DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 33

faces&places

The community came together at Adat Shalom Synagogue on 
Sunday, Dec. 5, for an outdoor Chanukah celebration. Despite the 
cold, pouring rain, more than 110 cars enthusiastically pulled into 
the parking lot. Pizzas and donuts were delivered to cars while an 
exciting fire performance by Detroit Circus and the music of DJ 
Phreddy were enjoyed by all. Everyone then gathered to dance and 
sing as Hazzan Daniel Gross, Rabbi Dan Horwitz, Howie Lupovitch, 
Rebecca Tron and Gavri Yares entertained with festive Chanukah 
songs. Event chair Jaron Friedman shared, “This event was the per-
fect thing that people needed coming together as a Jewish commu-
nity to shine light in a time of darkness and uncertainty.
”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined representatives from each of 
the partner synagogues in lighting the big menorah and then was 

on hand to meet, greet and take pictures. Toys were collected by 
Bottomless Toy Chest, a nonprofit organization devoted to deliv-
ering empowering toys, craft projects and interactive activities to 
hospitalized pediatric oncology patients. 
It was a great event, the first of what we plan to be an annual tra-
dition. We hope to see you next year! 

Partners: Adat Shalom Synagogue, Adat Shalom Men’s Club, 
Sisterhood of Adat Shalom, Tamarack Camps, Camp Ramah, 
Congregation Beth Ahm, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation 
B’nai Moshe, Congregation B’nai Israel, Camp Young Judaea 
Midwest, Hillel Day School of Metro Detroit, Isaac Agree Downtown 
Synagogue, JCC Day Camp, MCUSY, Willoway Day Camp, Frankel 
Jewish Academy and other community organizations. 

Eighth Crazy Night of Chanukah

One of two big menorahs lit in celebration of Chanukah

SUSIE STEINBERG

Dancing to the music of DJ Phreddy

The Monson family of Novi
Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Adat Shalom 
Synagogue led the crowd in song.

Hazzan Dan Gross and Rabbi Aaron Bergman 
of Adat Shalom Synagogue is Farmington Hills 
on stage, in the rain, having a great time.

Brandon Epstein, Joan Chernoff Epstein, Gov. 
Gretchen Whitmer, Joyce Weingarten

Jordan Tepman of West Bloomfield and 
Savannah Sommers of Farmington Hills

Tamarack Camps, a community partner in 
the event, provided the hot chocolate.

RON LIEBERMAN

RON LIEBERMAN

JODI GROSS

RON LIEBERMAN

RON LIEBERMAN

RON LIEBERMAN

JODI GROSS