Our History through Holidays
These artifacts tell the evolution of Jewish traditions in our families. All the artifacts are used during Jewish observances of holidays, rituals or celebrations. They show how important these things were to our ancestors and how we try to keep our history alive when we celebrate.
Tallis
Brooklyn
Grandpa
In 1954, my great grandpa bought the tallis for my grandpa in Brooklyn for his bar mitzvah. Then my grandpa passed it down to my dad for his bar mitzvah and my dad passed it down to my brother for his bar mitzvah.
It's three generations and 55 years old. It's now almost a tradition to wear it, so I hope to wear it for my bar mitzvah!
Holiday Prayerbook
Israel
Grandmother Sharon
Fannie B, my great great grandmother, was given the holiday prayer book in September 1955. Her cantor got it on a recent trip to Israel. Since then it has been passed down so that 5 generations of our family have owned it.
It is important to my family because it is a link to my great, great grandmother Fannie.
Yarmulke
Israel
My dad, Jay
My great grandma Ruth gave this to my father for his bar mitzvah. She also gave him a mezuzzah necklace.
It is very unusual to find these kinds of things in my family. So finding these two items was special.
Family Prayerbook
Brooklyn, NY
My Mom, Pam
This prayerbook was given to my great grandmother on the eve of her wedding. It was a gift from her father.
Everyone in my family has been married with this prayerbook since my great grandmother. It also serves as a record of all the family births and marriages.
Talit, Kippah and Prayerbook
Tel Aviv, Israel
My father
My great uncle wanted to create an heirloom to give to the males in the family on the day of their bar mitzvah.
My father became bar mitzvah wearing the tallit and the kippah, so was my brother. I will become a bar mitzvah wearing them and so will my children.
Siddur
Israel
My mother, Barbara
My mom read the Megillah of Esther at the Purim service when she was 13. This siddur was given to her and is a memento for reading the Megillah.
It is a religious artifact that has been in our family for 40 years.
Ceramic Honey Pot
A Vo-Dai Creations
My mother
My grandmother gave this to her mother.
It is used on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, when we dip apples in honey.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
My grandparents
We don't know the whole story of this kiddush cup. We know it was in my great grandparents family for a very, very long time.
It is a treasure that we have in our family from my grandparents. It was obtained after the Holocaust.
Mezuzzah on a Chain
Israel
My dad
The artifact was acquired in Israel during a trip with the Jewish National Fund around 20 years ago.
The mezuzah is a memento of a special trip to the Holy Land, where my dad met with politicians and military people. He also a special feeling of actually being a "majority" for once.
Hanukkiah
Israel
My mother, Tracy
When my great grandparents came here from Russia, they got this hanukkiah as a gift. Then they gave it to my grandparents when they got married. My mom got it when she got married.
Since my great-grandparents came from the Soviet Union, they weren't allowed to practice Judaism, This was their first hanukkiah.
Siddur
Israel
My Dad
My grandfather was adopted. His real father, my biological great-grandfather, gave the siddur to my grandpa. My grandpa gave it to my dad for his Bar Mitzvah.
It's a Bar Mitzvah tradition in my family. I'm going to get it at my Bar Mitzvah. When I get it, I will be the fourth generation to have it.