Temple Israel of Riverhead Builds Menorah 'Canstruction'
A group of teens from Temple Israel of Riverhead, working with architect Harley P. Abrams, A.I.A. and parent liaison Caroline Fierro, M.D., have just constructed a giant art structure of a Jewish menorah using only canned food, and they won two awards for their creation. The teens first raised $3,000 in order to buy the canned food, which was used to build the structure for the Canstruction Long Island competition to fight hunger on Long Island. The cans will ultimately be donated to Long Island Cares – Harry Chapin Food Bank for distribution in the community.
For their efforts, a panel of jurors gave Temple Israel of Riverhead’s “canstruction” team both awards in the Student Awards category. They earned recognition for Most Cantastic (Best Meal) and Most Cans Used in the competition.
Five student groups and eight professional groups participated in this event, and Temple Israel’s structure contributed 4,000 cans of food to the cause. All of the structures created in this year’s canstruction will contribute more than 51,000 cans in total to Long Island Cares and hungry people in the region.
The can menorah and other “canstructures” from teams across Long Island will be on public display through November 13, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., at RXR Plaza (625 RXR Plaza) in Uniondale. During this time, the public is encouraged to vote for their favorite canstruction to receive the People’s Choice Award. Anyone visiting the display with a contribution of at least one can of food can vote for the structure they like most in both the Student and Professional categories. With these additional donated cans, Canstruction Long Island hopes to donate more than they ever have—more than 54,000 cans of food.
For more information about Canstruction Long Island, visit canstructionli.org. For more information about Temple Israel of Riverhead, visit 490 Northville Turnpike at Ostrander Avenue, Riverhead, or templeisraelriverhead.org.