There’s nothing like a new year to bring up feelings of nostalgia, that “sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.”

As evidenced by their taste in New Year’s greetings, many Israelis certainly feel the pangs of nostalgia at this time and many cards hark back to what is today perceived as a simpler time (it wasn’t). The old-fashioned style reigns, so much so that even as august a body as the Academy of the Hebrew Language presents this contemporary illustration — complete with a sprinkling of sparkly glitter — in their definition of greeting cards for the Jewish New Year.

Wikipedia also has a good number of original old-time cards in their definition of Shana Tova cards.

Once, Israelis used to buy their holiday greeting cards at stands that would pop-up in central locations as the High Holy Days grew near.

The themes ranged from the traditional symbols of learning and religious ceremony…

To Labor Zionist themes of “Creation and Construction”…

The new generation of talented violin-playing boys and flag-wielding girls who would build the State of Israel…

And of course, traditional wishes for prosperity and happiness. These were sometimes given a modern flair!

There are still a few stands left for the hard-copy die-hards but today, you’re more likely to send an e-greeting. Recognizing this trend, sites like the wonderful Nostal.co.il regularly post a grand selection of scanned cards (get ’em here).

Looking forward, our best wishes for a sweet New Year of health, happiness, prosperity, creation, construction and peace.