One of a kind Sand Art Chanukiah
In Jewish tradition, a Chanukiah represents the presence of God in each of our lives. The physical act of lighting the Chanukiah is a reminder that God's light can be seen in even the darkest times. This year, create your own blue and white Chanukiah and light up your home in our national colors, showing the world that we are unified as one nation, shining bright.
This is a great family activity. Every child can make their own, unique Chanukiah. No two are alike!
SUPPLIES NEEDED
- 4x12 ceramic tile base, in any color of your liking
- Small glass vials, 9 per chanukiah
- Blue and white sand
- Small funnels
- White glue (such as Elmer's)
- Industrial glue (such as E6000) or rubber cement
- Candle bases, 9 per chanukiah
- Small square tiles to raise up the Shamash candle
- Bowls and spoons for sand distribution
- Plastic tablecloth
- Glitter glue, Chanukah confetti, or stickers (optional)
- Mod Podge (optional)
STEPS TO CREATING YOUR SAND ART CHANUKIAH
- Cover table with tablecloth.
- Place sand into bowls and put in the center of the table. Place a few spoons in each bowl for easy access.
- Place one 4x12 ceramic tile, 9 glass vials, and one funnel at each place an artist will sit.
- A kosher chanukiah must have all 8 candles lined up in a straight line. Each artist should place 8 glass vials down on their ceramic tile, and make sure they are as straight as possible.
- The shamash, the 9th candle, must be distinct in some way, so it is clearly not one of the 8 candles. We do this by placing it separately and/or making it higher than the others.
The shamash can be placed in the following places on your Chanukiah:
- At either end of the line of 8, raised up
- In the middle of the line of 8, raised up
- Centered, in front or behind the line of 8
- In one of the corners of the tile
- Once you like the positioning of row of 8 and the shamash, use your industrial glue to glue down the vials into place, as well as the small tiles to raise up the shamash, if needed. (Younger children may need assistance with this step, especially if using industrial-strength glue.) You will have only a few minutes to reposition them before the glue sets, so you can fix it a bit but try your best to decide on placement before attaching.
- Place a funnel into the first vial and begin layering your colored sand.
- When the vial is full, carefully pour white glue on top of the sand so it keeps in in place.
- Use your industral glue to glue the candle base into the top of the vial.
- Repeat until all vials are full.
- Once finished, you may decorate the rest of your ceramic tile with glitter glue, Chanukah confetti, or stickers. Paint over these decorations with Mod Podge or watered-down white glue to seal them.
- Let dry for 24-48 hours and use.
We'd love to see your Blue and White Lights!
Send us your selfies and group pics for a shoutout throughout our global Jewish community who loves sharing the connection with their fellow Virtual Citizens of Israel around the world. Follow us on social media and you can post your pic online and tag us in your post as well as use our hastags, #IsraelForever #BlueWhite Unity
Find unique ways to incorporate the Israeli flag and the flag of the country in which you reside into your art and photos as well, so that the world can see the vast number of nationalities of our VCI artists!
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BRING ISRAEL INTO YOUR CHAGIM
This Chanukah, explore and connect with Israel by bringing her into your art.
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