My name translates from Hebrew as “scent of God.” So perhaps I was destined to appreciate how things smell. I’ve always associated scents with my strongest memories. Scents are emotional. Scents tell a story. 

 

My favorite is my father’s garden. Purple Sharon flowers transformed the air into something alive and majestic—a haven for hummingbirds, owls, and deer. Waterfalls dotted with floating lilies, and the crisp scent of pine in the mornings.

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When he passed, I began lighting a memorial candle in his honor, a Jewish tradition rooted in remembrance. Yet the candles I found felt disconnected from the moment— unscented wax and housed in disposable tin vessels covered in manufactured labels.

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Each time I lit one, I longed for something more beautiful. I wanted the ritual to feel grounding—to fill the air the way his garden would. Clean air. A steady breath. A pause to truly connect and sigh: "what a machaye."​

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numa was born from that longing. A way to honor tradition while reimagining it through a modern, intentional lens—where scent, design, and ritual come together with care.

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