Detroit's Menorah in the D to Feature Reunited Israeli Hostages this Hanukkah, a Celebration of Light Amidst Darkness.
The city's largest Hanukkah celebration is set to take place in Cadillac Square next Sunday, December 14th. The event, known as Menorah in the D, will feature an emotional reunion between an Israeli family who were kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas militants. Ella Ben Ami, whose parents Ohad and Raz Ben Ami were taken captive in October 2023, will be attending the event along with other released hostages.
For months, these families endured unimaginable trauma as they were held captive in Gaza, resulting in over 69,000 deaths in the conflict. However, thanks to international pressure and negotiations, two of the Israeli hostages, including Ella's father Ohad Ben Ami, have finally been freed after 491 days in captivity. His mother, Raz Ben Ami, was released earlier this year after 54 days.
The celebration will feature a 26-foot-tall menorah being lit in Cadillac Square, accompanied by live music and various cultural activities. Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan, stated that "Menorah in the D reminds us that even a small light can dispel great darkness." The event aims to promote unity among Detroit's diverse community.
The event is free and open to the public, with festivities set to begin at 5 p.m. on December 14th. Fans of the celebration can find more information by visiting menorahinthed.com.
The city's largest Hanukkah celebration is set to take place in Cadillac Square next Sunday, December 14th. The event, known as Menorah in the D, will feature an emotional reunion between an Israeli family who were kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas militants. Ella Ben Ami, whose parents Ohad and Raz Ben Ami were taken captive in October 2023, will be attending the event along with other released hostages.
For months, these families endured unimaginable trauma as they were held captive in Gaza, resulting in over 69,000 deaths in the conflict. However, thanks to international pressure and negotiations, two of the Israeli hostages, including Ella's father Ohad Ben Ami, have finally been freed after 491 days in captivity. His mother, Raz Ben Ami, was released earlier this year after 54 days.
The celebration will feature a 26-foot-tall menorah being lit in Cadillac Square, accompanied by live music and various cultural activities. Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan, stated that "Menorah in the D reminds us that even a small light can dispel great darkness." The event aims to promote unity among Detroit's diverse community.
The event is free and open to the public, with festivities set to begin at 5 p.m. on December 14th. Fans of the celebration can find more information by visiting menorahinthed.com.
IT'S AMAZING TO THINK THAT THE MENORAH IN THE D WILL BE LIGHTING UP CADILLAC SQUARE NEXT SUNDAY WITH REUNITED HOSTAGES, ESPECIALLY ELLA BEN AMI AND HER PARENTS! 
I MEAN, CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE BEING HELD CAPTIVE FOR 491 DAYS?! IT'S TRULY A CELEBRATION OF LIGHT IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES. I'M SO GLAD THAT THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE AND PROMOTING UNITY AMONG DETROIT'S DIVERSE COMMUNITY! 
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. detroit's come thru with this celebration, love how they're making it all about unity & light in the dark times 
. also, 69k deaths is wild, cant even imagine what that must've been like for those families 
. anyhoo, free events are always the best, so i'll def be there to soak up the vibes 
... but also, it's not all about the hostages, it's about bringing people together during the darkest time of year 
we shd be grateful 4 events like this that promote unity & love 
. and 69k deaths? it's crazy to think about, but i'm glad they were able to release some of the hostages thanks to all the pressure from around the world 
. i'll def be checking this out on dec 14th, hope the vibes are super positive and uplifting!
i'm all about celebrating our differences and coming together as a community, but... i gotta wonder if we're being too hasty in calling it a "celebration" when these people went through some seriously traumatic stuff 
their captivity was 491 days long, that's like, almost two whole years of living in fear for your life 
. free and open to everyone too, that's amazing 
.
i'm sure it's gonna be such a mix of emotions for those hostages, from relief to happiness to maybe even some anxiety about what just happened. and 491 days in captivity is like, forever 
anyway, it's amazing that they're finally free and getting to experience this beautiful celebration with the community. the menorah being lit at night is gonna be so powerful 
and her mom, Raz, was released earlier this year... it's like a miracle! 
... let's keep spreadin positivity n love 
. It's like, you know, a candle being lit in the dark – it's a reminder that even in the tough times, there's still hope for a better tomorrow 
. I can only imagine how hard those families had to go through. But it's awesome that they're all going to be at the same event, holding each other and celebrating freedom 
. A 26-foot-tall menorah lit in Cadillac Square will definitely be an iconic sight, and the live music and cultural activities will add to the festive atmosphere 
... it's going to be so lit