By Chabad.org
In a historic first, congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle joined together on Tuesday, the sixth night of Chanukah, for the inaugural lighting of the U.S. Capitol Menorah.
Leaders of the House – Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, and Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY and Senate Majority Leader – Chuck Schumer D-NY and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY joined Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) and founder of the Capitol Jewish Forum, and dozens of Members of Congress and a small number of invited Jewish leaders and guests, for a special Capitol Menorah Lighting in the Rayburn Room, just steps from the House Floor.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) opened the event, speaking about the historic rise in antisemitism across the country since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. “It’s incumbent upon leaders to not only denounce antisemitism, but to counter it with love,” he said. “ …The last two months have proven that we have a long way to go in making the world a safer place for our Jewish brothers and sisters. But we must remember that the only way to drive out darkness is to overwhelm it with light.”
In his remarks, the Speaker acknowledged the presence of Tomer Keshet, a relative of the Bibas family kidnapped by Hamas, including 4-year-old Ariel and 11-month-old Kfir.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the nation’s highest-ranking Jewish lawmaker, said that lighting a menorah inside the Capitol building “reminds us of just how far the Jewish people have come in our long and winding history.”
He noted that this year, Chanukah comes “at a moment of grief, trial and fear for the Jewish people. Perhaps for that, it is all the more meaningful.”
Rabbi Levi Shemtov noted in his remarks that Schumer had loaned his personal menorah for the event.
McConnell and Jeffries highlighted the need to secure the release of the more than 100 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza. The leaders said they would not stop until every hostage was returned home.
The menorah, Shemtov explained, “is a symbol of the Jewish story of resilience, and America is the story of resilience. … When we light the menorah, it is Jewish people keeping our faith, but it is a message [to be] shared with all of our fellow Americans and peoples around the world.”
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What a beautiful ceremony. Hopefully, it gives our leaders a clearer perspective and overall “chizuk” to help us in this very difficult time.
Rabbi Levi Shem Tov,
Year after year, you organize and orchestrate the magnificent Chanuka Ceremonies at the White House, in the presence of Presidents and mainy other leaders of government from both Democrats and Republicans.
The Kiddush Hashem you bring to the world is immeasurable. You are one of Chabad’s unsung heroes and are deserving of praise.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of the Jewish people and as a devoted Chosid of the Rebbe. May all your efforts together with all the zechusim of Yidden worldwide bring the imminent coming of Moshiach.
May it be now.
nice good job rabbi Levi