Celebrate Chanukah with a 3D Printed Menorah and a Dreidel Design Competition with Tech Tribe

If you are Jewish, then you know that although Chanukah may not be the most religious of holidays, it’s usually the one that children, and even adults, anticipate the most. Whether it’s the spinning of the dreidel, opening gifts for eight days straight, spending time with family, or eating the various greasy foods associated with the holiday, I have fond memories of celebrating Chanukah as a child.

For those who don’t know the story behind Chanukah, the holiday commemorates the Jews rising up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors to regain control of Jerusalem, and how a one-day supply of oil ended up lasting eight, allowing for their victory. That’s why we burn nine candles in a menorah: one candle for each of the eight nights the oil lasted, and the shamash (“helper”) candle used to light the others.

The Jewish people can oftentimes be very progressive, and with technological advancements occurring at a rapid rate, why not bring a little bit of that technology into Chanukah, right?

That’s just what one organization called Tech Tribe is trying to do with a 3D Printed Menorah Lighting and Dreidel Design Competition in New York City on December 17. Tech Tribe, which has a mission to create engaging and impactful experiences for young Jews in tech and digital media, thought that Chanukah would be the perfect opportunity to merge technology with tradition.

Scheduled for between 7pm and 10pm on the first full day of Chanukah, at the Makeshift Society on 55 Hope Street in Brooklyn, the event is sure be a fun one.

“We’ll be featuring the 3D printed menorah at the event,” explained Rabbi Mordechai Lightstone of OpenShabbat.org to 3DPrint.com. “Participants will be able to submit dreidel designs online as well to be printed beforehand or make DIY style dreidels on site. He’Brew beer will be there, letting people build craft beer menorahs (in addition to trying some great beers).”

The menorah was designed by Benny Gross, a teacher at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway and Elliot J. Glassman. Combined with the 3D printed dreidel contest, the event certainly is a great way to integrate these new technologies into a holiday that kids love, presenting a learning experience as well as fun, all rolled up into one.

“Personally, I’m fascinated by the potential that 3D printing has,” stated Rabbi Lightstone. “It allows us to explore ideas and concepts in a truly unprecedented way. Any technological evolution presents us with the opportunity to elevate it and use its potential for good. I believe that this competition and event is one of many such uses of the technology to do so.”

Tickets for the event are available online, for $15, which includes complementary food and drink. For those wishing to participate in the 3D printed dreidel design contest, there is a small $5 fee to enter. Design submission instructions will be provided after registration.

A 3D printed menorah will also be present at a second Chanukah event put on by Tech Tribe, this one in Chicago on December 17.  Further details on the Chicago event can be found here. Let us know if you attend this event. Discuss in the 3D Printed Dreidel Contest forum thread on 3DPB.com.