Menorah made of canned goods to celebrate Hanukkah

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THIS STORY HAS BEEN CORRECTED. SEE BELOW

Later this week, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, or Chanukah, are converging for the first time since 1888.

And in the spirit of giving, organizers of this year’s Hanukkah celebration at the Chabad Jewish Center plan to build a 5- to 7-foot menorah out of donated canned goods.

"Chanukah teaches us that light dispels darkness," Rabbi Itchel Krasjansky of Chabad of Hawaii said in a news release. "There’s no better way of spreading light than giving food to those in need."

Construction and lighting of Honolulu’s first ever Chanukah Giving Menorah — or "Can-orah" as it’s being dubbed — will take place Dec. 1 at the center’s annual Hanukkah celebration.

The center hopes community members will help donate roughly 1,000 15-ounce cans for the project.

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"As the theme of both holidays is gratitude for our blessings and sharing with the less fortunate, Chabad of Hawaii thought that this would be a fantastically imaginative way to celebrate," organizers said. "Chanukah is about bringing (physical, and also spiritual) light into this world. A menorah built with canned food is sure to add more light into our world, as the cans will be distributed to the needy after the holiday, thereby creating a tremendous wave of giving and loving-kindness."

Once the can menorah is constructed, candles will be placed on top and lit.

Fifteen-ounce cans are preferred and can be dropped off at the center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Thursday or from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Donations or sponsorships to purchase cans are also welcome.

AfterHanukkah, the cans will go to food banks and/or shelters, organizers said.

This year’s Hanukkah events include:

» A benefit gala at 7 p.m. Wednesday to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

» Menorah candlelighting, Kabbalat Shabbat services and a communal Shabbat dinner Friday evening.

» Chabad of Hawaii’s Grand Chanukah Party at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 featuring hot latkes, an all-you-can-eat buffet, live music, kids crafts and the first-ever "Can-orah." Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 2 to 12, with discounts for students, seniors,military and families.

» A menorah lighting ceremony at Schofield Barracks at 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Nonmilitary are invited; for directions and information, contact Brian Field at 808-348-4560.

» A Car Menorah Parade starting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 4 from Kaimuki High School. The parade will go down Kapiolani Boulevard to Beretania Street, then head down Bishop Street, Ala Moana Boulevard and Kalakaua, Kapahulu and Kuhio avenues to King Kalakaua Park for Hawaii’s 27th annual public menorah lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.

All events will take place at Chabad of Hawaii, 410 Atkinson Drive, unless otherwise noted. Free parking can be found at Ala Moana Center. For more information, call 735-8161 or visit chabadofhawaii.com.

CORRECTION: The construction and lighting of the Chanukah Giving Menorah — or "Can-orah" — will take place Dec. 1. An earlier version of this story and the story in today’s paper said it would take place today.