White House Welcomes 500 Guests For Hanukkah

The White House held its annual Hanukkah party on Wednesday night, on the sixth day of the Jewish holiday. After rumors that the party would be low-key this year, approximately 500 people attended. President Obama made brief remarks and greeted guests for 20 minutes, according to Politico.

Guests were treated to an a cappella choir performance by a group from the University of Maryland and a kosher, buffet-style dinner of lamp chops, sushi and potato pancakes.

So who made the guest list? Desiree Rogers was there, (wo)manning the door. But Rahm Emanuel didn't show up, although he did light the menorah last week. David Axelrod, Susan Sher, Tina Tchen, Jack Lew, Peter Orszag, Dan Shapiro, Stuart Levey and Eric Lesser turned up. Senators Joe Lieberman, Ben Cardin and Al Franken attended, along with Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Anthony Weiner, and other prominent members of the American Jewish community.