Bar Mitzvah Certificate
Object numberM2004/020:002
TitleBar Mitzvah Certificate
DescriptionBar Mitzvah certificate issued by the Pest Jewish Community, Budapest, 24 February 1950, to Gyorgy Gelb, son of Eva Bauer and Jozsef Gelb.
“We ask for God’s blessing for our brother, Who, according to our ancient custom and religious law appeared before the holy Torah in front of the congregation, and as Bar Mitzvah affirmed his union with the community of the people of Israel and his firm decision that he is a mature and committed member of our community and commits to dedicate his heart and talents to following the religious laws his whole life long.”
“Meir ben Hayyim was given an Aliyah at the main service at the Nagyfuvaros utca synagogue on February 25, 1950, on the day of Shabbat Parasha Terumah and Shabbat Zachor. In front of the Torah, paying homage to the word of God, he made his devout vow and sacred commitment to the Eternal One, the God of Israel.”
Signed on behalf of the Rabbinate and Leadership of the Pest Jewish Community: Illegible signature, Head of Class and Dr Laszlo Salgo, Consecrating Rabbi.
Donated by George Gelb as part of a collection of documents pertaining to his mother, Eva Bauer.
“We ask for God’s blessing for our brother, Who, according to our ancient custom and religious law appeared before the holy Torah in front of the congregation, and as Bar Mitzvah affirmed his union with the community of the people of Israel and his firm decision that he is a mature and committed member of our community and commits to dedicate his heart and talents to following the religious laws his whole life long.”
“Meir ben Hayyim was given an Aliyah at the main service at the Nagyfuvaros utca synagogue on February 25, 1950, on the day of Shabbat Parasha Terumah and Shabbat Zachor. In front of the Torah, paying homage to the word of God, he made his devout vow and sacred commitment to the Eternal One, the God of Israel.”
Signed on behalf of the Rabbinate and Leadership of the Pest Jewish Community: Illegible signature, Head of Class and Dr Laszlo Salgo, Consecrating Rabbi.
Donated by George Gelb as part of a collection of documents pertaining to his mother, Eva Bauer.
Production placeBudapest, Hungary
Production date 1950-02-24
Object namecertificates
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 330.00 mm
Language
- Hungarian BAR MITZVAH CERTIFICATE
“At five years, scripture. At ten years, mishna. At thirteen years, the commandments.” (Pirkei Avot V.24)
PEST JEWISH COMMUNITY
“Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Torah of the Lord. Happy are they who keep his testimonies and seek him with the whole heart.” (Psalms, 119. 1-2)
Budapest, February 24, 1950
“I have set the Lord always before me.” (Psalms, 16. 8)
WE ASK FOR GOD’S BLESSING FOR
Gyorgy Gelb our brother,
Who, according to our ancient custom and religious law appeared before the holy Torah in front of the congregation, and as Bar Mizvah affirmed his union with the community of the people of Israel and his firm decision that he is a mature and committed member of our community and commits to dedicate his heart and talents to following the religious laws his whole life long.
Our young brother Meir ben Hayyim, was given an aliyah at the main worship service at the Nagyfuvaros utca synagogue on February 25, 1950, on the day of Shabbat Parasha Terumah and Shabbat Zachor. In front of the Torah, paying homage to the word of God, he made his devout vow and sacred commitment to the Eternal One, the God of Israel.
In Hebrew: “May his strength lead him on a straight path, and may his reward from Adonai, God of Israel, be complete.”
On behalf of the Rabbinate and Leadership of the Pest Jewish Community:
Illegible signature, Head of Class
Dr Laszlo Salgo, Consecrating Rabbi
Illegible signature, worship leader
Translator notes:
* Pest is a large part of Budapest, on the left bank of the River Danube. The majority of synagogues have always been there
* Israel refers to klal Israel and not the country
* Synagogue in Nagyfuvaros street. Synagogues are known by their address not by a name in Budapest. Also, in Hungary it used to be more common to call all synagogues “temples”, the same word that was used for Christian churches of all denominations. This did not at all indicate affiliation with Reform Judaism as it would today. It rather reflects the widespread use of Hungarian terms.
* Gabbai, another example of employing Hungarian terms
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr George Gelb