Between the Lines
by Nathan B. and Andrew S.
Documents are like faded memories brought back to life. They bring us back to when our ancestors were born, got jobs, married, immigrated, and accomplished their goals. With these documents, we can experience their lives as they did decades ago.
These documents include passports, immigration papers, diplomas, and much more. Surprisingly, Jacob has his grandmother's college diploma, which was very rare for women in that time. We also have an attorney's letter that was sent on behalf of Marion's family. Linda's family has a certificate that was given to her grandfather after the Yom Kippur War. Jake's family owns a very important Red Cross passport which allowed them to travel during the Holocaust. There is a book about the Libyan community in which Vito's family lived. We even have Confederate money collected by Bridget's family!
There are many interesting documents on display that were owned by many important people long ago, and we hope you can learn their stories by reading "between the lines".
College Diploma
New York
Susan B
This diploma belonged to my great grandma, Gladys S. She gave it to my grandma, Susan B., and she lent it to me. This college diploma is from New York University. It was a big honor because Gladys S. was one of very few women to go to college in 1948. She went to college because she wanted to be a teacher but she got married before she had the chance. She majored in chemistry and also took literature classes.
In the year 1948 it was very rare for women in the Syrian Jewish community to go to New York University. Now my older brother is following in her footsteps and is going to New York University.
Confederate Money
The Confederate South
Eddie C.
After the 2nd World War my grandpa, Ben C. began to collect Confederate Money and stamps. He had gathered quite a collection and even had antique international stamps and currency . All of this lay in storage until one day Bridget's papa Ben gave it to his son. Eddie, not knowing the value, simply held on to it in his closet for many years. Neither of them thought much about it until one day they had an idea to pull it out and look at it.
Confederate Money is money that was used before the Civil War in America.
Certificate
Israel
Leon Albert S.
My grandfather, Leon Albert S, received this certificate for volunteering to help out Jews who got wounded in the Yom Kippur war in October 1973. My family is very proud of my grandfather's service to Israel.
This certificate is from the Yom Kippur War in October 1973. Yom Kippur means the "day of atonement". The reason why it is called this is because it's the day we draw closer to Hashem and other people. It is also the day Hashem decides the fate of each human being. It is the day we make peace with Hashem and other people.
Letter
U.S.A.
This letter was sent to the US government by an attorney. Marion's grandmother's cousin hired this attorney to try to get her grandmother and her family out of Europe. Her grandmother's name is Szuczka, her sister's name was Alice and her other sister's name was Irene. Her father was Tuvia. The letter explained why they would want to get out of Europe and how they would pay.
aa
They wanted to get out Europe because it was right after the Holocaust and it was a dangerous place to live. They thought life would be better in America.
Papers from Ellis Island
Ellis Island, NY
Morris A
These papers were given to my great-grandfather, Morris A., in the year 1910. When he came from Syria to Ellis Island he got these papers. These papers showed that he was healthy, he had enough money, and that he was able to come into America. He went to Manhattan, New York and lived there. These papers are important to me because without them I wouldn't be living in America and let alone be alive!
These paper have a very important Jewish Significance to me because my great-grandfather, Morris A., used them to come to America to raise a Jewish family. He came to America because he wanted his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. to be able to practice the Jewish religion in peace. He loved Hashem and wanted his descendants to love Him too!
Book: Libya: An Extinct Jewish Community Book
Tel Aviv, Israel
Vito M.
This book represents the Libyan history of my family because that's where they originated from. My family left Libya in 1967 and went to Italy where a lot of their family had already been. My dad was then born in Rome in February of 1968.
This book shows that there are not many Libyan Jews left but they used to be a great part of the Libyan population. The Jews left Libya because the Arabs took over and said that all Jews would be killed so they had to leave without warning. They left with whatever they could get and that was the end of most of the Jewish community in Libya.
Red Cross Passport
Italy
Max M.
This red cross passport is very significant to my family. After WW II ended my grandfather, Max M., was liberated from Mauthausen concentration camp. He had no family, no home and no country. He went to Italy afterwards to smuggle Jews into Palestine. While in Italy, his only surviving relative in NY sent for him but he needed a passport to travel.
He was considered a "man without a country" so the International Red Cross issued him a Red Cross passport so he could come to the United States of America to join his aunt and uncle.