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Sleek and minimalist, the Menorah designed by MA-MA offers a brilliant twist on the traditional religious object.
One of the best-known religious symbols in the world, the menorah traditionally features eight branches with candles which are lit one by one to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. New York- and Los Angeles-based MA-MA, a multidisciplinary design studio founded by sisters Sanam, Laylee, and Safura Salek, has reimagined the candelabra-shaped menorah as a contemporary design object that beautifully enhances the ritual of lighting candles for Hanukkah. Sleek and modern, the MA-MA menorah is not just stunning, it also brings a poetic dimension to the holiday celebrations.
“We grew up in a culturally Jewish family where tradition held a deeper resonance than religion. Lighting the Menorah during Hanukkah was one of these cherished rituals—a way to bring light into the home. Our mother’s keen eye for design infused our lives with a love for artistry; her collection of unique art, furniture, and design pieces was a testament to her aesthetic sensibility. Among these, her growing collection of rare Menorahs stood out—not as religious symbols, but as sculptural expressions of design. Inspired by her vision, we felt compelled to create a Menorah of our own—a modern reinterpretation, departing from traditional forms. This piece is our way to continue our mother’s legacy, adding to her collection with a fresh perspective,” explain Laylee, Safura and Sanam Salek.
The two aluminum slabs with circular forms and mirror-like finishes initially hide the purpose of this elegant object that looks at home in stylish, modern interiors. Rotating the top slab reveals the holes which can hold eight candles. Users only need to swivel the top section one opening at a time to mark each new day of the Hanukkah with a lit candle. Crafted from one inch thick aluminum, the slabs feature a central rod that connects them but remains hidden at all times. The polished surface of the menorah gorgeously reflects the light of the candles, accentuating the visual effect of the moving flames.
Manufactured by Sasanian Sourcing, the MA-MA Menorah comes with custom non-drip candles, making this contemporary religious object ready to use straight out of the box. Photography© Albert Font Garcia.
