Jewish Life Cycle
In this gallery, you will find artifacts that are related to various special events in a Jew's life. Some of these events will only happen once in a lifetime. These artifacts might be related to weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or baby namings to name a few examples.
Brooks Family Tree
Manhattan, New York
Myself
This family tree is dated all the way back to my 5th generation ancestors, made by me.
I worked very hard on it, and it lists some of my important family members.
Wedding Ring
Kira B.
My Grandmother(Nana)gave her wedding band to my mother. My grandpa died when my father was twelve. So my Nana gave the band to my mother when my father got married. In the inside of the band it says "2 4ever 2gether."
Whenever Jews are married, it is a tradition that there are no cracks in the ring so there is no cracks (meaning faults)in the relationship/marriage.
My and My Dad's Kippah
New York
My Dad Peter S.
I think this is significant to me because I wore it at my bris and a bris is the beginning of being a Jewish person and I was able to wear it while being welcomed into the covenant. At the bris, my dad wore it and then put it on my head.
This is a Kippah that my dad wore at my bris. This Kippah was my dad's Kippah and he passed it down to me and I plan to pass it down many more generations. It is made of leather and has flowers sewn into it.
Grandfather's tallit
U.S.A
Family
My grandfather and brother wore it at their B'nei Mitzvah. I will use it at my Bar Mitzvah too, so it is us turning into men. It also belonged to my grandfather's synagogues.
This will get passed on through generations to come. I hope some day that my grand-children will wear it and think of me.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
My Mom
This artifact is important to me because I use it every Shabbat and my mom got it during her wedding. Before she was married it was my grandma's. Every time I use it I think of her when she used it.
This artifact is a Kiddush Cup. It was given to my mom during her wedding. She used it as her wedding cup. Now we use it during Shabbat for grape juice.
Family Photograph
Brooklyn, New York
Belle F.
This artifact was taken on May 30th, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York. It was my great, great Grandma's 80th birthday. Her whole family came and celebrated. My grandma gave it to me and I will pass it on to my kids and on and on.
This artifact reminds me of my family's history. It is reflective of generations before me. The people in the picture are all Jewish.
Kiddish Cup
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My Grandparents
We use this kiddish cup for Shabbat and Shabbat was very special to my grandparents.
My grandparents gave me this kiddish cup when I was born. It is made out of silver and is engraved with my full name. We use it every Shabbat. Sometimes it holds grape juice, sometimes cranberry juice, and sometimes even gatorade!
Baby Naming Packet - Sophie A.
New York
Mom and Dad
In August 2002 my parents had me. My full name is Sophie Alise A. I am named after my great-grandma Silvia and my great grandma Anna. My Hebrew name is Shira Alitza. My parents and the rabbi made it. This baby naming packet was for my baby naming service. Back then our temple was the Actors’ Temple. Our old rabbi’s name was Noah V.
The significance of the artifact to my family is that my mom had me, and this was the packet for my baby naming service. A person’s baby naming is an event that will only happen once in their lifetime. A lot of my family came to my baby naming.
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