Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, who was selected by the White House to light the Chanukah menorah alongside President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Rabbi Dr. Glatt is Associate Rabbi at the Young Israel of Woodmere (NY) and an expert in infectious diseases who serves as a professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau (NY).
The White House celebrated the 4th night of Chanukah with the annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony. The Chanukah party taken place annually since 2001 when it was first hosted by President George W. Bush was fewer in number from previous years due to the administrations ongoing concern of the pandemic.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, the husband of VP Harris, excitedly told the crowd that he was the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president.
Emhoff, Sen. Schumer, Lauren Holtzblatt and Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt lit the Menorah. Afterwards the crowd sang together Maoz Tzur in its classic beautiful tune.
The National Council of Young Israel today issued the following statement congratulating Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt:
It is wonderful to see a renowned Jewish community leader and accomplished medical professional who is also a distinguished rabbi at one of our branch synagogues being honored to light the Chanukah menorah at the White House. Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt has been a valuable medical advisor to the greater Jewish community throughout this pandemic and was at the forefront of our community’s Covid vaccination efforts. His wisdom and insight helped guide the Jewish community through an extremely turbulent time and helped us skillfully navigate complex issues pertaining to the virus and its proliferation.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt for all that he has done and for all that he will undoubtedly continue doing for the health and welfare of the greater community and wish him Mazel Tov on the tremendous honor that has been bestowed upon him by the White House. We also offer our thanks to the President and First Lady and the Vice President and Second Gentleman for recognizing the critical role that Rabbi Dr. Glatt plays in the American Jewish community by inviting him to kindle the White House menorah.
🕎🇺🇸 — BELAAZ VIDEO: Second Gentleman, Senator Chuck Schumer and Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt were honored with lighting the Menorah this evening at the White House Chanukah Party. pic.twitter.com/4h0WxtKqiR
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) December 2, 2021
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt (of Woodmere) lighting the Menorah at tonights White House Chanukah Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/XBPW8VAJH2
— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) December 2, 2021
.@jacobkornbluh, one of the only orthodox Jewish reporters who attended the White House Chanukah party, was seen checking out the White House Yarmulka with a presidential seal which he got as a gift. pic.twitter.com/g1jrbCj53d
— Shaya Kalman (@ShayaKalman) December 2, 2021
No music. No lamb chops. Fewer guests. This year's White House #Hanukkah party was "a family tradition," @JoeBiden said. @jacobkornbluh was there, of course https://t.co/d6Bx6sFkha
— Jodi Rudoren (@rudoren) December 2, 2021
Emhoff, Sen. Schumer, Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt of Cong. Adas Israel and Rabbi Aaron Glatt, a doctor from NY light the menorah.
Crowd recites the blessings and sings along Mauz Tzur pic.twitter.com/DgPMQZVlCX
— Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) December 1, 2021
There are also White House yarmulkes for the crowd pic.twitter.com/gfNN8Wpu8x
— Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) December 1, 2021
First Lady kicking off the event, introducing @SecondGentleman
“The story of the Maccabees is timeless today as it was 2000 years ago — a story of finding the courage to stand up for what's right, even when the odds are against us.” pic.twitter.com/j7iuW6wfid
— Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) December 1, 2021