Rising Artist

Chanukah, the Festival of lights, is an appropriate time to discover a new light in our mists.

Ira Saltzman AKA IRAS Menorahs is producing menorahs and art, including jewelry, paintings, paperweights and more, all in time for Chanukah.

Ira has worked in the graphic arts field for over 35 years and is always thinking out of the box. Combing his artistic ability with his Jewish roots, growing up in Oak Park / west side Austin Area, knowing His Grandfather Rabbi Jacob Yudkowsky Z"l who wrote poems in Yeddish, and seeing his Father Milton Saltzman Z'L who started the family printing co., build and craft art in his spare time, all helped shaped Iras current passion.

His first venture into the Menorah making business was an electric rope light menorah he made with chicken wire and rope lights large enough to hang outside over his two car garage door that could be seen from the street. Next he build an electric Dreidel that he hung outside by his front windows, again to be seen from the street.

When he went to Israel for his Daughters wedding and saw the "Bridge of Strings" in Jerusalem, he thought, if you can hand a bridge you can hang a menorah. He started doodling and came up with the Hanging menorah.

9 ner tamids hanging down each holding a candle instead of being perched on top of the branches.

Ira considers his menorahs ART pieces for display and if you want, you can use them on Chanukah.

The first hanging Menorah was made from hangers and a towel rack. When the concept worked he went into using chains and bars to make them.

A Brass hanging Menorah was designed built and hung in Cong Yehuda Moshe, Lincolnwood, Il. in Memory of Ira's Parents Miriam and Milton Saltzman Z'L. Its used every year and is permanently attached to the wall for year long display.

Every time he creates one menorah he gets an idea for another menorah. He says he still has plenty of sketches to work from, and as he goes about everyday life, he comes up with more ides.

He had no room to build and store his works, so he asked a friend if he had room in his warehouse, and that is where IRAS Menorahs are being built and stored. He still designs and paints in his Condo.

Three out or Four of his children live in Israel. On the last visit he passed the aqueduct by Ceasarea and that inspired his menorah Ceasarea.

The KOTEL Series is a very popular series. This series includes the Kotel menorah, Kotel bookends, the Kotel caddy, and the new popular Kotel name plate for your desk. According to Ira, there is more to come.

Ira works with stone and metal and he paints Judaic images inspired by the parsha , speeches, classes, and life. He designs necklaces and makes paperweights . He can personalize any item custom make items or match a decor. He has an item for all life cycles events, the hanging Torah, where you choose what is shown in the Torah, such as your birth parsha, your Hebrew birth date, your name.

Asked which is his favorite art piece, Ira says

its like your children, you love each one for a different reason.

Ira says he likes to design and sketch the item and them build it.

Ira is amazed at how many designs he has in his head.

He would like to make a very large menorah for a court yard.

He invites you to stop in to his web site and see whats going on in his head.

One day he would like to have a studio / workshop to exhibit his work and create it all in one spot.