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WASHINGTON — This afternoon, Speaker Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries hosted the second annual Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony to celebrate the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. Rabbi Levi Shemtov joined the Congressional leaders at the ceremony.                

Click here to watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

It’s my pleasure to welcome everyone here and wish you a Happy Hannukah. Thank you for joining us. 

This is only the second occasion, as Speaker of the House, where I’ve been able to gather with you for this celebration of light.

Last year was the first time in history, you may remember, we had ever had an official menorah lighting in the Capitol, but this year we get to do it with my own personal menorah.

It’s one Rabbi Shemtov and assistants of my colleague Leader Jeffries presented to me a couple of months ago. It’s actually made from the shrapnel of rockets that were shot down by the IDF and then smelted together by an Israeli artisan. It’s really one of a kind. 

I’m very grateful for it, not only because it’s my first menorah, but because when you look at it, you’re reminded of the true meaning of Hannukah.

That in the face of darkness, light bursts forth. In the presence of fear, miracles emerge. And in moments of despair, hope springs eternal. 

The more time I‘ve spent with America’s rabbis and our Jewish brothers and sisters around the country over the last year, the more hopeful I become for the future. 

We all know that 2024 was a difficult year for Jewish-Americans, on college campuses and of course in the land of Israel itself. 

Yet, in the face of vitriol and war, the Jewish people have shown unshakeable strength and optimism and resilience. It’s very inspiring. 

And that’s because we believe that the light of truth always overcomes the darkness of terror.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu reminds us often, the battle for Israel’s existence is truly a battle between light and darkness. It’s a battle between civilization versus barbarism; good versus evil.

So, as we ceremonially light the first of these eight candles, we recall the power of light within each of us and we hold onto faith that God has not forgotten His people.

As we remember the Almighty’s work in the lives of figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, through the time of the Maccabees, the 2^nd Temple, and up until this very day, we can rejoice in the hope of victory and repeat the words of David in Psalm 30: “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.” 

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