History Of The 2011 White House Menorah

While President Obama celebrated Christmas in Hawaii, the White House did not forget that it's still Hanukkah, which ends on Dec. 28th. This new video, released today, gives the background on the special menorah that was used for the President's Hanukkah reception, held in the Grand Foyer on Dec. 8th before Hanukkah began.

The menorah is dedicated to General Joseph T. McNarney, who served as the Commander in Chief of United States Forces in the European Theatre from November 1945 to March 1947. It was created in a displaced persons’ camp after World War II, the White House said, and loaned to for use by The Jewish Museum, New York.

The Presidential Hanukkah reception featured a kosher menu with very different dishes than were served at all other Presidential holiday receptions, and last week, the White House released a video showing the kitchen being koshered for the event. The President's Hanukkah greeting is here.

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