Israel’s May 2019 Issues:

• • Endangered Mammals,
  • Ethnic Festival Mimouna,
  • Memorial Day,
  • Newspapers, and
  • Hava Nagila.
  • ATM Labels: Fighter Jets

Click on the issue names to go the specific pages.

Three stamps: Vulpes rueppellii, Hemiechinus auritus, Dryomys nitedula
Date of Issue: 01 May 2019
Denominations: NIS 2.50,2.50,2.50
Size of Stamps: W: 40 mm H: 30 mm
Plate nos.: 1119
Designers: Tuvia Kurtz, Osnat Eshel
Printers: Cartor Security Printing, France
Printing method: Offset
Sheet type: Mini Special Sheet
No. of stamps in sheet: 9 (3 tabs)
Place of cancellation: Be’er Sheva
No. of FDCs: 1
Price of FDCs: NIS 8.70

From Israeli Post:

Three special mammal species in Israel have something in common – although each lives in a different area and habitat. All of these habitats are disappearing, be it loess covered areas, desert sands in the Negev or Mediterranean forests. The destruction of natural habitats is the most severe problem plaguing our world’s wildlife, and Israel is no exception.

Wide open spaces that existed just 200 years ago have been populated. Fallow fields have become few and planted. The “wilderness” has been tamed by concrete and cement and crisscrossed by roads. All of these factors have contributed to the decrease and segmentation of natural habitats, making it difficult for wild animals in Israel to sustain their populations.

These three species are all nocturnal, thus they are seldom seen by humans, who may admire their beauty only for brief moments. They will cease to exist if we fail to make a special effort to preserve them and their habitats.

Rueppell’s Fox — Vulpes rueppellii
The Rueppell’s Fox is a small, beautiful species. It has a grey stripe running from the corner of its eye to its mouth and paws that are covered in fur as an adaptation to its sandy habitat. The Negev Desert is the northernmost distribution area of this species. In the 1980’s the population gradually disappeared from the sands of the Negev and Arava, due to the destruction from its displacement of its habitat by red foxes and wolves.

Forest Doormouse — Dryomys nitedula
The Forest Doormouse is a small, stealth rodent that is active at night and few ever see it. It has a black “mask” on its face and a long, bushy tail. This species builds round nests in treetops, and spends its days sleeping there. At night it searches for acorns from oak trees and fruit in its

wooded Mediterranean habitat, using birds’ nests like tables. The Forest Doormouse may be found in the Galilee and was recently also seen in Jojoba groves in the northern Negev Desert. It is prevalent in the Balkans and southward to Israel, through Syria and Lebanon. Israel is the southernmost edge of its distribution.

Long-eared Hedgehog — Hemiechinus auritus
The Long-eared Hedgehog is the smallest hedgehog species in Israel. It has a light colored face, a pointed nose, large furless ears and no fur. It lives on the coastal plain as far as Caesarea in the north, in areas of loess sediment. There is an isolated population in the Golan Heights as well. The Long-eared Hedgehog may also be found in towns in the central of Israel, where it shares the urban habitat with Southern White-breasted Hedgehog.

—Keren Or
Zoologist, Zoological Center, Ramat Gan

Date of Issue: 01 May 2019
Denomination: NIS 4.10
Size of Stamp: W: 40 mm H: 30
Plate no.: 1120
Designers: Mario Sermonte, Meir Eshel
Printers: Cartor Security Printing, France
Printing method: Offset
Sheet type: Mini Special Sheet (Teth Besh Sheet)
No. of stamps in sheet: 8 (8 tabs)
Place of cancellation: Jerusalem
No. of FDCs: 1
Price of FDCs: NIS 5.30

From Israel Post:

When the State of Israel was founded and its gates were opened to Jews from around the world, the wave of Olim (new immigrants) which had been rising since the end of the 19th century became a virtual flood. Entire communities from around the globe gathered their belongings and made their way to the Land of their ancestors. Each community brought its customary garb, special language, traditions and all of the other cultural components it had developed over centuries in the Diaspora.

In the early years of the State, Israel’s leaders had to cope with the huge challenge of formulating a new society, one that would incorporate people from Jewish communities around the globe. As part of the “melting pot” concept the new immigrants were expected to abandon the traditions they brought from their native lands and embrace the image and traditions of the new Israeli. This attitude changed over the years and was replaced by one that honored and cherished the immense cultural wealth brought by the Olim. Israeli cuisine adopted diverse flavors and foods originating around the world, Israeli music enriched its work with a broad range of tones and the Israeli calendar integrated holidays and festivals celebrated by the different ethnic groups. Some of these festivals have spread beyond their original ethnicity and are celebrated by Israeli society as a whole.

The Mimouna Festival
The Mimouna festival stems from the Jewish community in Morocco and is celebrated in the evening of the last day of Passover. The Mimouna is meant to unify the Jewish community and its essence is the opening of homes and hearts to all who wish to join in the celebration. It is customary to open one’s door as a sign that all are welcome – family, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers alike.

The hosts make every effort to provide their guests with an enjoyable experience. They are received with a traditional greeting: Tirbachu Utis’adu which wishes them success and good fortune. Participants wear splendid traditional garb, including golden robes and colorful head- coverings. The gathering is accompanied by music, singing and dancing.

The hosts traditionally serve a lavish and diverse array of delicacies and sweets, most of which are prepared during the days of Passover. These dishes are made with ingredients that are strictly kosher for Passover. Also served is the traditional Mufleta, which is made of dough and prepared at the end of the holiday, just before being served to the guests.

The festive atmosphere continues the next morning, and it is customary to spend the day outside with family and friends.

After coming to Israel, the Moroccan community continued to celebrate the festival within itself and in 1965 the tradition was established in the format of mass celebrations for the general public. The Mimouna festival has acquired a place of honor among Israelis and is celebrated each year by most people.

Description of the Stamp
Photos of the gate, the doors and the plant – Shutterstock.
Photo of the fish – Pnina Barkay.
Photos of the host’s clothing and hat and the photo that inspired the family – courtesy of the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry.

With thanks to the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry.

This is the first in a series of three stamps. Two additional stamps featuring the Sehrane and Sigd festivals will be issued later this year.

Date of Issue: 01: May: 2019
Size of stamps: W: 30.mm H: 40 mm
Face Value: NIS 2.50:
Plate Block No.: 1114
Designer: Rinat Gilboa
Printing Method: Offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France
Sheet Type: Regular
Stamps per sheet: 15
Tabs: 5
No. of FDCs: 1
Price of FDC’s: NIS 3.70
Place of cancellation: Jerusalem

From Israel Post:

The letter card, cover and stamp – all of which are special and unique to Memorial Day – constitute the basis of a sensitive, original and extraordinary tradition that came into being following the War of Independence.

Since Memorial Day 1952, a long line of Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Defense have signed personal letters to bereaved families of the fallen and Israel’s premier artists take part in designing the covers and stamps for this commemorative day. Thus, from year to year, an unprecedented tradition has formed which, over time, has become one of the most recognized and extraordinary ambassadors of Israel’s commemorative culture.

(From: “Dear Families” published by the Ministry of Defense, on the occasion of Israel’s 50th Anniversary)

Over the years, the graphic design of the annual Memorial Day stamp has included symbolic expressions and monuments, and in recent years, also commemorative poems.

This stamp reflects the song Mah Avarech (How Shall I Bless Him) by Rachel Shapira.

What blessings can I give this child,
what can he be blessed with?
This boy is now an angel.
No one will bless him, he will be blessed no more.

© All rights reserved by the songwriter and ACUM. (Free translation from the original Hebrew)

Date of Issue: 01 May 2019
Size of stamp: W: 35 mm H: 50 mm
Face Value: NIS 11.80
Plate Block No. 1115
Designer: Tal Hoover
Printing Method: Offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France
Sheet Type: Regular- Mini Sheet
Stamps per sheet: 10
Tabs: 5
No. of FDCs: 1
Price of FDCs: NIS 13
Place of cancellation: Jerusalem

Hava Nagila is one of the most famous Hebrew songs in the world, arguably the most recognized of all Hebrew melodies. The lyrics were apparently written by composer Zvi Idelsohn and his students at the Lemel School. Idelsohn was the first professional Jewish composer in Jerusalem and in all of Eretz Israel. He was also a vocal and music teacher, musical arranger, choir conductor, cantor and mentor to young cantors. In addition, he researched Jewish music, meticulously collecting and compiling thousands of Jewish melodies from all of the Jewish ethnic groups and tribes and was the first to record music in Eretz Israel.

The song was composed when 400 years of oppressive Turkish rule in Eretz Israel came to an end and the Jews of Jerusalem were enthusiastic and joyful after the British troops led by General Edmond Allenby entered the city on the first day of Hanukkah, 1917. During such moments of joy the Hallel prayer of praise is recited in synagogue: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us exult and rejoice on it”.

Idelsohn decided to compose a song in honor of this great event and arranged the melody based on a Hasidic tune that he heard in the Hasidic court of the Sadigura Rebbe. The ancient melody stems from the courts of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty and was heard in most Hasidic courts.

The song was first performed in 1918. It was later performed by many different artists, Jews and non-Jews alike. The melody was played at a dance in Jerusalem that same year, to great success. The words of the chorus are: “Let us rejoice and be glad, let us be happy, awaken brethren with a cheerful heart”.

The song was recorded in the 1920’s and spread among the Jewish communities of Europe and America. It reached New York, a center for Jews and also the music world, and quickly gained popularity. The catchy, rhythmic tune and the simple Hebrew lyrics made it a hit among the Jewish population and it became the core of Jewish celebrations, sung at weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, etc.

Non-Jewish singers also embraced and performed the song, thus expanding its popularity in the United States and later throughout the world, and it eventually became a musical standard. Although lyrics have been written in other languages, most renditions of the song feature all of the Hebrew lyrics and it is probably the most recognized Hebrew song in the world.

The First Day Cover features part of the musical score to Hava Nagila.

Three stamps: Haaretz, Davar, Doar Hayom
Date of Issue: 01 May 2019
Size of stamps: W: 40 mm H: 30 mm
Face Value: NIS 4.10, 4.10,4.10
Plate Block No. 1116, 1117, 1118
Designer: Ronen Goldberg
Printing Method: Offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France
Sheet Type: Regular
Stamps per sheet: 15
Tabs: 5
No. of FDC’s: 1
Price of FDC’s: NIS 13.50
Place of cancellation: Jerusalem

From Israel Post:

The printed press has existed in Eretz Israel since 1863, mostly in Hebrew, along with some other languages as well. The first daily newspaper was published in 1908, but a wider range of daily newspapers did not appear until after WWI. In the summer of 1919, two dailies appeared within weeks of each other: News of Haaretz (which changed its name after a few months to Haaretz) and Doar Hayom.

Haaretz, 1919
News of Haaretz was the civilian version of the British military weekly in Hebrew The Palestine News which was published for just one year (April 1918 – April 1919). When the British put it up for sale the Zionist Organization could not fund the purchase and called upon Isaac Leib Goldberg, a wealthy man and passionate Zionist from Eastern Europe, who acquired the newspaper and served as its first publisher.

Goldberg retired from Haaretz after only a few years, but continued to support it financially and otherwise until his death in 1935.

The newspaper had significant financial troubles due to limited circulation and a lack of advertising, as the Jewish population numbered no more than 60,000. It had three different editors within three years: Nissan Turov, Shmuel Perlman and Leib Yaffe. The newspaper’s financial crisis led Haaretz to close in late 1922. It later reopened under editor Moshe Yosef Glikson, who served in this position for 15 years, until the newspaper was acquired by the Schocken family.

In 1923, Haaretz moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, where it has remained ever since.

Davar, 1925
The third newspaper, Davar, was first published in the summer of 1925. It was the journal of the Histadrut Workers Organization, which was a rising organization at that time, led by David Ben Gurion. The decision to publish a daily newspaper was made at the Histadrut’s founding convention in 1920, but its implementation was delayed by internal struggles within the organization. Berl Katznelson, the ideologist of the Labor Movement in Eretz Israel, founded Davar and served as its first editor. Shneur Zalman Rubashov (Shazar), later the third President of Israel, was his head assistant. Shazar succeeded Katznelson as the newspaper’s editor upon his death in 1944.

Davar, as opposed to the other newspapers, established an “empire” of publications that included the punctuated daily Hege (that was later called Omer) as well as weekly, biweekly and monthly publications such as Davar for Children, Davar for Women Workers, Davar for the New Immigrant, Hameshek Hashitufi, a magazine in Arabic called Hakikat Al-Amar (The Word of Truth), as well as newspapers in English and German and an annual literary publication. Davar for Children was considered to be the leading children’s newspaper in Israel for more than 50 years.

Davar was the most popular and influential newspaper in Israel for many years. It was published in Tel Aviv for 71 years, until its closure in 1996.

Doar Hayom, 1919
The founders of Doar Hayom, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and his son Itamar Ben-Avi were initially among the first at Haaretz but after only a few weeks they left and started their own newspaper. Editor Itamar Ben-Avi derived the name of the Jerusalem-based newspaper from London’s Daily Mail. The right-wing Doar Hayom represented the veteran members of the Jewish Yishuv in Eretz Israel, the Sephardim and the farmers as opposed to the mid-left wing Haaretz and tended to publish more “scoops”, amusing stories from around the world and personal attacks on the heads of the Zionist movement and the Yishuv. Ben-Avi loathed Haaretz and used to say mockingly: “Haaretz may be a decent newspaper – but it isn’t a newspaper; Doar Hayom may not be decent, but it is a newspaper”.

In late 1928, when Doar Hayom was actually the most popular newspaper in Eretz Israel, Ben-Avi inexplicably transferred the editor’s position to Ze’ev Jabotinsky, who turned it into the journal of the young Revisionist Movement. Two years later, the newspaper returned to Ben-Avi, who served as its editor until he retired in 1933. The newspaper continued to exist sporadically until 1940.

Doar Hayom was mostly published in Jerusalem.

—Dr. Mordecai Naor

The Buildings on the Stamps
The three buildings featured on the stamps housed the three newspapers – Haaretz, Doar Hayom and Davar.

The first building to house Haaretz was built by I.L. Goldberg on Montefiore St. in Tel Aviv (as featured on the stamp). The newspaper later moved to Mazeh St., where it remained for decades. Doar Hayom was housed in an office building on Hasolel St. in the center of Jerusalem. Hasolel was the name of the publishing company that published the newspaper. Today it is called Havazelet St., named after the second newspaper to appear in Jerusalem, in 1863, (the first was Halevanon).

For many years, Davar was housed in the Histadrut Executive Committee building on Allenby St. in Tel Aviv (which appears on the stamp). In the late 1940’s the newspaper moved to its own building on Shenkin St.