blessed by a henna artist.
My henna hamsa.
The artist, Jason, was glad to come to my party. I think he had as good as a time as my eight friends, my son and his girlfriend. Over the course of three hours, we all had henna designs. Each one different than the other, based on the desire of each of us.
For me, I needed a hamsa. I collect them and wished one on my arm. (See blog about Hamsa’s below.)
Our henna art.
I thank Nomi Eve for her wonderful book. I thank Jill and the JCC for supporting this book event. I thank Jason for coming to my henna party with his excellent talent. Finally I am glad that my friends and family got into the spirit of the henna event. I feel as if I have started my 65 year with a wonderful celebration of blessing and luck with my Crazy Henna Birthday Celebration.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18775306-henna-house
zicharonot 
What a unique way to celebrate your birthday! I read Nomi Eve’s first book—I will have to look for this one. Happy birthday!
I thought it was excellent. As for the party, it was fun!
Wow – what an exciting and wonderful idea for your birthday party. Happy Birthday! I am a Feb. 8th baby and one two of my daughters sent me Hamsa inspired gifts 🙂 I have not read Nomi’s book and looks like I need to put it on my shopping list. Now to check out your Hamsa post 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it. And happy birthday to you! My daughter also loves henna. And would try to get me to have it done. Don’t know why I said no. It is really an art!