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Lighting the Night

Menorah in the D to honor 8 in their 8’s and
pay tribute to Pittsburgh shooting victims.

ROBIN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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ringing light to the world
around us is always an
important theme of
Chanukah, which begins at
sundown Sunday, Dec. 2.
In Downtown Detroit, the eighth
annual Menorah in the D will
launch Chanukah in the city in
spectacular fashion as thousands
of individuals and families gather
Sunday beginning at 4:30 p.m.
in Campus Martius Park to light
a larger-than-life steel and glass
menorah. This year’s celebration
will have special meaning in
the wake of the deadly Oct. 27
shooting at Tree of Life synagogue
in Pittsburgh that claimed 11 lives.
“We take strength from the
menorah, always increasing in
light, as the best possible way to
combat the darkness that swirls
around us,” said Rabbi Kasriel
Shemtov, spiritual director and
founder of The Shul-Chabad
Lubavitch in West Bloomfield.
“On each of the eight nights of
Chanukah, we add another candle,
generating more and more light.
“Like a flaming candle, all
you need to do is touch another
person with an act of kindness
and sincerity and their flame will
be ignited as well. One candle at a
time, one soul at a time, the world
becomes a brighter, warmer place.”

Organizers will pay tribute to
the 11 victims during a ceremony
that will also honor eight Metro
Detroiters in their 8’s — from
ages 8-98. The honorees were
nominated by members of the
community and selected for the
light they bring to those around
them.
Family members say Ariella
Bednarsh, 8, of Shelby Township
is the only Jewish student (aside
from her little sister) at the
elementary school they attend in
Utica Community Schools. Ariella
has made it her mission to educate
everyone about the Jewish holidays.
Every year, she invites friends
over for Chanukah so they can
experience the holiday.
“We’re very excited. Menorah
in the D is one of Ariella’s favorite
events every year,” said her mom,
Laura Bednarsh. “She goes to
Sunday school and Hebrew school
at Shaarey Zedek. She’s always very
excited about Jewish experiences
and sharing them with others.”
For several years, Ariella has
also donated gifts to others in
need through the Macomb County
nonprofit Friends of Foster Care.
She’s attended every Menorah in
the D since its inception.
Also being honored is Martin
Abel, 98, of Birmingham, a

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November 29 • 2018

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