Jewish Liturgy
One nickname for the Jewish people is “People of the Book.” Studying prayers and Torah is very important to us. Even though the Torah is different from a siddur, they both have words of prayer in them.
Large-Type Siddur
Brooklyn, NY
Grandfather
The significance of this artifact was that my grandfather was able to recite prayers so he could keep the Jewish traditions. So that gives my great-grandpa great memories of my great-grandma.
This siddur helped my great-grandpa be able to read because he had bad vision, so he could keep Jewish traditions.
My First Torah Portion
New York
Myself
In second grade Rabbi Ben sent the Torah portion to my dad. He sent it so that I could read it at Junior Congregation. I learned it and read it. I had so much fun that I keep on going back to read more. I have read thirty verses of Torah and received a yad.
The thought of reading the Torah portion makes me feel proud of myself because I have come so far in my reading and have started a new tradition. Also I feel happy because my dad was proud of me and I had fun doing it.
Siddur
Tel Aviv Israel
Grandmother
This siddur meant the world to my grandmother and knowing I have it keeps me connected to her.
This is a prayer book given to me by my Grandmother, who bought it on a trip to Israel at a store in Tel Aviv when she was 18. Later on, on the first page, my Grandmother drew a family tree starting with her Mom and Dad, her and her two brothers, my mom and her sister with their spouses, and then her grandchildren. The siddur was passed on to my Mom before my grandmother passed away. My Mom uses the siddur when she goes to my Grandmother's grave every year, because it has a lot of prayers for mourning.
Siddur
Austria
Laura S.
My great-grandfather used this prayer book for his bar mitzvah. His older brother may have used it also.
It is very old and it's a very important part of his Jewish life because he used it at his bar mitzvah. He died before I was born so holding the prayer book connects me to a part of his life.