Hundreds Gather for National Menorah Lighting

Hundreds of people gathered on the Ellipse this Wednesday, braving bitter cold winds to celebrate the lighting of National Chanukah Menorah. GW students were given free tickets to the event by Hillel. The ceremony did not go off without a few hitches: it started late and had many last minute schedule changes. Rabbi Shemtor introduced the United States Navy Band and talked about Chanukah around the planet, proclaiming the holiday’s history “not unlike the situation in the world today." After the speeches, Dreidelman came out to lead everyone in singing "Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel.” Mayor-elect Vincent Gray also spoke, reinforcing his desire to forge a better relationship with the various religious communities in the DC area. Upon Gray’s arrival, Rabbi Shemtor also pointed out several members of congress who were in the audience.

The actual lighting of the menorah, typically scheduled for the end of the ceremony, was pushed to the start of the program because the White House's representative Jack Lew, OMB director and highest ranking Jewish member of the Obama administration, was called by the president to return as soon as possible. When Rabbi Shemtor and Jack Lew were lifted high into the air on a cherry picker to light the giant menorah, the strong winds blew the Rabbi’s hat and kippah off. Luckily, the Rabbi had a spare kippah. But the winds persisted, blowing out the menorah’s candles several times. The regular schedule of the show then resumed, with the national menorah essay contest winners reading their thoughts on the importance of the menorah. There was also a special musical performance by violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman and maestro Itche Meir Helfgot. The event ended with free latkes and donuts for the audience.