Artifacts Made of Metal
These artifacts are made of a variety of metals and are used for many different purposes.
Kiddush Cup
Russia
My great grandmother
This silver Kiddush cup is 5 1/2 inches tall with a round base and narrow stem. The cup part has line etchings that look like buildings, perhaps symbolizing Jerusalem.
The significance of my artifact is that this Kiddush Cup belonged to my great-great-grandfather, Charles Kullback. When Charles moved to America from Russia, he brought the Kiddush Cup with him. After he died, the cup went to my great-grandmother, Beatrice Zwisohn, who lent it to me. Beatrice used this Kiddush cup for every holiday and Shabbat. Her family also used it as Elijah's cup for Passover. It was also a memory of Beatrice's parents.
Mortar & Pestle
Russia
My Dad
The mortar, or bowl, measures 4 inches tall and 4 1/2 inches wide at its widest place. The pestle measures 8 1/2 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide at its widest place. The material is heavy brass that weighs four pounds. There are two handles on the cylindrical cup. The brass is smooth, but there are diamond shapes attached to the mortar for decoration. The color is a golden bronze.
This mortar and pestle was used to crush and grind coffee, nuts, spices, and herbs. It was brought over from Russia in 1915 by my paternal great-great-grandmother, who was fleeing from pogroms. When Martha Cohen, the owner of the artifact, got to America, she passed it down to my paternal great-grandmother, Celia Cohen, who I am named after. Celia used the mortar and pestle while she lived in Kansas City and Philadelphia. It was used in the preparation of Shabbat and holiday dinners. In the 1960s, it was passed down to her daughter-in-law: my grandmother, Dolly S. Dolly did not use the mortar & pestle, but kept it as a reminder of Martha and Celia. In 1990, it was given to my dad, and it is now kept in my house. Nowadays, this gadget has been replaced by blenders, grinders and mixers! For that reason, it is an important artifact.
Menorah
unknown
Grandma Fran
My family artifact is a copper menorah that is at least 100 years old. The copper finish has some oxidizing. There are eight candle receptacles in a line in the bottom front. The shamosh is centered behind the eight candle receptacles, over a carved candelabra with lions on either side of it. Directly above the candelabra, holding up the shamosh, is a crown. The Lion is often portrayed as protecting or guarding something in between them in Jewish artifacts.
This menorah is owned by my paternal grandmother - Frances Semel Meyer. It was given to her by her mother, my Great Grandma Clara Rosenblat Semel. My grandmother believes it was originally owned by my Great Great Grandma Ana Gruber Rosenblat.
My grandmother uses this menorah for Hanukkah every year. For as long as I can remember, each year, my father's family gets together at Grandma's house for our Annual Hanukkah Party, and we always light this menorah together. My grandmother remembers this always being the menorah she lit with her family growing up. Since it has so much family history, it reminds us of the importance of continuing to share holidays with family.