Jewish Ritual Items
The objects in this gallery are used for special occasions. Some of the holidays represented are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In this gallery you will see Kiddush cups, candlesticks and tefillin. Some of the items date back to the year 1900.
Kippah
New York City
Rodeph Sholom Religious School
This artifact belongs to me. I received it for completing contracts 5-8. A contract is a packet of Hebrew where you learn Hebrew chanting and reading prayers. The kippah is blue because the folder holding the contracts is blue.
This holds meaning to me because it reminds me of my hard work to get it done and my dedication to learning Hebrew.
Kiddush Cup
New York City
I made it.
This is a kiddush cup that my family doesn't use any more, but we used to use it once a year at Passover. I made this cup when I was in Kindergarten with my class at school. When my family is not using it we keep it in a cardboard box with our Chanukiyah and candles.
It's special to my family because we look forward every year at Passover to use this and to see if Elijah will drink out of it. Also my mom likes to have special memories that me and my siblings make when we are really little.
Boys Kiddush Cup
Germany/Poland
My father and aunt
My grandfather, Morris, came over from Germany/Poland in the early 1930's. He brought very few things with him. This kiddush cup was given to my grandfather, Rabbi Joel Israel Z. It is one artifact that he has from his grandfather and one of the few remaining items from his early childhood.
The significance of this artifact is that it was given by a great scholar--his grandfather. It was so important that my grandfather managed to bring it with him to America, had it refurnished and held on to it for so long. It represented his family's time in Europe and all that was lost. It reminds me of my grandfather and connects me to him and how he cherished our family and our Jewish heritage.
My Great Grandpa's Silver Kiddush Cup
USA
I own it.
This cup was my great grandpa's kiddush cup. His name was Jack. He got it when he was a kid. He got it about 100 years ago. The whole thing is made out of pure silver. It was also given to me when I was born. It was given to me because I was named after Jack, the original owner of the kiddush cup.
It is important because I was named after Jack, the original owner of the kiddush cup.
Kiddush Cup
Israel?
My dad
This kiddush cup was a gift to my dad for his Bar Mitzvah. I think it was made in Israel. It was given to my dad on August 29, 1981 in New York. This cup belongs to my dad. We never use this cup, we just keep it on a shelf, but I don't know why we don't use it.
This is important to my dad because he has had it for a long time. It is also a nice memory of his Bar Mitzvah. I wonder what's going to happen to it next.
Tefillin and Bag
Brooklyn, New York
My dad
My grandfather had this tefillin and he carried it in World War II until he was using it there and then people started to make fun of him. But then he stopped. We have it because my grandfather gave it to my dad.
This tefillin is important to my family because it represents my dad's and our Jewish traditions and his Orthodox heritage.
Kiddush Cup
Lithuania
Hana Goldstein
This kiddush cup was originally my great grandmother's on my mom's, grandpa's side. My great grandmother, Mira Goldstein, gave it to my grandma, Hana Goldstein, for her wedding. This kiddush cup came all the way from Lithuania! When my grandma got this cup it was in Australia. Now it lives in New Jersey where it rests from all the traveling.
This kiddush cup is important to my family because sometimes we use it for special occasions and it has been through a lot.
Kiddush Cup
Manhattan, New York
My father
My artifact is a kiddush cup that my dad got at his Bar Mitzvah. He has treasured it and we use it almost every Shabbat.
The significance of the kiddush cup is when my dad finished saying the kiddush he drank from the cup and because of the wide brim, all of the wine spilled onto his tan blazer and for the rest of my dad's Bar Mitzvah, he had a big purple-red stain. There are many photos of my dad and his stained blazer. At his Bar Mitzvah my dad was very embarassed but now we look back at that moment and laugh.
Tefillin
Russia
Grandmother
It was made in Russia. It belongs to my great-great grandfather. He got it for his Bar Mitzvah. When he was 19 to avoid being drafted into the army he changed his name and moved to America. It was given to my grandmother.
The significance of this artifact is that this is the last thing we have of him. Also, it shows the journey my great-great grandfather made coming to America and how I am standing here today writing this paper.
Shofar
Israel
Carolyn Leibling
This shofar belonged to my dad's dad, Kal. It was made for waking people up for Rosh Hashanah and it was made in Israel. It was made out of a ram's horn.
Why it is important to my family is it belonged to my grandfather who died years ago. It's also important because it was passed down in my family.
Candlesticks
?
My mother
These two candlesticks were used by my great grandmother Lena. Her original name was Lena but she went by Lillian because Lena was too ethnic. They were passed on through the girls of my family.
These candlesticks are important to me because they were used in a time when Jews were being persecuted for being Jews.
Candlestick Holders
Germany
My Grandma Joy
My great grandmother Kitty got the candlestick holders when my grandmother was very young. She used them only for Shabbat. When Kitty passed she gave them to Joy and she gave them to my mom Ilissa who gave them to me.
These have been passed down for 4 generations. We love them. My family always uses them for Shabbat.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
My mom
My grandmother bought this kiddush cup around the time she met my grandfather. My grandfather is from America and was studying medicine in Israel. She had just moved out of her parents' house and needed a kiddush cup for her home.
It was my grandmother's first kiddush cup that wasn't her parents'. It is important to my family because we care about her and it has been in many of my family's celebrations.
Candlesticks
Europe
My mother
My great-great grandparents from my mom's side brought it with them to America from Europe. They used them when they celebrated Shabbat.
We use them every so often for special occasions like Jewish holidays.
Menorah
Israel
Aunt Sandy
My grandma's brother's wife who is sadly dead gave this menorah to my grandma before she died and then it was passed down to me and my family.
This menorah shows my Jewish heritage because I celebrate Chanukah just like my family.
Silver Candlesticks
America
My mom
The candlesticks were given as a wedding gift to my great-grandma from her parents, my great-great grandparents! My great-grandma's name was Pauline Matzevnick, later changed to Pauline Metz. She was my grandpa's mom!
My great-grandma was very Orthodox, and the candlesticks meant a lot to her. Whenever me and my family celebrate Shabbat, we use these. Also, they're beautiful!
Candlesticks
Israel
Dorothy Arnsten, my Grandma
My grandparents on my mom's side went on a trip to Israel with the synagogue and bought my mom candlesticks. My grandma gave them to my mom for Chanukah last year. We keep them on the kitchen table. My mom said that when I have kids she will give them to me.
We feel significance with these candlesticks because we feel like we have a part of Israel in our home.
Menorah
Italy
My dad
The menorah was designed by an architect, Richard Meier, who is Jewish and lives in New York City. It was designed for my grandmother's company SwidPowell.
It is special to my family to use a menorah that my grandmother manufactured to celebrate a very important Jewish holiday.
Tallit, Tallit Bag
USA
My Grandfather and Grandmother
These objects belong to my grandfather.
The tallit and tallit bag belong to my Grandfather. He received them at his Bar Mitzvah in 1955.
Kiddush Cup
NYC
My Mom
My mom's Aunt Ethel Cohen bought it and used it on Shabbat to drink wine. After she gave it to my mom who likes it because it is a meaningful reminder of family.
This artifact is significant to my family as it has been used by different generations.