Antique Judaica Collector’s Corner: Greenstein Gallery owner opines about treasures

At 14 years old, while most boys were into sports, I was working at a part time job at an antique store on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. It was 1980 and silver prices were insanely high. Every little old Jewish lady was bringing in their family’s antique Kiddush cup, menorah, spice box, etc to sell for the melt value of silver. The owner of the antique store was not Jewish, but understood that the melting down of these historic treasures was just plain wrong.

He allowed me to “purchase” these Judaic items at their melt value. I was grateful. That was 30 odd years ago, and it was my start at collecting Judaica. Over the next 20 years, I would run around to antique shows, flea markets, auctions and other venues to look for Jewish treasures that have been sold by their previous owners so I could add them to my collection, sell them or trade them to other collectors.

As the years progressed, I had a metamorphosis from collector to dealer, to auctioneer and consultant. Over the years, I came to be known as the antique Judaica expert, a title that has lasted to this day. While I am no longer actively collecting for myself, I have conducted 19 bi-annual auctions since 2003, and now have a gallery on Central avenue in Cedarhurst from which we buy, sell, trade and auction several hundred pieces of antique Judaica and Jewish art yearly.

I have written several articles about antique Judaica, been interviewed on CNN, Fox news, CBS with Chuck Scarborough and dozens of other forms of media, however one of my most rewarding endeavors is my column in Reform Judaism magazine. In my column I field questions from many of the over 1 million readers who email me photographs of pieces of Judaica that have descended in their families. Following my evaluation I tell them what it’s worth as well as the piece’s general history. I have flown all over the America’s giving the Jewish version of the Antique Road show. I have discovered that most of the Judaica that has not been destroyed by the Nazis is not in a museum in New York, but in private homes, in the closets, bookshelves, basements and other spots of Jewish homes.

In response to The Jewish Star’s offer to have me write such a column, I am available to the general public to offer my expertise, and evaluation of their Judaica. Please feel free to email me your photos at jgreensteinco@aol.com. I will identify them and explain the history behind the pieces and their current market value.

Above, a photo of a silver Etrog case that a reader sent in.

A SILVER ETROG CONTAINER. Germany, c. 1860. Chased in the realistic form of an Etrog on a leafy stem. 6” wide. Silver Etrog containers were mainly silver sugar containers that were reborn for Judaic purposes. This style of Etrog container was the first ones created for the specific use of holding an Etrog. Value $2,000 – 3,000