Shana Tova Card, early twentieth century

This colorful New Year card was produced in the first quarter of the twentieth century. It features a father and son dressed in smart Hasidic style clothes and overcoats, perhaps on their way either to or from the synagogue. The son is holding a leather-bound book and a white stick, while his father, who is also holding a book, is handing some money to a poor man. On the other side of the picture is a second man, walking with wooden crutches, holding out his hand for charity. Both men are somewhat dishevelled: the man on the right is wearing broken shoes, the disabled man on the left is wearing a squashed hat. The scene takes place in the street where to the left is an impressive building, maybe the synagogue, and to the right a residential building. From the style of the buildings and the dress of the figures, it seems as if the scene is taking place in Eastern Europe.

The phrase at the bottom, “Repentance, prayer and charity removes the evil decree,” is taken from the prayers of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This quote might explain the choice of design for this card, reflecting on the traditional role of charity in guaranteeing a positive judgement for the coming new year. During the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, there is a great focus on charity within Jewish communities, and a widespread custom has emerged for communities to make a large appeal on the evening of Yom Kippur for donations towards specific causes.

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Discussion Questions

Observation

• Describe the card.
  What figures appear in the image?
  What is in the background?
  What do you think the relationship is between the two central characters?
• What is their social standing?
• Where are the two central characters going?
• How are the two other men dressed?
• What is the wealthier man giving to the beggar?
• What is written on the card? Where does the text at the bottom of the card come from?

Reading Between the Lines

• What was the card intended for?
• What is the connection between the subject of the card and the New Year?
  How did you come to this conclusion?
• How has the artist ensured that we understand the relationship between the characters?
• Where do you think this scene takes place? What hints in the picture helped you reach this conclusion?
• What can this picture tell us about the Jewish communities in Eastern Europe at the time?
• Why are greetings cards sent at Rosh Hashanah?

Connections

• Have you ever sent or received a Shana Tova card?
  What was featured on the card?
• Which charitable causes do you consider to be the most worthy?

Creative Ideas

• Design a greetings card for the next Rosh Hashanah.
  Explain why you have chosen the specific design or image

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