Family Household Items
The artifacts in this gallery are used by many different people. From our grandparents to us today. They range from photographs to entertainment items to objects we use in the kitchen.
Chopper
Unknown
Lauren F.
My artifact is a chopper. My family uses it to chop the apples and walnuts for the charoset for the Passover seder. The chopper comes from my great-grandmother's kitchen, then it got passed down to my grandmother, who passed it down to my mom, Lauren, and I now use it with her. We don't know when or where it was made, but we guess some time in the 1950's.
I am carrying on the family traditions and literally living in the footsteps of my family as I prepare the charoset.
Chess Board
Benghazi (Libya)
From grandpa to dad to me
It was made by Germans for my grandpa because he was holding them in prison. He then gave it to my dad as a birthday present.
It was made by Germans to give to my grandpa in exchange for cigars during World War II.
Special Plate
Unknown
Ellen C.
This plate was a wedding gift for my parents from a family friend. My family uses this plate to put the menorah on, to put matzah on, and put challah on, during Hanukkah and Passover. We keep it in a cabinet in our dining room. I will pass it on to my child and I hope that it will be passed on through generations of my family.
We use this plate to celebrate holidays, which makes us happy. This plate also reminds us of being Jewish, because we do Jewish rituals with it.
Amulet
Morocco
Ester L.
We put it on a crib so the baby has good luck.
It was bought in Morocco for the crib of Edmond Solomon L, my great uncle. Then it has been passed down to everyone ever since.
Cameo
Minsk, Belarus
My grandmother
My great-grandma used to sit in her home in the Bronx where she would spend every Friday night for Shabbat. She used to get ready and dress up and put on her jewelry such as this pin.
When my great great grandma had it there was a lot of anti-semitism. The Poles and Russians forced the Jews into the Pale of Settlement.
Mezuzah
Children's store
Lisa S (mom)
This mezuzah is important because it was from when I was a baby. And it has a prayer in it that makes me feel safe. It is special because my mom bought it just for me and it reminds me of when I was a baby.
My mezuzah is a special item in a Jewish household. It is put on the archway of the kitchen, front door, and every bedroom and study. The Shema and V'ahavta remind us to remember the commandments of G-d and to remember them day and night, and when leaving or entering a room.
Photograph of my Grandmother in the Israeli Airforce
Israel
My grandmother
This photograph of my grandmother was taken around 1955 by my grandmother's friend. It was taken when my grandmother was in the Israeli Airforce.
The significance of this artifact to my family is that we remember when my grandmother was defending her home country, and how proud we are of her for doing this.