Treasured Items
The Traditional Stamp Collection
Israel
Benny Lesnick
Benny L.’s maternal great grandfather, Barnet Wolf, started keeping a collection of Israeli stamps in 1969. He decided to start a collection after his father, Sam Wolf, sold part of his beloved stamp collection, in 1967, in order to fulfill his long-time dream of moving make Aliyah. Benny’s great grandfather then continued the tradition of stamp collecting after his father had stopped. He collected Israeli stamps for many years, trying hard to continue the custom of collecting stamps. In 1996, he suddenly had a heart attack and sadly died leaving behind his stamp collection. His wife, Annette Wolf, held onto his cherished stamp collection for approximately ten years after he died. The object is significant to Benny’s family because it shows a fierce love of Israel throughout generations of his family. Although the family tradition ended, it was always remembered.
Benny L. decided to display this object at the heritage fair because it shows his family’s love for Israel.
A Way to Communicate
Detroit, Michigan
Imagine being able to talk to someone who lives hundreds of miles away without a telephone through Morse code and a tiny microphone. In the 1950s and 1960s, Micah L.’s maternal grandfather, Laurence Weiner, did just that. He bought a ham radio circa 1955 when people still used them to communicate around the world where there were no long-distance telephone lines. Amazingly, Larry not only talked on the radio, but he spent a long time learning Morse code, and then used it to talk to other people. Micah selected this object because it is a way to remember his grandfather. Micah’s grandfather died before he was born, and this is one of the only ways that Micah can see into his grandfather’s personality. Laurence was a diabetic, and fought through a disease that doctors couldn’t control back then. However, he had a positive attitude and lived a normal life. He had two children and became one of the first people to use computers in the business world. This radio is special, not only because it is an interesting object, but because it is something that Micah’s grandfather actually used.
When Micah sees it, he remembers his remarkable grandfather.
The Secret Behind Vacationing
New York
In 1930, Seth W.’s maternal great grandmother, Sadie Selevan, went on an enjoyable vacation to New York, and as a souvenir, she purchased this bridge set. This set contained a small pencil and a black and red deck of cards. To make the case more attractive, Sadie Selevan hand painted flowers on it. This case showed a flower, her name, where she purchased it, and the year she received it. Shortly afterward, Sadie learned how to play bridge and soon became an expert bridge player.
The bridge set has been passed down from generation to generation.
The Hidden Jew
Budapest
Just imagine being Jewish and being saved by a Gentile in the Hungarian army. That is what Talia Z.’s maternal grandmother, Anyu’s cousin, Nusi, went through. She was very lucky. Nusi was taken into hiding during World War Two by Janos, who she was secretly dating. Janos took Nusi to his family’s home in Sziget where she was well taken care of by his parents and sister until the war ended. They got married and after eight years, moved to New York City where they built a new life. Nusi opened a corset shop on Park Avenue. They retired to Miami, Florida and always stayed in touch with the relatives. They had a wonderful sense of humor and a gift for story-telling! Their love withstood many obstacles and tragically ended when they died during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. This pocket watch is significant to Talia’s family because it reminds us of two special cousins and their heroism.
This pocket watch is significant to Talia’s family because it reminds us of two special cousins and their heroism.
The Chain of a Feminine Education
Benson School Philadelphia, Pennslyvania
Fortunate to have been able to bring back a piece of knowledge from the Benson School in Philadelphia, Sarah S’s maternal great – great aunt, Rose Rudin, started the chain that led her immediate and extended family to become extreamly well educated. On 2725 Reed St, about eighty years ago, the only subject that was offered for girls to learn was Domestic Science. Washing dishes, doing laundry, learning how to make the most respectable breakfast, lunch, and dinner were just a few lessons that Sarah’s great- great aunt accumulated over the years. After marrying at the age of 20, Rose Rudin was identified as being the promptest, the best cook, and the one to be a part of every occasion that was held in the family. Dinner was always ready at six, the house that was placed above their store was always neat, and the food seemed to always be a five-star meal. Looked up to as the best mother ever even during adolescent years, Rose Rudin was determined to get a better education. Unfortunately though, Rose Rudin’s health caused her to give up her fanciful dream. Surviving diphtheria, breast cancer, and diabetes ruined her physical body, but not her spiritual soul that lay deep into her heart. Though Rose wanted her child to go to college, her daughter simply refused which broke Rose’s heart terribly. However, she soon discovered that her niece Eleanor was going to Maryland University and was going to get a doctorate in political science. A few years later, Sarah’s grandmother, her other niece, earned a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania and started working on a doctorate in sociology.
This warmed her heart tremendously and gave her hope that the next generation of females would become more educated than learning Domestic Science.
The Only Thing Left
Morroco
This beret belonged to Mickael B.’s paternal great grandfather, Yaakov. He received this hat as a gift from his brother Moshe, because he didn’t have a hat to wear instead of a kippah. Since he was living in an Arab country, it was dangerous to wear his kippah in public. The beret is black and soft. It’s made out of cotton. It has been in Mickael’s family for eighty years. This hat is important to the Benichou family because it’s the only item they have from Yaakov. This was an important item for Yaakov because that was the only thing he had left of his brother. He wore the hat everyday. Yaakov gave the hat to Mickael’s grandfather, Machlouf, who gave it to Marc, his son. One day it will be give to Mickael. Marc B. still wears the hat on important occasions.
Mickael B.’s family will cherish this beret forever.
The Golden Locket
Florida
This amazing locket has been in the Levine and P. family for 93 years. Amira P.’s great-great grandmother, Leah, was given this locket by her husband Jacob. Jacob Kushner loved romance. One day he decided to give this gold locket to Leah when she was pregnant with her daughter Rebecca. She is 93 years old today. He loved her and the rest of his family. The locket has a picture of the two of them inside. Rebecca’s daughter, Harriet, recently found this locket and told everybody the story of how Leah received it.
The P. family hopes to cherish this locket for the rest of their lives.
Going for the Gold in Belgium
Belguim
Jack S.’s great-grandfather, Jacques S., was a very athletic man. In the 1921 Maccabi Games he won gold medals for several different events. Jacques’s accomplishments are very important to the S. family. He was a gold medalist which shows his determination to follow his dream and never give up. Jack feels very proud to have the same name as this very athletic man. The Maccabi Games are similar to the Olympics but they are much smaller and everyone participating is Jewish. The medals are very delicate and are framed in a small case. Jack considers his great grandfather a champion. The medals have been passed down for two generations.
The S. Family has learned over the past 88 years never to give up, even when you’re in the worst situation ever!
Help For The Blind
United States
Ben N.’s maternal great grandmother, Betty Aaron, was a very helpful person in her community. One important deed that she did was helping the blind. During World War II Betty Aaron wrote Braille for the blind. This was the Braille machine that she used. When the soldiers in the war got hurt, and their eyesight became worse or they became blind, they used Braille. Even after the war, Betty Aaron continued to teach the blind. The Braille machine is green, and there are seven keys on it that you press. This Braille machine was very significant to Betty Aaron. This is one way Ben N. and his family remembers Betty Aaron.
All in all, Ben N.’s maternal great-grandmother, Betty Aaron, was an inspirational woman who volunteered to assist the soldiers in the war.
The Everlasting Fan
Japan
Hana S.’s ornamental fan has been in Hana’s family since the 1960’s. It is brown with beautiful flowers hand-painted on it. It belonged to her paternal great-grandparents, Lillian Enoch and Edward Fox Fuchs. While Hana’s great grandparents were traveling on a business trip to Japan, they were honored with this fan and other priceless objects. They received this honor because Edward created and designed miniature appliances like an iron, blender, and an electric shaver. Hana’s great grandfather, also known as Abba, came from Alshvitz, Poland to America at the young age of sixteen. He traveled alone, before the Holocaust began. His mother, sister, brother-in-law, and their children were all murdered. Now it is on display in Hana’s home.
This fan has great value to the S. family, and they will treasure it forever.
Success At Last
America
New lives were hard to start especially during one of the most difficult times of history, the Holocaust. Jason G.’s maternal grandfather, Fred Hoschander escaped from Germany right before the Nazis had come to power. Fred then took a boat across the ocean to America. After he got off, the boat was destroyed. All he brought with him from Germany was a tall Grandfather clock and salami. When he got off the boat, he had to find his father and they needed to start their family again. Fred Hoschander went to school and got an education then after college went to school to be a medical doctor. When Fred Hoschander started his first business, the first writing machine he owned was a black royal typewriter that he had bought with the money left over from medical school, which helped him start his medical practice.
Now Fred’s typewriter belongs to his grandson Jason G. and is treasured by the G. family.
Perfect Powder
Poland
Abigail F.’s maternal great grandmother was an amazing person who survived World War Two. Abigail’s great grandmother was living in Poland during the war. As a gift from her husband, she got perfumed talcum powder to put on so she wouldn’t be depressed all the time. Abigail’s great grandmother came to the United States from Poland in the 1930’s. Abigail’s great grandmother kept the powder all through out her life and it has been passed on from generation to generation. The powder is kept in Abigail’s house on a shelf so people can see it, smell it, and admire it.
This object is significant to Abigail’s family because it has been with Abigail’s family for a long time, and they hope to always have it.
A Famous Record
Queens, New York
Aaron G.’s family likes all kinds of rock music including the Beatles and The Who. That’s why Aaron G. decided to bring a famous Beatles record called Abby Road which has great songs. It was kept in Aaron’s paternal grandfather’s basement in Englewood, New Jersey. Aaron’s grandfather got it as a gift. Even though it is kept in New Jersey, Aaron’s grandfather received it in Queens, New York. This Beatles record is a very important possession of Aaron’s grandfather.
Aaron decided to display this piece of heritage because it means so much to the G. family.
The American Game
Pennsylvania
After Ben S’s great grandparents left Lithuania, they came to America hoping their children would live a better life. One of the ways Ben S’s grandfather Mark Weiner settled in to this new culture was through the sport of baseball. When he was young one of his older brothers bought him a new baseball bat. It was just like a dream come true for him. The day he got the baseball bat he ran to play baseball. Though the first time he used it, it broke, that wasn’t important because the bat was a symbol that he was American and all his generations after him would too.
To this day Ben S.’s grandfather is proud to be an American, and Ben S.’s family is proud of it as well.
Generations of Jewelry
Germany
Sabrina’s maternal great-great-grandmother Leoni Gruenspecht lived in Germany, and owned a precious twenty-four carat gold necklace. Leoni lived in the mid 1900’s. The necklace has a gold coin with a stunning pearl in the middle, and a gorgeous gold chain. The necklace is originally from Berlin, Germany. Leoni hid the necklace with her during the war, and took it with her while she was departing Germany. Sabrina’s family has owned the necklace for one hundred and twenty years. When Sabrina’s great-great grandmother, Leoni Gruenspecht, gave birth to Sabrina’s great grandmother, Sabina Eisner, she gave the elegant necklace to her. Then it was passed down to Sabrina’s grandmother, Cecilia, and then to Sabrina’s mother Miriam, it will be given Sabrina.
The necklace is essential to Sabrina’s family, and it shows her family’s heritage.
The Unique Souvenir
Europe
Go back forty years, after the Vietnam War and President John F. Kennedy’s assassination few families were still traveling for pure pleasure. Robby B.’s great grandparents were doing just that. While on vacation, a wooden Kiwi caught the eye of Robby’s great grandmother, and she brought it home thinking it was just one of the items that she bought on vacation. Forty years later, in her mid nineties, she occasionally was visited by her great grandson Robby and she gave him that same kiwi as a small gift. She didn’t think he would ever really care about a simple little statue. A few years later, she died. This kiwi is one of the few things that the B. family can remember her by.
Now, five years, later, Robby B. is bringing that same little kiwi that caught the eye of his great grandmother three generations ago.
The Beautiful Purse
Berlin, Germany
This gold beaded purse belonged to Amanda H.’s maternal great grandmother, Sarah Fingerhut. Sarah’s husband, Oscar Fingerhut, bought her this purse when he went to Paris, France right before the Holocaust started. Sarah’s story of survival is linked to this purse. The purse was one of the few things that she brought to America after leaving Berlin, Germany. This purse is important to Amanda’s family because Sarah Fingerhut was a very special person who passed away only a few years ago.
Amanda’s family has owned this purse for 60 years, and it is still being used today when going to formal parties.