On Sunday evening, Dec. 2, thousands gathered to celebrate Hanukkah on the Ellipse, just south of the White House, at the 2018 National Menorah Lighting ceremony. Hanukkah always begins at sunset on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, according to the Jewish lunar calendar.
This year marked the 40th lighting of the National Menorah, a free event, open to the public, that dates back to 1979, when Jimmy Carter was president.
Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish Maccabees’ military victory over Greek-Syrian oppression more than 2,000 years ago. A candle is lit each night of the eight-day celebration, commemorating the miracle of one day’s supply of oil lasting a full eight days in the lamp following the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
A high-ranking member of the current administration is typically chosen to light the first candle atop the 30-foot-high National Menorah with the aid of a special elevator. This year, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke ascended to the top, flanked by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), and his father, Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, the organization’s national director.
“The president stands strongly with the Jewish people and the great state of Israel,” said Zinke as part of his remarks.
Mussia Poltorak of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Ella Mosca of New York City read their prize-winning essays on “What Hanukkah Means to Me.” The popular Dreidelman made his usual appearance. A dreidel is a spinning top with, on its four sides, the first letters of the Hebrew words for “a great miracle happened there.”
The “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band and the Three Cantors provided the musical backdrop, with a special performance by 8th Day, an American Hasidic pop-rock band. Following the ceremony, attendees were treated to the traditional potato pancakes, known as latkes, and jelly doughnuts, known as sufganiyot. Complimentary personal menorah kits and dreidels were also distributed.
View Jeff Malet’s photos of the 40th National Menorah Lighting in Washington, D.C., by clicking on the photo icons below.
Maccabee soldiers stand guard. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Dreidelman makes an appearance. The dreidel is a spinning top whose letters stand for the first Hebrew letters of the words “a great miracle happened there.” (photo by Jeff Malet)
“The Three Cantors” Chaim David Berson, Yaakov Motzen and Zev Muller. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Mussia Poltorak of Fairfield, Connecticut would read their prize-winning essay on “What Hanukkah Means to Me.” (photo by Jeff Malet)
In attendance, Hindy Motzen of Baltimore Md. with Shira (age 5) and Tehila (9). (photo by Jeff Malet)
Eric (right) from Georgetown receives one of the hundreds of complimentary personal menorah kits and dreidels here distributed by Mendel. (photo by Jeff Malet)
The Poleg family from Potomac, Maryland. The couple met at an earlier National Menorah Lighting. Photo by Jeff Malet.
Thousands in attendance. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Dreidelman poses with Hannah, age 8. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) served as master of ceremonies. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Chabad national director, delivers remarks. This annual event is privately sponsored by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). (photo by Jeff Malet)
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is the featured speaker. (photo by Jeff Malet)
American Hasidic pop rock band “8th Day” makes a return appearance at the event. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke celebrates upon lighting the center “shamash” candle. On each night of Hanukkah a new branch is lit. The ninth holder, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), is for a candle used to light all other candles and/or to be used as an extra light. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lights the first candle atop the 30-foot-high National Menorah, flanked by Rabbis Levi and Abraham Shemtov of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). Photo by Jeff Malet.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lights the first candle atop the 30 high national menorah. He is flanked by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), and his father, Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, the organization’s national director. (photo by Jeff Malet)
A cherry picker lifts Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke so that he may light the 30 foot National Menorah. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Ilana Koyfman brought her puppet Larry David (photo by Jeff Malet)
Capturing the image (photo by Jeff Malet)
After the ceremony, attendees were treated to the traditional potato pancakes, known as latkes, and jelly doughnuts, known as sufganiyot. Yaakov (age 6) from Baltimore Md. picks out a donut. (photo by Jeff Malet)
After the ceremony, attendees were treated to the traditional potato pancakes, known as latkes, and jelly doughnuts, known as sufganiyot. Nova (age 6) from Richmond Va. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Adi (age 7) from Silver Spring Md. enjoying her jelly donut. (photo by Jeff Malet)