Mesorah
Teffilin
Russia
Gaby K. brought this set of tefillin for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This set of tefillin is from the town of Lubavitch, Russia, and it is one hundred seventeen years old. This belonged to Gaby’s great grandfather, Harry Schwam, and he got it from the Lubavitch Rebbe. This is significant to Gaby’s family because it represents yiddishkeit and its value to multiple generations. Gaby’s family has kept this object because it is important, precious, and sacred. Gaby’s great grandfather was orphaned at a young age. He lived in the town of Lubavitch. The Lubavitch Rebbe provided for children like him. These were his tefillin, and they represent his upbringing. Gaby’s father, Josh, received them when he was bar mitzvahed. Gaby’s great grandfather passed away and Gaby’s grandmother, Mildred, Held on to them until Gaby’s father's bar mitzvah.
The K. family cherishes this object.
Mini Torah
Israel
Aaron A brought this Torah for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. Aaron's maternal grandfather’s Torah was originally from Israel in 1965. Aaron's grandfather bought this before he came to America which was 54 years ago. This object is always with him when he travels as it is his lucky charm.
The A and A families cherish this object
Tefillin and Tallit
Israel
Jack G. brought his great grandfather’s tefillin and family pictures for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. Jack’s paternal great grandfather’s tefillin was bought in Israel in the year 1954. This tefillin was used by Jack’s great grandfather daily. The reason that they kept this object was because Jack’s great grandfather wanted to pass down the Jewish tradition to his daughters and his grandsons and their grandchildren. Jack’s family kept this tefillin to pass down the Jewish tradition.
The G family cherishes this object.
Tefillin and Tallit
Poland,United States
Reuben K. brought this set of tallit and tefillin for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. These objects belonged to Reuben’s paternal great grandfather, Mordechai Schleider, who originally lived in Poland and then moved to America. During the Holocaust, one of the only things Mordechai Schleidler could save was his tallit. He tried to put it on even in the harshest conditions. When he came to America, one of the first things he bought was a new set of tefillin. This shows how much he loved doing mitzvot.
The K family cherishes these objects.
Matza Cover
Ukraine
Darren S. brought this matzah cover for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. Darren’s grandmother, Raya S, originally lived in Ukraine and owned this matzah cover. The matzah cover was made in 1945 after World War II because the family needed a cover for the matzah on Pesach. The object originally belonged to Raya S’s mother, but she gave it to Raya as a wedding gift in 1969. They made the object as opposed to buying it because there was nothing available for purchase for the holiday of Pesach as a result of the end of World War II.
The S. family cherishes this object.
Letter
Czechoslovakia
Liba R. brought this letter for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. This object is originally from Czechoslovakia during the 1930’s. This letter belonged to Liba’s great-great grandfather (her savta’s grandfather), and his name was Avraham. Liba’s great-great grandfather, Avraham, wrote the letter himself. This letter was kept in the Rychik family as an heirloom and a family memory. Liba’s savta’s parents, Menachem and Naomi, were in Czechoslovakia in preparation to leave and go to Israel to start their lives again. Menachem and Naomi were getting married in Israel so Menachem’s father, Avraham, wanted to send them a letter to wish them a mazel tov. In this special letter it tells the newly-married couple to stay Jewish and please keep Shabbat and Kosher. The letter asks Naomi to cover her hair, be religious, and to stay close to Hashem. Now all these generations can look back and see how the family kept their Jewish traditions.
The R. family cherishes this object
Hat
Yemen
Ava B. brought this Yemenite hat for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. The bejeweled hat once belonged to Ava’s great-great-great grandmother. She lived in Yemen during the 1800’s. She acquired this hat for her wedding because it was a Yemen tradition. Ava’s family kept this beautiful hat because it is important to keep their history alive and to remember her family’s heritage. It can also teach other people about the history of Yemen.
The L and B families cherish this object.
Chanukiah
Israel
Ben S. brought this Chanukiah for the 2019 Moriah School Heritage Fair. Ben’s object originated in Israel in 1948. Ben's maternal great-great grandfather, Joshua Zomer, received this object from a relative. It was passed down from generation to generation. Ben’s grandfather displays the Chanukiah as part of his menorah collection. This item is important to Ben’s family because when his great-great grandfather died in 1968, he gave it to his great grandfather, Murray Sommer, who died less than a year later.
The Sommer and S families cherish this object.
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