Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light celebrated each year, has become often recognized and celebrated in the White House since the late 20th century. The ceremonial lighting of the menorah, or hanukkiyah, and recognition of the holiday has grown steadily since then. The first President to recognize the holiday within the White House walls was none other than President Jimmy Carter.
In September of 1979, President Jimmy Carter became the first President to recognize Hanukkah in the White House. After former President Richard Nixon and his wife Pat had lighted the Menorah in front of the White House four years prior, President Jimmy Carter approved an in-house lighting ceremony and reception. The ceremony was held in the East Room, and it was attended by cabinet members, local Jewish leaders, and more. The group gathered to sing a selection of Hanukkah songs, celebrate the traditional mitzvahs, and other Jewish observations. President Carter, along with two rabbis, Rabbi Joseph Glazer of Hillel and Rabbi Jacob Rothschild of The Temple, lit the large 13-branched menorah, called a hanukkiyah.
Immediately following this historic event, President Carter delivered a passionate speech to those in attendance. He spoke of the history of Judaism in the United States and the dangers of religious ignorance. He called out for the need to take on religious intolerance and asked that Americans join together to “take an extra step toward understanding and maybe even love” their fellow man, regardless of religious background.
President Carter’s Hanukkah lighting ceremony set the stage for the many Whitehouse Hanukkah events that would come after him. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Barack Obama soon held similar Hanukkah celebrations in the White House. In 1988, a special Hanukkah reception was held at the White House for both the President and the Congress.
Today, President Carter’s historic Hanukkah celebration stands as a testament to the religious tolerance and acceptance of faith and culture that can be shared in the United States. Jimmy Carter’s ability to lay the groundwork for the acceptance of religious observance in the White House, as well as his efforts to call out religious intolerance, gave way for future generations to openly celebrate Hanukkah in the most powerful residence in the country.
Conclusion
From Jimmy Carter’s first Hanukkah lighting ceremony in the White House in 1979 to the present day, the recognition and celebration of Hanukkah in the White House has grown steadily. President Carter set the stage for future presidents’ ability to recognize Hanukkah, as well as other religious observances. The legacy of religious tolerance and acceptance of faith within the White House lives on in today’s Hanukkah celebrations, and will continue for many years to come.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.