Ritual Objects
This gallery includes items used in worship and celebration.
Fostoria Double Light Arm Crystal Clear Glass Candle Sticks
America
Mother
This glass candle holder originally belonged to my great grandmother, Mildred W. after whom I am named. It was given to her as an engagement present. She then passed the candlesticks down to my grandmother and then to my mom. Hopefully I will get them for my Bat Mitzvah. They have been passed down through all of the first daughters. They are glass and are very precious. It seems to have the tree of life etched in the middle. These candle sticks have great value and meaning to my family and, and have been passed down for many generations. I hope I can pass them down to my children someday.
These candlesticks have been passed down through all the first daughters. They are still used in my family today. Every Friday night, we light the candles for the start of Shabbat. We also use them on all Jewish holidays and special occasions. These are very important and it is very cool to learn about how my mom, grandma, and great grandmother used them too.
Chanukah Oil Lamp
Italy
My Grandmother
This menorah is solid brass with eight compartments for oil and a backplate with a scroll pattern. It has a holder for a shamash that is attached to the top with wire. My grandmother had always thought that the shamash holder was broken and was reattached with the wire. However, in preparation for this project, I did some research online and found a nearly identical menorah on the website for the Lower East Side Restoration Project. Based on the appearance of the menorah on the website, it is clear that the shamash holder was never part of the original menorah, and one of my ancestors must have added it at some point. If you look closely, you can see that the shamash holder is not made of brass and is instead made of a different material that is a silver-colored metal.
My great grandfather brought this menorah to the United States from Ukraine when he immigrated here. It had been used by his family for many years. He later gave it to my grandmother, who knew it was very old, but she did not know exactly how old it was or where it was made. The nearly identical menorah that I found online on the Lower East Side Restoration Project's website was also from Russia, but the website showed that it was actually made in Italy in the 18th century!
It is so meaningful and impressive that this menorah has been used for possibly over two hundred years by my ancestors. You can tell it is an important artifact since my great grandfather chose to bring it with him all the way to America. The fact that it has been used for centuries and that I am still lighting the Chanukah candles today really shows the meaning of Chanukah and Jewish traditions.