Jewish Artifacts
These are items used in Jewish traditions, including holidays, ceremonies and celebrations. Many have been passed from generation to generation.
Torah-treasured
Israel
Sol Solk
My Grandparents traveled to Israel in a the Spring of 1977, when my mother was at Camp Swig. They purchased the model Torah as a suvenier, and treasured the Torah in their home in Palo Alto for many years.
After my Grandmother passed away April 5, 1990, my Grandfather gave it to me as artifact of remembrance of my Grandmother.
The Torah is the most significant part of the Jewish law, which different portions are read during services when appropriate. It is the center of importance for all synagogues all over the world.
Novak Family Torah
unknown
It's the family's
My great-grandfather bought this Torah and I am named after him. This is the Torah that I will use for my Bar Mitzvah. My brother also used this Torah for his Bar Mitzvah. Also because it is a Torah it is a very holy artifact. On the cover in Hebrew it says, "Justice, Justice, Shall you pursue."
My great-grandfather Elmer Novak bought the Torah for his temple, Temple Solomon in Centralia, Illinois. When my parents, who are both rabbis, went to lead services at this temple they discovered the Torah. When the temple closed down in 2004, it was given to my family. It was first used at my brother's Bar Mitzvah in 2005.
Torah (treasured)
Israel
Sol S.
In the Spring of 1977 my grandparents traveled to Israel, while my mother, who was eighteen, stayed at Camp Swig. They purchased this Torah as a souvenir in a gift store. For many years it was a treasured item on display in their home in Palo Alto. When my grandmother passed away on April 5, 2009, my grandfather gave it to me as a gift in memory of my grandmother.
The Torah is the center of Jewish learning. A different portion is read each week in the synagogue during services.
The Torah represents the unending nature of the Jewish faith.
Silver Candle Holders
Pittsburgh, PA
My mother Lainie
These candlestick holders were given to my mother on her wedding day by her aunt. They were originally used by my mother's father's family when she was growing up.
My Zadie's family used these candle holders for every Shabbat. These candle holders have been used from generation to generation. My family now keeps them displayed in the dinning room to be viewed by others.
Tallit
Israel
Great Grandfather
This Tallit was worn by my great grandfather, my grandfather, my great uncle and my brother for their Bar Mitzvahs. I will also wear it for my Bar Mitzvah.
This Tallit has been worn by several generations in my family for their Bar Mitzvahs. It is 72 years old, and was purchased in Israel.
Menorah
Germany or New York
Phillip B.
This menorah belonged to my great grandma. She used it every Hanukkah when my grandpa was a kid. After she died, my grandpa got it. He has used it ever since. He also used it when my dad and uncle were kids. This artifact is so important because this is one of the few things my grandpa has left from his mother.
This menorah is important to Jewish heritage because it is used during the 8 days of Hanukkah. It is used for 8 days because after the destruction of the temple, all the oil got spilled and was not able to be used. There was only enough to last one day. However,the oil that was supposed to last only one day instead lasted 8 days. The sterling silver menorah, with all its details is a beautiful example of how Jews ritually remember the great miracle every year.
Menorah
Israel
Abra D.
This menorah was given to my grandparents in 1966 by my great-grandparents in Chicago. This was their first menorah. It was made in Israel. The menorah is green to represent the Eliat Stone, native to Israel, which was very popular during that time. The leaves symbolize the Tree of Life. My Grammy loved her parents and cherished their memories, which is why she kept this menorah. My Grammy gave it to my mom when she moved away to college in 1991, for her first menorah. My mom plans on passing this to me when I move out. It holds special memories of my grandmother and her parents for my mom.
This menorah was used in my family for two generations. Lighting a menorah is an important part of celebrating Hanukkah. Jews celebrate Hanukkah to remember the miracle of finding only enough oil to last one day, but it lasted for eight days.
Menorah
Eastern Russia
LaVerne and Jack F
This menorah was handed down from my Bubbe before she died. She gave it to my Father, who gave it to my sister and I to share. I like this menorah because it symbolizes happiness and the joy of celebrating Hanukkah. It also has musicians on it, and both of my parents are musicians and are Russian.
In ancient Israel, the Maccabees only had enough oil to last for one day, but a miracle happened and it stayed lit for eight days. The menorah represents the joy of light and the miracle that happened in Jewish history.
Haggadah
Philadelphia
Kay Z.
This artifact is an old Haggadah. It belonged to my great grandpa Fred who was my mom’s grandfather. It was the family Haggadah. My mom’s family used this when she was growing up. This Haggadah had my great grandpa’s name and address on it.
This Haggadah is significant to my family because it has been passed down to every family. It is important in Judaism because it has all the prayers that we say, during the Passover Seder, to remember that we were freed from Egypt.
Book of the Newport Zionist Society
Newport, Kentucky
Marlene G
My great-grandma, Frieda, came to the U.S. from Russia in the early 1900's and became part of the Zionist community in 1916. Somehow this book ended up in her hands and traveled through the generations to my mom. This book is important because it shows what Zionism is about and how terrible some of the cartoons were (see page 58). Also, it gives me some of the only pictures of Frieda.
Other than restating the obvious, this book has a mysterious past. O.k. we can tell that it was made by a small temple's Zionist community (who were probably very dedicated to Jewish learning) in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. That is basically all of the information that my family knows about it.