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.
Noah's Art Menorah
USA
This menorah was given to me by my grandmother. It makes me happy and joyful and reminds me of presents!
This menorah represents Chanukah and reminds me of the story of there not being enough oil.
Menorah
Lima, Peru
Klara L (Omi)
My great grandmother gave the menorah to my grandmother as a gift. My grandmother passed it on to my mother.
It represents our heritage and gives us an opportunity to celebrate a Jewish holiday together as has been done in our family for generations.
We treasure our artifacts because our family members who left Europe weren't able to take any material possessions of value and had to continue their traditions using new artifacts.
The menorah is used every night of the 8 nights of Chanukah.
In the 70s in Peru the Jewish community was vibrant. About 500 Jews congregated in shul, the Jewish Center and Leon Pinelo (the Jewish School) and had a supportive life.
Shabbat candles
Unknown
My mom
These candles belonged to my grandparents and when my grandma passed away my mom took them in. They remind my mother of her Jewish moments growing up and her mom.
The candles are used for Shabbat dinner and family gatherings around holidays.
Menorah
America
Grandfather
This menorah is from my great-grandparents. It's the menorah that my dad grew up using and we use when we visit my grandparents for Chanukah.
This is significant because it has been in my family for a long time and has been used for many generations.
Great Grandmother's Candlestick
England
Mom
My grandmother said that my great grandmother carried it with her on her back, tied in a sack all the way from Romania. I'm happy that I can still have it in my family.
It's used on Friday nights to hold Shabbat candles and helps to tie me to my family.
Menorah
Israel
My Grandma
Great-grandma Tessie got this menorah. It got to me because the generations passed it on. It's been used for a long time and reminds me of the Chanukah miracle.
The menorah was made in Israel around the time Israel was established. It is used each year to celebrate Chanukah.
Menorah
Russia
Aunt Vikki
The menorah belonged to my great grandmother Anna who came from Russia to America. It reminds me of the joy of Chanukah, the presents I get, and how important that would be to my great grandparents.
The Jews were being killed in Russia so my great grandparents escaped with their special possessions to America.
It is used each year at Chanukah.
Old Spice Box
Israel
Giselle S (grandma)
My grandparents originally owned this spice box. My grandmother bought it in 1954 in Israel. My grandmother didn't have any artifacts passed down from generation to generation to her because her family had to flee from their house in Antwerp, Belgium because Hitler and the Nazis had invaded.
This spice box makes me feel connected to Judaism.
The spice box is used for havdallah, the closing of Shabbat. The second blessing recited is praising God to have created spices. The spice box is passed around so everyone can smell the spices inside.
Menorah
Unknown
My parents
My mom's mom put this out whenever my dad comes over.
It belongs to my parents.
Crystal Goblet
Murano, Italy
Marcia G (My grandma)
My great-grandfather, Milton, originally brought the goblet here from Italy. He and his wife, Annie, used it on Passover over the years with their friends and family as Elijah's Cup. Eventually, they passed the goblet to my grandfather, Michael, and my grandmother, Marcia, and they continued the tradition. They finally passed it down to Alexander's parents, Leslie and James. Now we use the cup for Passover and on Shabbat.
The cup is used at Passover as Elijah's Cup and as our Kiddush Cup on Shabbat.
This goblet means so much to me because it has been in our family for almost one hundred years and has been passed down from one generation to another. It makes me feel connected to my ancestors and I plan to pass it on to my children.
Kiddush Cup
Unknown
Todd D (my father)
This Kiddush cup was passed down from my grandfather's grandmother (Anna) to his mother (Elinor) and then to my father (Todd). Anna was given the cup as a wedding gift over 120 years ago.
In our family, we use the cup every Passover as Elijah's cup. One Passover, when my dad was about 4 years old, his uncle brought them a dog at Passover and they named the dog "Elijah". For the last 5 years, my older brother, Sammy, has been dressing up as Elijah to come in and say hello to everyone. Because he is at college, I may need to dress up this year.
Menorah
Unknown
My mom
This menorah used to belong to my mom's grandmother Lilly. She went by Lee. My middle name was given in honor of her.
We use the menorah every year at Chanukah.
Great Grandmother's Seder Plate
Israel
My parents
My great grandfather passed when my mom was very young so we don't have many things from his side of the family. When he passed, his wife, my great grandmother took very seriously Passover and hosting seders. This seder plate was used when my mom was a child. We have since then used it at our seders.
It is the centerpiece of the seder table at Passover. All items on the plate have a special significance to the telling of the story of Passover and to our lives today. It enables us to have a discussion, to remember, to talk about the present and the past.
Kiddush cup
Germany
My grandfather
My great great grandparents gave this to my dad for Chanukah in 1986.
It is an important tradition in our family.
Kiddush Cup
USA
Ben (My dad)
This cup was given to my dad as a gift from Larchmont Temple when he became a Bar Mitzvah. Talking to my dad about this artifact makes me proud to be Jewish because the Jewish people went through many hard things and today the Jewish community is proud of its past.
During my dad's Bar Mitzvah, a civil rights leader named Rabbi Joachim Prinz gave a speech. He was part of the World Jewish Congress and worked with MLK and spoke at the March on Washington. From talking to my dad, I got interested in Rabbi Prinz and listened to his speech at the March on Washington.
Kiddush Cup
Britain
My parents
My parents got this cup for their wedding. Their wedding was the first time my interfaith parents participated in a Jewish ceremony as a couple.
We use the cup at Jewish holidays, such as Passover and Shabbat. I'm looking forward to using it at my Bar Mitzvah.
Passover Seder Plate
Israel
My savta
My great savta gave this seder plate to my savta who wil one day give it to my mom. My great savta moved to Israel in 1970 and my family felt comfortable celebrating their Judaism.
I love my family history and happy knowing that I will use that plate with my family the way my great grandmother did.
We use the seder plate every year at Passover dinner. It makes me feel togetherness, love, and the holidays because we use it every year.
Menorah
Jerusalem
My Dad
My grandparents (one of whom has passed away) went to Israel on a 25-year anniversary trip. My dad asked for something of importance and they brought him back the menorah along with 3 others for their family. When my grandparents got back they gave it to him.
It is significant because we use it at Chanukah and it is also a part of my dad's dad.
Candlesticks
USA
Ilene (My grandma)
My grandma owned this originally and, as a thank you present to her parents for throwing her wedding she gave the candlesticks to them. When my great grandma passed away they were given to us. They remind me of my great grandma Betty because she used the candlesticks for Shabbat.
My family uses the candlesticks for Shabbat and they bring fond memories.
Menorah
Designed in Brooklyn
My parents
My grandma's cousin Stuart gave this menorah to my parents as a wedding gift 15 years ago. Stuart is a rabbi so it was very important for him to get my parents a Jewish gift instead of something else.
We use the menorah on Chanukah. We like the Chanukah candles as a family and sing the prayers. We get presents for eight nights. On Chanukah we also eat latkes, jelly doughnuts, and gelt, and we play with dreidels.
The menorah is significant to my mom because she got it on her wedding day from a member of our family who is also a kind person.
My Great-Zayda's Kiddush Cup
Unknown
It was owned by my mom's Zayda who died before I was born. My mom's Bubby gave it to her to give it to me at my bris. I was named after my mom's Zayda so my Bubby wanted me to have something that was his.
We use it to say Kiddush on Shabbat and other holidays. When I use it I feel pride.
Challah Plate
Israel
My Grandma
My great-grandfather got it from Israel. He passed it along to my grandparents when they moved back to Pennsylvania where they were from and started hosting Shabbat dinners for family.
This plate makes me think of how important Shabbat is and how important it is to celebrate the holiday with family. It is also special to my Bubbe because it represents to her that she and her family can celebrate their Judaism openly and freely.
It's used for Shabbat dinner. We use it to hold the challah when we make the prayer over the challah during Shabbat.
All of Bubbe's six children, including my mom, used this plate at their Bat Mitzvah. My Bubbe said I can use it for mine.
My great grandfather did not like to polish the plate and keep it shiny because he thought it seemed more authentic and even older when it did not shine. So, my Bubbe keeps it just like that and hopes it will be kept just like that for generations to come.
Kiddush Cup
Unknown
The cup was first my great-great-great grandmother's. It was passed down many times and finally to my family.
I use it every Chanukah and Shabbat.
Menorah
USA
Mara (my mom)
It was my mom's mother's and it belonged to her mother's family growing up. This menorah makes me happy because my mom has good memories about it and Chanukah is a fun holiday.
Every year we use this menorah during Chanukah. It's part of our tradition.
Candlesticks
Lithuania
Lucila (my mom)
My great-great grandmother, Sonia, brought them from Lithuania to Argentina. My grandma gave them to my mom for her Bat Mitzvah.
These candlesticks are a symbol of my family's Jewish beliefs throughout history. I hope to learn more about my family's history because the candlesticks have history that inspires me.
The specific rituals that are associated with this artifact are Shabbat and other candle lighting.
It was made in Lithuania when Jews were subject to pogroms.
A Shofar
Israel
It was originally owned by Bebe (my great-great grandmother).
The shofar reminds me of how we were able to go into Jerusalem after the 6-Day War. I feel elation and overjoyed.
It is blown for religious purposes. From June 5th to 10th, 1967, Israel fought a 6 day war against its Arab neighbors. Israel won and gained control over East Jerusalem. This included the Western Wall of the Second Temple which was destroyed in 70 AD. For the first time in 450 years, Jews could pray at the wall. More than 200,000 Jews prayed at the wall on Shavuot 3 days after Israel won. Rabbis blew the shofar, people danced and sang and prayed. My great grandparents, my grandfather, and my great aunts went to the wall about 3 weeks later. They saw people blowing the shofar, and to remind them of this sight, they got a shofar of their own.
Kiddush Cup
Probably USA
Arnold (my grandfather)
My great grandfather originally owned it. After he died, my great grandmother gave it to my grandfather. It makes my grandfather think of his family and the many Jewish celebrations that it must have been used for. It makes me wonder what it must have been like to sit around the table with family almost 100 years ago.
This cup is used for Shabbat, B'nai Mitzvah, and other Jewish celebrations. It was used t the B'nai Mitzvah of my great grandfather, my grandfather, my father and my aunt.
Shabbat Candles
Israel
Amy (my mom)
My great grandmother originally owned them. My mom got them when she died. I feel grateful to have these candles since they've been passed down for generations.
We use the candle sticks to light on Shabbat.
Ceremonial Wedding Pomegranate
New Jersey
My parents
My great aunt Ina made it. She was a Judaica artist. She made it for my parents' wedding and then they gave it to me.
I feel happiness when I hold and look at it because it represents my parents, who I love very much.
There is broken glass inside and at the end of every Jewish wedding it is traditional for the groom to step on a glass because it represents the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
My Father's Kiddush Cup
Unknown
Adam (My father)
This artifact was given to my father for his Bar Mitzvah by the synagogue that his family belonged to. The synagogue was in Westwood, NJ. He saved it so we still have it in our apartment today.
The cup makes me wonder what it was like back then. My dad says it makes him feel melancholy because it makes him think about how much time has gone by. We keep my father's Kiddush cup where we keep my mother's Kiddush cup and my brother's Kiddush cup. This shows what a strong tradition this is in my family.
One ritual that you often see is a Kiddush cup received as a gift during your Bar Mitzvah. More importantly, it is used when we say the Kiddush because then you have to drink wine out of the Kiddush cup.
Menorah
Paris
Leon J (My maternal grandfather)
This menorah originally belonged to my maternal grandmother. It was my grandmother's from her trip to Paris in high school.
My mother used this menorah growing up.
Kiddush Cup
Israel
Jonathan (My father)
This cup was given to my grandparents when my father was born in 1975.
It is used for Shabbat. The cup makes me think of tradition because it is passed down.
Kiddush Cup
Russia (now Latvia)
(Great) Grandma Sondra
This cup belonged to my (great-great) grandfather, Sam. Sam spent 5 years in the army. Russia, then tried to redraft him. Sam did not want to go back to the army and immigrated to the US. He only brought with him this cup.
This cup obviously meant a lot to Sam and has been used for many of our Jewish familial holidays and traditions.
Torah Pointer
Jordan
Alexa (My mom)
My grandmother bought this in Amman, Jordan and gave it to my mom in 2007. My brother used it at his Bar Mitzvah and I hope to use it at mine.
This is used for reading Torah and makes me feel a connection to Jewish people throughout the world and in history.
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