Everyday Life
The artifacts in this gallery are used by many different people from our great-great grandparents to us today. They range from photographs to art to objects or clothing that was used every day. All of these artifacts represent different generations' daily lives and show a glimpse into the Jewish communities of those time periods.
Photograph of Meme Nina
Egypt
My Father
This photo is significant to our family because it reminds us of marriage, prayers, congratulations, and celebration. I think of family, love, togetherness, and continuity.
This picture was taken at a wedding, a happy occasion. It belonged to Meme Nine, then Meme, then my father, then me.
Picture of Meme Nina
Egypt
My Father
This photo is significant to our family because it reminds us of marriage, prayers, congratulations, and celebration. I think of family, love, togetherness, and community when I see it.
This picture was taken at a wedding, a happy occasion. It belonged to Meme Nina, then Meme, then my dad, and then me.
Photo of my Grandmother
Israel
My mother
This artifact is meaningful to me because it connects me to Israel and shows my Jewish heritage. It also helps me remember how difficult army training is and how perseverant my grandmother is. It inspires me to push myself and never give up. Whenever I see the picture, I always feel so proud. I believe that my grandmother had so much courage, passion and love for Israel that she would always keep fighting. I really admire her and hope to be as courageous as her someday, maybe not in the same place or for the same reasons, but still to show loyalty to Israel.
This artifact was originally owned by my grandmother, and it was taken when she completed her three months of training in the army. My mom received the picture and keeps it with her. We still treasure this artifact today because it is so meaningful.
A picture
Unknown
My father
This artifact is significant to my family because it is a reminder of the struggles that our ancestors went through to bring us here. It gives me an appreciation for where I came from.
This is a picture of my ancestors from 1926. It shows the story of my great-great grandparents creating a home.
Photo of Great-Great Grandparents
Scranton, PA
My father
This photo is significant because it shows some of my ancestors and shows how many generations I am connected to.
The picture was taken in 1925 in Pennsylvania post-WWI and pre-Great Depression/WWII. It is of my great-great grandfather and grandmother, then was passed down to my great grandfather and grandmother, then to my grandfather and grandmother, then to my father and mother.
Painting Made by My Great Aunt
New Jersey
My Mother and Grandfather
This painting is significant because it shows how hard my great grandparents worked to provide for the family. The store was open 7am-11pm, 7 days a week with no vacation. My grandfather Ed says it was "the original 7-Eleven". The candy store sold cigars, cigarettes, stationery, and penny candy, among other items, such as newspapers, magazines, and comic books. The family lived in a small apartment above the store. In fact, my grandfather was born in the apartment (the store remained open). The only day the store closed that my family remembers was for my Great Aunt Lil and Great Uncle Guss's wedding in September 1940.
My mom's cousin Tom has the original painting. This is a copy. The painting shows what my great grandfather's candy store looked like in Jersey City in the 1930s. He was one of many Jewish immigrants in America who made their living as owners of small businesses. In particular it was common for candy/cigar stores to be owned by Jewish families. My great grandfather, Isidor, bought the store from a "landsman" - someone from the same town in Europe.
Photograph of My Grandma With Her Aunt
Baltimore, MD
My Grandmother
This artifact shows pride in how far we have come and what we have succeeded through. I hope that this artifact gives me pride that my people now are not looked down on and that we now have opportunities.
This photo was one in a large box of photos at my great grandmother's home.
A picture
Novgorod-Seversk, Ukraine
My Grandmother
This photo of my great grandmother's family shows my great grandmother Faina, her parents Naum and Lena, her brother and sister Yevsey and Vera. They lived in a city called Novgorod-Seversk, Ukraine. When Germany invaded Ukraine, Faina was away in college, and Naum in the army so they survived the war. Lena, Yebsey, and Vera could not evacuate. On November 7th, 1941, they and other Jewish people were killed. The Germans selected this date because it was the anniversary of the Russian revolution.
My great grandmother (who was the oldest) took this picture when she went to study in Moscow in 1940. My grandmother was given these photos by her mom.
Photograph of my Great Grandfather
United States
My Grandmother
This picture is important to me because it makes me learn more about my family.
The photo was owned by my great grandparents. We think my great grandfather was given the photo when his parents died. The photo was then given to my grandmother who gave a copy to my father.
A sculpture
Westchester County, NY
My Grandmother
This is significant to me because I am Jewish, and this artifact is symbolic of how six million Jews died in the Holocaust. It also shows that my grandparents took initiative and helped the community.
Westchester Reform Temple originally owned this artifact. Originally, there were memorial candles behind the columns. Those were later reused for a menorah in a different temple.
Crystal Bottles
Europe
My Grandmother
These bottles are a symbol of family and being together. These bottles bring on both happiness and sadness: happiness because we are continuing this tradition in our family and sadness because my great grandparents cannot be here to celebrate with us.
The artifact was originally owned by my grandma's mom. It got passed down to me as a gift. They were passed down to my grandma when she got married from my great grandmother. This has been a tradition in our family for generations. Once the oldest daughter gets married, she gets the crystal bottles to drink out of on happy celebrations in her family.
Armband from the Holocaust
Czechoslovakia
Our Uncle
The significance of this artifact is that is shows a direct connection from the Holocaust to family and it represents the Jewish people.
Our uncle's father Fredrick owned it. When he came to America, he gave it to his son. The star was given to every Jew during the Holocaust and was sewn onto their clothes, coats, and everything they wore. It was a hard time for Jews all across Europe and all across the world.
Family Photograph
Latvia
My Great-Cousin
Our family originally came from a small village in Latvia, on the Baltic Sea near the capitol city of Riga. The village was called Prael, where my great grandfather owned a leather tannery. This photo helps to give me knowledge and an understanding of where my family came from.
This photo shows my family prior to leaving Europe. They are dressed in their Latvian clothing. The European clothing was common to those living in the shtetls. My great grandfather Irving is shown all the way to the right.
My Grandmother's Necklace
Richmond, VA
My Grandmother
When I wear this necklace, it makes me look special and reminds me of my great grandmother. I feel like I can remember my great grandmother even though we have not met. My great grandmother, Nana Ruth, has the same birthday as me, and it is almost my birthday so I can be reminded of her and how she was born 104 years ago. My sister's middle name is also named after her. I feel like if I just met her for a day, we could be as close as I am with my grandmother (and we are very close).
My great grandmother gave this to my grandmother who gave it to me. It is mine, and even though my great grandmother has passed, I feel like we are very connected and close.
Antique Silver Cup
Austria
My Mom
This artifact reminds me of my grandfather. He was a collector and dealer of antiques. They reminded him, and me, of a world that he used to know. This artifact helps me learn a little more about my grandfather.
My grandfather owned this cup. My mother gave it to me.
Jewish Crib Ornament
Morocco
My Mother
This is important because it is a symbol of luck and when I look at it I can see all of the people who have used it before me. I think it's interesting how something so small could be important to my family.
My great grandparents bought it to put on the cribs of their sons. It was passed down through generations of my family. It was put on the cribs of infants for good luck.
Teaching Certificate
Massachusetts
My Great Uncle
This artifact is significant because it shows how much my Great Grandma Charlotte valued both her job/career and her marriage, because she moved because her husband got a new job. I know this is a different sort of artifact and doesn't totally have a ritual attached to it, but to me, it's a Jewish artifact because, to the Jews, education is so important and my great grandma studied even during the Great Depression when people said it was a waste of money to educate girls. This makes me proud as both a Jew and as a great-great grandson.
This was my great grandmother Charlotte's, and when she died, my mother was sent a number of artifacts by my Uncle Eddie. One story I learned that is important is that Charlotte saved money in high school to go to college and then the Depression came and the banks took the money away. Then, the government ruled that college savings of boys had to be returned. Rose, Charlotte's mom, went to the Michigan Legislative Branch and argued that college savings of girls were equally important. Rose helped get college money back for her daughter and all girls who had college savings accounts in Michigan. So valuing education wasn't just an American thing, because Rose came from Lithuania. That shows me it's a Jewish value.