Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Despite uptick in COVID-19, White House to host annual Hanukkah party

Whether the festivities at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be indoors or outdoors remains to be seen.

The White House. Credit: History.com.
The White House. Credit: History.com.

Despite a significant rise in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has reached some of its highest numbers in America to date this month, the White House will host its annual Hanukkah party on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., according to an official invitation.

The scheduled date is one day before the eight-day “Festival of Lights” begins on the evening of Dec. 10. The holiday runs through the evening of Friday, Dec. 18.

Whether the festivities at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be indoors or outdoors remains to be seen. Stephanie Grisham, spokesperson for first lady Melania Trump, whose office organizes the party, did not respond to a request for comment.

The White House has come under fire for hosting indoor events, after which a number of attendees have later been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is “also working to prevent Hamas-linked staff from jumping to other aid organizations operating in Gaza,” a senior Trump admin official told JNS.
“Regardless of how it is ultimately classified, incidents like this send shockwaves through the Jewish community,” Rabbi Noah Farkas of Jewish Federation Los Angeles told JNS.
Prosecutors said the man caused damage to both facilities before sending texts boasting about the vandalism.
Despite Israeli objections to previously reported terms, the official said Washington is confident that all U.S. allies “will get on board” with the emerging agreement.
The prolific writer of 450 books passed away at her Massachusetts home surrounded by family.
“BDS should stand for ‘blind, dumb and stupid,’” a Muslim community leader told protesters outside the Brooklyn cooperative, where members recently voted to remove Israeli products.