1850 - 1920
In this gallery we have items that are used in every day life. These were used for cooking, holiday celebrations and crafting. Every one of them came from outside the US and have been passed down in our families for many generations
Rolling Pin
Ukraine, Russia
Great Great Grandfather
This rolling pin was made by my Great Great Grandpa. He made it out of wood on his farm. He cut it by hand and put this special oil on it to keep it new. When it was finished drying (for 3 days) he gave it too his wife. Then the rolling pin was passed down until it got to my mom.
The rolling pin was made very long ago. It's used for 5 generations to make pies and other yummy baking goods. This rolling pin will be passed down forever.
Porcelain Jewelry Box
Dresden, Germany
Vicki M.
This jewelry box belonged to my great grandmother. It given to her when she was a little girl. She brought it with her by boat after escaping Germany, then into present day Israel, to England and finally to New York, U.S. by boat. It has survived intact, to be passed down in the family for two generations though very breakable.
It is a reminder of how many Jews died and the few that survived and this artifact made it even though it was very fragile.
Candlestick Holders
England
Grandma Ann
My great-great grandfather bought these candlesticks in England, when he did an apprenticeship as a uniform cap maker. When he came to America in the 1900s after escaping the Russian army, he was able to bring these candlesticks with him. He and his wife, Annie R. lit the candlesticks on Shabbat and other holidays. They were passed down to my grandparents, and now they belong to my family.
We use these candlestick holders on Shabbat. We remember the importance of them as they were passed down in our family for many generations.
Great Great Great Grandma's Shabbat Candlesticks
Russian Empire - probably Kiev
Albert B.
These candlesticks were used religiously by my Great Great Great Grandma Freida W. She lived in Brooklyn in the apartment below my Grandfather Albert B's family. His fondest childhood memories are of her keeping Shabbat and celebrating all the Jewish holidays with delicious foods from her kitchen. My mom tries to recreate some of her recipes based on his recollection of them
Grandpa Al believes these candlesticks came over to America with his Grandma (Freida W.) from Russia. Freida grew up in Russia, where her family was so poor that they loaned her to a farmer as extra labor when she was only 4 years old. She was so distraught by this forced separation that she somehow burned the farmer's barn down. She was soon returned to her family.