26 | DECEMBER 26 • 2024 
J
N

Three chances to join others in 
welcoming the light of Chanukah.

Menorah 
Lightings

JN STAFF

OUR COMMUNITY

ART MENORAH
Join Chabad of Bingham Farms and Franklin Judaic Art Studio in the 
heart of Downtown Franklin as they kindle the “Yellow Art Menorah.”
This year’s menorah will be created from hundreds of floating 
frames, each depicting a mitzvah dedicated to the return of the 
hostages held since Oct. 7.
If you’d like to take part in creating a frame, set a time to visit the 
Judaic Studio by visiting www.JudaicStudio.com.
The fun takes place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, near the Franklin 
Library. There will also be a fire show and other Chanukah fun and 
goodies, including soup, latkes and donuts. Admission is free. 

CHANUKAH ON THE HARDWOOD 
The Pistons will host a menorah lighting, in partnership with 
Menorah in the D, before the Jan. 1 game against the Orlando 
Magic. All tickets include access to see the menorah lighting 
in the Courtside Club, a Jewish Heritage Night jersey, kosher 
food and a post-game free throw on the Pistons Court. 
To purchase tickets, visit Pistons.com/Menorah.

SHAIN PARK MENORAH LIGHTING
Join the annual Shain Park Menorah 
Lighting, the Downtown Birmingham 
Chanukah celebration. Light the giant 
12-foot menorah, enjoy festive music 
and treats, and fun for the entire family 
at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at Shain 
Park in Downtown Birmingham.
 For more info, contact info@
bhchabad.org or call (248) 949-6210.

The Donald R. and Esther Simon 
Foundation has finished up another cal-
endar year of generous giving. 
The Simon Foundation is built upon 
the legacy and philanthropy of Donald 
R. and Esther Simon and their children. 
With recognition of the family’s original 
roots in Michigan, the Simon Foundation 
supports projects that address Jewish life 
and identity, cancer research and support 
services, the cultural arts and social justice 
issues which make a positive impact in 
the lives of this generation and the next.
The Simon Foundation’s 2024 grand 
total in grants amounted to $611,000. 
Dozens of Jewish and non-Jewish organi-
zations with many different missions were 
on the receiving end of that number. 
Jewish life and identity organizations to 
receive grants from the Simon Foundation 
include: ADL, Fresh Air Society/
Tamarack, Jewish Historical Society 
of Michigan, Hillel of Metro Detroit, 
Zekelman Holocaust Center, Jewish 
Senior Life, Jewish Federation of Detroit, 
Temple Israel/The Well, Moishe House, 
WMU Hillel & HCAM (via MSU Hillel), 
SmartAID and Dror Israel Emergency 
Fund. 
Jewish social justice organizations 
include Gesher, JARC, Jewish Family 
Service and Yad Ezra. 
Non-Jewish social justice organizations 
that received grants from the Simon 
Foundation include City of Detroit/
Project Clean Slate (via DESC), Legal 
Services of South Central Michigan, Gary 
Burnstein Clinic, Lighthouse and Metro 
Food Rescue. 
Cultural arts organizations include DSO 
and Michigan Science Center. Health & 
Wellness organizations include Gilda’s 
Club of Metro Detroit, Ovarian Cancer 
Research Alliance and The Pink Fund. 
Trustee grants were awarded to 
Hospitality House, Congregation for 
Humanistic Judaism, JFD-Israel Missions, 
Center for Reproductive Rights, Doctors 
Without Borders, Temple Beth El, 
Detroit Opera, Dror Israel, Parkinson’s 
Foundation, Mission MSA, Semper Fi and 
America’s Fund, Alzheimer’s Foundation 
of America and Foundation Fighting 
Blindness. 
Emergency grants went to JDC, World 
Central Kitchen and Sudan Emergency 
Fund (GlobalGiving). 

Simon Foundation’s 
2024 Grantmaking 

