Posted on 12/10/2001 7:22:44 PM PST by CounterCounterCulture
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush and his wife, Laura, staged what was described as the first-ever menorah-lighting ceremony in the White House residence on Monday, honoring the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
``It's a symbol that this house may be a temporary home for Laura and me but it's the people's house and it belongs to people of all faiths,'' Bush, who attends Methodist services, said at the ceremony.
He handed a burning candle to 8-year-old Talia Lefkowitz, who recited a blessing as she lighted two candles to mark the second night of Hanukkah. A dozen Jewish children, the sons and daughters of White House staffers, stood nearby.
The event was held in what is called the Bookseller's Area on the ground floor of the White House residence, beneath portraits of former Presidents William Howard Taft and Calvin Coolidge.
The ornate silver menorah that was used was loaned to the White House by the Jewish Museum of New York. It was made in Poland about 100 years ago, and Bush said it came from the city of Lvov, whose Jews were victims of the Nazi Holocaust.
The candelabrum recalls the rededication of the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago, when the Maccabees fought off their Syrian oppressors and claimed victory by rekindling the eternal light.
During the rededication of the Temple, only enough oil was found to enable the flame to burn for one day, according to Jewish tradition, yet a miracle enabled the one vial of oil to last for eight days, long enough to make new oil.
In his remarks, Bush referred to the friendship between the United States and Israel and the attacks each country has sustained this year.
``This has been a year of much sadness in the United States and for our friends in Israel. America and Israel have been through much together. This year we have grieved together. But as watch the lighting of this second candle of Hanukkah, we're reminded of the ancient story of Israel's courage and of the power of faith to make the darkness bright,'' he said.
Bush later held a reception for Jewish leaders. Earlier in the day, he met representatives of about 15 Jewish American groups to discuss the war on terrorism and persistent violence in the Middle East.
"What, no menorah-lighting ceremony in the Clinton White House. Well, I guess that makes sense knowing Hitlary's true feelings about the Jews."
Perhaps some historian of White House lore who's on this board can steer us to a source that would document exactly when menorah lighting took its present place in official White House ceremonial life.
I do know there were menorah lightings during the Clinton era. In 1998 there was a historic lighting ceremony, at which President Weizman also appeared. http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/New/mideast/19981213-12120.html
Several interesting menorahs were on display during the 1998 Chanukka holiday including the historic menorah from the Gomez Mill House, the oldest Jewish homestead in America; and a ceramic menorah by the artist Katya Apekina.
See http://www.gomez.org/menorah.html and http://www.jewishaz.com/jewishnews/981127/menorah.shtml
That would have to be real historic, considering that Weizmann died in 1952.
Shucks, you know how those Jews are. Dead one minute, lighting candles the next. They control the funeral business ya know (wink, wink). And the candle business. Shoot, I got passed over for six jobs and you know who got them? Yep, dead Jews.
One day he's in a Mosque extolling the virtues of Islam.
The next day he's taking part in pagan Jewish rituals.
Don Q responded: "That would have to be real historic, considering that Weizmann died in 1952."
Hi, Don!
We're talking about two different Weizmans. The Weizman who was at the 1998 White House ceremony was Ezer Weizman. Ezer Weizman was the seventh president of the State of Israel, He served in that capacity from 1993 to 2000. He was the nephew of Chaim Weizman. Chaim Weizman died in 1952. Ezer Weizman is still alive.
What does that mean?
Are long-term Freepers more likely to look down on Judaism?
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