Meeting the Obamas

Rabbi Yoel Kahn toured the White House years ago, but never like this. For the 2010 White House Chanukah party, Kahn got to eat latkes with the president.

Held Dec. 2, the second night of Chanukah, the event was hosted by President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Also in attendance: three Jewish members of the United States Supreme Court (Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan), Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren and 500 Jewish community leaders.

Lucky locals included Kahn of Congregation Beth El in Berkeley, Moishe House Executive Director David Cygielman of Oakland, Rabbi Camille Angel of San Francisco’s Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, and jazz saxophonist Josh Redman, a Berkeley native who performed Chanukah music for the guests.

Read more: jweekly.com