THE 2ND ANNUAL MENORAH COMPETITION

On Monday, November 29 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm, please join us for our community-wide Menorah Making Competition. We will exhibit the entries of all participants in Congregation B'nai Shalom's sanctuary while our expert panel of judges will review the homemade menorot. Everyone's welcome! Competing not necessary, but registration required.

1st Prize: Oculus Quest 2 - Immersive All-In-One VR. 

Additional prizes will be handed out to other participants. 

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Musical Entertainment plus complimentary latkes (with all of the trimmings) provided by the CBS Men's Club. Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) too!

 

RULES

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• Each family can submit only one original menorah.

• The menorah must be created by the family (not purchased) but can be made up of any materials.

• The judges will look for innovation and creativity.

• When writing up the description of your menorah, do describe its materials as well as its inspiration.

• Registration for attendance must be done no later than Sunday, November 28 at noon. Register here!

• Each family can bring its menorah to the Cong. B'nai Shalom sanctuary as early as 9:00 am on Monday, November 29. All entries must be brought to the sanctuary by 4:00 pm. Tables will be set out inside the sanctuary where the entries should be placed.

• Contestants must fill out the Menorah Description Form and bring a copy of it along with their menorahs. The form should be placed next to the menorah so that it can be correctly identified. 

• Vaccinations of everyone 12 and up required. Masking required indoors.

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WHAT IS A MENORAH?

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The menorah (called a hanukiah in Hebrew) is one of the most well-known Jewish ritual objects. It represents the eight days for which the oil in the 2nd Temple lamp lasted after the holy place was freed in the 2nd century BCE from the control of the Seleucid Greek Empire, the ruling power in the region. In 168 BCE, King Antiochus IV Epiphanes forbid Jewish practice and in addition his troops defiled the Temple by installing an altar to Zeus Olympios where pigs were sacrificed. As a result, a rebellion began by the Jewish family the Maccabees.  Eventually, they were successful in removing the King's soldiers from the Temple and surrounding area. The Maccabees found insufficient oil to use for lighting the Temple's lamp; but according to legend, a miracle occurred and the oil lasted for eight days.