Solar-Powered Menorah the Chanukah Centerpiece of Downtown Detroit

The Festival of Lights lived up to its name in downtown Detroit this year as more than 3,500 people gathered for the fifth annual “Menorah in the D” celebration in Cadillac Square—one that had a “power”-ful new twist this year.

The menorah got its light source from a solar power system developed for the holiday of Sukkot by Rabbi Yisrael Pinson, who serves as co-director of Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit (commonly known as “Chabad in the D”) with his wife, Devorah Leah. The idea was brought to fruition by 35-year-old Phreddy Wischusen, who works part-time at Chabad and studies with Rabbi Pinson; and system designer Brandon Knight, 32, co-founder of Distributed Power, a Detroit-based company that specializes in green enterprises.

The giant menorah had the capacity to be lit by fire or by electricity.

On the first night of Chanukah, the shamash (the utility candle used to light the others) was ignited by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, who is blind. The blessings and lighting of the first candle was performed by Steve Rosenthal, president of Rock Companies, a Quicken Loan company. Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, director of The Shul in West Bloomfield, Mich., and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan were also carried to the top of the 26-foot-tall steel-and-glass menorah—designed by local artists Erik and Israel Nordin of the Detroit Design Center—by a mechanical lift.

“That pure oil that we have inside of us cannot be defiled,” Shemtov said to the crowd before the menorah was lit. “Let us illuminate the heart of a friend. Let us illuminate the community and the world.”

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder sent a representative from his office and a video sending Chanukah greetings to the metropolitan Detroit Jewish community.

Other than that first night, the menorah went solar.

A family poses with the dancing dreidel at Chanukah festivities in Detroit.

The electric “candles” of the giant menorah were powered by energy accumulated by the sun each day. According to Rabbi Pinson, using the sun as a power supply is a good reminder that everything in the world comes from a Divine source.

Shemtov also erected a conventional menorah outside The Shul.

‘Light to Every Situation’

This year’s event—hosted by The Shul Chabad-Lubavitch, in partnership with Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit, and co-sponsored by Quicken Loans—was expanded to include more activities for children and families.

As such, a heated tent provided a warm space for Chanukah crafts, face-painting, clowns, a magic show and displays by the Michigan Science Center. A sectioned-off area within the tent served as a quiet sensory station where children with special needs could hunt for hidden objects in a sand table, play in a ball pit or use noise-blocking headphones while their parents relaxed nearby on specially designated sofas. More adventurous attendees took turns whizzing across Cadillac Square on a 300-foot zip line by Rocket Fiber.

The festivities continued after the menorah-lighting with fire jugglers, dancing dreidels, a live performance by local musician Avi Schreiber and DJ services by Phreddy Wischusen.

The lighting of the menorah by Steve Rosenthal, president of Rock Companies, a Quicken Loan company. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein lit the shamash (utility candle).

Wischusen said having solar power play a role in the lighting is a relevant metaphor for the entire holiday: “In a time of the year when we lament the lack of sunlight, especially in northern regions like Michigan, the panel held just enough to illuminate part of the tent.”

“Once upon a time, the Kohanim thought one small jar of oil would barely last one night—let alone eight—and a miracle happened. So was there a tiny miracle in Campus Martius. Our liturgy reminds us not to praise the luminaries, but the One who created them,” he continued. “The solar panel is the perfect reminder that G‑d has a way of bringing light to every situation with any possible material—be it the sun, the stars, the oil in the menorah, a burning bush or a solar-powered lightbulb.”

The crowd enjoyed free refreshments, including soup, hot cider, fruit, hummus, marshmallows to roast over a bonfire, and, of course, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Kosher hot dogs and brisket sandwiches were available for purchase from an outdoor food truck; a booth inside the tent offered shawarma, falafel and salads.

“I’ve come every year, and this was the biggest crowd so far,” said David Flaisher of West Bloomfield, Mich. “The event keeps getting better and better.”

Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, director of The Shul in West Bloomfield, Mich.

Rabbi Yisrael Pinson, co-director of Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit (commonly known as “Chabad in the D”)

Kids and other attendees of the downtown Chanukah event last Sunday ride on the 300-foot zip line.

A variety of gear from the Michigan-based Company Folders, Inc., was provided to event volunteers, called “MaccaDees,” who worked behind the scenes to make the downtown event run smoothly.