Connection to Hashem
By: Ziva S. and Louie G., and Estelle B.
In this section you will learn all about Jewish readings, such as Siddurim, Tefillin, a Mini Torah, a megillah, and a scroll from a mezuzah. As you may know these are religious readings that all our ancestors used. Some of our ancestors were very lucky to have these artifacts, because they prayed, learned, and studied with these artifacts. With these readings our ancestors followed the laws of Judaism. These artifacts definitely showed that the owners were observant Jews, and that they had a love for Hashem. The fact that our ancestors kept these artifacts with them throughout their entire lives shows that having a connection to Hashem was very important to them.
Mini Torah
Israel
Aunt Camille, Grandfather Ezra S.
This Mini Torah, which is made of brass, colored beads, black velvet, parchment, and black ink, belonged to my great great grandfather. As my great great grandfather grew older he gave this to my grandfather, Ezra S. for a memory. My grandfather kept this Torah to have as a memory of his father, and to be sure this Torah would be kept safe. My grandfather was just a little boy when he received this, which makes it very special to him. He kept it all these years to always have a memory of his father, Salim Shami. This is now on display in my aunt's house, as a memory, and for safe keeping. It was made in Israel in the 1950's.
I feel that this artifact shows true religion in my Jewish life. The Torah was treasured by my grandfather. This Torah is so old, and still in good shape. For many years it had to be well taken care of, and he made sure of that. This shows that Hashem is always around, and this Torah will always be in my family.
Sukkot Siddur
Livorno, Italy
Morris C.
This was my great great grandfather's book that he got from Italy. My great, great grandfather went to Italy. He met a rabbi who gave him a book. This book is the book that my family uses every Sukkot. To get a Hebrew book was very rare in those days especially the one that my great, great grandfather got. The Rabbi who made this book was born when his father was 71 years old. The Rabbi's father could not have a baby with his wife. With the permission of his first wife he got married to a younger girl. He had a baby with her when he was 71. This rabbi was very special. My family loves this book and will continue to pass it on.
This book is significant because it is a old Sukkot book. This book was given to my great great grandfather in 1863. My family has used this book every year for over one hundred years. This book has been through many generations.
Candlesticks
Romania
Freda B.
My great great grandma made these candlesticks and they got passed down to my Grandma Freda. There were candles and every Shabbat and holiday and she would light them. My great great grandma actually made them by hand in 1860, and she gave them to my great grandma as a wedding gift. My Grandma Freda inherited them when she went to her mom's house and she found them and asked her about them. My grandma thought they was cool, so she used them for Shabbat candles.
My great great grandma made them and my grandma told me that every time she lights candles on Shabbat she feels like she is connecting with the family she never meet before.
Tefillin
Syria
My Grandpa Isaac Goldman
My Grandpa Isaac received his tefillin when he was 13 at his bar mitzvah in Aleppo, Syria. He used them daily for many years. My grandpa was a very religious man and he wore them every day. Many years later when his father passed my grandfather gave the tefillin to my father. As my bar mitzvah is approaching I admire my grandfather's tefillin. I try them on all the time and I can't wait for the day I'm able to do the mitzvah.
Tefillin is a thing that a man wears every day when he prays when he reaches the age of 13 and on.
Tefillin
Syria
Grandfather Isaac G.
My Grandpa Isaac received his tefillin when he was 13 at his bar mitzvah in Aleppo, Syria. He used them daily for many years. My grandpa was a very religious man and he wore them every day. Many years later when his father passed, my grandfather gave the tefillin to my father. As my bar mitzvah is approaching I admire my grandfather's tefillin. I try them on all the time and I can't wait for the day I'm able to do this special mitzvah.
Tefillin is a thing that a man wears every day when he prays at the age of 13 and up.
Megillah
Syria
Morris C.
My great grandfather, Morris C, owned this megillah in Syria. In Syria, he would attend the synagogue weekly. Then once a year on the Jewish holiday of Purim, he would take out his megillah and recite it with the chazan. Then when he moved to the U.S.A, he still used this megillah. Then he gave it to his son, David C. Then after a long time he gave it to his son Morris C, who lent it to me .
The megillah was read in the temple on the Jewish holiday of Purim, which takes place once a year. Inside is Hebrew text that tells the story of Purim, the Megillat Ester.
Siddur
Livorno, Italy
Jacob K.
After being printed in 1921 the rare prayer book was given to my great grandfather named Saul K. It was unique in that it combined Jewish law and prayer and is therefore very valuable. The significance for our family is that the Siddur has been handed down from generation to generation, from my great grandfather to my grandfather, Jacob K. to my father, Saul K. Now I get to read from it too. When we read from it we feel a special connection with each other, even though we are praying in different synagogues and cities. The book is so old that we have to continue to bind and tape the book together so it does not rip apart.
The Siddur is the book most used for a Jew. We use it at least three times a day, sometimes even more. The prayers inside unite every Jew in the world because they are uniform prayers. This is the most significant article a Jew can have.
Siddur
Israel
My grandpa David
This artifact was my Grandpa David's siddur that he got when he was in Israel with my Grandma Sarah. When my Grandpa David passed, he passed this down to my father, Nathan S. This item is still treasured by my father to this very day.
My artifact is a siddur. The siddur is used to pray. We use this item everyday. The siddur is used at least three times a day for the three prayers.
Siddur
Israel
Justin P..
My grandfather, Michael P. received this siddur from his father when he went on a trip to Israel. When he passed away my father, Justin P. inherited it. It is made out of paper, stone and metal.
The Jewish people pray with a siddur three times a day. They read Shaharit, Minha and Arbit.
Mezuzah scroll
New York City
Edmond D.
My artifact is a mezuzah scroll. It belonged to my great-grandfather, Edmond D. This scroll hung on the doorpost of his childhood home in New York City.
This mezuzah scroll is significant to my Jewish heritage. A mezuzah is a decorative case with a scroll inside of it. Written on the scroll is the most famous Jewish prayer, Shema. Shema is a biblical passage that declares G-d's unity and our devotion to Him. The mezuzah is also a symbol of G-d's watchful eye over the house and the people inside of it.
Tefillin
U.S.A.
Victor C.
This pair of tefillin was a symbol of religion for my family and my great grandfather. My grandfather always put it on before doing anything, and has never missed a day in 47 years.
It is a holy object that is important to the Jewish religion in many ways. It is something that you can only wear if you are above the age of 13.
Kiddush Cups
Poland
My Grandma Malka
My Great Grandmother. Ruth S. brought these Kiddush cups with her the first time she came to America from Poland. They were used for Kiddush on Shabbat in Poland. My grandmother Malka kept them because they reminded her of Shabbat dinners with her family.
It is a set of kiddush cups that my grandma and her family used in Poland. Kiddush is when you make a blessing on a Sabbath to sanctify the special day. A prayer is said over a cup of wine and it is done before a meal.
Yom Kippur Machzor
Weina
Stephanie M.
This artifact is very special because it belonged to my great grandfather, Morris K. He used it to pray on Yom Kippur, which is our holiest day of the year. He saved it and passed it on to his son, Jack K. He then gave it to his daughter, Stephanie and she gave it to me. It was made for Yom Kippur prayers. It has the prayers only for Yom Kippur.
This artifact is significant because it is a Sephardic siddur. Morris K. is from Syria and the machzor is for Sephardic Jews.
Ancestor's Tefillin
Russia
Paul S.
The artifact consists of a small velvet bag, tefillin, and a tefillin case. These tefillin was re-used by 3 generations of my family; my great great great grandfather, my great great grandfather, and my great grandfather.
Tefillin are an item used by any male Jew above the age of 13 The tefillin are received on the date of bar mitzvah, and carried through life with the boy.
Shofar
Israel
My father, Isaac S.
This was from my grandfather, Alex S. It is a old shofar that is a little broken but it still looks beautiful. A shofar is an instrument which is made from the horn of a ram. We kept this artifact for many years.
A shofar is used on Rosh Hashana and on Yom Kippur and it is a huge mitzvah to hear it and to blow it. It marks the beginning of the new year and it wakes us up.
Siddur
Aleppo, Syria
David G.
This siddur is mine and it comes from my great great grandpa, Abraham D. I will use it when I become bar mitzvah and from that day on.
A siddur is a book that contains the prayers that Jewish people say every day.