Now is the time to delve into the Sacred
Give your full Self to the search
And rise to the task
of bringing the ark with Adonai’s covenant
and the vessels dedicated for sacred use
to the house that was built to manifest Holiness.
- I Chronicles 22:19
We envision Jewish Milestones as a resource
for everyone interested in learning about
and creating Jewish ritual. To that end,
we have created a lending library with books
(both informational and inspirational)
on traditional and contemporary
Jewish lifecycle rituals; articles; music;
poetry; ritual objects, sample invitations and
programs, and a list of helpful websites.
You are welcome to come and browse.
Jewish Milestones is also delighted to be
able to loan Jewish ritual objects for use
in personal lifecycle ceremonies.
HIGHLIGHTS
FROM OUR COLLECTION
Thanks to our supporters, our collection is always growing,
so if you are looking for a specific item, please be in touch
with us, as this list is not comprehensive.
Sefer Torah, kosher Torah scroll mounted on wooden rollers,
available for ritual and educational purposes. Embossed velvet
mantle made by artist Nancy Katz incorporates the Jewish Milestones logo designed by
artist Lisa Sibony.
Portable Ark, wooden cabinet used to house a Torah scroll.
Made by David Hudson, and donated by the Hudson Schreiber family.
Yad, Literally, “hand,” used as a pointer, allowing
a Torah reader to follow
along in the text without touching
the parchment directly. Both a ceramic version, made by Claire Sherman, and a metal one, made by Emily Rosenfeld.
Chuppah, A cloth canopy stretched over or supported by four poles, traditionally used in Jewish weddings
to symbolize the couple´s new home. Available in a variety of textiles, including one made by Elizheva Hurvich, in appliquèd silk.
Kiddush Cup, Ceremonial wine goblets, in silver and pewter, as
well as a blue glass goblet etched with Hebrew letters
by David and Michelle Plachte-Zuieback. Also, a silver-plated replica of a bridal “double cup.”
Netilat Yadayim Cup,
used for ritual hand washing, ceramic with Hebrew caligraphy, made by ceramicist Susan Felix.
Shtender, metal filigree tabletop bookstand used by prayer leader to keep a book open during services.
Ner Zikaron, ceramic memorial candleholder, made by Israeli potter Roni Simone. Used in the homes of mourners and at memorial services.
Kippot, traditional Jewish head coverings, also called yarmulkes, donated by BBYO Northwest Region.
In addition, we also have tallitot (prayer shawls), and a shofar.
For more information about our loan policies, to
make a donation to our collection, or to reserve a ritual item, please contact: admin@JewishMilestones.org or call 510.559.3636.
If you have double copies of prayerbooks, Hebrew-English Bibles or other Jewish books, extra kippot (yarmulkas), kiddush cups, fabric that could be used as a wedding canopy, etc. we would be grateful to accept and acknowledge your tax-deductible donation. You can mail these items or contact us for pick-up and drop-off options.
You can also add to the collection by purchasing books on our wish lists that can be found at Powell’s Books click here (our wish list is registered with the following email address: "admin@jewishmilestones.org") or at our local Judaica store, Afikomen.
We are grateful to all those who have already contributed
(current as of March 3, 2009):
BBYO: Northwest Area
Ben Izzy/Rutenberg Family
Ellen & Herb Brosbe
Karen Erlichman/Jana Rickerson
Susan Duhan Felix
Rabbi Steven Fisdel and Rabbi Shula Stevens
Helene Fischman
Hudson/Schreiber Family
Elizheva Hurvich
Myra Kaplan
Joan Kaye
Elissa & Alan Kittner
Hilary Kushins/Scott Hersher
Michelle and David Plachte-Zuieback
Reinin/Platt Family
Robin Mencher/Matthew Dimond
Julie & Moshe Mitrani
Wendy Rosov/Peg Sandel
Shayla Ross
Danya Ruttenberg
Malka and Perry Scheinok
Silicon Valley Fine Books
Singer/Batz Family
Cathy Taylor
Naomi Teplow
Ray & Marilyn Weisberg
Weisberg/Brodie Family
Lily Yacobi
Rachel Zamore and Dave Cohen