Shabbat and Holidays
By Camille G., Lindsay R. and
Morris S.
There are many things that are important to the Jewish people, especially our holy Shabbat and traditional holidays. Jewish people believe that Shabbat is the day when G-d rested from creating the world. On Shabbat, the Jewish people dedicate their time to praying to Hashem and to rest. On this day there are many things that the Jewish people do not do. For example, we are not allowed to work, write, use electricity, light a fire, cook, etc. In this gallery are some of the artifacts that people used on Shabbat like a Kiddush cup, and a special Yarmulke. We are very thankful for this holy day because without it we would be tired, stressed, and further away from Hashem.
There are many important Jewish holidays, but the most popular in this year’s Jewish Heritage Fair is Passover. Every year, on Passover all Jewish families read the haggadah and remember the story of how the Jewish people were slaves in Egypt and how Hashem miraculously took us out and saved us from the evil king, Pharaoh. Some of the artifacts from this year's Heritage Fair were used to celebrate Passover in different parts of the world. We have two haggadot, one from Syria and one from Germany. We also have a photo of famous rabbis in a haggadah from Iraq. These artifacts can teach us about the past and how people used to live.
Haggadah
Syria
Jack G.
The haggadah belonged to the great, great grandfather of Camille G. This artifact was used in Syria, during the time of c. 1858. It is extremely old, about one hundred- fifty years. It has yellowed pages, and it is very tattered and ripped. Also, on the pages where we say the berachot, there are a lot of food stains. This shows that the family of Camille's great great grandfather, used this haggadah a lot.
This haggadah is very special and interesting, especially because you can see how much it was used. All of the pages are ripped and yellowed. This artifact shows that the holiday of Passover was celebrated the same way one hundred- fifty years ago as it is today, and this is significant to our Jewish Heritage.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Niza K
Mary A used the artifact on holidays and Shabbat in Mexico City. It is made of a blue glass and metal. It has a fancy flower design on the metal. Every Shabbat the whole family went to Mary's house to have a Shabbat brunch. Jaime, Mary’s husband, used it when he said Kiddush. When Mary passed away there was an “open house” and the family went to get objects by which to remember her and Jaime A.
Niza A. went to the house and took the Kiddush cup. Now Niza and her family use it for Shabbat and other special holidays.
A Kiddush cup is used for drinking wine by the Jewish people on Shabbat. The owner of the house stands up as well as the other family members and he says a prayer before we can drink the wine from the Kiddush cup and enjoy the Shabbat meal.
Seder Plate
Israel
Elizabeth S.
Esther C. got this artifact when she was
visiting Israel. She brought it back with her when she was going to America for Passover.
For the next thirty years Esther and her family used this Seder plate every Passover. When she passed away her family divided up her possessions. Elizabeth S. got this because it reminded her most of her grandmother. Elizabeth doesn’t use it anymore because it is too precious to use and it has a lot of very good memories.
Jewish families use a seder plate on Passover to hold the food of the night. We put on it egg, shankbone, maror, matzo, haroset, hazeret and celery.
Tray
Egypt
Jeanie G.l
This tray belonged to Jennie G. and her mother. It was brought back from Egypt in the 1930’s and was used for two generations and is still being used today. The family of Jacklyn G. and her relatives treasure this tray and it is on their holiday table every Pesach.
A Seder Plate is used on the Jewish holiday of Pesach and it is used for food that reminds us of when the Jewish people left Egypt. This artifact was used on Pesach at the Seders in our family.
Picture of Ezra Adam
England
Haron S.
The picture is a copy of a painting of 15 special Rabbis in Iraq. The picture includes Ezra A., the great, great, great grandfather of Eli S.
The picture is in a Haggadah book which was widely used in the Iraqi community, every Passover, and is now in Eli’s home. The book was published in England.
The Haggadah is the book that is read by Iraqi Jewish families every Passover. The picture is of a congress of important Rabbis in Iraq.
Yamulke
Galicia
Herbert T.
The Yarmulke is a rounded skullcap and has velvet on the outside and cloth on the inside. It is an extra large yarmulke. Israel W. and his grandson, Herbert T., both used this yarmulke. Israel W wore it everyday and now Herbert T brings it with him every time he goes to Temple. When Israel W passed away, Herbert T, who is the grandson of Israel W, took the yarmulke as a remembrance of his grandfather.
A yarmulke is traditionally worn at all times by observant Jewish men, and by men during services and other religious rituals. Its use is associated with showing respect for G-d.
Haggadah
Germany
R. family
Ellen R., the grandmother of Lindsay R.
used this haggadah. This haggadah was used in Germany, in Ellen R.’s house. The cover of the haggadah is made out of green leather and on the inside it has old paper Hebrew writing. Last year on Pasover the R. family found this haggadah in the pile of haggadot and realized it had belonged to Ellen many years ago.
The haggadah tells the story of the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt that is read by Jewish people at the seder every Passover.
Yarmulke
Galicia
Herbert T.
The Yarmulke is a rounded skullcap and has velvet on the outside and cloth on the inside. It is an extra large yarmulke. Israel W. and his grandson, Herbert T., both used this yarmulke. Israel W wore it everyday and now Herbert T brings it with him every time he goes to Temple. When Israel W passed away, Herbert T, who is the grandson of Israel W, took the yarmulke as a remembrance of his grandfather.
A yarmulke is traditionally worn at all times by observant Jewish men, and by men during services and other religious rituals. Its use is associated with showing respect for G-d.