Personal Keepsakes
Great Grandmother's Pin
Maine
My great grandmother received this because she volunteered for B’nai B’rith organization. On the back of the pin it is engraved, “Presented to Ruth L. by B’nai B’rith, Pine Tree auxiliary #44, 1941”. Ruth L. was my great-grandmother, my dads Nana, she passed away just after my parents were married in 1998. Pine Tree is a nickname for the state of Maine
My great-grandmother lived in Bangor, Maine. My grandparents live in Bangor, Maine and my father grew up there. The auxiliary #44 was her B’nai B’rith local organization number. She received the pin in 1941. On the front of the pin is a candelabra, this is the B’nai B’rith symbol. My great-grandma was a very strong woman. She stood up for what was right. Even as an older woman she continued to speak her mind and she believed she was most often correct. She loved supporting Jewish organizations and being a synagogue member. She also, enjoyed spending time with her family.
Great Grandmother's Statue
Israel
Parents
My artifact for the living museum is a ceramic rabbi. This statue belonged to my great grandmother. She got it when she visited Israel in the early 1970's. Eventually it got passed down to my grandmother and then to my parents.
My great grandmother used this just for decoration. This always made her very happy, and makes me and my family very happy as well.
Grandfather's Diary
USA
Parents
This item is a diary that belonged to my Grandfather. It was written in 1943 when he was 18.
It tells about his life as he was graduating high school and entering college. He also writes about his Jewish experiences. I hope to pass this item to future generations of my family.
Great Grandfather's Necklace
Russia
My artifact for the Living Museum is my great grandfather, David Streit’s, necklace. My mom remembers seeing this necklace every Shabbat.
She and her family would spend Shabbat dinner at her nanna and poppy’s house, where he would always wear the necklace. Those dinners were very special to her.
I always like hearing stories about my
great grandfather because he was such a special man and very religious. His chai necklace makes me feel closer to him.
Great Grandmother's Salt & Pepper Shakers
Russia
My artifact for the Living Museum is a
salt and pepper shaker set. These salt
and pepper shakers aren’t ordinary,
they are very different and special.
They came from my greatgrandmother,
who used them at Friday
night dinners, after lighting the candles
for Shabbat
My grandfather remembers using these every Friday night when he was a child. They represent the ten commandment
tablets. There are two biblical quotes
on the tablets. These shakers were
used during my great-grandparent’s
lifetime.
Great Great Grandmother's Candlesticks
Russia
Grandmother
These were my Great Great Grandmother Golda’s candlesticks when she married David Saposnik in the late 1800’s in a small village outside of Kiev, Russia. She would have a daughter, and her daughter was Ethel who I get my Hebrew name from. Ethel gave the Shabbat candle stick holders to my Bubbi when she got married. They are going to my mother.
They are a symbol in our family of when Golda left Russia to start a new life for us all. She took few items with her but the Shabbat Candle stick holder was one item. One was broken on her journey to America. The other was bent. They were not used by anyone but Golda when she first arrived. They are fixable but our family has chosen to leave them as she brought them to America so we remember that it was not an easy trip they made but one for our future.