DETROIT (WWJ) - Officials in Detroit look to make the holiday season even brighter with the addition of a menorah to the Campus Martius Christmas tree this year.
The Menorah in the D event seeks to bring together the Jewish community, state officials and people of all faiths as they light the menorah on the first night on Hanukkah, which falls on Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. in Campus Martius.
The annual event, which started in 2011, will feature Ryan Turell, a forward with the Motor City Cruise, an affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, as this year's lamplighter.
Turell is the first Orthodox Jew to be selected in the G League draft. As reported by the New York Times, the forward said he observes the Jewish Sabbath, and wears a yarmulke on his head—even while playing basketball.
The event will be both celebrated in person and virtually, with a live stream option available for those who wish to watch from home. Last year, thousands of people showed up for lighting both physically and online.
The event is being organized by a number of partners, including the Jewish Federation of metro Detroit and The Shul and Chabad in the D.
Chanukah, the eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” is celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting that includes special prayers.
According to chabad.org, the Hebrew word Hanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple after the ancient Jews -- the Maccabees -- liberated themselves from the Greek King Antiochus IV.
Antiochus IV not only oppressed Jews, but massacred them in addition to desecrating their holy Second Temple, chabad.org explained. As the Maccabees rebelled against the king, they remained devoted in restoring the temple. While attempting to light the temple's menorah, they only found a small amount of lamp oil, just enough to only burn for one night. Somehow, the single cruse of olive oil provided light in the temple for eight days and nights. The flame became a representation of hope and the power of light over darkness.
In celebration of Hanukah, eight candles are lit over eight nights to represent and commemorate the miracle.