The city of St. Louis officially kicked off the Hanukkah season Thursday night with the lighting of what is believed to be the third tallest Hanukkah menorah in the United States. The 29-foot menorah is just 5-feet shorter than the world’s largest menorah, which stands 36-feet tall and is located in Manhattan, NY.
This significant installation, generously funded by local philanthropist Michael Staenberg, bears the name “The Staenberg Menorah” and will illuminate downtown St. Louis during the entire eight-day Hanukkah festival.
“I think the message of this menorah is that despite everything going on in our world, the Jewish people stand tall, proud and confident,” said Rabbi Yosef Landa, regional director of Chabad of Greater St. Louis, the organization behind this effort. “Now, more than ever, we need to be sharing the light of Hanukkah with our entire St. Louis region, and light never fails to overcome darkness.”
All photos by Bill Motchan.
Staenberg, president of the St. Louis Jewish Light’s Board of Directors, echoed Rabbi Landa’s sentiment.
“Now, more than ever we need to feel pride in being Jewish and being Jewish in St. Louis. This giant menorah should certainly do that,” said Staenberg.
Standing 29-feet tall and 18 -feet wide, The Staenberg Menorah contains a total of 32 lights and is built out of 250 feet of truss. It was built in just a month and a half by Klance Unlimited, a St. Louis-based production support company.
The official lighting
An estimated 500 members of the St. Louis community attended the inaugural Staenberg menorah lighting. The lighting was followed by a holiday celebration, which featured holiday music and free ice skating, as well as hot drinks and a selection of traditional Hanukkah foods sponsored by Cantor Injury Law.
“The menorah is a symbol of unity, and we’re celebrating unity,” said Mark Cantor of Cantor Injury Law.
“We’re here for solidarity, to support our community, to support Israel, especially with the rise in antisemitism. We need to be together,” said Mia Mandel.
