minow@decvax.UUCP (Martin Minow) (11/27/84)
In Sweden, the most common first names have an associated day of the year, treated as an excuse for a low-key celebration (perhaps a nice dinner). Sylvester's "nammsdag" just happens to be December 31st, and New Year's Eve celebrations are consequently often called Sylvester for that reason. I would imagine that it is possible that a visiting Swede brought the name of the holiday to Israel. I don't know how names and dates became associated, nor do I know of name's day celebrations outside of Scandinavia. Martin Minow decvax!minow