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Yearbook
New York
This yearbook belongs to Rebecca’s maternal great-grandfather, Meyer Kimmel. Mr. Kimmel was born in Austria in 1909. Circa 1914, his father and older sister came to the United States ahead of his family to try to make money to bring the rest of the family over. World War I broke out in 1914, and Meyer and his four other siblings were left in Austria with their mother. Between 1914 and 1918, Meyer’s mother made and sold cigarettes to soldiers in order to make enough money to go to the United States. Once the family made it to the United States, Meyer went to elementary school and learned the English language quickly. He then went on to Yeshiva University High School in New York, where he was very involved in student activities, such as the Students’ Supply Store, the First Aid Committee, and the Magazine Committee. In 1926, when he was only a junior, he was the Assistant Circulation Manager of the yearbook, The Elchanite. As the pictures depict, he was notably shorter than the other students, since his family did not have enough money for food and nourishment during his childhood.
This memoir of Rebecca’s heritage is dedicated in honor of both Meyer Kimmel’s incredible accomplishments as well as his 100th birthday which he recently celebrated with his entire family.
Chumash
New York
Albany used to be a large community with many Orthodox Jews living there. However, Jews began to leave Albany because there weren't any yeshivas. Therefore it was harder to find people to read from the Torah every week. After Ariella's paternal great-grandfather, Myer Kagan, retired in 1991, he offered to read the Torah every week for his synagogue, Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob. When Myer took Ariella’s great-grandmother, Ethel shopping, he used to stay in the car and prepare for the reading of the week. Before Myer drove Ethel he would take the bible that he needed to study for that week. When Myer would come to Ariella's house for shabbos, he would lein for Ariella's neighborhood in Ariella's house because the shul was too far away for Myer to walk to. Myer was known as the “famous” Torah reader in Albany because Myer read beautifully every week until he was 81 years old. Even the week before Myer got sick and went into the hospital, where he later died, he still leined in shul.
The bible is special to Ariella and her family because Myer used it every week
Dress
U.S.A.
Yael’s maternal great-grandmother Faigie wore this flapper dress in the early 1920s. She danced very gracefully in this dress. She would perform at different places and show her talent in this dress. When she wore the dress, she met Yael’s great-grandfather Joseph. When he saw her in this dress, he fell in love.
This dress is very important to Yael’s family.
War Medals
United States Of America
Imagine a scenario where you are a Hungarian citizen recently liberated from a Holocaust concentration camp. Soon after your liberation, you volunteer to join the United States Army, the same army that liberated you from the concentration camp seven years earlier. That is what George W., Isaac's paternal grandfather did in 1952. He volunteered to join the US army during the Korean War.
George W. earned these medals for fighting in the Korean War. Each medal was given to him in honor of a special accomplishment during his tenure in the Army. He began his Army career as a private and was soon promoted to corporal. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1961.
Isaac never met his grandfather, since he died before he was born, but every time Isaac sees the medals hanging in his grandmother’s house, he is reminded that his grandfather was a great American soldier and hero.
Passport
Palestine
Jen’s maternal great–great-grandmother Miriam Odem owned this passport. The passport was used about seventy years ago. Miriam Odem passed down the passport to her daughter Leah Yocheved Odem. Seventy years ago, Miriam and her family lived in what is now Tel Aviv, but at that time Israel was not yet a state and it was called Palestine. After Miriam died, Leah and her family moved to Brooklyn, New York.
In March 2010, it will be seven years since Leah passed away. Therefore, the passport was passed down to her son Raphael J. Levine, Jen’s grandfather. It is such a pleasure to have a piece of family history.
Silver Goblets
Chicago
Amanda’s maternal great-great grandfather Frank Novick was a silver smith. He owned a store on the south side of Chicago where he manufactured and bought silver throughout his lifetime. During the Great Depression people could not afford to keep their possessions so they sold their belongings. Amanda’s great-great grandfather would buy silver from people who needed money. One of the silver creations that he purchased were two silver monogrammed and embossed goblets approximately 80 years ago. He may have created them himself, then sold them to a rich couple, and when the couple needed the money he bought the goblets back. Some of the other creations he made were a silver box shaped like a shoe and candlesticks which are used today by Amanda’s Aunt Rina every Shabbat. Amanda’s great-grandparents also used them. Amanda’s grandfather takes pride in these silver cups that his grandfather made. He recently gave them to Amanda`s mother to keep in her china cabinet.
Amanda gets to see these heirlooms every day, and be reminded about her heritage.
Jewish Book
Germany
This holy book is a precious possession of Carole and Arnold Nussbaum, Isaac’s grandparents. This book was originally presented to Isaac’s maternal great grandfather, Joseph Rosenzweig, for his selfless work and effort saving many lives during the Holocaust.
This is one of the first Jewish books that came off the printing press after the Nazis were eliminated from Germany. This printing press was utilized to spread Nazi propaganda by Adolph Hitler. Siddurim, Chumashim, and other Jewish books were actually printed on this same press. The Vaad Hatzalah of which Isaac’s great-grandfather was one of the chairmen saved many Jewish lives and was responsible for these publications.
This was the beginning of the spiritual revitalization of Jewish learning after the Holocaust.
Certificate
Philadelphia
Yakir's maternal grandfather Rabbi Sidney Green grew up in Philadelphia during the 1940’s. Sidney grew up as a conservative Jew but chose to spend his life as an Orthodox Rabbi helping many people become better Jews.
His journey started when he studied three times a week in Hebrew school and learned in his synagogue. Sidney Green was inspired by Rabbi Morris Greenblat, to become a spiritual rabbi. Sidney’s high school adviser told him about Yeshiva University where he would study secular courses and Judaic studies in the same place. He spent eight years in YU and earned his Rabbinical Smicha. This certificate then represented the fulfillment of his dreams and destiny.
After graduating from YU, Rabbi Green began his career working in Kiruv bringing estranged Jews closer to Torah. He spent most of his life as a Rabbi in many small Jewish communities throughout the United States. Through his Kiruv work, many Jewish communities will be able to preserve our Jewish heritage.
Rabbi Green was a great man who accomplished a great deal.
Tefillin and Picture
Czechoslovakia
Abraham’s maternal great-grandfather, Jack Ritter, was born in Czechoslovakia on April 23, 1909, and purchased these tefillin in 1922. These tefillin survived through the war in Europe which was surprising since you weren’t allowed to have tefillin during this time.
These tefillin went with Jack when he was hiding in all sorts of places, like barns and forests. These tefillin were one of the few objects that he brought back from Europe to America and used them until he passed away in June 2009.
Jack Ritter is the man in this picture with his wife Rose Ritter, and their daughter Judy Ritter Rosen. They took this picture in 1947 after World War Two. It was the first family picture taken after the war. They sent it to relatives in America to show them that they survived and were safe.
These tefillin and this picture represent Abraham’s family’s survival from the war.
Torah
United States
This Torah is a special family heirloom. It was given to Ari, Nina’s older brother, when he was born. Ari was named for Rabbi Dr. Theodore L. Adams, his maternal great-grandfather.
Rabbi Adams was the Rabbi of Congregation Ohab Zedek on the upper West Side of New York City for many years. One of his congregants received this Torah as a gift from the synagogue in 1937, and in turn bequeathed the Torah to Rabbi Adams in his will.
The Torah is a high quality parchment in very clear ink. It is smaller than average and is easy to transport for family use. After Rabbi Adams passed away in 1984, his wife Bernice said that she would hand the Torah down to the first great grandchild who bore his name. Although the Torah belongs to Ari, it is used on many extended family occasions.
It sits in a very traditional and ornate ark on the Miller family piano, which is also a family heirloom.
Necklace
Czech
The Holocaust was a horrible time for the Jews. Some were forced into concentration camps and others were forced to go into hiding. Hannah's paternal great- grandmother, Rose Ritter, and her two-year-old daughter, Judy (Hannah’s paternal grandmother), were forced to hide amidst the hay in a barn for a large part of the war. It was terrifying for them to never know whether or not they would be discovered.
One dark night a stranger came to the barn and asked permission to hide with them. Rose was scared because she didn’t know if he was a friend or enemy. She reluctantly let him stay because she didn’t know what he might do if she said no. He did not reveal his identity because he was probably just as frightened.
After tossing and turning for most of the night, Rose finally fell into a fitful sleep. When she awoke in the morning, she found that the stranger had vanished and he left a gold necklace in the palm of her hand. The necklace said Shema on it in English and Hebrew. Rose inferred that it was a gift of thanks from a grateful Jew during the dark and untrusting time of the Holocaust.
Rose survived the rest of the war with Judy. She miraculously met up with her husband, Jack Ritter, after the war. She now lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Judy raised her own family in Teaneck, New Jersey. The necklace is currently in the possession of Rose’s other daughter, Cheryl, who was born after the war.
The mystery still remains today as to who left the mysterious necklace.
Navy Uniform
United States of America
This Navy uniform was worn by Joseph’s grandfather Sherman J. Horowitz when he served in World War II. He served on many ships including the LST 900 that stopped in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Hollywood, California, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Japan.
Sherman served as a medic. He volunteered while he was still in college, because he wanted to serve his country. In the picture there is also a siddur which he used during his service in the Navy. Joseph was named after his grandfather who survived the war.
He died in 1978 at the age of 52.
Torah Scroll
Afghanistan
Aleeza's father received this rare and invaluable piece of Torah scroll from a section in Parshat Bahalotcha, as a present from his friend George Blumenthal. This was given to him in honor of teaching George Blumenthal’s son for his Bar Mitzvah.
A merchant in the Afghanistan flea market had this piece of parchment in his booth when Mr. Blumenthal happened to be passing by. When George Blumenthal came over to arrange a reasonable price for the sacred piece of Torah, the merchant knew he was Jewish because no Arab would even glance at the piece of Torah scroll. The merchant would not change the price, somehow knowing that a Jew has a commitment to save a Torah at any cost.
Once George Blumenthal perceived that he would not change the merchant’s mind, he ended up paying the full $35, which at the time was very expensive. Currently, this beautiful artifact is displayed in Aleeza’s dining room and is used as a decoration.
It is the source of respect and admiration.
Camera
Germany
This camera belonged to Max’s paternal grandfather. His name was Max S. He brought the camera to this country in 1949. Max was a Holocaust survivor and he lived in Germany after the war. When he and his brothers decided to come to America, they brought watches and cameras with them to sell and make money. This camera is one of two that remains in the Segal’s possession.
Max Dov was named after this wonderful man.
Brick
Marietta, Ohio
Louis Goldish, Tamar's paternal great grandfather founded, owned and operated The American Supply Company in Marietta; a small town in the southeastern corner of the state on the banks of the Ohio River.
Louie Goldish founded his oil and gas supply business in 1898, a time of great growth in America. Oil was discovered to be a valuable energy source early in the 20th century and Louie's Company provided the hardware and supplies for its extraction in the Ohio Valley and beyond. Marietta's Jewish community was established around the turn of the century and had well-established institutions including a synagogue, school, teacher, mikveh, shochet and cemetery. Marietta was also well known for its generous tzedakah, and bore the nickname “Little Jerusalem.”
Louie, a hard-working entrepreneur with no formal schooling, was born in 1877 to a poor family in Vilna and escaped persecution in Lithuania via Germany, eventually being bar mitzvah'd on the boat to America.
Despite never having gone to school a day in his life, he was a well-respected businessman who could add a column of figures in his head as fast as any calculator. He also provided three children with college educations.
Despite initial poverty and later hardship, Lou was a study in perseverance and the joy of life. His first building was ruined in the record-breaking flood of 1913, his second destroyed by fire in 1932 whereupon he purchased a third brick building from which the brick before you was salvaged. Additionally, the year after the fire destroyed his business, he suffered the loss of two sons, an infant and a 14 year-old.
Louie went to work 6 days a week until he was 85 years old, at which time he retired and sold the store and business. He died in April 1969 at the age of 93.
One day many years later, Louie's daughter, Esther (Tamar's paternal grandmother), drove by her Dad's store and was shocked to find the building completely leveled. She pulled in front to park and got out of the car to stare at the totally cleared-off lot. As Esther looked down at her feet, she was amazed to discover that two old red bricks had somehow appeared. She scooped them up to keep as mementos of her happy childhood in Marietta.
Medal
Europe
This Medal of Honor was given to Cayla from her maternal grandfather William Hulkower that he was awarded in World War II. The story behind all of this is very intriguing. During World War II William Hulkower was a “gunner” on a fighter plane. His job was to shoot down enemies in the other airplane. William Hulkower aimed at the right spot and shot down a plane at the right time. The captain of his platoon heard what he’s done and awarded him with a medal of honor.
This story is only one of many that he has told Cayla's family and many others to be told.
Siddur
Poland
Imagine living in a country where being a practicing a Jew was both difficult and challenging. Davening was never taken for granted, and prayer was treated with great importance. Approximately one hundred years ago in Poland, Atara’s paternal great-grandmother, Tilla Kirstein, lived in such an environment. When she had to leave Poland with her family, she could only bring very few things. The most important thing she brought was her siddur.
Tilla grew up poor, praying daily from her special siddur for better times, and a life with fewer struggles. She was so poor that she would have to go her friendly next-door neighbors’ bathroom to shower before shabbos. This siddur contains tefilot for the entire year. Additionally, the siddur is so special because on one of the pages there is a tear on it from when she was crying while davening.
Tilla died at the age of 65 from cancer. This siddur was passed on to Atara’s Zayde, Victor S. and now her Bubby, Marcha S. keeps it in the house on a shelf where it is cherished by everyone in the family.
Watch
Austria
Imagine having to leave everything you owned to go to a foreign country to begin a new life. The items that you can pack are limited by what Nazis will take from you, and that’s anything that they think has value.
On her way to moving to Lower Manhattan, Leora’s maternal great-grandmother Fanny Stern, and her family found a way to smuggle valuables by the Nazis. The women in the family sewed jewelry into their clothing and the Nazis didn’t find it.
They settled into Lower Manhattan where they would be safe from the Holocaust. From there, Fanny Stern, her husband Max, her two sons, and two daughters prospered. They sold the some of the jewelry and made a great deal of money. Each person in the family got jobs, and they made enough money to move to Long Island and open a kosher butcher store.
If Fanny Stern hadn’t been so clever, her family could have faced serious poverty, but instead they flourished.
Leora’s family still proudly owns some of the jewelry.
Army Uniform
New York
The Holocaust was a terrible time for the Jewish people. Many lives were taken, but some people were able to escape the terrible predicament. Aviad’s paternal grandfather, Charles D. S. was one of the few people who could accomplish that.
After traveling through Europe in search of refuge for approximately two years, Charles was able to come to America and finish high school. As a symbol of his appreciation of his new country he enlisted in the American Army where he worked as a medical technician and received this jacket.
Aviad chose this jacket to represent his heritage because it is an emblem of his grandfather who he is named in honor of. After the army, he was eligible for the G.I. Bill and went to college. He became a Zionist and because of that, he would eventually meet his wife.
His army jacket not only reminds Aviad of how physically and mentally strong his grandfather was, it also reminds him of the life that Charles built for him and his family.
Matzah Cover
Czechoslovakia
Imagine what it would feel like to help a poor widow with three children. In the early 1920’s, Noah’s paternal great-great grandfather, Eliezer Weiss, did just that. He was walking home from shul and noticed a decrepit apartment. He immediately knew he had to help. He called a glazier to fix the broken windows and sent food to the widow who lived there every Shabbos. Although the widow originally had no idea who was helping her, she eventually found out it was Eliezer Weiss. In gratitude, she embroidered a beautiful handmade matzah cover for him.
During the Holocaust, the matzah cover was hidden, along with a few other family items, by a non-Jewish banker. After the war, the matzah cover was returned by Noah’s great-great grandfather. This matzah cover has been passed down for generations.
Its beauty helps Noah's family remember the importance of charity and how special Eliezer Weiss was.
Besamim Box
Hungary
This besamim box comes from Alex’s paternal grandfather’s family in Hungary. Their family name was G. It was changed when they came to America.
The story of the besamim box begins in Hungary circa 1880, with the Adler family. Rivkah Adler married Menachem G. and this besamim box belonged to them.
During World War I, circa 1914, the family hid their silver, including this besamim box from the soldiers. Rivkah and her children, Louie and Willie, left for America in 1920 with the besamim box, while Menachem, her husband left for America in 1918.
Alex’s grandfather recalled that they were able to take their household belongings with them to America. Rivkah and Menachem gave it to Louie and his wife Jennie and then, they gave it to Alex’s grandfather Norman and his wife Harriet. Rivkah died in February of 1952, and Menachem died in November of 1958.
Alex’s grandparents informed him that the besamim box is now his to use and keep and pass on to his children.
Ring
New York
Elias H.’s father, Joseph, fled Europe during World War II and came to the United States. Joseph wanted his children to get a Jewish education in a country where you were allowed to practice their religion.
Elias was enrolled in Yeshiva University High School in 1951. In 1955, Elias graduated first in his class and decided to continue his yeshiva education at Yeshiva University College in New York. In 1959, Elias graduated from Yeshiva University.
After Elias got married, he wanted all of his children to attend Yeshiva University. After each graduation, Joseph bought Elias a graduation ring to have a similar Jewish education.
All of Elias’s children went to a yeshiva. The first son to go to Yeshiva University was Eric. Twenty-five years after Elias graduated Yeshiva University, Eric graduated. At Eric’s graduation, Elias gave Eric the two rings, the one from Yeshiva University High School and one from Yeshiva University College. Elias said that the ring symbolized our family’s heritage and commitment to a Jewish education.
This ring will be passed down from generation to generation as each completes his/her formal yeshiva education.
Pendant and Ring
Yemen
This beautiful silver pendant and ring is of Yemenite origin. The Yemenite Jews were famous for their gold and silver craftsmanship. On their way to the “Wings of Eagles” transport of Yemenite Jews from Yemen to Israel, Ariel’s maternal great-grandfather, Saadia Efraim, bought this jewelry for her maternal great grandmother, Naomi Efraim. When Naomi passed away, the jewelry was bequeathed to Ariel’s maternal grandmother, Shoshana Aharoni. Ariel’s grandmother, Shoshana, gave the pendant to her mother as a present. Ariel loves to think of the family heritage this jewelry represents to her.
It is a constant reminder of her Yemini-Israeli roots.
Detective Hat
New York
This hat, one piece from Andrew Weiss’ uniform is very special to Joey. It was worn by Joey’s Pa in the 1950’s. Joey’s maternal grandfather formed his own Agency called the CBI which stands for Citizens Bureau of Investigation.
Joey’s grandfather was a Holocaust survivor; the sole survivor of his family. He was a very brave man who wanted to build a family. He had a mission to become a detective in the United States and was successful. He solved many mysteries and cases. This hat represents a great man who accomplished what he set out to do.
Joey is very proud of his grandfather’s talents.
Go Wear It
United States
Jonnie Lazerowitz’s maternal grandfather, Andrew Weiss worn this hat as a part of his uniform in 1950. Jonnie’s grandfather formed his own agency called the CBI which stood for Citizen’s Bureau of Investigation. Jonnie’s grandfather was a Holocaust survivor, the sole survivor in his family. He was a courageous man who wanted to build a new family. He had a mission to become a detective in the United States. Andrew Weiss solved many mysteries and cases. This hat represents a great man who accomplished what he set out to do.
Jonnie is very proud of his grandfather’s talents.