Home Sweet Home
by Brian H., Alexis M., Gina A., Alice G., and Rachel B.
When looking through this section you will see objects that people used in many different ways. You may think, “Wow, this item is older than me!” Because it’s true, these artifacts were used by our ancestors.
We all can find important artifacts in our homes. You will learn about such items as: a mortar and pestle used as a spice crusher, a Moroccan tagine, a coffee pot from Syria, a yearbook from 1900’s, photographs, an ancient sewing machine, a 100 year calendar, and a stamp collection, among other interesting artifacts. The tagine is from Morocco, where similar pots are still used to cook until this day. The yearbook is from a high school in California. The photograph is of a family, who immigrated to the United States. The coffee pot is from Syria which was used to make turkish coffee. Dishes were used when guests came over because they were special and expensive. A camera was used to take pictures of memorable moments. The butcher plaque hung in a butcher shop and was used as an advertisement.
These items were interesting because these were our ancestors’ possessions and they have meaning to them. Back then, all of these objects were usually used almost every single day. Now, these objects may not be used as often but are cherished by our families.
Moroccan Tagine
Morocco
Sharon A.
My mother inherited a Moroccan tagine, which is a two piece pot that is used to cook food in Morocco. The tagine is from Morocco, where my great grandmother was born and raised. She lived there until she made Aliyah to Israel, and she brought the tagine with her to continue the custom of using it to cook Moroccan food.
The food that is made in tagines is a part of our family tradition. My mom uses tagines just like my great grandmother did.
China Dining Set
England
Barbara G.
These beautiful dishes are marked with BRM3 on the back of them. About seventy years ago, my great grandmother, Rose G. bought the dinner set of dishes at a pawn shop. The set was given to my grandmother, Barbara G. My mom even remembers eating from the plates. The plates aren't being used today.
We used the set on the Jewish holidays. On almost all the holidays my family would get together and eat from the plates.
Ceramic Bowl
USA
Grandmother Odette
This bowl sat on the kitchen table of my Mother's childhood home. It was a staple, it was the place to look if anything was missing or needed to be put away. When my Grandmother Odette passed away, this bowl was the most important thing from her home. My Mother wanted it because she felt that it was an important reminder of her childhood. Whenever my Uncles or Aunts come by, they see the bowl, and they always have to talk about it.
This bowl signifies home and family life, and that signifies Jewish family life.
Polaroid Camera
United States
Jill T.
The story of my artifact is about my Grandma, Jill T. When my grandma , Jill was young she got a Polaroid camera for her 10th birthday on February 11, 1962.
A Polaroid camera was special in 1962. When you take a picture the photo came out immediately.
Butcher's plaque
Brooklyn
Grandma, Shelly S.
My artifact hung in the butcher shop of both my great great grandpa, Hyman L. and my great grandpa Raymond L. The butcher shop was originally started by my great great grandpa and then got passed down to my great grandpa. My great grandpa sold his butcher business and a few years later moved to New Jersey, but he still kept the plaque. When my great grandpa died, my grandma, Shelly S., kept the plaque in her house.
This artifact is significant to Jewish heritage because it hung in a Jewish butcher with kosher meat. The meat is kosher because my great and great great grandfather cut it in the right spot on the cow/ animal. Meat must be slaughtered by a "Shochet". Jewish law doesn't allow a painful death, so the process happens very quickly.
Mortar and Pestle
Aleppo,Syria
Francine S.
This artifact has been in my family for generations. My grandfather's mom used this to crush spices for Syrian cooking. The Syrians liked to use fresh ingredients. They took their spices and crushed it for their everyday cooking . They didn't like to use store bought spices. They did everything by themselves. It took them all day to get prepared. They used fresh ingredients and their food tastes amazing!
The significance of my artifact to my Jewish heritage is in one Arabic word, "sufeh". My great grandparents and most of that generation did everything themselves. This artifact is a great example of how they crushed their own spices for their cooking. They loved to have family over for Shabbat and holidays and cooked much delicious food for everybody to enjoy.
100 Year Calendar
Philippines
Great Grandpa Alfonse
My Great Grandpa Alfonse M. bought this calendar in the 1960's from a merchant. He passed it down to his son, Maurice (my grandpa,) and they use the 100 year calendar to tell what day you were born, for 100 years.
Anyone can use it. It's for 100 years and it's something that my great great grandchild will be able to use to tell on what day I was born.
Turkish Coffee Pot
Syria
Susan B.
This is a coffee pot was used to make Turkish coffee. This artifact belonged to my great grandma, Sophie. She used it to make coffee for her family. The coffee was made 2 to 3 times a day. My grandpa and his brothers would drink it from when they were 10 years old. It was used in Lebanon and was brought over to America. Now it belongs to my grandma and grandpa, Ralph and Susan B.
The significance of this coffee pot is that it tells us about the Syrian customs. Turkish coffee was made very often in Syria.
Dallah- Coffee Pot
Syria
Linda K. M.
This Dallah is significant because I come from a family of caterers. On Passover when all the men were praying my family took it upon themselves to provide coffee and cakes. This pot was used to serve all the men coffee in order that they would stay awake and have an enjoyable meal with their families.
This object is significant because it symbolizes "הכנסת אורחים" - welcoming guests. My family, taking advantage of their talents, used this artifact to perform such a virtuous deed.
Stamp Collecting Book
Israel
Gilad T
My great grandfather, Shlomo T. started collecting stamps that he got from letters he received in the mail and from friends and neighbors who knew that he had a stamp collection. Then, he passed it on to my grandfather, Arie, who continued the tradition, and finally to my father, Gili, who is still collecting today.
The stamps show the development of Israel. The stamps also show the places and cites in Israel. There are pictures on the stamps that show important rabbis and important people in the history of the Jewish people.
Singer Sewing Machine
USA
Sandi B.
This Singer sewing machine originally belonged to my great great grandmother, Gussie M. It was used for repairing clothes. Inside the sewing machine are buttons, scissors, and threads. It was passed down from my great great grandmother, to my great grandmother, Bertha and then to my mother, Sandi.
Now we keep it in the B. house, but it is not being used.
Camera
USA
David I.
This 620 Brownie Junior camera was made in 1932. It took pictures of my beloved and deceased great grandparents on my mother's side.
This camera took pictures before, during, and after the Holocaust.
Painting
Israel
Yaron S, my father
`My great grandfather, Shmuel, immigrated in 1919 with the “105 Pioneers from Poland” to Jerusalem, Israel. He later founded the Ein Hod Artists’ Village on the outskirts of Haifa, where he lived as a painter until his death in 1986. This painting is called the “Wailing Wall.” It has an Arab family sitting in front of it, because when he grew up in Jerusalem it was predominantly Arab. His works, or at least most of them, involved faceless people because he didn’t want to show expressions. All his paintings were oil on canvas.
Shmuel painted most of his work with a backdrop of Israel, whether it was in Jerusalem or the Village of Ein Hod. His work is now featured in many museums throughout Israel.