The recognition of Hanukkah in the White House has been a symbolic gesture of support for the Jewish community for nearly 200 years. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush became the first president to recognize the holiday with a White House invitation to light the National Menorah. But who was the first U.S. president to recognize Hanukkah at the White House?
The first official recognition of Hanukkah at the White House was by President James Monroe in 1825. During his two terms in office, Monroe was known as a strong advocate of religious freedom, and he wanted to honor the newly established Jewish community that had emerged in the United States.
In a gesture of goodwill, Monroe invited the communal leaders of the Jewish community to the White House in Washington, D.C., for a dinner to acknowledge the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. At the dinner, Monroe delivered a speech recognizing the holiday and the hard work of the Jewish people in establishing new lives in the United States.
Later Recognitions
Although James Monroe was the first U.S. president to officially recognize Hanukkah, it was not until more than 100 years later, in 1929, that the White House celebrated Hanukkah again. President Herbert Hoover hosted a Hanukkah ceremony in the East Room of the White House and invited representatives from Jewish organizations across the country to participate.
It wasn’t until 1989, however, that this celebration of Hanukkah became an annual event. President George H.W. Bush invited a group of Jewish leaders to the White House to celebrate the holiday and to light the inaugural National Menorah in the White House’s north portico. Since then, presidents have continued to recognize Hanukkah each year at the White House, with the lighting of the menorah and other religious ceremonies.
Conclusion
The recognition of Hanukkah in the White House has been a gesture of support for the Jewish community for centuries. It began in 1825 when President James Monroe was the first U.S. president to recognize Hanukkah at the White House with a special dinner invitation and speech. Since then, presidents have continued to recognize Hanukkah by lighting the National Menorah in the White House and inviting representatives from the Jewish community to celebrate the holiday.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.