Jewish Mementos
These items are precious reminders to the children and their families of what life was like for our ancestors.
Chumash
unknown
Great Grandfather
This Chumash was given to my great-grandfather around 1915. He was about 15 at the time. He was moving away from his family to America by himself at the time. He left behind his parents, his brother, and his sister. There is a note inside from his father and the first couple of lines say this: "To my dear son, you are leaving today and maybe this will be the last time I see you. Therefore when you get to the new land don't be friends with anyone you don't know. You should go and pray every day just like you did when you lived in my house so that you will be looked upon nicely in the eyes of God. Please remember your father, teacher, and instructor that loves you and sends you away with a hurting heart.
The Chumash refers to the five books in the Torah and is a staple in every Jewish home. In the Five books of Moses we learn what the Jewish people went through and what it means to be Jewish.
Chai Necklace
Israel
Sister
For the Living museum I chose my sister's chai necklace. It is a necklace that that my great grandmother Etta bought in Israel. It was for my mother. Then she passed it down to my sister when she was born. It is gold and has a blue chai on it. This is a very interesting piece of jewelry and is special to me and my family because it has been passed down from generation to generation.
The significance of my artifact to our Jewish heritage is that it has become a family heirloom and will stay in my family and always make us remember our heritage and my great grandmother going to Israel and buying it.
Great Grandfather's Cup
unknown
Mother
My great grandpa Morris was given this Kiddush cup by his temple because he was the President. They appreciated his hard work and dedication. My great grandpa Morris used this for every Passover seder. then he gave the cup to his daughter, my grandma. She continued to use it at Passover, as well as for her two boys on the days of their bris. After that, my grandma gave the cup to my mom, and that was the wine cup used at my bris.
The Kiddush cup is an important symbol in Judaism and has been around for many many years. This Kiddush cup is important because it has been in my family a long time and has been used at very special times which are important in every Jewish person's life.
Kiddush Cup
Russia
Grandmother
This is my great great grandfather's Kiddush cup. He was a cantor from Russia. The Kiddush cup is made from sterling silver. On the Kiddush cup is lettering and different designs. He used the cup for Shabbat and the high holy days. The cup is about 100 years old. My great great grandfather passed it down to my grandfather's uncle who passed it down to him. My grandfather has passed so my grandmother holds on to the Kiddush cup.
The significance of my artifact is that it represents something very special to the Jewish people and because it has been in my family for over 100 years lets us all remember how special it is.
Family Photo
Hungary
Family
This is the last photo taken of my family before they got broken up, before they left Hungary (about 1920's). This photo was taken before my great great grandmother died and before my great great uncle, who was barely three years old, was sent to a concentration camp. After my great great grandmother died, my great great grandfather moved the rest of the family to America. After they were in America for a while my great great grandfather went back to Hungary to find my great great Aunt Jenny's boyfriend. When back in Hungary, my great great grandfather was captured by the Nazis. They sent him to a concentration camp where he died. After that, the 8 members of the family had to take care of themselves.
The significance of this family photo is that it was the last photo where the whole family was together. Like so many Jewish families that were torn and broken apart, only a photo of them together survives.