RISHON LEZION, Israel — Tonight the Jewish state is celebrating not New Year’s but “Sylvester”:
One of my favorite aspects of this country is that it runs according to a Jewish rhythm, a Jewish calendar, a Jewish clock. Even the non-religious — let alone the non-Jews — can’t escape it. “Jewish time” here means much more than just arriving late: Friday is lax; Shabbat is Shabbat; Sunday we work.
For immigrants, that Sunday-work routine takes some getting used to, and is a constant source of whining and yearning. Ask any number of happy, satisfied, well-adjusted immigrants what they miss most about the old country, and nine times out of 10 they will say Sunday.
BUT IT’S not only Sunday, it’s also New Year’s Day that takes on a whole different meaning in Israel. Granted, “Sylvester,” as it is known here, has increased in visibility over the years, but it still enjoys nowhere near the status it has abroad.
Supposedly, as the Jerusalem Post column mentions, the holiday is named after an anti-Semitic pope, and the day takes into account the view that January 1 was a common date for despots in antiquity to kill Jews. I have no idea if this is true, but it is the cultural myth in Israel — and it explains why the holiday is less of an extravaganza here. It’s an ironic, victory celebration.
For Israelis, the real New Year is the high holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
