19th Century - 1929
This gallery contains some of our personal and religious artifacts that are close to or even over 100 years old. They are very meaningful to our families. These artifacts give us a window to our families' histories. These artifacts are important to us because they bring back memories from our past and they will be handed down to generations to come.
Sabbath Candle Holders
Not known
My mother
The candlestick holders have been in my family for many years. They were passed down to my mother on her Bat Mitzvah by her mother (my grandmother)and will be passed to me on my Bat Mitzvah. They are beautiful gold candle holders and we use them Friday nights when we light the Sabbath candles.
These artifacts are significant to me because they help me celebrate the Sabbath with my family. It is special to know that generations of my family have used these same candle holders.
Ceramic Sedar Plate
Ukraine
Aline B.-Grandmother
The artifact that I have chosen for the Living Museum Project is a ceramic plate that represents an important part of my family's history. It has been passed down in my family for many, many generations. I learned about the history of this religious heirloom during an interview with my grandmother. My great-grandparents came to the United States from the Ukraine and Russia around 1915. They met here and were married in 1919. My great grandfather often told my grandmother, that he remembers his family using this plate at large family gatherings from the time he was a boy. In turn, it was used by my great grandparents and then my grandparents. Even when a new seder plate was added by my grandparents, this heirloom plate continued to be used and holds a very special place on our Passover tables. It has a very special meaning for us and with it we maintain a family tradition.
The seder plate is found on the table during the first two nights of Passover. The seder plate holds at least six of the ritual items that are discussed during the seder. They are the shank bone, egg, maror, karpas, chazeret and harosset. Each item placed on the seder plate holds a special meaning. They are to remind us of the Jewish people's transition from slavery to freedom. For example, the harosset symbolizes the clay the Israelite slaves used to make the bricks and mortar for their Egyptian overlords.
Travel Record
Odessa
Grandmother
This is the travel record for my great-great-grandparents (Abraham and Rose). My grandmother found it and showed it to me. This is important because if they were not able to come into this country, I would not be here today.
This artifact is significant because Jews were not treated well in certain countries and they wanted to come to America for a better life. America was welcoming to them and they were able to create a better life for their children.
Kiddush cup
Poland
Parents
My great great grandmother (Bubbie) and grandfather (Poppy), Minnie and Albert, drank from this Kiddush Cup at their wedding in 1915. It was passed down from generation to generation to other family members. My great Bubbie Ruth and Poppy Sam drank from this cup at their wedding on February 5, 1944. It was then used at the wedding of my Great Aunt Toby and Great Uncle Joey on June 3, 1944. My Bubbie Iris and Poppy Barry drank from this Kiddush Cup at their wedding on May 30, 1968. My mom and dad, Lisa and David, drank from this cup at their wedding on November 14, 1998. I will also drink from this Kiddush Cup at my wedding!!
Kiddush means sanctification and is the prayer recited over a cup of wine. The Wedding Kiddish Cup is used for the Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings). The first benediction, Kiddushin, recited over a cup of wine, sanctifies the joy and abundance of the Jewish marriage ceremony and the bride and groom sip from the Kiddush Cup.
Mortar and Pestle
Germany
Alice G.
My great-great-great-grandmother purchased the mortar and pestle in Germany in the 1870's. When she died it was passed down to my great-great-grandmother Julia. Julia left Germany and came to the United States when she was 16 in the year 1895. The mortar and pestle was one of the things she chose to bring with her from Germany. She was a really good cook. She used it to grind herbs, spices, seeds, and nuts.
Years ago, when our ancestors prepared meals from scratch, the mortar and pestle was an important part of the Jewish kitchen. Many Jewish recipes called for nuts, seeds and spices that had to be ground in a mortar and pestle.
Embroidered Placemats
Warsaw, Poland
Madelon B. (my Bubby)
These placemats have been in my family for over a century. When my great-great-grandmother, Toba, was leaving Warsaw, Poland for America, she left behind her whole family. Her mother, my great-great-great-grandmother, Adele, prepared a gift of items from home to take with her. These gifts included: a quilt, two pillows, a tablecloth, and these placemats. These placemats, which have been in America since 1919, are now at my Bubby's house.
On September 1, 1939, the Germans invaded Warsaw, Poland. Since Toba went to America by herself, she was the only person in her family that survived the Holocaust. These placemats are our link to our family's past. They have a very long history in my family.
Great Grandfather
Palestine
My Grandfather Harold K.
This person is significant to my family because he was my great-great-great-grandfather and the assistant head Rabbi of Palestine. He was the Patriarch of the family and today his painting is hanging in my grandparents house.
I was born a 100 years after my great-grandfather Joseph whom I was named after. I was born 160 years after my great-great-grandfather Rabbi Schmuel Getzel. I am told we are direct descendants of King David, so I have deep feelings for Judaism and the generations before me.
When I am in temple or holidays at my nana and poppy's house I feel close to them and to my legacy.
Therese
Berlin, Germany
Grandmother
A portrait was painted of Therese who was the great-grandmother of my mother's father. When my grandfather and his parents left Germany due to Hitler they wanted to take as many important personal belongings as they could. This portrait was very important to the family.
To get this portrait and frame out of Germany without the Nazi's noticing, the frame was cut in half and the portrait was rolled up so that it could be hidden so that no one would notice they were taking it with them to Palestine.
Great-Great-Grandparents Candle Sticks
Russia
Grandma Ellen
These candle sticks were passed down from my great-great-grandmother who lived in Russia. They were not very wealthy but on their wedding day they put candles in these candle sticks and lit them. They have been passed down from generation to generation and now belong to me.
The candle sticks were used in the Jewish wedding ceremony of my great-great-grandparents. Candle sticks are a staple in all Jewish homes and can be seen every Friday night being lit to start the Sabbath. They are an special item that ties all Jewish families together.
Watch Pendant
Poland
Elliot S.
The watch pendant has been my family for generations. It means a great deal to my family because it represents the freedom of my Great Grandparents who escaped Poland during World War II. My Great-Grandfather carried this pendant with him.
The watch pendant represent the freedom of Jews from the Nazis in Europe. They left all belongings behind except for the most important items to the family and these have been passed on generation to generation.
Vintage Aluminum 3 cup saucepot
New York
Elayne K.
This set of pots was handed down from my great-grandmother to my grandmother. My grandmother has fond memories of my great-grandmother cooking her favorite chocolate pudding in this vessel. It was given to me and is a family heirloom.
My great-grandmother kept a kosher home. She would use the pot whenever she used dairy.
Photograph of my Family
New York
Belongs to me
This picture is most likely the first family portrait taken of my grandparents, mother and uncle in America. The photograph is significant to our family as it shows parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents to the generations that followed after their arrival to America.
Immigration to America meant a better life for those who were fortunate enough to be able to leave Europe at that time. My grandparents left Poland in 1915 with my Uncle Julius, who is pictured on the left. On the right, my mother is seated and she was born in America in 1917. Another daughter was born to this family after this photograph was taken. Notice the seriousness in the expressions of the family. We have to wonder why did they not smile? This is a question I ask myself over and over again after I look at pictures taken at that time and before.
Kiddish Cup and Tefillin
Prussia
Merrick and Michelle S.
My great-grandfather brought these items to America when he escaped from Prussia.
The kiddish cup is always the center piece of our Passover table, it has been there since my grandfather was a child. The tefillin was worn by my grandfather before his own bar mitzvah in honor of his grandfather and during morning prayer when he was a boy attending
Hebrew school.
The tefillin are the cube-shaped black leather boxes, containing four scriptural passages, attached to the head and arm and worn during morning prayers.
Shabbat and Jewish holiday meals begin with a blessing over a cup of wine. Many families have a special glass or goblet specifically for the purpose, often an heirloom that has been passed down through generations, but any cup can function as a Kiddish cup if necessary. Either wine or grape juice may be used for the blessing.