White House Hanukkah Party
Annual reception held at the White House / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The White House Hanukkah Party is an annual reception held at the White House and hosted by the U.S. President and First Lady to recognize and celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The tradition was established in 2001, during the administration of George W. Bush. The guest list includes hundreds of American Jewish politicians, organization heads, and school and yeshiva deans.[1]
Hanukkah | |
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Official name | Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה or חנוכה English translation: "Establishing" or "Dedication" (of the Temple in Jerusalem) |
Also called | Festival of Lights, Festival of Dedication |
Observed by | Jews |
Celebrations | Lighting the lights on the branches of the Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkiyah). Special foods, prayers, and songs. |
Begins | 25 Kislev on the Jewish calendar |
Ends | 8 days later: 2 Tevet or 3 Tevet on the Jewish calendar, depending on the year. |
The reception has become one of a number of ways the president recognizes the holiday, along with a proclamation/message, and participation by the president or a member of his staff in the lighting of the National Menorah (Hanukkiyah, special 9-branch Hanukkah candelabra) on the National Mall. Additionally, in 1996, 2004 and 2009, the United States Postal Service issued Hanukkah themed postage stamps in honor of the holiday.