Religious Artifacts
All of these artifacts are religious in nature and all reflect Judaism. Some of them are old and others are relatively recent. They came from different places and all mean something special to our families. Some can still be used and some not. Each of these artifacts tells an important story, represents something about our Jewish religion and connects us with our heritage.
Haggadah
Israel
My Dad
This Hagaddah has sentimental value to our family. It was not only used by my Great-Grandfather to lead the Passover Seder, but it was also used by his son to study the 4 Questions. My Great-Grandfather also used this Hagaddah to show my Dad the 4 Questions when he was a little boy. My Dad still remembers some of the pictures in this beautiful book.
This artifact was used to conduct the Passover Seder. It was also used to study and to prepare for the seder. The velvet-like covering, fancy fonts and pretty pictures made this book truly special for the holiday.
Menorah
Jerusalem, Israel
Mother
The significance of this artifact to my family is that it is a very special Jewish item given to my parents as a wedding gift. It was a wedding gift which was given to my parents from a Great Aunt and Uncle who resided in Israel. It is "one of a kind" and handmade. There are not many like it. It is a Jewish symbol which is proudly displayed in our dining room.
The significance of this artifact to Jewish heritage is that this menorah shows various menorahs of specific synagogues around the world in different centuries. The menorah shows the front of the synagogue from that specific country and the menorah from that specific synagogue. This artifact symbolizes that each synagogue may look different depending on the country it is from, but what they all have in common is the menorah, as a Jewish symbol of Chanukah.The Jews may come from different countries but what they all have in common is that they use menorahs.
Tefillin
Vienna, Austria
My Dad
This set of Tefillin is the oldest Jewish artifact in my family. It belonged to my Dad's Grandfather, who got it from his Dad.
Tefillin is used by religious Jews as part of the daily prayer ritual. One piece is worn on the head, with the other on the left arm. The 2 "Boxes" - which contain parchment scrolls with verses from the Torah - are placed near the brain and the heart, which help the person praying to have their brain and their heart aligned with G-d.
Shabbat Candle Holders
Russia
Mom
These candle holders were passed down from my great-grandmother on my Mom’s side of the family. She came from Austria and gave them to my grandmother who gave them to my mother. They are important to us because they remind us of the importance of family and Jewish tradition. When I was a baby my Grandma left them in my house so she could light Shabbat candles when she was here watching me on Friday nights. My mom kept them and will eventually give them to me.
These candlesticks hold the Shabbat candles. G-d created the earth in 6 days. On the 7th He rested. That day is called Shabbat. We mark the beginning of Shabbat by lighting Shabbat candles. It is an important piece of Jewish heritage because it reminds us of the importance of resting and reflecting with those we love.
Tallit
Massachusetts
My Dad
This was my grandpa's tallit and then he passed down to my dad. It's 66 years old. My grandpa got it when he was 13. Both my grandpa and my dad became B'nai Mitzvah wearing it. Also, the case was handmade for my dad by my grandma. It was my grandpa's and he passed away 10 months ago, so it is something we have that is important to us.
A tallit is a prayer shawl to remind Jews of the commandments of the Torah. The fringes are called tzitzit. There are 613 fringes and knots which correspond to the 613 commandments in the Torah. You can wrap yourself in your tallit when you are at home, in synagogue, or when you are away from home and want to pray. Traditionally, only men wore tallit, but some women are starting to wear them as well.
Mezuzah
Israel
My Parents
This mezuzah was a wedding gift to my parents from the rabbi who married them. He was my father's rabbi all of his life including my father's Bar Mitzvah, as well as my grandfather's best friend. This mezuzah is on the front door of our house.
This mezuzah is important to Jewish heritage has a Shemah prayer inside of it. It is on the front door of our house just as mezuzot are on the front doors of Jewish homes around the world. We put up the mezuzah to bring protection, blessings and good things to my family.
Shabbat Candle Holders
Jerusalem
Great Aunt Janet
These Shabbat candlestick holders were given to my Great Grandma Ida from her mother. They were purchased in Israel. They were then passed down to my Great Aunt Janet. These are important to my family because Shabbat Candles represent the light that ushers in Shabbat and these particular candlestick holders have been passed down from generation to generation on my mother’s side of the family.
Shabbat candles are used to usher in the holiness of Shabbat. Two candles are lit to observe the biblical references to Shabbat. They are to remember the Sabbath and observe the Sabbath. It is important to my family to be able to light the Shabbat candles using candlestick holders that have been in the family for generations.
Hamsa
Israel
My Mother
This hamsa was given to my mother as a house warming gift. This is important to my family because it is a prayer for peace and a blessing for our home and all of those who enter. When I look at this prayer it makes me feel safe in my home.
A hamsa is important to Jewish heritage because it is a symbol that represents the hand of G-d. The hope is that G-d's hand will bless us and protect us.
The Five Books of Moses
Israel
This was my Uncle Adam's
This collection of The Five Books of Moses was given to my Uncle Adam on the day of his Bar Mitzvah. It was made in Israel in 1965 and that year he was born! In 1994, my Uncle Adam was very sick and died at a young age of 28. I was named after him. My middle name is ADAM. This is significant to our family because it is very special collection of The Five Books of Moses that was given as a fine gift from Israel to a special and significant family member that passed away. When I have my Bar Mitzvah this will be passed on to me!
The Five Books of Moses are significant to Jewish heritage because they are the portions of the Torah. Each book has mitzvot and very important stories in Jewish history. It also has value in Jewish heritage because it was made Israel and is a fine collector's piece of art.
Tallit
Russia
The tallit was originally my great-great-great grandfather's. He brought it with him to the United States from Russia. He even brought it through Ellis Island. It was his only religious item aside from a Bible, and it was very special to him. He then passed it on to his son (my great-great-grandfather). After that my great-great grandfather passed it on to his son who wore it during his own Bar Mitzvah. Finally he passed on to my grandpa who also wore it during his Bar Mitzvah. It is now mine and my sister's, and we plan on using it when become B'nai Mitzvah.
The tallit is important to Jewish heritage because the Jews believe that when wearing it, one is closer to G-d. As you can see there are fringes at the ends, and the numerical value of the word tzitzit (fringes) is 600. Each of the fringes contains 8 threads and 5 knots, making a total of 613. This number corresponds to the 613 commandments contained in the Torah. Many Jews (including my great-great-great grandfather) wear (and wore) a tallit (prayer shawl) when going to Synagogue, and when they become B'nai Mitzvah.
Matzah Cover
Westchester, New York
Grandmother
This matzah cover belonged to my grandmother on my mom's side of the family. My grandmother made this for Passover in 1998. This is important to my grandmother because this is a symbol of celebrating with family on Passover.
This matzah cover is used to cover the matzah on Passover. Matzah is brittle very thin unleavened bread, traditionally eaten during Passover. This handmade cover is significant to Jewish heritage because covering the matzah on Passover is an important part of the seder.