White House Goes Kosher For President, First Lady's Hanukkah Reception: The Menu

Festival of Lights reception spotlights 9/11 family and NOLA menorah; the guest list...
UPDATE: Watch a video about the special menorah used at the reception
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed Jewish leaders from across the US to a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Thursday evening, the second night of the holiday. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama watch as Molly Retik lights the menorah; her mother Susan is in the middle)

Among the hundreds of guests packed into the very Christmasy East Room, which is bedecked with four different holiday trees and plenty of seasonal greenery, were lawmakers, Ambassador Michael Oren of Israel, Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell and OMB Director Jacob Lew. The U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra entertained guests with a selection of tunes deemed a "Tribute to Jewish American composers."

"One third of the Supreme Court is here," President Obama announced as he welcomed the guests with "Happy Hanukkah," and pointed out Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Elena Kagan, and Stephen Breyer.

Flanked by Mrs. Obama, who was clad in a "Hanukkah themed" sparkly blue cardigan, and Vice President Joe Biden, the President made brief formal remarks before the menorah lighting. The delightful holiday menu was kosher, prepared under the strict rabbinical supervision of Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Lubavitch Center of Washington (Chabad), according to the White House. Of course, potato latkes were front and center, but there was also Sushi and lovely Glatt Kosher - Chassidishe Shechitah meat selections. Yes, Sushi: It was featured on last year's White House Hanukkah menu, too.

White House Hanukkah Reception Menu 2010

Roulade of Chicken Breast
Fresh Thyme Sauce
Arugula and Fresh Artichokes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Chateaubriand or Filet of Beef
Au Jus
Caramelized Pearl Onions
Shiitake Mushrooms

Pine Nut Herb Crusted Lamb Chops
Mango and Mission Fig Chutney

Homemade Potato with Scallion Pancakes
Apple Sauce

Assorted Fresh Sushi Rolls
California Roll
Spicy Tuna Roll
Vegetable Roll
Pickled Ginger
Wasabi

Dill and Vodka Scottish Smoked Salmon
Non-Pareil Capers
Chopped Egg Whites and Yolks
Parsley
Lemon Wedges

All baked goods were Pas Yisroel; all wines were Mevushal. The foods were prepared Lemihadrin with a Mashgiach Temidi.

The Menorah lighting ceremony
Before the menorah lighting, President Obama began his remarks by offering condolences to those who have died in the forest fire ravaging northern Israel. He said the US is offering assistance because "that's what friends do for each other."

The President then told the story of Hanukkah, "a story as simple as it is timeless," of the Maccabees driving their enemies from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, and finding enough oil to burn for one night and then watching it burn for eight.

"That miracle gave hope to all those who had been struggling in despair," President Obama said. "As the Talmud teaches us, “So long as a person still has life, they should never abandon faith.”



"Now, the menorah we’re using tonight, and the family who -- who is going to help us light it, both stand as powerful symbols of that faith," President Obama said.

The sterling silver menorah on loan for the occasion came from Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans, Louisiana, which was filled with eight feet of water during Katrina. The menorah was found covered in mud and mold, but was recast in silver and lit for the first time in 2007.

As the President, Vice President and Mrs. Obama looked on, the candles were lit by Susan Retik and her children. Retik's husband, David, died in the terror attacks of 9/11, and she now aids Afghan war widows through the "Beyond the 11th" foundation.

Saxophonist/composer Joshua Redman played while the candles were lit and the traditional prayer was chanted.

President Obama got the stitches in his lip from his basketball injury removed today, and as he moved to pose for a photo with Retik and her family, he had a final joke.

"Yes, they will be able to photoshop my lip for the picture," President Obama said.

Other guests included US Sens. Ben Cardin and Frank Lautenberg, US Reps. Paul Hodes, Adam Schiff, Susan Davis, Jacob Lew, and Austan Goolsbee. (Above: U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra performing in the Grand Foyer, during the reception)

*The full transcript of the President's remarks is here.

*White House video; top photo by Saul Loeb/Getty; others by AP