Peres, Wiesel families join Obama for menorah-lighting
In his final Hanukkah as president of the United States, Barack Obama invites the families of Shimon Peres and Elie Wiesel and other Jewish community leaders to light the candles in a Peres-family menorah that survived the Holocaust.
Chemi Peres, one of the late statesman's sons, and his granddaughter Mika Almog lit the candles with the Obamas on a menorah that survived the Holocaust and has been passed down through the generations in the Peres family.
Also attending the ceremony was family of late Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, who died last July. The ceremony also welcomed representatives of the Jewish community, Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, members of Congress and White House officials.
"It was very exciting to be in the White House lighting a menorah that survived the Holocaust. It is a symbol of the miracle and continuity of the Jewish people," said Chemi Peres after the ceremony.
Obama awarded Shimon Peres the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the two had a warm relationship. Chemi said, "We hugged, and he told me over and over how much he appreciated my father and how much he is missed not just by him, but the whole world. It was very emotional to hear things like that from a president who is at the end of his term, and it really came from the heart. I hope to keep in touch with him."
In describing the ceremony, Chemi likened it to "a family gathering," saying, "There are many common themes in this holiday. It is a holiday of light, hope and the triumph of good over evil and the expulsion of darkness. This holiday brings hope."
Obama also touched on the special relationship between him and Shimon Peres, saying, "Tonight, Mika and Chemi will light the menorah in the White House and as Shimon taught us, faith and vision can illuminate our lives. I hope his memory will inspire us to see the light of those in need and help those in darkness and distress, even if they are different from us. I hope these candles will help us to strive and work for peace, even when it is difficult—especially when it is difficult."
Obama further added, "The story of Hanukkah is the story of stubbornness and persistence of the Jewish people and families light candles to celebrate their freedom and pride in Jewish rituals."
