Obama will light menorah which survived Hurricane 'Sandy'

An ancient menorah of 90 years will 'star' this year at the traditional candle-lighting ceremony held by President Obama on Hanukkah at the White House.

Today (Thursday), sixth candle of Chanukah, a traditional Hanukkah party will be held at the White House by President Obama as on every year. For the event the President's people sought a "meyuchas" menorah and found one in a Beis Midrash in Long Beach, NY.

The Beis Midrash Rav, Rabbi David Bauman, explained that the 90-year-old menorah was saved in a special cupboard in one of the rooms of the Beis Midrash. When the Sandy storm broke out, Long Beach was flooded, and the Beis Midrash was filled with rushing water. The room in which the menorah was also flooded - and its contents were destroyed, along with some Sifrei Torah that were in the Beis Midrash, but the old menorah - survived.

White House officials were enthusiastic about the unique case, and requested to borrow the menorah, so that President Obama will light the Hanukkah candles in this menorah.

At the same time the White House is preparing for the Hanukkah party in terms of kashrus as well. They are preparing one of the House's kitchens and a team of kashrus supervisors are making sure that the food to be served at the party will be kosher lemehadrin.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!