But the odds are it is not made of ice and doesn't stand 5 feet high, weighing as much as a football lineman in full pads. It incorporates ice skating, Jewish music, Chanukah food and, of course, an ice menorah the size of Mickey Rooney. I'd love for singles and families to come, anyone from age 2 to 100. We've got the skates and we'll leave the light on for you. Along with Chabad, Oakland's Orthodox Beth Jacob Congregation and Berkeley's Orthodox Congregation Beth Israel, the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family and Children's Services of the East Bay are co-sponsoring the event.
Organizers hope for a turnout of several hundred.
There are plenty of activities for non-skaters and skaters alike, though Rabbi Yair Silverman of Beth Israel certainly counts himself among the latter. Ferris predicts the Claremont Hotel chef who is responsible for carving the mammoth menorah may require the use of a chainsaw. But this would definitely be the largest ice menorah. One of extremes that we don't often experience. From the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay, Howard Goodman and Ami Nahshon, the president and executive vice president, respectively, will be on hand to light the towering menorah.