Jewish Maker Rachel D. Mark is crafting miniature Yahrzeit Memorial Candles as a fundraiser for Palestinian families. For those unfamiliar with the tradition, Jewish mourners light one of these long-burning candles on the anniversary of a loved one's death. Rachel's candles are 1:12 scale, measuring just 1/2"H x 1/4"D. Made with real glass dollhouse cups, Yehuda Yahrzeit Memorial Candle wax, and cotton thread wick. You can purchase one for $36 here.
In her own words:
This past March, I purchased an extra yahrzeit memorial candle when I was celebrating the life of my late brother, Daniel. At that time, I began making 32 miniature candles of grief to honor the 32,000 Palestinians slaughtered in the ongoing genocide. The project has since expanded and I will continue to make these little candles as an expression of the deep grief we feel for those lost to such terror and violence. Anti-Zionism is not the same as anti-Semitic. We, as a people, have always been and will continue to be nomadic tribes. It is not anti-Semitic to question the Israeli government's apartheid-turned-genocide of the Palestinian people. Nor is it anti-Patriotic for an American to question the US government's continued funding of this mass genocide. I am using my art and faith to raise money for organizations actively lobbying US Congress for a ceasefire and organizations directly supporting Palestinians on the ground. All proceeds from sales will be documented and shared transparently.
Her goal is to raise $1,000 through candle sales. All proceeds will be donated to Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP, JewishVoiceForPeace.org), United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA.org), and Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS, palestinercs.org).
Again, the link to buy a candle is here.
