Obama's Inconvenient Chanukah

Obama’s Inconvenient Chanukah

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

December 9, 2011

On Tuesday night, December 20 the worldwide Jewish community will gather around menorahs, light two candles, chant three blessings ushering in Chanukah – the Festival of Lights.

Except at the White House.

For at the Obama White House, Chanukah came early – “celebrated” last night – Thursday, December 8 – 12 nights prior to the advent of the actual observance.

This is just another insult from the Obama administration toward the Jewish people, not just in the United Stated, but the world over. Obama had his pick of eight nights from which to hold this so-called celebration. But because he feels compelled to take a 17 day vacation – the likes of which the average American who Obama claims to support would hardly be able to enjoy – he managed to squeeze in the Chanukah event to check off the box on his list of things to do.

Make no mistake, I don’t begrudge Obama, or any working person a vacation. In fact, the more time Obama spends driving golf balls is less time he can continue to drive the economy into the water.

Obama’s relationship with the Jewish community is approaching the critical list, as it should. He has demonstrated animus toward Israel, calling for a return to Israel’s 1967 borders, his cacophonous and insulting treatment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and made overtures toward Israel’s enemies, who are also enemies of the United States. Why there are still members of the Jewish community who continue to support this man and this administration is completely nebulous. This should render the Jewish community apoplectic.

Obama proved his hypocrisy in his remarks, noting “our unshakable support and commitment to the security of the nation of Israel.” Not so, when calling for a return to the 1967 borders. It demonstrates his lack of historical knowledge and how obtuse he really is.

Obama also got it wrong when he said the Chanukah story is about “right over might.” Were it not for the Maccabees victory in war against the Assyrians, 167-165 BCE, the Jewish people may very well have been wiped out and there would be no Chanukah observance.

Liberal Jews, of which there are still far too many, will ebulliently praise this so-called Chanukah event. Look, he likes us; he likes us, a la Sally Field’s oft-mocked Academy Award speech from 1984. No, he merely gives lip service in an effort to placate the obsequious liberal Jewish community and protect a source of campaign funds. Obama is nothing short of licentious.

Does anyone believe Obama would schedule Ramadan or Eid celebrations on days other than the officially listed dates according to the Muslim calendar? Certainly not. He has bent over backwards and bowed down – literally to that community with which he so strongly identifies. What next – the Easter Egg Hunt in June? That just wouldn’t be kosher.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.