Jewish Ritual Objects
In this gallery, you will find items that are used on Jewish holidays. Some examples of objects include Kiddush cups and candlesticks. All of the items have a story to tell about a person’s Jewish heritage. The objects represent the Jewish ways of living and perpetuate Jewish traditions.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
My father gave it to me.
My dad gave it to me to use it at my Bat Mitzvah. He also used it, which is very special.
My father used it at his Bar Mitzvah and he gave it to me for my Bat Mitzvah.
Candlesticks
Liverpool
Grandma
Every Friday night, Granny would say the Friday night prayer over the candles. These candlesticks were passed down and passed down. Granny came over on the SS Haverford in 1916 and brought the candlesticks for her new home.
The candlesticks are used on Friday nights and will remind me of how important family and rituals are.
Spice Box
Hungary
My grandpa
Its original owner was my grandfather's grandfather. He gave it to his son who gave it to my grandfather.
On Sabbath, when the sun goes down, you light the Havdalah candle and smell the spice box while making a blessing. People are reluctant to say goodbye to the Sabbath and in order to fortify themselves, they have a Havdalah ceremony.
Candlesticks
Israel
My Grandpa
My great grandparents used to own them. They passed them down to me.
The candlesticks are a big part of my family. They remind me that things are never lost when they are passed down through generations.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
My Mom
This cup is important because it reminds my mom of her family.
It is used for Shabbat and other special occasions. It is a reminder of family and passing things down for future generations.
Candlesticks
Israel
My grandma
These candlesticks were first my great grandma's in Israel and Florida. Then, it was passed down to my grandma.
They remind us of all the wonderful Jewish holidays and our ancestors who first had them.
Kiddush Cup
Poland
My Grandma
This cup was my great grandparent's, probably from his Bar Mitzvah, which got passed down to my grandma.
It is significant since it will be passed down to me, and we use the cup for every holiday dinner.
A Menorah
Israel
My mom
My mom got this menorah when she was in Israel. Hopefully, she will pass it down to me in the future.
We use this menorah for Chanukah. It is a reminder of how much she loves Israel.
Kiddush Cup
unknown
My dad
This cup was given to my dad as a Bar Mitzvah gift from my great grandparents. We use it for Shabbat and holidays.
This cup is important to me because I know that I will have something to remember from my family.
Kiddush Cup
USA
My dad
This is a three-piece artifact: the central piece is the Kiddush Cup, there is a lid which has a grape on it, and under the Kiddush Cup is a tray that has the brief story of who originally owned it and when they owned it. The set originally belonged to my great-grandfather Sam. He gave it to my grandfather who passed it down to my dad.
My family uses this cup almost every weekend on Friday for Shabbat. This cup makes me feel inspired to do great deeds like my great-grandfather Sam.
Candlesticks
Israel
My mom
These candlesticks were originally owned by my grandmother. When she moved from her house she gave them to my mom. We use the candlesticks on Shabbat. Hopefully, my mom will hand them down to me.
These candlesticks are important because they were given as a gift to my grandmother from her aunt and uncle.
Menorah
Unknown
My dad
My great grandmother owned this menorah and gave it to my dad. We share it and use it each year during Chanukah.
It is really special because it has been passed on for generations. It looks like a family tree and we cherish it.
Matzah cover
Unknown
My mother
From my mom - "Grammy and Poppi owned the matzah cover, but I am not sure where they purchased it. It may have come from my grandparents. Grammy's mother's family owned an embroidery store, so it might have come from there. Or, Grammy may have purchased it when she was already married. Now that Grammy and Poppi are gone, Aunt Stephanie and I have taken important items from their house and are using them as our own to remember them and to celebrate their lives and our heritage. It is also a way for me to make new traditions with my family - you and daddy!"
"The matzah cover makes me happy because I loved having seders with my family and I love the food my mom would cook for Passover. Also, I think of how our seders changed over the years and how we introduced more ideas about the importance of Miriam's cup and the influence of women in Jewish culture."
Kiddush Cup
Eastern Europe
My dad
This cup belongs to my dad. He will give it to me when I become a Bat Mitzvah. It has been in our family for generations and we use it for special holidays.
This cup brings me happiness because it is used for celebrations. It makes me proud knowing that I will be able to pass this on to future generations.
A Menorah
Israel
My mother
This menorah was originally owned by my grandmother who passed it on to my mom. We use it each year for Chanukah.
It makes me feel happy because I'm reminded of my family, and I know my grandmother and mom used it.
Seder Plate
USA
My grandmother
My great grandmother bought this seder plate when she had made enough spare money that she could buy something that she wanted to buy. When she died, my grandmother got the seder plate. This seder plate brings me both sadness and great fullness.
It is a really important artifact that we use during Passover every year. This seder plate represents family and reminds me how grateful I feel that my great grandmother survived the Holocaust. She moved to the United States and began working from nothing. When they saved enough money, they bought this plate.
Family Kiddush Cup
Ukraine
My mother
My grandpa and his family used this cup to celebrate Shabbat in their shtetl. My mom used it as well when she would celebrate Shabbat, and we use it now as a family. It has been in our family for over 100 years! This cup brings my mom a feeling of nostalgia and closeness to her family. When she closes her eyes she can hear her grandpa singing the blessings and holding this cup.It is a beautiful reminder that our Judaism has so much family history.
This cup is significant to Jewish heritage because it was used at a time when Jews were discriminated against, and it brought people together when they used it. It helped Jewish life live on during hard times.
A Ketuba
Persia/Iran
My Saba
This ketuba was my great-great-great grandfather's. It has been passed down for many generations. I am the 6th generation to have it.
This ketuba belonged to my great-great-great grandfather. He became a chief rabbi in Tzfat. He fasted on Mondays and Thursdays when he would read Torah and only came hoe for Passover or Rosh Hashanah. This ketuba helps me to learn about my family's past and history.
5 Stackable Kiddush Cups
Ukraine
My uncle and grandma
My Uncle's Great Grandma Leah brought these kiddush cups over from Ukraine to the US on the ship called the RMS Saxonia on September 6th, 1923. The ship sailed out of Southampton, England. The family members came to Ellis Island. It is the one item that we have from the old country, and my great grandma Rae is my only grandparent in my mom's family that was not born in the US.
My grandma wants me to appreciate my family and the need to make sure that what my relatives went through has meaning for present and the future.I have an appreciation and love for this artifact because it is very special to our family.
Kiddush Cup
Unknown
My family
I never met my great grandfather and neither did my mom, but I was named for him and now this cup is mine. It is a family heirloom and I am honored to have it!
This kiddush cup represents tradition and history. This is my only kiddush cup from all of my great grandparents.
Wedding Kiddush Cup
Germany
My parents
My parents used it at their wedding. It has two handles for the bride and groom to each hold. We still use it on Shabbat.
Wine is drunk at weddings and on Shabbat and at all Jewish ceremonies.
Kiddush Cup
USA
My dad
This cup is meaningful to me because it shows my dad becoming a Jewish adult.
This cup conjures up a happy feeling because my dad's Bar Mitzvah was a big part about being a Jew.
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