You may have noticed that a lot of big chainstores like Target and Walmart have more Hanukkah merch than ever this year, but there’s still nothing quite like supporting a small Jewish-owned business. Not only does it feel good to shop small, but Jewish creators just know what they’re doing. They know what letters go on dreidels, and how many branches are on a menorah, and which Jewish ritual 0bjects belongs to which Jewish holiday. Plus, they don’t make all their merch only blue, yellow and gold. They know we don’t need to put 213 Jewish stars on everything for it to be Jewish. And also, these independent makers are, to paraphrase “Zoolander,” really really ridiculously talented.
So if you want to give back to the Jewish community in a small but tangible way this holiday season, or really any gifting season, here are some delightful Jewish businesses and creators to support.
Suzy Ultman
Here at Kveller, we adore Suzy Ultman’s whimsical, colorful Jewish illustrations. Ultman has just released her first children’s board book, “I Like Your Chutzpah,” and is gearing up to release her second soon. She also has incredible Jewish merch, available both on her website and from other sellers. We especially love her cute dreidel shirt that comes in all sizes and adorable “shine on” Hanukkah wrapping paper.
Suzy Ultman Hanukkah shirt from Mochi Kids
Suzy Ultman wrapping paper from March
Ariel Tidhar
Jewish designer Ariel Tidhar makes acrylic look versatile and so, so classy. She’s been known for making big, bold and sparkly earrings and understated studs (she has an earring vending machine where you can get a surprise set) and this year, she even added a menorah and dreidel to her colorful collection. If you’re feeling generous, you can also sponsor a pair of cute studs for a college student.
Shop Ariel Tidhar on Modern Tribe
Midrash Manicures
You know Midrash Manicures is legit because it’s run by a real life rabbi. You may have run across Rabbi Yael Buechler’s fun videos perusing Hanukkah merch at stores like Target and Kohl’s while wearing her own Hanukkah pajamas. My kids love her soft holiday sleepwear, and Buechler is one of the few people who offer Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah and Passover pajamas, too, as well as adorable holiday accessories. And if you love a deal, you can use code Kveller20 for 20%. Totally worth it.
Shop at the Midrash Manicures site
Mamaleh
Do you need a necklace with the word “verklempt” on it? A cute hat that says “shayna punim?” Mamaleh has really cute, Yiddish-inspired jewelry, prints and clothing, as well as lovely colorful Jewish star necklaces.
ModernTribe
What Jew Wanna Eat creator Amy Kritzer Becker and her brother Andrew Kritzer run ModernTribe together. The site lovingly curates Jewish wares from some of the best makers out there, as well as some non-Jewish brands who carry fun Jewish products. You can find presents for everyone on your list on ModernTribe, from the youngest to the oldest, like Hanukkah build-it-yourself kits for kids and funny mugs.
Emily Rosenfeld
My house is all decked out in Emily Rosenfeld mezuzahs. The artist has been making her metal wares for more than three decades and they are so beautiful. On her website, you can find everything from jewelry to Judaica; she has cute nursery art, mobiles and hamsa and pomegranate necklaces and earrings.
Shop the Emily Rosenfeld website
Shop Emily Rosenfeld on ModernTribe
Adara Rituals
This store is named after owner Tara’s daughter’s Hebrew name, and every item in it “has a story,” from “hand-beaded pieces made in a female-owned artisan workshop in India, metalwork etched and forged using centuries old tools and techniques, the softest textiles knit by a family mill in small batches, and candles poured by hand.” One new candle this year is scented like a hot rabbi for all the “Nobody Wants This” fans.
Shop the Adara Rituals website
Arielle Zorger
If you want some color in your Judaica, then Arielle Zorger’s lovingly hand-painted prints are for you. They’re full of vibrant neons and feature menorahs and pomegranates of every color. She has Hanukkah wax drip trays for your menorahs, wall art, table runners and more goodies to make your Jewish home more fun over the holidays and beyond. Order your goodies by December 5 to get them in time.
Shop the Arielle Zorger website
Da Shayna Punims
Were you a Jewish kid with no Christmas tree? Do you know someone who loves watching Hallmark movies on Hanukkah? Then you need to get yourself a punny product from Da Shayna Punims.
Mrs. Meshugga
Jewish designer Lisa Buber started her brand, Mrs. Meshugga (the Yiddish word for crazy), in 2012 after wanting more Hanukkah wares in a world filled with Christmas goods. Aside from her Hanukkah toile collection and her Hanukkah rainbow one, she offers fun wares in a Jewish food collection, a Jewish pride collection and an Israel collection.
Shop the Mrs. Meshugga website
Eli7 Designs
Black and Orthodox designer Elisheva Rishon started her brand in 2019 and it is full of delightful Jewish prints and colorful modest dresses. “My natural coping mechanism when faced with endless negativity is to counteract it with beauty,” Rishon told Hey Alma in 2020, “and that’s the place that Eli7 Designs comes from. I wanted to make something in fashion that would make people feel both good and empowered by their identity.”
Shlomit Ofir
Israeli designer Shlomit Ofir has really affordable, cute Jewish designs, like little string bracelets that make for the cutest gifts and more expensive options like 14k gold chai necklaces with a bubbly design.
Susan Alexandra
No one makes quirky colorful Judaica quite like Susan Alexandra. This year, that Judaica collection features espresso martini and heirloom tomato menorahs, evil eye earrings and bracelets that are enchantingly colorful, painted dreidels and Hanukkah beads. I want it all.
Shop the Susan Alexandra website
Hey Alma and Kveller on Bonfire
Want to support Kveller (that’s us!) or our sister site Hey Alma? One way to do that is to buy goodies from our merch stores, where we have Jewish onesies for your Nice Jewish Babies, mugs that let you kvell and kvetch, and more.
Shop the Hey Alma bonfire shop
