My item is a silver Kiddush cup that was gifted to my great-grandfather Harry at his wedding in 1937. It was given to my grandfather, then to my father, and then to me. In Judaism, a Kiddush cup is used during Kiddush, which is a blessing over the wine that's said on religious holidays, Fridays and Saturdays. This item is most likely the oldest thing in my house, and the only thing that I have that was owned by my great-grandfather. Harry was born in Radymno, Poland on November 18th, 1901. He arrived in the U.S. with his brother, Nathan, in August 1920. They arrived at Ellis Island on the Olympic, a sister ship of the Titanic. At first, they lived on the Lower East Side of New York City. Later they would move to Harlem, which, at that time, had a large Jewish population. Two important things happened to my great-grandparents in 1937. Harry got married and was given the Kiddush cup which was used during his wedding. At the same time, they moved to 555 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Twenty-five years later, in 1962, Harry, his wife Minnie, my grandfather Bennett and his sister Carol moved to 125 Taylor Street in Brooklyn. My great-grandfather lived there for the rest of his life.

– SP

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