White House Hanukkah Party

Bush continued the tradition of White House ceremonies and receptions for Hanukkah, expanding both the guest list and preparations for the event. For example, after an embarrassing incident in 2004 when non-kosher foods were mixed up with some special kosher foods that had been brought in for the occasion, the Hanukkah party in 2005 began the tradition of kashering the White House kitchen so that all foods served at the party would be kosher.[4] According to Rabbi Levi Shemtov, director of the American Friends of Lubavitch and head of the team that kashers the White House kitchen for the annual Hanukkah party, the ovens are first scrubbed clean by Marines or Navy personnel employed by the White House, and are then heated to 500 °F (260 °C) to 600 °F (316 °C) to render them kosher. Servingware – including "hundreds of platters, thousands of pieces of silverware and other small items, and lots of stands and serving pieces" – are also kashered for the event.[1]

One Hanukkah activity involving the president's staff that might have been a "first" was OMB director Josh Bolten's reading of two Hanukkah bedtime stories over the White House website, as part of a special series of stories set up by First Lady Laura Bush. A number of other individuals, including Mrs. Bush herself, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and a number of cabinet members took part in this program, with Bolten's selection as the reader of the Hanukkah stories was presumably linked to his religious affiliation.[12]

President George W. Bush (left) participates in the menorah lighting at the White House with Rabbi Joshua Skoff of the Park Synagogue, Cleveland, Ohio, and son, Jared, December 6, 2005. (White House photo)

In 2005, another first for the White House Hanukkah celebration. During the White House Menorah lighting in the family residence, President Bush lit one of the candles on the Menorah during the ceremony, making him the first U.S. President to do so. Up until that year and since, invited Jewish guests have been the designated "lighters." In 2005, Rabbi Joshua Skoff of Cleveland, Ohio, along with his wife Ilana, and children Jared and Eden, were to light the candles, which they did. In the moment, however, Rabbi Skoff spontaneously invited President Bush to light one of the candles, and he agreed. The photo of the President of the United States lighting the Hanukkah Menorah became the most publicized moment of the event. This was also the first Hanukkah ceremony held in advance of the holiday, due to Presidential plans to be away from Washington during the actual Hanukkah holiday later in the month. In his comments, Rabbi Skoff joked that his children were excited "to observe the 25 days of Hanukkah." [13][14][15]

In 2007, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush invited Ruth and Judea Pearl, parents of slain Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl, to light the menorah that once belonged to Daniel's great grandparents, Chaim and Rosa Pearl, who brought it with them when they moved from Poland to Israel in 1924 to establish the town of Bnei Brak.

"While reporting in Pakistan in 2002" the president said, "Daniel was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists. His only crime was being a Jewish American – something Daniel Pearl would never deny. In his final moment, Daniel told his captors about a street in Israel named after his great-grandfather. He looked into their camera and he said: 'My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.' These words have become a source of inspiration for Americans of all faiths. They show the courage of a man who refused to bow before terror, and the strength of a spirit that cannot be broken".

"By honoring Daniel, we are given the opportunity to bring forth hope from the darkness of tragedy – and that is a miracle worth celebrating during the Festival of Lights".[16][17][18]

In 2008, Bush announced to the guests that he had cut short his farewell trip to Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure he was present for the final Hanukkah party during his administration. For the candle-lighting, he introduced Yariv Ben-Eliezer, grandson of David Ben-Gurion, and Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of President Harry Truman, to light the historic Hanukkah menorah that Ben-Gurion had presented to Truman in 1951.[19] Bush linked the holiday and Israel in his remarks, explaining that:

The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift – freedom. This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory – the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations – and one of America's closest friends.[19]

One small gaffe that reached the press was the fact that the invitations to the Hanukkah party, sent to Jewish leaders throughout the United States, included the image of a horse-drawn cart pulling a Christmas tree to the White House. The White House staff quickly called it a regrettable oversight, and apologized.[20] Press secretary Sally McDonough explained that it was a "staff mistake" to use the same image on all holiday reception invitations, and that First Lady Laura Bush "is apologetic". McDonough added that the invitations would be re-sent, using the image of the menorah Ben-Gurion presented to Harry Truman as the illustration for the new invitations.[21]

White House Hanukkah Party, candle-lighting, 2009

President Barack Obama continued the tradition of a White House Hanukkah Party established by his predecessor. However, favoring smaller and more intimate receptions, he invited fewer members of the Jewish community than had Bush, a decision that stirred up some controversy – especially when invitees noted that the invitations made no specific mention of Hanukkah, instead inviting guests to a "holiday reception".[22] But many leaders and pundits called the criticism chutzpah (audacity), with one article in The Huffington Post stating that Obama ought to be applauded, not attacked, as he and his administration continued efforts to govern in a bipartisan and inclusive manner; this Hanukkah party was just one positive reflection of this trend.[23]

For the 2009 Hanukkah party, the White House had made arrangements to use a sterling silver Hanukkah menorah on special loan from the Jewish Museum in Prague, at the request of the First Lady. She had toured Jewish historic sites in Prague in April 2009 during her husband's official state visit. The menorah was crafted by Viennese silversmith Cyril Schillberger in 1783. At the candle-lighting ceremony, candles were lit by two young children of a Jewish soldier deployed in Iraq.[24]

One "first" for President Obama was the fact that his 2009 Hanukkah message was issued in both English and Hebrew versions. The message recalls the Hanukkah story of Jews who fought for religious freedom against seemingly overwhelming odds, noting that the lesson for everyone is "that faith and perseverance are powerful forces that can sustain us in difficult times and help us overcome even the greatest odds".[25]

Other members of President Obama's staff – and other U.S. leaders at all levels of government – continued to participate in official Hanukkah ceremonies in the tradition of previous administrations. For example, in 2009, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel participated in the lighting of the menorah on the National Mall.[26]

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden look on as Ben Retik lights the Hanukkah menorah in the East Room of the White House, December 2, 2010. Retik's father David Retik was killed on board American Airlines Flight 11 on September 11, 2001.

The 2010 White House Hanukkah Party was held on Thursday evening, December 2,[27] and featured a Hanukkah menorah salvaged from Congregation Beth Israel, then in Lakeview, New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina.[28] The menu included kosher sushi and potato latkes, and the entertainment included a solo saxophone rendition of Ma'oz Tzur ("Rock of Ages"), by saxophonist Joshua Redman, and other Hanukkah melodies performed by the United States Marine Band.[29]

President Obama's remarks included his observation that the Hanukkah message of rededication is an important reminder to people of all faiths:

In every corner of the world, Jews have lit the Hanukkah candles as symbols of resilience in times of peace, and in times of persecution – in concentration camps and ghettos; war zones and unfamiliar lands. Their light inspires us to hope beyond hope; to believe that miracles are possible even in the darkest of hours. It is this message of Hanukkah that speaks to us no matter what faith we practice or what beliefs we cherish…it invites all of us to rededicate ourselves to improving the lives of those around us, spreading the light of freedom and tolerance wherever oppression and prejudice exist.[30]

The 2011 White House Hanukkah Party took place on the night of December 8, 2011[31] – one week before the start of the holiday on the Jewish calendar. President Obama and his wife, and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, feted approximately 550 invited guests, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the United States. The lighting of the menorah was performed with a menorah crafted in a displaced persons camp, donated by the Jewish Museum of New York. The program featured a performance by The West Point Jewish Chapel Choir and strictly kosher food, including "Sushi Rolls, Caramelized Pearl Onions, Shitake Mushrooms, Pine Nut Herb Crusted Lamb Chops and Homemade Sufganyot".[32]

President Obama joked that the premature celebration of Hanukkah should not lead children to "start thinking Hanukkah lasts 20 nights instead of 8".[32] In reference to Hanukkah, President Obama went on to say, "We never need an excuse for a good party."[33] On a more serious note, he said:

This year, we have to recognize the miracles in our own lives. Let's honor the sacrifices our ancestors made so that we might be here today. Let's think about those who are spending this holiday far away from home – including members of our military who guard our freedom around the world. Let's extend a hand to those who are in need, and allow the value of tikkun olam to guide our work this holiday season. This is also a time to be grateful for our friendships, both with each other and between our nations. And that includes, of course, our unshakeable support and commitment to the security of the nation of Israel.[32]

The 2012 White House Hanukkah Party was held on the sixth night of Hanukkah, Thursday evening, December 13, 2012.[34] More than 500 American Jewish leaders attended the reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House.[34] Rabbi Larry Bazer, a Jewish military chaplain stationed in Afghanistan the previous Hanukkah, was given the honor of lighting the sixth candle of Hanukkah on a 90-year-old menorah rescued from a Long Island synagogue battered by Hurricane Sandy.[35] In his remarks, President Obama noted:

Last Hanukkah, Rabbi Bazer – and he happens to be the Joint Forces Chaplain for the Massachusetts National Guard—was four months into his deployment in Afghanistan, and he lit a custom-built electric menorah in the central square of Camp Phoenix in Kabul. As the only rabbi in Afghanistan at the time, he spent every night of Hanukkah with a different group of soldiers, reminding them of the Maccabees' perseverance, and bringing them faith to guide their challenging work.[36]

The press reported that Obama's nomination of Senator Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense was one of the hot topics of conversation at the party, as was the fiscal cliff set to go into effect in January 2013.[34]

President Donald Trump continued the tradition of a White House Hanukkah Party established by his predecessors. The 2017 event was held on December 7, five days in advance of Hanukkah.[37] Trump was accompanied to the East Room reception by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and the couple's three children, who, Trump noted, are Jewish.[38] Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, special Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, and US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, were also in attendance.[38] The guest list was much smaller than previous Obama receptions: about 300 people were invited.[39][40] Most of the guests were Republican supporters; none of the 30 Jewish Democrat members of Congress were invited.[41] Reform Jewish leaders and "progressive Jewish activists" who had been critical of Trump were also omitted from the invitation list.[39] Trump asked a Holocaust survivor, Louise Lawrence-Israels, to address the gathering.[38]

Trump's grandchildren lit a single candle on the menorah without saying the blessings, as the holiday had not yet begun.[40] Entertainment included a girls' yeshiva choir.[40] The main topic of conversation was U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the Israel, which Trump had just announced a day earlier. Trump said in his remarks, "Well, I know for a fact there are a lot of happy people in this room".[38][39]

Donald and Melania Trump greet Holocaust survivors at the 2018 White House Hanukkah Party

The 2018 White House Hanukkah Party was held on December 6.[41] It had been scheduled for December 5, but was postponed for the state funeral of former President George H. W. Bush.[41] The event comprised two receptions, one at 3 p.m. and another at 7 p.m., in order to accommodate a larger guest list.[41][42] Following criticism of the absence of Congressional Democrats from the 2017 reception, invitations were extended to all Jewish members of Congress.[41] Other attendees included U.S. envoy to Israel Ron Dermer and tycoon Sheldon Adelson.[43]

At the afternoon reception, Trump honored eight Holocaust survivors.[44] At the evening reception, he honored Andrew Pollack, father of student Meadow Pollack, one of the victims of the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.[44] Trump stated that the menorah was being lit in Meadow Pollack's memory.[44] During his remarks, Trump noted that the date marked the one-year anniversary of the United States' official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In other remarks, he remembered the murder of 11 Jews in a Pittsburgh synagogue in October, saying that "we reaffirmed our solemn duty to confront anti-Semitism everywhere…[We] must stamp out this vile hatred from the world".[43][44]

In November 2019, CNN reported that Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, had been photographed at the 2018 White House Hanukkah Party with Russian–American businessmen Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman; Parnas had posted the picture on his Twitter page. Afterwards the four reportedly repaired to a private room where Trump allegedly asked them to help with a scheme to coerce the Ukrainian government to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter. When Parnas and Fruman were arrested in October 2019, Trump stated that he did not know the two men.[45]

President Trump displays his signature on an executive order committing his administration to combating the rise of anti-Semitism, signed during the afternoon Hanukkah reception, December 11, 2019

The 2019 White House Hanukkah party was held on December 11, a week and a half prior to the holiday, in the East Room of the White House. Trump was joined by his wife Melania; daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and their three children; Jared's father Charles Kushner and his family; Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen; Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr, former Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer, and Jewish members of Congress.[46] Other guests included Sheldon and Miriam Adelson,[46] Harvard professor of law Alan Dershowitz, and Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots.[47] Trump also asked evangelical Christian leader Robert Jeffress to speak, lauding him as a "tremendous faith leader".[47]

As in 2018, both afternoon and evening receptions were held. Entertainment included a Jewish a cappella group and a 20-musician orchestra playing traditional Hanukkah songs.[48]

During the afternoon reception, Trump signed an executive order that mandates government offices to view Judaism as a race or nationality, not just a religion, and withhold federal funding under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to colleges and universities that allow discrimination against Jewish students.[48][49] The order is seen as a way to stop Israel boycotts on American college campuses.[49] Trump stated at the reception, "As president, I will always celebrate and honor the Jewish people, and I will always stand with our treasured friend and ally, the State of Israel".[48]

The 2020 White House Hanukkah party was held on December 9, the day before the start of the Hanukkah holiday, in the East Room of the White House. As in previous years, afternoon and evening receptions were held, with 100 attendees at each gathering.[50] Neither reception had a Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony, but the White House band entertained guests. Trump did not attend the afternoon reception, but made an appearance at the evening event. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin was the most senior official at the afternoon reception; other attendees included Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz and Zionist Organization of America chairman of the board Mark Levenson.[51]

Held indoors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, most attendees wore masks but social distancing was not enforced.[50][51] Trump and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows did not wear masks.[50] Several invitees opted not to attend due to the pandemic, including Harvard professor of law Alan Dershowitz.[52] Trump, who had filed several lawsuits in different states alleging voter fraud in the 2020 United States presidential election, assured attendees that he would eventually be declared the winner.[50]