Editor's note: Museum Programs Coordinator Susan Evans reflects on objects that are part of her family traditions as well as objects in the museum's collection this holiday season.
The holiday season makes me think of boxes. Full of history, memories, and objects, boxes make great metaphors.
In this case, the box in question was a slightly ripped cardboard box that, when opened, would reveal sparkly Chanukah decorations, a bag of dreidels (four-sided spinning tops), some Chanukah napkins and paper plates, and, most importantly, the family menorah. Brass, heavy, and covered in lions, when my mom lifted the menorah out of that cardboard box, I felt instantly comforted. I knew that I'd be saying prayers, lighting candles, and doing something really special with my mom for eight nights in a row. The latkes and the dreidel games were a huge bonus, but it was the lighting of candles, standing next to my mom, in a dimly lit living room, watching the warm glow of the candles reflect off the tinfoil. (Did I mention that my mother insisted on placing this beautiful menorah on top of tinfoil? Always the practical thinker, she did not want to remember the holiday season all year by staring at the wax drippings on top of the piano.) All this made me feel connected to my mom, my family, and generations before me.
Holiday objects can symbolize lots of things: religious tradition, family memories (of all sorts), seasonal change, and artistic expression, to name a few. Objects in our collection can tell all of these stories and then some.
There are several examples of menorahs in both the American History collections and the Smithsonian collections. However, I can't help but notice that none of these are covered in wax, which makes me wonder if the mom in the family also put these menorahs in the freezer after Chanukah was over. (Helpful hint: freezing your menorah makes the wax way easier to take off. But just remember to take it out. Leaving it in the freezer until late January, as my family once did, was a nice extension to the holiday season, but totally unnecessary.)
What objects are you looking forward to taking out of boxes this holiday season?
Susan Evans is the museum programs coordinator. She has also blogged about the legacies of historical figures and teaching with drama.
Your family menorah is the same as the one my Great Grandfather brought with him from Lithuania in 1904. It is comforting that these objects reflect not only family memories, but also traditions of the larger community. No tin foil here, but freezing--that's a good tip!
Posted by: D. Small | December 17, 2012 at 02:31 PM
A great article indeed.
Being born and grew up in Sweden, a very secular society, I do value traditions.
However, dont you feel that todays society in a way have "smugged" off all that what was traditions with commercialism?
Today it seems that it is more important on who can buy the most expensive gifts then the true meaning of the holidays.
Personally I looking forward to bring out the old porcelin sculpture that I inherited from my grandmother produced in the 1930s comparing to any Disney produced "holiday" item.
Posted by: Clabbe Bjurstrom | December 17, 2012 at 01:46 PM
Great post! No matter who you are, sometimes the most meaningful artifacts are those that represent your own unique religious and cultural heritage. As a Jew, I have always felt attached to beautiful menorahs, Torah scrolls, and other unique cultural objects.
By the way, I just discovered this great site! Thank you for all of the wonderful content. As a fellow history blogger, I would really appreciate it if you could visit my own blog on world history. Check it out here: http://9thworldhistoryproject.blogspot.com
Posted by: Michael Weiner | December 14, 2012 at 11:01 AM