The Moriah School worked with the Englewood- Tenafly Coalition for Netiv HaAsara on an extraordinary project. Bilha Yinon, an artist from Netiv HaAsara, a moshav near Gaza, was murdered in her home along with her husband Yaakov on October 7. The entire home, along with Bilha’s ceramic studio were burnt to the ground on that day, leaving ceramic shards all over the yard. The ceramic shards were collected with the permission of the Yinon family and brought to Englewood by the Englewood-Tenafly Coalition for Netiv HaAsara. Art teacher, Morah Gila Bretter,  then worked with students to create a beautiful chanukiah using the shards. Moriah students arranged and fastened the shards onto a wooden chanukiah structure. The chanukiah will commemorate Bilha and Yaakov Yinon z”l and the other 18 members of Netiv HaAsara who were murdered on October 7. The finished chanukiah, standing two meters tall, will shine brightly during Chanukah, symbolizing resilience, unity and the bond between the communities.

“This project has been deeply meaningful to me. Building this menorah has been an emotional journey” said Morah Gila. “Breaking the ceramic pieces into smaller fragments felt symbolic, as if each shard carried its own story—stories of loss, strength and the enduring light of those we remember.” A huge thank you to Elad Hibisher for coordinating this project and bringing it to Moriah. The chanukiah will be used a number of times, including on December 26 at the annual public celebration and candle lighting organized by Chabad in downtown Englewood. May its light bring hope and healing to us all.