President Obama Hosts Jewish Leaders at White House Hanukkah Party
Image by Getty Images
President Barack Obama hosted President Reuven Rivlin and a dozens of Jewish leaders Wednesday at two White House parties for Hanukkah.
Obama recalled the Alan Gross was freed just in time for last year’s holiday, and noted that Gross was able to attend this year’s party.
“We are happy to have him home here today at the White House,” Obama said, according to the Times of Israel.
The East Room of the White House was crowded with Hanukkah celebrants for the candle-lighting ceremony with Rivlin, who earlier met with Obama.
Rivlin reminded celebrants of the Maccabees’ Hanukkah battle “for liberty, for freedom of religion, for our traditions, for their ability to celebrate their own identity.”
Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis, Missouri, who is known as a progressive activist, called for justice for the Palestinians and security for Israelis in a spirited speech.
Talve also called for racial justice in the U.S. before leading the blessing.
Rabbi Susan Talve speaks at White House Hanukkah party. Image by Getty Images
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
