[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 50 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Pages 1577-1578]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah

December 10, 2007

    Thank you. Good evening. Laura and I welcome you to the White House. 
Mr. Attorney General, thank you for being here--Secretary Chertoff and 
family. Hanukkah is a time of joy and festivity in the Jewish religion. 
We're honored to gather with members of the Jewish community to 
celebrate this holiday.
    During Hanukkah, we remember an ancient struggle for freedom. More 
than 2,000 years ago, a cruel tyrant ruled Judea and forbade the 
Israelites from practicing their religion. A band of brothers came 
together to fight this oppression, and against incredible odds, they 
liberated the capital city of Jerusalem. As they set about rededicating 
the Holy Temple, they witnessed a great miracle: that purified oil that 
was supposed to last for 1 day burned for 8.
    Jewish families commemorate this miracle by lighting the menorah for 
the 8 nights of Hanukkah. The Talmud instructs families to place the 
menorah in public view so the entire world can see its light. The flames 
remind us that light triumphs over darkness, faith conquers despair, and 
the desire for freedom burns inside every man, woman, and child.
    As we light the Hanukkah candles this year, we pray for those who 
still live under the shadow of tyranny. This afternoon I met with a 
group of Jewish immigrants to mark International Human Rights Day. Many 
of these men and women fled from religious oppression in countries like 
Iran and Syria and the Soviet Union. They came to America because our 
Nation is a beacon of freedom. And they see a day of hope on the horizon 
when people all across the world will worship in freedom. The forces of 
intolerance can suppress the menorah, but they can never extinguish its 
light.

[[Page 1578]]

    The menorah we light tonight has special meaning. It once belonged 
to Chayim Pearl, who was the great-grandfather of Wall Street Journal 
reporter Daniel Pearl. While reporting in Pakistan in 2002, Daniel was 
kidnaped and murdered by terrorists. His only crime was being a Jewish 
American, something Daniel Pearl would never deny. In his final moments, 
Daniel told his captors about a street in Israel named for his great-
grandfather. He looked into their camera, and he said, ``My father is 
Jewish; my mother is Jewish; and I'm Jewish.'' These words have become a 
source of inspiration for Americans of all faiths. They show the courage 
of a man who refused to bow before terror and the strength of a spirit 
that could not be broken.
    Daniel's memory remains close to our hearts. Those who knew him best 
remember a gifted writer who loved the violin and made friends wherever 
he went. We're honored that Daniel's parents, Ruth and Judea, have 
joined us today. We thank them for their work on behalf of the Daniel 
Pearl Foundation. The foundation helps bring people from different 
cultures together through journalism and music. It's a fitting tribute 
to Daniel's lifelong pursuit of truth and tolerance. By honoring Daniel, 
we are given the opportunity to bring forth hope from the darkness of 
tragedy, and that is a miracle worth celebrating during the Festival of 
Lights.
    Laura and I wish people of Jewish faith around the world a happy 
Hanukkah. May God bless you all.
    Tonight we will hear a wonderful performance by the Zamir Chorale. 
But first, I ask Ruth and Judea to light the Pearl family menorah and 
lead the blessings.

Note: The President spoke at 5:27 p.m. in the Grand Foyer at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Attorney General Michael B. 
Mukasey.