Fabric
Our fabric gallery focuses on Jewish ritual objects that are made of cloth or leather that were reminders of important Jewish life cycle events in our family. Fabric can be easily printed or embroidered with symbols, letters, decorative or artistic work to convey a message about the objects' place in our celebration and in our heritage. One can find examples of decorated fabric, celebrating the beauty of Jewish tradition and life in our homes and in our places of worship.
Bag Holding Shards of Glass
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Jackie and David M.
This is important to my family because it reminds our family of my parents wedding. The container of the glass is also very significant to our family because my grandmother made it.
This object is significant to my Jewish heritage because it supports a tradition that has been going on for thousands of years. At a Jewish wedding, the groom traditionally steps on a glass, breaking it. This occurs at the end of the marriage ceremony. This tradition symbolizes a long marriage one that will last as long as the glass is broken.
Yarmulke
New York City
Betty K
This artifact is important to my family because it is the yarmulke that my father received and wore for his Bar Mitzvah in 1981. It has passed down in the family, he lets me wear it on Shabbat and I plan to wear it at my Bar Mitzvah.
This is important to my heritage because it represents the power of faith in my family. My father or I wear it to pay respect to God when we go to services.
Yarmulke
Baltimore, MD
Max G.
This yarmulke was used at my cousin's bar mitzvah. It was the first bar mitzvah I ever attended. It is important to me because I got to experience an important event for a Jew.
The yarmulke is traditionally worn as a head covering in a Jewish holy place such as a synagogue. It is a tradition to give out a personalized yarmulke at a bar or bat mitzvah.