Treasured Items
Microscope
United States
Harry B brought this microscope for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. Harry B’s paternal great grandfather, Frank Alfus, purchased this microscope circa 1960 from a science warehouse. This microscope was used to start Harry B’s paternal great grandfather’s business. This microscope was purchased to inspect diamond patterns for Frank’s business, Alpex Wheel Co. Also, Harry B’s paternal great grandfather started the family business, so the B family cherishes this microscope greatly. This microscope was used by Harry B’s paternal great grandfather from 1960 when it was purchased to 1968. Harry B’s family no longer uses the microscope because the B family does not want to do any further damage to the microscope.
The B family cherishes this object.
Head Covering
Canada
Caleb S. brought a head covering for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This head covering came from Caleb´s maternal great - great grandmother. This head covering is originally from Montreal, and it is about fifty years old. It belonged to Caleb´s great - great grandmother, Omi. She got it as a gift from her daughter who is now Caleb´s great grandmother. When Caleb´s great - great grandmother passed away, his Bubby gave it to his mom. She gave it to his mom because it reminded Caleb´s mom of her great grandmother. The head covering was used all the time by Omi. She wore it almost every day. Today, the head covering is used by Caleb´s mom every shabbat when she lights the shabbat candles.
The S. family cherishes this object.
Cigar Lighter and Cutter
Poland
Harrison T. brought this cigar lighter and cutter for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. These objects are originally from 1937, and once belonged to Harrison's great grandfather, William T. He had received these objects when he was a little kid. These objects are still used today with cigars.
The T. family cherishes these objects.
Pictures
Romania
Simcha C brought these pictures for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. These pictures belong to Simcha C’s paternal great grandparents. They show members of the Rosenfeld and Blech families and show the early part of their lives before the war. The photos are displayed in Simcha’s grandparents’ home and serve as memories of her family who perished in the Holocaust. The C family cherishes this object.
The C family cherishes this object.
Map
China
Ariella S. brought these objects for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair The objects displayed are representative of the fascinating and complex eastern migration of a portion of the Baghdadian Jewish Community in the first half of the 20th century. Ariella S.’s maternal grandmother was born in a prisoner of war camp in Shanghai, China established by the occupying Japanese Forces during World War II. Her grandparents were born in Baghdad, but moved to India as a Jewish community was established in Bombay. There businesses were thriving. When fortunes changed, and an opportunity to establish a new Jewish community in Shanghai presented itself, they moved there taking their children, including Ariella’s great grandparents, with them.The objects are Chinese spoons, letter openers, and a decorative fan which were possessions of Ariella’s family in Shanghai. In addition, included for display is a map of the prisoner of war camp where Ariella’s grandmother Gertie was born.
The Abraham, Reingold, and S. families cherish this object.
Baby Baseball Outfit
United States of America
Nathan F. brought this baby baseball uniform for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This baby baseball uniform was originally bought by Nathan’s paternal great grandmother, Frances F. She bought it in 1966 and gave it to Nathan’s paternal grandparents, Edy and Harvey F. to give to Nathan’s father, Craig F. It has belonged to Craig F. for over fifty years. Close to eighteen years ago Nathan’s cousin, Connor T. borrowed it. Connor got the uniform because he liked baseball. He would tell Harvey F., his grandfather, that when he grew up he would play for the Yankees and when he hit the ball out of the park, he and his grandfather would go and get the ball from across the street. This was funny because he was a two year old living in Tennessee. The reason he got the uniform was because his grandmother, Edy F., thought he looked like her son Craig F.. Only nine years ago Nathan F. was given the uniform by his grandmother, because she thought Nathan also looked like her son.
The F. and T. families cherish this object.
A Cane
United States
Hadar O brought this cane for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This unique cane belonged to Hadar O’s maternal great grandmother, Grandma Martha. Grandma Martha was in the stage of her life that she needed a cane. She didn’t want to seem old so she requested a cane with a circular top, to make it look like it was just for style . Another feature she was attracted to was the hidden whiskey flask hidden under the top. She even bought an extra flask for Passover!
The R and O families cherish this object.
Gold Coin
Russia
Natan W. brought this gold coin for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This Russian gold coin once belonged to Natan W’s paternal great-great grandmother. The coin was minted in 1899 and was brought to America in 1926. This coin was one of many that were sewn into the hem of his great-great grandmother’s coat for fear of being robbed. The coins she smuggled were used to start a business in America.
The W. family cherishes this object.
Sweater
Poland
Mark E brought this sweater for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair.This sweater once belonged to Esther Biegun. The sweater was originally from 1942-1943 in Poland. It is very significant because Esther Biegun wore it everyday, and she never had time to buy a new one. In the War World II, Esther Biegun was running from the Nazis and found a little girl who just saw her brother and mother get shot. So the little girl asked Esther Biegun if she can come with her, and Esther Biegun said yes. So, when they were running, they found a farm, and the farmer so he let them stay there. Esther Biegun gave the farmer a Peltz for letting them stay there. When they had to go Esther Biegun had to cross a bridge because her husband was on the other side. Esther Biegun’s husband told her that it was safe and there were no Nazi. But when they were about to cross the bridge, Esther Biegun was scared because when she would cross a bridge she couldn't get her balance and stay up. The farmer then told her that he will help Esther Biegun cross the bridge until they get to the other side. So Esther Biegun and the little girl crossed the bridge safely and they were safe.
The E family cherishes this object.
Cobbler Tools
Germany
Jeremy W. brought these cobbler tools for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. These cobbler tools once belonged to Jeremy W.’s paternal great grandfather, Menachem Mendel, and they helped him survive the Holocaust. He made shoes for the Germans. The tools were carried with him throughout the Holocaust. The hammer was used to knock in the sole. The little screwdriver was used to tuck in the top leather on top of the sole.
The W.family cherishes these objects.
Book of Stamps
Israel
Miles G. brought this stamp album for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This stamp album belongs to Ira G. He cherishes it because he had a great love for the State of Israel after he was fortunate enough to escape and survive the Holocaust. It reminded him about his family because most of his family died escaping.
The G. family cherishes this object.
Kiddish Cup
Czechoslovakia
Jacob H brought this kiddush cup for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. It has been in his family since before World War II. After the war Jacob’s maternal great grandmother went back to Czechoslovakia to retrieve it because years earlier her father buried all of their valuables. Everything but this kiddush cup was stolen by their neighbors. It is now used every Shabbos and on holidays. The H and Mark families cherish this object.
The H and Mark families cherish this object.
Picture
Romania
Ben D brought this picture for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. The picture is almost 100 years old, and is from a town in northeast Romania. Ben’s great-great grandmother owned this picture, and in the picture she is the one standing up. The picture is cherished in Ben’s family because in the picture there are family members from long ago. Ben’s great grandmother is sitting on the chair. In their family they would always take pictures around the chair, and this chair was very important in their family too. Today the picture is displayed in Ben’s savta’s dining room.
The D family cherishes this object.
Tzedaka Box
Poland
JJ W brought this tzedakah box for the 2018 Moriah School Heritage Fair. JJ W's great grandmother owned this tzedakah box. She had it while living in Poland before World War II. It was very hard for JJ’s great grandmother to carry it around during the Holocaust. If a Nazi would see Jewish items, they would destroy or steal them. JJ’s great grandmother received this special tzedakah box from her beloved mother. JJ’s family appreciates the story of the tzedakah box.
The Bensley and W families cherish 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.