Kittels

A kittel is a white linen robe  worn by Jewish men on special occasions to signify purity, holiness and new beginnings. Traditionally, a Jewish man first wears a kittel on his wedding day; thereafter on Rosh Hashanah ,Yom Kippur , and Passover , and ultimately as a burial shroud.

Tallit 

The tallit is a prayer shawl worn during the weekday morning services, on the Sabbath, and on holidays. 

Kippahs 

The kippah (also called a yarmulke ) is a traditional head covering. It is likely that the custom of wearing one comes from the days when the Temple in Jerusalem still stood.

Tefillin Bags

Tefillin (or phylacteries) are two small black leather bags (or boxes) worn by men on the left arm and forehead. The leather boxes of the tefillin contain scrolls of Torah  passages.

Tichels

The Tichel is a headscarf  worn by some married Jewish women in compliance with the modesty code, Tzeniutmw. Tichels can range from a very simple cotton square with a tie to very elaborate fabrics and elegant ribbons.

Mezuzah 

A mezuzah (from the Hebrew for "doorpost") is a small parchment inscribed with short Torah passages in Hebrew. The parchment is rolled up, placed in a decorative case, and attached to the doorpost of Jewish homes.

Havdalah Sets 

The main symbols of Havdalah are the braided candle, the kiddush cup  containing wine, and the spice box  containing sweet-smelling spices. The lighted candle symbolises the light of Shabbat, the wine represents joy, and the sweet-smelling spices stand for sweetness.

Tzedakahs (Charity Boxes)

A charity box can be found in almost every Jewish home. It's tradition to give children money each week just prior to Shabbat, to teach them the commandment of tzedakah, or charity.

Challah Cover 

At the beginning of a Shabbat or holiday meal, a blessing is first made over the wine to the sanctify the Shabbat, and then the bread to signify the beginning of the meal. However, in the hierarchy of blessings mandated by the Sages, the blessing over bread should precede the blessing over wine. In order to preserve the priority of the wine, and not to "shame" the bread which should be blessed first, the bread is removed from view with the challah cover.

Shabbat Candles 

Lighting Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law in Judaism. Two candles or more are lit on Friday evening, 18 minutes before sundown. Candle lighting is traditionally done by the woman of the household, though in the absence of a woman, it can be done by a man. 

Star of David 

The Magen David (shield of David) is a six-pointed star which has come to symbolise Judaism and the Jewish people. It is used to adorn  and decorate  many ritual objects.

The Yad 

Because everything connected with the Torah is particularly sacred, it is considered disrespectful to touch the text when reading the passages. The Yad (also referred to as a Torah pointer) is used to indicate the passage.

Rimonim

Rimonim are elaborate finials  that adorn the Sephardic case that houses the Torah. They also decorate the handles of Ashkenazik Torah scrolls. 

Menorahs 

The seven-branched lamp stand symbolises the Jewish people's connection to God. The chanukiyyah--a special menorah designed for use on Hanukkah--is modelled on the classical Jewish menorah, and it has eight branches designated to represent the eight nights of Hanukkah. The central shaft is known as the "shammas" (server) because its candle is used to light the others. These can be found in most homes during Hanukkah.

The Torah 

This is a universal symbol of Judaism that identifies the religion. In every synagogue, the Torah is kept inside a cupboard called the Ark, which has the Hebrew words of the Ten Commandments written above it. The Torah contains the text of the Hebrew Bible.

Sanctuary Lamp 

The sanctuary lamp (also known as "the eternal light") hangs above the Ark in a synagogue and burns continually as a sign of God's presence. It is also representative of the fire that guided the Jewish people on their journey.

The Shofar 

The shofar is an instrument made from the horn of a ram or other kosher animal. Today it is featured most prominently in the Rosh Hashanah morning services and it is considered a commandment to hear it blown.

Yahrzeit Candles

The Yahrzeit candle is used to commemorate the anniversary of the death of loved ones. It burns throughout the 24-hour day of the anniversary of death.

Afikoman Bag 

Afikoman is a piece of matzah  which is hidden in the early stages of the Passover Seder and eaten after the festive meal. It is usually placed inside the Afikoman bag and then hidden by the head of the household. 

Dreidel 

The dreidel is a four-sided top that has a different letter of the Hebrew  alphabet on each side. You can use this toy during Hanuahh to play Teetotum, the gambling game, or as decoration.

Chuppah 

Made from a cloth stretched over four poles, the chuppah is a canopy used in Jewish weddings. The structure symbolises the home that the couple  will build together.

The Ethical and Inspirational Teachings of the Talmud , by Ein Yaakov

This book features a collection of the agaddah--or non-legal material of the Talmud --and provides insights on living a Jewish life everyday.

The Tree of Life, Tree of Knowledge: Conversations with the Torah , by Michael Rosenik

This book relates the Torah to everyday life through the institutions of education and the society we live in.

Genesis and the Big Bang , by Gerald Schroeder

This text compares the origins of religion and scientific origins of the world side by side.

From the Ends of the Earth, The Jews in the 20th Century , by Sir Martin Gilbert

This book uses photographs to tell the story of the Jewish race and their struggles in the 20th century.

Barkat Matzo Crackers 

"You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat matzos, the bread of affliction; for in haste did you come forth out of the land of Egypt; that you may remember the day when you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life."—Deuteronomy 16:3

Plain Sterling Silver Star of David Pendant with 14-Inch Rolo Chain 

"Seven names of angels precede the mezuzah: Michael, Gabriel, etc. ... Tetragrammaton protect you! And likewise the sign, called the 'Shield of David', is placed beside the name of each angel." —Eshkol Ha-Kofer by Judah Hadassi, in the mid-12th century CE

Solid Silver Menorah / Chanukkiah 

“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn." —Exodus 27:20

Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern 

"The Hebrew language can live only if we revive the nation and return it to the fatherland." —Eliezer Ben-Yehuda

Silver Kiddush Cup (Small) 

"And on the seventh day God completed the labour He had performed, and He refrained on the seventh day from all the labour which He had performed. And God blessed the seventh day and He sanctified it, for He then refrained from all his labour - from the act of creation that God had performed." —from Friday night Kiddush ritual

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