President Prays at Menorah Lighting

AP ^ | December 9, 2004

[West Coast Conservative]

At a menorah-lighting ceremony Thursday on the third night of Hanukkah, President Bush prayed for the safety and quick return of U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq.

"Today, many Americans are sacrificing to bring freedom and hope to the oppressed," Bush said before three candles were lighted on a 4-foot sterling silver candelabrum. "In this holiday season, we pray for the safety of our troops, for the success of their mission and for their speedy return home."

The candles were lighted by Menachem, Chaim and Miriam Felzenberg, the three eldest children of Shmuel Felzenberg. Felzenberg is serving in Iraq as the senior Jewish chaplain with the U.S. Army's 84th Engineer Battalion, from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He is scheduled to return home in January.

The youngest Felzenberg girl played with the contents of her mother's purse and offered a toddler's unintelligible commentary, earning grins from Bush. "Well said," he joked.

Hanukkah commemorates the Jews' successful rebellion against suppression of their religion under the Syrian-Greek empire in 165 B.C. Led by the Maccabee family, the Jews drove the Greeks from Jerusalem and reclaimed the Jerusalem Temple for religious services.

The story says there was only enough oil to burn the temple menorah for one day, but that miraculously it burned for eight days. Accordingly, Jews light the menorah on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Bush also met in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with about several rabbis and Jewish community leaders.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the president spoke of progress in the fight against terrorism, the administration's relations with Israel and effort to fight anti-Semitism.

[West Coast Conservative]

U.S. President George W. Bush looks on after a menorah was lit for Hanukkah at the White House in Washington December 9, 2004. Tonight marks day three of the Jewish holiday. At right is the Kol Zimra choir. REUTERS/Shaun Heasley

From left, Laura Bush, Hadassah Teitelbaum, Dovid Felzenberg, Freida Felzenberg, Nechama Felzenberg, Ahuva Felzenberg, and President Bush look on as the Menorah is lit before the annual White House Hanukkah Reception on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004 in Washington. The Falzenberg's are the family of US Army Captain Shmuel Felzenberg of the 84th Engineer Battalion in Iraq. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

[Politicalities]

The candles were lighted by Menachem, Chaim and Miriam Felzenberg, the three eldest children of Shmuel Felzenberg.

Dudes, could you be any more Jewish? :)

I'm Jewish myself, and I've heard a lot of Jewish names, and I gotta say those are the most Jewish names I've ever heard.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

What great pictures! Bush is truly a spiritual man who respects many other religions.
I'm part Jewish, so I appreciate this.

[joesnuffy]

More than Harpo,Chico,Zeppo,Gummo and Groucho?

:)

[taxesareforever]

President Prays at Menorah Lighting

I know how much the press would like to say that the President prayed a Jewish prayer, but that was no prayer that he said there. Just because he said "we pray that.." does not mean that he was praying at that moment. Get it right press.

[ladyjane]

So the President lights candles in a Menorah Lighting ceremony, yet did his Christmas card say Merry Christmas?

[El Oviedo]

Didn't I hear the liberals saying that the President should not be praying?

[Mike Darancette]

"I'm Jewish myself, and I've heard a lot of Jewish names...

Hard to confuse them with Irish.

I wish Bush would have invited Sen. and Mrs. Lieberman.

[nepdap]

Bush also met in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with about several rabbis and Jewish community leaders.

How many rabbis was that, again? Somebody went to journalism school before getting this job with AP?

[stainlessbanner]

Didn't Hillary claim she was Jewish?

[Thinkin' Gal]

with about several rabbis<<<

How many rabbis was that, again?

Approximately more than a few
Likely more than two
But if the writer knew
It may be that the number grew
And worries would accrue
That somebody might sue
If that visit to the loo
Because he didn't have a clue
About what he shouldn't do
Was blamed upon a Jew.

Hope that helps.

[Chieftain]

I'm buddhist, and I appreciate it too! Mazelltof!! Happy Hannukah!!

[Corin Stormhands]

So the President lights candles in a Menorah Lighting ceremony, yet did his Christmas card say Merry Christmas?

Oh, give it a rest.

[kassie]

If I remember right, she did.

[rabidralph]

Hanukkah commemorates the Jews' successful rebellion against suppression of their religion under the Syrian-Greek empire in 165 B.C.

Christians need to have their own "Hanukkah" and rebel against the suppression of their religion. If we plan properly, we can rebel in late December and then get it commemmorated during that timeperiod.

[dennisw]

Thu Dec 9, 2:05 PM ET
Israeli Jewish settlers celebrate the third night of the Jewish festival of Chanukah as they light candles in a Menorah Thursday, Dec. 9 2004, made by pieces of mortar shells that had been fired by Palestinians in the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites). (AP Photo / Tsafrir Abayov)

[ladyjane]

"Oh, give it a rest."

Give it a rest? I was making an observation. That is what a forum is for. You think it is better used by negative comments? And in this season of Christmas? hmm...