In this photograph, President Jimmy Carter lights a menorah in celebration of Hanukkah on December 17, 1979. This was the first lighting of the National Menorah, and took place in Lafayette Park, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. President Carter, in dressed in a tuxedo for a State Dinner held in honor of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, put on an overcoat and walked across the street to the ceremony, which featured a small crowd of a few dozen. The lighting of the National Menorah historically takes place on the Ellipse and is overseen by a politician of the Jewish faith.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. Decor was inspired by hope, unity, and community. Decorations in the Cross Hall evoked reflection and symbolized Americans' shared values. A menorah crafted by the White House carpenters was on display in the Cross Hall. The menorah was a new addition to the White House Collection and was made with wood recovered from the Truman Renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. Decor was inspired by hope, unity, and community. Decorations in the Cross Hall evoked reflection and symbolized Americans' shared values. A menorah crafted by the White House carpenters was on display in the Cross Hall. The menorah was a new addition to the White House Collection and was made with wood recovered from the Truman Renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the holiday decorations in the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their second year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "We the People." The theme was inspired by the shared values of the American people and the promise of unity, hope, and possibility that represents America’s history. On display in the Cross Hall was a new menorah from the White House Collection, seen here, crafted by skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Truman renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the National Menorah displayed on the Ellipse in front of the Washington Monument was taken by Thomas Goertel in December 2021. In accordance with the maximum height restrictions designated by Jewish law, the menorah stands at roughly 30 feet tall. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979.

This photograph of the National Menorah displayed on the Ellipse near the Pathway of Peace was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 4, 2021. In accordance with the maximum height restrictions designated by Jewish law, the menorah stands at roughly 30 feet tall. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. The tradition of installing smaller trees along the Ellipse in a "Pathway of Peace" to the National Christmas Tree began in 1954, and later expanded to include trees representing each state, territory, and the District of Columbia. This was the first year the pathway also included trees decorated by students from the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education Schools.

This photograph was taken by Shealah Craighead on December 15, 2001, during a menorah lighting ceremony in the Entrance Hall near the Grand Staircase. Although previous administrations had observed Hanukkah, and menorah lighting ceremonies had been held in the Oval Office during the Bill Clinton administration, the first menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Executive Residence during the George W. Bush administration in 2001. Here, President George W. Bush delivers remarks. The menorah used for the ceremony was presented to President Harry S. Truman in 1951 by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion of Israel. The grandsons of both world leaders, Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer, lit the menorah together at the ceremony.

In this photograph, taken by Joyce N. Boghosian on December 15, 2008, First Lady Laura Welch Bush joins Rabbi Mendel Minkowitz, Rabbi Binyomin Steinmetz, and Rabbi Levi Shemtov following the koshering of the White House Kitchen. The rabbis supervised the koshering of the Kitchen prior to the White House Hanukkah reception. That evening, a kosher buffet was held in the East Room and a menorah lighting ceremony in the Entrance Hall.

This photograph was taken by Eric Draper on December 9, 2004, during a menorah lighting ceremony in the East Garden Room. Although previous administrations had observed Hanukkah, and menorah lighting ceremonies had been held in the Oval Office during the Bill Clinton administration, the first menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Executive Residence during the George W. Bush administration in 2001. Here, Menachem, Chaim, and Miriam Felzenberg, the three eldest children of Army Chaplain Shmuel Felzenberg, light the menorah as President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush look on. The menorah used in the ceremony was borrowed from the Boca Raton Synagogue in Boca Raton, Florida.

This photograph was taken by Eric Draper on December 10, 2001, during a menorah lighting ceremony in the East Garden Room. Although previous administrations had observed Hanukkah, and menorah lighting ceremonies had been held in the Oval Office during the Bill Clinton administration, this was the first year that a menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Executive Residence. Here, 8-year-old Talia Lefkowitz lights the second candle of Hanukkah, as President George W. Bush looks on. The silver menorah used in the ceremony was borrowed from the collection of the Jewish Museum in New York.

This photograph was taken by Andrea Hanks on December 11, 2019, during an afternoon Hanukkah reception hosted by President Donald Trump in the East Room. That day, two Hanukkah receptions were held at the White House, following a precedent established by President Barack Obama in 2013. Here, President Trump greets Austin Polonski, a 12-year-old supporter from San Francisco, California. At right is a menorah borrowed for the ceremony, which was sculpted from Kassam rocket metal contributed to the ceremony by artist Yaron Bob of Yated, Israel. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter formally observed Hanukkah by participating in the National Menorah Lighting on the Ellipse. Since then, presidents have participated in Hanukkah observances and menorah lighting ceremonies. Hanukkah receptions have been a traditional part of holiday celebrations at the White House since 2001.

In this photograph, taken on December 21, 1989, President George H. W. Bush, Vice President Dan Quayle, and Second Lady Marilyn T. Quayle participate in a Hanukkah celebration in the Old Executive Office Building. During the ceremony, religious leaders from the Synagogue Council of America presented President Bush with a menorah that was later displayed at the White House. This was the first time a menorah was displayed at the White House. Located west of the White House, the Old Executive Office Building was formerly called the State, War, and Navy Building and later renamed the Eisenhower Executive Office Building after President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

This photograph of tourists taking a selfie by the National Menorah on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020, shortly before the National Menorah lighting ceremony. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from prominent rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of costumed interpreters dressed as Maccabee soldiers at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from prominent rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of tourists on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020, shortly before the National Menorah lighting ceremony. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from prominent rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaking at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. A prominent leader of the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Shemtov founded and serves as the leader of TheSHUL of the Nation's Capital, as well as executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov helped raise public awareness of Hanukkah by organizing events such as the National Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebrations at the White House. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaking at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. A prominent leader of the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Shemtov founded and serves as the leader of TheSHUL of the Nation's Capital, as well as executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov helped raise public awareness of Hanukkah by organizing events such as the National Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebrations at the White House. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaking at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. A prominent leader of the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Shemtov founded and serves as the leader of TheSHUL of the Nation's Capital, as well as executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov helped raise public awareness of Hanukkah by organizing events such as the National Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebrations at the White House. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of the United States Navy Band performing on the Ellipse during the National Menorah lighting ceremony was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. The band was lead by Capt. Kenneth Collins. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from prominent rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaking at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. A prominent leader of the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Shemtov founded and serves as the leader of TheSHUL of the Nation's Capital, as well as executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov helped raise public awareness of Hanukkah by organizing events such as the National Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebrations at the White House. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaking at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. A prominent leader of the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Shemtov founded and serves as the leader of TheSHUL of the Nation's Capital, as well as executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov helped raise public awareness of Hanukkah by organizing events such as the National Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebrations at the White House. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaking at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. A prominent leader of the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Shemtov founded and serves as the leader of TheSHUL of the Nation's Capital, as well as executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad). Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov helped raise public awareness of Hanukkah by organizing events such as the National Menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebrations at the White House. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of Capt. Kenneth Collins leading the United States Navy Band for a performance on the Ellipse during the National Menorah lighting ceremony was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from prominent rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of the Three Cantors performing on the Ellipse during the National Menorah lighting ceremony was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. The group was comprised of renowned cantors Itzchak Meir Helfgot, Yaakov Motzen, and Aaron Tessler. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from prominent rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of the Three Cantors performing on the Ellipse during the National Menorah lighting ceremony was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on December 10, 2020. The group was comprised of renowned cantors Itzchak Meir Helfgot, Yaakov Motzen, and Aaron Tessler. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. Sponsored by the National Menorah Council and the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), the National Menorah lighting is typically attended by thousands of guests each year and often includes remarks from prominent rabbis and political figures, performances by military bands, and traditional delicacies such as latkes and sufganiyot. In 2020, a scaled-down version of the event was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.