The Bush 43 presidency has seen a number of innovations, one of them the institution of Chanuka parties in December at the White House. The place is uniquely and beautifully decorated and it doesn't take too much movement to re-organize from Christmas to Chanuka. Psychologist Diane Medved was there two nights ago, with her son, Danny, joining her, while husband Michael continues his big five week book tour for Ten Big Lies About America (number 18 already, Diane says, on the NY Times list).
Diane describes the Chanuka festivities on her blog and holds out some "surprises" for a later report that I also will link to. (She was at our house last night and filled me in, but I am not so mean as to scoop her here!)
Suffice for now that George W. is the first president to institute a Chanuka party. In a season of many Christmas parties at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, it is a welcome addition. The happy reality is that--in our country, in our time--almost all Christians are delighted to recognize their Jewish friends' religion, and the same can be said in return. The Medved family is especially well known for combining resolute Jewish faith and a warm ecumenical embrace. There is no one on radio, for example, who is so persistently amusing as Michael in ridiculing the secularists who campaign to keep Christmas trees out of public places.
Michael completes his book tour with broadcasts from sunny Hawaii over the coming two weeks. Somehow, he was able to persuade his family to accompany him and show their support.
** Update: Ron Radosh, also at the Chanuka party, shares his views on George W. Bush.
Second update: Diane Medved describes (December 18) the unexpected and joyous dancing the culminated the Chanuka party.
