Special Items
We have some very interesting items in this gallery.
Some of these are closely connected to individual family histories.
We are delighted to have them in our exhibit.
Siddur
Israel
My mom
My great grandma went to Israel with her husband and bought this.
It got passed to my grandma, and she passed it to my mom, and she will probably pass it to me, and on and on.
We use the Siddur to pray,read Hebrew and at services.
I am now getting ready for my Bar Mitzvah. Some of the things I am learning are the prayers so that I can participate in Shabbat services.
I think it's cool that I am continuing in the path of my ancestors.
Talmud Torah Elementary Graduation pin
Minneapolis, MN
Mike F.
At the end of the elementary part of Talmud Torah, they gave you this pin to wear on your lapel. My grampa Mike received it when he completed this division of Talmud Torah.
This artifact is important to my family because my grampa is the patriarch of our family, and this is where he got his Jewish education. I am following in his footsteps.
Jewish education is what keeps the Jewish people going.
It helps us learn where we came from and what we stand for.
I love learning about Judaism and what it means to be Jewish.
Sally S's Story about Coming to Ellis Island.
Russia
Rachel S
This is the story of my great-grandmother's journey to America. She came from Russia. Sally came on a ship called the SS Lapland.Then she wrote a story about her experience coming to Ellis Island when she was older. She came when she was just 8 years old, with her her mother, sister and grandmother. The first time they were going to leave, they were interrupted by World War 1. They left from a town named Kartuz-Beriza were they lived before they left.
Many of our ancestors were immigrants.
They came to America in search of a better life.
They had to work hard to become part of American society. Yet, they retained many of our customs, traditions and ways of living a Jewish life.
Book about Famous Rabbis in around the 1880s
Budapest, Hungary
My grandfather
This book is very important to my family, because it has been handed down for generations.
It contains information about my family's heritage and past. There is a passage in the book about my great great great grandfather, who was a very pious Rabbi. He was in charge of overseeing the butchers to insure that they were following all the laws of kashrut.
Rabbis are the spiritual leaders of our communities.
They are teachers and they guide us in living our Jewish lives.
I am very proud that there used be Rabbis in my family, on both sides.
This book shows how Judaism was practiced in the 1800's. I am happy that we continue many of these same traditions today.
Great Grandma's Written Book
America
Dan G.
This artifact is from the 1980's and my great grandma wrote it about her family.
That's why the book is called " My Family," by Toba G.
It was passed down from my great grandma to my grandma to my dad to the first born of my family... my brother.
It is well known that when Jews came from Europe, they settled in many different places.
My family settled in North Dakota.
One of the interesting things is that Jews maintained their identity no matter where they lived. My great grandma's book is a testament to this.
I am happy that my family continues the traditions of my ancestors.
Jewelry box
Poland
Me
My great grandma got this box from her husband as a birthday present. When my mom was a little girl she used to love going over to her grandma's house and play with her jewelry. Before my great grandma passed away she told her daughter, my grandma, to give it to my mom. Then my mom gave it to me.
I am so happy that it is now mine.
This jewelry box has a Magen David on it.
Every time I look at it, I am reminded that I am Jewish.
Judaism is very important to me.
I plan to pass this box along to my daughter in the future.
I hope she will be as proud to be Jewish as I am.
Gold Chain Necklace
Massachusets
mom
My mother found this pendant when she was a child. She found it at her grandmother's house in Massachusetts.
When she was younger,she wore it often.
She still wears it occasionally.
It is a unique piece of jewelery and it has a lot of detail.The necklace is beautiful and my mom is proud to wear it.
There is a plaque of the 10 Commandments lying on top of the Magen David.
The Jewish star and the 10 Commandments are important symbols of Judaism.
The 10 Commandments teach us how to live a good life.
The Magen David reminds us that we are Jewish.
Rabbi holding Torah
Cleveland
my dad
This figure is special to my dad because,when he was a child, every time he would go to his grandmother's house, he would enter the room, and he would see this sculpture of the rabbi.
At the time, he thought this clay sculpture was creepy. But, now that she has passed on, he keeps it in remembrance of her.
The Torah is the basis of Judaism.
It teaches how to live as Jews.
Rabbis share their knowledge of the Torah with the rest of us and they guide us.
I like the Rabbis at my synagogue. they are awesome.
Silver Teapot
Lithuania
my mother
This silver teapot belonged to my great great grandmother, Hinda Leah. She received it as a wedding gift and used it on special holidays and occasions. Then,she brought it to America from Lithuania in 1922.
It was passed from generation to generation and it now belongs to my mom.
She will pass it down to my older sister.
As Jews,we have many opportunities to celebrate holidays and special occasions.
This teapot was a part of these celebrations for over 100 years.
I am happy to be celebrating the same holidays and events that my ancestors did. This means that Judaism continuies to survive and thrive.
Star of David Necklace
Las Vegas, Nevada
myself
The artifact I chose is a Star of David necklace.It is very important to me. I've saved up a lot of money for this because I've always wanted a Star of David necklace.It cost around $420.It is strength 925 in silver, which is the best silver you can get. When I saw first saw it, I was amazed. It was glimmering in the bright lights of the jewelry store.
I proudly wear it every day.
The Star of David is the symbol of the Jewish religion. If somebody wears it, that means they are Jewish and they are proud of it. It can be found in many places,on necklaces,the Israeli flag, Jewish artifacts, etc.
It is probably the most well known Jewish symbol.
When we see it, we know that "am Yisrael Chai," the nation of Israel lives.
Stuffed Camel
Israel
me
We visited Israel for my uncle's wedding.
After we took our camel ride we went to the gift shop and I picked out this camel.
I love it because it brings back memories of my trip to Israel.
Israel is very important to the Jewish people.It is our homeland.
I feel much closer to Israel since my trip there.
I hope to visit there again in the future.