Object numberM2011/007:001
DescriptionChanukkiah made by Corporal Henoch Gingold whilst serving in the Australian Army Engineering Corps in Darwin. It was a present he made for his brother Lejb (Louis) Gingold, who also served in the Australian Army.
The festival of Chanukkah recalls the Maccabees’ successful revolt against the Syrians in 164 BCE. Tradition holds that when they reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem, there was only enough oil left to light the Temple menorah for one day; miraculously, it burned for eight.
Although the festival celebrates the miracle of the oil not war, the chanukkiah has also come to symbolize Jewish military success and perseverance. In the context of war, Chanukkah and the chanukkiah took on an even greater significance for Jewish soldiers.
Henoch (Henry) Gingold was born in Ostralenka, Poland on 20 March 1909. He enlisted in the Australian Army 7 March 1942. He was discharged 3 April 1946 from the 10 Base Workshop with the rank of Corporal. Henoch’s brother Lejb (Louis) also served with the Australian Army.
The festival of Chanukkah recalls the Maccabees’ successful revolt against the Syrians in 164 BCE. Tradition holds that when they reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem, there was only enough oil left to light the Temple menorah for one day; miraculously, it burned for eight.
Although the festival celebrates the miracle of the oil not war, the chanukkiah has also come to symbolize Jewish military success and perseverance. In the context of war, Chanukkah and the chanukkiah took on an even greater significance for Jewish soldiers.
Henoch (Henry) Gingold was born in Ostralenka, Poland on 20 March 1909. He enlisted in the Australian Army 7 March 1942. He was discharged 3 April 1946 from the 10 Base Workshop with the rank of Corporal. Henoch’s brother Lejb (Louis) also served with the Australian Army.
Production placeAustralia
Production date circa 1942
Subjectsoldiers, religious festivals, Chanukah, Judaica
Object namechanukiah
Materialmetal
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Aaron Gold