Israeli Athletes and Public Figures Share Stories of Cherished Objects
A collection of personal essays from prominent Israelis reveals the deep emotional significance attached to seemingly ordinary objects, often passed down through generations or acquired during pivotal life moments. These items serve as tangible links to memory, identity, and personal history.
Olympic judoka Oren Smadja shares his bronze medal-winning judo gi from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, which he keeps unworn and dirty as a symbol of his "superhero armor" and the resilience it represents, even in the face of personal tragedy like the loss of his son.
Singer Dana International cherishes a plastic toy dog named Tintin, a childhood companion that has remained with her for decades, symbolizing innocence and unwavering friendship. Fashion historian Dr. Yaara Keidar finds profound meaning in her grandmother's sock darner, a relic of a past era of mending and resourcefulness, now representing a connection to her grandmother's hands and a world where things were repaired rather than replaced.
Chef Israel Aharoni holds onto a 100-year-old Bukharian gold bracelet, a family heirloom that has become a symbol of his lineage and a hope for future generations. Fashion designer Dorin Frankfurt's "wedding dress," a unique pink and gold ensemble, embodies her youthful courage and self-assurance, serving as a reminder of her boldness. Journalist Shaul Amsterdamski keeps a slide projector, a memento from his brief aspiration to be a photographer, which survived a devastating fire and now represents the analog world and lost dreams.
Other contributors include comedian Rami Vered, who treasures a Cartier watch received upon his engagement, now symbolizing both past love and eventual separation; journalist and radio broadcaster Eli Betan, who keeps a Cartier watch as a symbol of love that turned into a symbol of separation and then love again; journalist and author Yuval Plotkin, who cherishes a Portuguese map as a lesson in absurdity and humility; journalist Shahar Smicha, who possesses an ashtray from Las Vegas that connects his "nerdy" parents to a wilder side; and journalist La'av Halevi, who displays a pair of rusty scales as a reminder of his grandfather's livelihood and his own balanced life.
Further reflections include journalist Dudu Mitzna's letter opener from his grandfather, an "endangered craft" artifact; journalist Esther Barak-Lands's postcard from her mother, a message from "another world" after her passing; journalist Shaked Green Arva's "Flowers of Good" poster, a reminder that "evil can turn into good"; journalist Hillel Gorfinkel's passports, representing his dual identity and potential; journalist Oren Cohen's father's ring, a symbol of his father's personality; journalist Arik Libsker's childhood teddy bear, a teacher of compassion; and journalist Matan Hermoni's father's 1965 Aria guitar, a symbol of analog artistry and enduring quality. The collection also features a "Purim" psalm written by a father, a "Kiddush" cup symbolizing family, and a "Yemenite Hamin pot" representing family heroism.
