National Menorah Lit in DC

Photos: Baruch Ezagui

A record crowd of over 4,000 gathered on the Ellipse just in front of the White House in Washington, DC to welcome the celebration of Chanukah with the lighting of the National Menorah.

This event, which enjoyed unusually warm weather as it required a very tight security apparatus due to recent events, was the largest such celebration yet since Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, National Director of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), joined then-president President Jimmy Carter in lighting the menorah in Lafayette Park in 1979.

The lighting ceremony of the National Menorah in Washington, DC has developed into what is perhaps the primary celebration of Chanukah in the world today, having been successfully replicated over years at many of the worlds’ landmarks, including Paris’s Eiffel Tower, Moscow’s Red Square, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, Sydney’s Oprah House and many others. Indeed, according to Chabad.org, approximately 8 million Jews are expected to participate in over 15,000 Chanukah celebrations presented by Chabad-Lubavitch in over 80 countries.

Presiding over the event in Washington, DC was Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad).

White House Chief of Staff, Hon. Denis R. McDonough, brought greetings from the President and the Administration, and in his remarks emphasized the relevance of Chanukah’s message in these trying times.

A special performance by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and “The Three Cantors” gave the record crowd an opportunity to enjoy choice Chanukah selections with Dreidelman, of course, dancing along on the specially built three-tiered riser stage.

Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari presented a special rendition of Maoz Tzur and expressed the special feeling she had to “be back with Chabad again in the spirit of the Maccabees.”

The winning entries in the Rabbi Mendy Deren National Menorah Essay contest were presented by Chaya (Cherry) Citron, 11, and Leah Margolin, 9.

Organizers and many participants said it was the largest crowd ever with thousands of Menorah kits, Chanukah guides – and over ten thousand latkes and donuts – distributed.

One thing was clear – the resonant timeless message of our Rebbe emphasizing how light dispels darkness was alive and well for all the world to see.

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