163 Ahuza Street, Raanana, 43301, ISRAEL -- Telephone/Fax: (972)-9-7717080
FAMILY DAY (formerly Mother's Day)
Family Day in Israel used to be known as 'Mother's Day' and is usually calculated according to the Hebrew calendar birthday of Henrietta Szold. In 1999, Mother's Day falls on Tuesday, February 16th.
The first Mother's Day in modern times was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 10th, 1908. Six years later, President Woodrew Wilson declared that Mother's Day would be celebrated in the United States on the first day of the second week in May.
In Israel on Family Day, the fathers and the children give a gift of flowers and presents to the country's mothers, and free the mothers from all housework on this day. Israeli schools hold special programs glorifying the role of the mother in Israel and in Judaism. There are those who wear a small white carnation on this day, as a symbol of the purity of motherly love.
Although it may be politically correct to refer to this day as Family Day, presents are given only to the mother. In spirit, at least, it is still Mother's Day' and nothing can change that.
In Biblical times, the mother occupied a place of honor and authority in the family. Concern for the mother's welfare was deemed by Biblical leaders as a measure of good government and a wholesome society. The influence of famous mothers in Biblical tradition (such as Sarah in the Book of Genesis), is illustrative of the significance attached to the mother's role.
In the Bible, the mother is shown naturally displaying care and love. The mother was directly involved in the early training of the children, much more so than the father. The mother kept charge of the daughter until marriage. In the Bible, the mother and wife is the undisputed mistress of the home.
The Talmudic tractate of Hullin states that: "A man should spend less than his means on food, up to his means on clothes, and beyond his means in honoring his wife and the mother of his children."
In modern Israel, the mother is respected and has a special place in the family.
Henrietta Szold:
Israel's Mother's Day occurs on the Hebrew birthday of Henrietta Szold (1860-1945). She was the first president of the Hadassah Jewish women's organization. Although she was born in Baltimore Maryland, she spent the last 25 years of her life living and working in Palestine. She was the first director of the Youth Aliyah Agency in the 1930's and was responsible for bringing 30,000 Jewish children from Nazi Europe to Israel. She looked upon them as "her children," and this is one of the main reasons that Family Day (Mother's Day) is celebrated in Israel on her birthday.
There are those who believe that naming this day as 'Family Day' does a grave injustice to mothers all over Israel. However, no matter what you call it, it is still Mother's Day in spirit and in tradition.
CONTACT US:
Telefax: (972)-9-7717080
Mobile Phone: (972)-50-546516
Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-877 977 (Within Israel only)
E-Mail us at: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Prices
Order Form
