Between the Lines
By: Marilyn S. and Pauline C.
Documents are like time machines. They let us go back in time to see our ancestors’ past, and relive their life. They show us their accomplishments, values, jobs, family, and their hobbies. We can relate to how our ancestors lived even though it was such a long time ago.
These documents are very valuable to the families that own them. Included in this gallery are many interesting documents such as a diploma, certificates, a wedding invitation, a ketubah, a book of community marriages, naturalization papers, and a taxi license,.
Sarah A. is very lucky to have a diploma that her grandfather received from elementary school. The ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract that Rebecca C. and her family own. The book of community marriages is very valuable to the community and to Ariel A. and her family. Shelly N. has an actual wedding invitation from her great grandparents! It’s amazing that they have documents that show our ancestors marriages! Rachel and her family actually have a taxi license that belonged to their ancestor. In addition, the D. family has naturalization papers that show when their great grandmother became a citizen of the United States.
We hope you’ll enjoy this gallery as much as we do! You will have so much pleasure reading these documents from the past!
Wedding Invitation
America
Shelly S.
This was the wedding invitation of Betty H. and Oscar S., in the early 1900’s, which took place in Brooklyn, New York. The invitation has tattered edges and is very simple compared to invitations today. The paper is worn and fragile from years of being untouched. It is about 90 years old, and shows the significance of Betty and Oscar’s
marriage and their children and grand children are very happy that it is still in their possession today.
It is important to our Jewish heritage because it is an invitation to a wedding of orthodox Jewish people.
Marriage License
New York
Emma S.
The great grandparents of Rebecca C. used this marriage license at their wedding. In Hebrew it is called a kitubah. If one doesn’t have a kitubah they are legally not married by the Jewish law. The wedding took place in New York.
It is a light brownish parchment paper and it has the names of the rabbi’s and the witnesses that were at the wedding. It is about 8 by 11 inches and it is very old. This marriage license tells the story of the beginning of a beautiful marriage between Esther C. and Edward Shwecky.
It was used to prove that Edward Shwecky and Esther C. were married.
Taxi License
New York
Esther E.
The license was given to me by my aunt. He was a taxi driver in New York. He was my great grandfather. The story that it told was that even though his family did not have so much money he drove rabbis around for free. Then the rabbis gave him a blessing. Rachel's great grandfather was a great person.
It was used to prove that he was a licensed taxi driver. It shows that Rachel's great grandfather felt the resposibility to support his family.
Diploma
New York
Isaac A received this diploma in 1927 at his graduation from middle school. The diploma is made of paper with a raised stamp signed by all the principals. This diploma is very special to Sarah A. because it belonged to Isaac A., Sarah’s grandfather. This shows that my grandfather was intelligent and smart.
Getting an education was important to Jewish people when they came to this country. Many Jewish boys could not continue their education because they needed to work and help support their families.
Between the Lines
New York
Samuel
The United States issued these discharge papers for Jacqueline C’s great grandfather, Samuel F. They were issued when he left the army, and were needed in order to get paid. It shows the year he got discharged, the condition of his health and what his profession was. It also tells how much they paid him when he was in the army. This artifact was needed to leave the army. It gave information about the soldiers' health and their finances.
Jewish men were among the soldiers who fought for the United States in World War II.
Record of the Syrian Communities Weddings
Brooklyn, NY
Jacob S. Kassin
This book is very valuable because of what it is and because of what was written in it. This artifact is very sentimental to the family because it is the only item that we have to remember him.
My great grandfather is the person who used this artifact. His name was Chief Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin. He is the son of Altoon Attia and Shaul Kassin. This artifact was used around 1934. This object was a book about all the communities weddings that my great grandfather performed. He recorded the details of most of the weddings in the Syrian Brooklyn community. Rabbi Kassin was the person who handwrote this book.
Naturalization Paper
Brooklyn, New York
Esther E.
This artifact was used by Molly E. It was issued in New York on December 6, 1949. It is an official document that made her a citizen of the United States of America.
Before she was able to receive her naturalization paper, Molly had to come in from Rouses Point, go to Ellis Island, and then she received her naturalization paper.