With over a decade of experience as the founder of Yael Weiss Interiors, my time spent designing homes honed my appreciation for materiality and thoughtful detail, and instilled a belief that the objects we live with should be both purposeful and aesthetically considered.

At the heart of Judaism is a commitment to service and to strengthening the fabric of our community, each of us contributing through the threads that resonate most deeply. For me, that call to service emerged through my work as a Child Life Specialist working with inpatient pediatric children, followed by 15 years volunteering as an End-of-Life Doula. Across both roles, I was privileged to walk alongside individuals and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. This work deepened my respect for Jewish rituals; their wisdom, tenderness, and ability to hold grief while honoring life. Yet I found that the ritual objects accompanying these moments often failed to reflect the depth and beauty of the rituals themselves. Memorial Candles, in particular, felt disconnected from the sanctity and meaning they are meant to hold.

KISLEV was created as an act of Hiddur Mitzvah; an effort to elevate Jewish rituals by beautifying the objects that honor them. Rooted in tradition and informed by material integrity, these Memorial Candles are created to be worthy vessels; offering light and comfort in moments when ritual carries us through lifecycle events.