White House to display a Hanukkah ‘miracle’

A menorah that survived Superstorm Sandy will be shown at the White House on Thursday night during a reception for the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Rabbi Bauman of Temple Israel in Long Beach, N.Y., told the New York Times the White House had contacted him after learning that the temple, which was badly hit during the storm, had a menorah that survived the damaging winds and 10-foot storm surge. (The search for such a menorah had been conducted for the White House by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.) The seven-foot brass candelabrum remained intact despite the temple reportedly sustaining $5 million in damage. It remains without power.

White House press secretary Jay Carney tweeted a link on Thursday to the New York Times piece, writing "Menorah that survived #Sandy to be displayed at tonight's White House Hanukkah party."

The article noted that it would be "a symbol of perseverance and hope for the holidays."