Born-Again President -- White House Hanukkah

Dennis Prager writes about Hanukkah at the White House:

Only in America does a president light a menorah while a Jewish choral group sings Hebrew songs and the Marine band plays American songs. Only in America do Jews feel so honored as Jews and yet so completely part of the larger culture, fully Jewish and fully part of the greater nationality. Non-American Jews (including even Canadians) are often amazed at how completely American Jews in the U.S. feel. We take it for granted, but as a former college lecturer in Jewish history, I know that this is unique. It is an incredible blessing to be an American Jew (or 'Jewish American' - both terms are accurate). We are doubly blessed. An Israeli interviewer once asked if I were first a Jew or an American, 'I have two fathers,' I said. 'George Washington and the patriarch Abraham.' So to be one of about 200 Jews invited to celebrate Hanukkah at the White House with the president of the United States was about as profound a personal moment as I have experienced. My two loves -- America and Judaism -- in one place, reinforcing each other.

He goes on to talk about how America has been historically quite friendly toward Jews. Obviously, our history hasn't been perfect in this regard, Anti-Semitism wasn't (and still isn't) unknown on these shores but we do have a better record than most, and we have strived to improve. I think that our melting pot heritage, our willingness to accept than anyone can be an American, is our greatest stregth. No we are not free from prejudice of various stripes, but we do try to include and we do try to improve. Few countries can say as much.