Rosh Hashanah, the Christmas of Israel

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Judaism. It is also one of the most commercially exploited holidays in Israel. Much like Christmas, Rosh Hashanah has a large gift giving component. People do not usually give gifts one to another, but companies traditionally give to their customers and offices give to their employees (see tlushim blog entry).

The televisions are plastered with Happy New Year commercials and the stores are full of New Year sales. When I called our PR company this morning I was greeted with “Ranni Rahav’s office, Happy New Year, this is…” Even when I tried to check my bank statement, I saw a sign that said “Bank Hapoalim wishes you a happy and healthy new year” instead of my homepage.

While people do not usually exchange gifts, many do send out New Years cards or emails. Sometimes they add a picture of themselves or of their families and other times they have a traditional picture containing a shofar, or apples and honey.

People get off from work both on the eve of (like all Jewish holidays) and the two days of the holiday itself. This time is spent by some in synagogue and by all with family.

Of course the one main difference is that Rosh Hashanah is a holiday that I celebrate. I used to smile politely when people wished me a “merry Christmas” when I lived in the States, but now I can whole heartedly respond to “happy new year” with the same reply.

I did not send out Happy New Year cards this year, nor will I bombard you with a mass email, but for those of you who do celebrate Rosh Hashanah: May you have a happy and healthy new year, blessed with all good things…and may you come and visit me in Israel often! Shana Tova.