Garland urges U.S. to fight bigotry at Nat'l Menorah lighting

STORY: While speaking at the ceremony on the Ellipse in front of the White House southern lawn, Garland said Americans must stand up against a rise in antisemitism and bigotry.

The 44th annual lighting of the National Menorah was sponsored by the American Friends of Lubavitch.

Hanukkah, Hebrew for “dedication”, commemorates the 2nd century BC victory of Judah Maccabee and his followers in a revolt in Judea and the ensuing restoration of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

Light is a main theme of the eight-day festival because Jewish tradition says, the Maccabees found only enough ritually pure oil to fuel the temple’s ceremonial lamp, The Menorah, for one day, but it burned for eight days.