Jerusalem is considered the “City of Peace” and The Luminary of Hope a symbol of peace that seeks to transcend borders of conflict. Created by Palestinian and Israeli women, the luminary candle is made of natural beeswax and embedded with olive leaves and everlasting flowers gathered in fields in Nazareth. It comes with an embroidered bag, sewn by Palestinian women in Bethlehem that contains a simple, replaceable tea light. When lit, the candle offers a beautiful glow reflecting an enduring vision for peace.

Please watch the brief video clip on this page to learn more about this remarkable peace building initiative.

The Story

In 2004, Amber Chand, founder of the Women’s Peace Collection, traveled to Israel and the West Bank with a small group of American businesswomen. The Jerusalem Candle of Hope was birthed from a potent vision to bring together women on either side of a conflict through a process of respectful enterprise. Here is her story …

"Our journey led us to the hillsides of Nazareth in Israel, where we discovered a well-known family owned candle making facility that employs newly arrived Russian Jewish immigrant women living in the outlying neighborhoods. We were told that without consistent orders for candles, many of these women would remain unemployed. When we met with the women and asked how they felt about this collaborative peace building project, they responded, without hesitation: “we do not mind because orders for the candles means food on our table, a roof over our head, and clothes for our children” . They went on to speak of the Jerusalem Candle of Hope as a “practical way to support cooperation between people” and an important means to earn a dignified livelihood.

On the other side of the checkpoint, in the West Bank, we came to the home of a Palestinian master embroiderer living in the heart of Bethlehem. From stacks of embroidered designs that she kept in thick, photo albums in her bedroom, we designed a small, exquisitely embroidered fabric bag to hold a tea light that would illuminate the candle. We were told that the sale of just 10 of these small, embroidered bags would support a family of four for one day. And that, because of these initial orders, more than 15 embroiderers would be able to support their families in the community. One had already made enough money to buy a wheelchair; another was able to serve chicken – a delicacy – to her family; and another was able to pay for transportation to go to university.

Since the craftswomen could not physically meet each other at this time, we sought the support of The Parents Circle: A Families Forum who helped us bring together all of these complex elements. This wonderful organization of over 500 bereaved Israeli and Palestinians, all of whom have lost a family member in the conflict, seeks to serve as an important bridge towards peace and reconciliation in the region.

One day, we hope that the women will be able to cross the borders and greet each other – in a spirit of their shared humanity

This lovely beeswax luminary measures 5″ high x 4″ wide and is available unscented. Since you will be replacing the tea light, the beeswax luminary never melts. An embroidered bag  is included with a tea light and story card.

GIFT BOX:   This gift is available gift boxed.  It will arrive in our signature white gift box with raffia ribbon and will be presented with a lovely copper Cambodian peace bell - once part of a disused landmine and now recreated into bells for their cows and oxen by Cambodian villagers.  Your gift box option is available at checkout.