Shabbat and Holidays
by Alan M. and Joshua S.
Holidays are a very important part of Jewish life. There are many holidays in the Jewish calendar including Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Purim and Passover.
Rosh Hashana is the Jewish new year. It is celebrated by blowing shofars, or ram's horns, and by eating sweet foods.
On Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, we fast and pray for a safe and pleasant new year.
Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. We light a menorah to commemorate the small jug of oil that burned for eight days.
Purim is the holiday in early spring when we dress up in costumes. On Purim, we are told the story of a woman who became queen over a large area of land and saved the lives of thousands of Jews. We also give small gifts to friends and eat a festive meal.
On Passover we tell the story of the Jews and their exile from the land of Egypt.
Rosh Chodesh is the beginning of every month. It is celebrated in honor of the new moon.
Shabbat is the most frequent and one of the most important of all the Jewish holidays. We celebrate it on every Saturday to signify the idea that G-d rested on the seventh day of creation.
In this gallery you will see artifacts that were used by our ancestors on Shabbat and holidays.
Candlesticks
Poland
Robin S.
The significance of these candlesticks to my family is that they have been used by every single generation since my great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother received them in Poland. These candlesticks are also the oldest artifact my family has from my mother's side of the family.
The Jewish significance of these candlesticks is that every week on Friday around sunset, the women in the family light these to start Shabbat. Women are obligated to light the candles because the women are usually more associated with the home and they are supposed to bring more light into the world (Rashi: Talmud Shabbat 31b).
Megillah
Israel
Jeffrey M.
This Megillah belonged to my great great great grandfather. It was passed down from father to son for generations. My father told me a story about when he was a little boy. He was looking through his grandfather's drawers and found his Megillah. He asked if he could have it. His grandfather told him, "Not yet, maybe one day."
The Megillah is very important in Jewish culture. It was originally used to tell the story of Queen Esther and her rule over Persia in the Jewish year 3405. Every year, the Megillah is read on the Jewish holiday of Purim. On this day, many children dress up in costumes and give Purim baskets to their friends.
Shofar
Turkey
Raymond Levy
The shofar is special because it's been passed down through a few generations. My great great grandfather used it in synagogue.
This shofar was used in synagogue on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. It comes from a ram's horn and Jewish people hear the shofar blown every year on Rosh Hashana. We blow it because we want Mashiach (Messiah) to come. We also blow it in order to wake us up to do Mizvot!
Candlesticks and Tray
Damascus
Eileen & Marty Mizrahi
In order for my great great great grandfather to support his family in Damascus, he followed in his father`s footsteps, and became a metal smith. He had been taught to hammer, engrave, and paint beautiful designs on brass, copper and silver. He created these candlesticks which have now been passed down to my grandparents.
These candlesticks were used to light Shabbat candles every Friday night by my great great grandmother and then my great grandmother and now my grandmother.
Old Kippa
Egypt
Mathieu Elie G.
This yamulke or skullcap belonged to my Great Grandfather, who was born in Turkey, and it was handed down to my Great Uncle, and then my Grandfather, and now my Father.
My ancestor wore it to shul in Turkey and Eygpt. It was significant to Jewish history because it showed everyone that he has fear of Hashem and that he was proud to be a Jew.
Siddur
Highland Park, N.J.
Herbert. M. T.
This beautiful, decorative siddur was given to my grandpa on his Bar Mitzvah by the Sisterhood of his shul in Highland Park. He uses it every holiday and it is very important to him.
A siddur is important to Jewish heritage because it contains all the daily and special prayers in the Jewish religion.
Candlesticks
Syria
Kitty Shomer, my great great grandmother
The silver candlesticks were given to my mother by her grandmother. Her name is Kitty Shomer. She came from Syria when she was 2 or 3 years old. Her mother probably gave them to her on the ship. It is special to my mother because her grandmother lives in Brooklyn and we live in New Jersey.
This artifact is a very big part of Jewish heritage. Then and now Jewish women used candlesticks to hold the candles that they light to start Shabbat.
Kiddush Cup
New York
Albert Bernstein
My artifact is a sterling silver kiddush cup. The significance of this artifact to me is that its the only possession we have left from my great great grandfather, Albert Herskovits. It was given to him by the Yeshiva of the Bronx.
Every week Jewish people make kiddush before Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch. One rule is that the the kiddush cup must be filled to the top with wine.
Religous Mahzor
Vienna
Richard A
This is very important to my family because this mahzor has been used by many generations since 1924. We remember all the past generations that used this artifact.
This is an important book that was used on all Jewish holidays by many people in my family.
Candlesticks
Spain
Shirley Goldman
During World War I the Germans occupied the town my great grandfather lived in. In a church, a General told the German solders that they should go into people's houses and take whatever they wanted. When the church bell rang they had to immediately leave and return to the church. A soldier came into my great grandfather's house and was about to take the candlesticks but then the church bell rang and he left quickly without the candlesticks.
It says in the Torah that we are supposed to light the candles to welcome the Shabbat. His family used them on every Shabbat and holiday.
Kippah
Syria
David B. L.
This artifact is a kippah. Its significance is that it was worn by each member of my immediate family at their brit milah or circumcision. Everyone who wore this kippah wore it in the United States. My father and all of his immediate family (all of my cousins, his cousins, my uncles, etc.) used this kippah at their brit milah. The brit milah is a Jewish ceremony that takes place eight days after a child is born.
The kippah is significant to Jewish heritage. Some men wear it all the time. Other Jewish men wear a kippah when they eat, drink, pray, learn the Bible and on holidays. It is worn to show that God is above, in heaven.
Kiddush Cup
Holland
Norma S
This kiddush cup belonged to Rachel's ancestors when they lived in Holland in the 1800's. The living conditions were very difficult for the family so they went to a family friend and paid them half of their saved money to be able to use their boat. When they got the boat they packed lightly; they took only two changes of clothes, some money, a siddur, and the kiddush cup.
My family uses this for Shabbat, holidays and sometimes special occasions. I feel that this is going to be in my family for the longest of time.