How to Make a Menorah

Follow these easy, straightforward steps to make the mold for your concrete menorah base, then color and set your menorah. Remember, you should always adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for concrete setting times in order to achieve the best results.

What You Need

• Free template
• Stencil film
• Scissors
• Packing tape
• White outdoor cement
• Grout pigment (Available in various colors; we used white and two shades of blue for a Hanukkah theme.) 
• Spoons
• Bowl
• Skewer
• 1/4-inch foam adhesive circles
• Nine 1/4-inch copper couplings
• Candles

Adam Albright

Step 1: Make the Mold

Start the process by tracing the free downloadable mold pattern onto stencil film, then carefully cutting it out. Crease each line on the film. Use packing tape to secure the edges of the ends together, and then tape the flap closed to form a flat bottom. This step of the process creates a watertight mold using the packing tape and stencil film. Repeat this step to create molds for eight candles and one larger shamash (the candle that is used to light the others).

Adam Albright

Step 2: Mold and Dye the Concrete

To start crafting your new menorah, mix the white outdoor cement as per the manufacturer's instructions. Then divide the cement into small bowls, designating one bowl for each grout pigment color you have (we selected white and two different shades of blue). Slowly stir in the grout pigment to color the cement. Carefully spoon small amounts of each colored mixture into the molds, ensuring you leave 1/8-inch space at the top. Use a skewer to gently swirl the mixtures together, creating streaks for a marbled look; avoid blending thoroughly.

Place a foam adhesive circle at one end of each copper coupling to serve as a stopper. Submerge the couplings foam side down about halfway into the filled mold. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before removing the mold.

Adam Albright

Step 3: Display Your DIY Menorah

Slowly and carefully remove the packaging tape and film to reveal your beautifully marbled bases. Arrange your new menorah with the shamash in the center and four bases on each side.

Lighting a menorah is a simple process: All you have to do is add a new candle each night, beginning with the shamash and the farthest right candle. Each night, use the shamash to light the candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, light the farthest right candle. On the second night of Hanukkah, add a new candle to the left and light this new candle first, followed by the previous night's candle.