Now that Hanukkah is just around the corner, it’s time to start shopping for your family members and friends. Instead of getting them a gift card or turning to Amazon, you can purchase a unique gift from one of these local artisans instead. You’ll be supporting small businesses while impressing your recipients at the same time.
Artist Barbara Mendes’ Colorful Creations
Purchase a Judaic painting or small figurines of horses and birds from artist Barbara Mendes, who is known for her incredibly detailed and colorful Jewish artworks. Art is available at IVAN Gallery at 2701 S. Robertson Blvd. Find out more at BarbaraMendes.org.
Hanukkah Home Goods by Chen Alyesh
Pick up holiday-specific presents like Hanukkah placemats, stationary cards, throw pillows and wrapping paper from artist Chen Alyesh. Goods are available at society6.com/cdesignbychen.
Sweet Treats from Chana Netkin
Pico-Robertson-based kosher baker Chana Netkin is offering up hot cocoa bombs for $6 each and small and large DIY Hanukkah cookie kits for $20 and $40, respectively. “[The cookie kit is the] perfect family activity to do after lighting the menorah,” she said. You can order your sweets by emailing thetrustybaker@gmail.com or contacting Netkin on WhatsApp at (310) 929-0851.
Rae Shagalov’s Hanukkah Activity Book
Want to get creative this holiday? Then check out author and illustrator Rae Shagalov’s, “The Happy Hanukkah Fun Activity Book.” “It’s a fun-filled Hanukkah activity book to keep your children busy for hours,” said Shagalov. “Puzzles include mazes, matching and word search, thoughtful writing and drawing prompts and relaxing coloring pages for children ages four to eight (and their grown-ups will enjoy coloring it, too!).” You can find the book on Amazon, or at https://www.joyfullyjewish.com.
Beautiful Jewelry From Liza Shtromberg
Liza Shtromberg first started making jewelry in her father’s jewelry gallery, which was located in the old quarter of Jaffa in Israel. Today, she works with stylists and celebrities to make pieces, some of which have appeared on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “The Voice.” Standout jewelry includes a sterling silver tree of life necklace made with the imprint of the Western Wall ($120) and an engraved Shema Israel silver bracelet ($80). You can shop online at JewishJewelryLizaShtromberg.com or go to her store, Western Wall Jewish Jewelry, at 1953 Hillhurst Ave.
Chef Nina Safar’s Kosher Cookbook
Nina Safar of Kosher in the Kitch is the author of “The Simply Kosher Cookbook,” which contains delectable recipes for Hanukkah. Purchase this book and you’ll learn how to make her signature Reuben stuffed latkes. “When it comes to celebrating Hanukkah, I like to think of everyone’s favorite fried food—latkes—and the exciting nontraditional ways to eat them,” she said. The book is available on KosherintheKitch.com and Amazon.
Delicious Desserts from The Kosher Cookie Company
The Kosher Cookie Company, part of Bibi’s Bakery and Café, is offering up Hanukkah Gift Tins ($29.95) with 20 crispy blue and white sugared dreidel cookies and Paint Your Own Cookie kits for Hanukkah ($17.95), which come with four cookies and four brushes. These sweets are available at KosherCookieCompany.com. You can also pick them up at Bibi’s at 8928 W. Pico Blvd.
Jewelry With Meaning from Ben Lesser at ZACHOR
Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser, 93, who lives in Las Vegas, founded ZACHOR, a Holocaust remembrance foundation. Together with his descendants, who are based in Los Angeles, they’ve put out a set of handcrafted jewelry that is etched with the organization’s signature ZACHOR, the Hebrew word for “remember.” You can purchase bracelets for $325, 14k pendants for $220 and pins for $4 at ZachorFoundation.org.
A Variety of Gifts at GIFTED by Jill Lefferman
Are you unsure about what kind of present to give? Then pop into GIFTED, an experiential brick and mortar boutique at 10590 W. Pico Boulevard. Owner Jill Lefferman recommended gifts like a colorful backgammon game made of vegan leather ($400), a s’mores roasting set gift box ($180) and a lovely oil menorah flower vase ($370). “Every piece in our store is sourced with love and purchased with a purpose,” said Lefferman.
