Treasure Chest
By Lee Ann C. and Danielle E.
In this gallery you will see the precious jewelry that many people enjoy, like bangles, watches and a necklace. Many of these pieces were passed down through several generations. Each one of the artifacts has a story to tell.
As you look through this gallery, we ask that you try to picture the person who first had this piece of jewelry. How did they live? Where were they living? What is the story behind it? These beautiful and valuable artifacts symbolize our heritage.
Hamsa Amulet
Brooklyn
Marcella M
This amulet in the shape of a hand was given to my mother, Marcella, by her grandma, Sophia C. because she wanted her marriage to last. We believe that this hand guards people from the bad spirit.
Some Jewish people believe that this hand protects us from the evil eye and it is known as the protecting hand. We believe that this hand brings us riches, happiness, health and positive energy. Some sources think that the significance of the 5 fingers corresponds to the 5 books of Torah.
LeCoultre Watch
Switzerland
Abraham S.
This watch was given to my Grandpa Jimmie from my Grandma Lottie as an engagement present in 1948. My grandparents were engaged in April, 1948. They were married about six weeks later on June 1st, 1948. The watch was then given to my father, Abraham, before my grandfather passed away. This watch is very important, especially to my father.
It is a custom in Syrian Jewish tradition for the boy and girl to exchange gifts when they become engaged.
Pocket watch
Alexandria ,Egypt
Salomon D.
The Pocket Watch was given to Salomon, my great grandfather. When my great grandfather lived in Egypt, he bought a pocket watch from a watchmaker. My father passed down the pocket watch to me and it is important to me because it\'s the only item I have from my great grandfather.
This pocket watch was used to tell time. This artifact is important because it shows that people like portable items to carry around with them.
Gold Moroccan Bracelets
Morocco
My Great Grandma Ester A.
My great grandma, Ester A, got gold bracelets as a gift. She wanted to pass down these bracelets , so she gave it to my grandma whose name was Sol A, then my mom, Ruthy. My mother gave them to my 2 sisters, Amanda and Naomi, and now I have them. I hope I will pass them down.
Gold bracelets were very fashionable in Morocco and other countries in North Africa and Mideast.
These Moroccan bracelets were worn on every holiday and every wedding and other special occasion. They were very valuable. I wear them everyday.
Watch
America
Jeff E.
The watch was given to my great grandfather by my grandfather. My great grandfather got this watch for his birthday in America. This watch is important to me because my great grandfather wore it and he is no longer living. My great grandfather came to America after he survived the Holocaust in Europe.
This watch was worn by my great grandfather who was a Holocaust survivor. It\'s very important to remember what happened to him and others in the Holocaust. This makes my great grandfather a very special person.
Bangles
Lebanon
Kim C.
This artifact means a lot to my family because it was from my great grandmother\'s wedding and her name was Nazira. I remember her very clearly.
Our entire family adored her as if she was our own grandmother. These bracelets were passed down from my great grandmother to my grandmother and hopefully soon will be passed down to me.
Nazira received these beautiful bracelets at her Jewish wedding!
Jewelry Box
Cairo, Egypt
Rachel L.
This gold jewelry box was given to my Grandma Rachel L. by my Grandpa Joseph S. as an engagment present. It was filled with candy. The reason my Grandpa Joseph gave it to her is because it was a custom in Egypt for the man to give the girl a jewelry box so when he gets her jewelry she can put the jewelry in it. This jewelry box is very important to the S. family. It is one of the few things that they have left from Egypt.
It was a Jewish engagement present. It was a custom for an Egyptian man to give his fiance a jewelry box to hold gifts of jewelry in it.