PRESIDENTIAL: Joe Biden speaks about the rise of anti-Semitism across the country and the need to join the fight against it
AGN.News Team
December 20, 2022
WASHINGTON (AGN.News) – On Monday, December 19, 2022, President Joe Biden spoke about the rise of anti-Semitism across the country and the need for all Americans to join the fight against it.
“Today, we must all say clearly and forcefully that anti-Semitism and all forms of hate and violence in this country have no safe harbor in America. Period,” Biden said.
Celebrating Hanukkah at the White House
He spoke during a Hanukkah reception that included adding the first-ever official White House menorah. It is the first Jewish artifact to be added to the White House archives.
“The White House has never had its own menorah, until now. It is now a cherished piece of this home, your home, tonight,” first lady Jill Biden told the crowd gathered at the White House.
What is a Hanukkah menorah?
A Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited.
The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), which is used to light the other eight.
The White House celebrates Hanukkah?
In the US, the White House has been represented at the lighting of the National Menorah since 1979. This celebration of Hanukkah began with the attendance of President Jimmy Carter in the ceremony in Lafayette Park.
Additionally, beginning with President Bill Clinton in 1993, a hanukkiah is lit at the White House, and in 2001, President George W. Bush began the annual tradition of a White House Hanukkah Party in the White House residence, which includes a hanukkiah candle lighting ceremony.
Now, the White House has its own menorah. As first lady Jill Biden said at the White House, “It is now a cherished piece of this home, your home, tonight.”
The White House leads by example
Monday’s celebration of Hanukkah shows the president is committed to leading the country in rejecting the rise of anti-Semitism and racism in America.
Celebrating Hanukkah involves lighting the menorah. English speakers most commonly call the lamp a “menorah” or “Hanukkah menorah” (the Hebrew word menorah simply meaning “lamp”).
Follow the White House example
America is a vast country with communities of Jewish Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, Pacific Islands Americans, Caribbean Islands Americans, Puerto Rican Americans, Mexican Americans, and many other Americans.
In all of these communities are people who celebrate Hanukkah and are Jewish Americans. The White House now has its very own Hanukkah menorah that belongs to all Americans – who can now celebrate Hanukkah and reject anti-Semitism.
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AGN.News Team
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