[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 49 (Monday, December 9, 2002)]
[Page 2129]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah

December 4, 2002

    Welcome. This is the sixth night of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of 
lights. This holiday marks the victory of Jewish patriots over 
oppression more than two millennia ago. The menorah represents an 
ancient miracle, in which a lamp with only enough oil for one day burned 
eight.
    Each year, Hanukkah brings a message of hope--that light will 
overcome darkness, that goodness will overcome evil, and that faith can 
accomplish miracles.
    Today, the spirit of those early patriots lives in the lives of the 
state of Israel and throughout the Jewish community and among all brave 
people who fight violence and terror. We pray that this season of light 
will also be a season of peace for the Jewish people.
    We are joined this evening by the members of the Ramaz Chamber 
Choir. Ramaz is a modern orthodox Jewish day school in Manhattan, and 
we're grateful to the students for making the trip to join us today.
    I also want to thank Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia for 
the use of this beautiful menorah. Founded in 1795, Rodeph Shalom was 
the first Ashkenazic congregation established in the Western Hemisphere.
    Lighting the menorah will be Daniella and Alexandra Wald from New 
York City. We welcome the girls here, and the honor is yours.

Note: The President spoke at 5:20 p.m. in the Bookseller's Area in the 
East Wing at the White House.