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Migration Museum of Dunedin: Jewish

Star of David Medallion

 

Star of david2Starofdavid1

 

Date of Creation: c.1880s-early 1900s

Materials: 9ct gold

Arrival in Dunedin: c.1902

Description: 3cm diameter, with Star of David and border design. On the reverse is a map of ancient Israel.

Researcher: Georgia Phillips

History:

The front of this medallion depicts the six-pointed Star of David, which today is widely recognised as a sign of the Jewish faith and identity. On the reverse is a map of ancient Israel and Jerusalem which shows where the owners’ ancestors originally came from. It has been passed down through the Schneideman family, a Jewish family originating from Latvia, who migrated to New Zealand via Newcastle-upon-Tyne c. 1902. It was common in Victorian times for the son of the family to receive a Star of David, and so Anna and Isidor Schneideman gifted this pendant to their son Arthur.

Significance:

The Star of David gained popularity amongst Jewish communities during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries across Europe. During this time they began to see it as a symbol of their collective identity. In Hebrew, the term ‘magen david’ can be interpreted as ‘protector’. This may refer to the shield of King David, which has been referred to in Jewish legend as being in the shape of a star.

One of the youngest descendants of this family, Amelia Chilton, now resides in Dunedin and wears this pendant as recognition of her heritage. Amelia inherited this from her mother, Anna who attached a St. Christopher pendant to symbolise the Christian heritage on her mother’s side.

 

 Commemorative Cup (Olveston)

 

jewish cup 1jewish cup 2

 

 

 

 

Date of Creation: 1790-91

Maker: J. Denzilow

Materials: Pewter

Arrival in Dunedin: c.1881-1910

Researcher: Chelsea Boyle

Description: 107mm in height, plain short-stemmed cup with wide-footed base, monogram engraved on front, personal inscription on back

History:

This cup was presented to David Edward Benjamin by his uncle to celebrate his first birthday on 25 April 1853. David was born in Bristol but moved to Dunedin with his wife in 1879. At some point during his travels, this cup was brought to Dunedin. In 1902 David and his wife commissioned Olveston House, which acted as a family home and a gathering point for the wider community. This cup remains in Olveston House today.

Significance:

This cup shows David’s connection to Bristol and indicates that his original surname was Benjamin. He changed it shortly after he arrived in Dunedin to reclaim the family name that had been discontinued when his father moved from Prussia to England. David quickly became an important leader in the local Jewish congregation. He also strongly supported many Dunedin based charities. This cup is a testament to David’s life, which reminds us of the important contributions migrants made to the Dunedin community.

Inscription:

PRESENTED TO HIS GODSON AND NEPHEW,

DAVID EDWARD BENJAMIN ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTHDAY.

XXV APRIL MDCCCLIII.

AND EACH TIME AS THE CONTENTS OF THIS CUP IS BLESSED

MAY THE PRAYER REST LIKEWISE ON THE RECEIVER

AND THE DONOR.

“A GIFT IS AS A PRECIOUS STONE

IN THE EYES OF HIM THAT HATH IT,

WHITHER SOEVER IT TURNETH, IT PROSPERETH.”

 

 

 

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