Spreading Light: The Artist Behind the Captives' Menorahs Shares His Heartwarming Story

Anyone passing by the entrance to the captives' headquarters in Tel Aviv these days cannot overlook the large and impressive menorah standing there. This is the 'Captives' Liberation Menorah,' where each night during Chanukah, a family member of a different captive has the honor of lighting the candles. Another menorah, equally special, is lit at the Captives' Square, at the Nahal Oz struggle headquarters, where a particularly touching candle lighting ceremony is held each evening.

These menorahs, along with others crafted in the spirit of the times, are the creations of artist Avivi Shifris, who has been making unique menorahs for decades.

Among his works, Shifris has crafted menorahs for the Hurva Synagogue, the synagogue of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, and more. His menorahs have seen candle lighting by the President of the State and by chief rabbis and other dignitaries. However, nothing prepared him for the fact that this year he would create the most well-known menorahs displayed at the focal points of the captives' families' activities.

Menorah inspired by Iron Dome

Menorah at the captives' headquarters, with the struggle symbol at its center

Photo: Racheli Ferman

A Menorah with a Message

"I'm grateful for the chance to do something small," says Shifris sincerely, "to bring some light during Chanukah to these people, who strive daily to bring our brothers and sisters home."

He explains that when he was asked to work on these menorahs, he carefully considered the appropriate design. "It was important to me to convey a message of hope and prayer through the menorah," he explains. "That's why I chose to create a giant menorah 2.4 meters wide and two meters high, visible from afar. I designed the branches like arms and hands raised to the sky in prayer and chose to place the menorah on iron pillars for structural stability. In the remaining space at the center, I enlarged the symbol of the struggle for the captives' release."

According to him, the menorah's design also carries deeper meaning. "If you observe closely, at the top of the menorah, there are jugs created with 3D printing, symbolizing the line from the hymn 'Ma'oz Tzur Yeshuati,' which refers to 'and a miracle was made for the roses from the remaining jugs.' That's the miracle we all hope for," he explains. "Inside the jugs, I incorporated a hidden mechanism with a wick within, enabling the flames to appear as if they emerge from the jugs, protected from the gusty winds surrounding them, creating an event that warms hearts, fills with light, and instills hope for the families."

A Moving Tapestry

Additionally, Shifris crafted a menorah placed at the Captives' Square, at the Nahal Oz struggle headquarters. "I personally attended the lighting ceremony this week and was deeply moved by the crowd that came to participate," Shifris shares. "Participants were given blessings over the Chanukah candles along with a special prayer for the captives' return, under the slogan 'Lighting until they return.' As someone who returned to faith, it was incredibly touching to witness the communal fabric — right in the heart of Tel Aviv. There's no ignoring the truly wondrous process occurring there, of mutual solidarity and longing for tradition. It's a process of significant national coming together. Interestingly, a participant from the Druze community was also present at the lighting, having come to the square at the Nahal Oz headquarters, to express warm support. That was very touching too."

And that’s not all, as Shifris has also created additional, smaller menorahs with the struggle symbol and a particularly unique menorah — the 'Iron Dome Menorah' built from a model of interceptor missiles. "The design of this menorah includes a large missile at the center of the lamp, adorned with a Star of David," he shares. "On either side of the lamp's center are two 'wing' arms, holding models of the interceptor missiles, as written in Deuteronomy: 'Like an eagle rouses its nest over its young it hovers...' and commentators convey that it's a metaphor, just as the eagle spreads its wings to shield its young from arrows, so will there be protection for the people of Israel from their enemies, which is precisely the significance of the Iron Dome’s work."

Moreover, Shifris presented several dreidels at the square, prominently featuring a large-sized dreidel. When it spins, one can see in its center the jug of oil, surrounded by the struggle's symbol.

"The work on the menorahs was extensive," he notes, "but I continually felt privileged to partake in a special, moving mitzvah of support and aid in liberating captives, which doesn't happen at every turn. May we soon see all captives return home, and join us in lighting the menorah candles for Chanukah."