Sacred Books
Book
Iraq
Rafael L.
Ariel L`s paternal great grandfather was given this Tehillim and a book of holiday song in 1913. Avraham L. then gave the books to Ariel’s grandfather, Shaul Chai L. when he was a child. When the L. family was forced to leave in 1950, Ariel’s father decided to travel to America. in 1984. This Tehillim has been used for four generations, and this holiday book of songs is used at family gatherings. When Ariel’s grandfather is with his extended family, they all sing together and a smile appears on his face.
When Ariel’s grandfather is with his extended family, they all sing together and a smile appears on his face.
Book
Haifa, Palestine
This book once belonged to Rachel P's maternal grandfather, Moshe B. He was born in the year 1927 in Poland. When Moshe was 5 years old he moved to Palestine. His family moved to Palestine because Moshe’s father was a Zionist, in 1933. The cards in the book came from Palestinian cigarettes. Moshe started collecting them when he was 10 years old. He collected them with all his brothers. At school he traded them with his friends. They are similar to baseball cards, but they have pictures of scenes from the Torah. Moshe got the book when he was 12 years old. In December 1939 he left Palestine and moved to America. His family was afraid that Adolf Hitler was going to go to Palestine and kill the Jews.
Moshe passed it down to Rachel's cousin, David B, and it is treasured by the family.
Book
Jerusalem, Israel
Elisabeth S.
Have you ever wondered about the things people in World War I did that were so great? Brooke S’s maternal great-great grandfather served in World War I. On November 8, 1918, Joseph J. M. joined the military. He was a messenger and went through heavy fire in order to deliver messages. One time he was sent out to locate the advance units. He was repeatedly fired upon by snipers and hand grenades and returned with valuable information. By the time he returned he was alone. The two men who had been with him had become casualties of the war. These heroic acts would not be forgotten so easily. There was a book published about all the heroes of World War I. Brooke’s great-great grandfather purchased a copy in 1920 because he was in it. The book has been passed down through the generations until eventually it fell into the possession of Brooke’s mother. One day it will be Brooke’s.
The book has been passed down through the generations until eventually it fell into the possession of Brooke’s mother. One day it will be Brooke’s.
Siddur
Tel Aviv, Israel
Elana A`s paternal grandfather, Jack A, came to Israel in 1949, during Israel’s War of Independence, and was immediately drafted into the army. He bought this siddur after finishing two years of service in the army, during what he describes as “the first times of peace.” He would be called back to the army every so often for emergencies, and could bring this siddur with him because it was light and easy for him to carry.
This object has great sentimental value to Elana’s family, because it exemplifies both her grandfather Jack’s role in building the new state of Israel and his dedication to his religion.
Diary
Kentucky, USA
These diaries belonged to Kobi
L's maternal great grandmother,
Bina A. Throughout Bina A's life she wrote diaries, circa 1910-1980. Bina was a Zionist. She gave many donations to organizations for Israel, and also was generous to her relatives who survived WWII.
From time to time, Kobi L’s family reads through the diaries, and is proud to descend from Bina A.
Book
Mount Vernon, New York
This book was Jakey’s paternal grandmother’s. She gave it to Jakey because it is about Israel. The book is called “ The Mother Goose Rhymes for Jewish Children.” The book was written by Sarah G. L. in 1945, three years before the establishment of the State of Israel. This book is important to Jakey's family because it about their homeland, Israel.
Jakey hopes to pass this book to the next generation.
Bina's Diary
Kentucky, USA
Isaiah G’s paternal great grandfather, Harry A, moved from Russia to New York, and then left because of limited opportunities there. Harry then moved to Kentucky and married Isaiah’s great grandmother, Bina T, in 1920. They opened a small shop in Harlan County, Kentucky, and they were happy. The A's were greatly moved by the poverty of the Great Depression, and the striking coal miners. As a result they opened a soup kitchen to give food to the miners. The coal company bombed their soup kitchen and because of these events Isaiah’s great grandparents were in many newspapers.
Isaiah’s parents are still reading these papers today.