LANSING, Mich. — This year the Jewish community can celebrate Chanukah with events that promise connection and fun while staying safe during the pandemic. Virtually thousands of Michigan residents will safely light their 1st Chanukah light at the same time in their homes as the large Detroit Menorah is lit in Campus Maritus. Chanukah begins Thursday, December 10th at sundown – December 18th. Only a handful of dignitaries will be allowed to be at the Menorah on December 10th and that will be included invited guests Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Representative Brenda Lawrence, and Yochanan Polter of Detroit Chessed. Additionally, Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, Vice president of Chabad-Lubavitch of Michigan, and partners The Shul, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Chabad Greater Downtown Detroit, and will have a small amount of people to comply with Covid-19 protocols.
For the past 10 years, the lighting of a large menorah in downtown Detroit’s Campus Martius Park has attracted many enthusiastic participants of all ages. This year, Menorah in the D, presented by Chabad-Lubavitch Centers in Michigan, The Shul,Chabad Greater Downtown Detroit, and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, will feature its traditional torch lighting of the menorah at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. Viewers will be greeted by community leaders and dignitaries and 10 Year Recap and the incredibly significant Torch Ceremony with honorees from Detroit & around the world. Then following the lighting of the Menorah an after Party on Zoom bringing the community together to share their lighting family celebrations together all beginning at 6pm
Though Campus Martius is a public plaza, organizers are encouraging people to watch this year’s Menorah in the D from home instead of in-person. Greetings from community leaders and dignitaries, as well as entertainment and an after-party, will be live-streamed. Visit menorahinthed.com [menorahinthed.com] for more information and to register for a special Menorah in the D box of Chanukah-related items encouraging all participants at home to be a Lamplighter
Bruce Schwartz, who has been involved with Menorah in the D since its inception, says that households are encouraged to light their Chanukah candles at the same time as the lighting downtown. Some in-home lightings will be featured on the live video.
The one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life steel and glass Menorah, designed by renowned local artists the Nordin brothers of the Detroit Design Center, was erected in Campus Martius on Wednesday, December 2nd and will be onsite through the holiday ending December 18th.
As we light the Menorah tonight, we honor individuals in our community
who actualize the vision of sharing the light. It is with your energy that we light the DETROIT Menorah and encourage the entire community to illuminate their personal flame.
The 2020 Lamplighters are
- Harve and Judy Disner, Coronavirus Survivor
- Chaim Lieberman, Beaumont Hospital
- Yochanan Polter, Project Chessed
- Amanda Smith, Umatter
- Andrew Lukoff & Madi Ishbia, Jarc, Ort, The Holocaust Center, NextGen
- Richard and Harriet Cooper, Kelly Cooper Fund
- David Sherman Family, Fisher Foundation
- Dr. Darienne Hudson, CEO and President of United Way
Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple.
Chanukah 2020 Safe & Joyous Celebrations throughout Metro-Detroit!
(list is updated on menorinthed.com [menorinthed.com])
1st Night of Chanukah
Thursday, Dec. 10
CAMPUS MARTIUS, DETROIT
Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan
Menorah in the D - LIVESTREAM
5 pm
Chabadtoledo.com/Chanukah2020 [chabadtoledo.com]
TOLEDO
Chabad Toledo
Chanukah Drive-in
5 pm
Franklin Park Mall
Chabadtoledo.com/Chanukah2020 [chabadtoledo.com]
3rd Night of Chanukah
Saturday, Dec. 12
HUNTINGTON WOODS
Rabbi Yudi & Rivky Mann
First ever Public Menorah Lighting
7 pm
Drive-in at the Rec Center
Chanukahinthewoods.eventbrite.com [chanukahinthewoods.eventbrite.com]
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Drive-In Menorah Lighting
8 pm
Allegro Parking Lot-7295 Orchard Lake Road
tzippymi@gmail.com -248-894-5201
4th Night of Chanukah
Sunday, Dec. 13
COMMERCE
Chabad of Commerce
Outdoor Menorah Lighting
4:00 pm
Chabad Jewish Center of Commerce
jewishcommerce.com/upcomingevents [jewishcommerce.com]
OAK PARK
Lubavitch Yeshiva
Car-Top Menorah Parade
4:15 pm
15151 W. 10 Mile Road
menorahparade.org [menorahparade.org]
TROY
Chabad Jewish Center of Troy
Drive-In Menorah Lighting
4:30 pm
Chabad Jewish Center of Troy
jewishtroy.com/chanukah [jewishtroy.com]
DOWNTOWN ROYAL OAK
Chabad Jewish Center Royal Oak
Drive-In Menorah Lighting
4:30 pm
Parking Lot by Main and 7th St
jewishroyaloak.com/menorah [jewishroyaloak.com]
DOWNTOWN DETROIT
ChabaD of Greater Downtown Detroit
Donuts in the Dark
6:30 pm
Registration required, Ages 18-40
Chabadinthed.org/events/donuts-in-the-dark
5th Night of Chanukah
Monday, Dec. 14
BEVERLY HILLS
Chabad of Bingham Farms
Drive-In Menorah Lighting
5:30 pm
Birmingham Groves High School
ChabadBinghamFarms.com/ArtMenorah
6th Night of Chanukah
Tuesday, Dec. 15
WEST BLOOMFIELD
The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch
Zoom Lighting with our Grand-friends @ Senior Facilities
5:30 pm
ZOOM
morahrochel@theshul.net
SOUTHFIELD
Cheder, Yeshiva & Young Israel of Southfield
Menorah Parade and Lighting
5:00 pm
Young Israel of Southfield / Southfield Public Library
southfieldmenorah.info [southfieldmenorah.info]
TROY
Chabad Jewish Center of Troy
Jewish Kid’s Club Grand Chanukah Bash
4-7pm - 1/2 hr slots
Location given upon registration
jewishtroy.com/bash [jewishtroy.com]
LANSING
Chabad Jewish Center @ MSU
Events Throughout Chanukah
https://www.jewishspartans.com/chanukah [jewishspartans.com]
To learn more, visit menorahinthed.com. [menorahinthed.com]
Want to see more local news ? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
