WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The nation’s Second Gentleman, Douglas Emhoff spoke at the ceremony lighting the National Menorah on Sunday evening, the first night of Chanukah. Following are a transcript of his remarks as released by the Office of the Vice President.
“Like so many of us gathered here today, my family members left Europe in search of safety and security. They came to the United States, among the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. They built a life here—-raised children, opened businesses, worshipped at synagogues.
And yet, we know, the freedom that my family members, that American Jews everywhere, have yearned for and championed… The freedom that our nation promises to all those who live and worship here… That freedom has, at times, been undermined by hate.
As the Vice President [his wife, Kamala Harris] said a few weeks ago, we must fight antisemitism and hate of every kind, and call it out when we see it. We know that this hate is horrible but not at all new, a fact that the Vice President and I were reminded of at Yad Vashem in Israel a few years ago, and at the Shoah Memorial in France that I visited just weeks ago.
But we also know that the story of Hanukkah is the history of a people who do not simply persevere in the face of tragedy, but ones who are committed to their faith, proud of their tradition, and grateful for the many miracles and blessings in our lives.
And on this first night of Hanukkah, that is what we celebrate.
The ancient Maccabees teach us that, in the face of the senseless, the selfless can prevail. In the face of the powerful, the people can prevail. In the face of darkness, light can prevail.
On this first night of Hanukkah, Jews around the world will light their menorahs in the windows of their homes – something the Vice President and I will do later this evening.
As we light this menorah on the lawn of the free, let us rededicate ourselves to doing everything we can to shine a light on hate, so we can put an end to hate.
Let us remember always, that Jewish history is American history, our values, American values.
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Preceding provided by the Office of the Vice President. Doug Emhoff is a member of the Jewish community.