Being raised and schooled in an orthodox Jewish community, a significant amount of value was placed on the continual learning and understanding of religious texts. Regardless of any religious commandment or obligation, I’ve imagined that the primary reason for such expectations was to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors, who dedicated many years towards their religious studies. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a major surprise that the object I have selected is one that is a religious text; a section of the Talmud that was printed over ninety-five years ago. Moreover, this particular text was printed in Lithuania and seemingly migrated with my great-grandparents, as they ventured towards the United States in the early twentieth century.  

I selected this object because of the significance it possesses by both my immediate family and ancestors. My great-grandparents migrated with virtually zero wealth, but it was their dedication to Judaism, which allowed them to remain strong in providing a better life for their children. The process of migration is no easy task, so the mere fact that this specific copy of the Talmud has traveled from Eastern Europe, to across the Atlantic Ocean, and that it has remained preserved until present day by my family, touched me greatly irrespective of its religious significance. 

– Seth Plaut

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more