Judaica Road Showcase Comes to Congregation Beth David

When a young rabbi proudly presented a silver chanukiah from Germany that once belonged to his great grandparents on a segment of the TV show Antiques Roadshow entitled Judaica Roadshow, the wheels started to spin for members of the Program Planning Committee of Congregation Beth David in Saratoga, CA.

However, the committee envisioned an event that incorporated more than just antiques. Adopting the motto “something old, something new, something purchased or gifted--just to you” as a guideline, participants were encouraged to show case any “treasures” of sentimental value.

Whether the treasures be antique shabbat candle holders or chanukiah brought across the Atlantic during the great immigration of Eastern European Jews over 100 years ago; or pieces inherited or purchased that have been used by generations for traditional family observances; or items that were received as gifts or handcrafted by family members, all of the Judaica items displayed have been cherished by families often for generations.

“These treasures are our most immediate personal link to our current and ancient practices, rituals, family celebrations and household décor,” stated event organizer Hillary F. who displayed a pair of solid brass candlesticks made by her father 75 years ago.

As the story goes, when Hillary’s parents moved to Los Angeles after WWII, her mother was concerned that they did not have Shabbat candlesticks should her mother’s parents come to visit. Coming to the rescue, Hillary’s father fashioned the candlesticks from spare lamp parts.

“Those candlesticks each weigh over 4 pounds and look just as lovely now as they did after my dad gave them to my mom,” reflect Hillary. “I acquired the candlesticks decades ago, and have used them ever since. My daughter and grandsons have grown up with them, and they are truly part of our family Judaica treasures.”

Accredited AAA Judaica appraiser, Emily Baer was on hand to evaluate select items and give an approximate value to those who were interested, but the majority of participants were happy to simply showcase their items and share their stories.

Joanne and Harry C. displayed a variety of both vintage and contemporary Judaica items, including many family heirlooms. Joanne brought a hand-embroidered Passover Matzah cover given to her by her father, who grew up in Brooklyn. The Hebrew inscription includes “Yeshiva Bensonhurst” and the date, 1936, the year her father graduated from the school. She also showed a collection of Passover items made by Lenox, purchased by her mother in the 1950’s, and a hand-carved Megillah (scroll read on Purim) with images of Jerusalem that was owned by her grandfather.

A more contemporary item displayed was Joanne’s kippah or yalmulke (Jewish head covering). It is unique in that it contains 241 Swarovski Austrian crystal stones weighing about 12 carats. It was designed by Moe Kortick of Los Angeles in 2005, who invented the process of annealing the crystals to fabric. As well as manufacturing and selling the kippahs, Moe gave many of them to his friends and to Hollywood stars.

Harry displayed one of his most precious possessions a prayer book for the fast day of Tisha b’Av that once belonged to his great-great-great-grandfather David Schwarzkopf who had lived in Bohemia in a city now known as České Budějovice in the Czech Republic. In 2004, Harry and Joanne traveled to the Czech Republic and visited the old Jewish cemetery in České Budějovice. It was mostly overgrown, but in a small, cleared area they found the gravestone of David Schwarzkopf!

Joanne later posted the story of their discovery on the internet. A few months later, Harry received an email from the owner of a used bookstore in Berlin who had acquired an old Hebrew book. He couldn't read Hebrew but saw an entry in German inside the front cover that said, "This prayer book belongs to David Schwarzkopf, 1855." He found Joanne’s post on the internet and contacted Harry. Harry bought the book and now, after so many years, the old prayer book has returned to its family of origin.

Margie P. displayed a painting of three men which hung in her grandparent’s apartment in St. Louis. Her grandfather always referred to the three men in the painting as ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As a child, Margie believed her grandfather because in the family mausoleum, she could see that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were buried there. When her grandparents passed away, Margie brought the painting to her home.

“We had the painting appraised, hoping it was a valuable masterpiece,” said Margie with a smile. “It was determined that it was actually a calendar or other picture that had been hand painted over to give it the texture and depth that we love. Emily Baer confirmed this. So, it has no monetary value, but lots of sentimental heart and a great story. We continue to love it!”

Michal S. show cased 22 caret gold pomegranate earrings that she purchased in Jerusalem from a salesperson who told her if she gave them to her daughter to wear, they would be instrumental in Michal finally getting that grandchild she so dearly wished for. By the time she got around to it, her daughter was already pregnant, so she kept them for herself and has loved wearing them--and telling the story--them ever since.

For Norm A. his treasure is The Megillah of Esther scroll that his great uncle Eli Resnick bought in the 1930s.

“He would hold Purim parties and read the megillah. There are wine stains on the scroll from those parties,” said Norm. “It was passed down to my mother, his niece, and then to me. What is unique to me, beside those stains, is the full size of the scroll. I bring out the scroll a few times throughout my years to read on Purim and remember my times with my great uncle.”

It is through coming together and sharing stories, community and common heritage is built.

“We hope that other synagogues, JCCs, and Jewish organizations will take up the “Showcase” idea, bringing people together to share items of family heritage and tell the stories about the history of their Judaica treasures.” Said Hillary.

Congregation Beth David in Saratoga, CA, is a Conservative synagogue with a 60-year history of presenting a host of unique and delightful programs for its members and the larger South Bay (Silicon Valley) Jewish community.