Synagogue

Many of the Ashkenazic Jews of Central and Eastern Europe brought woodcarving skills to our shores.

This mantle is an example of the portal motif. The use of this motif began in the seventeenth century and was used until the twentieth century. The motif was adapted from Muslim iconography.

Originally a wrapper (called a Bogo), part of Kavesera, the set of luxurious bed-cover and pillows for wedding and childbirth bed, decorated with metal thread embroidery.

One side of this decorative plaque records a blessing recited multiple times during the Torah service.

The shiviti is a specific form of a magical amulet that derives its name from the verse, shiviti yhwh lenegdi tamid, “I have set the Lord before me always” (Ps 16:8).

Part of Kavesera, the set of luxurious bed-cover and pillows for wedding and childbirth bed, decorated with metal thread embroidery.

Finely rendered interior view of Altneu Synagogue, Prague. At center in the foreground is a small figure of a reading man. Signed "C.J."

Large pyreform lamp, the base, body and neck fluted; suspended by three chains from reflector to projecting S-scroll handles. Inserted amber glass candleholder.

A distinctive and original style of synagogue construction developed in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the mid-sixteenth century.

A wimpel is a Torah binder formed from cloth wrapped around a male infant during the circumcision ceremony. The cloth is cut into four parts and stitched together to create one long banner.