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On the third night of Hanukka, 11-year-old Menachem Felzenberg, decked out in a black hat and suit, lit the Hanukka menora in the White House. Standing next to the president and first lady were his mother, brothers and sisters. He was chosen for the honor since his father is serving as a chaplain in Iraq. The leaders of the Jewish establishment filled the room. For years, some of these leaders had battled menora lightings in public places. Now they were gathered in the most public space in the country watching as a young yeshiva student lit the menora in the...

Only in America does a president light a menorah while a Jewish choral group sings Hebrew songs and the Marine band plays American songs. Only in America do Jews feel so honored as Jews and yet so completely part of the larger culture, fully Jewish and fully part of the greater nationality. Non-American Jews (including even Canadians) are often amazed at how completely American Jews in the U.S. feel. We take it for granted, but as a former college lecturer in Jewish history, I know that this is unique.

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...

Hanukkah mystery: Eerie blue images caught on camera at menorah lighting WASHINGTON – Was it a bird? Was it a plane? Was it a sign from heaven? That's what Carrie Devorah wants to know after she inadvertently photographed some mysterious blue light images hovering heavenward while taking pictures of the lighting of the Chabad menorah on the first night of Hanukkah last night on the Ellipse in the nation's capital. Mysterious blue images captured during menorah lighting in Washington, D.C. "I took this shot as I was walking to get into place," she said. "For those of you who know...

Hanukkah mystery: Eerie Blue Images caught on camera at Menorah lighting Posted: December 8, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com WASHINGTON Was it a bird? Was it a plane? Was it a sign from heaven? Mysterious blue images captured during menorah lighting in Washington, D.C. That's what Carrie Devorah wants to know after she inadvertently photographed some mysterious blue light images hovering heavenward while taking pictures of the lighting of the Chabad menorah on the first night of Hanukkah on the Ellipse in the nation's capital. "I took this shot as I was walking to get into place," she...

The Jewish feast of Hanukkah has begun with the lighting of the National Menorah on the Ellipse -- the park between the White House and the Washington Monument. Rabbi Levi Shemtov, a celebrant at the ceremony, says the menorah represents illumination, with an additional branch lit each night of the eight-day ceremony. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish victory over Greek oppressors almost 22-hundred years ago. Rabbi Shemtov says the National Menorah, which stands near the National Christmas Tree, is about 30 feet tall -- as big as Jewish tradition allows. In a White House message, President Bush says the menorah symbolizes...