Ritual Objects
Our Jewish heritage is important to us. Our parents have chosen to have us attend religious school and learn about the importance of our Judaism.
These objects show how our families passed their Jewish values and traditions from Generation to Generation.
Great Great Grandfather's Kiddush cup
Russia or Poland
Grandma
This was my great-great grandfather's kiddush cup. He used it every Friday night fo Shabbat. He also used it for Passover every year. When he passed away in 1962, my grandmother inherited it. She now uses it for her Passover seders.
This is special because it was from the person my dad was named after.
Elijah's Cup
Antique Shop in New Jersey
Mother
My grandmother bought the cup and another one after she got married. They it so they could use it when Passover occurs. Once my mom and her sister moved out, my grandmother gave each one of them one of the cups so they could use it with their families on Passover.
The significance of the cup to my family is that we have it on Passover and use it at our Seder.
Menorah
Israel
Maternal Grandparents
My grandparents got married in 1963. For their first Hanukkah together, my grandpa's mother gave him this Menorah. They have used it every Hanukkah since then and it has lasted all these years.
This menorah is significant because it represents our/my family's heritage and commitment to Judaism.
Shabbat Candlesticks
unknown
Lori WN
These are the Shabbat candle sticks my mom said were lit when she was growing up. They were first lit by her Nana, then by my Nana and now by my mom.
These candle sticks are very old and very important to my mom. She says they remind her of her grandmother and the importance of keeping a Jewish home. My mom says learning to light Shabbat candles was the beginning of her Jewish Education.
Jewish Prayer Book
New Jersey
Joni and Brad T
Joni and Brad got married on Sept. 4, 1994. Brad's rabbi officiated at their wedding. As a gift, he presented them with a silver plated Jewish prayer book.
The prayer book represents the holiness in their marriage. It is important to my family because it symbolizes the Jewish tradition of reading Hebrew.
Candlesticks
Brooklyn
My mother
My artifact was handed down to my mother from her mother's mother. My Great-Grandma Virginia used these candlesticks each Friday on Shabbat. Now my mother uses them on Shabbat and Jewish Holidays.
Being Jewish was important to my Great-Grandma Virginia. She was very special to my mother. My sister Victoria is named after her. This artifact helps us remember her and carry on the traditions that were important to her.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Josh V
Josh V, my dad, became a Bar Mitzvah on February 25, 1984 in the Monsey Jewish Center in Monsey, New York. He was presented with this kiddush cup as a gift from the Sisterhood.
This Kiddush Cup is significant because it has been used for many special Jewish life events. It was used at my mom and dad's wedding, my bris and my sister's naming. This Kiddush cup is special because it has been in my family for years and each member of my family has used it in a celebration of a new beginning.
Great Great Grandmother's cup
Russia
Grandma Ilene R
This Kiddush cup belonged to my great great grandma Gussie she brought them with her from Russia when she came through Ellis Island. It is made of sterling silver and has candle sticks to match. Each piece of the set is engraved. The engraving has meaning and directly reflects the area of Russia it came from but no one in my family knows what the engraving signifies.
The set was a wedding gift to my mom from my great grandma Lee. My grandma was only 2 years old when her family came over from Eastern Europe. She gave them to my mom with the hopes that my mom would make Kiddush on Friday night. My family has used this Kiddush cup for all family milestones.
It signifies the journey that my ancestors took to come to America and make a new Jewish life.
Shabbat Candle Holders
Israel
My mom
My great uncle Bernie went on a trip to Israel with his synagogue, Beth Emmeth of Philadelphia, PA. During his visit to the city of Jerusalem, he went into a small religious store. The Shabbat candle holder caught his eye, so he bought it to bring back home
Uncle Bernie gave it to my Bubbi, who gave it to my mommom and she gave it to my mom. So it has been passed down two generations and one day it will be passed down to me.
Crushed Wedding Glass Cube
New York
My mom, Marci C.
At the end of every Jewish wedding, the groom steps on a glass. This is a reminder that relationships are fragile as glass and must always be treated with love and respect.
This is a symbol of marriage to my parents.
Daily Prayerbook
Vienna Austria
My Dad
This prayerbook was from Europe before World War II. It was brought to America for safe keeping.
The prayerbook belonged to my great grandparents on my Dad's father's side. I never met them. This book is important because it survived and we have it for a memory.
Talit and Talit Bag
USA
Meemah
My Grandfather passed this down to us. He said, "When the boys wear this, let them think about me."
My brother and I will wear this talit when we become Bar Mitzvah.
Jewish Bible
Israel
My mom
A friend of my grandparents went to Israel and brought this back for my grandparents.
It was the first gift by family got from Israel.
Hannukiah
unknown
My mom
My mom used this Hannukiah to light the Hannukah candles every year when she was growing up.
My grandmother passed it down to my mom so we can continue the tradiion every Hannukah and remember my grandmother.