Public Menorah
Public Menorah options
Comparisons
Menorah.net
Material: Aluminum, making it lighter, more compact, and easier to move.
Lighting Control: Comes with a Menorah Controller, which can be set to automatically turn on a new bulb every 24 hours or be manually adjusted.
Tiki Torch Compatibility: Conversion kit available for Tiki torch use.
Public Menorahs
Material: Steel, making it more durable and stronger, though slightly heavier and less portable.
Lighting: The 6-foot model does not have individual switches for each night, but new bulbs can be added each night if desired.
Tiki Torch Compatibility: Compatible with Tiki torches by default.
Corporate Menorah
Lighting Control: Features nine individual switches, allowing manual control of each candle.
Light Up Menorah
Material: Aluminum holder with Tiki torch canister, allowing for a lighter build and flexibility with Tiki torch lighting.
Giant Menorah Conversion Kit
https://www.shlichusmarket.com/holiday-supplies/chanukah/candle-lighting-kit.html
Power Source Options
LED Rechargeable Bulbs or Solar Lights
Option: LED rechargeable bulbs or TomCare solar lights.
Availability: Expected to be available from the Shlichus Market.
Battery (Car Battery with Inverter)
Setup: Car batteries are a practical choice, but make sure to use low-watt LED bulbs (e.g., Walmart offers 4W bulbs).
Inverter Requirement: Car batteries output 12V, while most Menorahs need 120V, so an inverter is necessary.
Installation: It’s best to have an electrician handle the setup for safety, particularly for outdoor use. Merging cables and ensuring weather resistance is essential.
Maintenance: Batteries may need swapping during Chanukah to ensure consistent lighting.
Generator
Type: Choose a generator that exceeds the total wattage of your lights. For nine 75W bulbs, that’s at least 675W, plus extra capacity for any spotlights.
Placement: For events, position the generator far from the display and use an extension cord to reduce noise. Silent electric generators are available for quieter setups.
Fuel: Have sufficient gas cans to refill nightly. Solar generators are an eco-friendly option but are more expensive; this can appeal to environmentally conscious supporters.
Street Lamp Outlets
Availability: Some street lamps have accessible outlets, either exposed or under a panel.
Usage: If an outlet is available, it can be a convenient, reliable power source. If a panel is locked, consider asking local maintenance staff if it can be opened for the Menorah display.
Lighting Equipment Options
Tiki Torch (Outdoor)
Provides powerful, wind-resistant flames for outdoor menorahs.
Fuel: Use Tiki brand torch fuel (available at hardware stores) or paraffin. Bring the insert to the store to ensure the best fit.
Note: Tiki torches have only one large wick, making them ideal for a menorah but not suitable for Havdalah use.
Candle Conversion Kit (Indoor)
Ideal for indoor menorahs, often includes paraffin candles and a glass chimney for added safety.
Purchase from vendors like Shluchus Market or Menorah.net.
Gas Lantern
Ensure it has one mantle (wick), not two. A single propane canister on high typically lasts about 4 hours.
Tips for Lighting
Torch: Use a butane torch or blow torch attached to a stick or pole for easier and safer lighting of menorah flames.
Wick Preparation: Make sure wicks are pulled out sufficiently to facilitate lighting. Avoid using a tiki torch for lighting other candles due to risk of spillage and fuel leakage.
Reminder: Always have a lighter on hand; these are often forgotten!
Entertainment & Activities
Themed Entertainment Nights: Have a different theme each night, like Light Up the Night with glow sticks and LED glasses or Fire & Ice with fire performers and an ice menorah.
Fire Dancers or Fire Eaters: Coordinate with performers in advance to ensure event-appropriate attire and safety.
Dreidel Mascot & Costumes: Kids love mascots! Create a Chanukah-themed mascot like a dreidel or jelly donut character that interacts with the crowd.
Live Music: A klezmer band or a DJ playing festive Chanukah music can add lively energy. Invite local choirs or kids to sing Chanukah songs.
Family-Friendly Stations
Donut Decorating: Provide donuts and toppings like icing, sprinkles, and chocolate chips. It’s fun for kids, and adults can enjoy as well.
Crafts Corner: Set up a station with simple crafts like decorating dreidels or making Chanukah lanterns that kids can bring home.
Hot Cocoa & Latkes Bar: Warm up the crowd with a hot cocoa stand, complete with toppings like marshmallows and whipped cream. Add a latke station for a cozy feel.
Glow-in-the-Dark Giveaway: Hand out light-up menorah necklaces, dreidel glasses, or glow sticks. Kids love them, and they add to the festive atmosphere.
Unique Lighting Ideas
Mobile Menorah on Fire Truck: Work with the local fire department to mount a menorah on a fire truck and drive it around town with Chanukah music. This brings the celebration directly to the neighborhoods and draws a big crowd.
Ice Menorah: If temperatures permit, an ice menorah can be a beautiful, crowd-pleasing spectacle.
Community Engagement
Honor Opportunities: Invite community members or local officials to take part by lighting a candle or saying a blessing, which encourages them to bring family and friends.
Rename the Event: Rebrand it as a “Chanukah Celebration” instead of a “Menorah Lighting”.
RSVP and Reminders: Increase attendance by sending friendly reminder texts or calls before the event. Be persistent with follow-ups.
Photo Booth: Set up a small area with Chanukah-themed props for fun photo opportunities.
Gelt Gift: Distribute crisp dollar bills as Chanukah gelt for a special touch that makes attendees feel appreciated.
Understanding the Legal Grounds for Menorah Displays on Public Property
The Legal Foundation: Free Speech and Public Forum Rights
Protected Religious Expression The U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, including religious expression, under the First Amendment. This protection means that religious displays like menorahs are permitted in public spaces designated as “public forums.” A public forum is any government-owned space that allows community gatherings, displays, and events from various organizations. If this area is open to any private group for fairs, events, or displays, it’s open to religious expression, too.
Why a Menorah Is “Kosher” on Government Property
Menorahs as Religious Symbols and Free Speech A menorah is indeed a religious symbol, yet its display in a public forum falls under protected speech. Courts have ruled in multiple cases that as long as government property allows community and organizational displays, it cannot discriminate against religious symbols like the menorah.
The Non-Establishment Clause While the Constitution prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing a specific religion, it does not prohibit the government from allowing religious expression by private groups. So, a menorah on public property is seen as an expression of private, not governmental, religious speech.
Legal Precedents Supporting Menorah Displays Prominent cases support these rights. For example, in County of Allegheny v. ACLU, the Supreme Court ruled that religious displays are permissible as long as the government is not funding or exclusively endorsing them. Another ruling in Indiana stated that a city must either allow all holiday displays or remove them all, ensuring equal access.
Read the full legal docs Here from Nat Lewin & more
Practical Steps for Your Conversations with Local Officials
When approaching local officials, here’s a suggested approach that emphasizes cooperation and the benefits of diversity:
Position the Menorah as a Symbol of Inclusion Explain that the menorah represents universal values of hope and resilience. Emphasize that it adds to the holiday atmosphere, inviting people of all backgrounds to participate in the season’s spirit of light and unity.
Offer a Strategic Display Location Suggest positioning the menorah near other holiday displays or events, showing it as an inclusive part of the celebration. This often resonates with officials looking to make the event accessible and inclusive.
Denied permission
When a local township denied permission to display a menorah on town property, here’s the effective approach one shliach took to turn the situation around.
The shliach reached out to a council member and arranged a meeting. In that conversation, he suggested that the menorah lighting could add diversity and inclusivity to the community’s holiday displays. Placing the menorah near the town’s tree (or another prominent location) could emphasize this. He also highlighted the opportunity for city officials to attend the lighting, creating a positive photo opportunity and connecting with the local Jewish community.
If possible, bring along articles or testimonials showing how non-Jewish communities have embraced public menorah lightings in other areas. Examples of how warmly such displays have been received can help sway officials and show that the menorah is not only about religious expression but also fosters community connection.
During your meeting, you might mention legal rulings affirming the right to include religious symbols in public spaces when other groups have access. Additionally, let the officials know that you represent a global organization with a well-established presence and that, as such, they are making an impactful decision. Be sure to start with a kind, patient tone, aiming to connect through a friendly and cooperative approach.
If needed, a firm follow-up may be warranted, explaining the legal basis for a menorah display. However, blending Chessed and Gevurah wisely can help you maintain positive relationships and achieve your goal.