US Commerce Secretary Howard W. Lutnick will be joining the lighting ceremony of the National Menorah on The Ellipse in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. during a special ceremony on The Ellipse Sunday evening, December 14th, at 4:00 pm ET, the first night of Chanukah, 2025 – 5786. (Pre-concert begins at 3:30pm).
The most famous celebration of the Chanukah holiday in the world will take place today, with added security due to the terror attack earlier today at a Menorah lighting in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, organizers said. The program will be dedicated to the memories of the victims of the horrific shooting attack.
The program will feature performances anmd presentations by The 8th Day, The US Air Force Band, Social Media influencer Montana Tucker, who has 14 million followers across several platforms, and others. There will also be presentations of the National Menorah Essay Contest winners and two top 5-Star Genrals in Tzivos Hashem.
Notable dignitaries including the President, Vice-President, Cabinet secretaries, Members of Congress, ambassadors, diplomats and Jewish communal leaders have attended and participated in past celebrations.
Tickets for the general public are required for admission, are readily available online at www.NationalMenorah.org, and are free of charge. Following the ceremony, those in attendance will be treated to hot traditional Chanukah latkes (potato pancakes) and donuts.
Complimentary personal menorah kits and dreidels will also be distributed.
The National Menorah is sponsored by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad).
Mr Lutnick is a person full of joy and light though he didn’t have an easy story as a young man, both parents passed when he was a teenager.