Thousands joined American Friends of Lubavitch on the White House Ellipse, the southern part of President's Park, for the National Menorah lighting Chanukah celebration.

White House budget manager Jack Lew and Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International were honored with lighting the Menorah.

The idea of a national menorah, now in its 32nd year, was inconceivable before the late 1970s. Back then, most American Jews shied away from public displays of Jewish pride or observance.

Back in 1979. President Carter, then occupied with the ongoing Iran Hostage Crisis, made his first public appearance since the start of crisis at the public lighting of the menorah.

Photos by Boruch Ezagui