Giant Clics Menorah Lights Up Merrick- patch.com

The world's largest Clics menorah nearly became the largest Clics menorah ever to collapse into 6,000 pieces at the Merrick Gazebo on Sunday afternoon. 

But after a few close calls, the menorah was propped up and lit to cheers from a crowd gathered to celebrate the Festival of Lights. 

The menorah lighting was the culmination of a day of activities put on by the Merrick-based Chabad Center for Jewish Life.  

The 12-foot-high menorah, made entirely of more than 6,000 Clics, small lego-like toys, was assembled mostly by volunteers over the past few weeks. Children attending the Chabad's Chanukah Wonderland event, held Sunday at the Merrick Golf Course clubhouse,  put the finishing touches on the menorah.  

Disaster almost struck when a child removed a Clic from the menorah, which caused it to fall apart, Rabbi Shimon Kramer said.  A team of rain-soaked celebrators were able to get the menorah back together to give the crowd what they came to see. 

"Every Clic counts," Kramer said later, following a menorah car parade from the golf clubhouse to the gazebo. "We need each Clic in order to make it happen. I ask each of you to click together as we light the menorah and unite with our families and friends."

The Chabad's Chanukah Wonderland was a whirlwind of activity; children made wooden dreidels, built their own menorahs, cooked latkes and decorated donuts, along with many other Chanukah-themed projects.   

"It's just a great time for the kids," said David Ades, of Merrick, who took in the festivities with his wife, Sharon, and 3-year-old son, Gabriel.

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, Hempstead Town Councilwoman Angie Cullin and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla were also in attendance.  

"We wish everybody a happy Chanukah and best of the holiday season," Bonilla said on behalf of the town.  "It's great to see so many kids here to celebrate this very special day."

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