The White House Chanuka party Wednesday night will feature a first for America’s chassidishe community — it will mark the first time a chassid will light the menorah at the annual event, Yochonon Donn reports for Boro Park 24.
Mr. Moshe Margareten, who first conceived the idea of prison reform which culminated in President Donald Trump signing the bill into law last year, will be honored with the kindling, although it will be without a bracha, because the White House is hosting the Chanukah party two weeks early due to the year-end vacation season.
“I got a call from the White House a month ago, saying that they’re considering me,” Mr. Margareten said. “They asked for some information. The Secret Service wanted to speak to me. The speechwriters called me. They told me I could invite people.”
Margareten, of Williamsburg, instead invited Zvi Boyarski of the Aleph Institute to present the address in honor of the advocacy that prison reform group was in getting the First Step Act passed in 2018. Rabbi Boyarski’s speech, which will last for about two minutes, will focus on the theme of redemption.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
There can’t be a brocho anyway as there is no mitzva to light a menorah a the white house!
The only place you can make a brocho is at home or in shul. Any place else would be a brocho levatala as there is no mitzva to light a menorah anyplace else.
“who first conceived the idea of prison reform”
No, he didn’t first conceive of the idea of prison reform.
Ludicrous. The idea is very old.
“a first for America’s chassidishe community — it will mark the first time a chassid will light the menorah at the annual event”
Wow, a great kuved.
He should put on his shtreimel and Shabbos bekishe (not the modern outfit in above photo), and go the mikvah beforehand.
I guess the white house got their facts wrong. Just wondering where you got your facts. I’m ready to hear what your proof is. Till you present actual proof, I will believe the WH version without any opposing evidence.
Burech shehechiyuni vekiyemuni vehigiyuni lizman hazey.