A delegation of Hasidic Jews took part in a Hanukkah reception hosted by President Joe Biden in the White House Monday evening.
During the reception, the delegation held a Ma'ariv (evening) prayer service in the White House, The Forward's Jacob Kornbluh reported.
Among those in attendance were activist and radio host Leon Goldenberg, NYPD clergy liaison Rabbi Jacob Eisdorfer, Williamsburg Shomrim coordinator Yanky Itzkowitz, New York State assembly member Simcha Eichenstein, Executive Vice President of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council of Governmental Affairs Rabbi Chanina Sperlin, law professor David Greenfield, and Aaron Keyak, State Department deputy special envoy to combat and monitor antisemitism.
At the reception Monday evening, Biden called on Americans to get off the sidelines and join the fight against rising antisemitism in the United States.
"Today, we must all say clearly and forcefully that antisemitism and all forms of hate and violence in this country have no safe harbor in America. Period," he said, as quoted by Reuters, adding that "silence is complicity."
The Hanukkah reception also included adding the first-ever official White House menorah, the first Jewish artifact to be added to the White House archives.