The spirit of Chanukah was shining bright this year as Oholei Torah’s talmidim showcased their creativity and ingenuity at the annual Menorah Contest, a much-anticipated highlight of the Yeshiva’s Chanukah celebrations. The event brought together hundreds of talmidim from all grades who worked tirelessly to design and build unique menorahs that reflect both artistic talent and Torah and Chassidishe values.

On Sunday, Talmidim proudly braved the snow to bring their projects to Yeshiva to partake in the contest. Each menorah demonstrated a remarkable blend of imagination and meaning, with many designs drawing inspiration from themes in Torah, Chassidus, mitzvos, and the miracle of Chanukah itself.

Organized under the leadership of Rabbi Mendel Levin, Oholei Torah’s Extra Curricular Director, the competition sparked enthusiastic participation throughout the school, with students eagerly awaiting the chance to share the stories behind their creations and celebrate the efforts of their classmates. The judges faced a challenging task in selecting top projects from a field of outstanding entries that highlighted both craftsmanship and thoughtful expression.

Oholei Torah Chanuka Menorah Contest Expo Winners 5786:

Pre1a
1st place: Ari Shpritzer (Minhogei Yom Huledes)
2nd place: Aharon Benzecery (The Rabbeim Adding Light to Bring Moshiach)
3rd place: Ahrele Rotenberg (Daily Mitzvos)

1st Grade
1st place: YY Freundlich (My Pesukim)
2nd place: Elazar Greenberg (Shtetel Menorah)
3rd place: Hillel Mann (The Debate of Hillel and Shamai)

2nd Grade
1st place: Simon Webb (Licheshayafutzu)
2nd place: MM Ben Asher Shochat (Chitas Menorah)
3rd place: Shlomie Hurwitz (Chabad of North Fork)

3rd Grade
1st place: Mendy Wolf (Hiskashrus)
2nd place: Shimmy Freundlich (Four Corners of the World to Moshiach)
3rd place: Yosef Perman (The Ladder of Tefillah)

4th Grade
1st place: Avrohom Rapaport (My Pasuk Shema)
2nd place: Shneur Plotkin (The Times of Moshiach)
3rd place: Mendel Banon (Musical Menorah)

5th Grade
1st place: Levik Heller (Hachnosas Orchim in Crown Heights)
2nd place: Eliezer Frank (Ahavas Yisroel of the Rabbeim)
3rd place: Yaakov Kamman (OT Mivtzoim)

6th Grade
1st place: Hershey Spritzer (Yom Tov With the Rebbe)
2nd place: Mendel Silbershtrom (Korbanos)
3rd place: Yisachar Lipskier (Yemos Hamoshiach)
3rd place: Sholom Drookman (12 Pesukim Wheels)

7th Grade
1st place: Levi Weiss (Lego 10 Mivtzoim)
2nd place: Dovber Lipszyc (K’ayol Tarog)
3rd place: Avrohom Dovid Loksen (Electric Menorah)

School-Wide Winners
1st place: Shneur Edelman, 6th grade (Oholei Torah Shabbos Minyan)
2nd place, tie: Leibel Bendet, 2nd grade (Oholei Torah Transportation) and Eliyahu Adler, 4th grade (Oholei Torah Enlightening the World)
3rd place: Shmuel Zalmanov, 1st grade (Oholei Torah Programs)