Shabbat
This gallery contains artifacts relating to the mitzvah of observing Shabbat.
Great Grandparents' Shabbat Candleholders
Russia
Beverly B., my Grandmother
These Shabbat candlesticks were one of the items brought to America by my great grandparents from their shtetls in Russia. These Shabbat candle holders traveled with my ancestors by steerage in 1912, landing in Ellis Island, New York. These candlesticks are used every Friday night to light candles for Shabbat. This picture is from my Great Grandparents' 50th anniversary, the original owners of these Shabbat candlesticks.
Every Shabbat and every holiday begins with lighting candles and saying the blessing. This tradition has been passed down for many generations. These Shabbat candlesticks traveled the same journey as so many Jewish immigrants, from the shtetls of Eastern Europe, over the Atlantic Ocean to Ellis Island. This period, 1892 to 1924, was the largest wave of Jewish immigration to the U.S. Most Jews landed at Ellis Island and settled in New York City, many on the Lower East Side.
Challah Cover
Hungary
Jeff W.
This challah cover is important to my family because it reminds us of how my great grandfather celebrated Shabbat. He would put the challah cover over the two challahs while he said the prayers. My great grandfather got the challah cover as a wedding gift from his parents!!!!
This challah cover is important to Jewish Heritage because it shows that even poor people in the world (such as my great grandfather) celebrated Shabbat even though they hardly had anything. This challah cover was in great use and is still being used by my family today. Observing Shabbat is an important mitzvah that has been going on for many centuries. This just shows that you just need faith in God, the holiday tools, and a lot of spirit!!!!
Kiddush Cup
Origin Unknown
Harold S
The story of my artifact is that my Great-Grandfather gave this Kiddush Cup to my grandfather on his wedding day. It was then passed down from him to my dad. Since my great grandpa passed away, no one knows where its origin is from. This Kiddush Cup has a Jewish star engraved on one side, and Hebrew letters on it that stand for my Grandfather's and Grandmother's names.
This Kiddush Cup is significant to my family because this is my Grandpa's cup that he used to get married with. Also, it's significant because my family uses it every Shabbos and on holidays for Kiddush. My grandpa used it every Shabbos and now my family uses it every Shabbos.
This Kiddush Cup is used when we say the blessing over the wine, which is done on every Shabbos, at many life cycle events, and at the beginning of almost every holiday.
Silver Candlesticks
Brooklyn, New York
Parents
These candlesticks are very important to my family. They are important because we use them every Shabbat to light candles. They are also important because they belonged to my grandparents. It helps me to remember my grandmother, who has since passed away, and it makes me feel connected to her.
My artifact is a pair of silver candlesticks. When my grandparents on my mother's side, Michael and Phyllis, got engaged on April 9, 1955, the candlesticks were given to them as an engagement gift. My grandparents were married approximately a year later. These candlesticks remind us to welcome the Sabbath each week by lighting the Shabbat candles.