Finding Light: Hanukkah Reflections

Last Hanukkah, as I lit the menorah in my New York apartment, I felt a flicker of both warmth and grief. The soft glow of the candles reflected against the window, and for a moment, the world outside felt still. But behind that quiet was a heaviness. The war in Israel was in full force and our community was reeling from loss, fear, and uncertainty. Lighting candles, something that once symbolized simple joy and tradition, suddenly felt like an act of resistance, of hope, of connection.

This year, as Hanukkah approaches once again, that same mix of light and shadow feels ever-present. The miracle of the oil lasting eight days, a story of endurance and faith has taken on new meaning. Through Makers of Israel, I’ve been reminded that creativity itself can be a form of light: a way of holding onto beauty, identity, and strength in the darkest moments.

That idea comes to life through the makers themselves, each one reflecting a different facet of what it means to bring light into the world right now.

For ceramic artist Dannah Levy of Clay by Dannah, Hanukkah is about simplicity and warmth. Her menorah design, inspired by “the simplicity of the candles’ form and the peaceful act of lighting them,” captures that balance. She recalls her favorite Hanukkah memory: “When my eldest son was in kindergarten, his teacher made each child a small clay menorah. That year, we used his little menorah every night—it was imperfect but so full of love.” Her words and her craft remind us that the imperfections in handmade work, and in life, often carry the most meaning.

Judith Nusimovici of L’Atelier finds her inspiration in the enduring strength of Jewish design. Her Hanukkah pieces, “inspired by modernist simplicity and Jewish tradition,” reflect the holiday’s spirit of resilience. “I love how Hanukkah celebrates resilience,” she says. “The perseverance of the Jewish people to keep the light burning, generation after generation.”

For ceramicist Adi Nissani, light is both literal and metaphorical. “This Hanukkah, I’m inspired by the ups and downs of this past year,” she shares. “The candlelight reminds me that even when things feel unpredictable, there’s still beauty to be found.” Her favorite tradition? Lighting candles every evening and savoring the quiet moment that follows. “I don’t like sufganiyot,” she admits with a laugh. “But give me classic latkes, crispy and simple, and I’m happy.”

The Holy Land Art Shoppe’s, Chavi Woolf Feldman associates Hanukkah with family and legacy. “My favorite memory is when my grandparents made latkes in their kitchen. The smell filled the house,” she says. “When I lived in Toronto, lighting candles in the freezing cold felt magical, it was a way to bring light into long, dark winter nights.” Her art, a piece filled with “enormous light,” reflects that sense of warmth breaking through the cold.

And for Susan’s House, a Jerusalem-based social enterprise that employs at-risk youth, Hanukkah is deeply communal. “At Susan’s House, we light candles together every night,” shares Michal Rozenberg. “Each flame represents the strength of our team, the hope of our youth, and our belief that even in darkness, light can grow.” Their handmade menorahs, crafted at-risk youth who are rebuilding their lives, embody the very essence of Hanukkah: faith in renewal.

As I read these reflections, I’m reminded that Hanukkah isn’t just a story about oil or ancient miracles, it’s about what we choose to do with our light. For our makers, creativity is an act of faith. Every ceramic vessel, paper illustration, or piece of jewelry tells a story of persistence and purpose. Each handmade menorah or candleholder is a declaration: We are still here. We still create. We still shine.

Hanukkah is a time of tzedakah – giving, uplifting, and spreading light. This Hanukkah, we’re supporting SafeHeart in sending one festival survivor and a family member to an end-of-year retreat in Cyprus. As Israelis and Jews around the world process the past two traumatic years, it’s crucial to support those who need it most. Makers of Israel is raising funds for SafeHeart, which provides trauma-informed care to festival survivors and their loved ones. 

As families gather to light candles, our flames join a collective glow stretching from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Toronto and New York. Through the work of our makers and the community driven initiatives we partner on, that light keeps burning bright. Even in uncertain times, we show up, we create, and we keep lighting the candles.