Ritual Objects
When walking into a home, one can often tell right away that a Jewish family lives there. The reason for this is that we see an array of religious and ritual objects connected with Shabbat, holidays, life cycle events and Jewish rituals.
These objects are reminders of Jewish laws and traditions which can go back centuries in time. These objects are precious to their owners, whether they be individuals or synagogues, and, in
many cases, are passed down from generation to generation.
Our display of ritual objects connect us to synagogue, prayer, and the Jewish home. Many of these artifacts are priceless in terms of sentimental and spiritual value to their owners.
Siddur with Stand
Israel
My Family
This Siddur is a family heirloom. we sometimes bring it to synagogue and read from it.
We have had it since my great grandma had it. She got it for a Bat Mitzvah gift and loved it.
It was given to my grandma, then my mom, and now me and my sister. We have had it for about 2 years to keep in my case of special Jewish things.
A siddur has our prayers in it. Some of them are very old.
One can go to any synagogue in the world
and hear the same prayers chanted.
Our prayers tell much of what we believe as Jews.
Tefillin
Canada
Grandpa
My Grandpa's family was the only family that was Jewish in their town. He had to move to Winnipeg for a year to train for his Bar-Mitzvah. He got these Tefillin for his Bar-Mitzvah.
Tefillin are one of the most important mitzvot of the torah. Tefillin serve as a remembrance of Exodus from Egypt. That is one of the most impotant events in Jewish history.
They also have the Shema inside of them. The Shema reminds us that there is only 1 God.
Shofar
Israel
Ben f. (my dad)
This shofar came from Israel. My dad got it on a 3 week trip to Israel with his law school for a project.
It is important to my family because my dad got it for our family in Israel and we use it every Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur.
The shofar is significant to our family's Jewish heritage, because it is one of the few Jewish artifacts that we have and use.
The shofar is a call to attention. It reminds us to be better people and to improve ourselves at the beginning of each New Year.
Tefillin
Israel
Great Grampa
These tefillin came from my great grandpa. He got them when he got to Sioux City,Iowa from Hungary.
They were important to him because he didn't get to pray when he was growing up
in Hungary.
My grampa passed the tefillin along to my mom. She,as well as my sister, used them at her own Bat Mitzvah.
I am going to use them at my Bar
Mitzvah on Aug. 30, 2014.
Tefillin remind us that we were once slaves in Egypt, but then we gained our freedom.
Inside the tefillin we find the
Shema. This prayer says that we have only one God and it tells us some of the things we can do to be good Jews.
Tallis
Israel
Grandparents
My grandparents went to the old city of Jerusalem in Israel and got my tallit for me.
It's special to me because I will be using it at my Bat Mitzvah.
I can't wait.
The important part of the tallit are the fringes.
They represent the mitzvot and are a constant reminder to us to follow them.
Tallit
Jerusalem
My Dad
My great nana Dorothy gave this tallit to my Dad for his Bar Mitzvah and he has used it ever since.
When he uses it, it always reminds him of her.
The tallit is a very important symbol of Judaism. The fringes on the tallit represent all 613 mitzvot in the Torah.
This tallit is important to my family and Judaism because my great Nana Dorothy bought it in Jerusalem in 1978 while visiting Israel.
Interestingly enough, the design of the tallit is taken from the Israeli flag.
Siddur
Israel
my mother
My mom's grama gave this Siddur to her.
When she passed away she gave the Siddur to my mom.
Someday, my mom will give it to me.
A Siddur has all of our prayers in it.
We can go into any synagogue in the world and hear the same prayers everywhere.
I am now learning some of these prayers, as I prepare for my Bat Mitzvah.
I am proud that I am continuing the traditions of my ancestors.
Tallit Clips
Israel
My dad
My great-grandpa had a tallit that was just the right size, but then he got a new one.
His new tallit was big on him so when he went to Israel on a trip, he got these tallit clips.
Wearing a tallit reminds us of the mitzvot.
The mitzvot help us lead good lives.
I will be getting a tallit when I become Bat Mitzvah.
I hope that my dad will let me use these tallit clips.
Torah Scroll
Detroit
Dad
This scroll was given to my dad by his parents for his Bar Mitzvah. It contains his Torah reading, the portion of Exodus.
My dad keeps it in his office on a shelf with his other special things.
Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a very important milestone in the life of a Jew.
That's when we each become responsible for the mitzvot.
I am looking forward to my Bat Mitzvah in 2015.
Tallit
Israel
Dad
This tallit was given to my dad by my grandfather. It is important to my family because my grandfather's Bar-Mitzvah was May 9th. My Dads Bar-Mitzvah was also May 9th and my Bar Mitzvah is going to be on may 9th. This is also my dad's birthday.
Tallitot are worn beginning on your Bar/Bat-Mitzvah.
The fringes stand for the mitzvot.
Mitzvot are important because they teach
us how to live as Jews.
The fringes on the tallit are constant reminders of this.