Fashion with Passion
By Arlette C.
When you look at clothes or accessories from the past, you might not realize it right away, but there is so much you could learn. From the earrings on your grandma's ears to the boots on your grandpa's feet, clothes are a part of your heritage. Clothes can hint about where and how your family lived in the past. Was the climate cold or warm? Did your grandma have a beautiful gold necklace? She might have been rich. Did your grandpa have a fez hat? Maybe he was from Turkey. Do you want to learn more about how our families lived in the past? Look no further. We have an amazing collection of jewelry and accessories from the past. It's clear that our grandparents loved fashion with a passion!
Mother of Pearl Make-up Box and A Set of Gold Purses
Egypt
Clarisse M.
This purse and make up box were both owned by my great grandmother, Victoria D. Both artifacts were passed down to my grandmother, Clarisse M, who gave these artifacts to me. The artifacts were both made in Egypt. These artifacts are important to me because because my grandma was happy when she was giving me the artifact which showed me she loved me. These artifacts were used when Victoria D. went to parties, weddings, and special occasions. They were both used very often. This is why these artifacts are important to me.
They are important to Jewish heritage because these artifacts are still here with my family. My great grandmother used these items as a Jewish woman in Egypt. In the early 1900's Jewish people like my great grandmother celebrated weddings and got dressed up when they went out for special occasions.
Pocket Watch
Syria
My Father Stefan B.
This pocket watch was given by my great grandfather, James B. to my grandpa, Irwin B. and then my father inherited it after my grandfather died.
This pocket watch was used by my great grandfather on the ship to check the time to pray and the time for Shabbat.
Fez
Adam’s Mens’ Shop; Florida, USA
My Grandfather David A.
This hat, or fez, was worn to special events and inaugurations such as weddings and parties. At those occurrences, my great grandpa used to sing and took no money and accepted no gifts. All he cared about was the mitzvot he received from doing so. Every year, he used to sing in shul in honor of Lag Ba'omer and Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. His singing was so amazing that the whole community came for this holiday just to hear him sing. Also when my Great Grandpa Meyer went to meet President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, he wore that hat. As you can see, this hat is very special to both our family and our heritage.
It was a special honor for those Jews who received a fez of this quality and magnitude. One must have be an important person, like a head of state, an ambassador, or a dignitary for it was very unusual for a Jew to both have and wear one. Since my great grandpa was from a family of singers, he was honored to wear this hat, along with his brother, Zacky. Also, he met the King of Egypt, and guess what he was wearing? The fez! This fez has “seen” the President of the United States that is now in our history books, and the King of Egypt who controls and rules over the whole entire land of Egypt.
Pearl Necklace and Broach
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn N.Y.
My Grandma Esther
My Grandma Esther always wore this jewelry; it was an everyday thing. It was very special to her and it made her happy. She wore the broach to weddings and it always made my mother happy when she saw her wear it because it was a gift from her. She loved it and wore it always. It wasn't even so expensive, it was just the fact that it was a gift that made it special to my grandma.
She wore the broach to all of the Jewish weddings. It made her happy and she couldn't leave home without it.
Ring
Europe
Micheal W.
This ring is 97 years old. It belonged to my great grandfather David W. When he and his family moved from Europe to America he brought this with him. After this he gave the ring to his son Micheal. This ring is important to my family because it's one of the things Micheal's father gave him and that is why it is so important to my family.
This ring was lost 3 times by my grandpa and he promised that each time it was lost he would give tzedakah in the name of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes. Each time he did it he found the ring on that same day. This shows that prayer and keeping a promise will give good luck to the person who does it.
A Bronze Necklace
Algeria
My Grandma Maryse A.
It was given to my Grandma Maryse as her 25th birthday gift from her grandma. It's special to her because its one of the only things she has from her grandma. It's a bronze necklace, and it was made by hand.
My Great Great Grandma got it as a wedding gift when she was getting married. It has been passed down for many years and is important to my Grandma.
Golden Ring
Syria
Salah S.
This ring dates back to almost 80
years back it is from my grandfather. It was given to me by him it is 18 carat gold and its design is very nice and fancy. Its structure is very beautiful and very well designed. It was given to my grandfather by one of his relatives. Many years later he gave it to me as a present.
He kept this ring since the time he left Syria and Lebanon. He left these countries so that he would be able to keep his religion and traditions.
Baby Booties
United States of America
Harvey C.
The booties that my grandfather gave me were the first ones he wore as a baby. Now they are a goldish yellowish color. His mother stuffed cotton in the boots then sprayed shellac to make the booties last for a long time.
These booties so far lasted 71 years. He wore these booties everywhere he went when he was a baby.
Turquoise Neckace
Lebanon
Allegra M.
This little teardrop-shaped pendant has traveled a long way from where it was originally . It was bought in Lebanon over 50 years ago by my great-grandfather. He gave it to my grandmother as a gift. My grandmother died young, at the age of 52, (when I was 7,) so anything that belonged to her is precious.
When my mother was young, my grandmother let her wear this necklace to synagogue, Bar Mitzvahs, and weddings.