The Hanukkah story consists of the Jews prevailing over the Greeks in trying to preserve their identity. This year, there is a parallel as the Jewish state of Israel fights for its survival against terrorist attacks by Hamas.
The symbolism and parallel could not be any clearer as the White House is set to host its annual Hanukkah reception on Dec. 11.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken of the Coalition for Jewish Values said the significance of the White House having this party amid the conflict “depends on what is said and how it is done.” Mr. Menken, who attended the Hanukkah parties during President Donald Trump’s administration, will not be at the upcoming event as he said he was not invited.
Despite being a critic of the Biden administration, Mr. Menken agreed with the White House hosting the Hanukkah party amid the dire circumstances facing Israel and the Jewish community.
He said it is “correct for the White House to continue and strengthen its outreach to the Jewish community.”
“And the Hanukkah party is a big piece of that. It would send a wrong message for the White House to not do a Hanukkah party.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre remarked on the significance of the holiday.
“This is an opportunity for Jewish Americans and all of us who support them to come together, reflect, share time with loved ones, and pray for more peaceful times ahead,” she said during a Dec. 7 White House press briefing.
‘Mixed Emotions’
Leading Jewish Americans will be in attendance and some of them told The Epoch Times that this is not the time to cancel the reception amid the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas, which launched attacks and invaded the Jewish state on Oct. 7, killing 1,200; the biggest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews were exterminated.Prominent Jewish Democratic strategist Steve Rabinowitz decided not to hold his annual “Latkes & Vodkas” party that has featured Jewish leaders and other community members over the past 28 years, though he stated it will resume it next year.
“I just don’t feel right hosting a party this year, given Oct. 7 and in the middle of an actual war,” said Mr. Rabinowitz in a mass email.
Nonetheless, Mr. Rabinowitz told The Epoch Times that he will be attending other Hanukkah parties, including the one at the White House and the Israeli Embassy.
“It’s important the community come together, maybe not so much to celebrate this year as to commemorate the Hanukkah story,” and that “most of them will be more tempered and that seems just right to me.”
He added that he has “very mixed emotions” and is “ambivalent” about going to the reception at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. amid the war.
“It’s important that U.S. presidents host such events for our community; then it’s all about tone,” said Mr. Rabinowitz.
Norm Eisen, who served in the Obama administration as an ethics czar and ambassador to the Czech Republic, remarked that it is appropriate for the White House to host a celebration for the Festival of Lights, which is eight days long.
“My view is that more, not less, commemoration of Jewish occasions is needed given the challenges we are facing,” he said.
“That includes maintaining support for Israel and a just long-term resolution and countering the explosion of anti-Semitism,” continued Mr. Eisen. “It is a good opportunity to express appreciation for the president and his administration’s strong support for Israel and for finding solutions that are just for all involved.”
Biden Administration Criticized
President Joe Biden has expressed support for Israel, though he has come under fire from critics who lament that his administration has noted that Israel must avoid civilian casualties in Gaza, which Hamas controls and where Israel has launched military operations in response to the terrorist attacks.The administration has also drawn criticism for unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian assets being held in Qatar—an action taken as part of a hostage exchange with Tehran shortly before Oct. 7. However, Washington and Doha have since said that the funding will not be released.
Also, critics on the right slammed the administration for extending last month a waiver to Iraq to allow the country to buy electricity from Iran despite the terrorist attacks against Israel by Hamas, which is supported by Tehran.
Moreover, the administration has come under fire by progressives who have called for a ceasefire. The administration has resisted those calls, but successfully pushed for temporary pauses in the fighting that have resulted in Hamas releasing female and child hostages in exchange for Israel giving up Palestinian prisoners.
Ann Lewis, who was White House communications director under President Bill Clinton, expressed mixed feelings ahead of the party.
“My feelings at any given moment since Oct. 7 range from rage at the cruelty to marvel at the heroism, and hope for a safer, post-Hamas future,” she said.
“About the White House party, I feel once again appreciation for American principles, which have welcomed Jews since George Washington, and hope that President Biden’s leadership will help bring about a world that is safer for Jews wherever they live, and for everyone threatened by terrorism,” continued Ms. Lewis.
Nathan Diament, executive director of public policy for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the largest Orthodox Jewish group, expressed mixed sentiments ahead of the White House party, which will be held on the fourth day of Hanukkah.
He said that the reception “is a moment to appreciate how the United States has been, and still is overall, a welcoming society for Jews where we have flourished.”
However, the party comes amid a rise in anti-Semitism in the United States. Between Oct. 7 and Oct. 23, there was a 388 percent spike in anti-Semitic incidents, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Jewish Resolve
“It is a very difficult time in the midst of the war between Israel and Hamas and surging anti-Semitism in the USA,” Mr. Diament acknowledged. “But this gathering is a way to show the community’s resolve that we will not be cowed or defeated by our enemies.”Mr. Diament, like Mr. Rabinowitz, said he expects there to be a solemn vibe surrounding the White House celebration.
The White House has hosted a Hanukkah party since 2001. It has consisted of politicians, Jewish and pro-Israel organizational leaders, and other influencers. During the occasion, a menorah is lit, though that was not the case in 2020 as the two receptions were a day before the beginning of Hanukkah.
The party will be a statement that Jews will not be deterred in celebrating the Hanukkah miracle, when there was enough oil to light the Temple in Jerusalem, which was rebuilt, that lasted eight days. This is why Jews tend to put their menorahs by windowsills in order for those on the outside to see.
“The response to anti-Semitism should not be to hide our Judaism, to hide Jewish things from the public,” said Democratic strategist Mark Mellman.
Therefore, he said, “it’s important for American Jews to deepen our involvement, not to allow these anti-Semites to preclude us from celebrating our holidays.”
Ms. Lewis cited the Bible: “Choose life.”
After all, she continued: “In the Jewish tradition, we acknowledge and celebrate holidays even in difficult times. Just as we increase the Hanukkah candles from one to eight, it is up to us to increase the light; to tell the story and to remind ourselves that freedom can never be taken for granted.”
