Thousands gathered in D.C. on Wednesday for the National Menorah lighting ceremony — an annual event hosted in front of the White House since 1979.
The lighting festivities were held on the first night of Hanukkah, nearly two weeks after residents and out-of-state tourists descended on the nation’s capital to partake in the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. The 30-foot menorah sits just a few feet from the festive tree.
Among the speakers at the event was Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who serves as the executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch.
- Why building this year’s National Menorah is a family affair
- What to know about Hanukkah and how it’s celebrated around the world
- Making Christmas memories in DC: Tourists, locals gather at National Christmas Tree
Shemtov had imposed on the crowd the importance of combating antisemitism.
“When we become stronger in who we are, we are better assured of our continued survival,” he said.
The creators behind this year’s menorah were the Kilsheimers, a Maryland family that works out of a large warehouse in Capitol Heights. The menorah they were able to produce was fitted with low voltage LED lights and constructed out of recycled aluminum.
“Until the day my grandfather died, he had his fingers in it. He was passionate about it,” Casey Kilsheimer told WTOP of her grandfather, who started the family specialty business in 1947. “My dad is passionate about it. We’re here, and all these people here are passionate about it. It hits home.”
Gunther Kilsheimer began building menorahs after being given the task by a rabbi. The goal had been to build the largest menorah in the U.S.
