In terms of synagogues, the Sephardim and Ashkenazim were quite different. The Sephardim tended to have the Bimah be in the center of the room, where as Ashkenazim had the Bimah be up against, or closer to the wall.
Up above is the our beloved Evan , and the one and only JENNA, standing in an Italian synagogue. Nice huh
What a ceiling... This is a German Synagogue
Indian Synagogue, who knew?
We also learned about artifacts from different life cycle events in Judaism.
Lets say a baby is born, and the parents want to know if the baby is the Messiah? No problem! Just sit down in the Chair of Elijah and you should know right away.
For those who got married in Germany, instead of breaking the glass with their foot, they'd smash the glass against this stone!
When there was a death, the Chevre Kadisha would sit with the dead until their burial, sipping wine from this goblet! wow
Hope you enjoyed what I had to say. Now here's a question: Were you able to relate any of these artifacts to your Sephardic or Ashkenazi ancestry? Which ones, and how did it make you feel?
I definitely was able to relate to some of the artifacts because these traditions have continued today. I went to my cousin's wedding last and they broke a glass with their foot, albeit on the ground but they still did it so when I see a stone that people may have used to do that same thing, I feel something inside of me. These artifacts bring me back to all of the times that I have done these traditions and connect me with the people of the past as well as my own past.
ReplyDeleteI related to the plate which was from Tub'shevat. My family and I always celebrated it together, and at our temple. Being in the Museum with my family also fortified the meaning because we were all there together and all could look more into the ancient Jewish tradition from that time.
ReplyDeleteI didn't relate much to any of the artifacts just because of how different our Judaism is today in America. Our synagogues don't look much like they used to and our Torah scrolls look slightly different too, especially when compared to Sephardic scrolls. Just the fact that these things were from places so far away so long ago makes them difficult to connect with. Although what was used was similar, it just doesn't feel the same.
ReplyDeleteAs of what I remember I could not really relate to any of the artifacts that I saw at the museum. All the artifacts were so cool and how they had so many for each life event from all over the world. All the artifacts were so unique to where they originated and I would never imagine any of these items being used. For example there were these fancy rings with houses built on top with my stones and they were so unique and I had never seen any thing like them!
ReplyDeleteI thought that the shofars were really cool. a lot of them were smaller and more intricate than usual. I love to hear the shofar blown on rosh hashanah and i think the development and style change of them is very interesting
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ReplyDeleteThe artifacts were very interesting, but I couldn't really relate to any of them. I was really drawn to the information and little display of Hamsas because I always wear one and to me it has always been something I found very beautiful, unique, and interesting so I liked learning more about it's origins. My parents were also very curious to find out more about the roots of it, but we still aren't sure if it is a more Jewish symbol or Muslim.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't particularly able to closely relate to any of these objects. In a sense that they are a part of my religion, yes, but not in a sense that they remind me of the traditions of my ancestors. I can't trace back the roots of the jewish side of my family farther than 6 or 7 generations from me, so that's probably why.
ReplyDeleteI could kind of relate certain artifacts/traditions to my life, but not a lot. When my parents got married my dad stepped on a glass, so that I could relate to. However some of the other objects, including but not limited to the old wedding gowns, plates, and decorations, didn't really mean anything to me. Its hard to trace back where my ancestors are from and since a lot of that stuff is less common in our society, I just don't feel any connection
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could really relate to any artifacts. Nothing we saw had that much meaning to me because I'm not quite sure of a lot of my ancestry.
ReplyDeleteI could relate to the outfits that children wore on their bat/bar mitzvah days. Everyone that I know who had a bat/bar mitzvah spend a lot of time and effort picking out their clothing for the occasion and they looked wonderful. I could also relate to the shofars because my dad and sister blow them on high holidays.
ReplyDeleteMost of my family heritage is unknown so i couldnt really relate/connect with any of the artifacts but they were all very cool and interesting and i learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteI was able to relate to artifacts very well. I thought that looking at the Brit Millah materials related because I am well, a boy. It made me feel like I am part of an Ancient community.
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