Plainview's annual homemade menorah contest
Jesse Singer, a second-grader from Plainview, entered the menorah design competition at the Mid-Island Y JCC in Plainview. It's made of cardboard, checker pieces, paper plates, chopsticks, aluminum foil, a toy hockey net and candles. (Nov. 27, 2013) Credit: Barbara Alper
A Hanukkah menorah crafted from Rainbow Loom-style rubber bands? Another from checkers transformed into hockey pucks? Yet another featuring plastic fish with candles protruding from their mouths?
These are some of 10-plus creations kids have entered into the Mid-Island Y JCC of Plainview's annual homemade menorah contest. "It's a big competition," says Plainview second-grader Jesse Singer, age 7. "Seven-and-a-half," Jesse corrects.
It took Jesse four hours to make his "Jesse Square Garden" menorah; he used Styrofoam, extra-large black checkers from a game he already had, a miniature goal and two goalie sticks to make his menorah look like an ice-hockey rink.
"I got the idea because my best friends at camp were huge Rangers fans and my friends at school are also huge Rangers fans," Jesse says. Jesse's best friend, Craig Malinsky of Plainview, 7, won last year with his menorah using miniature football helmets. This year, Craig entered the aforementioned fish menorah, hoping to retain his title.
Entrants are supposed to spend less than $5 on their creations, says Joshua Henkel, youth and camp director at the JCC.
The deadline for entries was Nov. 26; judging is scheduled for Dec. 4.
All menorahs are on display in the lobby of the JCC (45 Manetto Hill Rd., Plainview) through Tuesday, Dec. 10.
"A lot of people 'Ooh' and 'Ahh' when they come in," Henkel says.
Categories include kindergarten; grades 1 and 2; and grades 3 through 6; the prizes are toys. The menorahs are decorative only and not meant to be lighted.
