It is a mitzvah, rabbis teach us, to light the menorah in a window or at the entrance to one’s home so others can share the holiday’s light and the commemoration of the Hanukkah miracle of long ago. Today, amid uncertainty and change, Jewish communal strength and enduring traditions are also reasons for celebration. Joyful, playful and unabashedly Jewish and/or Israeli, these gifts—Judaica, jewelry and even a mah jongg set—offer tangible expressions of identity as well as an opportunity to marvel at the creativity that makes Jewish life an everyday miracle.

Go With the Flow

The Loopa hand-painted enamel menorah, from Israeli Judaica design studio Hadarya, reimagines the traditional menorah with fluid, twisting, colorful curves and a dynamic silhouette. The menorah is part of the collection of SURI Modern Judaica, a Jerusalem-based design house that brings Israeli creators to the global market (from $660; suri-art.com). Inspired by the Arava Desert in southern Israel and its ancient copper mines, international design house L’Objet, founded by Israeli-born designer Elad Yifrach, has named its recent collection after the desert’s Timna Valley. The striking, sculptural Timna menorah’s flowing lines mirror the desert’s sand-swept landscape and striped hills, available in oat (above, center) and bronze (from $395; l-objet.com). The Wave menorah in coral, handcrafted by artist and designer Melissa “Feldi” Felderman of Feldi Studios, brings a playful, contemporary twist to traditional Judaica. With its flowing, wave-like silhouette, the sculptural ceramic menorah doubles as a striking decorative piece to display year-round, available in an assortment of colors (from $218; feldistudios.com).

The Chosen Platters

Kudos to West Elm for continuing to produce trendy Jewish-themed home goods, especially a set of two Nicole Cicak Menorah Lighting Tea Towels (from $29.50; westelm.com) and a matching throw pillow (from $70.50). West Elm’s new collaboration with Russ & Daughters includes fish (from $89.50) and latke (from $69.50) serving trays and wooden boards for challah (from $59.50) and bagels (from $69.50; westelm.com).

Not Just for Chocolate

Geltpop’s adorable vegan leather Hanukkah Gelt Coin Pouch is shaped like a giant chocolate coin, perfect for holding your winnings from the family dreidel game—or a bit of real chocolate ($25; geltpop.com).

For the Kinderlach 

Given her origins—shout out to Jewish creator Ruth Handler—Barbie has always been somewhat Jew-ish. This year, the plastic icon gives a nod to her Jewish roots with a light-up menorah “ugly” sweater (original retail price, $30). The Holiday Sweater doll went viral after it launched, and Hanukkah Barbie fans can purchase a matching sweater (from $80; creations.mattel.com and other retailers). Co-authored by celebrated children’s book illustrator Suzy Ultman and craft stylist Amanda Kingloff, founder of ProjectKid, The Art of Jewish Joy, which comes with stickers, is a year of fun Jewish holiday crafts for kids, such as this child-friendly paper bird menorah (from $35; chroniclebooks.com).

Letter Perfect

Handcrafted in its Jaffa studio by Israeli army reservists turned artisans, Mor Sinai Judaica’s handbags and wallets pair premium Italian leather and meaningful design. Their elegant Israeli Letters clutches in black, brown, green and burgundy celebrate Hebrew typography with an embossed alef-bet (from $495 each; morsinaijudaica.com). 

Artisanal Peace

Female-led Israeli Arab-Jewish nonprofit Sindyanna of Galilee has faced boycotts this year, but its award-winning olive oils continue to shine. Its olive oil, za’atar, tahina and other specialties make flavorful gifts that support Arab-Jewish cooperation (sets from $34 to $62; sindyanna.com).

Legendary

DY Judaica’s Spanish Inquisition Necklace features a modular design (from $199; DYJudaica.com). LevorEm’s Orlia 14K gold Star of David ring (from $3,150) and earrings ($2,610; levorem.com), both with lab-grown diamonds, offer redefined Jewish elegance, while Prague Judaica’s Altneu watches bring a touch of old-town Europe to daily wear (from $232; praguejudaica.com). Susan Alexandra’s sparkle bracelets come with sayings like “oy vey” and “chutzpah” (from $78; susanalexandra.com). 

In the Cards

Created by artist Sara M. Novenson, the Sacred Women, Source of Light card set and companion guidebook shares Novenson’s illustrations of women of the Bible, from matriarch Sarah to Hanukkah hero Judith, as empowering prompts for meditation and spiritual insight (from $152; novenson.com).

Tile Addiction

With mah jongg now an all-ages Jewish obsession, of course we need to showcase a set inspired by the beauty of Judaism and Israel. The Mazel Jongg set includes wind tiles that honor Jerusalem, Haifa and other Israeli cities as well as joker tiles with holiday motifs (set, including evil eye mat, from $397; mazeljongg.com). Mazel Jongg is also selling the ultimate bag to haul your tiles to “away games” (from $265). Drink your morning coffee in this “crak sip repeat” mug from Hadassah (from $10). And set the mood for game night with a “playing mahjong with mah girls” candle from Modern Tribe (from $28) and get ready to roll with a Hanukkah-themed dice set from Modern Mahjong (from $28; modernmahjong.com). 

At All Ages and Stages…

Hadassah has you covered, from Hadassah Magazine’s book apron, available with a donation of $250 or more to the Hadassah Magazine Circle, to a onesie for your grandchild (from $16.50) and T-shirt for proud bubbes (from $11.50; both available from the new Hadassah eStore).

Golems, Golems, Golems 

Prague Judaica’s gold-plated or sterling silver golem jewelry, including pendants (from $116), earrings (from $127) and bracelets (from $92), bring a Jewish myth to daily wear (praguejudaica.com), as do the company’s playful socks (from $16). 

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Leah Finkelshteyn is senior editor of Hadassah Magazine.