Object Details
Description
Made in Wenkheim, Germany, this silk Torah mantle was brought to San Francisco by Jewish immigrants during the California gold rush and presented to Congregation Emanu-El. Founded in 1850, Emanu-El (Hebrew for "God is with us") was one of the first synagogues in San Francisco. It provided a spiritual and social community for German and central European Jews who came to California in search of economic opportunities and political freedom.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Congregation Emanu-El (San Francisco), 1987
Date made
1785 - 1786
ID Number
1988.0183.001
accession number
1988.0183
catalog number
1988.0183.001
Object Name
cover
mantle, Torah
Physical Description
cotton (overall material)
metal (overall material)
silk (overall material)
linen (overall material)
metallic thread (overall material)
wood (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 34 1/4 in x 15 1/2 in x 1 3/8 in; 86.995 cm x 39.37 cm x 3.4925 cm
Place Made
Germany: Baden-Württemberg, Wenkheim
Related Publication
Grossman, Grace Cohen, with Richard Eighme Ahlborn. Judaica at the Smithsonian: Cultural Politics as Cultural Model
Myers, Susan H.. Promise of A New Life: Jewish Immigrants in America, 1820-1880, The
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Religion
National Treasures exhibit
Religion
Data Source
National Museum of American History
religion association
Judaism
Subject
Immigration
Migration
Gold rush
related event
California Gold Rush
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_683368