Illumination
Lighting Shabbat
Jerusalem
Allison S.’s paternal grandmother, Esther S., received this candelabra in 1955, from her husband, Allison S.’s grandfather, Zvi S.. This candelabra was given to Allison S.’s family in August of 2006 a short time before Esther’s death. Esther was a very special person to Allison S. and her family. Esther worked as a tunnel tour guide at the kotel. Many people in New Jersey and in Israel knew Esther. Allison decided to use this candelabra to display because its one of the only things that Allison’s family has left from Esther.
The S. family are proud that they were able to receive the candelabra from Esther S., whom they miss so much.
The Treasured Candlestick
Egypt
Susan B.’s great grandmother, Susan B., received these candlesticks from her mother when she got married. They were given to use on Fridays for Shabbat candles. Susan B.’s great grandmother used them all her life. Before she died at the age of ninety she gave the candlesticks to her, son Albert B., on his wedding day. Albert ended up using these candlesticks every Friday in memory of his mother, Susan. Albert gave these candlesticks to his youngest child, Eli B. the youngest child in his family so his father, Albert B., decided to give these candlesticks to him.
Now Eli uses them every Friday night to remember his grandmother Susan.
The Memorial Menorah
Bronx, New York
When Hannah S.’s paternal great-great grandparents passed away, a beautiful menorah was donated in their honor. Dr. Sam A. S., their son, donated this special gift in their memory. The menorah was donated to Sam A. S.’s shul in the Bronx, New York. It is unknown how the menorah came to his possession, but when the shul in the Bronx closed, the menorah was given to the East Hill Synagogue in Englewood, New Jersey. Currently, it is kept and displayed in that synagogue.
This menorah has taught Hannah about her family and her heritage.
A Menorah
Israel
A menorah can be much more than just an object you use for Chanukah. It can also be a sign of peace. When Elaine A.’s paternal great-great grandparents returned to Israel from Egypt, they went to a market and bought this menorah. It is handmade out of brass, and they purchased it circa 1930. This menorah is significant to Elaine’s family because at the bottom of the menorah there are words carved in. The words are part of a tradition in her family. Every generation of first born sons in the A. family are named Yaakov then his first born son is named Yosef and it continues. Also, another part of the tradition is that every Yosef marries a Sara. They are not required to marry a Sara, it has just happened that way. This tradition has been kept for generations. They keep the menorah with their Chanukah items and take it out every year, light it, and fulfill the mitzvah with it.
Elaine chose to write about this item because she wanted to learn more about her family heritage and where the menorah originally came from.
A Meaningful Light
Morocco
Eytan A.’s maternal family have been trained jewelers for hundreds of years. Eytan’s great-great grandfather hand crafted an oil menorah out of sterling silver in circa 1850. It means a lot to Eytan’s family because it’s the only object they have from that generation and reminds them of Eytan’s great great grandfather and grandmother. The menorah is 1.5 feet tall and 1 foot wide, and although it was first shining silver, it has now become a bronze color that shows use and love. Eytan A.’s family has kept this menorah for almost two centuries, even though artifacts just like this one can be sold at over $3000.
This menorah means a lot to Eytan’s family and shows how Jewish families can keep their heritage alive.
Candlesticks of Hope
Russia
These precious candlesticks originally belonged to Leah Miller’s great grandmother. She used them to light Shabbos candles. In circa 1900, she decided to travel to America from Russia because of the pogroms and hatred against Jewish people. She traveled on a boat for a long time. She struggled to keep the mitzvah of lighting candles. On the journey she got sea sick, hungry, and experienced a lot of other hardships. She persevered and kept the candlesticks. These candlesticks have been in Leah’s family for about 90 years and are very special to her family.
Leah hopes it will stay with her family for a very long time and continue to be used for the great mitzvah of lighting Shabbos candles.