Continuing a tradition established by President George W. Bush in 2001, President Donald Trump will host a Hanukkah party at the White House this year in celebration of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights.
The party is scheduled for December 7, several days before the holiday begins on December 12, and over 200 people are expected to attend.
Trump White House Hanukkah party invites have gone out for dec. 7.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 12, 2017
Invites to the White House Hanukkah party are usually extended to leaders in the American Jewish community, heads of Jewish organizations, and Jewish members of the Cabinet and Congress.
The president typically lights a menorah at the party, often one of unique value specially selected for the White House ceremony, and traditional holiday dishes, such as latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil), are served.
Last year, under President Barack Obama, the White House kitchen was made completely kosher for the 24 hours preceding the annual party.
Unlike any previous president, Trump has a particularly special connection to the Jewish holiday: his daughter and grandchildren are observant Jews. Last year, Ivanka Trump posted a Facebook photo of her family lighting the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah.
