Temple Emanu-El celebrates Hanukkah with giant menorah

It started as a response to COVID precautions, but the tiki torch menorah has become a regular feature of Hanukkah celebrations at Temple Emanu-El.

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During the pandemic, the members of Temple Emanu-El wanted to celebrate the holiday but had to do so outside — where anyone who’s ever tried can tell you, it’s tough lighting candles.

So, a handy synagogue member, Steve Weinberger, constructed the towering menorah in 2020, explained Rabbi Brenner Glickman. And Temple Emanu-El members enjoyed the outdoor gathering so much that it has since become a tradition.

“It has an ancient look to it,” said Glickman.

A large group of Temple Emanu-El members gathered Dec. 13 to celebrate Hanukkah and light the giant menorah, but there was another, more somber aspect to the gathering.

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In addition to the celebratory menorah and sufganiyot (doughnuts, a traditional Hanukkah treat), young members of Temple Emanu-El wrote letters to Israeli youth displaced from Gaza by the war, adding in stickers and temporary tattoos to the words of support.

The young letter writers included messages like, “We support you and we wish you well,” said Raina Kurnov. “It felt good to write them.”

The letters will be hand delivered, said Rabbi Elaine

Glickman, who explained Temple Emanu-El has been working with the Joint Distribution Committee,  an international Jewish relief organization based in New York.