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.