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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Israel Series at HebrewPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Israeli holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 18, Family Day. |
| Nothing is more important to Israelis than their families. On the 30th of the Hebrew month of Shvat, Israelis consecrate one day to expressing appreciation for their most important asset. |
| Let’s learn about the day on which Israelis say thank you - תודה (toda) to the most important people in their lives. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you- |
| Why was Family Day or יום המשפחה (yom hamishpacha) specifically set on the 30th of Shvat? |
| If you don't already know, keep listening! The answer will be revealed at the end of this lesson! |
| Family Day is the holiday of Israeli families. On this day, they express their appreciation for the concern and support their families provide. This day is an opportunity to demonstrate concern for family members—adults’ concern for children, and vice-versa. Family Day isn't a religious holiday or in Hebrew חג דתי (chag dati), but a Jewish tradition highlighting the value of family; especially the value of honoring one’s parents - כיבוד הורים (kibbud horim). One of the Ten Commandments is to “honor thy father and mother”. |
| Family Day was once called “Mother’s Day” or in Hebrew יום האם (yom ha’em). It is a day dedicated to thanking mothers for taking care of their homes and families. In the 1990s, a decision was made to change the name and focus this day to “Family Day”. The change occurred in the aftermath of changes to the institution of family itself. Fathers became more involved in raising their children, and Israeli families became more diverse. There are now single-father families, single-mother families, families with two fathers or two mothers, families with only a grandmother and a grandfather, and so on. |
| Family Day isn't a vacation day, but schools and kindergartens run activities based on the theme of family, and children make greeting cards or in Hebrew כרטיסי ברכה (kartisei b’racha) and draw pictures for their parents, siblings, and members of their extended family. Museums and leisure centers offer special activities, and many families spend the weekend in the great outdoors, enjoying each other’s company. |
| Current data demonstrates that Israeli families are bigger and have more children than ever before. The average number of people per family is 3.72, compared to 3 people per family in the 1990s. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Why is Family Day celebrated on the 30th of Shvat, and not on another date? |
| Family Day is celebrated on the 30th of Shvat because this is the anniversary of the death of Henrietta Szold, who headed the Aliyat Hanoar organization, and was responsible for accepting children and young adults who escaped to Israel from Nazi Germany. Szold was nicknamed “the mother of the children”. |
| How was this lesson? Did you learn something interesting? How do you celebrate your family? |
| Leave a comment letting us know at HebrewPod101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson! |
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