Knesset Menorah facts for kids
The Knesset Menorah is a huge bronze candle holder. It stands 4.30 meters (about 14 feet) tall and is 3.5 meters (about 11.5 feet) wide. This giant menorah weighs 4 tons, which is like four small cars! You can find it in the beautiful Gan Havradim (Rose Garden). This garden is right across from the Knesset, which is Israel's parliament building.
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Who Created the Menorah?
The Knesset Menorah was designed by a talented artist named Benno Elkan (1877–1960). He was a Jewish sculptor who had to leave his home in Germany. He moved to Britain to escape danger.
Benno Elkan spent almost ten years working on this special project. He did a lot of research to make sure the Menorah was unique. He wanted it to tell the long, amazing story of the nation of Israel.
A Special Gift
The Menorah was given to the Knesset as a gift from the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This happened on April 15, 1956. It was given to celebrate Israel's eighth birthday as an independent country.
This gift showed how much the British Parliament admired the new country of Israel. It also showed their respect for Israel's government.
Why a Menorah?
The Menorah was chosen as a gift because it is a very important symbol for Israel. It is even on the official emblem of the State of Israel. The first Knesset (Israel's parliament) chose this symbol.
Both the Knesset Menorah and Israel's state emblem are based on an ancient Menorah. This original Menorah is shown on the Arch of Titus in Rome.
What the Menorah Shows
The Knesset Menorah has many bronze pictures carved into it. These pictures show the struggles and important moments of the Jewish people. It tells their story through events and ideas from the Hebrew Bible and Jewish history.
Many people call it a "textbook" of Jewish history that you can see. The pictures on the six side branches of the Menorah show events since the Jewish people left Eretz Yisrael. The pictures on the center branch show what happened to the Jews when they returned to the land. It also shows the creation of the State of Israel.
A Place to Visit
When the Menorah was first put in place, almost everyone in Israel was very excited. This included religious groups. For many years, the Knesset Menorah has been a special place to visit. Both Jewish and non-Jewish people come to see it when they are in Jerusalem.
Images for kids
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Benno Elkan in his studio working on the Menorah
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Unveiling ceremony of the Knesset Menorah in 1956
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The Menorah at the new Knesset place in Givat Ram, 1966
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Gan hamenorah 22.jpg
The Menorah in Gan Hamenorah
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שרטוט שצירף בנו אלקן לתדפיס שהכין על מנורת הכנסת.jpg
Sketch by Benno Elkan prepared for the Knesset Menorah
See also
In Spanish: Menorá de la Knéset para niños
