The White House didn't always celebrate Hanukkah - here's how the tradition began

Talia LakritzDec 9, 2020, 20:57 IST

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama watch as the menorah is lit at the White House Hanukkah party in 2013.Alex Wong/Getty Images

Christmas celebrations at the White House date back to 1800, but Hanukkah wasn't acknowledged until much later.
President Jimmy Carter was the first president to recognize Hanukkah with a menorah lighting in 1979.
The first official White House Hanukkah party took place in 2001, hosted by President George W. Bush.
There are now two official Hanukkah receptions, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, plus a National Menorah Lighting outside the White House.
President Trump plans to hold indoor Hanukkah celebrations on December 9 despite CDC warnings against such gatherings.

The White House hasn't always marked the Festival of Lights with menorah lightings and musical performances.

Celebrating Hanukkah at the White House is a fairly recent development in US history. President Jimmy Carter was the first president to light a menorah in 1979, and the first official White House Hanukkah party didn't take place until 2001.

US presidents now host two Hanukkah receptions every year, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. There's also an annual National Menorah Lighting on the lawn of the White House. This year, a reception is expected to be held at the White House on December 9.

Here's how Hanukkah celebrations at the White House came to be.

Christmas celebrations at the White House date back to 1800, but Hanukkah wasn't acknowledged until much later.

President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge stand in front of the national Christmas tree. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

President Jimmy Carter was the first president to recognize Hanukkah with a menorah lighting in 1979.

President Jimmy Carter lights a menorah at the White House in 1979. White House Photo

A delegation of rabbis brought President Ronald Reagan a menorah during a Hanukkah visit in 1984.

Ronald Reagan receiving Rabbis at the White House on Hanukkah in 1984. Jean-Louis Atlan/Sygma via Getty Images

President George Bush and first lady Barbara Bush learned to play dreidel at the White House in 1990.

President George H. W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush participate in a Hanukkah celebration by playing the children's holiday game of dreidel at the White House in 1990. Barry L. Thumma/AP

President Bill Clinton also celebrated Hanukkah by hosting groups of children in the Oval Office.

President Clinton and Cantor Laura Croen watch as children spin dreidels during a Menorah lighting ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in 1996. Greg Gibson/AP

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush hosted the first White House Hanukkah party in 2001. It was the first time a menorah lighting was held in the White House residence.

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch 8-year-old Talia Lefkowitz light the menorah in celebration of the second day of the Hanukkah in 2001. Manny Ceneta/Getty Images

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush hosted the first White House Hanukkah party in 2001. It was the first time a menorah lighting was held in the White House residence.

The White House kitchen was made kosher for the occasion starting in 2005.

First lady Laura Bush with rabbis and the White House kitchen staff as they make the White House kitchen kosher in 2005. Shealah Craighead/White House via Getty Images

Bush also began inviting different Jewish choirs and a cappella groups to perform at the event.

President George W. Bush poses with members of the Kol Zimra a cappella choir in 2004. LUKE FRAZZA/AFP via Getty Images

President Barack Obama continued hosting the White House Hanukkah party every year. In 2013, the party was split into two receptions - one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.

Lighting the menorah at one of the White House's Hanukkah receptions in 2013. Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Barack Obama continued hosting the White House Hanukkah party every year. In 2013, the party was split into two receptions - one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.

That was also the year Thanksgiving coincided with Hanukkah. Obama was presented with a turkey-shaped menorah known as a "menurkey."

President Barack Obama holds a "menurkey," a combination of a menorah and turkey. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Obama continued the tradition of inviting college and professional a cappella groups to sing at the event.

Mike Boxer (back row, second from the right) and fellow members of Jewish a cappella group Six13 with the Obamas in 2016. Courtesy of Mike Boxer

Notable American Jewish leaders and rabbis were also invited to deliver remarks at the two ceremonies.

Rabbi Rachel Isaacs speaks during a White House Hanukkah reception in 2016. ZACH GIBSON/AFP via Getty Images

Mordechai Levovitz attended the White House Hanukkah party twice during Obama's presidency, and was impressed with the event's broad representation of the Jewish community.

Mordechai Levovitz, founder of the nonprofit Jewish Queer Youth, at the White House Hanukkah party in 2015. Courtesy of Mordechai Levovitz

Mordechai Levovitz attended the White House Hanukkah party twice during Obama's presidency, and was impressed with the event's broad representation of the Jewish community.

President Donald Trump has continued hosting Hanukkah receptions at the White House, but hasn't invited Democratic lawmakers.

Arabella Kushner lights the menorah as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump look on during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in 2017. Olivier Douliery/Getty Images

This year, the Trump White House plans to hold indoor Hanukkah parties despite CDC warnings against large gatherings.

A Hanukkah reception at the White House in 2018. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Outside the White House, menorah lightings are still held on the Ellipse, and the event has continued to grow in scale.

The annual national Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony at the White House Ellipse in 2010. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

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The White House didn't always celebrate Hanukkah - here's how the tradition began

Christmas celebrations at the White House date back to 1800, but Hanukkah wasn't acknowledged until much later.

President Jimmy Carter was the first president to recognize Hanukkah with a menorah lighting in 1979.

A delegation of rabbis brought President Ronald Reagan a menorah during a Hanukkah visit in 1984.

President George Bush and first lady Barbara Bush learned to play dreidel at the White House in 1990.

President Bill Clinton also celebrated Hanukkah by hosting groups of children in the Oval Office.

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush hosted the first White House Hanukkah party in 2001. It was the first time a menorah lighting was held in the White House residence.

The White House kitchen was made kosher for the occasion starting in 2005.

Bush also began inviting different Jewish choirs and a cappella groups to perform at the event.

President Barack Obama continued hosting the White House Hanukkah party every year. In 2013, the party was split into two receptions - one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.

That was also the year Thanksgiving coincided with Hanukkah. Obama was presented with a turkey-shaped menorah known as a "menurkey."

Obama continued the tradition of inviting college and professional a cappella groups to sing at the event.

Notable American Jewish leaders and rabbis were also invited to deliver remarks at the two ceremonies.

Mordechai Levovitz attended the White House Hanukkah party twice during Obama's presidency, and was impressed with the event's broad representation of the Jewish community.

President Donald Trump has continued hosting Hanukkah receptions at the White House, but hasn't invited Democratic lawmakers.

This year, the Trump White House plans to hold indoor Hanukkah parties despite CDC warnings against large gatherings.

Outside the White House, menorah lightings are still held on the Ellipse, and the event has continued to grow in scale.