Rockin' Rituals
Great Grandpa David's Tallis
USA
Father
This is my great-grandpa David’s tallis. My great grandpa David was a very funny man. I was named after him.
This tallis is 86 years old and was purchased in March of 1928 for David Weissman by his parents for his Bar Mitzvah. In less than one year, I will hopefully wear this tallis on the bimah at Adath Shalom for my Bar Mitzvah. (I guess I should start studying my haftorah!) I hope to be able to pass this down for many generations
David wore this tallis at his wedding. After David died in 1985 his tallis was passed down to his daughter, my grandmother. Adam G., David’s grandson, was Bar Mitzvahed in this tallis in September of 1987. This tallis was also wrapped around Mara and Adam G. during their wedding ceremony.
Yiddish Autograph Book
New York
Mother
My great grandmother went to Glenmore Jr. High School, Brooklyn, NY in 1930. Her autograph book was a mixture of English and Yiddish. She spoke Yiddish at home. Many people who signed the book signed it in Yiddish. One of those people who signed it was my great, great grandfather Samuel Gepner. Translated from Yiddish, the message said: “To my daughter, Rae Gepner. I would like to make you feel my happiness and love and see your graduation and I wish that you should have success in all your endeavors and you should always feel that you are happy. This wishes you, your dear father, Shmuel Peretz.”
This is a Jewish artifact because now many people do not know how to speak or read Yiddish. This book shows the knowledge of Jews back then.
Prayer Book
USA
Mother
This was given to my mom for her Bat Mitzvah on November 4, 1984. She keeps this by her bed.
It was passed down to her by her grandparents, Pauline and Jack.
Prayer Book
New York
Grandfather
This siddur was given to my grandpa by his grandmother’s cousin Shalom. Shalom was a cantor. Shalom was born in the mid 1800’s.
He bought it from a company called “Star Hebrew Book Co. in 1927. This siddur was made also in 1927. The book contains old pages that are very faded yellow and the outer pages a gold. The siddur is very old so the pages so not match up with the siddurs in our temple.