By COLlive reporter
The White House hosted its annual Chanukah party on Monday for a select group of members of the Jewish community from across the United States.
The party held in the Grand Foyer of the White House was a return to the lively pre-pandemic White House Chanukah events that began in the George W. Bush administration. Last year’s party was smaller and more intimate.
President Joe Biden was introduced by his wife Jill Biden. In his remarks, President Biden condemned growing antisemitism amid reports of a national and global uptick in antisemitic rhetoric. He urged political and communal leaders to speak out forcefully against antisemitism and said he’s committed “to the safety of the Jewish people and the vibrancy of Jewish life.”
Biden said: “I will not be silent and America will not be silent. Silence is complicity. We must not remain silent.”
As every year, the crowd enjoyed a lavish glatt kosher meal under the strict rabbinical supervision of Rabbi Levi Shemtov of the Lubavitch Center of Washington DC (Chabad) in cooperation with the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington.
Seen in the crowd were Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Director of American Friends of Lubavitch and Shliach in Washington, DC, and his wife Nechama Shemtov, Crown Heights activist Devorah Halberstam, Rabbi Chanina Sperlin of the CHJCC, and Shliach Rabbi Menachem Shemtov.
Also in attendance were Ambassador Asaf Zamir – Consul General of Israel in New York, Yoel Eisdorfer – senior advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, Assemblyman David Weprin, Malcolm Hoenlein – Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Flatbush community leader Leon Goldenberg, activist Ezra Friedlander, David Greenfield – Executive Director of Met Council, Yoel Lefkowitz – Director Jewish outreach Campaign of Governor Kathy Hochul, Jacob Eisdofer – Jewish liaison to Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso, Williamsburg Shomrim coordinator Yanky Itzkowitz and Yiddy Perlstein – Chairman Community Board 1 and Rabbi Abba Cohen – Aguath Israel Vice President for Government Affairs.
A new menorah was unveiled for the first time as the first-ever piece of White House Judaica. In past years, presidents used borrowed menorahs for their Chanukah receptions. This one was created by the White House’s carpentry shop with wood recovered from the foundation of the building during a 1950s renovation and features handmade silver cups to hold the candles.
Introducing the president, Jill Biden said the menorah “is now a cherished piece of this home, your home.”
VIDEO: Full Remarks
I can’t believe year after year goes by and I’m still not invited. I’m telling you I just wait for the invitation and it just never comes……
Wow, “What comes from the heart, goes to the heart,” outstanding speech of the president and his wife! Thank you for posting! I want to see the new, White House menorah they just built. Could someone please post it?
Is one allowed to eat prior to lighting candles ((which must be in your residence ) ?
Thank you for calling out and standing against antisemitism, as opposed to trump who invited two Nazis to his home for dinner.
If you were wondering what the difference between democrats and republicans are, the way these two men have dealt with the current rise in antisemitism basically sums it up.
You can not be serious.
President Trump was the greatest friend Israel ever had. What has Biden actually accomplished b’poel for yidden??
There’s a White House Chanukah dinner every year, this is not a chiddush!!
What a beautiful event. Absolutely beautiful.
Yidlach being used by the administration….
(Not that I wouldn’t go if I was invited 🙂
Go Biden!! Thank you for defending Jews, women, POC, immigrants, Ukraine, the alternative community, and countless others.
This is what a real president looks like. Thank you Mr. President.
I pray that the orthodox Jewish community sees that who they vote for matters. This is the kind of president we need. Go democrats!
A true friend of the Jewish people. Thank you for defending us and working to make this country a better and safer place for all!
A true friend ? Who got mr rubashkin out of jail? You people forget
We are all linked. Jews must be defended and we must defend others
Chanina just matched his tie with pres. biden!
Who is the president Chanina or the other guy. They are both about the same height both have the same color ties. Chanina has a Nefesh Elokis.
Happy Chanukah
President Biden a true friend of Israel
Trump 2024 he is the one who freed mr rubashkin you all forgot ?
No menorahs were ever gifted to the White House before?
Olom Golem!!!!!!!
If Trump was President there would NOT be a war with Ukraine!!!!
There woud NOT be missle testing by North Korea!!!!!
There would not have been any American Hosteges!!!!!
The price of oil would be under $2.00!!!!!
There would not be such a disasterous inflation!!!!
Biden is two faced; He direspected Israeli polititions and was Pro-Palestenians openly!!!!
look up his record.
Who cares if you don’t like Trumps personality; at least he delivers whatever he promised and much MORE!!!