President Joe Biden Hosts White House's First-Ever Rosh Hashanah Party

For the first time in history, there was a Rosh Hashanah party at the White House. Today, President Biden welcomed Jewish leaders to the White House to celebrate the Jewish New Year.

Both President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden delivered remarks, along with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Vice President Kamala Harris was also in attendance. Emhoff, the nation's first Second Gentleman, is also the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president.

"Good morning!" Dr. Biden began. "As we gather in honor of the High Holy Days, I know that all of our hearts are with those affected by the hurricanes," referencing the devastation Hurricane Ian has left in its wake. Dr. Biden spoke about the upcoming holiday of Yom Kippur, which starts the evening of October 4, and how Jewish communities in Florida may not be able to celebrate as they have in previous years.

She then introduced Emhoff, who spoke about his own family's Rosh Hashanah traditions and what being a Jewish spouse of the VP means to him. "I can still smell that brisket cooking—and burning—in the kitchen. I can still taste the slightly warm challah, slightly stale," Emhoff recalled in his remarks.

After, Biden took to the podium and spoke at length about his relationship with the Jewish community, and how neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville in 2017 inspired him to run for president. He also spoke about Rabbi Michael Beals of Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington, Delaware, whom he credits with his Jewish education. "I probably went to shul more than most of you all," Biden joked.

Earlier this week, President Biden released a statement on Rosh Hashanah, writing, "Jill and I offer our warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah in the United States, Israel, and around the world. May your prayers be heard and your faith revitalized—and may we all be inscribed in the Book of Life. Shana Tovah."

When he was Vice President, Biden hosted a Rosh Hashanah reception at the Naval Observatory.

You can watch all the remarks from the White House's Rosh Hashanah here:

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