Judaic Artifacts
by Sasha G. and Daniella E.
Displayed in this section are beautiful, ceremonial objects that were used by our ancestors to celebrate Shabbat and holidays throughout the year. Gazing at the unique, intricately designed silver menorah, one can imagine the glow of Chanukah candles that were lit generations ago. In this gallery, there are many artifacts related to Judaism. These artifacts have some significance to Shabbat and Jewish holidays and range from the wintertime Chanukah, to the springtime Passover, and the weekly Shabbat.
These artifacts were kept by our ancestors for many years. Each artifact symbolizes our traditions and customs and is a link to the Jewish observance of those in our families who came before us. All these artifacts play an important role in our Jewish history.
Menorah
Probably Syria but possibly America
Sandy Esses
This menorah belongs to my Grandma Sandy Esses and it was something that was used every year for my family's favorite holiday. It's also an important heirloom.
This menorah was a symbol of my family's history because my family's business as metal crafters.They sold menorot, torot, and other metal creations to buy their way out of Syria. The significance of the menorah is that we light it to commemorate the miracle of how the Macabbim fought the Yevanim for freedom of religion and won with such a small amount of soldiers. We use the menorah to publicize our freedom in America.
Pizmonim Book
New York
Iris Yaron
This pizmonim book is significant to my family because it reminds me of my great grandpa, Gabriel Shrem. When my grandma was 15 years old she helped my great grandpa make this book by taping pages together because my great grandpa didn't have such good vision and he couldn't do it alone.
This book is significant to Jewish heritage because all Jews use this Pizmonim book at all sebets. At the sebet, they sing songs from the book.
Candlesticks
America
Becky and Aron G.
These candlesticks were given to my great grandparents as a wedding gift about 1923. It was from friends. She used them every Friday night until her son got married. Then she gave them to him and his new bride. My grandfather used to polish them when he was a child. My grandmother lit them every Friday night until my parents were married, and the candlesticks were passed down to them.
These candlesticks were passed down for three generations, and will, with Hashem's help, continue to be used to welcome the Holy Shabbat and the Jewish holidays for generations to come. On Friday night Jews have the custom to light candles right before Shabbat. We light candles because it is a mitzvah, and the Torah commanded us to do it.
Menorah
Germany
Joseph Bamira
This Menorah was made in Germany in the 1600's. My grandfather's family had been living in Germany since 1419. Here is a menorah that his family used used when they lived there. Just before the Holocaust, his family moved to Israel. He was the first generation in his family that didn't live in Germany since 1419. This menorah is kept on a shelf in his dining room so he can look up and see it whenever he eats Friday night dinner.
A Menorah is a series of candle sticks put together. In December, the holiday of Hanukkah is when we light the candles (one each night). We place the menorah by the window to publicize the miracles of Hanukkah.
Menorah
Greece
Rebecca D.
My Great Grandma brought this to America fron Greece and she passed it down to my Grandma and my grandma passed it down to my mom, Rebecca D.
The menorah was used for Hanukkah. We use a menorah for Hanukkah because during the time of the Beit Hamekdash. It was a miracle that after the war they found a little bit of oil that lasted for eight days. Today we use the Hannukiah to remind us of the miracle.
Shabbat Candle Holder
Poland
Debra S.
These Shabbat candle holders were passed down from my great great grandmother to her daughter in-law, then my great grandmother to her daughter, then my grandma to her daughter, and now my mother has them. My great great grandma used these before the Holocaust and before she was taken away she buried them in the backyard. After the Holocaust my great grandpa, being the only one in his family to survive, went to his old house, which was now taken over by Germans, sneaked in and found this precious artifact.
These Shabbat candle holders were used by my great great grandmother to hold her Shabbat candles.
Kiddush Cup
Ellenville
Beth Ulsan (shul)
The kiddush cup was given to my great-grandfather by Rabbi S. Kowalsky. From my great-grandfather it was passed down to my mother when she got married and now it is with my family. This artifact symbolizes the tzedeka and chesed that my great grandfather did many years ago.
This kiddush cup was used to drink grape juice or wine on Shabbat. The word kiddush means a blessing recited over grape juice or wine to declare that it is Shabbat. This kiddush cup is an important artifact because it shows that the importance that Jews rest on the seven day like Hashem did. It also shows that Jews are a holy nation.
Mini Scale Tombstone Replica Memorial Light
America
My mom, Kayla E.
The Mini Scale is very important to my family. My great grandfather's mother was murdered in the Holocaust. Since the place of her remains are unknown, he had this made so he can honor her properly.
My artifact is important to Jewish history because it symbolizes the importance of Jewish burial. Every year, on my great great grandmother's approximate death date, My great grandfather would light the wick and pray for happiness.
Sukkot Machzor
Livorno, Italy
Morris C.
This was my great great grandfather's book that he got from Italy. My great, great grandfather went to Italy. He met a rabbi who gave him a book. His name was Elijah Benamozegh. This book is the book that my family uses every Sukkot. To get a Hebrew book was very rare in those days especially the one that my great, great grandfather got. The Rabbi who made this book was born when his father was 71 years old. The Rabbi's father could not have a baby with his wife. With the permission of his first wife he got married to a younger girl. He had a baby with her when he was 71.The baby’s name was Elijah Benamozegh. This rabbi was very special. My family loves this book and will continue to pass it on.
This book is significant because it is a old Sukkot book. This book was given to my great great grandfather in 1863. My family has used this book every year for one hundred fifty five years. This book has been through many generations.
Book of Tehilim
Aleppo Syria
Robin & Mitchell Antar
This very special leather bound Tehillim has been a treasured family possession.It is very special to my family because when there were hard times, they would read Tehillim, just as my great, great grandpa did. Murad Shamula kept this sefer near him on his night table so he could reach for it whenever he needed to pray to Hashem and for comfort .
The Jewish significance of this artifact is that if ever someone is sick or in need of help he reads from this book. It is a book of psalms written by King David. That is why my great grandpa would keep it by his bedside. If ever he needed to use it, it was always by his bedside.
Mini Torah
Israel
Joe Z.
This Torah has been in my Grandpa's house for over 30 years, and whenever the kids see it they always pretend to read it or play with it.
It represents the 10 commandments and it has most of the important Jewish history in it. Also we sometimes read it at Shabbat dinner
Megillah
Israel
Grandpa Abe S.
The Megillah is the first one that was made in Israel. It was sent to my Great Grandpa Charles A S. The first President Eskal Newmah from the Syrian shul in Israel Beit Knesset Ades, gave it to my grandpa. My Grandpa Abe received this Megillah from my Great Grandpa Charles A S.
A Megillah is a scroll, that Jewish people read on Purim. In the Megillah it has the story that happened to the Jews, during the time of Mordechai and Esther.
Menorah
Syria
Susie Maudeb
This menorah originally came from Syria and my great grandfather (Jack Maudeb) owned the menorah and used to use it on Hanukah.
He passed it down to my grandmother Denise.
This menorah is made out of copper and was hammered out by a craftsman. Everyone who lived in Syria at the time used to love to buy utensils that were made out of copper, and the person who was making it would put some designs on it.
This menorah is used every Hanukkah by my great aunt and her close relatives. My great aunt got this artifact from her mother who is my great grandmother.
Siddur
Montreal, Canada
My Grandma, Sheila Glasser
This siddur is important to my family for so many reasons! This siddur belonged to my Great Great Grandpa, Isadore Rothstein. He passed away when I was 6 years old so having something from his life means a lot to me.
This is so important to me because me because this was his siddur! This side of my family is not the most religous. They only go to shul on holidays, so having something with a Jewish significance is very important to me.
Seder Plate
Israel
Lucy B.
This Seder Plate was passed down from my great grandmother, in Israel, to my grandmother who took it with her to the Philippines. She then brought it with her to America, and passed it on to her daughter, my Aunt Lucy.
The Seder Plate is used on the holiday of Passover. It is a special plate that holds all of the symbolic foods eaten at the Passover Seder. This Seder Plate is special because it was passed down from generation to generation all carrying on the same tradition.
Haggadah
Russia
Great Grandmother Paula S.
This is the Haggadah passed down from my great great grandfather, who used to use this book on Passover. My great great grandfather Max, handed it down to his daughter, my great grandmother Paula Shalom, and she gave it to me.
This artifact is significant in that it helps us celebrate one of the most important holidays, Passover. Passover is a time to reflect on how we were freed as a nation from Egypt, and started our journey to Eretz Israel.
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