From One World to the Next
These are a collection of objects that have been brought from one place to another. There artifacts would have traveled from one world to another and would show what kind of things people thought were important enough to bring with them on a journey of a lifetime.
Candlestick holders
Poland
Lillian W.
Every time my family looks at these candlestick holders we remember my great-great-grandmother and her bravery in coming to America, leaving behind her friends, family and her old life, searching for a new one in an unfamiliar land.
When my great-great grandmother left Europe for America, she brought with her these candlestick holders. They were originally meant to hold candles on Shabbat, but we don't use them for this purpose. Instead, we just use them to light up the kitchen counter top!
Picture
Germany
Dad
This picture is of my great-grandfather in his bakery with challah he made that's taller than him and a flower basket and flowers made out of chocolate. He was the master baker in his town in Germany. He delivered bread and other goods he made to people in his bakery.
It's important because I get to learn about my family's history and makes me proud to know that my great-grandfather made this challah.
Suitcase
Warsaw, Poland
Grandma
This suitcase carried clothes and went from Poland to America. It helped my Grandma survive the war.
Without this suitcase, I wouldn't be alive. It helped my family begin.
Megillah
Palestine (Old Israel)
Aaron S.
We use it to remember how Aaron S. used to use the megillah, but it is really used for its prehistoric value to my family six generations ago. In fact, it's the only physical artifact that connected my grandfather to my great-great-great-grandfather. It gives me a greater understanding of my family heritage.
It's a memorial of what happened after it was given to my great-great-great grandfather, Aaron S. He used it about 150 years ago. A megillah is like a miniature Torah, except the Torah tells every story and this megillah only tells the story of Purim. Eventually Aaron passed it down in the family until it got to my grandfather, Marvin, who owns it today. We do not celebrate Purim as a family, but we remember how Aaron S. used to.
Shabbat Candlesticks
Western Europe
My Great Great Great Grandmother
These candlesticks are very important to my family. They go back to my great-great-great-grandmother who carried the heavy brass candlesticks all the way to America looking for a better life. The candlesticks have been passed down by the oldest daughter, making their way down to me when I get married.
They are important because they represent our family's Jewish history and they have been important to every member of my family who has had the privilege of using them.
Sculpture
Israel, Netzar Sereni
Batya L. created this sculpture for my family
An artist named Batya L. made a sculpture for free for my grandfather's kibbutz representing the people who were lucky enough to live through the Holocaust and the ones who sadly died. My grandfather survived Auschwitz going through labor camps. He arrived in Israel in 1946 and founded Kibbutz Netzar Sereni in 1948. That is where my mother was born and raised and where I visit my family each summer. This is a place that gave hope and new life to all the Holocaust survivors who came there. Only a few are still alive including my grandfather who is 88 years old.
It was really nice that Batya L. made the sculpture for free. The sculpture is not just important to my family, but also to the community at Kibbutz Netzar Sereni and to those who survived the Holocaust. It has a very powerful effect on the person looking at it. It gives you a feeling of desperation leading to freedom and hope.