1921 - 1945
The items in this gallery came from throughout the world, including the US and Israel. They represent the time period from after World War I to the end of World War II. They include every day items as well as things for special occasions, both religious and non-religious.
Jewish Holy Scripture
Washington DC
Father (inherited from Great-Grandfather)
This was given to my Great-Grandpa Charlie while he was in the US Army during World War II. He was a soldier who fought at the Battle of the Bulge. My father was a soldier in Iraq in 2008 as well so this is a symbol of our proud heritage as Jews who fought for our country.
This artifact is an English version of the Torah which was given to US soldiers in World War II.
Family Menorah
Brooklyn, New York
Beth G.
This menorah has been passed down from my great grandmother, to my grandmother, to my mother. My grandmother grew up in the Boston area with this as her only menorah, so they used it every Hanukkah. In the town my grandmother grew up in, there was an extremely small Jewish population, even though her family was very religious. Hanukkah was a small holiday back then, so lighting the menorah was very important to the holiday. The synagogue wasn't in a very nice place, so my grandmother made sure that no one she knew, other than her family and fellow Jews, ever saw her going into the synagogue. She was the only Jew in her grade, and there was another in the year below her, but other than that, there were no other Jews in the school system. She was also the only person in her Hebrew school class. Since all her friends were Christian, at Christmas time most of them were in the church’s play. My grandmother felt left out, so her mother allowed her to participate in one, and she was a dancing princess. Also, if Hanukkah fell after Christmas, she would receive her gift on Christmas so that she could tell her friends that she had received a gift too. She once got her mother a gift, and according to her, it was the worst smelling perfume ever. Two of the things that she remembers getting as gifts were shoe skates and a doll.
Since my great grandmother got the menorah, everyone who’s owned it has used it. With my family it’s often the only one we light for every night of Hanukkah. It is also one of the only religious things that still remains of my great grandmother’s belongings.
Family Picture
New York
Marcia B.
The artifact shows my great grandfather's family after they had all immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920s. The entire family came from Poland and my grandmother always hung this picture in her house to remember all of her family.
The significance of this artifact to Jewish religion is that this picture shows my family and that they were people that decided to move to America after being treated badly for so long. they moved to a place where they were treated fairly and got good jobs.
Chest of Drawers
New York
Carey K. (dad)
This chest of drawers has been a piece of furniture in our family. It is used for storing clothing and reminds my family of the generosity of others. Since this artifact was a gift, it is very important to my family.
This artifact is significant because it came from a Jewish family member who worked very hard for a living. The artifact is a link between the future and an elder in our Jewish family.
Kosher Plate
Occupied Japan
Bessie
This plate was part of many Shabbat dinners for my mom at her Bubby and Zeda's home. My mom's Bubby kept a Kosher home and this dish was from the meat dishes. This set of dishes was used every Passover even after mom's Bubby and Zeda died. Mom's Aunt Katie, who I'm named after, got the dishes and continued to have Passover at her house. When Aunt Katie died my mom got this one dish.
This plate was part of keeping the Kosher tradition. It is a good symbol for remembering to keep the tradition of being Kosher in our everyday lives.
Hungarian Siddur
Israel
My father
Our cousin translated this siddur to Hungarian from Hebrew so that Hungarians could understand the meaning of the prayers. My grandfather went to Israel to see his cousin and stopped at a book store to see if they knew him. It turns out that they had this book written by his cousin's father and arranged for them to meet.
This siddur is used by Hungarian speaking Jews who now can pray and have a much better understanding of the Hebrew prayers.