President Barack Obama and his family plan to hold what White House aides believe is the first Pesach seder to be hosted by a president at the White House, Thursday, the second night of Passover outside of Israel.
Among the close friends and staff expected to attend the traditional observance is Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama's closest advisers, and family friend Eric Whitaker, who is visiting from Chicago and attended a seder last year with the campaign. Campaign aides will attend, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama's counsel and friend Susan Sher; Herbie Ziskend, a staff assistant to Vice President Joe Biden's policy and economic advisers; and White House deputy director of advance Lisa Kohnke, among others.
Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and adviser David Axelrod have other committments.