December 13, 2009: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel lights the National Menorah in front of the White House. The ceremony marks the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C. after its destruction by the Syrian-Greeks.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
Rahm Emanuel and his wife, Amy.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
A man dressed as a dreidel, a traditional Hanukkah toy, entertains the crowd.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
Batsheva Shemtov and Rabbi Avraham Shemtov.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaks to the crowd, flanked by costumed soldiers.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
The Three Cantors sing, accompanied by the US Air Force Band.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
Emanuel addresses the crowd before the ceremony.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
Rahm lights the menorah.
Photo by Jeff Malet / maletphoto.com
