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Huge Menorah Takes Center Stage
On the heels of The Grove's Holiday Tree Lighting Extravaganza as reported in yesterday's edition of LAist -- Jews from all around the Southland have united together to present something just as awe-inspiring for those uninterested in candy canes, Chris Kringle and really-big foliage.
The big news broke recently in an article on the well-regarded Press Telegram that at first glance appeared to be a simple, informative article on the significance of the menorah in the upcoming mega-holiday they call Chanukah, Hannukah or Ha! Noo Ca-Caw. But at second glance, the news of the "huge menorah" was clear for all to see.
It was true. To compete with the huge Christmas festivities being planned for The Grove and other major Hollywood/Los Angeles locales -- the erection of a huge, gigantic, gold-encrusted, monolithic menorah was planned for December 1st in Upland, CA.
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Er, yeah. Upland.
Sure, Upland may not have the "street cred" that The Grove may have. And sure, it may even exist in a strange place where the area code is 909 -- but that seems insignificant when Jews from all over the southland realize that if they drive there...it will be lit.
Taking center stage during the Chabad of the Inland Empire's Chanukah celebration (December 1st, 5pm at Upland City Hall), the first candle (which symbolizes the ushering in of the holiday) will be lit. Music will be provided by the up-and-coming band, The Bittuls and a children's choir will rock the house. The event, not to be overshadowed by The Grove's giveaways of boomboxes, wrapped presents and stacks of free cash, will be handing out latkes, dreidels and balloons.
The choice, really is yours. Do you want live Christmas music or the unique stylings of The Bittuls? Fireworks or dreidels? Enormous crowds playing in faux-snow or a culturally-bonded group of your closest Jewish friends commenting on the quality of the latkes?
LAist knows where you're gonna be come December 1st.
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