Back to Fashion
By Carly Sutton
Historians throughout the years have been able to learn about different cultures and the ways of the past by studying artifacts, and researching written works, and personal interviews. Clothing and jewelry have also proven to be very informative about the way people lived in the past. From the type of clothing one wore, one can tell about their geographical location, climate, and culture. For example, fur clothing may indicate that a person lived in a cold climate, while ornate gold jewelry may indicate one came from the Middle East. Clothing has always been an important aspect of a culture, as it reflects their religious beliefs, personalities and their environment. Without learning about the clothing and culture of the past, we would not know as much about the societies that came before us.
Bracelet
United States
Renee S.
My great grandpa, Morris S, saw my great grandma at a bus stop. It was love at first sight for him. He wanted to take my great grandma out that day, but she said “No, I don’t know you.” He asked her for her name and later went home to ask about her. A couple of weeks later, he took her out. After 3 dates, he gave her this bracelet as a sign of his commitment to her. He wanted to marry her, and this bracelet represented his intent.
This artifact was given to my Grandma Renee S when she turned 16. Her mother Rachel, gave her this piece as a good luck charm, as she herself entered the dating world. Sixteen was the age that many girls in our community were considered mature and of marriageable age. In less than two years, my Grandma Renee was married to my Grandpa Alfred.
Good Luck Charm
Egypt
Charlotte A.
The significance of this artifact to my family is that it was found ten years after my great grandmother Betty was robbed. Basically there was a shooting in Asbury, New Jersey and the "killer" threw his gun into the lake. While the police men were searching for the gun, they came across a plastic shoe box with all of my great grandmother's old jewelry, but the one thing that was in perfectly good shape was the good luck charm. The charm is a miniature fish bowl that is filled with lucite and it includes five golden fish which was meant to represent that fish always stay together.
The significance of this artifact to Jewish heritage is that after the charm went missing for ten years, Hashem realized how much it truly meant to my great grandmother Betty. We really saw Hashem's helping hand in this story to help make her very happy. Although my Great Grandmother is no longer alive, we still continue to treasure this artifact as if it is a living miracle.
Bangle
Aleppo, Syria
Laurie M.
When my Grandma Brenda was nervous about something she went to visit her grandmother. Sito Bahia gave her a hug and took off her bangle and gave it to Brenda for good luck. She said, "My love will always be with you." Years later my mom, Laurie, was nervous about something, Grandma Brenda gave her Sito's bangle and said, "My love, and Sito's love is with you." This bangle has gone back and forth from my grandma and mom at all important and special times in their lives. It is our family's lucky bangle, and represents all the love from those who wore it.
This gold bangle was brought to the US by my Sito Bahia S, when she immigrated from Aleppo, Syria.
Shawl
Syria
Grandma Sarah C.
This artifact is very important to my family because when my great great great grandma Sarah came from Syria alone and got married quickly. She was expecting to have one child with a small house. But when the day came for her to give birth, they realized it was twins and she wore this shawl to the bris. We continue this tradition and wear the shawl to every grandchild's bris to remember the amazing but crazy miracle.
This shawl was worn at a bris, and to remember this crazy miracle the women wear this same one to all bris's today.
Pocket watch
Ukraine
Alex K.
This pocket watch was my great great grandfather's watch. He fought in World War Two, and this lasted through the war with him. My grandfather inherited it. He does not want to fix it to preserve it. It is special because it is one of the only things inherited from my great great grandfather.
This pocket watch was used to tell if it was time to celebrate Shabbat or pray. Shabbat is important to Jewish people because it is the holy day of rest, when Hashem is spiritually closest. When my great great grandfather was not home, he would use this watch to see if it was Shabbat or time to pray.
Horseshoe pin
Morocco
Grandma Annette
This horseshoe pin is significant to our family because it belonged to my mother's mother. The pin is meant as a good luck token. My grandmother's mother wore the pin in the early 1900s.
Many Jewish people have a belief that certain items ward off evil spirits. My grandmother's mother believed that this horseshoe pin protected her and anyone who wore it or will wear it from evil spirits.
Gold star
Israel
Chaim L.
This gold Magen David belonged to my great grandfather, Shmuel L. It was handmade in Israel. My grandfather wore this necklace on special occasions. My great grandfather, grandfather and father were born in Israel and lived there until they came to the US in 1979.
A Magen David is a symbol of Judaism.
Pocket watch
Japan
Stefan B.
This watch belonged to my great grandfather, James B. It was given to him by a very high dignitary in Japan in 1920.
This pocket watch was passed down to my grandfather and now it belongs to my father.
Necklace
Israel
Moshe B.
My artifact is a gold necklace in the shape of a mezuzah. It has "AB" (for Avraham B.) engraved on the front. I believe that it has a scroll in it. It's special to me because my name is "Asaf B." and Asaf begins with the letter "A" as does Avraham. It was given to my grandfather from his parents when he was born (roughly 75 years ago) It was handed down from my great grandparents, to my father, and now to me.
Jewish people believe that a mezuzah keeps evil spirits away.
Gold pouch
Egypt
Clarisse D.
This gold pouch is a family heirloom that has been passed down through many generations. It has been used for special occasions such as fancy parties where they my relatives would dress up.
It was commonly used as an accessory when going to Jewish weddings
Bangles
Israel
Marlene E
These bangles were given to my grandma by her mother. Her mother always wore these bracelets and they were supposed to be passed down to my grandma next but the family lost everything when they escaped Egypt. So, when her parents went to Egypt they got each daughter 4 bangles each. These bangles mean a lot to my grandma.
The Jewish significance of these bangles is that they were made in Israel and they remind my grandma of the chesed her mom did.