Nostalgia Sunday

September 28, 2008 - 10:23 PM by Rachel Neiman · 4 Comments
Filed under: Art, General, Holidays, Israeliness, Pop Culture

I don’t know Hayim Shtayter personally but he is a man after my own heart. Shtayer, a veteran Israeli graphic designer, has an extensive collection of antique and period greeting cards for the Jewish New Year, some of which can be found online.

Rosh HaShana Card - Son & Daugher of Zion

What is nice about this season is that even today, if you go down to the open market shuk, there are still stands selling this sort of card. Brightly colored, often embossed and/or sprinkled with sparkles, these are hopeful messages for the near future, a mix of national pride, military might and religious symbolism.

Rosh HaShana card - Moshe Dayan

And sometimes, with a new house and a new car thrown in for good measure!

Rosh HaShana card - New house and car

The “Shana Tova” (good new year) style – described by graphic designer David Tartakover in a 1978 book as “folk art created by anonymous artists” – was honored by the Israel Postal Service in 2000 and 2001 when it commissioned Shtayer to create a series of stamps using images from Rosh HaShana cards.

Rosh HaShana stamps designed by Hayim Shtayer

If you like the Shana Tova style, there’s still time to send an e-card to friends and family. The one I got was really sweet. In any case, best wishes for a New Year filled with health, happiness and a bit of peace, wherever we can find it! Shana Tova!

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