Ritual and Religious Objects
When walking into a home one can often tell right away that a Jewish family lives there. The reason for this is that we often see an array of ritual objects connected with Shabbat, holidays, and life cycle events.
Jewish ritual objects are reminders of Jewish laws and traditions which can go back centuries in time. These objects are precious to their owners, whether they be individuals or synagogues, and, in many cases, are passed down from generation to generation.
Our display of ritual objects connects us to the synagogue, prayer, and the Jewish home. Many of these artifacts are priceless in terms of sentimental and spiritual value to their owners.
Mini Ark and Torah
Israel
My Mother
This ark and Torah was purchased by my great great grandfather in Palestine (now Israel). Then, he passed it on to his daughter or my great grandmother who then passed it on to her daughter or my grandmother. Soon enough she gave it to her grandchild, my mom! I will inherit when I'm old enough.
We keep the Torah in the Holy Ark.
Our Torah is what keeps us Jewish. It has our history, commandments, stories and values. It teaches us how to be good people. Without it we wouldn't know what it means to be Jewish.
Candelabra
Minneapolis, MN
Marilyn and Harold Trestman
This candelabra first belonged to my great-great-baubie, Charna. It was later passed down to my great~baubie, Ethel. Her family used it every Friday night for Shabbat. It was then passed down to my baubie, Marilyn, who currently has it. It is important to our family. It has been passed down from generation to generation and it will continue to be passed down.
This candelabra was used every Friday night for Shabbat. There are different traditions as far as how many candles families light on Shabbat. This one has room for 5 candles. Some people light a candle for every person in the family.I hope that this candelabra will be passed down to me someday and that I will use it to light Shabbat candles.
Torah
Hurly, Wisconsin
Beth El
This Torah was used by my great-grandfather, who was a rabbi in Wisconsin in the late 19th century. The Torah was used by my sister and brother for their B'nai Mitzvah and and will be used for my Bar Mitzvah.
The Torah is the holy book to the Jews. It was given to Moses by G-d during biblical times. Every Jew who has a Bar or Bat Mitzvah reads from the Torah as a part of becoming an adult
Siddur
Tel Aviv, Israel
Robert S.
This siddur was given to my grandfather at his Bar Mitzvah and to this day my family still uses it. My mother remembers him reading from it every Shabbat during her childhood and we still do. It has been used so much, that it even has finger print marks on the page of the Kedushah!
My artifact represents the importance of Shabbat and other festivals to our family. It also shows that even old objects can survive throughout many years, just like Judaism has.
The Siddur has many different types of prayers, prayers and blessings for every occasion. You can go into a synagogue anywhere in the world and hear the same t'fillot.
I am now learning many t'fillot so that I can lead the congregation in prayer at my Bar Mitzvah.
Siddur
Russia/Poland
My Dad
My artifact is a very old Siddur coming from my father's side's great-great-grandparents. This Siddur is very special and important to my family. It has a very colorful and creative cover. I bet it was even more beautiful when it was new, and it is still so georgeous at this time. I am happy that it was passed down to my family.
A Siddur is a Jewish prayer book.
Many of our prayers are very old, but we say them anyway. I am learning many prayers for my Bat Mitzvah when I will lead the congregation in prayer.
Siddur
Israel
My Dad
This Siddur was a gift from my great-grandma. When we use it, it reminds us of her. I hope someday it will be mine.
My great-grandma gave it to my dad when he was a child. We use it on every holiday.
A Siddur has many prayers which are so meaningful to our lives. We can go to a synagogue anywhere in the world and hear the same prayers.
Little Torah
Israel
My Dad
This Torah was given to my father by my great-grandfather. When we look at it we remember him. It's amazing that it is so small.I hope that someday my Dad will pass it along to me.
The Torah is very important to the Jewish people. It has everything in it to help us live as good Jews.
I will soon begin learning to chant from the Torah for my Bar Mitzvah. The Torah I read from will be written in Torah script.
It is an honor to be called up to read from the Torah.
T'fillin
Israel
my great grandfather (Papa) Josef
These were the t'fillin that my Papa Josef used at his Bar Mitzvah. They are the only thing that we have left from him.
T'fillin remind us about God and mitzvot. We start wearing them when we become Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
I plan to wear these when I become a Bar Mitzvah on August 14, 2010.
Yad
USA
Grandma
This yad belonged to my great grandfather. He used to read Torah.
It was passed down to my grandmother.
My grandmother lent this yad to my cousin to use at his Bar Mitzvah.
When I see it, the yad makes me think of my great grandfather.
I have begun preparing for my Bar Mitzvah. One of the things I am learning is how to read Torah.
I can't wait to use this yad at my Bar Mitzvah and continue the traditon of my great grandfather.
Mezuzah
Israel
Dad (Greg P.)
This mezuzah has been in my family for many years. We keep it in our china cabinet with many of our treasures.
In my hose we also have a mezuzah on all of our doors to the outside.
A mezuzah shows that it is a Jewish home. The parchment inside has the Shema, our most important prayer.
One of the first things a Jewish family does is to put up a mezuzah in their home.
Some people kiss the mezuzah when they come in and when they go out.
Tallit
USA
My Father
My great-grandfather passed away when my grandfather was only 17. Besides all of the other things he had gotten from him, this tallit was very important to my grandfather because his father used it every Shabbat at synagogue.
Jews wear a tallit when they are at synagogue. We receive our tallitot at our Bar or Bat Mitzvah. I look forward to having my own tallit when I have my Bat Mitzvah.
Interview and Photos
Los Angeles, CA
Mom
This is an interview of my great aunt, my great uncle and my grandma, who were Holocaust survivors. The collection of documents and photos taken before and after coming to the United States in 1951. This is an important part of my family’s history, something which should be passed down to future generations.
My great aunt and uncle and my grandma were the only ones in their family to survive the Holocaust. It is important that we never forget this dark chapter in Jewish history.
I attend the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis where I am learning about being Jewish. I have also started preparing for my Bar Mitzvah. Hitler wanted to destroy the Jews, but he did not succeed and I am a testimony to that.
The Living Museum is a project of the Education Department of the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
The Living Museum is made possible through the generous support of The Covenant Foundation. The statements made and the views
expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of the grantee.