Obama handing a handkerchief to Chemi Peres at President Peres's funeral
Photo: GPO
Obama invites Peres' son, granddaughter to Hanukkah candle-lighting
Mika Almog and Chemi Peres invited to celebrate President Obama's last Hanukkah in the White House; they will bring with them a menorah passed down in the Peres family since the Holocaust.
US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle invited Mika Almog and Chemi Peres, the granddaughter and the son of the late Israeli president Shimon Peres, to light Hanukkah candles with them at the White House.
President Obama holds a traditional candle-lighting ceremony every year. This year's ceremony will be his last in the White House.
When Obama arrived in Israel to attended Peres's funeral, a special bond was forged between him and the late president's family, leading him to invite Almog and Peres to the ceremony.
A White House Hanukkah candle-lighting in 2013 (Photo: EPA)
Because Hanukkah falls close to Christmas this year, the ceremony will be held at the White House next week.
Last year's Hanukkah candle-lighting with Israeli President Rivlin (Photo: EPA)
Almog and Peres won't arrive in Washington empty-handed. They'll bring with them a family heirloom—a menorah passed on from generation to generation since the Holocaust.
