Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog and his wife, Shirin, hosted a Chanukah celebration at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.
This year’s event was themed “to be the light” and took place against the backdrop of ongoing security challenges, including the grim reality that 100 Israeli hostages remain captive in Gaza. These individuals were abducted during the October 7 massacre, now over a year and three months ago.
The gathering featured speeches from Congressmembers Virginia Foxx and Daniel Goldman. John Kirby, the White House National Security Spokesperson, delivered a heartfelt prayer for the hostages. The event also saw attendance from additional members of Congress, prominent Jewish leaders, journalists, and civic figures.
While reciting the prayer in English, Kirby became visibly emotional, struggling to hold back tears. The prayer was also recited in Hebrew by Orit and Moshe Toaff, parents of IDF Captain Daniel Mimon Toaff, a 23-year-old soldier who tragically lost his life in Rafah when a building detonated.
WATCH:
The Chanukah menorah lit at the event carried a poignant story. It was discovered in the rubble of the Hermesh family’s home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza following the October 7 massacre. Despite the devastation, the menorah and a set of tefillin (phylacteries) remained miraculously intact. Last year, this same menorah was lit by US President Joe Biden during the White House’s annual Chanukah celebration. It was subsequently gifted to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, where it now stands as a powerful symbol of Jewish resilience and perseverance.
{Matzav.com}
Kirby is still duplicitous dirt.