Car Menorah Parade
It’s important that it be clear to anyone watching the parade what this is. You may have far more cars than you have menorahs, and while it’s wonderful to involve as many people as possible, if you’re not careful it can look like a funeral procession rather than a parade. To avoid this—and to ensure the maximum pirsumei nissa—you can decorate every car in the parade, even if they don’t have a menorah. Here are some options cheaper than the $225-$400 that a car-top menorah typically costs:
Magnets: See the Car Menorah section for options. You can print dozens of magnets inexpensively or buy them from Shluchim Services and they can be easily attached and detached from cars.
Balloons: Chanukah-themed balloons—or any balloons—can be inflated with helium and left to trail out of windows.
Flags: Chanukah flags are available for $5 each and install easily on windows.
Music: This is a wonderful addition, but MUST BE DONE CORRECTLY! If every car is blasting its own Chanukah tunes, the result is a cacophony. And if left to their own devices, many participants may play music unsuitable for a Chabad menorah parade. Get an FM transmitter (Here’s an option on Amazon that has a 1000-foot range) and share the channel frequency with attendees. This allows everyone to play the same music from their cars—the music you choose.
Police Escort: This is important for security, cohesiveness, and it adds a look of “officialness” to the parade.
A Fire Truck: Ask your local fire department if they can join the parade. A fire truck leading the parade brings visibility—and is a kid favorite!
An Inflatable Dreidel: This can be added to the parade if cars will be consistently going slowly:
Giant Menorahs on Pickups: Giant 6-foot menorahs can be strapped to the flatbed of pickup trucks for extra visibility. Add sandbags to the base for extra stability.
Purchasing a Car Menorah
Bear in mind that your unique situation may mean that one advantage is more important than another. If you’ll be driving hours on highways at speed, you need a sturdy menorah, rated for 70 MPH or more. If you will be using the menorahs for a car menorah parade, where you’ll have to install and uninstall many menorahs quickly, you may need cheaper menorahs that are affordable in bulk and easier to install.
Below are a number of options.
This is the Klar car menorah. Sturdy construction and both suction cups and straps make this more likely to last through Chanukah on your car roof.
Shaya Smetana: gr8nes.com +1 (718) 210-3771 $225
This car-top menorah is cheaper and flashier, as the entire menorah lights up, and it has a “Happy Chanukah” sign built in. It’s made of plastic and is lightweight, and two suction cups are all that hold it to the car, making for easy installation but less durability.
This option is ideal for quick and easy installation, as included magnets mean you can simply slap it onto the roof of the car. It can withstand high speeds (with extra straps and magnets available), lights up, but looks less like a traditional menorah than some of the other options.
It is often out of stock.
Attached with magnets and rated to 45MPH, with straps included for higher speeds.
And of course, you can build a menorah yourself out of PVC, wood or aluminum.
Car-Door Magnets and Flags
You can easily customize car magnets online—see one option below. Magnets are also available from Shluchim Services.
Bulbs
For Klar (menorah.net) car menorah:
Candelabra bulbs are required, and LEDs are highly recommended as they draw far less power than incandescent bulbs. Here is one option on Amazon:
OPALRAY LED Candelabra Bulb, DC 12V 24V, Dimmable with DC Dimmer, 6W 600Lm, Warm White Light, E12 Small Base, 60W Incandescent Equivalent, 12V Power Supply, Clear Glass Torpedo Tip, 3-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ7QV7J/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_api_glt_fabc_H910524PEX3CQ6KW341J
At Your Menorah Parade:
It can be very helpful to distribute an info sheet with relevant details for participants. Below is a template you can use, courtesy of Rabbi Avi Rubenfeld. Please make a copy rather than editing the original.
Police Escort
It is difficult to pull off a menorah parade without a police escort, as traffic lights and other cars will often break up your formation, leading to confusion and lost cars. Reach out to your local police department and request a police escort. A typical escort will include one “lead” car and one “chase” car, which brings up the rear. Occasionally, additional vehicles will be deployed to block intersections as the parade passes by.
Sometimes, however, police departments may be unwilling or unable to provide an escort. Here are some potential solutions.
If the stated concern is that they don’t want to appear to be joining/supporting a religious event, reply that you don't need them to lead, you need them to secure the parade. They will be protecting your free speech, not engaging in their own.
You can often hire police officers off duty. This can cost anywhere from $35-$100 per officer per hour.
You can also apply and pay the fee for a parade permit (see License for Parade).
License for Parade
According to many local ordinances, one must obtain a permit before a parade. If possible, instead of trying to get around this requirement, it is recommended you get a permit. This will help with the safety of the parade, may make it easier to obtain a police escort, and makes the parade much more “official” and helps it run smoother.
If for whatever reason, getting a permit is not feasible, you can call it a police-escorted motorcade / procession similar to a funeral and get around some requirements that way. Transit police may have the authority to escort a procession without a permit.