President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush hosted a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Monday night, December 15, 2008. President Bush opened with a short speech, followed by the lighting of the menorah (see transcript and video below; the person who lit the candles said “Hashem Elokeinu” in the bracha). President Bush mentioned the 60th anniversary of the State of Israle and that the menorah used was given to President Harry Truman by David Ben Gurion in 1951, in thanks for the United States’ support of the State of Israel in 1948. The menorah was lit by Truman’s and Ben Gurion’s grandsons, Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer. The Kol Zimra choir, who also performed at the 2004 White House Hanukkah reception, performed, singing a few Hanukkah classics.
In attendance were Sentaor Joe Lieberman and his wife Hadassah, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Sallai Meridor, Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, and business mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife, along with about 600 total guests.
The White House kitchen was kashered for the occasion by a team of Lubavitch mashgichim; this is the fourth time in history that the White House’s kitchen has been made kosher.
You can also download an mp3 of the President’s remarks.
THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Welcome to the White House. You may have heard I’ve had a pretty eventful weekend. (Laughter.)
So I slipped out Saturday night to Andrews Air Force Base, boarded Air Force One, and landed in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sunday afternoon. It was an unbelievable experience, it really was, to stand next to the President of a democracy and hold my hand over my heart as they played the national anthem in front of one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. I then had — (applause) — and then I had the honor to thank our brave troops who have helped make the transformation in Iraq possible.
This morning we landed in Afghanistan. I spoke to American forces serving courageously to make sure that Afghanistan never becomes a safe haven from which the killers could launch attacks on the homeland.
And then I met with President Karzai, who is determined to help the young democracy survive. And so he said, why don’t you hang around for a while? And I said, well, you don’t understand. (Laughter.) I need to get back to the White House for an important event. (Laughter.) The Hanukkah reception is always one of the most special events of the season. Laura and I are pleased to be with so many friends. And we are honored to gather with leaders of the Jewish community to celebrate our final Hanukkah here in the White House.
I want to thank our Attorney General for joining us. General, I appreciate you and Susan joining us. I am proud to be here with one of America’s great United States senators, Joe Lieberman — (applause) — his greatness made possible by his wife Hadassah, I might add. (Laughter.) And one of the young leaders of the United States Congress, Eric Cantor, and his wife Diana. (Applause.) And we’re proud to be here with Kol Zimra, as well, who will perform later.
The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift — freedom.
This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory — the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations — and one of America’s closest friends.
This evening, we have the great privilege of celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary and Hanukkah in a very special way. Thanks to the generosity of the Truman Library, we are fortunate to light the menorah presented to President Truman in 1951 as a symbol of friendship by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
A decade after President Truman received this gift, he visited Prime Minister Ben-Gurion for one of the last times. As they parted, Ben-Gurion told the President that as a foreigner he could not judge President Truman’s place in American history, but the President’s courageous decision to recognize the new state of Israel gave him an immortal place in Jewish history. Those words filled the President’s eyes with uncharacteristic tears. And later, Ben-Gurion would say he rarely had seen somebody so moved.
And so tonight I’m deeply moved to welcome the grandsons of these two great men — Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer — to light the Truman menorah together.
Laura and I wish all the people of Jewish faith a happy Hanukkah and many joyous Hanukkahs in the years ahead. Thank you. (Applause.)
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow…this country is going to miss President Bush, with all the mistakes he might have made. What sencerity and committement to the U.S. and its only true ally, Israel.
Though the KZ performance was great from a musical standpoint, it didn’t seem so dignified. Also I expected to hear more of a tribute to Bush since he will be leaving. But who’s complaining…
Were any shoes thrown?
It would have been more impressive if Penny was playing along on the piano; you know she can play anything by ear. I mean it. We were once listening to a kids cd with variations of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and within hours, Penny was playing that tune WITHOUT any music book.
SZT- I sort of thought that this blog would be more professional than personal but DEMS FIGHTIN WORDS!!! I have to say that: 1) I hate you 2) Go back where you came from, cry baby. If you want to take this elsewhere, you know my email address…
Penny, in response to you recent personal attacks, I intend on providing the viewing world a copy of the only known video which objectively and clearly indicates who the cry baby was (it also indicates who the best robot dancer was and who wore the coolest blue kippah’s). They can then decide for themselves. Your mothers’s subjective and unproven statement carries no evidentiary weight whatsoever and can be easily disproven.