Autumn Flowers booklet
Issue Date: November 26, 2019

Denominations: Nis 24.60 (6 x 4.10)
Designers: Tuvia Kurtz & Ronen Goldberg
Printers: Tadbik, Israel

Booklet cover:

Monsters
Issue Date: November 26th

Monsters have been part of human lure throughout history. They arouse our fears as well as our curiosity. Monsters are found in Greek and Indian mythology, in China and Japan, among the Vikings and African tribes, as well as the Biblical Nephili and Og king of Bashan and the Golem from Prague in Jewish folklore.

These monsters symbolize the fear of the unknown, which is especially prevalent in young children. At this age anxiety and thoughts turn into terrible creatures hiding in the room, under the bed or in the closet which may come out of hiding at night and cause harm. Every parent experiences his/her child’s fear of these “monsters” and their real fear of them, most commonly at bedtime. This fear can persist for many months.

The monsters featured in this stamp series, created by illustrator Yossi Abulafia and author Ephraim Sidon, are an attempt to deal with these fears by presenting the monsters as funny clumsy characters that, despite their frightening and threatening appearance, are actually good creatures that just want to be loved, encouraged and have friends like everyone else. Thus, this stamp series joins the current trend in children’s literature to “humanize” monsters in order to neutralize the fear they instill in the young.

Like the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are, There’s a Nightmare in my Closet and the Shrek movies, the inhabitants of the Monsters Garden are seemingly frightening and intimidating. But outward appearances can be deceiving. These creatures believe they are beautiful, clever and talented, and they especially crave children’s love. And in fact, the enthusiastic response from tens of thousands of children upon meeting these monsters proves that fear can indeed be conquered through humor.

Muglevi (Cowardly Heart)
Muglevi is a lonely monster with no family or home. He develops many fears, such as a fear of heights, lows, closed spaces, open spaces, public singing, root vegetables, stage fright and fear fright. And he is especially afraid of the monsters Akavishamish (Spider) and Mar-bitz (Hitter) that appear alongside him on each stamp. But beware! If frightened, Muglevi grows to be 4.68 meters tall, weighing 4.72 tons, he bears his teeth and claws and… and… faints.

Kishta (Go Away)
This is Kishta… and if you ask her this question: Why do you have such fingernails and why are you so scary?” she will give you an angry look and reply: Why do you care – it’s none of your business. Go away, just go away from here! I don’t want to see you.

And she mostly wants Kadmoni, the monster that follows her everywhere, to go away…

Sanani (Hater)
Sanani mostly hates everything! But you can’t blame him, after his difficult childhood. He was the fifth child in a family that only had two children. His mother died three years before he was born and when he was just two days old, he was sent off to hunt turnips.

Thus, he hates heartily and there are things he doesn’t like. He even hates the other monsters that are constantly by his side.
—Ephraim Sidon

The stamp series was inspired by the Monsters exhibit at the Eretz Israel Museum (Initiative and artistic management: Zachi Becker) which was designed and written by Yossi Abulafia and Ephraim Sidon. Also inspired by the book “The Monsters Garden” by Ephraim Sidon and Yossi Abulafia.

This stamp sheet was produced using hexachrome (6-color) printing.

Technical Specifications:

• Moglevi
• Kishta
• Sanani

Denominations:NIS 4.10
Size of Booklet: W: 30 mm H: 40
Plate nos.: 1139
Designers: Yossi Abulafia & Miri Nistor
Printers: Enschede, Netherland
Printing method: Offset
Sheet type: Special & small decorated sheet
No. of stamps in sheet: 6 (6 tabs)
Place of cancellation: Tel Aviv – Yafo
No. of FDCs: 1
Price of FDCs: NIS 13.50
Place of cancellation: Tel Aviv – Yafo
Special comments: This stamp sheet was produced using hexachrome (6-color) printing.

Ethnic Festivals in Israel: The Sigd Festival
Issue Date: November 26

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 Sigd Festival
The Sigd Festival is unique to Ethiopian Jewry and is celebrated each year on the Hebrew date of 29th Heshvan, 50 days after Yom Kippur. In addition to the name Sigd (which stems from the Hebrew word Sgida, meaning worship) it is also called the “festival of supplication” and the “annual gathering”. It is a day of fasting and purification, including a ceremony to renew the covenant between the people and God and a prayer to return to Jerusalem.

The Sigd ceremony is based on the detailed description of the renewal of the covenant conducted in Jerusalem by Ezra and Nehemiah upon the return to Zion (Nehemiah chapters 8-10). It was customary in Ethiopia to hold the ceremony atop a high mountain, symbolizing Mount Sinai. On the eve of the festival, participants would gather at the foot of the mountain selected for the ceremony and purify themselves. Early in the morning they prepared food that would be served at the end of the fast day. On the morning of the Sigd, participants gathered dressed in their best clothes and ascended the mountain together, carrying the Ethiopian Torah (Orit). At the summit of the mountain, the Kess (priests) led prayers praising God, expressing repentance, requesting forgiveness and longing for Jerusalem. They read the Ten Commandments, chapter 9 from the Book of Nehemiah, blessings and curses to the gathered worshippers. At the end of the ceremony, the participants confessed their sins and expressed their desire to celebrate the following year in Jerusalem. The journey back down the mountain was joyous, filled with singing and dancing, and the day concluded with a banquet to break the fast.

When the Jews of Ethiopia made Aliyah to Israel, it was decided that the Sigd would continue to be celebrated annually in Jerusalem. The Sherover Promenade in Jerusalem, which overlooks the Temple Mount, was chosen as the site for the event and it is there that the members of the Ethiopian community gather. In addition to the prayer ceremony conducted by the Kess priests, the festive gathering itself is considered to be significant.

Description of the Stamp
• Background photo of Jerusalem, photo of the Kess priests and photo of the participants celebrating: Gidon Agaza.
• Photo of the Star of David on the stamp tab – courtesy of Elmaz Art in Israel.
• With thanks to the Association of Ethiopian Jews for their help in preparing the stamp and the text. This is the third in a series of three stamps, including those featuring the Sehrane and Mimouna festivals, which were issued earlier this year.

Technical Specifications:

Size of stamps: W: 40 mm, H: 30 mm
Face Value: NIS 7.40
Plate Block No.: 1140
Designer: Mario Sermoneta & Meir Eshel
Printing Method: Offset
Printer: Enschede, Netherland
Sheet Type: Regular
Stamps per sheet: 15
Tabs: 5
No. of FDC’s: 1
Price of FDC’s: NIS 8.60
Place of cancellation: Jerusalem

Israeli Board Games (Israel 2019)
Issue Date: November 26th

TAKI
Since it was first introduced in 1983, TAKI has become one of the most popular board games in Israel and one of the greatest symbols of the “togetherness” culture.

The game, whose name means “waterfall” in Japanese and is illustrated by designer Ari Ron, incorporates luck and strategy in just the right amounts for the whole family.

What makes a game so much fun? There are a number of essential components, and they can even be listed in order of significance, but as with any creation, from a stunning cake to a fascinating story or moving piece of music, there is always an elusive component that is hard to define and without which, perfection would not be attained – without it there is no magic.

Haim Shafir, who invented TAKI, says that the secret to the game’s success lies in the slogan that expresses his creative vision – Simply be Happy Together, “because that is the true purpose of board games, and essentially – of life itself”.

—Haim Shafir

Rummikub®
Rummikub, an original Israeli produced game, is one of the top three family games in the world. It is currently Israel’s number one export, sold to 59 countries and translated into 26 languages! A new Rummikub game is manufactured every six seconds.

According to estimates, there is not a single home in Israel that does not have a Rummikub game, whether it is the prestigious version with marblelike tiles in a wooden box, the lightweight travel version, in the metal gift box and more…

How is the game played? Each player takes 14 tiles and tries to be the first to use all the tiles from his/her rack by creating groups or series and by maneuvering.

If you are lucky enough to draw the joker tile – use it wisely, because it can replace any number!

The game was developed in the 1950’s by the late Ephraim Hertzano and manufactured by Kodkod. Ephraim couldn’t have imagined that his social invention would one day change free time for families and children around the world.

Rummikub was declared to be one of the best games of the 20th century.

The World Rummikub Championships have been held since 1991, with participants from approximately 36 different countries.

The popular online Rummikub app has been downloaded by millions worldwide, allowing users to play with others online.

—Mariana and Micha Hertzano, CEO

The items on the stamps courtesy of Shafir Games and Kodkod company ©.

TAKI & Rummikub
Date of Issue: 26 November, 2019
Size of stamps: W: 30 mm, H: 40 mm
Face Value: NIS 2.50, 2.50, 2.50
Plate Block No.: 1137
Designer: Hadar Bar
Printing Method: Offset
Printer: Enschede, Netherland
Sheet Type: Regular
Stamps per sheet: 15
Tabs: 5
No. of FDCís: 1
Price of FDC’s: NIS 6.20
Place of cancellation: Tel Aviv – Yafo