Eight-year-old domino artist Noah Unell, known as “The Menorah Man” by his friends and family, recently created a collection of 18 menorahs featured in two public art displays at Village Shalom and the Lenexa Public Library.
Unell’s 2024 designs incorporated more elaborate and diverse sculptural elements compared to his work last year, as well as more light refractory materials. The most elaborate menorah Unell created this season incorporated more than 76 dominos and is featured at Village Shalom. The menorah display sparked requests for personal commissions, the income of which will be directly donated to benefit the retirement community.
In addition to displaying his art this year, Unell has dedicated his time to teaching others how to make his domino menorahs. Unell taught a private art class to several residents at Village Shalom, and the following day, he and his family hosted a Hanukkah-themed Shabbat at Village Shalom. All who attended watched the candles be lit atop Unell’s three-foot-long, Israeli-flag-colored menorah while singing along to Hanukkah songs played by Unell’s friend and recent bar mitzvah, Michael Binshtok.
As Unell grows as an artist, he enjoys meeting others who appreciate the complexity of his work and encourage him to keep bringing hope and joy to others through his mitzvot and dedication to exploring his Jewish identity.
Unell is driven to keep helping his Jewish community. All proceeds from the sales of Unell’s domino menorahs will be matched by his grandmother, Barbara Karchin, and sent to Israel to provide mental health healing sessions for soldiers who have been in combat for the last year.
Those interested in learning more or donating to Village Shalom through Unell’s menorah art sales can call (913) 424-7718.
Unell lighting one of his domino menorahs while leading Hanukkah and Shabbat services at Village Shalom.
