THE
PRESIDENT: Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are glad you're here,
and we're glad to be here to celebrate the festival of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah begins later this month; it's a time to remember the story of a
miracle once witnessed in the holy temple in Jerusalem.
More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient land of Israel was conquered,
and Jewish people were forbidden to pray, observe their religious
customs, or study the Torah. In response, a patriot named Judah Maccabee
led a revolt against the enemy army. Their numbers were small, yet their
courage in defense of their faith was powerful -- and they were
triumphant.
When the Maccabees returned to reclaim their holy temple, the oil
that should have lasted only one day instead burned for eight days.
During Hanukkah, Jews across the world signify this miracle by lighting
the menorah. This act commemorates the victory of freedom over
oppression, and of hope shining through darkness. Today, that light
still burns in Jewish homes and synagogues everywhere. And, today, that
light will burn here in the White House.
Laura and I are honored to have a beautiful menorah here from Park
Synagogue in Cleveland, Ohio. Rabbi Skoff, thank you very much for
sharing it with us. I also want to thank Rabbi Barry Gelman for his
prayer and thank him for his deep compassion. As he mentioned, he is the
rabbi from the United Orthodox Synagogue in Houston, whose members did
so much to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I want to thank the
West Point Jewish Cadet Choir for being here with us this evening. Our
nation is grateful to the American troops of all faiths who are serving
our country around the world, and who are away from their families this
holiday.
The word "Hanukkah" and the Hebrew word for education both come from
the same root word that means "to dedicate." And earlier today, I met
with some of the leaders from our nation's Jewish day schools. As
educators who dedicate themselves to teaching the faith and to teaching,
they are fulfilling the true lesson of Hanukkah every day of the year.
Just as the Maccabees reclaimed their holy temple, these teachers help
ensure that Jewish traditions are passed from generation to generation.
Tonight, as we prepare to light the candles, we are grateful for our
freedoms as Americans, especially the freedom to worship. We are
grateful that freedom is spreading to still new regions of the world,
and we pray that those who still live in the darkness of tyranny will
some day see the light of freedom.
And now I invite Rabbi Skoff and his daughter and family to join me
for the symbolic lighting of the White House menorah. The honor is
yours. Thank you.