Individual oil cups now constitute 15 percent of Menorah’s Hanukkah trade, a number Ben Moshe expects to rise as more Jews abroad adopt the olive oil custom.
The company tries to locally source paraffin, wicks, olive oil and dye, all the components that go into making the signature candles.
A parallel part of the Menorah ethos is providing employment and occupational therapy to local people with special needs. Ten of the 40 workers at the 75,000 sq. ft. plant are from the special needs community and are involved in various aspects of packing and shipping thousands of oil cups and candles daily.
Commercial candle making is a relatively simple but exacting process using paraffin and oil. The Sderot plant uses machinery manufactured and imported from Germany and China some 30 years ago that still functions well today. The wicks are eight-layers strong to create a steady flame. To create different colors, sizes and shapes of candles, many kinds of paraffin additions are required.
To keep up with demand and an exacting export schedule, production starts four months ahead of the holiday. Menorah’s biggest customers outside of Israel are in North America, France, Australia and South Africa, with business growing an average of 10 percent every year, Ben Moshe said.
One last stop on the factory tour is the small synagogue on its premises that is used for daily Torah study. Ben Moshe reflects on the candle legacy he’s perpetuating and growing bigger.
“God sent me here,” he said with a smile.
Ilan Ben Moshe, owner of Menorah Candle Company, in the small synagogue on the factory premises.
Photo: Judy Lash Balint