by Alysa Dudley

Created on: October 02, 2010   Last Updated: October 15, 2010

Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, is a joyous holiday celebrating religious freedom.  Lighting candles during the darkest days of the year reminds us of the miraculous light which burned in the Temple in Jerusalem following the dark days of the war fought by the Maccabees.

Over the years our family has accumulated quite a collection of Hanukkah menorahs.  Some have been gifts, and some are handmade.  There are small ones and large ones, and travel sized ones.  They are created from all sorts of media – from metal and ceramics to plaster and even paper.

There is a small one which is a replica of the menorah used by Anne Frank.  Birthday cake candles have to be shaved down to fit.  After using it for a few years, it became apparent that it was meant to be a piece to admire, not to use.  It now has a place where we can enjoy looking at it.

We have a simple metal hanukkiah (another name for a Hanukkah menorah).  It is a traditional style with a center tall candle, and four semicircles holding eight candles – 4 on each side of the head candle.  The eight candles are at the same height, and the candle in the center is higher than the rest.  Our collection includes another traditionally shaped menorah, which is bigger and more ornate.

Our Winnie the Pooh menorah is fanciful and fun.  The base looks like a green meadow where the Pooh characters are playing.  One of the menorahs, made in Israel, consists of separate hexagonal pieces which can be arranged in a multitude of ways.  A useful travel set, it can also be used for Shabbat and holiday candle holders.

The most precious menorahs are the ones made by the three girls in the family.  Hebrew school projects, some were creations made at home, and some were made at Hebrew School.  One is a piece of wood with metal nuts glued on (as in nuts and bolts).  The candles fit in the center of the nuts.

Another hand made hannukiah is made from plaster of Paris.  For the candle holders, colored plaster was poured into small paper cups with candle sized holes carved out after hardening.  The base is plaster of Paris poured into a round silver colored tray with the candle holders set in it in a circular patter.  Then there is the one (falling apart now) which has a base made of plaster of Paris covered with decoupaged wrapping paper.

A favorite creation is the menorah made using toilet paper tubes as candles with orange, yellow and red tissue paper for the flames.  Of course, this one is just for show.

Our family tradition is for each person to light a different menorah.  We even have enough for company!  By the last night of Hannukah we have a joyous blaze of light.  Each Hanukkah menorah evokes precious memories which make the holiday particularly special.

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