Religious Attire
You wear a kippah, tefillin and a tallit when you pray. For all three of these examples of religious attire the center of gravity is on the upper body. They each are placed on a different part of the body; the tallit hangs on the neck, the kippah goes on the head, and tefillin go on your arm and forehead.
Tefillin
Europe
Phil F
These tefillin belonged to my great-great grandfather. They show the importance of Judaism in our family. This tefillin has been through two wars in Europe. My grandfather wore them at his Bar Mitzvah and I'm happy and proud that I can use them for mine.
There was a vibrant and tight-knit Jewish community in Prague in the 1880s. Unfortunately, my grandfather's parents lost most of their possessions during the Holocaust.
Tallit
New York
My Mom
My great grandmother Helen give this to my great aunt Marianne who gave it to my mother.
The tallit reminds my mother that Reform Judaism is inclusive and reminds me of growing up.
This tallit will be used for Bar or Bat Mitzvah and when saying prayers.
My Grandpa's Tallis
New York
Brian (My Dad)
This belonged to my grandfather Eugene. My dad got it when my grandfather passed away. This is significant because it belonged to my grandfather and it makes me remember him. This tallis was also used by the rabbi at my mom and dad's wedding to give them a special blessing.
You wear it at synagogue for many different services, such as Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, and holidays. You touch it to the Torah and then kiss it. Before you put it on, you have to say a blessing.
Yarmulke
USA
My Dad
My dad got me a strawberry yarmulke.
It looks cool. I used to wear it to synagogue a lot.
Tallis
The Bronx
My mom and aunt
My grandpa got it at his wedding from my great great grandparents. My mom kept this after my grandfather died. It helps us remember a part of my grandfather.
My mom has lots of childhood memories of her father using the tallis and she was able to have the tallis be part of important events in her life.
My mom and dad used this tallis at their wedding and at the bris of both my brother and me. My mom likes to talk about how she and her sister used to pull at the tzitzit. It makes me happy because, although I didn't get to know my grandfather, I know I still have a part of him in my life.
Kippah
New York
My Great Grandfather
My great grandfather brought this kippah to every service.
It means a lot to my family because we always wear it.
My Father's Tallis
Israel
Brad (My Father)
This tallis belongs to my dad and he got it in Israel when he became a Bar Mitzvah. It is important to me because it belongs to my father and I hope to wear it one day.
It is worn in synagogue. My father put it on for the first time when he became a Bar Mitzvah. there is a special prayer recited when you put a tallis on.
Tallit
South Africa
Milton W (My Dad)
This is my paternal grandfather's prayer shawl. He used it whenever he went to shul and for all special holidays. He was born in 1910 in Lithuania and emigrated to South Africa when he was 12 years old. I am named after him!
It is tradition to wear a prayer shawl.
Grandpa's Tallit
Unknown
This originally belonged to my grandpa. It has a lot of history and has been passed along through our family.
It's a Jewish item that is used as part of the Bar Mitzvah ceremony.
Kippah
Jerusalem
My Dad
My dad gave this kippah to me. He got it on his trip to Israel and on his trip he was inspired to be more active in Judaism.
This kippah is worn for Shabbat and other holidays. it makes me feel happy because my dad got this when he graduated college.
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