Main Exhibit
Since our class is small, and our artifacts are so diverse, we will display them all in one gallery entitled Main Exhibit.
Chanukiya
Israel
My Grandma Mimi
The front bottom part of this menorah is made of etched brass candle holders in a straight line connected by a u-shaped ribbon. The candle cups themselves are decorated and the Shammash is in the middle, standing slightly taller than the other candle cups. The back part of the menorah is in the shape of a triangle, and looks like a mountain or a fire. It is actually made of Hebrew letters that spell out the words "Nes Gadol Haya Po." That means "A Great Miracle Happened Here" which shows that the menorah was made in Israel. The top of each letter part has little flame like indents that have been painted with pale red and blue enamel.
This Menorah belonged to my great grandmother. My Grandma Mimi then grew up using this Menorah and so did my own mother. It is still being used by my family.This has significance to my family because it has been passed down through four generations.
Hanukkah is the winter holiday that celebrates Judah Maccabee and his small army's defeat of the much larger Assyrian army. It also reminds us of the miracle of the oil that was only enough to last for one night, and ended up lasting for eight nights. It is a holiday of religious freedom.
Malted Machine
Great Britain & USA
Grandma Gloria
My artifact is a malted machine made by the Hamilton Beach company. The tall thin base is painted with a mint green enamel coating. There are two flat hook pieces to hold the cup. The machine has a rubber coated electric cord that gets plugged in to run the motor. A metal bulb shaped part is attached at the top. It has the power switch and the electric motor in it. Attached to that is a long thin mixing paddle. It comes with a tall metallic cup that hooks onto the base. When turned on, the mixing paddle whips the milk and other ingredients into a malted or milkshake.
When my grandma Gloria was very young, her parents opened a luncheonette called Marmac Luncheonette at 2545 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, New York. My great-grandmother Martha prepared and cooked all the food, while my great-grandfather Max made all the malted shakes and entertained the guests. My grandma practically grew up in the luncheonette, which was a very popular place in the neighborhood for many years.
Carry On Suitcase
U.S.A via Germany
Grandma Benita
My artifact is an old carry-on case that looks like a briefcase. It is made of dark brown leather that is so old, it is coming apart when touched. The case had two metal buckles and a belt-like strap in the middle. It looks like it had a handle but that has broken off. Inside the case were many things. There were books such as "Esprit de Victor Hugo" in French and education manuals from the War Department titled "The Mechanics of English" and "Modern Business English." There was also a box of "Adam-Eve Extra Hollow Ground Razors" made in Germany, among other papers, pamphlets, name tags, a shaver, etc.
This artifact was used by my great grandpa, Pepo, after he survived the Holocaust. The American Red Cross gave it to him to help him get by after the Holocaust because everything he had was destroyed. He used it until he was able to get a job when he came to North America. He wasn't able to immigrate into America so he had to stay in Canada for a long time. This find helps us fill in my great grandpa's journey from surviving the Holocaust to his coming to North America.
WWI Trench Art
Saint Mihiel, France
Dad
My artifact is a World War I Artillery Shell Casing that is decorated to become a vase and is called Trench Art. Cannon shells like these were used by the American Expeditionary Force against the German Army in the first American offensive of the War. This was called the "Battle of Saint Mihiel." Those words are hammered into the brass as part of the design of the shell casing. It also has the date of Sept. 12, 1918 embossed into the brass, which was the date of that battle in France. On the bottom, my great grandfather's name, E.D. Ochs, is engraved with his unit, Company A 501 Engineers, AEF.
My great grandpa, Elias David Ochs, was in World War I and he helped people who were hurt. They thanked him by giving him this decorated shell casing. He sent it home to New York City while he was still fighting in the war. Great grandpa was born on September 7, 1899, so he was only 19 years old during this battle in 1918. This is very special to my family because it shows he was a hero during the war.
Photos
China
Personal Collection
These photographs are of my children, Matthew and Maya, when they began their studies in Religious School. These pictures were later used on the covers of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah photo albums. These photos are among my most precious possessions. And of course, my children - now young adults - are my pride and joy!
These photographs show my children holding the Torah, which is the most important artifact in Jewish tradition. The Torah contains the Ten Commandments, together with all the 613 laws and mitzvot that Jewish people are supposed to follow. It is my hope and prayer, that by raising my children with a Jewish education, that lasted from Pre-School through High School, they will carry the values and traditions of Torah with them throughout their lives wherever they go.