One of the many pieces is a button lit map of the location of Jewish houses of worship in Cleveland over time from 1840 to now. What one sees is the migration from the city to the suburbs. There are many everyday items from the commercial world. Of course, there is a World War II and the Holocaust presence; but also American hate groups including the Ku Klux Klan.
Tzedakah offering 'box'
Behind the museum is the present Temple-Tifereth Israel. The museum has the Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery of art and ritual objects. Some of the items could easily be displayed at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Some of the items i recognised, and others expanded my vocabulary.
Etrog [citron] box
And you shall take to you on the first day the fruits of the fairest tree, and branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God.—Leviticus xxiii. 40.
Citron is the ancestor of the lemon, and it is presumed to be the fruit mentioned. The other three species of plants are weaved together, and the four are waved each day of Sukkot.
'Miriam cup'[not pictured], is a new addition to the Seder meal to recognise women in the faith. Moses' sister, Miriam, was a prophetess. There is a cup of wine for Elijah at the Seder, for he is expected to return to announce the Messiah. Miriam's cup has water.
By serendipity, last night's Stephen Colbert [who is Catholic] pretended to use a yad to read a Torah portion, and then carried the scroll out. [click here,video beginning at 4:49]
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