Shabbat
Shabbat is important to the Jewish people. It is the fourth of the Ten Commandments. We are commanded to rest, because G-d rested after creating the world.
Shabbat has become a time for families to come together and celebrate and to enjoy a festive meal together.
Our artifacts represent Jewish ritual objects that have been used by families on Shabbat. Some of these have interesting stories behind them.
Ahad Ha'am stated: "More than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews."
Wine Decanter
Winnipeg, Canada
Grandma Helen
This wine decanter has bridged three generations. It reminds my grandmother and all the rest of my family of her family and of all the times they used it on Passover at the seder.
My great-great-grandfather used this decanter to hold the kosher Passover wine. He used it to pour wine into everyone's cups at the seder. That's a lot of pouring since everyone had to drink 4 cups of wine.
I hope that someday I will get this decanter so that I can use it at my own seder.
Silver Kiddush Cup
Germany
My Brother, Tyler
In 1938, Manfred Klein (my great grandfather) in Breslau Germany packed 8 sterling pickle forks, 2 Shabbat candlesticks, a silver Kiddush cup, a spice box, a necklace and a watch into a box and sealed it. The contents belonged to his parents (my great-great grandparents) Leah and Max Klein. Manfred gave the box to an acquaintance on his way to Israel. The man promised to return his belongings after the war. Shortly after, Manferd and his father were arrested and sent to Buchenwald. Eleven years passed. Manfred had been relased from Buchenwald and fled to England with his bride Hannelore (my great grandmother). They had two children Ralph (my grandpa) and Bonny Klein. Hannelore often placed ads in the Red Cross newspaper hoping to locate her husband's box. In 1950, the son of the acqaintance, living in Israel, read the ad and recognized Manfred's name from the sealed box he had been given by his father. He contacted Hannelore.
Hannelore's friend had a daughter who was coming to England from Israel. She agreed to bring the box. The girl got as far as Italy where she ran out of money. More years passed. The boxes eventually passed through various contacts traveling to South America and Canada, where it remained until 1938 when Manfred and Hannelore, now living in Minnesota, were able to drive and pick it up. The box's original seal from 1938 remained intact. All of those precious family objects were inside. This special Kiddush cup was among its contents.
Shabbat is a very important part of being a Jew. My great grandparents used this Kiddush cup and now my family does. I hope when I grow up I will use it.
Ellie's Shabbat Candlesticks
Poland
My Mother
The reason these candle sticks are so important to my family is because they were passed down from my grandparents. Also, my grandparents got them from my great grandma on my mother's side. Right now my candlesticks are 80 years old. I hope that someday they will be passed on to me I will use them when I light my own Shabbat candles.
These candle sticks were lit on many Shabbatot. In Hebrew, Shabbat candles are "nerot shabbat". It makes me feel good to know that I will continue a tradition that my great grandma used to do.
Havdalah Spice Holder
Origin Unknown
Susan Sigal (Mom)
The significance of my artifact to my family is that it is an heirloom that used to belong to my great grandmother.
My mom told me that it will be mine someday.
This spice box was passed down from generation to generation. My great grandmother used it for havdalah every week. I hope to continue this tradition when I have my own family.
My Great-Grandmother Adeline's Tablecloth
St.Paul, MN
My Aunt Deborah
This tablecloth came from my great- grandmother. She embroidered it whenever she had a chance. It took a very long time to make. My great-grandmother and her family used it on all of the High Holidays. So far, the tablecloth has been passed down for three generations. I like knowing that that there are no other tablecloths like this in the whole world.
My great-grandmother used it with her family, my baubie used it with her family and now my aunt uses it with her family. My great-grandmother is special to me and the rest of my family even though she is not here anymore. She was also very religious. Now, my family tries to use the tablecloth as much as we can to keep the tradition alive on all the High Holidays. I hope that this tablecloth will be passed down for a long time and help us celebrate many Jewish holidays and life cycle events.
Challah Cover
U.S.A or Russia
My parents Wendy/Steve
This challah cover was made by a woman I call cousin Renee. I do not think she is really my cousin but that's what my sister, my brother, and I call her. She made it all by hand and presented it to my parents on their wedding day 16 years ago. It has their names on it and the date of their wedding. The challah cover has a lot of beautiful designs and is very lovely. Renee passed away a few years ago and that makes it extra special. When we use it we think of her.
The challah cover is significant to my Jewish heritage because it has been used to celebrate many Shabbatot. That's why it has so many stains. My famiy uses it every Shabbat. It is unique because Renee only made one so there's nothing else like it anywhere. I love it a lot.
Someday, I hope it will be mine.
Shabbat Candlesticks
Kiev, Russia
My Grandmother
My great great grandparents got these candlesticks in Russia. Before they passed away they gave them to my great grandparents. They were then passed down to my grandma. Now she has them and she uses them every Shabbat. We all hope that she will continue to pass them down from generation to generation and who ever has them will treasure them forever.
These candlesticks are very special to my Grandma and my family because they remind us of our ancestors and are probably the only pieces left from them. I am happy that the tradition of lighting Shabbat candles continues to be passed down from generation to generation. Even though the candlesticks are very dirty and rusty, it shows how long they have been used. They still are in great condition and I hope they are passed down to me someday.
Shabbat Candlesticks
St. Paul Minnesota
My Mom
These candlesticks were given to my mom as a gift for her Bat Mitzvah. She got them from her parents, my grandparents, in 1977.
We use these candlesticks to celebrate Shabbat. My mom has owned them for 32 years. They have become part of our family's Shabbat tradition.
Candlesticks
Germany
Geraldine L. (my Grandma)
These candlesticks were custom made by a Jewish silversmith in the 1850's for my great great grandmother, as a wedding gift. They were brought to America in the 1930's by my great grandmother and given to my grandmother in the early 1990's.
We use them on Passover and the High Holidays. They will be passed down to my aunt and then to me.
Lighting candles is an important way of welcoming Shabbat and holidays.
I can't wait to continue this tradition when I get older and have my own family.
Kiddush Cup
Jerusalem, Israel
Mom
This Kiddush cup is very special to us. My papa went to Jerusalem and bought it for us.
We say Kiddush on Shabbat and festivals.
It adds to the holiness of the day.
I will chant the Kiddush at my Bar Mitzvah. I hope to use this cup then.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Brian and Sari L.
My parents Brian and Sari got this Kiddush cup from Sari's siblings as a wedding present. This Kiddush cup is important because we use it on Shabbat and on special occasions. My parents display it in our living room.
Making Kiddush is an important part of every Jewish holiday and life cycle event.
Wine is a symbol of joy and we drink wine to celebrate and mark holy and happy occasions.
Challah Cover
Ohio
Mom
My great-grandma Segal made just a few embroideries and she made a challah cover for my mom. She has had it ever since. We use it every Shabbat and it is very precious to us.
Every Shabbat, we use the challah cover that my great-grandma made for my mom. It is very special for us to celebrate Shabbat the way our ancestors did.
Kiddush Cup
Unknown place of origin
Grandpa
My grandpa got this cup at his Bar Mizvah. Every time we get together for a holiday we use it. It is very special to our family. My grandpa is going to pass it to my dad then my dad will pass it down to me or my cousin.
I like spending Shabbat with my family. It is nice to use the same cup over and over again. This shows that we are keeping the tradition of our ancestors.
Candlesticks
USA
My Dad
These candlesticks belonged to my great grandparents who then gave them to my grandpa who gave them to my dad. They are engraved with the letter "L" for Levitt.
We just found them recently and we are so happy to have them.
Lighting candles on Shabbat is a very old tradition.
When I am older I hope to use these candlesticks to usher in the Shabbat.
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