Religious Readings
By Mitch S, Solomon G, and Alana G.
In past generations it wasn't always easy to observe Shabbat and religious holidays, but some of our ancestors were lucky enough to have the opportunity to study and learn from religious books. With these siddurim and learning books they were able to learn the laws of Judaism, to be observant Jews, and to keep close to G-d.
Book of Prayer and Festivals
New York
Sonny G.
My artifact is a Hebrew and English holiday siddur. It is entitled "Book of Prayers and Festivals [Passover, Succoth, and Shavout]. I found it in the basement of 12 Marine Place, my grandfather's original NJ home. Many years later the house was passed on to my father for us to live in. I am so happy I found this book. It is so interesting that some prayers for the holidays are the same as we say today. I thought that it was very touching that I found the prayer book because it reminded me when my family and I would spend time with my grandfather during Passover Seders. I am very happy that I found this artifact and I will treasure it forever. My great grandfather, Sonny G. A"H, had a great respect for all the holidays, its prayers and seders.
The role of prayers still plays a crucial role in our Jewish heritage. Prayer is a gift from Hashem that keeps us close to Hashem, family and the community. It is amazing to see, through my artifact, that although they have printed more modern looking prayer books, the prayers and rituals are the same. Jewish heritage and tradition is timeless.
Siddur
Aleppo, Syria
Grandpa Teddy S.
When my grandfather Teddy's grandfather, Toufic, passed away in 1964, his grandmother, Pauline gave my grandpa his collection of Hebrew books. There is a letter written by my great grandfather, Toufic, in the book.
Grandpa Teddy's grandpa used to pray with this siddur every day. A siddur is a book used by Jewish people for praying. It is written in Hebrew. Every siddur is the same and original. Rabbis never add anything new to the siddur. It shows us our heritage and customs go way back.
Torah learning book
Syria
David G.
My Great Great Great Grandfather רבי
יעקב דייק (Rabbi Jacob Dwek,) who was Chief Rabbi of Syria and head advisor to the president, wrote a book so that people can keep learning Torah.
The author of this book is רבי יעקב דייק (Rabbi Jacob Dwek) who was very great and powerful in learning and wanted to keep it in the family. He wrote it so Jews in the future can keep the laws of the Torah.
Siddur
Israel
Great Uncle Joey D.
My Great grandfather Jack D. got it as a present when he was young. He was living in the United States at the time. He used it to pray in shul.
My great grandfather Jack D. prayed with it at shul when they sang songs.The siddur also had prayers to help heal people and he used to help.
Psalms Book
Aleppo, Syria
Robin A.
This Tehilim Book was an important part of my family because my great great Grandfather Murad S. used to pray from this book each and every day. In 1960, while already living in the United States for many years he passed this book on to my great Grandfather Dave.
The Tehilim book was very significant to my Jewish Heritage since my great great Grandfather Murad used to pray from this every day and it was a very significant part of his life and very valuable to him. It kept him close to Hashem and kept him an observant G-d fearing Jew. In those years times were not easy, and it was difficult and an effort to stay religious.
Piece of the Aleppo Codex
Aleppo, Syria
Cousin Lina M.
My great uncle saved this artifact from a burning synagogue in Aleppo, Syria in 1947.
The Codex was from the book of Exodus in the Bible, so it was a valuble item to have in the synagogue. My family is proud of my great uncle for going into a burning synagogue to get the piece of codex. Now it is in the Jerusalem Museum in Israel.