Giant Balloon Menorah

A huge channukiah (menorah) of balloons was erected in the lobby of the hospital to mark the onset of the Festival of Lights and the lighting of the first candle. The channukiah was installed at the initiative of the Hope and Care non-profit that supports the Nephrology Institute at Schneider Children's, Assaf Balloons, and Sport Attraction snappling enthusiasts.

Comprising 19,000 balloons at a height of 24 meters and 45 meters wide, the channukiah was designed and engineered by artist Assaf Balloons, and put up by 90 volunteers from Hope and Care. They were assisted by 10 snappling enthusiasts from “Sport Attraction”, who generally deal with rescue operations and extreme sports, but this time they were recruited to help erect the channukiah.

Patients and their families looked in amazement at the enormous and impressive menorah, and took many photographs. The initiative to erect the large balloon structure for Channukah has become an annual tradition for the non-profit to encourage and cheer patients and their families during the 8 days of the Festival.

Hope and Care supports the Dialysis Department in the Nephrology Institute at Schneider Children’s, and organizes various activities for the children and provides assistance to families. Assaf Balloons has volunteered with the non-profit for the past 5 years in creating exciting and innovative ornamentation for hospitalized children.