Lifecycle
Jewish life cycle events are an important part of our lives as Jews.
Each life cycle event has its own rituals and traditions.
Whether it is a Brit Milah, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a wedding or a funeral, these events help to define us as Jews.
The rituals and traditions associated with these events have often been passed down for many generations.
Kippah
Israel
My Grandpa
This kippah was passed down from my great grandpa to my grandpa to me.It is kept in my grandpa\'s tallit bag.
The kippah is from Israel and that makes it even more special. It is very beautiful and it is embroidered by hand.
Jews wear kippot to show that God is above us. We are not at the very top, God is.
I am very proud to wear this very special kippah.
Family Mini Tallit
Israel
My Grandmother
This mini tallit was worn by my dad at his bris, when he was 8 days old. When I was 8 days old, I wore this tallit too. My younger brother also wore this tallit at his bris.
The mini tallit is very precious, delicate, and important to our family because it was worn by my dad,me,and my brother at our bris.
Most people have never seen a tallit this small,it\'s really cool.
A bris (or brit milah) is a way we keep our covenant with God. A brit milah is a way to make a boy Jewish. The mini tallit is very precious, delicate, and important to our family because it was worn by my dad,me,and my brother at our bris. A bris is very special and important because it helps Judaism continue.
Mazel Bag
New York
Mom and Dad
This glass was stepped on by my dad,at my parents\' wedding, on August 27,1995.
The glass is inside the mazel bag.It is a wonderful memento from their wedding.
At a Jewish wedding, the groom steps on the glass because it represents that love is fragile and must be cared for and not broken.
Marriage is very important in Judaism especially because of the mitvah \"pru urevu,\" be fruitful and multiply. This is how the Jewish people survive.
Kiddush Cup
USA
Alex L.
This Kiddush Cup was given to my brother by Adath on his Bar Mitzvah day. It is important to my family because my brother got it for his Bar Mitzvah.
The Kiddush Cup is used on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
Celebrating Shabbat and Jewish holidays is an important part of being Jewish.
I will get a cup like this when I become a Bar Mitzvah. After that, I will use it to celebrate Shabbat and holidays.
Kiddush Cup
USA
My Parents
My parents got this Kiddush cup for their wedding and they think of it as symbolizing the beginning of their own Jewish family.
The Kiddush cup is significant to our Jewish heritage because it is a big part of Shabbat and holidays.
On Passover we use a big cup for the Prophet Elijah.
Also,the Kiddush cup holds wine which is a symbol of joy. We are joyful on Shabbat and Holidays.
kiddush cup
New York
grandparents
When my parents got married my grandparents gave them this kiddish cup.
It has many memories connected to it.
Weddings are a very important part of Judaism. This is how Jewish families grow and how Judaism continues.
Tallit
Israel
father
My great uncle went to Israel to buy this for my father. It meant a lot, as my grandfather had just died suddenly, and there was no one to help my father through his Bar Mitzvah and buying him things such as a tallit.
The tallit brought my father closer to his religion.
The tallit is an important part of Judaism.
The fringes on the tallit represent the mitzvot. We have 613 commandments in Judaism. When we wear a tallit,it reminds us to perform the commandments.
Judaism is a religion of \"doing.\" That\'s why mitzvot are so important.
Kiddish Cup
America
great grampa
This kiddush cup is very important to our family,and we use it almost every Shabbat. it was given to my grampa from my great grampa then my grampa gave it to my mom (his daughter.) My great grampa got it as a gift for his bar mitzvah in 1917 his name is engraved on the side as well as they year of his bar mitzvah. On the opposite side is the Star of David(shown in the picture.) This Kiddish cup is very important and symbolizes our family. We will keep it and cherish it forever.
This is an important artifact because making kiddush with wine is a symbol of joy.We do this on Shabbat and on holidays as well as life cycle events.
When we make kiddush it shows that the time is holy.
Celebrating Shabbat, holidays and life cycle events keeps Judaism alive.
Ketuba
New York
My Mom and Dad
This ketuba is VERY important to my family and me because my parents got it on one of the best days of their lives (not counting my brother and my birth, because we are definitely the best thing that has ever happened to them.This artifact is REALLY important and beautiful to me!The ketuba is DOUBLE as special because it is one of a kind and specially made by my aunt, my dad\'s sister Amy!!!I personally think this
A ketuba is a contract between a Jewish bride and a groom. Marriage is very important in Judaism, as is the Jewish home. The first commandment in the Torah is \"Be fruitful and multiply.\" Marriage makes this possible. Without marriage, the Jewish people would become extinct.
I think it\'s great that the Ketuba symbolizes a couple\'s love for each other.This ketuba is AMAZING because I think that MANY professional artist aren\'t as good as my aunt.
I hope you like this ketuba as much as I do.