1950 to present
Although the artifacts in this gallery are not quite as old as our other two galleries they are certainly just as cherished and important to us. They tell our stories, reflect our memories and give us insight into our families' lives during the 2nd half of the 20th century and into the 21st century.
Seder Plate
Israel
My Mother
This Seder plate belonged to my grandmother who passed away in 1993. She bought this Seder plate when she went on a family trip to Israel in 1982. She used it every year on Passover as that was her favorite holiday to celebrate. She gave my mother this Seder plate before she died and told her to use it every Passover holiday she celebrates with her family. We now use this plate every year on Passover since she has been gone.
There are six foods that go on the Seder plate: shank bone, Haroseth, bitter herbs, lettuce, parsley and the egg. Each of the six items arranged on the plate has special significance to the retelling of the story of Passover which is the focus of the ritual meal.
Newspaper article
New York, NY USA
Herbert Lichtenstein
This artifact is important to my family because it documents my uncle's story and shows how optimistic he was about his future in the United States. His Hebrew name was Melech, which means King. I was named in memory of him so I have the same Hebrew name. In the article, my Great-Great Uncle states "How grand it is to breathe the air of freedom." I hope to continue his legacy of gratitude.
This artifact is a newspaper article written about my Great -Great Uncle Herbert Lichtenstein who was a Jewish refugee from Germany. The article talks about his family, his time spent in 3 concentration camps and his emigration from Germany to the United States. This article also describes his enslavement in the camps, and also the six tattooed prison numbers along with a tattooed triangle which represented that he was a political prisoner.It is important to Jewish heritage because it is a piece of evidence documenting the story of a Holocaust survivor.
Kiddush Cup
Origin Unknown
Hugh G.
This kiddush cup was given to my father by his father, my grandfather, Hugh G. We use it each Passover as Elijah's Cup and one day it will be used as my Kiddush Cup when I make my Bat Mitzvah.
The kiddush cup holds the wine used for blessings. The Kiddush is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbat and the Jewish Holidays.
Picture of my Grandfather Becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Congregation Derech Emunah Rockaway New York
My Grandfather
My grandfather became a Bar Mitzvah in Congregation Derech Emunah - a temple that is no longer here. The Jewish people moved away and the membership declined. The temple went downhill as the membership dropped. Then the Temple burned down in a fire.
This picture shows my grandfather becoming a Bar Mitzvah. It brings back memories of the time spent in the synagogue that is no longer here. It is important to our family to keep involved in the Jewish religion and in supporting in the Jewish institutions.
Tallit
Israel
Father
This tallit was given to my father by his grandfather who was my great-grandfather. When my great grandfather went to Israel he brought this tallit back for my father who was only a few months old. My father did not receive the tallit until his Bar Mitzvah. I have been told I will wear this tallit for my Bat Mitzvah just as my father did.
The tallit is a garment one can wear to create a sense of personal space during prayer. The tradition is that the tallit is worn only during the morning prayers.
The Torah instructs us to wear a tallit to be reminded of all God's commandments by tzitzit on it's fringes. Receiving a tallit is a significant moment during a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Grandpa's Cufflinks
Unknown
Jarrod N.
These cufflinks were given to my father from my grandfather. Today they are a symbol of the long talks between my father and grandfather, and a reminder my grandfather's good humor and spirit.
The cufflinks look like a button and say "Panic Button" at the top and bottom and "Push" in its center. My grandfather would tell my father that though the Jewish people are always in a struggle and that life can get busy, these cufflinks remind us to step back, relax, and think of family.
Dresser
USA
My great-grandfather was a carpenter and built it when my mother was born. It's still in my grandparent's house in my mother's old bedroom.
This artifact is significant because my great-grandfather was a carpenter in Poland before WW II. When he was sent to a concentration camp during the Holocaust, his skill as a carpenter kept him alive.
Walnut cracker
Israel
My Dad
This walnut cracker belonged to my great-grandpa and great-grandma. My dad's father - my grandfather - gave this to my dad after they passed away. It is important to my dad because his grandparents used it all the time when he was little.
The only thing significant to our Jewish heritage is that it was bought and brought to the United States from Jerusalem by my great-grandparents.
Rabbi statue
Unknown, probably USA
Mom
After my grandparents bought their first house, my grandmother went to the Judaica store to buy something special for their new home. She went shopping with her best friend and they both bought Jewish statues. When my grandmother moved, she must have given the statue to my mother. My parents didn't know where the Rabbi statue had come from until we researched it for the Living Museum project.
The Rabbi statue represents Judaism and also reminds us of the importance of education. We keep him in the dining room where we celebrate the High Holy Days and Passover and sometimes we feel like he is watching us. Someday I will get the Rabbi statue and pass it on to one of my children.
Mezuzah
New City, NY
My Parents Amy and Douglas B.
This Mezuzah is filled with the glass that my father stepped on during my parents' marriage ceremony. It was a wedding gift from my maternal uncle. The broken glass symbolizes many things. It can represent the sorrow in Jewish history. It can represent how fragile marriage is. The Rabbi said at my parents' ceremony that his wish was for their marriage to last for an infinity of time, as long as it would take to resemble the pieces of the broken glass.
My artifact is significant to my Jewish heritage for several reasons. The mezuzah hangs on the outside of my parents' bedroom. For them it represents spirituality, tradition, and protection from harm. The glass inside the mezuzah serves as a memory of their Jewish wedding and the importance of that special day. I hope this artifact is passed on in our family through many generations.
Bubbe's Gavel
Bucks County, PA
Grandfather
My bubba was the founder of the Bucks County Jewish Center in Richboro, PA. She built the synagogue by holding meetings in her living room with ten other people. My grandfather gave her this gavel as a gift four years after the finding of the synagogue.
My bubba inspired my family to care about Judaism and to care about being Jewish leaders. One day, at the beach, when my Dad first met my Bubbe, she inspired him to become a Rabbi. My bubba is a Jewish leader who helped build a community.