Campus Martius in

Downtown Detroit

is home to Menorah

in the D, now in its

sixth year.

wits.

Lighting
Up The
Motor City

Chabad's Menorah in the D
attracts thousands to enjoy the
warmth of Chanukah.

A huge crowd enjoys the candle lighting at a previous

Menorah in the D.

10 December 15 2016

or years, Chabad
said. "What makes the event so
public menorah
special is it welcomes people
lightings have
of all ages, religions and back-
become an icon around
grounds to the city for a night of
the globe from the White
celebration:'
House to the Eiffel Tower.
This year's festivities features
In 2011, with the
an array of activities, live enter-
newly infused energy in
tainment, a variety of kosher
Downtown Detroit, Rabbi
food and numerous games,
Kasriel Shemtov felt it was
crafts and family-friendly fun.
a perfect time to mark
Beginning at 3 p.m., fami-
Chanukah in the center of
lies can enter a heated tent at
the city and bring the holi- Yeshivah boys volunteered to spread cheer as live Cadillac Square, in the heart of
day to a larger, more diverse dreidels during a previous year.
Campus Martius Park. Kids of
audience. Menorah in the D
all ages can enjoy Legos, crafts,
was born with a 6-foot ice menorah
organizations, will assist with the
face-painting and much more. All
and a very enthusiastic group of 500. festivities.
activities are free.
"We wanted to bring the joy of
"In 2012, we took a leap of faith
A variety of kosher food options
Chanukah and its proud Jewish
with an upgrade to a 24-foot, 2,600-
also will be for sale both inside and
history and heritage to a larger
pound steel-and-glass menorah
outside the heated tent, helmed by
public stage in Metro Detroit:'
designed and built in less than
Chef Cari.
said Shemtov, spiritual adviser
a month by the talented broth-
The lighting of the larger-than-life
and founder of The Shul in West
ers, Israel and Erik Nordin, of the
menorah comes at 5 p.m. In addi-
Bloomfield. "Chanukah is a perfect
Detroit Design Center; Shemtov
tion, attendees will enjoy perfor-
time to infuse our community with
said. The event drew more than
mances by fire jugglers and acrobats
the bright spiritual light and warmth 1,500 people to Campus Martius.
— and a presentation by BBYO
of the tiny flames that dispel a lot
This year's free Menorah in the D
members, who are holding their
of darkness, and what better stage
event is again hosted by The Shul, in regional convention that week.
than the heart of Detroit in Campus
partnership with Jewish Federation's
At 6 p.m., the after-party spon-
Martius."
NEXTGen Detroit, Chabad of
sored by the Scott and the Albert
Now in its sixth year, Menorah in
Greater Downtown Detroit and the
apartments kicks off, featuring
the D has become the area's largest
generous support of the Quicken
music, craft beer, and live chef dem-
community-wide menorah lighting;
Loans family and other corporate
onstrations and tastings by Hunny
organizers expect a crowd of 3,500
sponsors.
Khodorkovsky of the Soul Center
on Tuesday, Dec. 27, for the lighting
"Our sponsors provide tremen-
Cafe in West Bloomfield. *
of the fourth candle. Students are on
dous support not only for the
holiday break, so the crowd may be
event, but also support for bringing
For more details, visit www.menorahinthed.
even larger. "MaccaDees," menorah
Judaism and a visible Jewish identity corn. For more on sculptors Israel and Erik
in the D volunteers from 15 local
to Downtown Detroit:' Shemtov
Nordin, see page 46.