Thousands at ‘LA Live’ Menorah

Thousands gathered to mark the eighth and final night of Chanukah by illuminating a 20-foot Menorah at L.A. LIVE—L.A.’s new hotspot located across Staples Center, home of the L.A. Lakers, Clippers and Kings. The “Chanukah at LA Live!” celebration took place prior to the Lakers vs. Jazz game, with a sellout crowd of 18,997.

Now in its 4th year, the annual ceremony, presented by Chabad and AEG Worldwide, was broadcast on live television to millions of homes on L.A.’s KTLA Channel 5.

The joyous celebration of light featured musical performances by Leo Chelyapov’s L.A. Klezmer Fusion Band and the adorable Cheder Menachem Boys Choir, under the direction of Rabbi Shneur Munitz. The crowd was treated to a masterful ice-carving demonstration that saw 600 pounds of ice beautifully carved into a 6-foot Menorah, complete with four basketballs at its base.

“We were on our way to the Lakers game and we saw everything. My kids were so happy; they got to celebrate Chanukah with such joy,” said Isaac Sued, who was visiting with his two sons from Mexico City.

The event included fun for the whole family with traditional Chanukah doughnuts and fare, “Celebrity Dreidel” games, chocolate “gelt” for the children, and exquisite balloons and face-painting.

As the assembled enjoyed the live music and “Dancing Dreidels”, Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, head of Chabad on the West Coast, was joined by Rabbi Chaim Nochum Cunin, Michael Roth, (Vice President of Communications, AEG Worldwide), Rabbi Yossi Malka, actor Daryl Sabara (star of “Spy Kids” and the upcoming Disney epic “John Carter of Mars”) and Michael Helfant (past President and COO of Marvel Studios), who jointly ascended, with the help of a scissors lift, to light the giant 20-foot Menorah.

Rabbi Cunin welcomed the TV audience who joined the ceremony via KTLA 5’s live coverage, the blessings were sung and the Menorah lit to the sounds of “Maoz Tzur” and an excitedly cheering crowd.

“The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, emphasizes that the lights of Chanukah contain a universal message of hope and of light. Each night of Chanukah we light an additional candle to demonstrate that the way to overcome our challenges is to increase in spreading light,” said Rabbi Cunin.

During the ceremony, Chabad presented AEG’s Michael Roth with a “Menorah Award”, which he accepted on behalf of his and AEG’s efforts to spread the light and joy of the Festival of Lights with the City of Los Angeles.

“I am so proud of what you did here tonight,” said Nissa Rashbi to AEG’s Michael Roth. “I just wanted to tell you in person how much this celebration means to me and my family. Thank you,” she said.

“Chanukah at L.A. Live!” was produced by Rabbi Chaim N. Cunin, producer and advertising executive Chaim Marcus, and AEG’s Martha Saucedo. The annual event, presented by Chabad and AEG Worldwide, is quickly becoming an L.A. favorite, with its spectacular location, entertainment and celebrity participation by Robert Downey Jr., Jon Faverau, Howie Mandel, David Arquette, Robert Smigel, and others, who have joined Chabad and AEG for the annual lighting of the Menorah at “Chanukah at LA Live!”.

“Chabad and L.A. Live have something super special going on here; my hat’s off to you,” said David Suissa, President of the L.A. Jewish Journal and Tribe Media, who addressed the crowd.

Chabad, a community-based nonprofit organization, offers programs to help the needy regardless of background or belief. Chabad runs the largest network of educational and nonsectarian social services under Jewish auspices on the West Coast.