Menorah in the D is coming back to Campus Martius this month
The Campus Martius Christmas tree will soon have a holiday companion − a menorah.
The annual Menorah in the D event, which started back in 2011, brings together Jewish leaders and state officials, as well as metro Detroit residents of all faiths.
This year's menorah lighting will be on the first night of Hanukkah, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. at Campus Martius.
This year's featured lamplighter is Ryan Turell, a Motor City Cruise player. Turell is the first Orthodox Jew ever selected in the G League draft.
The event will be hybrid, and those who want to participate from home can watch the live stream at the Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan Facebook page and website. Last year, thousands attended virtually and in person.
Hanukkah celebrates the ancient Jews, the Maccabees, who freed themselves from the oppression of Greek King Antiochus IV.
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Antiochus IV massacred Jews and desecrated the holy Second Temple. During the Maccabees' rebellion and determination to restore the temple, a small amount of lamp oil, just enough to last one night, miraculously lit up the temple for eight days and nights, representing hope and the power of light over darkness. The eight candles on the menorah represent each of the eight nights.
The event is put on in partnership with the Jewish Federation of metro Detroit, The Shul and Chabad in the D, among others.
Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Menorah lighting event returns to Campus Martius this month
