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In what has become a White House tradition since the administration of President George H.W. Bush back in the 90’s, a ceremony is held to honor the Jewish community by inviting leading Jewish communal leaders, and individuals who interact with the administration on various levels helping and impacting the community.
PHOTO CAPTION: President Obama and Ezra Friedlander
Over the years the magnitude of the reception at The White House has evolved into a Glatt Kosher affair with dedicated times for Mincha and Maariv that has greatly enhanced the experience for the observant participant.
PHOTO CAPTION: Joseph B. Stamm, Ezra Friedlander, Bonnie Rubinstein ( sister of Alan Gross), Mat – White House Jewish Liaison, Simcha Eichenstein
The arrival of Chanukah this year was no exception as President Obama hosted 2 separate receptions to accommodate the multitudes of invites extended to a diverse Jewish community. Having two individual receptions was instituted by the Obama Administration and featured personalities ranging from Ambassador Stu Eizenstat, Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer and numerous Jewish congressional members.
PHOTO CAPTION: Davening Maariv in the Red Room
“Needless to say, the announcement by President Obama at the onset of his remarks regarding the release of Alan Gross caused great joy for everyone at the White House Chanukah reception and the personal acknowledgment by the President regarding the great importance of “pidyon shivuim” underscores the sensitivity to a central tenant of our faith by a dignitary no less than the President of the United States.
PHOTO CAPTION: Moshe Visel; Chaplain Jacob Goldstein, Joseph B. Stamm, Rear Admiral Herman Shelanski, Ezra Friedlander
“It was a testament to the level of acceptance the community has risen to-only in America” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group.
Agudah Trustee Chaskel Bennett remarked, “It is always an honor to be invited to the Whitehouse and in particular to personally represent the Orthodox Jewish community at the invitation of the President.
The United States has historically proven to be a Medinah shel Chessed (a benevolent country) and out of the Holocaust the broader Orthodox community thanks Hashem for allowing us to flourish on these welcoming shores.
PHOTO CAPTION: Chaskel Bennett, Maryland Governor O’Malley Howard Friedman
It is also incumbent to say thank you to our highest government officials on behalf of a deeply grateful community. Chanukah at the Whitehouse is one such opportunity.”
PHOTO CAPTION: President Obama and Rabbi Abe Friedman
Representatives of numerous Jewish organization attended and in particular representatives from a myriad of Orthodox Jewish groups, who work closely with the Administration, including Agudath Israel of America, the Orthodox Union, Chabad and many others attended. Some notable orthodox attendees included, Malcolm Hoenlein of the Presidents conference, michael Miller of the JCRC, Nathan Diamont and Allen Fagin of the OU, Reuven Wolf, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Duvi Gross, Abba Cohen, Chaskel Bennett & Leon Goldenberg of Agudath Israel, Rockland County legislator Aron Wieder, renowned attorney Nathan Lewin, Law enforcement Chaplain Abe Freedman, Ezra Friedlander of the Washington based Friedlander group, activists Howard Freidman, Stanley Treitel, Benny Polatseck, Rabbi Daniel Ginsberg, Joe Stamm, Yoel Lefkowitz, Chanina Sperlin, Yaakov Behrman and many others. 
Of course the entire events was conducted under the auspices of Rabbi Levi Shemtov of the Washington Chabad whose organization certified the kosher preparation and serving of the food and who also arranged the private Mincha and Maariv Minyanim.
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9 Responses
The Kingdom of the Ten Tribes and the asheira.
Where are all of you? איכה
Eretz Yisrael please enough of Galut
How many times a day do you daven for redemption? G-d has given you Eretz Yisrael so why dont you come already
Looks more like a christmas party.
I wonder how different this party was than Achashvairosh’s Mishteh. Just food for thought, Kosher food OF COURSE.
This administration changed everything in the whitehouse. It lost its shine. Even the kind of representatives of the communities that were there are so not on the level of what it was before. In previous administrations it wasnt just any shmoe that spent his life climbing the political acclaim ladder with a bit to show for it that would be invited to this celebration… You didn’t have pple walk around recording every corner and bit of the celebration and the white house itself. THere is no respect here. Cheers! with blue screened smartphones, tablets etc in the air; as if a celebrity just walked thru the door. It used to be a place where only the few and selected would be invited. They’re interaction was one combined with joy, humility and honor even awe, that they were priveleged to be there. It was a small crowd but one that was a great representation of the jewish community. But just like all the other ceremonies in the white house; some with sports stars skateboarding down the hallway, another with a president and his feet on his desk and another one with gum in his mouth; so too does this fit the level of disrespect and lack of honor this administration has to its most sacred house; the white house.
Mamosh a bizoyan. These self appointed “leaders” do not represent us if they meet with this white house occupant, this is a perversion of the whole Chanukah story as they are working with the Yavonim of today, the progressive liberals who hate Am Yisroel.
I wonder how many people at this Chanukah event told the President about how nauseous they feel about the Presidents support for mishkav zachor “marriage”.
What would Kllal Yisroel do without Ezra?
Um, serious pritzus check, mods.
I didn’t realize Arabs celebrate Chanukkah.
It looks very much like Xmas