Novy God is the Russian New Year's holiday that is beloved among immigrants from the Soviet Union. On Dec. 31 the entire family gets together to decorate the home, take photographs, exchange presents and spend the evening eating a delicious celebratory dinner.
The holiday has been gaining popularity among Israelis as well. Israelis love to party, and if there was ever a year to use every opportunity to unload and unwind, 2020 is surely it.
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Karnit Ben-David is planning to celebrate Novy God for the first time this year with friends and family.
"Because of the coronavirus, we can't go outside to celebrate, so I would like to host a Novy God dinner this year," she told Israel Hayom.
"I plan to invite friends and family members and prepare traditional dishes. Novy God has a European feel to it, sitting around a fancy dinner table in a home full of decorations. These decorations, by the way, have no connection to Christmas; there is a difference. I plan to dress up and create a celebratory atmosphere specifically because we cannot go out."
Michal Portman-Levy was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Israel at the age of nine. "Novy God is a beloved holiday because it is an occasion when the entire extended daily comes together, family members take pictures and exchange presents.
"Israelis think that celebrating Novy God goes against Jewish tradition, but that is not the case. The day marks the start of a new calendar year. That is it. Israelis use the Gregorian calendar just like the rest of the world. I used to be ashamed to celebrate Novy God, but ever since I learned its meaning, I make a point of showing my culture. I understand now that it does not go against my religion."
Israeli supermarkets offer various Novy God decorations, gifts, and foods.
"About 800,000 Israelis will stay in the country instead of traveling abroad, says Yossi Shalev, Trade VP of the Tiv Taam supermarket chain. "We used to work with two suppliers, but have added one more in order to keep up with the demand that comes not only from immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Christians but Israelis as well."
"When I first started working, I was not familiar with the holiday," said Danny Bezalel, VP of Keshet Teamim supermarket chain. "Mimouna used to be a holiday only celebrated by the Moroccan community, but then it got adopted by other Israelis who found out about it from Moroccan friends. The same thing happened to Novy God. Most of the Novy God goods are purchased by Russian immigrants, no doubt, but the holiday is starting to be celebrated in Israeli homes as well."
The Unity Art House in Tel Aviv is launching a new exhibition called The Gift Festival in honor of Novy God. The exhibition includes 50 works by Israeli artists, including paintings, ceramics, illustrations, jewelry, and sculptures.
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