Faces Of Chanukah
The Giant Menorah at Shaarey Zedek
Rabbi Leonardo Bitran wanted to create a meno-
rah. But not lust any menorah. Ellis one had to
h tall enough and bright enough to be seen from
a distance when le each night of Chanukah...
.and it had to be -installed outdoors.
The plan began with a muddy meeting in the
rain-soaked grass at the proposed site in front of
the Shaarey Zedek B'nai Israel Center. Howard
Goldman, a synagogue member and general con-
tractor whom Rabbi Bitran tapped for the work,
said the goal was "something that would stand out,
bin not be overwhelming." They settled on a nine-
foot tall white, pipe structure outlined in blue
lights with ele,-trie flames 31 OW top 01 each candle.
Goldman's wife, Isititia, and sou, Bradley, took
part in the project. But the I 8 hours of construe-.
tion and electrical wiring were shared by Goklinan
and his older son, David, who labored late-into
the nights. The menorah was completed early the
first morning of Chanukah as a result of work that
Goldman called truly "a candlelight vigil."
Right: Rabbi Bitran and his new menorah.
Stories by SHELL! DORFMAN
Photos by KRISTA HUSA and BILL HANSEN
In countless moments large and small this
week, Detroit Jews breathed new lift into a
long-ago victory. Families and institutions
welcomed Chanukah 5759 in ways both
traditional and unexpected. The Grosse Pointe
Jewish Council held their childrens party in
the social hall of the Grosse Pointe United
Church. The only problem, said the council's
Barbara Karchin, was 'finding someone to go
all the way to the West Side to bring back
kosher, ood to our party on the East Side."
12/18
1998
14 Detroit Jewish News
Now playing at Akiva
Why would a high-school sophomore like Dori Singal want
to go to a fifth-grade play? Maybe it was the company.
Sitting with him in Akiva's multipurpose room Tuesday
morning were two Menorah House residents — Esther
Singal, his great-great grandmother, and Estelle Pincus whose
gnmddatighter Shoshana had a leading role in the play.
'The performance of Lathes .for .1'veryone was regularly
punctuated by ChakuLth songs front groups of -younger
students scattered around the hall.
Rosalie Lake, Akiva's secular principal recalled later that
"what we all feltwas very'special to us, was how the resi-
dents, all in wheel-chairs, sat right up close to the children."
Above: Justin Kellman digs the music.