Jewish Life
This gallery contains Jewish artifacts that are used for holidays as well as in everyday life. They can be used for games or holiday celebrations. The are all symbols of Jewish life and are up to 100 years old. They have been handed down through our families for many generations and are still used today.
Ketubah
Israel
My Parents
This is very special because it is a symbol of my parents getting married. My grandparents bought it for them shortly before my parents were married. The ketubah was purchased in the United States, but it was made in Israel. It was given to my parents by my Dad's parents on their wedding day.
A ketubah is a legal document that certifies that two people have entered into the union of marriage.
Illustrated Jerusalem Bible
Israel
My Dad
This bible was given to my great grandparents(Charles and Edna) on their 15th wedding anniversary. It was given to them by Sam and Jeri. They were Charles's brother and his wife. It is very significant to our family because it has been touched by my great grandparents, and my grandfather, who are all deceased. It holds a special place in my heart.
The bible is like a mini Torah. Torah in Hebrew means learn, and this book teaches people about God's laws. To learn Torah is to gain the right of passage. That is how significant the bible is to the Jewish religion.
Prayer Book
New York
My Mom
This prayer book has been passed down in my family from my Great Uncle Hy. He received it from his parents for his Bar Mitzvah. Great Uncle Hy gave this book to my grandmother who then passed it down to my mom.
This book is very special because not only is it very old, it is a sign of our family's Jewish heritage. We don't use it very often but my uncle Hy used it a lot.
Kiddush Cup
Poland
Mother
This artifact was passed on from my great grandfather to my grandmother and then to my mother. It is significant because it represents our escape from Poland and how we can practice whatever religion we want. My other Great Grandfather had to flee from Germany because of the Nazis. He is very lucky to have survived that time period.
It reflects the artifacts we use in our synagogue and how we have freedom to practice our religion.
Kiddush Cup
unknown
Marian Sagan - Grandma
This is a kiddush cup that belonged to my grandfather. No one is sure of when he received it because he passed away. My grandmother thinks he may of received it as a gift for his bar mitzvah.
It is significant to my family because my mom used it every Friday at Shabbat dinner when she was growing up. It established the tradition of having Shabbat dinner together which we still do with my grandparents many Friday nights.
Brass Candlesticks
Russian Empire
Great Great Grandmother, Jenny
These are significant to our family since the candlesticks were passed down to us from my Great Great Grandmother. We use these candlesticks for Shabbat every Friday night.
The lighting of Shabbat candles every Friday evening is a tradition of Judaism that has existed for thousands of years. I enjoy reciting the prayers and being a part of this tradition every week.
G. Family Menorah
England
Stephen & Mary G.
Sylvia Cole was only 6 years old when she came to the United States. She had very little money and toys, but she carried the menorah with her to the US. Sylvia, my Great-Grandmother, took the menorah because she wanted Chanukah to always be with her.
This menorah is important because you need to take your religion with you wherever you go. It is also good to remember Sylvia and where she came from.
Dreidel
Germany
Harvey Nightingale, Grandfather
This dreidel was passed down from my mother's father and his parent's gave it to him. This was my granfather's dreidel when he was a boy in Brooklyn.
This particular dreidel is a small, simple lead dreidel that comes from a time when celebrating Chanukah was a crime in Nazi Germany. The dreidel is small so it could be easily hidden.
When this dreidel was made, being Jewish was a crime and playing with the dreidel was a secret way for students to study Judaism.
A dreidel helps us celebrate Chanukah. It reminds us of a time when being Jewish was a crime and this dreidel reminds me of two times when being Jewish was a crime, during the days of the Romans and the days of the Nazis.
Sheer Deli Commemorative Plate - 1915
New York City
My Father
As a child, my great-grandmother Beatrice worked in her family's Jewish deli, called the Sheer Deli, in Brooklyn, New York. In 1915, when she was 11 years old, the deli gave out free commemorative plates with an owl and the 1915 calendar. Beatrice kept one for herself, which hangs in my father's office today. This plate is important to our family because it symbolizes the freedom for Jews to own their own businesses in America. The deli is long gone, but my grandfather, father and aunt run another family business. Also, my great-grandfather Aaron met Beatrice in that deli.
In the early 1900s, Jews were allowed to run businesses in America. This plate represents a family Jewish deli in Brooklyn, New York in 1915. It represents freedom and the Jewish community at that time.