For the Home
Piano and Piano Books
Baltimore
Andrew S. brought this picture of a piano and these piano books for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair.
The piano was built in a factory in Baltimore about 100 years ago. Andrew’s paternal great aunt and great uncle, Lillian and Morris, bought the piano used in a Manhattan store in 1955. They sold it to Andrew’s grandmother, Judith, in 1970 for $3,000. At that time, they were moving to Israel. Judith used the piano for relaxation and the books to help her learn to play. Andrew’s father, uncle and aunt enjoyed listening to her play. It was gifted to Andrew’s family in 2011. The object is played today by Andrew and his sister. The object means a lot to Andrew because he loves playing piano and because it reminds him of grandmother, who has passed away.
The S. family cherishes this object.
Checker Peices
Russia
Gabrielle P brought these checker pieces for the 2017 Moriah
School Heritage Fair. The checker pieces are from Russia in the early 1960’s. Gabrielle Presser’s grandfather, Mikhail Zayats, was traveling to Italy from Russia. At the time, the government didn’t allow Mikhail or his family bring any personal items. This was one of the only things Mikhail could get out with him. Gabrielle’s maternal grandfather bought these pieces so when his family was in a bad position, he got it for them and Gabrielle’s mother used them in her childhood and now Gabrielle uses them to this day. The reason the family kept them throughout all these years is because it brings back so many memories of Russia to Gabrielle’s mother. On the box with checker pieces in them is says Shashki in Russian letters. This means checkers. The words on the box remind her of her childhood and all the memories she has. The P family cherishes this object.
The P family cherishes this object.
Family Tree
United States
Carly H brought this family tree for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This family tree was made by a well-
known artist named Hizme in 1985. Carly H’s maternal grandmother and her brother purchased it for Carly’s maternal great grandparents for their 50th anniversary. In honor of their
50th anniversary, there was a celebration, and the family tree
was presented with the names of their children and grandchildren on it. Today, it is used as a piece of art that hangs in Carly H’s dining room. Every time Carly sees the family tree she thinks about her great grandmother Miriam who Carly got to meet when she was younger, and her great grandfather Abe, whom she never got the opportunity to meet.
The H family cherishes this object.
Violin
Germany
Eitan R brought this violin for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair. As a child, Eitan R’s great grandmother,
Dora Kahn Wasserman, loved music. Eitan’s great-great grandfather, or Dora’s father, loved music and wanted Dora to play music as well. As a loving father, he purchased Dora a violin.
The violin was originally from Germany, in the late 1800s. It is very
significant because when Eitan’s great grandmother was a teenager, she played the violin in the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra and was the first woman in the orchestra. Eitan’s family kept the violin because it was a gift from one generation to another. This violin is
not used today, but is hung up in a frame on the wall with a picture
of Dora, so Eitan’s family could remember the musical person that
Dora was.
The R family cherishes this object.
Painting
United States
Sarah Rosa H brought this painting for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This painting is from Sarah Rosa H’s paternal great-great grandmother, Helen F, who painted it in the 1960’s. It originally belonged to her great-great aunt, June S, who received the painting as a gift from Helen, her mother. This painting is significant to Sarah Rosa’s family because of the artistic talent that runs in the family. Helen loved art. She painted, she designed jewelry,
and she made art on copper. She was always looking for new creative
things to do. Today, Helen’s art decorates the H’s home. Sarah Rosa
is very proud to have a great-great grandmother was able to create
beautiful paintings.
The F and H families cherish this object.
Tea Set
Germany
Amanda P brought this teapot, teacup, and saucer for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This china set once
belonged to Amanda P’s maternal great grandmother, Mathilda Goldflies. She purchased the china after surviving the
Holocaust while living in the Fohrenwald Displaced Persons Camp
in Germany while awaiting her trip to the United States. The K family keeps the teacup, teapot, and saucer because the set represents the will to live a normal life after a tragedy. Although this set of dishes is rarely used, it is kept as a special family heirloom.
The K and P families cherish these objects.
Silverware
Russia
Akiva W brought this silverware for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair. Akiva’s maternal great grandmother brought this silverware to America from
Russia. When the Communists took over Russia, Akiva’s great grandmother was told to quickly pack up her belongs and to then leave the house. Akiva’s great grandmother took her valuables so she would have money to survive during her challenges in World War II. Over the course of the war, Akiva’s great grandmother had to sell some of the silverware. Finally, Akiva’s great grandmother came to America with the silverware. Now Akiva has this silverware in his house.
The Elishis and W families cherish this object.
Blanket
Iran
Shira H brought this blanket for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair. Shira H paternal great grandmother professionally knitted and crocheted. She made blankets, sweaters and other clothing items. She passed them down to her children so that they could pass it down to their children.
Shira H's paternal grandmother learned how to knit and crochet from her mother, and she has also passed down
many things to her children and grandchildren. Shira H's heritage item is a colorful-knitted blanket that was made in 1967.
The H family keeps this blanket as it keeps her memory alive.
The H family cherishes this object.
Shabbat Lamp
Germany
William G brought this Shabbat lamp for the 2017 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This Shabbat lamp’s first recorded owner was William G’s paternal great-great grandfather, David G. It was passed down three generations to another David G who is William G’s paternal grandfather.David G was kind enough to let William bring this precious piece of history to the Heritage Fair. The original David G
(William’s great-great grandfather) lived in Wunstorf, Germany and was born roughly in 1870, and the lamp predated him. People of that time used Shabbat lamps when there was no electricity, and they hung it over the Shabbat table. David G (William’s grandfather) has the Shabbat lamp over his Shabbat table to this very day.This lamp is an heirloom in the G family and is very important because it is part of their history.
The G family cherishes this object.
The Living Museum is a project of the Education Department of the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
The Living Museum is made possible through the generous support of The Covenant Foundation. The statements made and the views
expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of the grantee.