Miscellaneous Paraphernalia
These artifacts do not fall within the other categories, but are important historical objects.
Miniature Torah
USA
Julie Flores
This artifact is important to my family because my grandpa always studied from it. When I visited him on Shabbat we read prayers and stories from it. We always had a great on Shabbat so he gave the Torah to my mom hoping that we would continue this early tradition. I hope to keep this tradition and pass it down from generation to generation. This miniature Torah symbolizes the tradition of celebrating Shabbat and refreshing your brain on the Torah's most recent parshot.
This miniature Torah is a replica of a real Torah because it contains the actual writing that is written in the Torah. It is miniature, so that people can use it on vacation. An actual Torah is very hefty and hard to store in good condition, while the mini one is less expensive and easy to store. The Torah is the Jewish people's most important object.
Hamsa Plaque
Israel
Donna S
This artifact is important to my family because it was given to my mother from my grandparents who got it from Israel. My grandparents had been in Israel on Yom Kippur to visit my grandfather's sisters and family. My grandparents bought the Hamsa at a stand in Jerusalem near the Western Wall. This Hamsa is now hanging in my mother's kitchen.
The Hamsa Plaque is a symbol of peace. It has a prayer inside of it that is meant to bless the home with peace, joy, and happiness. The eye in the middle of the Hamsa is a defense against the Evil Eye. The Evil Eye is a look that is believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck on the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike. The Hamsa is meant to ward off this injury and bad luck. Also, it is said that with a Hamsa in your home, all living creatures will have good luck. It's also known to draw magical protection and positive energy from the Evil Eye.
Ancient Coin
Rome
Lawrence D.
This coin is important to my family because my uncle gave it to us 30 years ago. His name is Lawrence D. He is my dad's brother. Now, my uncle is sick, so it is is even more special to us.
This coin was created during a time when Rome invaded Israel and scattered Jews all over the world. This was known as the Diaspora. Later in time, Jews found this coin in the ground and it shows how Jews were forced to live by Roman law. My uncle Lawrence D., gave it to my dad as a gift. He went to Rome and bought it for my dad.
This coin dates from the year 259. The card says A.D. which means Anno Domini - the Year of our Lord. This term is used in the Christian calendar. Historians also call this time period C.E. - in the Common Era.
Binoculars
France
These binoculars were used by my father during World War II. He was a soldier at the Battle of the Bulge and other places in Europe. He was also an Assistant Chaplain towards the end of the war. It is obvious that he was right-handed because the outer leather covering is worn on the right side! When the eyepieces on the binoculars are fully extended, they are engraved: "Jumelle Militaire Superieure" (Superior Military Binoculars).
These binoculars were used during World War II, a very tragic time in Jewish history. During World War II, over six million Jews throughout Europe were killed. Five million other people, such as political prisoners, Roma, Sinti, disabled, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals were also killed.
Camera and Case
France
This tiny ELJY Lumiere camera was used by my father during World War II. I suppose he bought it in France when he was sent over there as an American soldier. I was not aware of my father's experiences during the War, until 30 years after he died, when my mother was moving, we discovered a shoebox filled with photographs from the war.
This camera was used to document and record what my father saw as a serviceman in World War II. He saw plenty of death and destruction. He wrote on the back of most of his photos, so I have been able to piece together his service during the war. No one should ever deny that the Holocaust happened - there is so much proof.