“Welcome to the White House,” called out President Barack Obama, standing beside his wife Michelle, to a full crowd of Jewish guests attending his annual Chanukah reception on Wednesday.
“Every year, Michelle and I like to invite just a few friends over for a little Chanukah celebration,” the president said. “Nothing fancy. Actually, this is the second year we’ve invited so many friends that we’re hosting two parties instead of one. This is our first party — it is the best party. Don’t tell the others, though,” he joked.
As they did last year, the White House upped the total number of participants to 1000 people, 500 attending each of two back-to-back receptions.
The usual invitees were there. Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International and the Rebbe’s Shliach to the White House, his wife Rebbetzin Batsheva Shemtov and son Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch.
In fact, Rabbi Levi Shemtov is the one who oversaw the koshering process of the White House kitchen, as he has been doing since the celebration became an annual tradition under President George W. Bush.
There was a nice representation from the Jewish community of Crown Heights in Brooklyn, including Mrs. Devorah Halberstam, activist and Director of Government Services for the Jewish Children’s Museum, Chanina Sperlin, inter-governmental liaison of the CHJCC, Colonel Jacob Goldstein and his wife Sema, and activists Yaakov Behrman of the JFA and Avi Lesches.
Also in attendance were Yoel Lefkowitz – Jewish Liaison for NY Public Advocate Letitia James, Aaron Weider – Majority Leader of the Rockland County Legislature and Abe Friedman – Law enforcement chaplain.
The president mentioned in his speech American Alan Gross’ release from Cuba today, saying that one of the great mitzvahs is “pidyon shvuyim.”
“He’s back where he belongs,” said the President, “in America, with his family, home for Chanukah. And I can’t think of a better way to mark this holiday, with its message that freedom is possible.”
The Menorah that was lit was built by two girls who attend a school in Jerusalem which brings Jewish and Muslim students together. Two of the students, Inbar Vardi and Mouran Ibrahim, traveled from Israel to light the Menorah.
“Inbar and Mouran and their fellow students teach us a critical lesson for this time in our history: The light of hope must outlast the fires of hate,” said Obama.
“That’s what the Hanukkah story teaches us. That’s what our young people can teach us — that one act of faith can make a miracle. That love is stronger than hate. That peace can triumph over conflict. And during this Festival of Lights, let’s commit ourselves to making some small miracles ourselves and then sharing them with the world,” he said.
Video: President Obama’s remarks at the Chanukah party
From the White House Press release: “The menorah was made for the White House Hanukkah reception by the Max Rayne Hand in Hand (Yad B’Yad) Bilingual School in Jerusalem…Made of wood and painted in different colors, each of the menorah’s eight branches represents one of the values on which the school was founded: Community, Education, Freedom, Human Dignity, Peace, Equality, Solidarity, and Friendship.”
Reb levi if u could somehow pull of a parden for reb sholom mordichai it would be the geatest thing in the world !!! Thank u in advance .
The menorah was made by the students of the school
BS”D
# 12 i will also vote for him but me thinks he’s too young to run
The chabad events always outshine the white house in the food dept lol
First of all I don’t buy all these nonsense “cute” lines that he uses to get people to feel he’s on their side. And whats with the colorful play-do menorah, whose idea was that especially with the arabic writing along side hebrew as if we should get the hint or something. I guess the good old fashioned silver Menorah just doesn’t cut it anymore. Pidyon Shvuyim? Ya free Pollard and Rubashkin then we can start using fancy hebrew words.
What about SM Rubashkin???
I love the pictures. It seems to me that with all the frum people in America that have real influence (from BH 2B in sales/IDT 1B in sales) and nursing home owners and many countless jews that are high up in corporate America (on all levels) to see a few simple but good jews in the pictures tells me something is not adding up/not doing there job. MC
How could he talk about pidyan shvuim ?? Obama let our people go
Exactly! Someone should of screamed free jonathan pollard!!
none of this is cute and nice while Jonathan Pollard is still in prison why didnt anyone scream out at him during his speech that he needs to free Jonathan Pollard
Efsher iz shoin tzeit far SM Rubashkin tzu hobben Pidyon Shvuyim?? I hope someone mentioned him to Obama!
I feel good seeing u smile & dressed so beautiful!!
Yacov Behrman for President !!!
Aunt Jill
Maybe that Menorah is the symbol of festivus?
It seems quasi kwanzaa as there are principals that every candle stands for. But the kwanzaa one has seven candles. A bit confusing.
I dont know what kind of candelabra that is, but it definitely looks more like the arts and crafts i made in kindergarden, then presidential
Sholom mordechai rubashkin should be allowed to go go home to his family so he can light for his family.
What was written on that menorah?
Wow
a salut to chabad a salut to to rebes shluchim avrohom and levi shem tov
Is that a Kwanza “Menorah” I see. That’s some great Chanukah celebration. Is there anyone left in America still celebrating that made up holiday Kwanza?
Please lets not forget who started this
it was president Bush
and president Bush spent time with guest
Chapeau to chabad and yashor koach ,great job !!!