The Old Country
In this gallery you will find artifacts that were brought by Jewish people who came from other countries. They remind the owners of the artifacts about the struggles and the triumphs before their family arrived in the United States. One example of what you will see is a photograph of a young boy, in Germany, in a displaced persons camp. Jewish people brought over these artifacts because they were special to them. Also it connected them to the old country by reminding them of life before they moved here.
Photograph
St. Louis
Mr. Steven S.
The story of my artifact begins in Russia during the early 1900s. My great grand father was Jewish so he was treated very badly. My great grandfather was one of eight kids. They left because they were treated badly. Aboard the ship two of his
The significance of this artifact is it is a picture from my grandfather. His grandfather was from Russia. They were treated very badly so they left. They traveled here when there weren't any planes. If they hadn't left Russia, I wouldn't be here today. One brave choice saved many lives.
Photograph in a Displaced Persons Camp
Wegsheid, Austria
Grandfather Jerry B.
This artifact is significant to my family because it reminds us of the hard times during the war. We are happy that my family has made it out of war, unlike many. Also, my grandpa got to play sports instead of study Torah, so it was a change in tradition!
This is a picture of my grandpa in a displaced persons camp. It was taken after World War II. A displaced persons camp is a place for Jews who had been displaced during the war. My grandpa always wanted to play sports, but his parents thought little Jewish boys should study Torah, not play sports. After the war, things changed. He lost all of his money, and his home. My grandpa and other Jewish boys would get together and play soccer.
Kiddish Cup
United States
Grandmother/Father
It was passed down from my great grandfather who came from Poland. He became a jeweler and carved this cup.
It is one of the only things left from my great grandfather.
Domino box
Germany
Grandfather
It reminds my family of the struggles we have been through.
It shows people kept believing even though they were in a hard place.
The Living Museum is a project of the Education Department of the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
The Living Museum is made possible through the generous support of The Covenant Foundation. The statements made and the views
expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of the grantee.