WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden presided Wednesday over the White House’s first Hanukkah celebration. The event was attended by the Jewish spouse of a vice-president. It marked a major milestone in the Festival of Lights.

Doug Emhoff (second gentleman) is Jewish. He was also married to Kamala, Vice President Kamala.

He stated, “As an American President’s first Jewish wife or Vice President celebrating Hanukkah…it was humbling.” Our history and our Jewish values are an integral part of American identity. American values also include Jewish values.

Hanukkah, Hebrew for “dedication”, commemorates the 2nd century BC victory of Judah Maccabee and his followers in a revolt in Judea and the ensuing restoration of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

Light is a main theme of the eight-day festival because, Jewish tradition says, the Maccabees found only enough ritually pure oil to fuel the temple’s ceremonial lamp, The Menorah, for one day, but it burned for eight days.

The Menorah that was featured at the White House event to commemorate the Fourth Night of the Holiday was called the Liberty Bell menorah. Manfred Anson, who survived the Holocaust, created it in memory of Philadelphia’s iconic bell.

Chuck Schumer, a Democratic Senate Majority leader, was also Jewish.

Biden quoted Dr. Rabbi Aaron Glatt described Hanukkah like “Thanksgiving on steroids”, while also referring to recent outbreaks of antisemitism within the United States.

“We have to resist a resurgence this kind of anti-semitism, and other forms intolerance and hatred,” he stated.

Ivanka Trump, Trump’s former daughter, and Jared Kushner his son-in law, were both Jewish when they celebrated Hanukkah at the White House.