Shabbat
Shabbat is very important to the Jewish people. It is the 4th of the 10 Commandments. We are commanded to rest because God rested after creating the world.
Shabbat has become a time for families to come together and celebrate and to enjoy a festive meal together.
Our artifacts represent Jewish ritual objects that have been used by families on Shabbat. Some of these have fascinating stories behind them.
Ahad Ha\'am stated: \"More than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.\"
Yad
Venice, Italy
my mom
This yad was given to my mom and dad by my mom\'s parents. They got it in Venice, Italy from a Judaica store. It is made of murano glass.
The yad is used when you are reading Torah,so you don\'t have to touch it and get the oil from you hand on it.The word yad means hand. Also the Torah is holy so you don\'t point with your hand,you point with the yad.
In this way, the Torah scroll will last for many years without having to be replaced.
Candlesticks
Israel
Mom
My mother got these candlesticks for her bat mitzvah and that is a very important day.
They mean a lot to me because they are made in Israel and we use them to celebrate Shabbat and holidays.
Shabbat is very important to Jews and Shabbat candlesticks are what we use to start Shabbat.
When I get older I plan to light Shabbat candles for Shabbat.
Kiddush Cup
Herzl camp
Alex C.
This kiddush cup was made by me at Herzl Camp for SMP. This is important to my family because I have made it.
The kiddush cup is used on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
It is traditions and rituals like this that keep Judaism alive.
Elijahs Cup
USA
My great grandparents
My great grandma & grandpa got this on there wedding day. When my mom & dad got married they got a Seder plate that matched the cup. Years later my great grandparents gave this Elijah\'s cup to my mom & dad to enjoy and to pass both of them down to there children someday. The cup is from my grandparents who were very special to us.We always feel close to them when we get to use it even though they are not with us anymore.
Elijah\'s cup is used on Passover.This is one of the most important Jewish holidays.On this holiday we celebrate our freedom.
The seder is one of our most popular and important Jewish rituals. Actually, Passover is the most celebrated Jewish holiday.
I like celebrating Passover, having a seder and using this Elijah\'s cup.
Menorot
New York City
My uncle Fred
My Uncle\'s great grandma gave these menorot to Anna Blanche Epstein-Apple(my Uncle\'s grandma) as a wedding present in 1906.
They are very special to the Apple family because they are older than a century. They also hold three candles which is special.
The menorah is used every Shabbat.
Shabbat is a special day for the Jewish people.
We rest because God rested.
I love celebrating Shabbat.
Kiddush cup
Israel
Great Grandma
My great grandpa and great grandma bought this cup in Israel and it was the first in their collection. My great grandpa used it every family Shabbat. They bought at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
Shabbat is very important to the Jewish people. One of the rituals for Shabbat is reciting the Kiddush. My family uses this Kiddush cup on Shabbat. Kiddush shows that Shabbat is holy and special. I like celebrating Shabbat with my family.
Family kiddush Cup
Nahariya, Israel
Collection of My Family
This Kiddush cup symbolizes the rituals that my family does every week.
It was given to my parents by a family friend, from Israel, for their wedding in 1994.They have used it every Shabbat since their wedding and now my brother and I use it too!
Shabbat is a special day for the Jewish people. My family and I enjoy celebrating Shabbat together. We perform all the Shabbat rituals, including saying Kiddush, and we enjoy singing together.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Dad
My dad was on a business trip in Israel and on the last day he was there he stopped at a gift shop. He saw the cup and bought it.
We use this kiddush cup on Shabbat.
Shabbat is very important to the Jewish people.
The Kiddush says that Shabbat is holy.
We drink wine on many happy occasions and holidays.
I hope that my dad passes this kiddush cup down to me when I get older.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Dad
The significance of the Kiddush Cup to my family is that it has been used for many generations in the family.It was my Great-Great-Grandfathers Kiddush Cup.
My Great-Great-Grandfather even made his own homemade wine out of grapes to go in the Kiddush Cup.
This Kiddush Cup is used on Shabbat and holidays. It is a way to show the significance of Judaism in our lives.
The celebration of Shabbat and holidays keeps Judaism going. In this way children get to see what Judaism is about. When they get older they can continue these traditions with their families.
Candlesticks
Boston
They were given to me by my grandparents
My grandmother lights candles every Friday night. When my mom was little my grandmother used these candlesticks.
Shabbat is very important to the Jewish people.
I love celebrating Shabbat with my family.
I hope that someday these candlesticks will be mine.