Rosh Hashanah Cards Chronicled Zionist Dream in Early Israel

Historical collections reveal how "Shana Tova" (Happy New Year) greetings evolved from simple holiday wishes into powerful visual narratives of the nascent Zionist movement and Jewish life in the Land of Israel. Initially printed in basic brown and red hues, these cards were later hand-colored before full-color printing became common with the establishment of printing houses.

The cards depicted scenes of a developing nation, symbolizing joy, progress, renewal, and construction. Common imagery included people dancing the Hora, celebrating around bonfires, pioneers in fields, newly established settlements, and the iconic "Wall and Tower" construction motif, all bearing the "Shana Tova" inscription. Later, cards from the early 1950s showcased landscapes of the Land of Israel.

Special Rosh Hashanah greetings are preserved in archives like Beit Lohamei Haghetaot, featuring cards sent from Tel Aviv and Haifa in the late 1920s to family and friends abroad, often including photographs of the senders. These collections also house unique items, such as a greeting sent to Theodor Herzl in 1897 by Yitzhak Shevron and his sons, accompanying his entrance ticket to the First Zionist Congress. This message praised Herzl's work and expressed hope for his continued success.

Another notable card, sent to Herzl in 1903 by the Zlatshinka family, featured images of delegates from the First Zionist Congress. Early 20th-century greetings also include a foldable card sent to David Wolffsohn from the South African Zionist Federation, depicting Herzl alongside an illustration of people walking towards a rising sun labeled "Zion."

These greeting cards are characterized by their prominent Zionist motifs, such as collages of participants from the First Zionist Congress with Herzl at the center, and the inclusion of symbols like the Star of David and the Western Wall, according to curator Portoghese.