HAPPY SYLVESTER - I MEAN NEW YEAR'S EVE

In Israel, the secular New Year is called Sylvester after St. Sylvester, a notorious 4th century anti-Semitic whose saint day falls on December 31.  As Pope, Sylvester convinced Constantine to prohibit Jews from living in Jerusalem. Some say he was the most anti-Semitic of all the Popes.  Clearly, calling New Year’s Sylvester is an odd choice.  

It is important to note: Sylvester is not an important celebration in Israel. Even though the calendar turns over, many Israelis do nothing to mark it. Just to clarify - the Gregorian calendar was adopted in the land of Israel in 1917. The Hebrew calendar is used only for religious observance.  But, in recent years especially, Sylvester parties have become increasingly popular.

So why the name? Quite practically, “The New Year” would be translated as “Rosh Hashana” but obviously that name was already taken and, so, couldn’t be used. 

In several European countries, most notably Germany, the secular new year is called Sylvester.  European Jews brought this tradition with them when they moved to Israel.  Even though Sylvester was an excuse for anti-Semitic rioting in Europe, Sylvester was also perceived as something cultured.  So, Sylvester became an excuse for parties and balls among some European immigrants to Israel. 

Religious Jews and labor Zionist purists protested these Sylvester celebrations.   In 1937, the Tel Aviv City Council even passed a resolution against the celebration of Sylvester, asking that no bars or clubs within the city sponsor celebrations.  Soon, religious authorities in Jerusalem issued their own edicts against Sylvester.  But Sylvester celebrations continued amid the protests, especially among the artistic and journalistic communities.

To me, I find sarcasm in Sylvester celebrations in Israel.  Pope Sylvester tried to bring an end to the Jewish community in Israel.  But, 800 years after he lived, the Jewish community thrives in Israel.  Israelis celebrating secular New Year in the name of Sylvester highlights that, despite our community’s hardships, we carry on.  And, we look ahead with hopes for a more peaceful, healthy new year.

In that spirit, I wish all of you a peaceful and healthy 2022.  May it be a good year for you and your loved ones.