My artifact is my family's menorah. This menorah is the one my great-grandparents lit every Chanukah with my grandma. It is the menorah that my mom and uncle grew up lighting every Chanukah. A menorah is very important in Judaism. The first menorah dates all the way back to 164 BC when an army of Jews defeated the Syrians in a very difficult battle. When the Jews went to reclaim the use of the temple and light their menorah, they should have had only enough oil to last one day, but, in what Jews consider to be a miracle, it lasted eight days. Jews all over the world now light menorahs just like the one I have to celebrate Chanukah. My menorah is important to me because it holds a piece of my family's history and is a reminder of both my Jewish heritage, the importance of ritual and celebration, and a reminder that miracles can happen. With this war raging in Israel and a rise in anti-Semitism all over the world, it has never been more important to me to celebrate and keep alive the traditions of my family, and the Jewish people, and to pray for a miracle.  Looking at this treasured family artifact makes me feel proud to be Jewish and I know one day I will have this menorah in my own home.

– RW

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