Observances
The artifacts in this gallery are used to observe Shabbat and other Jewish holidays. Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday and ends on Saturday evening when there are three stars in the sky. Shabbat is a day of rest, prayer, and study. These artifacts may be used on other holidays, including Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.
Tefillin
Unknown
My father
These tefillin belonged to my great grandfather from my father's side of the family. There are two top boxes that measure 1 5/8" x 1 1/2" and the base measures 1 3/8" x 3". Each one has a leather strap. One has two measuring 48" and 40". The other has a single strap that measures 9'8" long. One has no markings and the other has the Hebrew letter Shin on it. The tefillin are stored in a maroon bag with a Star of David and the year 1919 embroidered in gold.
My great grandfather was a very religious man. he went to synagogue with his tefillin every day. His tefillin and tallis are the only known artifacts from my great grandfather. We believe these were made in the late 1800's or early 1900's and were given to him in 1919.
Challah Cover
Hungary
my father, Jeffrey
This rectangular challah cover is all white with silver lace and fringes around the edges. In the middle it has Hebrew embroidery which means For Shabbat and Yom Tov in English. On the left side of the cover, there are two Shabbat candlesticks with lit candles in each one. All the way on the right side, there is a Kiddush cup and wine bottle. Right in between, there is a loaf of challah. As decoration, there are also orange flowers with green petals. These are the things needed to observe Shabbat - challah, wine and candles
When people hear "challah cover" they think pretty, gorgeous, beautiful. And it does mean all those things. But to me it means lots more...special. I have a special challah cover that belonged to my great grandfather Saul. He was Hungarian and migrated to New York and ended up in California. His family used this challah cover for all the most important events - every Friday for Shabbat and all the holidays. It was really special to him. He gave the challah cover to my grandfather, Abraham, and now my father has it. Since my dad has it now, we follow the footsteps of my great grandfather Saul and use it every Friday for Shabbat and on all the holidays like he did. The words "challah cover" are different for everyone, but for me, they will always be special.
Silver Candlesticks
Unknown
My mom, Pamela
My artifacts are candlesticks. They are approximately 11 1/2 inches high and are made of sterling silver. They are tall and thin with a hexagon base. They are narrower at the bottom and then get wider towards the top. There is a paisley type design etched on the tall stick part. Then they get narrow again and it looks like a ring around them. Then a bulb like shape leads up to the flat hexagon top where the candle fits in.
These candlesticks belonged to my great-great-grandmother Anna. She received them as a wedding gift. They were used to light Shabbat candles every week. We still use them to light candles on Shabbat. They are very important to my family because they might be the oldest object in our family.
Candlesticks
Europe
Aunt Amy
My artifact is actually three seperate objects - a pair of candlesticks, a photo and a tablecloth. The candlesticks are nine and a half inches tall and hand made of brass. They were made in Europe and brought to America by ship in the 1890's. They have a square base with wide and narrow rings decorating the stick part up to the opening for the candle.
The photo of my great grandmother, Gussie, is approximately 4x6 inches in sepia tones on paper. She is wearing a fur coat and is holding a handbag. She is standing in front of a fake backdrop. This photo is in its original brown cardboard frame which shows it was taken at Melrose Studio located at 2166 Third Avenue in New York. The address includes "2 doors above 118th St."
The tablecloth is 4ft. by 4ft. and was hand sewn using cotton. There is an orange design on a plain white cloth. It is for a small table for a small family.
These artifacts are very important to my family. The tablecloth was used on the table for every Shabbat dinner. My Grandmother, Ellen, said that her mother would make the table look beautiful. Her mother said it was important to make Shabbat special. Now, we use the tablecloth for holiday dinners and are very gentle with it. The candlesticks were also used on Shabbat and holidays. They originally belonged to Gussie's mother who was my great-great-grandmother! The photo is of my great grandmother Gussie. She died young. My grandmother was only 19 years old when her mother passed. All of these objects are special for my family because they were passed down for four generations: from my great-great-grandmother to my great-grandmother Gussie to my Grandma Ellen to my Aunt Amy.
Candlestick
unknown
my mother
My artifact is a candlestick with chipped edges. It has a round base and is round at the top. It has rings meaning that some parts of the candlestick come out further than the rest. This candlestick is 9 inches tall. This candlestick was made sometime in the 1800’s. The material of this artifact is unknown.
This artifact was my great-grandmother’s. She had three candlesticks. She gave one to my mother and two to my mother’s sister. This candlestick was used for holidays, but my family currently does not use it. It is on display at my house on the dining room table. This artifact has lots of meaning to my family because it was my great-grandmother’s who has passed away.