Ritual items
The items in this gallery are holiday ritual objects, many of which were passed down from our family members. They help tell the story of our family history. The artifacts help us identify that we are Jewish and help connect us to our family’s history
Seder plate
England
Dena Hubcher
My great aunt gave it to my great grandmother, who gave it to my grandmother. It was made in the 1920s, by Ridgeways England company.
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Samuel Richelew's Tallis bag
Detroit, Michigan
My mom
This Tallis bag is important to my family because my grandfather died in 2011 and it is very important because I will probably use it at my Bar Mitzvah.
My Grandfather used this Tallis bag for his Bar Mitzvah in 1948. My Grandfather got buried in his Tallis and that is why the Tallis is not in the bag.
Challah cover
Bronx, NY
My mother Elizabeth
My great-grandmother embroidered this challah cover, and passed it on to my grandmother and so on an so forth. My great grandmother was Russian but lived in the United States at the time. Her community was very religious.
My great- grandmother, who is deceased, made it and passed it down.
Kiddush Cup
South Africa
My dad
My great-grandmother, Mary, who was born in Lithuania, owned the Kiddush cup. My great-grandmother gave it to my dad's dad. Then it was passed on to my dad. Now it was passed on to me!
I have a family from my dad's side of the family. The artifact was passed on from my dad's side of the family.
Kiddush Cup
Germany
Mother
The kiddush cup passed through my family. In 1924, my grandfather got it from his mother and it keeps on getting passed down.
I do not use it. Now I will though. It is on my mom's side of the family. We will use it on Shabbat.
Seder Plate
Baltimore, Maryland
Grandmother
My Grandmother Rosalie made this seder plate in the JCC in Baltimore and has used it every Passover. Then, Michelle, my mom, inherited it when she moved into our house. We have always used it every Passover. It has to be assembled and there is a mini plate for the foods.
This artifact is significant because I feel happy Because I think of my grandmother. I think of how much she loves me when I see it.
Friday Night Prayer Card
Baltimore, Maryland
my mother
Daisy my great grandmother, got it form a Rabbi because there were not many synagogues in New York. Daisy gave it to her daughter Katherine, my grandma, and she gave it to my grandpa (Albert). He gave it to my mom (Lisa) and she gave it to me. When Daisy brought it to New York there was a small Jewish community.
I feel connected to Daisy when I read the prayer on Shabbat. I especially feel closer to Katherine because that is who my middle name is after. I appreciate how this prayer discussing the bread, candles, and wine has been in my family for 4 generations (115 years), that is very special and important for me.
Prayer book
Austria
My grandfather
It was given to my great great grandfather in Austria. When he came to America (not sure of the year) he kept it. A my grandpa's bar mitzvah in 1954, he gave it to my grandpa.
It was made in Austria, and it was even taken overseas. It belonged to my great-great grandfather, and given to my grandpa as a gift. So he kept it. It is significant because it was a special present.
My Grandfather's Miniature Torah
United States
My grandfather
My grandfather received this mini-torah (that has the same words as the real Torah) on his Bar Mitzvah date showcasing that he had read the Torah. My grandfather was part of a very traditional orthodox Synagogue at the time. The name of it was Hasidic Synagogue. The Torah was given to him by the members of the Synagogue. Then, about a year ago, my grandfather passed the mini Torah on to me.
The significance of this artifact to my grandfather was the passing of the Jewish tradition to him and his achieving recognition of his role in the/his synagogue.
The Amazing Washing Cup
Unknown
Mother
My great- grandmother had this artifact and it has been passed down to my mom. My family uses this during Passover. You pour water into the little bowl with the tea cup and you use that water to wash your hands.
The washing cup means a lot to my family because we use it every Passover and it reminds us of my great grandmother.
Marriage Certificate
America
Mom and Dad
When my parents got married my mom decided to become Jewish, so they made a ketubah. It has two parts, one in English and one in Hebrew. It is on the wall at my country house at Windham.
When I look at it I feel connected to my parents because it is a symbol of their marriage, so I can not wait until I get mine. I look forward to seeing my child or children get his or her own ketubah. I also feel close to my parents because it makes me think about them and I know when I'm grown up I will have it in my room to remember them when I don't live with them anymore.
Kiddush Cup
Iran
Grandma
My grandmother gave it to my grandfather. Later when they fled Iran, they could only take what was most important. The cup was one of them.
My grandfather always used it. So on holidays we bring it out to remember him. When we bring it out, I feel connected to him. We keep it on a shelf. People can see it, but otherwise it is only brought out on Holidays.
Sabbath Candlesticks
Austria
Lillian (grandmother)
Sabbath candlesticks are passed down from mother to daughter. They were passed down from Esther to Fay to Lillian. These objects are heavy and when polished they gleam.
"I remember how I always wanted to blow them out but I was told I couldn't, says Lillian. I can't believe that this object has been passed down for many generations. without being dented or broken." Whenever I look at it sitting on the counter I think about my grandmother and great grandmother.
Seder Plate
Poland
Richard
Made in Poland and passed down from great-great grandfather through the generation. This was used at seder dinner. It has a beautiful design of birds and a very old feeling to it.
This artifact give a feeling our Jewish history to our family. At this time it was difficult for Jews. It makes me feel connected to my Jewish identity.
Brass candlesticks
Austria
Fran Kirshner
When Jews were being persecuted in Austria, Gitle carried this brass candlestick right in her suitcase as she escaped Austria to a land of freedom.
This is important to my family because it's lit every Shabbat and it is passed down from youngest child to youngest child (always a girl). Whenever I talk to my grandma about the brass candlesticks she gets teary because she remembers her grandmother and mother. I feel a connection. This artifact symbolizes my family's hardship and fight to succeed throughout the generations.
Kiddish cup
Hillel of Brooklyn
Stu L.
This artifact is blue with grapes and a vine and hebrew letters on it. It came into being at Stu's bar mitzvah when the temple gave it to him. It is used on Shabbat and high holidays.
This artifact symbolizes accomplishment. It was given to my father during his bar mitzvah. He accomplished his bar mitzvah, something I hope to accomplish too.
Children's kiddish cup
Lithuania
my dad
My great-grandmother Mary who was born in Lithuania owned this kiddish cup. Mary gave it to my grandfather, who passed it on to my dad (Zvi) when he was born.
I feel that this artifact is the symbol of the Shabbat tradition passed from my family tree.
Talis/ Talis case
Winnipeg, Canada
Wendy Gold (grandmother)
My great-grandfather wore this Talis for his bar mitzvah. When I have a bar mitzvah, I might wear the Talis. When my great-grandfather got the talis he was living peacefully.
This artifact is significant to my family because we are happy to have something to remember my great-grandfather.
Challah Cover
Romania
Dad (Avi)
My great-grandfather got it from Romania and handed it to my grandma who handed it to my dad.
It was passed down through three generations (my great-grandpa to my grandma to my dad). They each got it for their bar/ bat mtizvah. My dad will pass it to my brother.
Family Hagaddah
New York, NY
My grandparents
This Hagaddah was bought by my grandparents in New York. We have used it as a family every year. It holds the speeches that my grandparents have spoken every year in the front of the book. This book means a lot to me.
The significance of my artifact is that my family has shared many Passovers with it, and it is hoped to continue getting passed down from generation to generation in my family.
Richard's Bible
Jerusalem
My dad, Richard
On my great-grandmother's 45th anniversary, her cousin Rae got it for a gift for my great-grandparents. When my great-grandmother died my dad inherited the Bible and kept it ever since.
The significance is when we see it, it is a remembrance of my great-grandmother.
Kiddush Cup
United States of America
My grandpa had a tradition to give all his grandkids a kiddush cup for their birth.
Family connection and thanks that my grandpa is able to give me this special cup.
Mezuzah
Israel
My dad
It was given to my dad for his bar mitzvah. It was given to him by a close relative.
This artifact is important to my family because it reminds me of my dad. Also, every time I walk into the door it makes me think of Judaism.
Two Kiddush Cups
Russia and Austria
My mother
These artifacts belonged to my grandmother who gave them to my mother. Before that they belonged to my great-grandfather.
We use these kiddush cups every Shabbat. They are important to me because they have been a part of my family history for many generations.
Kiddush Cup that Belonged to My Grandfather
Czechoslavakia
My dad
It belonged to my great grandpa, then it was given to my grandpa, then it was given to my dad.
My great grandpa was poor and he didn't have many possessions, so he valued this item.
Shabbat candlesticks
Rodeph Sholom, NY
My mom, Katherine
These candlesticks were given to my mom on October 20, 1979 as a gift from the Women's League (now called the sisterhood) for her Bat Mitzvah at Rodeph Sholom. On one of the candlesticks it says Rodeph Sholom W.L which stands for Rodeph Sholom Women's League. On the other candlestick it says KE 10-20-79 which are my mothers initials and the date they were given to her.
When my grandmother had her bat mitzvah in 1955, they were called bas mitzvahs and it was more common for boys to have them then girls. When they did have them, however, they only read the Haftorah and not the Torah. This is why these candlesticks are important to my mom and grandparents.
Brass Candlesticks
Lithuania or Russia
My grandmother Dinny
My Great Great Grandmother Anna Sherman brought the candlesticks over from Europe when she came to the United States In the 1920’s.
These are the Shabbat candlesticks my family has used for 100 years.
Hannukah Menorah
Germany
Mom
My great grandmother was given this Menorah in Germany in the 1800’s. She passed it down to my Grandma and my Grandma passed it down to my Mom.
My family cares because instead of using regular candles, you have to use birthday candles to light it and they love it because it keeps getting passed down.
Mezuzah
Israel
My dad
It was made in Israel in the year 1999 and my dad’s friend bought it in Israel and given to my dad as a gift.
The mezuzah is on my door so every day I walk out or into my home I see it.