Chabad Menorah on Prime-Time

By COLlive reporter

Millions of television viewers Sunday joined Chabad of California as thousands gathered at L.A. LIVE for AEG’s Season of Giving celebration of the second night of Chanukah.

The Menorah lighting was broadcast live on KTLA during their prime-time evening news with Jim Nash.

West Coast Head Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Cunin was joined by actor David Arquette to light the 10-foot tall menorah sculpture created out of 800 pounds of ice.

The giant menorah was lit on the ice skating rink, located directly across from the entrance to Staples Center. Deputy Consul General of Israel, Uri Resnick, participated as well.

The ceremony took place just before the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz squared off at Staples Center, before a sellout crowd of 18,997.

The Hollywood Klezmer band, under the direction of Jordan Charnofsky, played the Chanukah classics with their unique Klezmer signature.

“As we were pulling into the parking lot I could already hear the Chanukah music,” said Daniel who came from Hermosa Beach for the festivities and Lakers game. “The kids were absolutely thrilled and couldn’t wait to get upstairs.”

The party revelers were treated to delicious Chanukah doughnuts, dreidel games, menorah kits and some lucky participants received special Chanuka ice skating passes.

“We got to see the (menorah) lighting, take the kids ice skating and then to the Lakers game. How do you beat that?” said Melissa Rothman.

Chabad thanked Michael Roth of AEG for his continued commitment to sharing the light and inspiration of Chanukah.