The world's largest menorah is now up by Central Park

"If you walked past Central Park this week and noticed a massive new structure rising over Fifth Avenue, you weren't imagining it. The world's largest menorah-an unmistakable 36-foot-tall New York holiday fixture-has officially gone up at Grand Army Plaza, right at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, across from the Plaza Hotel. The towering menorah was assembled early Wednesday morning, December 10, drawing curious onlookers, camera phones and the annual reminder that Hanukkah season has arrived in the city."

"Once fully installed, the steel structure is taller than a three-story building and weighs roughly 4,000 pounds, making it both symbolic logistically impressive. The menorah will be lit nightly from December 14 through December 21, marking all eight nights of Hanukkah with public ceremonies that typically include live music, dancing and classic holiday treats like donuts, latkes and chocolate gelt. Lighting times vary slightly-earlier on Friday afternoon, later on Saturday night-but the final evening culminates in the full blaze of all lights at once."

"While massive menorahs pop up across the city (and the world) each December, this one holds a very specific bragging right. Designed by renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam and inspired by a sketch attributed to Maimonides of the original Temple menorah in Jerusalem, the Manhattan installation is officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest in the world. (There's another famously huge menorah in Brooklyn, but at 32 feet tall, it comes in just a bit shorter.)"

A 36-foot menorah has been installed at Grand Army Plaza on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan. The steel structure, assembled December 10, stands taller than a three-story building and weighs about 4,000 pounds. The menorah will be lit nightly from December 14 through December 21 with public ceremonies featuring live music, dancing and traditional treats like donuts, latkes and chocolate gelt; lighting times shift slightly for Friday and Saturday observances. The installation, designed by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam and inspired by a Maimonides sketch, holds a Guinness World Records title. The tradition began in 1977 and is organized by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, drawing locals, tourists and officials.

Read at Time Out New York