28 | DECEMBER 19 • 2019

Jews in the D

Light the Night

What to know about Menorah in the D.
B

eing among the most
vibrant and close-knit
Jewish communities
nationwide, Detroit is a won-
derful place to be during the
Jewish holidays. Chanukah is
certainly no exception, thanks
to the folks behind Menorah in
the D.
Every year for the past nine
years on the first night of
Chanukah, The Shul-Chabad
Lubavitch of West Bloomfield
hosts a free celebration and
menorah lighting in Downtown
Detroit’
s Campus Martius/
Cadillac Square. This year,
plan on joining them on
Sunday, Dec. 22, as they usher
in the Chanukah holiday with
Detroiters of all ages.
“People from all walks of
life come together to launch
Chanukah for the city of
Detroit and ignite a flame that
will bring warmth and light
to the hearts of so many and
transform darkness into light,”
said Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov,
spiritual director of The
Shul-Chabad Lubavitch. “For
the Jewish community, it’
s a
moment of inspiration and
pride.”
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., enter-
tainment and refreshments will
be available for everyone to
enjoy, including a marshmal-
low roasting pit, face painting,
balloon sculpting, horse-drawn
carriage rides and a compli-
mentary snack bar. Chef Cari
Kosher Catering will also be

providing kosher food for pur-
chase from her food truck.
At 5 p.m., the lighting cere-
mony of the 26-foot menorah
will commence. Designed by
Erik and Israel Nordin of the
Detroit Design Center, this
menorah will be lit by signif-
icant members of the Metro
Detroit community. This
year, one of the torchbearers
will be Nick Gilbert, son of
Jennifer and Dan Gilbert of
Quicken Loans and the Gilbert
Foundation. Congresswoman
Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’
s
14th District will also be there.
Following the lighting ceremo-
ny, stick around for live music
and a fire show.

Menorah in the D represents
so much more than inviting
Chanukah into the year. It also
symbolizes the Jewish commu-
nity coming together in times
of challenge.

“The menorah lightnings
this year come during a tense
time in the country, amid con-
cern about a rise in racism and
anti-Semitism,” publicist Sari
Cicurel said. “Therefore, this
event brings everyone together
for the spirit of this holiday
and highlights the beautiful
stories of those lighting the
Menorah.”

The Shul is still accepting sponsorships
and volunteers. To learn more, call (248)
788-4000 or the Menorah in the D hotline
at (313) 757-2028, visit
menorahinthed.com or email
info@menorahinthed.com.

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