Fighting Breast Cancer - New stamp from Israel Post

Date of Issue : 18September 2019

Fighting Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Fighting the disease takes place on all fronts – from reducing the risk of contracting breast cancer to raising awareness of early diagnosis, improving treatment methods and supporting research, a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, proper weight and healthy diet, limiting alcohol and avoiding smoking and weight gain can reduce the risk of contracting breast cancer. 

Indian Cavalry on new Israeli stamp

Indian theme on foreign stamp

The Indian Cavalry,Haifa

An Indian cavalryman against the background of the Indian Cavalry battalion in the streets of lower Haifa.

Date of Issue : 6 February 2018

Israel Post issued a stamp on 6 February 2018 featuring Indian Cavalry , Haifa. This is a nice stamp related to India issued by Israel Post for those collecting stamps on "Indian theme on foreign stamp".

WWI in Eretz Israel Centenary – The Conquest of Haifa (1918)

When WWI broke out in August 1914, the Ottoman Empire formed an alliance with the Central Powers (Germany and Austria) against the Allies (Britain, France and Russia). The Great War, as it was known at the time, went on for more than four years and fundamentally changed world history in general and the situation in Eretz Israel in particular.

In early 1918, after an offensive in which the British conquered the southern part of Eretz Israel from the Ottoman army, the frontline between the two forces was drawn along the Abu Tellul ridge. Both armies were exhausted from their strenuous efforts during the previous several months. They were in need of a respite in order to regroup and renew equipment and supplies. Some of the British troops were transferred to the Western Front in Europe, and military forces from India were sent to Eretz Israel to replace them.

The large British offensive to conquer the northern part of Eretz Israel began on September 19, 1918. British and Indian forces broke through the Turkish line near the Poleg River and proceeded rapidly northward along the coastal plain. By evening, the attackers reached the Tul Karem area, the next day they captured Afula and Nazareth and on September 21st British aircraft attacked the retreating Turks in northern Samaria, inflicting many casualties.

The British route of attack did not include Haifa, and conquering the city was not part of the plan at that stage. However, on September 22nd an erroneous report was received advising that the Turks had abandoned the city. When they attempted to enter the city, the British were met with fierce resistance and barely succeeded in extracting their troops. Following this failure, the Indian 5th Cavalry Regiment was ordered to conquer Haifa. On the morning of the 23rd the Ramchi Jodphur battalion began progressing toward Haifa, but was not able to achieve its goal. At 2:00 pm another battalion, commanded by Major Takhur Dalfat Singh was assigned the task. The battalion's cavalrymen bravely charged the Turks' machine gun positions, subdued them and successfully conquered Haifa. Major Dalfat Singh, who was killed during the attack, was posthumously called "The Hero of Haifa". This battle is considered by the Indian military to be one of the cornerstones of its military history, and it is marked annually with ceremonies throughout India.

In the following days, the British continued their progress northward, which was concluded on September 30th, with the capture of Damascus. A short time thereafter the Ottoman Empire conceded, thus ending WWI on the Eastern Front.

The Stamp and the First Day Cover

The stamp features an Indian cavalryman (Library of Congress, from photos of the American Colony in Jerusalem) against the background of the Indian Cavalry battalion in the streets of lower Haifa (Imperial War Museum). The tab features the insignia of the Indian army's Ramchi Jodphur battalion. The first day cover features a photo of the monument erected in the British Military Cemetery in Haifa in memory of the Indian soldiers who fell during WWI.

Production of the WWI in Eretz Israel Centenary stamp series is aided by The Society for the Heritage of World War I in Israel, which researches the events of the war, publishes books on the subject and hosts conferences and tours for members of the society and the general public.

Source : Israel Philatelic Federation

Courtesy : Eli Moallem, Israel

The arenas of Ancient Rome ...

Date of Issue : 19 December 2017

Here is a beautiful set of stamps to be issued by Israel Post on 19 December featuring Ancient Roman Arenas. These stamps have wonderful tabs with full photos of the arenas.  The stamp sheets are also decorative. It is a nice collecting item for all stamp lovers.

Three new stamps from Israeli Post feature the drama and excitement of the Roman arenas of the Roman Empire.

The Roman era was characterised by the excitement of dramas in the Roman arenas when stage plays, chariot racing and gladiators fighting with lions was offered up for the entertainment of the crowds.

The stamps  show Gladiators fighting beside a lion at Beit Guvrin arena - an important town in Roman-occupied Israel; dramatics with costumed performers at Beit She'an, an ancient city in northern Israel; and chariot racing at Caesarea hippodrome, which still has substantial Roman remains.

The illustrations on the stamps, the sheet margins and the cancellation were inspired by mosaics from the Roman Period and by 18th and 19th century works of art describing that period (books, paintings,posters).

Roman arenas in Israel

The most common arena in Israel was the semi-circular theatre in which all seats faced the front stage. Every major city in the Roman Empire built a theatre and overall more than 30 theatres of varying sizes were constructed in Eretz Israel.

The Amphitheater, in which the audience sat around a central stage, was usually built outside the city. This venue hosted bloody performances, mostly featuring battles between gladiators or men versus animals.

The Hippodrome (hippos = horse) was also built outside the city and mainly served as a venue for chariot races. The seats were placed along the long sides of the arena. One end had a curved wall and the other had a straight wall where the chariot gates were located.

Source : Israel Philatelic Federation

Jewish customs and traditions

Date of Issue : 12 September 2017

Here is a beautiful set of stamps issued by Israel Post on 12 September 2017 .The holidays celebrated in the Hebrew month of Tishrei are among the most important of the entire Jewish year. This stamp series presents three of the special customs associated with this festive period, emphasizing customs that are carried out in the dark. 

Selichot Prayers

In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the Days of Judgment, when people's actions are examined and their fates for the next year are determined. Jews are required to scrutinize themselves as these festivals approach, to mend their ways and ask forgiveness for their sins. Over the years, a set of special prayers called Selichot has been compiled, and are recited during the days leading up to the Days of Judgment. Selichot prayers are recited for the last time on the night before Yom Kippur Eve, but begin at different times based on different ethnic traditions. Sephardim and Yemenite Jews begin reciting Selichot prayers on the first day of the month of Elul, while Ashkenazim begin a week before Rosh Hashanah. Selichot prayers are traditionally recited in the hours of darkness after midnight. In the past, a synagogue official would walk around the town to awaken congregants when it was time to recite the Selichot, knocking on windows and calling out loudly: Get up to recite Selichot!

Building a Sukkah

During the seven days of the Sukkot festival, religious Jews move most of their activities from their homes to a temporary structure called a Sukkah, where they eat all their meals and even sleep at night. This serves as a reminder of the way Jews lived during the exodus from Egypt. There are many rules that define how the Sukkah must be built and how it should be covered with branches so that it remains a temporary structure, as required in order to perform the mitzvah. It is customary for all members of the family to participate in building and decorating the Sukkah. Traditionally, building the Sukkah begins at night after the end of Yom Kippur, as the start of a first mitzvah immediately after atoning for sins of the previous year. 

Second Hakafot

Shemini Atzeret, also known as Simchat Torah, is celebrated at the end of the seven days of Sukkot and marks the last day of the annual cycle of reading the Torah. On the eve and on the morning of this festival it is customary in synagogues to take the Torah scrolls out of the Ark and to carry them around the platform at least seven times. The whole congregation participates in these Hakafot (encirclements), singing and dancing with the Torahs. In the evening at the end of Simchat Torah additional Hakafot take place outside the synagogue, with music and an even larger crowd of participants. These Second Hakafot are mentioned among the customs of Isaac Luria (known as Ha'Ari Hakadosh) in Safed in the 16th century and from there they spread among the communities in Eretz Israel. In 1940 Rabbi Frankel, the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, turned the Second Hakafot into a popular tradition conducted outside many synagogues. 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Israel

Date of Issue : 7 February 2017

Israel Post issued a set of 3 stamps featuring World Heritage Sites in Israel. 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Israel

In 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved an agreement to protect world heritage sites. The program included rules to assess natural and cultural sites and determine their significance to mankind's common cultural heritage. Every country prepares a list of its sites and once a year the UNESCO World Heritage Center conducts a special meeting to choose which of the nominated sites shall be included in the list of United Nations World Heritage Sites.

.Nahal Me'arot Caves

Four caves are carved into the mountain on the southern slope of Mount Carmel, at the entrance to the Nahal Me'arot Caves. Archeological excavations conducted at the site from 1928 to the present have discovered evidence of human existence near and inside the caves over hundreds of thousands of years. Among the many findings were remnants of houses, various stone tools, jewelry, bones of animals used for food and graves.

Bet She'arim Necropolis

Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi, leader of the Jewish people in the late 2nd century CE, was buried at his behest in the cemetery in the town of Bet She'arim in the western Jezreel Valley. Many others subsequently asked to be buried near the final resting place of the admired leader. Dozens of burial caves were carved into the hillsides and on the outskirts of the town. Jews were brought from all over Eretz Israel and even from faraway lands to be buried there. The hundreds of epitaphs found in the caves provide information about the Jewish lifestyle in the 3rd and 4th centuries CE.

Maresha and Bet-Guvrin Caves

Residents of the city of Maresha, in the southern Judean plain, carved many spaces beneath their homes into the soft chalk bedrock upon which the city was built. These spaces served as water reservoirs, agricultural production facilities, storage rooms, pigeon raising, burial caves and more. After Maresha was destroyed in the 1st century BCE a new city called Bet-Guvrin was constructed nearby. In the Byzantine period, the townspeople carved bricks out of the chalk in deep, bell-shaped caves. 

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King Solomon's Ships

Date of Issue : 17 November 2016

Here is a beautiful miniature sheet issued by Israel Post featuring King Solomon's Ships.King Solomon inherited a large and wealthy kingdom from his father King David, stretching from the Euphrates River in the north to the Eilat Bay in the south. The good trade relations King Solomon created with the rulers of nearby kingdoms, as well as the great wealth he accumulated thanks to those relations and to the taxes he collected, are described in the Bible in books I Kings and II Chronicles.

The development of his fleet in the Red Sea was described in detail: "Hiram sent servants of his with the fleet, mariners who were experienced on the sea, to serve with Solomon's men. They came to Ophir; there they obtained gold in the amount of four hundred and twenty talents" (I Kings, 9:27-28). King Hiram of Tyre, who knew how to build ships and had men who were skilled mariners, partnered with King Solomon, who ruled the Eilat Coast and together they built a fleet of trade ships in the Red Sea. These ships sailed to Ophir, which was apparently located along either the eastern or the western coast of the Red Sea, and returned carrying many treasures and exotic wares.

A similar journey is described in Egyptian sources dating from 500 years earlier, during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut. Egyptian ships sailed southward to the Land of Punt, which was also apparently in eastern Africa. The remnants of murals on the walls of Hatsheput's mortuary temple in Deir el-Bahari feature exotic goods that were brought to Egypt at that time from the same faraway land, and contribute to the interpretation of the biblical descriptions.

In addition to gold and silver, "ivory, apes and peacocks" were also brought to King Solomon (I Kings, 10:22). The Egyptian murals show the "apes" to be baboons. 

The Bible also notes that "a huge quantity of almug wood" was brought from Ophir (I Kings, 10:11). Biblical scholars and modern researchers have voiced various opinions regarding the nature of the "almug wood". Some claim that these were special wooden beams used for construction; others think that they were saplings of exotic aromatic trees, and a third opinion is that they were a rare type of coral.

Based on the various interpretations, the stamp designer portrayed a heap of treasures that were unloaded on the dock at the seaport in Ezion-Geber, which today is the city of Eilat. These treasures were taken to King Solomon's palace in Jerusalem and used in the construction of the Temple and the palace. Thanks to the journey to Ophir "King Solomon excelled all the kings on earth in wealth... the king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones..." (I Kings, 10:27) 

Tourism in Jerusalem....

Date of Issue - 17 November 2016

Here is a wonderful set from Israel Post featuring "Tourism in Jerusalem ". "Everyone has a city, and its name is Jerusalem" wrote poet Natan Yonatan, reflecting the wide range of emotions that this magical city evokes in the hearts of billions of people around the world. For thousands of years this magical city has been at the center of existence for people of different religions and cultures who consider it to be the place where God chose to be revealed and where He will judge mankind at the end of time.

Pilgrims of all religions choose to come to Jerusalem to follow their religious sentiments, to see the places they admire and to walk in the footsteps of the saints who have molded the essence of their faith. Thus for example, Christian believers can walk the alleyways of the Old City along the traditional Via Dolorosa and touch the stones they believe to be holy.

Throughout history, representatives of many different empires ruled Jerusalem, leaving their mark upon the city by erecting magnificent buildings representing their own culture. The Ramparts Promenade, which runs along the top of the Old City walls and was built in the 16th century by Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, provides tourists with a wonderful viewpoint overlooking the roofs of the Old City interspersed with minarets atop mosques, church towers and domed synagogues.

From atop the walls, visitors can also see the new city of Jerusalem, which began to be built in the mid-19th century. During that tumultuous time, the European powers attempted to emphasize their presence in Jerusalem by erecting magnificent large buildings, which continue to adorn the streets of the city to this day. Tourists can stroll along Jaffa Road, one of the main streets of the city, or ride the light railway that was installed in recent years, gazing at buildings such as the Generali Building, which was constructed by representatives of Italy and features a winged lion, the symbol of the city of Venice.

In 1892 the first railway line in Eretz Israel was completed, running between Jerusalem and the Jaffa port. The First Train Station, built at that time, served the city for decades. A new train station was built in the late 20th century in the southern part of the city, and the old building was renovated. It now serves as a tourist attraction, providing visitors with a delightful combination of culinary art, culture and atmosphere on the old train platforms. Visitors can walk or bike along the old train route, which is now a well kept park.

The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo provides an enjoyable break from visiting historical sites. Here tourists can see animals mentioned in the Bible alongside rare and endangered species. Direct contact with the adorable animals in the petting zoo melts the hearts of the young as well as the young at heart.

The peak of the Mount of Olives provides enchanting views of the city of Jerusalem, including those mentioned above and many more. Its abundance of historical sites makes Jerusalem one of the most fascinating cities in the world. And in the words of poet Natan Yonatan, "Everyone has a place in Jerusalem that he calls love." 

Israel - Bulgaria Joint Issue - Bird Migration

Bird Migration

Date of Issue : 13 September 2016

Here is a beautiful stamp for bird lovers featuring migration of storks. It's a beautiful stamp depicting very scientific monitoring of birds by the scientists. The most beautiful part of this stamp is its tab which shows a group of beautiful storks in the water !!

The Postal Services of Israel and Bulgaria  prepared a special stamp on common theme “Migrating Birds” to strengthen and sustain their connection. The philatelic item depicting the migration of storks between Bulgaria and Israel has an important historical meaning that makes this stamp more valuable and sought-after among collectors worldwide. 

Migrating Birds

The Republic of Bulgaria lies on the Balkan Peninsula in Eastern Europe. The State of Israel is situated on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, in the heart of the Middle East.

Some 500 million birds migrate through Israel’s skies twice a year, thus making it a significant global crossroads, especially for the birds of Western Asia and Eastern Europe in general, and of Bulgaria in particular. The White Stork is one of 280 bird species that migrate over Israel. These birds, which also nest in Bulgaria, pass over Israel as they make their way to Africa, sometimes as far south as the South African city of Cape Town.

The stork is connected to human habitats and in Europe it signifies the arrival of spring and symbolizes hope. Some 600,000 storks migrate through Israel’s skies twice a year, among them probably all of Bulgaria’s storks. Thus, the governments of Israel and Bulgaria chose the stork to appear on the joint-issue stamp as a symbol of peace and coexistence and as a sign that migrating birds know no borders.

Israeli scientists monitor the migrating birds, aided by motorized gliders, birdwatchers, radar and GPS transmitters tracked via satellite. Thus, the stamp features a stork transmitting to space. The sky is not the limit, but rather a habitat for storks migrating from Bulgaria to Africa via Israel.

Fables on new Israeli stamps...

Parables of the Sages – Tales from the Past

Here is new set of stamps to be issued by Israeli Post featuring tales from the past - Parables of the sages.This is a very beautiful set and best suitable for children's theme. As usual the tabs on stamps  feature lovely pictures of the stories.

In Rabbinic literature, in both the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds and the Midrashim, we find many parables—some relating to plant life and others to animal life. These are, in fact, fables: very short stories in which plants or animals speak, feel, and act as humans in every way. The stories have a moral and teach a lesson. The Sages called these stories “fox parables” or “palm parables”.

 Israeli Post has prepared for issuing three special stamps depicting the brightest scenes from the parables. The three stamps in this series are based on the Parables of the Sages, which are notably similar to some of Aesop’s Fables.

Fables flourished in Ancient Greece, where Aesop’s Fables originated. The first anthology attributed to Aesop was known as early as the 3rd century BCE. The broad contacts between Greek and Israelite cultures in the Hellenistic period brought Aesop’s fables into our literature as well.

The Fox in the Vineyard

A fox saw a vineyard of ripe grapes and wished to taste them. The hole he found in the fence was too small for him to pass through, so he fasted for three days, entered the vineyard, and feasted on grapes until he was full. When he then tried to leave, he was again forced to fast for three days in order to fit through the hole in the fence. What pleasure, then, did he derive from the vineyard?

Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 5:21; the language of the fable is a mix of Hebrew and Aramaic. The Hebrew translation is found in Ch.N.Bialik-Y.Ch. Ravnitzky, Sefer Ha’Aggada,  ed. with a new commentary by A. Shinan, 2015, pg. 1008. The Aesopian equivalent is found in Sh. Shpan, Aesop’s Fables, 1961, fable 204, pg. 99 [Hebrew].

The Lion and the Heron

A bone got stuck in a lion’s throat as it ate its prey. The lion promised a reward to anyone who could dislodge the bone. The Egyptian Ammoperdix (which is what the bird is called in the Midrash) used its long beak to perform the task. When he came to claim his reward the lion said to him: Is it not enough that you escaped the jaws of the lion, now you seek a reward, as well?

Midrash Genesis Rabbah 64:10, the language of the fable is a mix of Hebrew and Aramaic. The Hebrew translation is found in Sefer Ha’Aggada (see above), pg. 1007; the Aesopian equivalent is found in Shpan, Aesop’s Fables (see above), fable 41, pg. 28.

The Reed and the Cedar

The mighty cedar with its many roots can be uprooted by a strong wind. The reed, which is supple and flexible, bends in the wind and suffers no harm. The moral: A Man should always be as gentle as the reed and never as unyielding as the cedar.

Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anith  20a, the fable is written in Hebrew. Sefer Ha’Aggada (see above), pg. 1010; the Aesopian equivalent is found in Shpan, Aesop’s Fables (see above), fable 338, pg. 160.

Festivals 2016 – Yom Kippur Poem!

Date of Issue : 13 September 2016

Here is an exquisite  set of High Holyday stamps from Israel Post to be issued next month featuring Yom Kippur Poem.The beautiful tabs (special characteristics of Israeli stamp) on stamps depict art piesce by a potter,glazier and a silversmith  with inscription Yom Kippur Poem. The art work on  all three stamps is beautifully presented. A big appreciation to the designer  for giving such wonderful designs to these stamps.

The most important High Holyday in the Jewish religion is Yom Kippur – a day to reflect, repent and ask forgiveness for one’s sins. This poem has been chosen to be a theme for Festivals stamp set that illustrates the metaphoric Yom Kippur Poem. This literary work describes different artisans creating something new from raw materials – just like God created mankind. The artisans represented on this stamp series are the potter, the glazier and the silversmith.

The poem “As the Clay in the Hand of the Potter” appears in the Ashkenazi version of the prayer book for the eve of Yom Kippur. The author is unknown. It portrays human beings as being subject to the will of God, who decides who shall live and who shall die. This poem is recited on Yom Kippur because “Yom Kippur is the time for all to repent, individuals and the community at large. It is the climax of forgiveness and of pardon for Israel, thus every person is obligated to repent and confess on Yom Kippur” (Maimonides, Laws of Repentance 2:7).

The poet uses imagery featuring artisans using different kinds of materials; just as human beings are raw materials molded by the hand of God. They recognize their sins and their consequent punishment, yet still ask for mercy: “Look to the covenant and do not incline to your desire”. In other words, God will remember the covenants made by the fathers of the Jewish nation with Him throughout the generations, and thus He shall forgive them.

The list of artisans mentioned in the poem varies in different versions of the ancient prayer books. Some note nine artisans while others list only seven. In one version the artisans are listed in alphabetical order. According to the interpretation by Rabbi Shlomo Pappenhim (1740-1814), which is based on the seven artisans mentioned in the poem, each artisan represents a period in the life of a person, who is accountable to God.

New Stamps for Dog Lovers !!

Here are two beautiful stamps for Dog Lovers. The tabs of these stamps featuring cute pups is very attractive. The connection between humans and ancient dogs (which evolved from wolves) began thousands of years ago. These dogs helped humans hunt and protected them and their possessions. This special bond has continued to grow stronger ever since. To underline the importance of these pets for people worldwide Israeli Post has prepared two stamps depicting lovely and gorgeous looking dogs.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs allow blind people to be independent and increase their self confidence. They are chosen from breeds that have proven over time to be suited to working with blind humans. In Israel most guide dogs are Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers or a combination of the two.

Dr. Rudolphina Menzel began training service dogs in 1937 and in 1953 she established the first school for guide dogs in Kiryat Haim. At the age of 6-8 weeks, puppies are given to foster families who raise them during their first year in order to expose them to desired behavior at home and in public and to instill them with the appropriate tools.

At age one, the dogs return to professional training schools for an additional five months of training and assessment of their suitability. In the final stage, dogs that are found to be suitable train with blind people in preparation for their lives together.

Training guide dogs is very expensive. While there are approximately 26,000 blind people living in Israel today, only some 300 currently have guide dogs. These dogs “retire” at age 8-9. If possible, they remain in their human partner’s home even after a new guide dog arrives.

Search and Rescue

Search and Rescue dogs belong to various different breeds, including the Belgian Shepherd Malinois, which appears on the stamp. S&R dogs perform a large variety of tasks, including locating missing persons and people trapped beneath rubble. Dogs can move and maneuver quickly in places that are difficult for humans to access. Their sense of smell and hearing are much more acute than those of humans. Such dogs have saved many lives in disaster areas. They are loyal helpers and enhance their teams’ operative abilities.

Special bonds are formed in these units between the dogs and their handlers, who treat them with warmth and love. When the dogs finish their service they remain with the family of their last handler.

These dogs are included in the praiseworthy IDF Home Front Command Search and Rescue teams that are deployed overseas in times of disaster and improve Israel’s image.

Club News 

Thailand 2016

Mr Umesh Kakkeri has been appointed as Additional Commissinor of India for " Thailand 2016 ", 32nd Asian Stamp Exhibition to be held at Bangkok from , August 10-15, 2016.

Summer Holidays ....

Date of Issue : 21 June 2016

Here is a beautiful stamp to be issued by Israel Post on 21st June featuring summer season in Israel. It is a wonderful stamp with  exquisite design  featuring the fun of summer season. As usual the tab of this stamp is very nice depicting ball and slippers ...In fact the whole issue is in holiday mood..... Nice stamp for Tourism theme...I wish I could get this lovely stamp !

Seasons in Israel...

Summer is the driest and hottest season of the year. The days are longer. The green and colorful landscapes give way to grey hues and dryness after the first heat waves of summer. This is the most awaited time of the year for Israeli people as well as tourists from around the world. 

“Oh my country, my homeland, bold rocky mountain”, wrote poet Shaul Tchernichovsky, who came from forested and water abundant Ukraine to the dry, brown-gold summer of Eretz Israel. But in the fields crops ripen and summer fruit appears in orchards, a celebration of flavors and colors. Naomi Shemer describes the fruit stalls in the “Market Song”: “There are mountains of watermelons next to hills of apples”.

Summer is children’s favorite season. They are finally on vacation, there is time for hiking, trips and having fun. Lots of free time. Summer means going to the beach, taking a dip in the cool blue water and building castles in the sand.

From the theme song for the children’s television program Carousel, whichdescribed the seasons of the year:

“So come whirl round on the carousel

Down and up and all around,

So come whirl round on the carousel

In summer, winter, autumn and spring…”

Spring in Israel....

Date of Issue : 19 April 2016

Here is a beautiful stamp  from Israel  Post depicting one of the greatest seasons of the year – spring. This time symbolizes blooming and renewal.In Jewish tradition, spring is also connected to the exodus from Egypt, the Jews’ liberation from slavery, which is also known in Hebrew as the Festival of Spring.

The spring stamp is one of a set of 4 stamps depicting “Four Seasons”. The first one “Winter” was issued February 9, 2016. Two others, “Summer” and “Autumn”, will be issued in June and September, 2016, respectively.

There is an atmosphere of awakening, new clothes, new shoes. Winter is over and a new season is here. “Great joy, great joy, spring has arrived and Passover is here”, wrote children’s poet Levin Kipnis. The wildflowers that began to bloom in the winter and come into full blossom in the spring are joined by the wonderful blossoming of almond trees, as well as deciduous fruit trees and more. Israel is filled with the sweet scent of its citrus trees. This can be seen on a bright stamp newly issued by Israeli Post.

Israel’s first modern city, Tel Aviv, was named for the spring (“aviv” in Hebrew). This is a brilliant translation by Nachum Sokolov of the name of Theodor Herzl’s book Altneuland (old-new land), in which Herzl foresees the development and renewal of the Jewish people in Eretz Israel.

“Here the spring is two days old, here the spring shall die young. Anyone who remains indoors is either disabled or a monk”, sang Naomi Shemer lovingly of our brief spring.

New stamps on Fruits and Vegetables

 

Date of Issue : 16 June 2015

Israel Philatelic Society has introduced a set of stamps on theme “Vegetables”. These stamps aim to propagate healthy nutrition. The issue consisting of five items was released and put on sale on the 16^th of June. These stamps feature vegetable slices on marginal tabs.

The world of nutrition has undergone a revolution in recent decades. Plants such as vegetables have been found to contain tens of thousands of active ingredients that offer far-reaching health benefits. These substances are called phytochemicals (phyto = plant in Greek). Some phytochemicals are pigments (colors). These pigments and phytochemicals are abundantly healthy.

The red color – contributes to fighting cancer and heart disease. The orange color – maintains proper function of the immune system and fights cancer. The green color – slows the ageing of the eye, maintains healthy vision and strengthens bones. The white color – helps maintain vascular and cardiac health and wards off bacteria and infection. The purple color – slows ageing processes such as that of the brain.

Tomato

Tomatoes are rich in the red pigment lycopene. Lycopene is an effective antioxidant that contributes to reducing the risk for various types of cancer, such as prostate cancer. Lycopene and other components of the tomato also help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and are a source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin K, potassium and dietary fiber.

Onion

Layer after layer, the onion offers aroma, flavor and powerful healthful properties. The sulfur compounds that are unique to the onion and members of its family help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers such as stomach cancer and more. Onions are rich in quercetin – an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and also provide B vitamins and vitamin C.

Lettuce

Green lettuce contains chlorophyll and is rich in the yellow-green pigment lutein. Lutein is an antioxidant that contributes to slowing the ageing of the eye and maintaining healthy vision. Lettuce provides an abundance of nutritional components which help to reduce the risk of disease and contribute to bone health: vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate and other B vitamins, potassium, iron and dietary fiber.

Purple Cabbage

Purple cabbage is rich in purple pigments known as anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that contribute to slowing ageing processes, such as that of the brain. They also fight atherosclerosis as well as cardiovascular disease. As part of the Brassicaceae family, this cabbage contains anticancer substances. Purple cabbage is rich in vitamin C and provides vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium, iron, calcium and dietary fiber.

Carrot

Carrots contain yellow-orange pigments from the carotene family, such as beta-carotene and alphacarotene. These carotenes contribute to reducing the risk of cancer and also serve as a source of vitamin A. This vitamin is vital to vision, and in particular night vision, as well as to maintaining proper immune system function, healthy skin and normal growth. Carrots provide five different B vitamins as well as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and potassium and are rich in dietary fiber.

Summer harvest stamps from USPS

Every summer, some of America’s favorite foods are in season.he U.S. Postal Service® celebrates a few of those favorites ‒ corn, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and watermelons ‒ with four new stamps that will be put on sale in July.

Vintage produce advertising, including 19th- and early 20th-century crate labels, seed packets, and catalogs, inspired these stamp designs. Though not all produce was shipped in wooden crates, the stamp art is especially reminiscent of vintage crate labels.

The four stylized labels are drawn in the same color palette of red, black, green, and yellow-orange. The produce names are in white lettering at the tops of the four stamps. The word “Forever” is enclosed in a banner centered along the bottom of the stamp; the letters “USA” are to the right of the banner.

After America’s railroads linked the East and West Coasts in the 1870s, growers in agricultural areas could ship their products to locations across the country. To distinguish their wares from other producers, growers commissioned special crate labels from printing houses that employed some of the day’s best graphic artists. The artists created designs that featured clever slogans and unusual styles, though the art did not necessarily relate to the produce inside. Illustrations might portray bathing beauties, historic events, landscapes, animals, or the grower’s family.

Young People for a Healthy Diet

Austrian Post has released a special motivating and colorful stamp on theme “Young People for a Healthy Diet”. The author of this item, Jakob Hansbauer, convinced the jury with a collage of fruit and vegetables, and it is his subject that can be found on the 2015 Youth Stamp. The peculiarity of this stamp is that it was not created by famous artists but instead by young people themselves – for four years.

This year, young people were encouraged to submit drawings, paintings, collages or photographs on the topic of a healthy diet – the technique being at the participant’s choice. The topic of a healthy diet is particularly important for children and young people because it is at this early age that the basis is laid for later dietary habits. Obesity is a topic that affects an increasing number of young people, and a varied age-appropriate diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit is the best precondition for turning healthy children and young people into healthy adults.

The youngsters had time until the end of January to submit their works of art, which they did in large numbers. After the closing date, an expert jury selected their favourite. The choice fell on Jakob Hansbauer, a 14-year-old stamp collector from Elsbethen near Salzburg, where he attends the grammar school in Akademiestrasse. Like many others, he had read about the competition in the journal “Die Briefmarke”, which he receives each month through his Austrian Post subscription, and decided to participate. Jakob, who likes drawing in his free time, designed a face, made up of a head of cabbage, carrot hair, an orange, a pear, a pea pod and a banana, and winking cheerfully.

As he said in the interview with Sybille Pudek, the head of the Youth Department of the Federation of Austrian Philately Associations (VÖPh) for the magazine “Die Briefmarke”, his idea was that this picture should generate an appetite for fruit and vegetables. He is particularly proud that his drawing is now decorating the stamp, since he collects all the stamps he can get his hands on. His other hobbies include hiking and nature, as he said in the interview.

This stamp, the result of this year’s “Young people for a healthy diet” competition, has a nominal value Euro 0.68 with a surcharge of 20 cent to be used for the youth work of the Federation of Austrian Philately Associations. This includes a large number of activities such as school projects in which children are introduced to philately, seminars and the provision of material to youth groups. In addition, this 20 cent surcharge is used for presence at exhibitions and for the holding of the “Young people’s day” at the Christkindl post office near Steyr.

New Israeli stamp depicting sculpture by Anish Kapoor

 

The Israel Museum - 50th Anniversary

Turning The World Upside Down, Jerusalem – Anish Kapoor 2010

  

Date of Issue : 14 April 2015

On April 14, 2015 Israel will issue a set of three stamp commemorating 50^th anniversary of the Israel museum.  One of the stamps depicting modern sculpture by Anish Kapoor, a British-Indian sculptor, born in Bombay.

 

2. Shrine of the Book,1965           3. Synagogue Hanukkah Lamp, Eastern Europa, 18th Century 

Courtesy – Eli Moallem, Israel

 

Sir Anish Kapoor, (born 12 March 1954) is an Indian sculptor. Born in Bombay, Kapoor has lived and worked in London since the early 1970s when he moved to study art, first at the Hornsey College of Art and later at the Chelsea School of Art and Design.

He represented Britain in the XLIV Venice Biennale in 1990, when he was awarded the Premio Duemila Prize. In 1991 he received the Turner Prize and in 2002 received the Unilever Commission for the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. Notable public sculptures include Cloud Gate in Chicago's Millennium Park; Sky Mirror, exhibited at the Rockefeller Center in New York City in 2006 and Kensington Gardens in London in 2010;Temenos, at Middlehaven, Middlesbrough; Leviathan, at the Grand Palais in Paris in 2011; and ArcelorMittal Orbit, commissioned as a permanent artwork for London's Olympic Park and completed in 2012.

Kapoor received a Knighthood in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to visual arts. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Oxford in 2014.

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