This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

This photograph of the White House Menorah was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Crafted by White House carpenters from wood recovered from the Truman Renovation, the menorah was added to the White House Collection in 2022. The 2024 holiday season marked the third time the menorah was displayed in Cross Hall.

In this photograph, President Jimmy Carter lights a menorah in celebration of Hanukkah on December 17, 1979. This was the first lighting of the National Menorah, and took place in Lafayette Park, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. President Carter, in dressed in a tuxedo for a State Dinner held in honor of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, put on an overcoat and walked across the street to the ceremony, which featured a small crowd of a few dozen. The lighting of the National Menorah historically takes place on the Ellipse and is overseen by a politician of the Jewish faith.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the White House menorah in the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The menorah was crafted by skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. The menorah, a part of the White House Collection, made its debut during the 2022 holiday season. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. Decor was inspired by hope, unity, and community. Decorations in the Cross Hall evoked reflection and symbolized Americans' shared values. A menorah crafted by the White House carpenters was on display in the Cross Hall. The menorah was a new addition to the White House Collection and was made with wood recovered from the Truman Renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. Decor was inspired by hope, unity, and community. Decorations in the Cross Hall evoked reflection and symbolized Americans' shared values. A menorah crafted by the White House carpenters was on display in the Cross Hall. The menorah was a new addition to the White House Collection and was made with wood recovered from the Truman Renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the holiday decorations in the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their second year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "We the People." The theme was inspired by the shared values of the American people and the promise of unity, hope, and possibility that represents America’s history. On display in the Cross Hall was a new menorah from the White House Collection, seen here, crafted by skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Truman renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the National Menorah displayed on the Ellipse in front of the Washington Monument was taken by Thomas Goertel in December 2021. In accordance with the maximum height restrictions designated by Jewish law, the menorah stands at roughly 30 feet tall. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979.

This photograph of the National Menorah displayed on the Ellipse near the Pathway of Peace was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 4, 2021. In accordance with the maximum height restrictions designated by Jewish law, the menorah stands at roughly 30 feet tall. In celebration of Hanukkah, public menorah lightings have been held in President's Park since 1979. The tradition of installing smaller trees along the Ellipse in a "Pathway of Peace" to the National Christmas Tree began in 1954, and later expanded to include trees representing each state, territory, and the District of Columbia. This was the first year the pathway also included trees decorated by students from the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education Schools.

This photograph was taken by Shealah Craighead on December 15, 2001, during a menorah lighting ceremony in the Entrance Hall near the Grand Staircase. Although previous administrations had observed Hanukkah, and menorah lighting ceremonies had been held in the Oval Office during the Bill Clinton administration, the first menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Executive Residence during the George W. Bush administration in 2001. Here, President George W. Bush delivers remarks. The menorah used for the ceremony was presented to President Harry S. Truman in 1951 by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion of Israel. The grandsons of both world leaders, Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer, lit the menorah together at the ceremony.

In this photograph, taken by Joyce N. Boghosian on December 15, 2008, First Lady Laura Welch Bush joins Rabbi Mendel Minkowitz, Rabbi Binyomin Steinmetz, and Rabbi Levi Shemtov following the koshering of the White House Kitchen. The rabbis supervised the koshering of the Kitchen prior to the White House Hanukkah reception. That evening, a kosher buffet was held in the East Room and a menorah lighting ceremony in the Entrance Hall.

This photograph was taken by Eric Draper on December 9, 2004, during a menorah lighting ceremony in the East Garden Room. Although previous administrations had observed Hanukkah, and menorah lighting ceremonies had been held in the Oval Office during the Bill Clinton administration, the first menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Executive Residence during the George W. Bush administration in 2001. Here, Menachem, Chaim, and Miriam Felzenberg, the three eldest children of Army Chaplain Shmuel Felzenberg, light the menorah as President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush look on. The menorah used in the ceremony was borrowed from the Boca Raton Synagogue in Boca Raton, Florida.