From INYAN Mag Hamodia

Jewish creativity and passion for mitzvos often find their greatest expression in the creation of ritual objects. Menorahs are no exception. Throughout the centuries, designs of menorahs have reflected the standards of beauty of their times. Today, Ira Saltzman, artist and sculptor in Lincolnwood, Illinois, brings a unique twist to the art of fashioning menorahs.

Ira grew up in Lincolnwood, a suburb north of Chicago and west of West Rogers Park. He considers himself a third generation artist. His mother’s father, Rabbi Yaakov Yudkowsky wrote Yiddish poetry in the old country. Ira’s father who opened and ran a printing business, was a craftsman in his spare time. While stationed in Guam in World War II he worked at repairing ships on a floating dry dock. Since he had the use of many tools, he was able to make kiddush cups and decorative art in his spare time. Ira remembers that his father liked to “make things out of wood and metal” as a hobby.

Before Ira officially began his creative endeavors, he worked in the family printing business for 35 years. Even then, Ira remarked, “I was always drawing, sketching, and doodling.” Several years ago, he closed the printing business, as access to computers had rendered much of the business obsolete. However, printing is a type of art form as well, and his printing career segued into his new profession. Now semi-retired,Ira drives a limo and, about 3 years ago, began his artwork in earnest. His wife, a native of Gary, Indiana, supports and critiques his work. Two of Ira’s 4 children are continuing the family artistic legacy into the fourth generation; his oldest daughter is earning her masters in music in Israel and his youngest daughter paints and draws.

Ira’s first forays into the world of art centered on creating menorahs. He was first inspired by the “Bridge of Strings” in Jerusalem. While in Israel for his daughter’s wedding, Ira saw the now iconic bridge of the light rail system. The bridge’s 66 lengths of steel cables in the shape of a suspended tent or harp inspired him with the idea of crafting a “hanging menorah,” Saltzman explained. Later, in shul, gazing at the ner tamid, his idea blossomed. He created his first hanging menorah using a towel rack holder as the base. He bent metal coat hangers for the lengths to hold the eight individual suspended ner tamids which in turn hold small plastic cups, each filled with wax. This menorah still hangs on a wall of the Saltzman home.

Ira’s second menorah, which he and his family use yearly, hangs on a rod in his window. In this menorah, the ner tamids are suspended by chains. Since then Ira has crafted many variations on this theme. Some of the menorahs feature only the shammash suspended, while others have some or all of the other lights as well. Many are made from a metal base and some from stone, including a replica of Jerusalem stone. One of his most popular menorahs is a molded metal dreidel outline of a large dreidel screwed onto a base of wood, stone, marble or the like, with various types of wax holders in various locations on the menorah. Some of the dreidel menorahs are constructed with an optional spinner beneath the base, so that people can play dreidel after the flames burn out! Ira mentions that while his menorahs are designed for wax holders, they can easily accommodate glass cups filled with olive oil as well, as long as the cups fit firmly into the cups of the menorah. Ira stresses that the design is neat and fireproof with no mess or drips.

Ira is bursting with ideas for more menorah designs; the more menorahs he creates, it seems, the more ideas he has. “Every time I made a menorah I kept thinking of a different menorah I could make! It just kept snowballing--progressing and progressing.” Among his creations are a colorful “confetti” menorah and the especially arresting “Jerusalem of Gold” menorah made of radiant, light-catching gold tiles. Some of Ira’s menorahs are even sports-themed, with the design of a basketball court on a base supported by four miniature basketballs, and painted in team colors. He is working on more sports-themed creations. All his art can be custom-made to match a decor or to a client’s specifications.

Ira specially crafted a large, brass menorah for his shul in Lincolnwood, Congregation Yehuda Moshe. The rav of the shul, Rabbi Joel Gutstein, certifies each menorah design as kosher. When Ira customizes menorahs for clients, he can affix name plates or laminated photos to the base. One unusual design came about when “I was invited to a wedding where they had an artist painting scenes of what was going on at the time. I took a picture when his painting was almost complete. I shrunk it down, laminated it and stuck it on the menorah for the new couple!” He has also created an “award menorah” by removing a kesser from the top of a wooden box given as an award. He then affixed a menorah to the top of the box to create an ideal gift for honorees at an event. Ira frequently donates menorahs as prizes for raffles and Chinese auctions as well.

While menorahs comprise much of Ira’s artwork, they are by no means the only objects Ira has created.. He has painted and sells 16x20 inch acrylic canvases with names such as “Boker” and “Colours.” He designs and produces wall hangings and beaded jewelry, and creates custom personalized paperweights. But Ira’s Kotel Series is especially dear to his heart. Kotel menorahs made of lookalike Jerusalem stone, realistic even to the moss growing on the stones, comprise much of this series. Ira also has created Kotel bookends, personalized name plates and a unique Kotel shofar holder which can double as a bencher holder. Perhaps his most unusual piece, Ira says, is a spinning seder plate holder. This piece sports three trays for the matzos within a tiled structure on which to place the seder plate. The entire piece rotates on its marble base--an eye-catching centerpiece for the seder table and sure to elicit questions from the children!

Although his job as a limo driver seems far removed from his occupation as an artist, driving is actually quite conducive to thinking Ira says, and allows his ideas to percolate. “That’s when the creativity comes. When I stop at a light, I sketch the design.” Ira’s most popular pieces are the dreidel menorahs, Kotel menorahs, and the Kotel nameplate. When asked to name his favorite, however, Ira cannot choose: “My favorite one is the one I’m working on at the time. I like them all.” As Ira looks to expand, his fans can look forward to more original, creative designs.