Photographs
This gallery contains photographs that are important to us, our family history, and World War II history.
Bat Mitzvah Photo
New Jersey
Shari S.
This is a picture taken of my family at my Bat Mitzvah in April.
The Bat Mitzvah shows the connection from the past to the present and to the future - another covenant with G-d.
Photo of Grandmother and Brother
Romania
Sylvia K.
This is a picture of my Grandmother Sylvia K. and her Brother Gary K. They both lived in Romania during the 1930's. My Grandmother was born on October 15, 1926 and Gary K. was her older brother. Gary K. served in the army for 17 years. This is the only picture to survive the Holocaust. This picture symbolizes survival from the Holocaust. It is important, because Gary is no longer with us and this picture reminds us of him.
This picture is important to Jewish heritage, because everyone should remember their loved ones. We remember loved ones on an annual basis, by observing their Yahrzeit. The Yahrzeit is the anniversary of a person's death. Since Gary K. died during the Holocaust, we do not know the exact day of the Yahrzeit. However, the photo helps us remember our loved one.
Photograph of Moshe B.
Germany
Shlomo B.
This picture is the only photograph of my great grandfather Moshe. We have no other photographs of any family member from my great grandfather's family because they all perished in the Holocaust. This photograph was sent to family members in America before the Holocaust occurred and later given to my grandfather who was the only surviving member of his family. This is a photograph of his father.
Many personal items of people who survived the Holocaust were destroyed. That makes each one that we have so much more precious and important to keep and share with all Jews around the world. We must never forget our loved ones that perished and each picture helps keep them alive in our memories and prayers.
Assistant Chaplains
Ansbach, Germany
Personal Collection
This artifact shows "The ex-assistant and the new" assistant chaplain: my father, Morris M. Tosk. He was in the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion in the European theater of operations during World War II. My father never spoke of his experiences during the War, although photos found after his death reveal his service at the Battle of the Bulge, the Ruhr Pocket, the Remagen Bridgehead, at Nurnberg, Rothenberg, and in Belgium, and finally at LeHavre in France.
This synagogue in Ansbach, Germany was saved from destruction possibly because of its proximity to government buildings, or possibly because it was used by the Nazis as a storehouse. The synagogue was restored and rededicated, and the first High Holiday services on German soil after the war were held in this synagogue. My father served as Hazzan, or Cantor, during these services.
Metz Synagogue
France
Personal Collection
This photograph is part of a collection of my father\'s World War II pictures that I found in a shoebox many years after his death. This photo shows Chaplain Herman Dicker in an army uniform wearing a Tallit, and holding a torn Torah scroll.
The caption on the back reads:
\"Dedication of Metz Synagogue
2 December 1944
Restoration of Holy Scroll\"
Jewish Soldiers in Prayer
Europe
This photo is from the collection of my father's World War II pictures found in a shoebox many years after his death. My father was an Assistant Chaplain during the War.
This photo shows approximately 30 American soldiers being led in prayer by a soldier wearing a Tallit and a Red Cross armband, likely a Chaplain. They are standing outdoors in a field with trees. This is special because it demonstrates how important Judaism is to people - even in the middle of a war!