Jewish Herald Voice - Nov. 15, 2013 - By Menachem Posner
Campaign to fill giant translucent coin Menorah to benefit homebound & seniors
For the first time in living memory, the first day of Chanukah coincides with national celebration of Thanksgiving—a point that is not going unnoticed at Chabad of Uptown, where Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff is overseeing the creation of a “Thanks & Giving Menorah,” which is essentially a giant translucent eight-branched charity collector.
Every Chanukah, Chabad of Uptown celebrates in style with another unique menorah. In 2008 it was a CANorah, built out of food cans that were used to feed the hungry. It was followed by menorahs fashioned from chocolate, flowers, and ice—and even a glow-in-the-dark menorah.
Chabad of Uptown’s Menorah of donated cans to feed the hungry
at a past Chanukah celebration
“Rabbi Chaim and Chanie always make it exceptional,” says Valerie Katz, who has been attending Chabad of Uptown Chanukah celebrations with her husband and two children for years. “The celebration always has a very warm spiritual environment with lots of happiness and laughter. It’s something we look forward to.”
Lazaroff points out that the Chanukah and Thanksgiving have interconnected themes. “Chanukah celebrates the triumph of a small band of righteous Judeans to overcome mighty Rome, a world superpower that tried to squelch their religious rights and cultural identity,” he says. “In that same vein, the pilgrims instituted Thanksgiving to show their gratitude to G-d for bringing them to a secure land and saving them from religious oppression.”
The completed menorah—which is as tall as an average adult and much wider—will be lit on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 5:30 p.m. at Chabad of Uptown’s Chanukah celebration, which will feature an all-you-can-eat dinner and lots of Chanukah treats at 4311 Bettis Drive, in Houston. Entry for the celebration is $15 per adult and $8 per child. Sponsorships are available.
The thousands of coins that will fill the menorah will benefit people who are homebound and seniors. To get a charity box to fill with coins please call 713-419-3960. Charity boxes must be returned by Nov. 29 to be included in menorah. www.chabaduptown.org/coin
“To fill a menorah this big with coins is going to take all of our efforts,” says Lazaroff, “so please keep on saving your loose change and ask your friends to do the same. Together, we can make the world a brighter place.”