Jewish Heritage Artifacts

Case 1 - The Torah

Many of the objects in the first 3 cases are props. Some will be obvious like the synagogue models. A couple of objects have deeper stories, like the Torah and the Menorah. I will try to find out more about the others

Label text: Yad, pointer, used to keep the place during reading of Torah scroll. The finger is pointing to Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 18: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Rabbi Akiva says in the Talmud, "This is the basic tenet of Torah."

Note: The Yad was made by a local Holocaust survivor. He also made all of the Mezuzot in our building. We have them in nearly every doorway.

Case 2 - Background on Jewish places of worship

The Synagogue models in this case are approximately 6" to 12" tall

Model of the Second Temple built in 516 B.C.E. and destroyed in 70 C.E.

Model of the Ark of the Covenant

Replica of the Shmuel Synagogue in Bialystok, Poland

Replica of the Wooden Synagogue in Jablonow, Poland

Replica of the Great Synagogue in Rome, Italy

Replica of the Jubilee Synagogue in Prague, Czech Republic

Case 3 - Jewish Life

Various kippot, head coverings worn by men

Talit, prayer shawl, worn during prayers

Reproduction of charity box found in Jewish European homes

Note: This is just printed on card stock, it's not really a reproduction

This is between the two charity boxes

Case 3 - Jewish Holidays

Ornate chala (bread) cover used at the Shabbat and holiday meals. Hebrew words read: "In Honor of the Shabbat and Holidays"

Spice container used during the havdalah service at the conclusion of Shabbat

*Sorry about this photo. I tried to get as little glare as possible but there is a ton of light right above this and this was the best I could do

Kitel, a white robe symbolizing purity, worn by men during the Rosh Ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur services

Set of mahzorim, holiday prayer books, published in Frankfurt Germany

Chanukah Menorah [c. 1900]
Vienna, Austria

Brass. Brought from Vienna by Lili and Karl Kolb in 1938.

*Not a prop*

Embossed megilah case for Scroll of Esther

Pesah seder plate with indentations for food items used during the service

Shtetl Diorama

The diorama is in need of fairly significant repair, and we are likely going to do that soon whether we utilize this in the new exhibition or not

Other Installations

This one doesn't have any specific labeling but is included in the Jewish Education area