Jewish Life Cycle
The objects in this gallery were used for special life cycle events. Some items were used at weddings, B’nei Mitzvah, a bris, and so on.
Kiddush Cup
Long Island, New York
Carey & Lauren
My dad, Carey was born in 1967 and used this for his bris, his Bar Mitzvah, and his wedding. It has been used many times. My great grandparents gave it to him.
The significance is that it has been used for many Jewish events in my family's history.
Wedding Invitation
New York
Sumner S.
My artifact is a wedding invitation. The invitation is from 1913. The artifact used to be my great grandparents' but now it is my grandfather's.
The artifact is important to my family because it is so old and reminds us of our great grandparents.
Family Tallit
Israel
My Grandma Barbara
My grandma, Barbara, had four sons and my great grandma bought it for all of her sons.
Everyone in my family wore it at their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. I'm going to wear it at my Bar Mitzvah. My great grandma ordered it from Israel.
Kippah
Philadelphia, PA
My dad
This kippah was once given to my great grandpa on his Bar Mitzvah. It was passed down to my grandpa at his Bar Mitzvah, then to my dad on his Bar Mitzvah.
This kippah is significant to my family because it has been passed down from generation to generation. It is important to my family because it is a tradition to wear this kippah at our family's B'nei Mitzvah.
Kiddush Cup
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My dad
My father, Paul, was a Jewish New Yorker growing up. He went to Hebrew school at Congregation Rodeph Sholom and had a Bar Mitzvah. He was given this during the ceremony at CRS.
This shows my father growing to become an adult, and what I will strive to be. It shows his maturing and understanding of Judaism. It was one of his favorite days and symbolized the reward of hard work (studying Hebrew).
Kiddush Cup
Israel
My grandma and brother
This is a kiddush cup that was a gift to my grandma and grandpa at their wedding in Israel. They lived in Poland and moved to America after their wedding.
This artifact is a good reminder of Israel where the Jews originated. My brother used it at his wedding. It is a good reminder of my grandma and grandpa.
Conversion Certificates
New York
It is my artifact
These sheets are my Hebrew naming and conversion to becoming Jewish sheets. They let people know who I really am. I am adopted from China and they wanted to make me Jewish so they had to convert me to being Jewish. First they made me go to a mikvah, a holy Jewish bath house. Then, I had a special naming ceremony at Rodeph Sholom where I was given my Hebrew and American names in honor of my Jewish ancestors.
The only person in my family born Jewish is my Ema aka Vivian S. My sister Cece was also adopted from China and also had a conversion ceremony. My mom Mary chose to convert to Judaism so all three of us went to the mikvah and had naming ceremonies. So my family is a 100% Jewish family with lots of interesting backgrounds.