The Importance of Faith

Faith, Constance's Jewishness, is an integral part of her archive. We cannot understand her archive completely unless we have a grasp on what it means to be Jewish.

Not only does being Jewish affect major events; different religious festivals, and events such as weddings, hence affecting what wedding photographs are going to look like. It affects even the seemingly insignificant everyday items, such as the cookbooks.

Weddings

Marriage is very important in Judaism. Wedding days themselves are full of religious symbols and rituals that relate to Jewish history and beliefs.

For example the breaking of a glass during the marriage ceremony is a reminder to Jews of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, a reminder amidst a happy occasion of the sadness and loss that Jews have suffered over the centuries.

Although Constance was never married she amassed a collection of wedding photos from family and friends.

Harry and Lilian's wedding day

Leslie's (Harry and Lilian's daughter) wedding day. Lillian's Mother is in the centre

Death

Constance’s mother Esther died in 1967 at the age of 88. To commemorate the annniversary of a death a small candle, called a yarzeit candle is lit. The anniversary of the death is determined by the Hebrew calender, the tablet to the left marks the days yahrzeit should be lit for Constance's mother.

Food

Food has a central role in Judaism, we have already seen Constance's mother, Esther, distressed when she could not cook Kosher food according to the laws.

Food not only has a central role at pesach (passover), but each Friday night, the eve of Sabbath certain food should be prepared, as well as preparing food for the Sabbath, as no work (cooking included) can be done.