Art and Music
by Rochelle G., Vickey S., Haley S., Bridgette M., Sally D., and Raquel H.
Art is an element that appeals to ones senses. Whether it be music, literature, film, sculpture, or painting, art brings joy to people’s lives. Throughout history people have always used art as a means of expression, and as a way to bring beauty to the world. This year we bring art in the forms of music, sculpture, and painting.
In this section, you will find many different artifacts with amazing background stories. You will find a sketchbook, a framed mirror made from a solid piece of wood specially engraved with initials, an ink drawing of a Menorah using words of Tehillim, drawn special for a synagogue in Brooklyn, a ceramic painting and a very old and precious mandolin.
When you hear about all of these interesting stories, you will be very eager to find out more about some things in your own household! Each of these artifacts have a very special thing in common- they were all handmade by our ancestors!
Ink Drawing
Brooklyn, NY
My great great uncle, Seyah Ashear, made this ink drawing for his synagogue. He started it in 1952 and finished it in 1955 since he only worked on weekends. It was lost when the Congregation moved to a different building. After searching for years, he created a new one for the new shul. One day a man found the original behind his seat, in between the wall and a bench. The picture had been burnt by the radiator, and was then golden around the edges. The original picture is now hanging in Ohel Yaakov in Deal, N.J. Copies of it are now on display in many synagogues.
It is made out of the words of Tehillim and is in the shape of a menorah. It is supposed to bring a blessing. He believed every home should have one.
Ceramic Painting
Israel
Yaron S.
This beautiful ceramic painting was created by my great grandmother, Malka Blander. It was given to my grandmother, Tzippi Schlezinger by my great grandmother, and then was given to my father. Most of her artworks are currently in museums in Israel. The one that I have is one of the few remaining in our possession.
All of my great grandmother's paintings had Judaic themes. This one has a picture of a menorah.
Framed Mirror
America
Jack M
My Great Grandfather, Jack made this as a picture frame for his brother Eli, my Great Great Uncle. He hand carved it from one solid piece of wood, using many tools. He engraved his brother's initials "E.R." into the wood, on the top of the frame. There was a picture of him and his wife in it.
In additon to creating this frame, my Great Grandfather was an architect and designed the interior of a Shul called Ahi Ezer in Brooklyn. He carved out designs in the benches and did a lot more.
Sketchbook
Cairo, Egypt
Laurie G
This sketchbook belonged to my grandmother, Irene Shama, when she was a teenager in high school. She went to a public school in Cairo, Egypt.
Irene left in 1953 when she was 17 years old because things were getting bad for the Jews. Since my grandmother passed away a few years ago, my family and I keep the sketchbook very close to our hearts.
Painting
Romania
Diana Y.
This is a painting that was painted by my grandma's uncle, Joseph S. He lived in Romania until World War II and then he moved to Israel. He was an artist and painted this painting of a rabbi while he was in Israel.
This artifact is significant to Jewish heritage because in this painting, there is a picture of a rabbi praying with a siddur.
Drawing
Brooklyn
Brenda S.
This was created by my great grandfather. He made it for my grandmother, Brenda S., to use in a school project. He used charcoal to draw the picture.
He made it in Brooklyn in 1957. It's a picture of leafless trees with the background of a sunset.
Mandolin
Russia
Frieda S.
This artifact is from my great great grandpa, Gedaliah Ollins. He gave this instrument to his only son, Gerry Ollins who is my grandfather. When my grandfather passed away he gave it to his daughter Frieda S., who is my mother. This instrument is a mandolin and has always been on display at my house. This instrument means a lot to my family because it's a memory of my great great grandfather and my grandfather. The mandolin originated in Mediterranean countries. It has 8 strings and it is made of a solid piece of light wood. It has a pear shaped body with a round back. The mandolin has multiple colors of browns and a unique design of a butterfly in the center. It has a elegant design on the rim made from inlay. This instrument is very rare.
When my great great grandfather was on the boat coming to America many Jewish people and children were very frightened. So he played this instrument called a mandolin to soothe their nerves and make them feel better.