Joe Biden said Wednesday he will fight against the 'resurgence of this tide of anti-Semitism' as he joined first lady Jill, Vice President Kamala Harris and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff for a Hanukkah celebration.
Emhoff, the first-ever Jewish resident of the One Observatory Place, led the candle lighting ceremony at the White House along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is also Jewish.
All four members of the first and second couple made remarks to a room full of attendees before lighting the candles for the fourth night of Hanukkah. The remarks and events were also live-streamed for those who could not come.
Biden used the religious holiday celebration to push his $1.75 trillion Build Back Better social welfare spending package, which was passed by the House last month and faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
'That little bit of light, wherever it is found, can dispel the darkness and illuminate a path forward,' the president said during his remarks on Hanukkah in the East Room. 'And whether it's in a temple of Jerusalem or a temple of our democracy, nothing broken or profaned is beyond repair – nothing.'
'We can always Build Back Better – or perhaps, Build Back Brighter.'
'Build Back Brighter': President Joe Biden pushed his $1.75 million Build Back Better plan at a Hanukkah celebration at the White House Wednesday
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff (right) lit the menorah candles at the White House Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (center), who is also Jewish
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris (right) looked friendly coming off of drama surrounding reports of tensions between the two
Emhoff said he is 'humbled' to bethe first Jewish spouse of a vice president or president
Emhoff said he was 'humbled' to be the first ever Jewish person to light a menorah in the Vice President's residence.
On the first night of Hanukkah, Emhoff posted an image of him and Harris placing their lit candles on the menorah in the window of their home located at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.
'Hanukkah is one of our family favorites as a holiday,' Harris said before introducing Biden.
'It is my honor to introduce a man of deep faith – I work with him every day – and he is guided by the light, always,' she said. 'A leader who
