Here’s something a little different for the holidays. On Thursday evening, the Museum at Eldridge Street is opening a quirky collection of menorahs — including versions shaped like a baseball diamond, a pink Cadillac and a matchbook.
There are over 100 menorahs, all collected by the Lori and David Moore family on the Upper West Side. The exhibition, Let There Be Light – A Whole Lot of Light, will be on display in the sanctuary at Eldridge Street. There will be a special opening night celebration on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Here’s more from the museum:
Lori and David Moore began buying menorahs as a way to provide their son and daughter with a holiday tradition, mirroring other families’ yearly holiday trips to pick out Christmas trees or special ornaments. Over the years, they have collected more than 150 menorahs. The majority of the family’s collection will be on display in the Museum before and during Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. The Moore’s collection reveals the family’s personality, travels and shared experiences. The sheer diversity of menorah designs speaks to the ways in which these physical pieces of tradition allow the holiday to be celebrated in distinctive and idiosyncratic ways. The collection ranges from the traditional to the very whimsical. Designs include an American flag menorah, which Mr. Moore bought after September 11, 2001; traditional Chanukah designs from around the world; and menorahs that take playful forms, including a shoe, a dog and an oversized book of matches. A menorah made of mah jongg tiles is a perfect match for the Museum itself, which is located in what is now the heart of Chinatown.
If you’re interested in attending the opening, register here. Hanukkah begins Dec. 12.
