The Chabad Centre in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, UK, have done it again with another amazing record breaking Menorah to feature at their Chanukah party this year. £25,000 worth of real pearls strung on necklaces and bracelets filled the menorah made of clear tubing.
Rabbi Odom Brandman of Chabad Buckhurst Hill teamed up with Reb Getsel Itzinger, a Lubavitcher activist involved in many London based activities whose company, Gems of World, imports pearls. Built by two members of the community, Desmond Solomon and Daniel Osen, the Menorah was 8ft high and made from clear plastic tubing with gold connector pieces.
The Menorah was highly anticipated by the community who over the last few years have seen a Coin Menorah, Can Menorah, Recycled phones Menorah, Chocolate Menorah and probably their most famous to date – the Whisky Menorah built similarly to this pearl Menorah but containing 65 litres of single malt whisky. Chabad Houses all over the world make featured Menorahs, this could possibly be the most valuable every made!
Rabbi Odom Brandman, director of the Chabad Centre, said “Chanukah is such a happy time of year and it was amazing to see the community come out in great numbers to support this fantastic event as they do every year in growing numbers. Chanukah is a time to spread light, warmth and community spirit and these events go a long way in encouraging this spirit in people.”
The pearls were brought into the Chabad House, unpacked and loaded carefully into the Menorah with beautiful pink, white and black pearl necklaces hanging inside the branches and a huge selection of coloured bracelets and other necklaces filled the stem.
At the event two special items were auctioned off and then people could buy various other pieces from the Menorah with ALL proceeds going to Chabad. Mrs. Henny Brandman said, “it was so generous of Reb Getsel Itzinger to donate so much to the Chabad House, fundraising is never easy and this event was a way for people to buy something beautiful, cheaper than they could get it in any shop, and every penny went to charity.”
Reb Getsel Itzinger himself said, “every time someone wears one of these pearl items, they will be doing a Mitzva, as the money they spent on it went straight to Tzedakah.”
Each item came with a special certificate, designed by the Chabad House’s graphic designer, Chayale Tiefenbrun, stating that they had bought a genuine pearl item and that it was from the World’s First Pearl Menorah. £1,300 was made for the Chabad House on the night and then a volunteer team of girls, Esti Rubin, Aydel Rabin, Zeldy Rubin, Rivky Kesleman, Leah Brooks and Sorale Keselman had the delightful job of repacking all the remaining necklaces and bracelets individually and they were then delivered straight back to Gems of the World late that night.
Since their arrival in Buckhurst Hill 8 years ago, Rabbi Odom and Henny Brandman have worked to ensure that there has been a Public Menorah at the top of Queens Road in Buckhurst Hill which is the most prominent position in the heart of Buckhurst Hill.
The Chairman of the Local Council was guest of honour at the event and in his speech he spoke about the importance of the Menorah, how growing up in Gants Hill, Ilford, he always remembers the large Menorah on the Gants Hill Roundabout which is placed there by Shluchim Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin and Rabbi Moshe Muller and how he would like to help Chabad expand this project so that every neighbourhood in the district should have a Menorah.
Over 150 people came to the Annual Public Menorah Lighting on Sunday at the top of Queens Rd. Following the lighting everybody was invited back to the new Chabad House on Epping New Road where there were Arts & Crafts for the children, lots of refreshments and hot soup for all to enjoy and of course, the Pearl Menorah.
Happy Channuka from Montreal!
esty, aidle, sorale, rivky, leah and zeldy!!
CGI Edgeware 5773
go the pearls of edgwere and stamford hill
Yasher Koach!
Well done once again to Rabbi Odom and Rebbetzen Henny Brandman, you are the most amazing couple a credit to Lubavitch UK. Your tireless efforts and great creations every year of a one off Menorah are truly amazing along with all the other work you do in the area, THank G-D we have genuine people like you so others can see that Yiddishkeit is still very much alive. May you always be Blessed with good health, happiness Nachus, and lots and lots of donations
Hi!
Cool Menorah!