Precious Jewels
By Lindsay T.
Many people like jewelry and that may be one reason that this year’s Heritage Fair has so many beautiful pieces. The jewelry in this gallery includes necklaces, lockets, bracelets, watches and cufflinks from countries all over the world. Many of the pieces have been passed down from mother to daughter and from father to son. Each one has a story to tell from a long time ago and is a part of a family’s history.
As you look at each piece, try to imagine the person who wore it. What did the person look like? Where did he or she live? What was their life like? What story is this piece of jewelry trying to tell? These precious jewels reflect the style of the time and our heritage.
Watch
Mexico
David M.
The watch was given to David M. as a gift from his father, Jack M., when he was 11 years old. David wore it every Shabbat for a year. He eventually stopped wearing it, but he kept it all these years. This special watch reminds him of how he dressed up on Shabbat.
This watch shows the importance of Shabbat to the Jewish people because it represents the special jewelry that was worn on Shabbat.
Ring
Panama
Joey E.
This artifact is a ring that was given to Sammy E.’s grandfather when he was 18 years old by his father. When he passed away the ring was given to his son, Joey E. The ring is 14 carat yellow gold. There were no diamonds in it.
Engraved on the ring is “MHE” which stands for Marcos Haim E.
Necklace
Mexico
Norma A.
This artifact was given to Norma A. on her birthday from her great grandmother, Margaret Mishaan. This is a necklace, and it is also a Mexican Calendar. It is a necklace with a gold circle in the middle with a sun shape engraved in it. On the silver it has many little wavy designs that represent the months of the year and dots that represent each day.
This artifact was from Mexico, where there was a large Jewish community.
Scarf Holder
Syria
Sarah Matut
This scarf accessory was used by the great, great Grandma of Nathan S. The artifact was used in Syria in during the time 1910-1960. the object is gold metal and it has two C shapes on it, and there is a clip on bottom. Reina H received it as a gift from her husband Moses. Moses got it for her because he wanted to give her a present and he picked a scarf holder because they were in fashion and still are. This artifact was passed down to Ester H and now belongs to Nathan’s Grandmother, Sarah M, who keeps it safely in a case.
She wore the scarf holder with beautiful scarves on holidays and Shabbat.
Locket
United States
Madeleine Murciano
This artifact was used by Asher A.’s grandmother. It is heart shaped, made of gold, and has a pearl in the middle. When Madeleine Murciano went into Kindergarten, her parents gave her a locket and put a picture of them in it so she would not feel so lonely. This made her feel confident and secure.
It shows how close families were in Jewish history. They were close enough to give a locket to their sons or daughters.
Gold Cufflinks
USA
MG
These cufflinks were made for Morris G’s great grandfather's in New Jersey in about the 1930’s. Morris G got this artifact from Marni G. and she got it from her grandfather. He used it to hold his shirt cuffs together. In his time people used cufflinks often and especially on holidays. He owned a jewelry store and he had them made for himself.
These cufflinks are specal to me because they tell me about my great grandfather.
Pocket Watch
U.S.A
Steve Z.
This pocket watch was used by Sergeant Ralph Z in 1939 during World War II. He used this analog watch to check the time throughout the day and evening during World War II. This pocket watch is made out of gold and hung by a chain to be worn hanging out from a mans pocket. This pocket watch was given to Ralph Z by his girlfriend, Rose, before he went into the Army, as a token of her love.
Whenever he gazed at the pocket watch, he was reminded of her. After the war was over, Ralph and Rose were united; they were married.
Bracelet
Aleppo, Syria
Pauline
Jemilah M.got this bracelet from her husband for either her anniversary or her birthday. After Jemilah passed away, her daughter, Pauline C, inherited this bracelet. This bracelet is about one hundred years old. Pauline C has had it in a box and never really used it. She decided to give it to her granddaughter, Pauline C, because she thought that maybe she would use it and take good care of it.
This bracelet is silver and it’s expandable. Its design is curled and twisted around the whole bracelet.
The bracelet tells us about Jemilah, because it shows us what kinds of designs and colors she liked in jewelry.
This was a special gift given by a Jewish man to his cherished wife.
Gold Necklace
Syria
Effie H.
Ephraim H. made this golden necklace. This artifact was used in Syria around 1890. The necklace is a gold 22 inch serpentine chain with a square piece attached with a 2 ½ chain just like the one the whole necklace is made of. The box is double sided. One side has a small border with flowers engraved in it. On the other side there is also a border, with squares in the middle and lines going horizontally and vertically in the squares. This necklace is important because the great great grandfather of Audrey H. made it out of gold himself. Ephraim H. was a very trusted man in Syria, and people used to give him gold. He turned that gold into necklaces and bracelets. This necklace is one of the many things he made.
This necklace was worn by a Jewish lady on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.