DETROIT (WWJ) – Sunday is the first night of Hanukkah and thousands of Metro Detroiters will be headed down to Campus Martius Park to celebrate.
The Campus Martius Christmas tree will get a holiday neighbor, as a giant menorah will be lit tonight, part of the 12th annual Menorah in the D in downtown Detroit. The event brings together Jewish leaders and state officials, as well as metro Detroiters of all faiths.
This year's featured lamplighter is Ryan Turell, of the G League’s Motor City Cruise. Turell is the first Orthodox Jew ever selected in the G League draft.
The Menorah lighting begins at 5 p.m. at Campus Martius. 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.
Hanukkah, which officially begins at sundown, is celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting that includes special prayers. According to chabad.org, the Hebrew word for the holiday 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.
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.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council and American Jewish Committee said on WWJ Sunday morning the Menorah in the D event is a great way to celebrate the country’s diversity.
“The great thing about America, the more we have, the better we are. It is a beautiful symbolism of a Christmas tree and a menorah and we can each benefit from each other’s traditions, from each other’s lights. Each of us is lighting up the world. It is a beautiful symbol, and I think that is the beauty of the Detroit metropolitan area that we have this diversity.”
More information on Sunday’s event can be found on the Menorah in the D website.
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