ST. LOUIS — To celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, one of the largest menorahs in the country was lit downtown St. Louis.
Dave Cooper, the designer with Klance Unlimited, said the giant menorah is 29 feet, has 33 lights, 200 feet of truss, 135 bolts and a base of 15,000 pounds.
“It's the tallest menorah west of the Mississippi. The intention is we wanted to build something really special and we want it to continue to be here every year,” Cooper said.
It’s a strong symbol of a strong community.
“The Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States. So it's very fitting that the tallest menorah, certainly in Missouri, certainly this part of the country, should be placed right there,” Chabad of Greater St. Louis Regional Director Rabbi Yosef Landa said.
It’s a time when Jews have been through so much with the war between Israel and Hamas.
“It's been terrible. But Hanukkah is a celebration of a victory of good over evil, of light. And so that's important. And I hope that Israel has that again soon. And the land of Judea is where the word Jew comes from. So it's 2000 years we've been celebrating this victory and we'll celebrate again,” event co-sponsor from Cantor Injury Law Mark Cantor said.
Rabbi Landa said while Hannukah is a time of celebration it’s also a time of miracles.
“Light always defeats the darkness,” Landa said.
There's something everyone can take away from Hannukah and what the menorah represents.
“Especially as we go into winter and during these trying times, I remind you about treating each other and fellow mankind with kindness, with warmth, with love. There's nothing greater than that,” Brooklyn Cantor Shalomie Rabin said.
The Staenberg Menorah will be up throughout the eight days of the holiday next to the Christmas tree on Kiener Plaza. It will have a place in St. Louis for many years to come.