Somtimes you just look at life and say "Boy, I sure am glad I'm alive now and not back in the middle ages" (watching too much Borgias and Game of Thrones!!) or even the early 1900's.
Today I went with Jennifer and Jared on his class trip to Ellis Island
and re-learned so much about the time when my grandparents...and even my father...came over to this country.
Unfortunately for all of us it poured rain most of the day...some of the time torrentially
which made for a semi-cold windy day. Then it would stop and the sun would pop out... only to pour again.... BUT, didn't matter...we didn't float away and we had a terrific time.
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You board the ferry which takes you to the Immigration Building
Ellis Island is in New York
you enter the big hall where ALL immigrants had to come before being permitted to stay (or not..!!) in the U.S.
the guide (and we had a wonderful fellow) showed us some of the REAL luggage that people came over with.
and gave us a fantastic tour of what life was like back then and what people brought with them when they came and what they did for work.
when the rain temporarily let up we went outside to the wall of names. We found many Millers (my fathers family) and some Weinbergs and then we also looked for some of Jareds dads family members. They will give you crayons and paper to do tracings.
One of the sections inside was devoted to The Statue of Liberty, with lots of unusual representational art.
I especially loved the Chanukah Menorah
Speaking of the Statue of Liberty....The ferry goes all around Liberty Island too. Thje Statue of Liberty is actually in New Jersey !!
The view of the Freedom Tower peeking out of the clouds was amazing.
You are able to get a full 360 degree view of the Statue from the ferry
a great day for the 3rd grade and all of us "chaparones' !!
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Aside from feeling blessed to be able to do these things with family, we had a fun day at my temple on Sunday when the Rabbi blessed the animals !
It says God created the animals on the 5th day...so...we honor them too...
didn't matter if they were real
or stuffed !!!
or even a dog or a cat
and, like all Jewish festivities...after its over...we EAT !
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Okay..sooooooo, before I sign off....a reminder to drop by my ETSY SHOP
still lotsa good stuff there....all affordably priced !
I LOVE the vintage photos! What a wonderful trip, and as always, thanks for sharing. My great-grandparents came from Sweden and France through Ellis Island. We were there and saw it from a distance, but never made it out to visit. I so wish we had.
Fabulous photos and great reporting.
Your Friend in ART,
Linda
Posted by: Linda Cain | May 22, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Looks like a great class trip - rain or otherwise! Love the pix of all the animals especially the guinea pig!
Kathyk
Posted by: Kathyk | May 22, 2012 at 08:09 AM
what a great tour! We were there several years ago but I believe more improvements have been made since! thanks -you do a great job with the photos!
Posted by: lyle baxter | May 22, 2012 at 06:55 AM
Another great Weinberg tour and lovely to share your family time. Thank so much!
JoZarty x
Posted by: joZarty | May 22, 2012 at 04:27 AM
great day,Suze! Was the statue of Liberty closed,as I had read recently? I enjoyed your pictures and story.
I am in agreement with you on blessing animals!
Posted by: Lee in Texas | May 22, 2012 at 02:44 AM