Israel
Our artifacts all come from Israel. Almost all of them are religious items such as menorahs, Shabbat candlesticks and Bibles; we also have a visa that is actually stamped Palestine. These artifacts all tell different stories about our families who may have lived in or visited Israel or perhaps bought an item made in Israel.
Hanukkiah
Israel
Mom
My Great Grandma Malka felt very strongly about lighting candles for Shabbat and Hanukkah. This Hanukkiah is the one my Great Grandma Malka would light with my mother. Now we use it to celebrate Hanukkah.
Candle lighting for Hanukkah and Shabbat was extremely important to my Great Grandma Malka. As a Holocaust survivor she impressed upon my mother the importance of lighting candles as she did throughout her life despite the many challenges she faced in life. We think this Hanukkiah came from Israel on one of Malka\'s yearly trips to Israel. The fact that this Hanukkiah came from Israel is also significant because Malka was very attached to Israel as it was her home after the Holocaust (and her final resting place).
Visa
Jerusalem, Palestine
My Parents
This passport was issued in Palestine to my Great Great Grandfather Osher Kotler and his son Meyer. We aren\'t sure how and when Osher got to Palestine, but from this artifact it seems like it was in the early 1930\'s. Somehow Osher got from Russia/Poland to Palestine and then left to come to America. I learned from my Nana that he came here to make money and as he did, he brought over other family members to the US from Palestine. At some point, he decided he had enough of America and returned to Israel where he remarried and lived a long life. He is buried not far from his home in Petach Tikvah.
This artifact is important because it means that Osher got out of harms way in advance of the Holocaust. If he had stayed in Russia/Poland - he likely would have been killed.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Stacy G.
This Kiddush Cup was purchased by Lila and Hershel C. (my Great Grandparents) in the early 1970\'s on a 23 day vacation. This artifact is important to my family for two reasons. The first reason is that my Great Grandparents were Holocaust survivors and lost most of their artifacts during WWII. Since they did not have really old Jewish things, they bought new things to use with their family to be able to celebrate the Jewish holidays. The second reason this artifact is important is that my Great Grandmother was a Zionist and really believed in a Jewish state. It was her dream to move to Palestine (now Israel) after the war. She tried for 3 1/2 years to get in and could not. She ended up moving to America and later traveled to Israel and brought back this Kiddush cup.
The significance of this Kiddush Cup is that it represents the special ceremonies and blessings that we say during Shabbat and the Jewish Holidays. This Israeli Kiddush cup has the Hebrew word L\'Chaim painted on it which means \"To Life\" in English. When we say L\'Chaim we are drinking to a long lasting, healthy and happy life blessed by G-d. This artifact also has the blessing for wine engraved along the base of the cup. My family has used this artifact for 40 years and 4 generations have celebrated with this Kiddush cup.
Candle Holder
Israel
My Grandparents
My grandparents were visiting Israel. They went into a shop in Old Jerusalem and they found this candle holder. When they came home, they used this for Shabbat with their family. This candle holder is important to my family because it has been used for many years and it is a memory of the special trip that my grandparents took to Israel.
This candle holder was used to celebrate Shabbat. This is important to Judaism because it shows how the Jewish people have been celebrating Shabbat the same way for many generations.
Bible
Israel
Ruth P.
My great-grandma was given this Bible on June 16, 1967 when she became or stepped down as the President of her chapter of Hadassah. She passed it down to my grandparents. This Bible is very valuable to my family because it was presented to my great-grandmother for her dedicated efforts to help Israel prosper during the early days of its existence.
The printing inside is in Hebrew and it, of course, contains the Biblical stories of the Torah. It was actually made in Israel. My parents held it when they got married.
Menorah
Israel
Grandma Rose
This menorah belonged to my grandma. She gave it to us when she moved to Florida. It was one of the only things she gave to us when she moved. They used this menorah every Chanukah. When you look at it, it really looks old from all the candles that have melted. It has a lion with the shamash right next to it.
The menorah is used for the eight nights every Chanukah. It is important because it is one of the biggest holidays of the year and to show that the oil that was suppose to last one day, lasted eight days. It also shows that we care about what happened in our past to the Maccabees.
Channukah Menorah
Israel
Harry & Claire N.
This menorah has been in my family since before my grandparents were married. It was given as a gift to my grandfather from somebody who lived in Israel. This is important to my family because it has been around for about 50 years now and now my grandparents are passing it down to me to pass it down to my children. I hope that this menorah will be in my family for a long time, and get passed through generations of my family. I think that this menorah means a lot to me and my family!
This menorah was made in Israel a long time ago. It has been passed through my family and is now in mine. My family lights this menorah every Chanukah. Chanukah is important because a great miracle happened during Chanukah. The people in Israel had enough oil to light candles for only one day, but the oil lasted for eight days. So, that\'s why we have eight nights of Chanukah. Chanukah is such an important holiday to my family and all the Jews. Also, Chanukah is my favorite holiday ever because of the miracle, the lighting of the menorah and the freedom those candles represent.
Hebrew Bible
Israel
Grandma
My artifact was my great-grandpa\'s Hebrew Bible. His name was Ruben Julius G. The Hebrew Bible is made of silver, embellished with jewels, Jewish symbols, and Hebrew words. It was made at Israel and it was made in 1968. Because this was my great-grandpa\'s Hebrew Bible it is very important to my family.
This Bible was used to read to the stories and commandments of the Torah. This artifact is important so I will always remember my great-grandpa.
Visa
Palestine
Adele B.
This Visa was issued in Palestine to my Great Great Grandfather Osher and his son Meyer. We aren\'t sure how and when Osher got to Palestine but from this artifact, it seems that it was in the early 1930\'s. Somehow, Osher got from Russia/Poland to Palestine and then left to come to America. Before he left, he bought a house and began to raise his family in Palestine. I learned from my Nana that he came here to make money and as he did, he brought other family members to the US from Palestine. At some point, he decided he had enough of American and returned to Palestine where he remarried and lived a long life. He is buried not far from his home in Petach Tikvah.
This artifact is important because it means that Osher got out of harms way in advance of the Holocaust. If he had stayed in Russia/Poland - he likely would have been killed.
Menorah
Israel
Grandpa
My grandfather was given this menorah as a gift when he worked in NYC many years ago. My grandfather worked as a pharmacist in a pharmacy that was located in a hotel. It was his first professional job.The menorah was given to him by a client.
We use this menorah every Chanukkah to celebrate the holiday. Since it was received as a gift, it shows the importance of celebrating/keeping the Jewish holidays with family and friends.