Religious Readings
By: Ruby F. and Patricia J.
Tefillah is the most powerful gift G-d gave us. We use our prayers to thank and ask G-d for what we need. Prayer is like medicine for the soul if you’re in a difficult situation. Jewish prayers are usually recited in Hebrew. Yet, they can be recited in different languages. We, Jews believe that G-d understands and accepts our prayers no matter what language a person uses in prayer. Even silence is sometimes said to be an appropriate Jewish prayer language.
Our gallery contains Tehillim books. A tehillim book is a book of psalms, dating back to the time of King David. He composed this book through his life’s trials and tribulations. Our gallery also contains siddurim and chumashim.
The purpose of prayer is to increase your awareness of G-d and the role that G-d plays in your life. We should pray with kavanah which means “concentration.” If we don’t pray with kavanah than there is no meaning to it; you aren’t praying, you are basically reading it. In addition, it’s preferred that you have a mind free from other thoughts, and that you know and understand what you are praying.
Siddur
Austria
Harry F
Religious Readings
Siddur
4½” x 3”
Paper, Australia, c.1901
Isaac F. used this siddur for praying to G-d in the 1900s. It was then passed down to Harry F. in 1944. Harry F. used this siddur when the country was at war. It was a difficult time period for Harry
and his family, but he still kept his religion. The siddur symbolized hope for the family.
Now the siddur is very precious to Harry because it is the only thing by which to remember his father, Isaac F.
Tehillim book
Poland
Violet G
The artifact was used by Solly's great grandfather in the early 1890’s. The book was important because it contains many important prayers that are said on different occasions. The book is used when people are sick. People pray to G-d to ask that sick people feel better.
The Jewish people read the beautiful psalms that were written by King David and are contained in this book.
Small Torah
Jerusalem
Merlene Managed
Nathan M used this Torah. The Torah was made in Jerusalem, and it was used in Nathan M's house. The case of the Torah is silver metal, with Jewish stars on it. It has the first ten letters of the Jewish alphabet on the front. It says “Souvenir of Jerusalem.” on the bottom.
Nathan M. received this small Torah for his Bar Mitzvah from his father, Leo M. It was very special to him, since it was from his father. He used it very often. When Nathan M passed away, it then belonged to Merlene M. Then Merlene M. passed it down to Joe B. It now belongs to the B. family.
Hashem gave the Jewish people the Torah, so it is the foundation of Jewish life.
Siddur
Austria
Harry F
Isaac F used this siddur for praying to G-d in the 1900s. It was then passed down to Harry F in 1944. Harry F used this siddur when the country was at war.
It was a difficult time period for Harry and his family, but he still kept his religion. The siddur symbolized hope for the family. Now the siddur is very
precious to Harry because it is the only thing by which to remember his father, Isaac F.
Prayer Book
Israel
Nathan S.
The artifact was purchased in Israel by Nathan S. He was the great grandfather of Alec. It was then passed down to David S, who is Alec’s grandpa.
It is now owned by Nathan S, who is the father of Alec. It is a small, rectangular book with four little green stones on each corner. In the middle it has the Ten Commandments. On top is a little crown. On the book there are many little stones that are all very colorful. This is important to the S. family because it has been part of their history for so many years.
This prayer book, or siddur, is used by Jewish people in their daily prayers.
Tanach
America
Al E.
This artifact is from the Bnei Yisrael Shul. It is a Tanach that is now torn and old, and in it has handwritten family records of the E. family. The Tanach was given to Al E. in appreciation for being a leader of the shul and for being very dedicated.
The Tanach is the Jewish Bible. It consists of three parts: Torah (the Five Books of Moses,) Nevi'im (the Prophets,) and Ketuvim (Writings.)
Prayer Book
Israel
Nathan S.
The artifact was purchased in Israel by Nathan S. He was the great grandfather of Alec S. It was then passed down to David S, who is Alec’s grandpa.
It is now owned by Nathan S., who is the father of Alec S. It is a small, rectangular book with four little green stones on each corner. In the middle it has the Ten Commandments. On top is a little crown. On the book there are many little stones that are all very colorful. This is important to the S. family because it has been used for many years in the history of the family.
This siddur is used every day by religious Jewish people.