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| MIT's Test Tube Menorah |
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MIT Hillel's one-of-a-kind test tube menorah was born out of the unique MIT
Hillel spirit of connecting MIT's passion for science and technology with Judaism.
This particular menorah dates back to the late 1970's. The design incorporates
an old-style, wooden, two level test tube rack with various styles of test
tubes. A test tube clamp facilitates the moving of the shamash, the lamp that
lights all the other wicks. The original design by Hillel Director Dan Shevitz
was further developed by Hillel director Miriam Rosenblum. As the test tubes
can hold a large amount of fluid, water fills the lower three/quarters of each
tube with vegetable oil in only the top quarter. Standard wicks are used and
are cut to remain within the oil-filled section of each tube.
All members of the MIT Jewish community in-residence -- students, faculty,
and staff -- are invited every year to a community-wide lighting, usually in
MIT's Lobby 7. This annual event, started in the late 1970's includes reciting
the Chanukah blessings on lighting of menorah along with community singing
of Chanukah holiday songs.

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