PhotpA hastily-arranged, mostly-virtual Chanukah party was held at the White House this evening, with President Biden and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff making appearances at the unconventional ceremony.
Sen. Schumer, Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt of Cong. Adas Israel and Rabbi Aaron Glatt, a doctor from NY lit the menorah. The crowd joined in saying the brachos and sang Maoz Tzur together.
The Chanukah party taken place annually since 2001 when it first hosted by President George W. Bush. While there are generally hundreds of Jewish figures and activists at the party, the attendance was heavily limited this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with most invitees only receiving a link to watch the event as it was happening.
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7 Responses
The food was treif and the singing was kol isha.
It’s so nice to see all the masks! Good role models!
I would have to adopt the chassidic minhag if throwing things at him while he lit the shammash
What Heter did Schumer who is in Sheloshim for a parent have to attend this party?
Pork flavoured latkes😂
Each person lighting a single candle. Looks like the “Bar Mitzvah Candle Lighting Ceremony”. Also, why wasn’t the redhead wearing a kippah to add to the burlesque.
Anyway, hopefully, the frum attendee(s) will have a positive influence on the entire group of VIPs.
YWN, how did you publish “Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt” without putting scare quotes around the title “Rabbi”? She is not a real rabbi, and it is forbidden to give her the status of one. Dr Glatt should have refused to participate in such a ceremony, but at least now we know why he didn’t say a bracha. It wasn’t for the reasons Rabbi Hoffman suggested, but because it was an occasion that was against Hashem, and botzeia berech ni’etz Hashem.