TLC’s Craft Wars pits crafters against crafters in a creation war for a $10,000 grand prize.
Following in the network’s footsteps, Hillel at Ohio University is hosting its first ever Menorah Wars with a grand prize of an all-expenses-paid dinner at Zoe’s Restaurant next semester.
Groups of five are invited to make their way to Hillel on Monday and Tuesday to register for Menorah Wars and gather materials provided by Hillel to make their own menorahs, said Morgan Blumenfeld, a junior studying mild to moderate special education.
“After the group pays the $10 registration fee, they can take a couple of different things from the pile,” Blumenfeld said. “But once they’ve collected their items, they have to use it all.”
Each group member is also allowed to provide one item for the menorah, she added.
The menorahs will be displayed outside Hillel and will be judged Dec. 5 by three judges on creativity and usability.
“We are also hoping that people might want to buy these menorahs,” Blumenfeld said. “The money would go to either Hillel or some other organization that we support.”
Depending on student and community feedback, the possibility of creating an annual event is also possible, said Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, the executive director of Hillel at OU.
“We’re going to see how it goes, because it’s all new for us to have students celebrating Hanukkah on campus this year,” Leshaw said. “We will evaluate all of the activities from this year and see what works for next year.”
Menorah Wars is a creative and new opportunity for people to get in the Hanukkah spirit, she added.
“We hope students will think outside the box and not just create the standard menorah,” she said. “We also hope community members will take advantage of this opportunity, and even those who aren’t Jewish.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Menorah Wars
WHEN: 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday & Tuesday (registration and material pick-up); 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 (judging)
WHERE: Hillel, 21 Mill St.
ADMISSION: $10 group registration fee
