Ritual
These are very traditional artifacts from the students past. They are very meaningful to them.
shabbat candlestick
Israel
Mara L.
These shabbat candlesticks were given to my grandmother by her mother-in-law, Gert, in Miami, Florida in 2002. My grandmother passed these candlesticks down to my mother in 2004 when my little sister was born. My Grandmother wanted to keep the Jewish tradition of lighting the shabbat candles, and she wanted the candlesticks to be passed down to the youngest grandchild. These candlesticks are special to me because they were from my great grandmother who lit them on the holidays, and every Friday night.
The shabbat candlesticks usher in the holy day of shabbat. In the Jewish heritage it is a woman\'s mitzvah to light the shabbat candles. It is also a woman\'s privilege to bring good into the world through light.
Kiddish Cup
Jerusalem
Mom and dad
This kiddish cup is very special because it was used at my parents wedding. They drank from it during their ceremony under the chuppah. This kiddish cup will be passed down to me for my wedding.
This is a significant artifact to my Jewish heritage because I can use this cup on shabbat.
Kiddush Cup
Russia
Elise L.
This kiddush cup was my great-grandfather\'s. He grew up in Russia. He passed it down to my great-uncle Daniel, who I am named after, who then passed it down to my mother. It\'s very special to my family and I because of its heritage. We use it on Shabbat.
A kiddush cup is used for the wine on Shabbat. This kiddush cup has the blessing for the wine engraved into it.
Candlesticks
Romania
Anne
These candlesticks were given to my mom by my great grandmother. My great, great, grandfather brought over 2 sets from Romania. The other pair is with another cousin. These are very special to my mom because they have been passed down for generations. They were to be given as a gift for his 2 daughters living in America, (my great aunts, my great grandmothers\' sisters.
Candlesticks are important to Jewish heritage because they are lit on all holidays and sabbath.
Book of Prayers Blessings and Hymns
New York
Brian K.
This book was given to my grandparents, Alvin and Ruth Kalver, on the day they got married. It is important to my family because it shows a part of my grandparents\' lives. The Rabbi who married them gave it to them. It is inscribed with their names and the English and Hebrew dates of their wedding.
The book is important to my Jewish heritage because it contains prayers that are important for Jewish practice. It also commemorates my grandparents\' wedding which was an important Jewish event in their lives.
Nana Sadie’s Shabbat Candlesticks
Origin Unknown
These candlesticks were passed down to my father from his grandmother about 20 years ago. They are made of brass. My dad inherited the candlesticks because when his grandmother died all the grand-children inherited and shared the family heirlooms. These candlesticks are important to my family because my father tells me that they were used every Friday when the entire family was over at Nana Sadie’s apartment for Shabbat.
The Shabbat candlesticks hold the candles that are lit marking the beginning of Shabbat.
Kiddush Cup
Hungary
father from grandfather
This kiddush cup was given to my father by his father, my grandfather Thomas. It is significant because it has been passed down from generation to generation and our family was not always allowed to celebrate our Judaism as they were Holocaust survivors. It is important to my father because it came from his father and it is a reminder of where he came from and where we are now.
This kiddush cup is important to Jewish heritage because it used at mostly all Jewish events. It is used weekly at Shabbat and is a symbol of Judaism that all the world shares.
Shabbat Candlesticks
Austria-Hungary
These shabbat candle holders originally belonged to my great, great grandmother Sara. She handed them down to my great grandfather, Bob (my dad\'s mother\'s father). They were then handed down to my grandmother and then to my father. When they are handed down to me I will be the fifth generation to have them.
Presently we use them in our home on shabbat.