ISRAEL - Making a Home for Novy God

If you walk past what looks like a Christmas tree on the eve of December 31 here in Israel, chances are that it’s not a forlorn yuletide decoration. Instead, it’s more likely to be a yolka, the fir (or plastic) tree that’s an inherent part of celebrating Novy God, the Russian phrase for “New Year.”

“The first thing I remember from Israel is my first day at an Israeli kindergarten,” recalls Alex Rif, the activist who launched the campaign.

Rif immigrated to Israel from Ukraine as a little girl in 1991 and settled with her family in the coastal city of Netanya. Today, she heads One Million Lobby, an NGO that advocates for a better reality for the 1.2 million Russian-speaking Israelis.

After a few immigration-themed poetry nights, they decided on their first project: Israeli Novy God.

“We put together a website that explains what Novy God is, that it was the only holiday in the Soviet Union without party affiliation, which is why it was preserved in people’s hearts,” she notes.

But Novy God is about a lot more than presents placed under decorated trees. At its heart, it is a family celebration that’s dedicated to summarizing the year that passed and wishing loved ones a good year to come.

According to Rif, Novy God celebrations in Israel have managed to preserve much of their original feel while also adopting local characteristics.

“The food became more diverse, and the toys and games that are played have a much more Israeli flavor. But the essence of this day is a colorful, exciting family celebration, and that’s still preserved, so it’s really fun.”

“It’s a nice, fun and secular celebration, and in my opinion it presents a golden opportunity in Israel because it can become a holiday that’s shared by everyone, regardless of their religion,” Rif says.

“I think that my favorite thing is decorating the tree and receiving presents. The festive atmosphere is just priceless,” she concludes.

-israel21c.org, 27 December 2024

Commentary: While the letters “God” are mentioned, The Jerusalem Post informs: “Novy God means ‘New Year’ in Russian and refers to the secular New Year’s celebration in Russia, post-Soviet states, and by diaspora communities, featuring a decorated spruce tree, festive meals with dishes like Olivier salad, and a Santa-like figure named Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost). The holiday originated after the Russian Revolution to replace the religious Christmas holiday and became a significant secular, family-oriented celebration with traditions resembling Christmas, such as gift-giving and festive meals.”

Most of the English language media neglects to mention Russia and the Soviet Union in relationship to the declaration of the State of Israel. The declaration was signed by 37 members of the Moetzet HaAm (People’s Council or Worker’s Party). Only 24 were present. It is of interest that the Soviet bloc was overwhelmingly represented: 8 from Ukraine, 8 from Belarus, 5 from Poland, 3 from Hungary, etc. (all from the Soviet-aligned communist states). It is also of interest that the Soviet Union was the first nation to fully recognize Israel de jure on 17 May 1948, followed by Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Ireland, and South Africa. The United States extended official recognition, promised by President Truman, on 31 January 1949.

One must also realize that the UK and US had an arms embargo on the Middle East. Jewish intelligence agents, however, were able to secretly smuggle a significant number of weapons from Czechoslovakia, mainly left over from the Second World War.

Not surprisingly, the Russian spirit is seen to be resurrected by “Novy God.” Quite notable is Rif’s statement, “a holiday that’s shared by everyone, regardless of their religion.”

What does that remind us of? John 5:43: “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”