N※N

Flint Illuminates Community with 60-Foot Menorah at Shea Automotive

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. ity-with-60-foot-menorah-at-shea-automotive.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 19:54 GMT by ABC12

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-14 251 x 201 / 13789 Bytes

2025-12-14 237 x 213 / 11565 Bytes

2025-12-14 203 x 224 / 7478 Bytes

2025-12-14 224 x 224 / 12932 Bytes

Flint Hosts Giant Menorah Lighting at Shea Automotive this Monday

This week, the city of Flint, Michigan, became the focus of a bright, joyous holiday celebration as a towering menorah was lit in the parking lot of Shea Automotive on Monday evening. The event, part of the city’s larger Hanukkah celebration, drew a diverse crowd of families, community leaders, and curious onlookers who gathered to witness the lighting of the first candle and to participate in a night of shared cultural and spiritual tradition.

The 60‑foot structure was erected at the dealership’s spacious lot, a location that has become a new focal point for community events in Flint’s downtown area. The lighting ceremony opened at 7:30 p.m. with a brief welcome from the mayor of Flint, who praised the event as a testament to the city’s growing cultural inclusivity. “It’s wonderful to see a tradition so significant to one part of our community being celebrated so publicly for everyone,” he said. The mayor noted that events like this help to strengthen the sense of shared identity in a city that has faced many challenges over the past decade.

A Symbolic Tradition in a Small Community

The menorah, an eight‑pronged candelabrum that has been a central symbol in Jewish worship since antiquity, represents the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the story of the Maccabees. The lighting of the menorah, therefore, serves as both a remembrance of Jewish resilience and a celebration of hope. For the Jewish community of Flint—a group that numbers a few dozen families, many of whom have lived in the region for generations—this public display is especially meaningful.

The article’s author highlights that the Jewish community, though small, has a long history of civic engagement in Flint. A link within the story points to an interview with the local Jewish Community Center, where the director of outreach explained that the community has been involved in charity drives, interfaith dialogues, and neighborhood improvement projects for over fifty years. “We’ve always wanted to share our holiday traditions with the broader city,” she told the reporter. “Seeing people from all walks of life gather here gives us a sense of belonging and respect.”

Shea Automotive’s Role as a Community Partner

Shea Automotive’s owner, Thomas Shea, spoke to the article’s reporter about the company’s decision to host the event. “We’re proud to support an event that reflects the diversity of Flint’s residents,” he said. The dealership has a longstanding relationship with local civic groups and often sponsors community gatherings, such as open houses and charity fundraisers. The article cites a link to the dealership’s website, where Shea’s community outreach page lists its past engagements, including partnership with the Flint Community Food Bank and the city’s annual holiday lights festival.

In addition to providing a venue, Shea Automotive supplied the funds necessary for the construction of the 60‑foot menorah. According to the article, the cost of the project—estimated at roughly $10,000—was covered by a combination of a grant from the Flint Jewish Community and a donation from a local philanthropist who wanted to make the event as accessible as possible. The lighting ceremony itself was free for all attendees, and the event included a small gift table with Hanukkah-themed snacks such as sufganiyot (jelly donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes).

Community Voices and Cultural Exchange

The article captures the atmosphere of the event through quotes from several community members. A mother of two, who has lived in Flint for the past twelve years, told the reporter, “It’s a beautiful reminder that our city is built on many cultures, and it’s encouraging to see them represented in such a visible way.” The mayor’s remarks were echoed by a local pastor, who spoke about the shared values of light and hope that transcend religious boundaries. “It’s not just a Jewish event; it’s a community event,” he told the reporter. “We’re all celebrating the light that can bring us together.”

The article also references a link to a local radio station’s coverage of the event, where the host described the ceremony as “an embodiment of the city’s resilience.” That coverage noted that the event’s timing—just before the holidays—provides a hopeful note at the beginning of the festive season for many residents. In a small city that has faced economic hardship, such moments of communal celebration can serve as morale boosters.

Looking Forward

Following the initial lighting, the menorah is scheduled to remain on display for the eight nights of Hanukkah, with a new candle added each evening. The article’s final section provides a timetable for the lighting schedule, noting that the event will run through 12 December, when the eighth candle is lit. In addition, the article indicates that the city will hold a “Hanukkah Night” event, featuring a concert and a communal feast, to coincide with the final lighting. Information about the upcoming event is linked to the Flint City Hall website, where residents can RSVP and learn more about the festivities.

In summary, the article portrays the giant menorah lighting at Shea Automotive as a meaningful convergence of tradition, community partnership, and civic pride. Through a combination of charitable sponsorship, local business support, and interfaith cooperation, the event has become a beacon of hope for Flint residents during the holiday season. As the city’s residents gather each night to light a candle, they also light a shared sense of belonging and collective celebration—an emblematic gesture of resilience and unity that the downtown lights and the community itself will remember for years to come.