JUNO BEACH – A sand-sculpted menorah is rising again by the Juno Beach Pier, one year after vandals destroyed a similar one.
Members of the Jewish Community Synagogue in North Palm Beach commissioned an artist to mold a sculpture of a menorah in the sand every Hanukkah. They will host a ceremony at 5 p.m. today to light two candles on this year’s sculpture to mark the second night of Hanukkah.
Artists with Team Sandtastic — the same company that crafts Sandi, West Palm Beach’s Christmas tree of sand — will build the 5-foot menorah with three tons of sand from noon to 5 p.m. today, according to Rabbi Leib Ezagui.
Last year, vandals flattened the sculpture and put a swastika in its place after it stood for just five days. A sculptor rebuilt it the next day. Ezagui said the incident won’t stop the tradition.
“The community came back in a bigger, stronger way last year,” Ezagui said. “We hope this little thing we do on the beach can bring people of all backgrounds and all faiths together to bring some more light and morals into the world.”