Detroit's Largest Hanukkah Celebration to Honor Israeli Hostages with Family Reunion
The annual Menorah in the D event, one of Michigan's largest Hanukkah celebrations, is set to feature a poignant moment this year - an Israeli family reunited after two of its members were kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas.
Ella Ben Ami, who traveled from her hometown in Israel, Be'eri, will be part of the celebration. Her parents, Raz and Ohad Ben Ami, were among 251 people taken hostage in Gaza on October 7 last year. While her mother was freed after 54 days in captivity, it took an astonishing 491 days for her father to be released.
The reunion comes as a somber reminder of the devastating conflict in Gaza that has claimed the lives of over 69,000 people since the beginning of the month-long fighting. The event is expected to draw thousands to downtown Detroit to celebrate Jewish religious freedom, featuring the lighting of a towering menorah, live music, and other cultural activities.
According to Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan, Menorah in the D embodies "the strength and unity of Detroit's diverse community." This year's celebration will be particularly meaningful with the return of Ella Ben Ami and her family.
The event begins at 5 p.m. on December 14 in Cadillac Square, and is free and open to the public. As attendees gather around the menorah, they'll have the opportunity to witness a powerful moment of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.
The annual Menorah in the D event, one of Michigan's largest Hanukkah celebrations, is set to feature a poignant moment this year - an Israeli family reunited after two of its members were kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas.
Ella Ben Ami, who traveled from her hometown in Israel, Be'eri, will be part of the celebration. Her parents, Raz and Ohad Ben Ami, were among 251 people taken hostage in Gaza on October 7 last year. While her mother was freed after 54 days in captivity, it took an astonishing 491 days for her father to be released.
The reunion comes as a somber reminder of the devastating conflict in Gaza that has claimed the lives of over 69,000 people since the beginning of the month-long fighting. The event is expected to draw thousands to downtown Detroit to celebrate Jewish religious freedom, featuring the lighting of a towering menorah, live music, and other cultural activities.
According to Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan, Menorah in the D embodies "the strength and unity of Detroit's diverse community." This year's celebration will be particularly meaningful with the return of Ella Ben Ami and her family.
The event begins at 5 p.m. on December 14 in Cadillac Square, and is free and open to the public. As attendees gather around the menorah, they'll have the opportunity to witness a powerful moment of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.
I'm getting chills just thinking about this reunion 
It's amazing that Ella Ben Ami is finally back with her family after being held captive for so long 
491 days is just insane! And to think she was just a part of the celebration last year too, highlighting how far they've come 
I'm all for celebrating Jewish freedom and coming together as a community 
It's events like this Menorah in the D that remind us that even in dark times, there's always hope and unity to be found 
! I'm so down for a day of community, music, and light - it's exactly what we need right now. Seeing Ella Ben Ami reunited with her family is super emotional, too. It just goes to show how far love & unity can conquer even the toughest challenges 
. Detroit's Menorah in the D event has always been a highlight of my calendar, and this year's theme is gonna make it even more unforgettable 
"When we choose to be happy, we meet the world halfway." It's amazing how this family's reunion will bring people together, even in times of conflict. The idea that thousands will come from all over to celebrate Jewish freedom is truly a beautiful thing 
. I'm sure it'll be an emotional experience for everyone involved. We can only hope that moments like these help bridge the gaps between communities and promote understanding 
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️ I'm so moved by this year's Menorah in the D event. It's not just about celebrating Hanukkah, it's about honoring those who've been affected by conflict. Seeing Ella Ben Ami reunited with her family is a reminder that even in dark times, there's hope and resilience. Detroit's community coming together like this is really powerful - it shows we can be united across cultures & backgrounds. It's not just about the menorah lighting, it's about creating a space for healing & reflection 
thinking about those hostages being held for 491 days must be just devastating for their family especially ella ben ami i hope she's doing ok after going through all that trauma and now her fam is finally reunited with her its like the ultimate miracle 
cant wait to see this at menorah in the d event on dec 14 cant bring myself to think about the conflict in gaza tho wish there was a way for everyone to be together peacefully 
hopefully their presence helps bring some hope & unity to our city...i mean who needs a big party when theres people's lives at stake, but i guess its also about celebrating jewish freedom & all that 
I'm glad it's happening here in Detroit, a city known for its kindness & diversity.
... can't wait to see all the photos & vids on social media afterwards 
. It's gonna be a real tear-jerker, but in a good way, you know? Like, it's a celebration of life, freedom, and community 
. Gonna be an unforgettable experience, no doubt 
. Like, I get it, some people care about this stuff, but can't we just have a chill menorah lighting ceremony without all the fanfare? And what's with the whole "family reunion" vibe? It's gonna be super awkward for everyone involved, especially Ella Ben Ami who's basically been through hell and back. I mean, I'm sure it's a nice sentiment and all, but can't we just let her family have some alone time after everything they've been through?
. I'm not exactly looking forward to battling my way through thousands of people to get a glimpse of the menorah. Can't we just stream it online or something? Like, who needs to physically attend an event anymore?
i mean i know it's not easy or anything, but 491 days? 
I feel so bad for those families who went through that ordeal... 491 days is crazy, can you even imagine? And now, Ella's coming back with her family after being held captive for almost two years... it's like a miracle! 
. I feel so bad for Ella and her family having to go through that. It's crazy how it took her mom just 54 days to get freed compared to her dad taking almost a whole year