Holidays
Our holidays are very important to us as Jews. They help us to understand many of the major events in Jewish history.
All of our artifacts have a story to tell about how a particular holiday is celebrated. In fact,
holiday traditions have often been passed down from generation to generation.
Having such a variety of holidays makes being Jewish fun and meaningful.
Dreidels
Israel
Mom
Most of them were shipped directly from Israel by my Bubbie when she visited there.
They are put in special places around my house, mainly on my family's piano. Some of them are used on Hanukkah and some are just for display.
If someone walked into our house, they would immediately know that we are Jewish because of all the ritual objects that we have.
Passover Tea Kettle
MN, USA
Laura S.
This tea kettle is 100 years old. It was my great-great Aunt's tea kettle. Her name was Eva S.
My great-great-great Aunt used it every Passover and I think some Shabbatot. She used it so much that all the paint is coming off. We are very happy to have this in our family and to continue the traditions of our ancestors.
Seder Plate
Israel
Steve K
This seder plate belonged to my grandparents. It was passed down to my parents then it was passed down to me and my brother and sister.
This seder plate has been used for over the past 50 years in our family for our seder. The seder in our family is important because we always have a big seder and have lots of people. We tell the important story of the Exodus and our freedom.
Menorah
Palestine
Todd C. (My dad)
My great great grandmother Eva had this menorah as a child. She was born and raised in Palestine. Then she passed it down to my great grandmother then my grandfather and now to my dad. Hopefully it will be mine. This menorah dates back to the 1800's.
This is a menorah that we use during Hanukkah. I am proud to have this special menorah in my family. I enjoy celebrating Hanukkah.
Teapot
England
Deb L.
This teapot is one of the few things my great great grandma brought to America when she immigrated from Russia in the early 1900's.
She used it on Passover in Russia. One of us will get it when we grow up. We don't use it on Passover but we think of her when we celebrate this holiday.
Chanukiah
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
My Mom and Dad
My mom, sister, and I went to my synagogue and got to design the glass work on this chanukiah. Because we made it, it is special to us.
We use this chanukiah to celebrate Chanukah every year. Chanukah reminds us that we are proud to be Jewish. I hope to get this Chanukuah when I have a home of my own.
Seder Plate
Israel
Grandfather
We use it at our seder for Passover. It is special because my grandparents got it in Israel. They then passed it along to us.
Passover is the most celebrated Jewish holiday. It is when we became free.
I like celebrating Passover.
Menorah
Minnie L.
Roz S.
This menorah was given to my great-grandma, Minnie, from her mom, Rose, when she got married to my great-grandpa, Bill. My grandma, Roz, keeps it in her house for safe keeping. It is over 90 years old.
Menorahs are used every Hanukkah by the Jews. My great-grandparents used it every Hanukkah. Now we use it every Hanukkah at my grandma's house. My Aunt Jenny will get it when my grandma dies, and Jenny's youngest will get it and so on.
Hanukkah celebrates our right to live as Jews.
Menorah
USA
Loreen S.
After my grandmother moved from Canada to Minneapolis, when she was just married, she went to Brochin's. My grandmother bought a menorah because she did not have any ritual objects. So, she started by buying the menorah 58 years ago.
I've celebrated Hanukkah with the menorah since I was born. We celebrate at my grandmother's house. Hanukkah is a very important holiday because it celebrates our right to be Jewish.
Seder Plate
Origin Unknown
Dyanne C. - my mother
This Seder Plate was bought the day before I was born. It was our family's first Seder Plate.
We use it every year on Passover. We put a beet instead of a shank bone on it because we don't eat red meat. It is important because it was our first Seder plate that we actually bought. We have a matching mezzuzah to go on the door that we open for Eliyahu.
Passover is celebrated by more Jews than any other holiday. It commemorates our being freed from slavery.
Menorah
Israel
Grandparents
It has been passed down from four generations and we still use it today.
It is a menorah used for Hanukkah and it is used to light candles and hold then on the eight days of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights and celebrates religious freedom.
Hannukiah
Russia
Kathy R.
It was given to my great-grandfather by his mother and handed down from generation to generation.
It was lit during the Holocaust for Hanukkah.
I am amazed that we still have this artifact. It symbolizes Jewish survival.
Matzah Cover
Minneapolis
Mom and Grandma
It is meaningful because it was passed down from my great great grandmother then to my bubbie and finally passed down to my mom.
My bubbie's bubbie was in the hospital with my aunt Paula and she made my artifact out of hospital bed sheets.
My family uses this matzoh cover every Passover. I like using something that has such significance to my family.
Passover is one of my favorite holidays.