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Handcrafted Judaica: More than Just Objects
Generations of Tradition
With the holiday hosting season on the horizon, you might find yourself reflecting on cherished traditions, some perhaps new, but many woven into the fabric of your faith and family. With these time-honored traditions come tangible items that symbolise the memories you share with your loved ones.
Whether it’s lighting the menorah that has been in your Bubbe’s family for generations, unpacking Kiddish cups that you toasted with at your wedding, or seeing the Seder plate you can find your mom’s matzah recipe on, these items all tell a story. They connect us not only to our immediate family but to the chain of our ancestors.
The Lasting Value of Judaica
Judaica, or items related to Jewish life, bear a value greater than their material worth. The memories made with and surrounded by these items are priceless. With every year of loving use, these pieces become embedded with layers of memories, stories told, and spiritual significance, adding to their importance.
When you buy something, you never quite know which items will become your most treasured. Keep this in mind when shopping, and choose thoughtfully crafted, high-quality pieces that can be part of all the memories worth making.
Creating Family Heirlooms
Creating a family heirloom can be as simple as bringing out certain pieces at the same time each year. The key to creating value in an item lies in the traditions we uphold and the meaningful objects we use to celebrate them. In doing so, we help preserve our community and religious identity, while kindling feelings of nostalgia and connection. If you’re looking to invest in meaningful items for your family, here are some holidays where tradition plays a central role:
Hanukkah
In December, bringing out the menorah is a sure sign that Hanukkah is on its way. The Festival of Lights lasts eight days, celebrating the miracle of the temple’s single candle that burned for eight. Hanukkah is full of delicious foods, playful games, and religious traditions to commemorate the holiday.
Menorahs
Each night, the start of Hanukkah festivities is marked by the lighting of the menorah. As relatives gather to celebrate the lighting, it prompts reflection on holidays past and the significance of this miracle in the Jewish faith. With a night full of celebration, gelt to win, and latkes to enjoy, the menorah lighting serves as a guide to the meaning of the eight days, offering a moment of solace and beauty. With the menorah at the heart of the holiday, choosing one that reflects the beauty of the nights is important. A thoughtfully selected menorah can withstand years of use, becoming a cherished part of your family’s celebrations for generations.
Our cast bronze Abraham’s Tree Menorah, crafted by Rebecca Nightingale, symbolizes the special site where Abraham was visited by three angels.
Dreidels
This classic holiday game is fun for all ages, and anyone who’s played can probably recall both triumphant victories rich with gelt and the heartbreaking moments of losing it all. While the dreidel game isn’t inherently religious, its anticipation each year brings families together to laugh, connect, and create lasting memories.
The dreidel itself captures an innocence that, as adults, can be hard to hold on to. This small top is a time capsule of those joyful moments. Choosing a sturdy dreidel that can be passed down through generations adds even more meaning, turning the object into a cherished keepsake.
Shabbat
On a Friday evening, families and friends gather to celebrate to beginning of the Sabbath. This ritual encourages conversation, reflection, and rest.
Shabbat Candlesticks
Eighteen minutes before sunset, Jewish women light the Shabbat candles, marking the commencement of Shabbat. These evenings celebrate the importance of family and the memories we create together around the table, as the Shabbat candles flicker. While the candles burn down over the course of the evening, the candlesticks remain, quietly holding the memories of each lighting and growing more meaningful with every year of use.
Kiddish Cups
An integral part of the Shabbat dinner is the reciting of the blessings. In this prayer, the wine is blessed and traditionally poured into a Kiddish cup. Some cups are used weekly, while others are reserved for special occasions and celebrations. Drinking from a beloved Kiddish cup connects us to our family history while honoring religious traditions and the importance of gathering together.
Passover
Celebrated in the spring, Passover honors the story of the Israelites’ freedom from slavery. The Seder meal is a cherished part of Passover. As families gather, the plate tells the story of Exodus. Each food served symbolizes a part of his journey, sparking reflection, conversation, and a shared remembrance of the past. Choosing durable Seder plates allows them to gather meaning over the years. While the food on the plate honors the history of Judaism, the plates themselves reflect your family’s shared history.
Holidays come and go, but memories last a lifetime. Choose the items you bring out during these special times with intention and an eye for quality craftsmanship so that they can gather meaning and significance over the years.
