National Menorah in Washington, D.C. Lights Up the Nation

by Yaakov Ort – chabad.org

Thousands turned out on the first night of Chanukah for the 44th annual lighting of the National Menorah in Washington, D.C., which many scholars have credited for bringing the message of Chanukah into mainstream American public consciousness,

“The Ellipse,” just south of the White House, is a well-known landmark to D.C. residents, where government officials and staff host prominent events throughout the year. The lighting of a 30-foot menorah in the presence of dignitaries, leading politicians and typically with a full roster of entertainment is perhaps one of this national historic site’s most celebrated annual events, organized by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) under the leadership of Rabbi Levi Shemtov.

Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Executive Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the umbrella group of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, and founder of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) as well as the National Menorah program, reminded everyone of the message of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, that “we are all part of one whole.”

“Chanukah” is linguistically linked with chinuch, the Hebrew word for “education,” and school children took a prominent role in the proceedings.

Ellie Brown, a 4th-grade student at Beren Academy in Houston, and Rose Nakas, a sixth grader at Ramaz Middle School in New York City read their winning entries in the Rabbi Mendy Deren Memorial National Menorah Essay Contest. They were presented with special merit coins.

And two “Five Star Generals” – Esther Gittel Engel of Brooklyn, NY, and Sholom Ber Sossonko of Miami, FL, were officially recognized and given their caps by the youth corps of Tzivos Hashem.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland represented and brought greetings on behalf of President Joe Biden, who participated in this event in 2014, and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Attorney General thanked Chabad for organizing the event and expressed his deep satisfaction at seeing it occur in such a prestigious space, especially in the face of antisemitism.

The “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band, led by Capt. Richard Vigglucci played special Chanukah selections, accompanied by the Three Cantors – Jeff Nadel, Nissim Saal and Yossi Schwartz.

Traditional potato latkes and jelly doughnuts were served, free menorahs and dreidels were made available, and there were live appearances by “Dreidelman” and “The Maccabees.”

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, organizer of the event, related how colleagues were presenting similar events across the U.S. and in over 110 countries, bringing the joy and light of Chanukah to communities around the globe. He also addressed the issue of rising antisemitism. “The effective way to counter antisemitism is with a robust, informed and involved semitism,” he said.

First National Menorah Lit in 1979

The National Menorah Lighting started in 1979 as part of a campaign initiated in 1974 by the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—to raise awareness of the holiday and hold public menorah-lightings. It was attended, in 1979, in the midst of the Iran hostage crisis, by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who lit the shamash and shared greetings with the assembled crowd.

Every president since has recognized Chanukah with a special menorah-lighting. In 1982, the menorah lit in Lafayette Park became publicly referred to as the “National Menorah” by U.S. President Ronald Reagan. In 1987, the menorah-lighting moved to its current location in the Ellipse.

Due to its location, the National Menorah lighting has turned into somewhat of a “flagship lighting” for thousands of similar celebrations across the nation, and indeed, across the world. Recognizing this status, American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) established the National Menorah Council, which is instrumental in counseling and shepherding public menorah-lighting ceremonies around the world.

This was part of a series of events and programs with over 2,000 participants in other Chanukah celebrations scheduled for the week at The US Capitol, “World of Light” at the International Monetary Fund, The Pentagon, malls, centers, DC neighborhoods including Dupont Circle, Spring Valley, Georgetown and the Capitol Hill community, The Wharf DC, Chanukah family fun day, as well as Chanukah programs for students at The George Washington, Georgetown, and American Universities prior to their departure for winter break.

As befitting a ceremony on the lawn opposite the White House—home to the chief executive of the United States of America—the band concluded the event with a resounding rendition of “God Bless America!”

A video of The National Menorah Lighting can be viewed on Chabad.org.