With legislatures around North America closed the last week of the year—and officials at home or on vacation—political leaders participated in Chanukah parties and symbolic menorah-lightings with Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and guests over the past two weeks. The celebrations served as a reminder of the holiday and its worldwide observance. U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mingled with crowds at menorah-lightings in their nations’ capitals, while governors, mayors and other elected officials marked the holiday at statehouses and other venues. The eight-day holiday of Chanukah started on Dec. 24 and lasts through Jan. 1, and is celebrated with nightly lightings of the menorah.

About 25 students active with the Rohr Chabad Student Network of Ottawa, co-directed by Rabbi Chaim and Yocheved Boyarsky, at left, attended the menorah-lighting sponsored by the government of Canada, as did a number of other Chabad emissaries. Earlier this year, Trudeau offered greetings to hundreds of Jewish students prior to the start of a university-wide Shabbaton in Canada, noting the work of Chabad and saying: “It’s exciting to see students from across the country come together to observe Shabbat.”
About 25 students active with the Rohr Chabad Student Network of Ottawa, co-directed by Rabbi Chaim and Yocheved Boyarsky, at left, attended the menorah-lighting sponsored by the government of Canada, as did a number of other Chabad emissaries. Earlier this year, Trudeau offered greetings to hundreds of Jewish students prior to the start of a university-wide Shabbaton in Canada, noting the work of Chabad and saying: “It’s exciting to see students from across the country come together to observe Shabbat.”
Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, center, Tweeted on Dec. 14: “Got a little help from our friends @Chabad as we lit the menorah and got into the #Hanukkah spirit a bit early at City Hall.”
Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, center, Tweeted on Dec. 14: “Got a little help from our friends @Chabad as we lit the menorah and got into the #Hanukkah spirit a bit early at City Hall.”
Garcetti, who is Jewish, lights the first candle with local Chabad representatives.
Garcetti, who is Jewish, lights the first candle with local Chabad representatives.
As he has in previous years, Florida Gov. Rick Scott lit the shamash (the “helper” or “attendant” candle) for a menorah-lighting with Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle in Tallahassee, Fla., directed by Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Chanie Oirechman, who also lead Chabad of Florida State University, also in Tallahassee.
As he has in previous years, Florida Gov. Rick Scott lit the shamash (the “helper” or “attendant” candle) for a menorah-lighting with Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle in Tallahassee, Fla., directed by Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Chanie Oirechman, who also lead Chabad of Florida State University, also in Tallahassee.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner kicked off the annual Chanukah celebration at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, where a menorah will be on display until Jan. 1. He was joined by, from left: Rabbi Dovid Flinkenstein, director of Chabad of Wilmette, Ill.; Rabbi Meir Shimon Moscowitz, director of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois; and Rabbi Avraham Kagan, director of Chabad of River North in Chicago. “As families celebrate this year, they will light candles to honor the miracle of Chanukah and remember when light conquered darkness, good defeated evil and freedom prevailed,” said Rauner, adding that the “Chanukah ceremony has been a tradition in the State of Illinois for many years, and we’re thankful to Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois for helping us keep this tradition alive.”
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner kicked off the annual Chanukah celebration at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, where a menorah will be on display until Jan. 1. He was joined by, from left: Rabbi Dovid Flinkenstein, director of Chabad of Wilmette, Ill.; Rabbi Meir Shimon Moscowitz, director of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois; and Rabbi Avraham Kagan, director of Chabad of River North in Chicago. “As families celebrate this year, they will light candles to honor the miracle of Chanukah and remember when light conquered darkness, good defeated evil and freedom prevailed,” said Rauner, adding that the “Chanukah ceremony has been a tradition in the State of Illinois for many years, and we’re thankful to Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois for helping us keep this tradition alive.”
The menorah given by Chabad to the Illinois statehouse that stands during Chanukah.
The menorah given by Chabad to the Illinois statehouse that stands during Chanukah.
Three generations of the Shemtov family were present at the final White House Chanukah party of the Obama administration on Dec. 14: Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, center, chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad (the umbrella organization for the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement) and head Chabad emissary in Philadelphia; his son, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of the Washington-based American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad); and his grandson, Menachem Shemtov. Other Chabad emissaries there included Rabbi Moshe Schapiro of Hoboken, N.J.; and Rabbi Shmuel Levitin of Jersey City, N.J. The party honored the memory of Elie Wiesel, who passed away in July, and included the participation of his family in the lighting.
Three generations of the Shemtov family were present at the final White House Chanukah party of the Obama administration on Dec. 14: Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, center, chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad (the umbrella organization for the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement) and head Chabad emissary in Philadelphia; his son, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of the Washington-based American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad); and his grandson, Menachem Shemtov. Other Chabad emissaries there included Rabbi Moshe Schapiro of Hoboken, N.J.; and Rabbi Shmuel Levitin of Jersey City, N.J. The party honored the memory of Elie Wiesel, who passed away in July, and included the participation of his family in the lighting.
Once Chanukah started, Allen Fung, the mayor of Cranston, R.I., lit the shamash at a menorah-lighting led by Rabbi Yossi Laufer of Chabad of West Bay Chai Center in Warwick, R.I. Looking on, from left, are City Councilman Mike Farina, City Council-elect Ken Hopkins and State Representative Robert Lancia. (Photo: Steve Popiel/Courtesy of the Cranston Herald)
Once Chanukah started, Allen Fung, the mayor of Cranston, R.I., lit the shamash at a menorah-lighting led by Rabbi Yossi Laufer of Chabad of West Bay Chai Center in Warwick, R.I. Looking on, from left, are City Councilman Mike Farina, City Council-elect Ken Hopkins and State Representative Robert Lancia. (Photo: Steve Popiel/Courtesy of the Cranston Herald)