Leading US Lawmakers Participate in Pre-Chanukah Menorah Ceremony in DC

In a rare moment of bipartisan unity during a busy legislative calendar, Congressional leaders from both parties gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday for the third annual Congressional Menorah Lighting ceremony.

“The Speaker invited the leadership of both sides, and he himself participated even though there was a major vote in the House,” Rabbi Shemtov told Belaaz. “It is rare to see the Speaker and Sen. Schumer shaking hands, but they did, and they were happy.”

The event, held in the chaotic final weeks of the legislative session in the prestigious Rayburn Reception room, brought together Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL).

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch and known as the “Rabbi of Capitol Hill,” lit the menorah.

Speaker Johnson said the menorah was crafted from the steel of rockets intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system; a stark reminder of the conflict that has shaped much of the discourse over the last two years.

In his remarks, Rabbi Shemtov drew a parallel between the structure of the menorah and the need for political unity. Pointing to the central branch of the candelabra, he noted that while the side branches face different directions, they all turn toward the center.

“We can focus on the differences and worry about conflict, or we could focus on the variety that brings unity,” he told the gathering.

The ceremony was marked by a shift in tone compared to previous years. Both Jeffries and Schumer highlighted the relief felt across the Jewish community following the release of hostages held by Hamas.

“Two years later… all living hostages held by Hamas are back home with their families,” Schumer said, acknowledging that one hostage remains in captivity, though deceased. Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, emphasized that while the flame of hope still burns, it is “flickering” in too many places due to the rise of antisemitism.

Jeffries echoed these sentiments, invoking the Chanukkah story of the oil that lasted eight days. “The story of Chanukkah teaches us that one person’s light can help drown out the darkness,” Jeffries said. “It has been more than two years since the horrors of October 7th… This Chanukkah, however, we do breathe a sigh of relief.”

Johnson, who arrived slightly late due to whipping votes on the House floor, used his time to highlight the historic bond between the U.S. and Israel. He recounted a meeting the previous day with Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, during which they jointly signed a letter nominating President Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

Johnson shared a story about a gift exchange with Ohana. The Speaker received a clay oil pot from the Bayis Rishon era, and in return, he gifted Ohana a copy of George Washington’s 1789 letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, which affirmed that religious liberty is a natural right, “not by government.”

“The light of faith and love and courage and conviction will always guide us on the path to brighter days ahead,” Johnson concluded.

The event concluded with Rabbi Shemtov leading the room in tefillos and brachos.