This artifact was made by Arthur L., my great grandfather and a Seabee in World War I and World War II. He made this lighthouse/lamp for my grandparents. It appears to be new, but it is really over 25 years old! A wire used to go through a hole in the back and attach itself to a light bulb in the top of the lighthouse. The wire began to fray, so we had to take it out.
Arthur L. was born in 1890 and died in 1978. A Seabee’s job in the navy was to build things, like docks, during battle. Arthur worked in the engine rooms of steam and diesel ships. This job was dangerous, because during battle, all the water-tight doors were sealed shut, so that if your compartment got hit and set fire, the whole ship wouldn’t sink. If you were in a compartment that was hit, nobody would open the doors to help you out.
This artifact is treasured by my family because it reminds us of brave Arthur L.
An Ethiopian Jew made this pillowcase just for my family. We donated money to an organization that helps Ethiopian Jews, and they gave us this beautiful pillowcase. It is hand made. We use it every day on our couch for sleeping, resting, and snuggling. There are about 40,000 stitches in it. It is made out of cotton cloth and thread. It takes about one month to complete each pillow.
This program lasted for about fourteen years, but now the Ethiopian government has closed the embroidery program for reasons that are not known to us. The program helped Jews in Addis Ababa earn money for their families. The embroideries are used as pillow covers, challah covers, matza covers, and synagogue art. All of the embroideries show traditional Ethiopian scenes and illustrations of familiar Bible stories.
Louis G. made this pillow in 2001 when he was in kindergarten at Portland Jewish Academy in Portland, Oregon. It is made of cotton fabric and stuffing. Its purpose is for sleeping or looking at, because it has the Shema prayer on the back. It is still in use by Louis in bed when he sleeps.
Louis always feels protected and close to God when he sleeps with his pillow, as if nothing can stop him.
A friend of my Great Aunt Marney went on a trip to Haiti. She brought back a doll and gave it to Marney, who collects dolls. Marney gave the doll and some others to my mother, Susanna P., when she was little. This doll was kept in a box in the garage, being saved for Susanna’s daughter. Now it’s mine! The doll is 17 inches long and about 60 years old. She has brown skin and metal earrings. She is wearing a straw hat and a big, beautiful dress.
This doll means a lot to me because I never met my Great Aunty Marney. When I hold the doll, I think of my Aunt Hannah, Marney’s daughter.