Jewish Rituals
In the following gallery, students have put together items that have helped them or
their past and present family members celebrate Jewish rituals.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Parents
My artifact is a Kiddush cup. My artifact has a picture of Jerusalem on it and it also spells out the word Jerusalem on it in Hebrew. My object was used on Shabbat at my parents wedding. The Kiddush cup is from Israel and was given to my parents as a gift. One day it will be passed down to my sister to use at her wedding.
This artifact is special because it is a part of my family’s heritage.
Tallis Bag
Europe
My Artifact is my father’s Tallis Bag, which belonged to his grand-father, my great grand-father, Lawrence “Lonnie” Berson. The Tallis bag is a large burgundy colored velvet cloth with the Hebrew word “Tallot” and a Star of David. Inside the Tallis bag contains my great grandfather’s blue, silver and gold kippah he wore for years in synagogue as well as his original tefillin. Inside the Tallis bag, my great-grandfather wrote his name “Lonnie Berson” as well as his initials, L.B. My great grandfather for years used the tallis bag on special Shabbats and high holidays, as well as used the tefillin on Sundays.
The Tallis bag was passed down to my great grandfather at his Bar Mitzvah and came from Europe, brought by his father, my great-great grandfather, Abraham Berson when he came to New York City and then settled in Bangor, Maine. The Tallis bag is very special to my dad who was very close to his grandfather Lonnie, as everyone called him. It is special because Lonnie would recite his bar mitzvah haftorah every year into his eighties at the same synagogue, Beth Israel, in Bangor and would bring his tallis bag with him on this special Shabbat. My dad now uses the tallis bag and wears the blue, silver and gold kippa on special Shabbats and the High Holidays as well.
Kiddush Cup
Philadelphia
My artifact is a Kiddush cup from my great grandfather, Max. It is made out of sterling silver; it is small, and old. It says ‘1929’ on the side. It is still used at a lot of our family dinners. Max bought it at an auction in Philadelphia.
He bought it because it reminded him of what he had in Russia. He could bring very little with him because he was escaping. When Max came to the U.S, he was only 18 yrs. old in 1906. He was a tailor, and after several years he opened a men’s clothing store in Philadelphia. This Kiddush cup is special because it belonged to Max. He loved things that were artistic and beautiful.
Candle Sticks
Israel
My artifact is a set of candle sticks. They are made from metal and bronze. The bottom is rounded, the middle is engraved with a torah and the word Israel, and the top is also rounded. The objects is used for Shabbat dinner and making more light. My artifact is from Israel, from a candle maker. In addition my grandmother got it as a present from a friend when she went on a trip to Israel.
It's special since it's been in my family from generation to generation.
Tallis Bag
Israel
My artifact is a tallis. It is a royal blue color with golden Hebrew writing on it. There is a multi-colored Star-of-David on it. My great grandfather got it from Israel.
He passed it down to my grandfather and then my grandfather passed it on to father, who passed it down to me.
Prayer Book
Europe
My artifact is my grandfather’s prayer book. It is made of paper and it is used for praying. My grandpa used it to keep his faith during the War. My grandpa gave it to my Dad. It came from the government printing office.
It is special to me because it reminds me of the war he was in. Maybe one day my dad will give me the prayer book.
Candle Stick Holders
Europe
The artifacts that I brought in for the Living Museum are two Shabbat candle holders that belonged to my great-grandmother.
These candle holders were very important to my great grandmother. She owned these throughout the Holocaust. Every Shabbat she lit the candle secretly and hid them from the Germans. She used these as a sign of hope that she would survive the Holocaust. She is still alive today, about to turn 102 in January.
Kiddush Cup
Germany
My artifact is a Kiddush Cup. This cup was my great grandfather’s and has been passed down from generation to generation. The Kiddush cup has a flat bottom which means that it’s from Germany. It is also sterling silver. My artifact has designs all over it, including a Jewish star.
This Kiddush cup is special to me because it has been in my family for a very long time.
Kiddush Cup
Germany
My artifact is a Kiddush cup. It is hand made from silver plate and other metals. It is from the early 1900’s, and has been in my family the whole time. It is used to drink wine from on the Sabbath or special occasions. This Kiddush cup is very special, because it came from Germany, and was brought to this country by my great-uncle John. It was his childhood Kiddush cup that he used for his wedding to my great-aunt Trude.
Since then my maternal grandparents and my parents used it for their weddings. They have all had long, happy marriages. If I get married I hope to use it too.