Jewelry Box
by Geri C. and Arielle T.
Diamonds and ruby gems that glow
From inside my jewelry box
I will show.
This gallery contains many precious items from years ago. Jewelry lasts a lifetime and generations later can be worn over and over again. Each artifact comes from a different location and has a unique story.
In this gallery you will find bangles and bracelets from the ancestors of Adela, Geri and Ofir, necklaces from grandparents of Nathan, Claudia, Alyn and David. There is a precious scarf from Grace's ancestor, bronze baby shoes from Chaim's relative and a pocket watch from Billy's ancestor. There is a special jewelry box handmade by Isaac's grandfather, and souvenir coins from the families of Patricia and Louie that bring back special memories.
Jewlery Box for Cufflinks
Syria
Albert A
This jewelry box was made by my grandfather in Syria. My grandfather's occupation was a blacksmith for decorations or weapons like a sword. My grandfather gave this jewelry box to his son, Albert, when he left Syria to come to America in 1992. My grandfather is still alive, now living in America. My grandfather used it to hold his cufflinks and he passed the cufflinks and the box down to his oldest son, my dad.
My dad only uses the cufflinks that are in the box on Shabbat because they are his most expensive ones and we are supposed to dress fancier on Shabbat than we do on weekdays.
Pocket Watch
USA
Steven Z
My grandmother, Rose Cohen-Z. gave this pocket watch to my grandfather Ralph Z. when he came back from WWII. She gave it to him in Brooklyn, New York.
My grandmother gave my grandfather this pocket watch so he would know at what time prayer was.
Golden Bracelet
Israel
Ben Z.
My dad got this golden bracelet for his bar-mitzvah from his mother. The bracelet was a very expensive gift. Back then, gold was extremely rare where my father and his family lived, and a present like this was quite phenomenal. When my father received this gift I'm positive he was flabbergasted. Now the tradition is to pass the beloved bracelet down through the generations of the boys who become young men. Soon enough, the bracelet will belong to me, but not for long!
A bar-mitzvah is when a boy at age thirteen is called to the Torah, and becomes a young man. From then on, he is held responsible for his actions, and must follow all Jewish laws and rules. He changes for the better by becoming more mature.
Baby Shoes
America
David W
The baby shoes are from my grandmother in 1940. She was born in 1939 and has since passed away. My father took these shoes that were dipped in copper and keeps them to remember her.
It was popular to dip baby shoes in copper and save them as a keepsake.
Bangle
Aleppo, Syria
Esther Leventer
This bangle belonged to my great great grandmother, Esther Shaabs. She lived in Aleppo, Syria. She had it all her life and wore it all the time. Many people had bangles then. When she died, her bangles went to all her grandchildren who had been named after her. One of them went to my grandmother, Esther Leventer.
Bangles were a popular accessory worn by most Syrian Jewish woman in that time. But a bangle bracelet can represent something different to everyone; to my grandmother it represents how life is an never ending cycle just like the bangle is a circle.
Coin
Mexico
Pauline D.
This coin reminds my grandparents of their cousins in Mexico. Another reason that this meant a lot to my grandparents is because they went on a trip to Mexico and their cousins treated them to the Olympics in Mexico.
My grandma kept close to her cousins in Mexico even though geographically they were far apart. This is really what the Syrian Jewish community is really about- keeping close with their family.
Bangles
Aleppo, Syria
Allegra C. Moadeb
These bangles belonged to my great grandmother, Olga. They are important to me because my great grandma gave them to my grandma who gave them to me. This object reminds me of all the great times I've had with my grandma, so I will treasure them forever.
This artifact represents the connection between women in all generations.
Bracelet Watch
USA
Jodi S.
My great grandmother gave this beautiful diamond-encrusted gold bracelet watch to my grandmother. My grandmother enjoyed the compliments she received when wearing this watch. Then she gave it to my mom.
This was worn at parties and special occasions for my family.
Necklace
Israel
Jack G
This artifact is significant because it belonged to Jido(Jido is the name we called my great grandfather). Jido is Jack's father. It was purchased in Israel. He wore it every day. It was very important to him. It was passed down four generations to my brother, and my brother gave it to me.
The artifact is significant because it was passed down through four generations. It is a very special necklace. It is made of gold. My brother wears it only on special occasions, such as bar mitzvahs.
Gold Necklace
Syria
Soubheh Amach
This necklace was given to me by my great grandmother, Soubheh Amach. She received this necklace from her mother in Syria. Her mother had to leave to Israel after Soubheh got married and had children. So the family was very sad about this, so they took pictures, did many activities and ate meals together. My great great grandmother gave Soubheh a gold necklace to remember her by. They planned to see each other again, but they never did. That was the last time my great grandmother saw her mother.
This necklace was something very special to my great grandmother, Soubheh Amach, and also to my family. My great grandmother wears this necklace on special occasions, such as Jewish holidays, a family member's Bris or Bar Mitzvah, and a special family gathering.
Necklace
Israel
Merlyne Menaged
This mezuzah necklace is important to my family and me because it is a memory of my deceased grandpa, Nathan. In accordance with family tradition, my grandpa received this necklace from his parents when he was a boy in Syria.
It is a mezuzah pendant. A mezuzah is a symbol of the Jewish religion.
Scarf
New York
Mary Missry
This scarf is one of the few belongings we have left of my great great grandmother, Gilsom Jemal. It was passed down to my great grandmother, Margaret Liniado, then passed on to my grandmother, Gail Shalom, then passed to my mother, Mary Missry and finally passed to me, Grace T.
This scarf was passed down through many generations. It's one of the few belongings we have left of my great great grandmother.
Bracelet
Florida
Joyce Salame
When babies were born in the hospital, each baby received an identification bracelet. My great grandmother made them all into one bracelet.
All the kids in her family were named after Jewish people.
Cufflinks
USA
Shirley S.
My artifact was passed down to me from my Grandma Shirley S.. The cufflinks were her father's who has passed away. They are really special to my Grandma because it had belonged to him. The box it is in now, is the original one that the cuffinks came in.
Cufflinks are something that you put on your shirt sleeves instead of buttons. My Great Grandpa would wear them on special occasions such as bar mitvahs, Shabbat, and holidays. They were very special to him.
Necklace
Brooklyn NY
Claudie Grazi
My Grandmother got a necklace that said "Claudie," she had the letter e changed to the letter a and she gave to me. This artifact is very important to me because it was given to me by my Grandmother.
I love it because it comes from my Grandmother. I wear it on Jewish holidays and have it with me on Shabbat. This necklace is very important to me and I am going to cherish it all my life.
Souvenir Coin
United States
M
This coin is very interesting because it commemorates the Touro Synagogue in America. George Washington gave a speech in this shul in 1790. He spoke about all Americans having the freedom to practice their religion. This special coin means a lot to my family because it belonged to my great grandmother, Renee Nesser a"h.
The coin shows the first synagogue in the U.S. It was great that all Jewish people were allowed to pray without getting persecuted, as they had been in countries from which they came.