Illuminations
A Light to Remember
Poland
This shiny, silver menorah was purchased by Moshe S’s loving and caring maternal grandparents in 1950 while they were in a displaced person’s camp. They brought this menorah and other items such as a Kiddush cup and candlesticks and transported it to the United States in a metal suitcase. Moshe’s maternal grandparents were both Holocaust survivors. His maternal grandmother was hidden in a barn for 22 months by Polish Christians. Moshe’s maternal grandfather fought in the Russian army during the war. After the war, they were both sent to the same displaced person’s camp where they met, got to know each other, and married. They worked and saved up money to buy items that they thought were important to remind them of their Jewish heritage.
Both of Moshe’s maternal grandparents have passed away, but when Moshe sees the menorah he is reminded of the miracle of survival.
The Light of the Candle
Europe
Jessica M’s maternal great grandmother, Sylvia Rozman, received these special candlesticks in the 1950’s. Sylvia was given these candlesticks by her friend’s mother, Mrs. Kurtzman. Sylvia used these candlesticks every Shabbos to fill her home with joy and light. Before Sylvia passed away, she gave them to her daughter Sara Gail Reiss. These candlesticks are currently used every Shabbos, and now bring joy to Sara Gail’s home. These sterling silver candlesticks are from Europe and are important to Jessica’s family. They remind Sara Gail’s family of Sylvia.
Jessica is hoping that these candlesticks will always be in her family and bring joy to many more generations.
Generations of Light
Hungary
Aiden A’s maternal great grandmother Leah received a pair of candlesticks from her in-laws when she got married. This was the only precious object that Aiden A’s family kept because during the war they had to sell all of their objects for money. They cherished the candlesticks and they were able to keep them. After Leah got married she had three children. The two oldest sons each got one candlestick. Sadly, one of the sons never got married, and he passed it down to Aiden A’s Saba. When the other brother passed away, he passed it down to his son. His son took both candlesticks and brought them to a silversmith in Israel. The silversmith added four branches to each candlestick.
After a while, Aiden A’s Saba passed it down to Aiden A’s mother.
The Lights That Shine Bright
Antwerp, Belgium
This candelabra belonged to Emily R’s maternal great grandmother, Anna Alster Biron. In 1925 the candelabra was given to her by her husband’s parents, who were also her grandparents. She married their son/ her uncle, Josef Biron. They lived in Antwerp, Belgium until 1940. At that point, they left because the Nazis invaded. Anna took the candelabra on the ”flight” when she, her husband , and their daughter fled to France, Spain ,and Portugal. Finally, they took a boat to Cuba.
In 1946, they finally arrived in New York, and she lit her candelabra each week until she died in 2011 at the age 104.
Light Up the World
Haifa
Josh G’s maternal great-grandparents Shraga and Sara Lubelski had a general store in Haifa, Israel. Shraga and Sara Lubelski sold things like these Shabbos candlesticks which are made out of bronze. As you can see, they were made for Israel’s 10th birthday. They were passed from Josh G’s late grandmother to Josh G’s mother. These candlesticks are important to Josh G because his Hebrew name is Shraga.
It reminds Josh about his history and ancestors.
An Experienced Menorah With a Spark
Israel
Deborah G’s paternal great grandfather, Samuel, has quite the mind. He thought that lighting the menorah would bring happiness, and saying the blessings afterwards would bring peace. Every year this precious menorah was used by Samuel. He promised his daughter that when he died, the menorah would be passed down to her. Samuel always kept his word. Sure enough in 1952 Samuel died and the menorah was handed down to his daughter, Deborah G. Deborah G used this menorah with much pride. When Deborah’s nephew, Samuel G the 2nd married in 1992, she gave the menorah to him as a wedding gift. Someday Samuel will give the menorah to his daughter, Deborah G the 2nd.
Every year this menorah has been used and it will continue to.
menora
Poland
Jordan P received this menorah from his maternal great-great grandparents. Jordan P’s maternal great great- grandfather David K received this menorah and has passed it down in his family. The menorah has a lot of history. It survived through the Holocaust, while he hid it in a concentration camp. As of now Jordan’s maternal grandfather has the menorah in his house. The menorah is 120 years old and is not used anymore. It will still be passed down in the future.This menorah is important to the P and K families.
This is significant because it will be passed down for generations.