By Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

There’s no shortage of Hanukkah excitement around town. Here’s a first installment:
As we’ve mentioned in past weeks, former ourtowner Cantor Robbie Sherwin and her band Sababa will perform a free concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5 at Beth-El Congregation.
Chabad of Arlington and the Mid-Cities will host a menorah workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Home Depot, 201 Road to Six Flags W. in Arlington. You can build your own menorah free.
Two weeks of Hanukkah excitement are in store for ourtowners, as Congregation Ahavath Sholom has plans to assemble the largest Lego menorah in Texas history this weekend and a community lighting will take place Dec. 13. Religious-school students have been hard at work for weeks assembling the 50,000-plus-piece Lego structure which folks believe will top out around 16 feet.
The project is the brainchild of 27-year-old civil engineer Michael Lavi, P.E. Michael’s resume includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, and 26 years of Lego construction. Once the congregation saw the model Michael had constructed, members marshaled resources and helping hands.
The support for the menorah will come from blocks of Legos assembled by religious-school children and adults over the past two months from standard 1×2-inch Lego bricks. They will form the central menorah core.
The completed menorah will be presented to the community at 6 p.m. on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, Dec. 13, when the community will come together to light all eight candles.
The communitywide celebration will include participation from faith-based friends including Mayor Betsy Price and the clergy and many members from the Eagle Mountain International Church.
Chabad of Arlington and the Mid-Cities will welcome everyone to Southlake Town Square from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 for the first-ever menorah lighting at Southlake Town Square, Rustin Park Pavilion, 1400 Main St. in Southlake.
If you are in the Mid-Cities area, you can join Arlington Chabad for its menorah lighting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Arlington City Hall, 101 E. Abram St. in Arlington. Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams will light the torch. There will be plenty of Hanukkah activities and snacks for the whole family at this free event.