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 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.
Ketubah
Liverpool
Grandma
This is the wedding contract for my great, great, great grandma. My great, great, great grandmother lived to be 94 years old. This was handed down from my great, great grandma to my grandma and now to me.
This contract gives me a sense of family, commitment, and family history.
Tea Set
Russia
My Grandma
My great, great grandpa worked for this prince and the prince gave the tea set to my great grandma. My great grandma took it with her when she was escaping pogroms.
The tea set helps me discover my great grandma and I get a piece of her history.
Dagger Pin
Israel
My Grandmother
This pin was given to my grandmother when she was in the sixth grade and about to leave Israel to emigrate to the US. Her friends had a gathering to say goodbye. This one particular friend gave her the dagger pin to remember her by, and her friends also gave her a little notebook with messages.
This pin symbolizes friendship and beautiful, hand-made art. It is a reminder of Israel.
Great Grandma's China
Czechoslovakia
My dad
This china was originally owned by my great grandma and was passed down through my family.
My dad used to use this china as a kid when his family would celebrate Passover.
Photo
Canada
My grandfather
This photo is important because it show my great grandpa Joe and grandma Cincy. It is important to me because it shows that my grandpa likes to share his knowledge with me, and it makes me want to learn more about my great grandpa Joe.
The picture was taken while my great grandpa Joe and grandma Cincy were with a group that got together once a month and talked about the synagogue and Judaism.
Recipe for Noodle Pudding
Unknown
My mom
This recipe is world-famous in our family. It was created by my mom's Nana's brother's wife and passed down through all of the generations.
It is nice to have something that is a tradition in my family. It has been passed down and I will be the next holder of the recipe.
Photo
Upstate NY
My mom
This picture is of my great grampa Phillip when he was already 90-something years old. He was with my grandma Roberta when she was 13 years old at her sister's Sweet 16 party.
My great grampa lived on a 300-acre farm in upstate NY. My grandma spent a lot of time there.
A Mezuzah
Unknown
My dad
My dad purchased this mezuzah for his grandparents to place outside their apartment door, where it still is - now that we live in the apartment. It was given as a thank you to my dad's grandparents for the good life they gave his dad and, ultimately, to him and his family.
This mezuzah hangs on the outside of our apartment and we see it everyday. My dad brought it back from Israel and his grandparents loved it. The image of a rainbow always reminded his grandfather, who fled from Russia to America, when Jews were being forced out of their homes, to make a better life for himself, that there is good on the other side, that God was watching over them, and it made him feel happy.
Hamsa Necklace
Israel
My mom
"The artifact was originally owned by my great-grandmother, Rachel. She bought it on a trip to Israel. She handed it down to my grandmother, Sarah, who then handed it down to my mother, Rochelle. My mother gave it to me, Sara, and I will one day give it to you."
This artifact brings my mom great happiness. She feels her great-grandmother's presence when she wears it. It represents how the women in our family are deeply connected, by name and in spirit.
Necklace Charm
Germany
My grandmother
This necklace charm was a gift for my great grandmother Suse. When she died, my grandmother Rozzy inherited it. The charm makes my grandmother feel sentimental.
The charm was originally a birthday present to my great grandmother given by my grandmother, so it is very close to her heart.
Pocket Watch
Germany
My grandmother
This pocket watch originally belonged to my great-great grandfather Jakob. It was then passed down to my great grandfather Adi, and then to my grandmother Roslyn. It reminds my grandmother of her family and makes her wish she knew her grandfather. She remembers seeing it on her father's dresser during her childhood.
Even if we don't know a person, we can get so connected to them by one object. It's the only thing that my grandmother has that belonged to her grandfather, the only way she can be connected to him.
My Grandfather's WW2 War Medals
NYC
My mother
These originally belonged to my grandfather. My mom inherited them when he died. It grandfather would pin them to his uniform. It was an honor to receive a medal.
My grandfather fought in Europe during WW2 and helped to liberate the concentration camps. These medals remind our family of my grandfather's great accomplishments and his commitment to Judaism.
Mezuzah
Baltimore, MD
My mom
This mezuzah was made by my grandfather and passed down to my mom. It is special because it was made by my grandfather and gives my mom a feeling of belonging. My mom hopes that I will continue following Jewish traditions and will put a mezuzah up in my house, and that I will teach my family about Judaism.
This mezuzah is important because it is meant to remind you of our covenant with God.
My Safta's Apron
Brooklyn, NY
My Safta
My Safta purchased this apron and embroidered it so she could use it when she served the meals for the Jewish holidays. She recently passed it on to me as we are beginning to take on the tradition of hosting more Jewish holidays. The apron brings back many special memories of my Safta's childhood.
This apron always made my Safta feel closer to her Judaism and the many rituals of the holidays as well as the importance of being together as a family. She loved sharing special times together as a family. The apron also is significant because it represents the holiness of the home and family during good times.
Recipe for Fruit Kugel
New Jersey
Grandmother
This recipe is important because it reminds us of being with family and gives us good feelings. It is delicious to eat and would be eaten at holidays.
The most important part of Judaism is family and eating!
Necklace
Hungary
My mother
We don't know where or when the artifact was made. We only know that our grandmother owned it during the time of the Holocaust. My grandmother and her sister were sent by their family from a small town to Budapest to hide during World War II. They were given false identity papers so that they would not be recognized as Jews. Before she went into hiding her father showed her and her sister where he was hiding some family valuables by their house in case the family was taken away. My grandma survived the war in hiding. She and her sister were able to retrieve some family valuables from the hiding place her father had showed her, possibly outside or under the house. We do not know if the necklace was worn by my grandmother while she was in hiding or it if was retrieved by her from the hiding place.
This artifact is important because it might be one of the few things that my grandmother brought with her into hiding during the Holocaust. We hope that this necklace will let us connect to the time when Jews were unfairly treated, and to be grateful for what we have today. We hope that the necklace lasts for more time and goes on for more generations.
Family Photo
Brooklyn, NY
My dad
This picture is important because it is a reminder that my great grandfather didn't have to serve in the war. Instead, he was able to be with his family.
It is significant to Jewish heritage because it shows many generations in one family.
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.