Metal
Metal has often been a material of choice when fashioning Jewish ritual objects. A long history of metal artisans can find their roots back to biblical sources. Many different metals have been used, from precious like gold and silver, to common such as brass and steel. One can observe in the sanctuary of a synagogue a menorah, the crowns atop a Torah, or a decorative metal sculpture holding an eternal light. In our homes, we have many metal objects that are used for both Jewish celebration and decoration. In our metal gallery, you will find a sampling of such artifacts.
Wedding Gift
Turkey
Remo A.
This artifact was a wedding present given to my parents when they got married. It is displayed in my home as decoration.
It is important to my Jewish heritage simply because it is Jewish. It was from Turkey, where both my father and his family are from. It has the word "Shalom" on it, which means hello, goodbye and peace in Hebrew.
Locket
Israel
Valerie W.
This locket was given to my mother by her grandmother. My great grandmother, Eva S., traveled to Israel and purchased this locket. This locket is important to my mother because it is a symbol of a grandmother's love. The locket is a symbol of the Ten Commandments.
The locket is a symbol of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments represent the fundamental principles that Jewish law is based upon. This locket is an important artifact because it shows the importance that Jews place on the Ten Commandments.
Kiddush Cup
Boston, MA
Lee C.
This artifact is important to my family because it was used as a part of my father's Bar Mitzvah. My grandparents acquired it from the gift shop in their synagogue. They found its history and saw that it was made soon after Israel got its independence.
The kiddush cup is an important part of our celebration of Shabbat and Jewish festivals. This kiddush cup was made right after Israel's independence linking our Jewish homeland to our recitation of the kiddush. Also it was an important part of my father's Bar Mitzvah.