Page 24 - Highlights for Children (December 2017)

Eight-year-old Talia Lefkowitz and President George W.
Bush light a menorah candle at the first White House
Hanukkah party while First Lady Laura Bush looks on.

When the White House hosted a Hanukkah celebration.

Gold-sealed invitations are sent.
Celebrates Supreme Court judges,
Guests may include senators,

astronauts, and athletes.
In 2007, one rabbi who had
received an invitation brought
along his eight-year-old son,
Hanukkah Aharon Akiva Dardik. Aharon
later remembered portraits and
statues of famous people in the
White House. He said, “There was
Everyone enjoys the blessings, music, a huge dinner, but the only thing
I liked were the latkes.”
menorahs . . . and latkes, of course.
Lighting the Menorah
By Tovah S. Yavin
You can’t celebrate Hanukkah
without lighting a menorah.
Latkes (potato pancakes) and Parties are held in many The Hanukkah parties at the
doughnuts sizzle in the kitchen. homes for the Jewish holiday White House have featured
The menorah is ready. of Hanukkah. In 2001, for the old menorahs, new menorahs,
U.S. Marines in bright-red first time, a Hanukkah party handmade menorahs—even
uniforms tune their instruments. was held in the White House, dirty menorahs!
Marines? Isn’t this a the home of the President of The menorah used in 2001
Hanukkah party? the United States. was more than 100 years old.
It is a Hanukkah party! Every year since then, the A new menorah made by
And it’s at the White House. President and First Lady have students in Israel was used

24 DECEMBER 2017