House Beautiful, November 2022

House Beautiful, November 2022

modern menorah
FOOD52

Winter holidays like Hanukkah are all about tradition. Some families play dreidel, others enjoy a handful of chocolate gelt, and most light the Hanukkah candles, which burn throughout the night in a menorah. This year, we’re making a case for modern menorahs that take the traditional design—often a metal candelabra with curved arms atop a skinny base—to the next level. After all, the only requirement when it comes to menorah design is that it features nine slots—eight for the eight nights of Hanukkah and one for the shamash, the "helper" candle used to light the rest—so why not get a little carried away this year?

From a solid Carrera marble menorah that’s featured in Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History’s permanent collection to a blackened cast iron alternative, there are a lot of funky options on the market. In fact, some are so cool, you may be tempted to leave them out all year long.

 

Cleanup is perhaps the only thing to consider when picking out a new menorah because there is no task more tedious than scraping melted candle wax off in the morning just to do it all again for a full week. Luckily, we’ve rounded up our favorite modern menorahs that are extra stylish and even easier to clean. Plus, our well-researched list includes beautiful options at every price point. That said, menorahs are designed to last (and be passed down), so if you’re going to invest in something special, a modern menorah should be at the top of your list.

IDEAL FOR SMALL SPACES
West Elm
Glass Menorah
WEST ELM
Now 20% off
MOST CLASSIC
Birdrock Home
Hanukkah Menorah
AMAZON
MOST SPLURGE-WORTHY
Design Within Reach
Ascalon Menorah
DESIGN WITHIN REACH
LEAST TRADITIONAL
The Citizenry
Tikal Wood Menorah Set
THE CITIZENRY
BEST FOR KIDS
Genaositun
Animal Menorah
WAYFAIR
EASIEST TO CLEAN
Avcore
Modern Stacked Menorah
HOMEGOODS
MOST DRAMATIC
AREAWARE
Blackened Cast Iron Menorah
FOOD52
BEST MATERIALS
Anthropologie
Gold Foil Menorah
ANTHROPOLOGIE
MOST ORIGINAL SHAPE
SIN
Swey Menorah
LULU & GEORGIA
BEST DUPE
Threshold
Marble and Brass Menorah
TARGET
BEST VINTAGE
Wainberg Israel
Solid Brass Menorah
1STDIBS
MOST WHIMSICAL
Urban Outfitters
Woodland Menorah
URBAN OUTFITTERS
BEST MIDCENTURY MODERN-INSPIRED
Nambé
Menorah
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
MOST WHIMSICAL
Anthropologie
Celeste Menorah
ANTHROPOLOGIE
MOST COLORFUL
The Holiday Aisle
The Holiday Aisle Blue Menorah
WAYFAIR
How many candles are on a modern menorah?
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Any menorah—modern or not—has nine candles, eight of which represent the eight nights of Hanukkah and one with which to light them. A "modern" menorah refers to the design rather than the function.

When is Hanukkah this year?
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This year, Hanukkah starts on December 19, 2022. Hanukkah falls on a different day each year because it follows the lunar calendar rather than the solar.

Why trust us?
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Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful's Associate Shopping Editor and she has collected quite a few menorahs over the years. Some have been passed down and others have been splurge-worthy purchases. In any case, she knows a thing or two about stylish menorahs that make for a festive holiday.