Books
We have a variety of books in this category, cookbooks, machzors, and translated Torahs are just some examples. All of them tell different stories. Some tell of the Jewish people and their prayers, some tell how to cook Jewish foods, some are only used for special Jewish holidays, and some are used for everyday life. They each represent the lives of the Jewish people.
Prayer Book
Vienna, Austria
Dad
This is the prayer book of my great grandmother, Esther Moskowitz Friedman. It was made from leather and paper in Vienna, Austria in 1900, but my great-grandmother used it here in New York City where she lived with her husband, Howard, her daughter Roslyn, and who was my dad's mom and my grandma.
In the book, my great grandmother wrote down the dates of some sad days: the day that her brother, father, and husband died. This made me feel sad, but I think it shows that our Jewish religion is about family, and also that a prayer book is someplace you might turn when you are feeling sad.
Jewish Cookbook
New Jersey
My mom Loree
My great grandmother, my grandpa's mom, used this cookbook on all Jewish holidays and sometimes just for dinner. Now it belongs to my mom. It was given to my mom so that she could keep making the same recipes as my great grandmother, even after she died. We use it on all Jewish holidays, just like my great grandmother. I think the matzah balls are the best!
It is significant to my family because we keep my great grandmother's cooking alive by using it. Eventually, I will get the cookbook and I will still keep cooking the same things that she did.
Translated Torah
USA
My Great Uncle Jack
My great Uncle Jack was in World War II. He fought for the US and was a fighter pilot. He carried the Torah for the whole entire war.
This artifact is significant to my family because a lot of my ancestors were in World War II but we don't have alot of their items.
Machzor
Germany
Great Grandpa Sam
My great grandpa Sam had it all through World War I and World War II. He gave it to my grandpa who kept it and then gave it to my father. My father still has it.
It has been passed down through many generations, and is very important. It's the same prayers that Jews have said for the past 2,000 years.
Bar Mitzvah Book
New Jersey
My Grandfather and Grandmother
This object belongs to my father. It is the book he used to prepare for his Bar Mitzvah.
It is special because it is the book he used to prepare for his Bar Mitzvah.