US House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took part in the US Capitol’s menorah lighting on Wednesday, both wearing kipas for the ceremony. The menorah itself, crafted from the steel of missiles intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome, served as the centerpiece, a deliberately chosen symbol of resilience and the transformation of instruments of war into objects of ritual and light.
Organizers highlighted the message embedded in the menorah’s design, saying it reflects the enduring commitment to protect Jewish life while celebrating Jewish identity. The bipartisan turnout underscored a rare moment of unity, with lawmakers framing the ceremony as an expression of solidarity with Jewish communities facing rising antisemitism.
Chanuka begins this year on the evening of December 14.
