Michelle Obama Sparkles At White House Hanukkah Party (PHOTOS)

Text by the Associated Press

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have convened a Hanukkah celebration at the White House on the second night of the Jewish festival of lights.

The celebration occurred in the East Room Thursday, where guests recited traditional prayers while lighting candles in a menorah lent by a congregation in New Orleans that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The president and first lady looked on as the candle-lighting ceremony took place.

The president called the story of Hanukkah "as simple as it is timeless." In the Hanukkah story a small band of Jews rededicating a Jerusalem temple finds that a one-day supply of oil kindles a flame instead for eight.

Check out pictures form the White House Hanukkah Party on Thursday night, and scroll down for a close-up of the first couple. According to Mrs. O, the cardigan is by L'Wrenn Scott and the brooch is vintage.