Pleasanton Boy to give Menorah
By Rebecca F. Johnson
Pleasanton - Pleasanton resident Will Hyams will present a special home-made gift to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a pre-Hanukkah ceremony today: a menorah that depicts his hollywood career.
The 11-year-old crafted a menorah with each of the candleholders portraying characters from "The Terminator," Predator" and other figures Schwarzenegger played in the movies.
The menorah is lit during the eight-night festival of Hanukkah, which this year begins at sundown on Sunday.
"It's a pretty unique menorah, I must admit," said Jamie Hyams, Will's mother, who helped her son fashion the menorah from wood bolts, action figures and tiny lights arranged to resemble a movie marquee.
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick, who recently opened the Chabad of the Tri-Valley with his wife Fruma in Pleasanton, said the Chabad of the West Coast has conducted a Hanukkah ceremony at the Capital for the past few years and asked the new center to participate.
"Will's going to be representing all the Jewish boys and girls in the community and the Chabad youth club," he said.
Jamie Hyams said Will is beyond excited to present the gist that bears the words "And the Jewish People said - I'll be Back" to the governor.
Following the ceremony that will include the unveiling of the state menorah, the Resnicks, Hyams and others will partake in a kosher lunch in the governor's office.
