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Winter 2008

A White House Hanukkah
BY SUNNY YUDKOFF

If you’ve ever used a Behrman House Teacher’s Guide, chances are you’ve read the work of Ellen Rank, Behrman House author, consultant, and Jewish educator.

Like you, we at Behrman House are constantly learning from Ellen. Need an activity to complement a Hebrew lesson? Check out Ellen’s Teacher’s Edition to Shalom Ivrit 3. Need ideas for energizing Jewish history in the fifth, sixth, and seventh grade classroom? Check out Ellen’s Teacher’s Guide to the History of the Jewish People, Vol. 2.

Recently, we were delighted to learn that President George W. Bush had invited Ellen and her husband, Rabbi Perry Rank of the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset, NY, to join distinguished representatives of the Jewish community at this year’s White House Hanukkah celebration.

We wanted details about this
presidential Hanukkah bash!

On December 10, 2007, alongside such notable Jewish politicians as Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA), and Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Ellen entered the East Room of the White House where the Marine Band played “I Have a Little Dreidel.”

Throughout the evening, guests munched on latkes and sufganiyot fried in the freshly koshered White House kitchen.

At Behrman House we know that details matter—and we definitely wanted the details about this presidential Hanukkah bash. Here are a few highlights Ellen shared with us that we’d like to share with all of you.

Ellen Rank eats “kosher food gone gourmet” at the White House Hanukkah celebration

BH: First and foremost, how was the food?
ER: It was the best food I’ve ever eaten in my whole life! It was kosher food gone gourmet. There was roast beef, baby lamb chops, sushi, and so many desserts— not to mention the latkes and sufganiyot.

BH: How many people were there?
ER: Around 600. Hundreds of Jewish politicians, rabbis, educators, and military personnel—from all different backgrounds and denominations. We filled two enormous banquet halls and at least half a dozen sitting rooms—the Red Room, Green Room, Blue Room.

BH: How were you introduced to the President and First Lady?
ER: A military escort announced us as Rabbi Perry Rank and his wife, Ellen. When we met President Bush and the First Lady, President Bush said [to my husband], “Rabbi, keep spreading the good word.”

BH: As educators, we have to ask, what did you learn or take away from your trip to the White House?
ER: How fortunate we are as Jewish Americans. To experience firsthand being in the home of a president and celebrating a Jewish holiday reminds us how fortunate we are to live in a country where this type of thing can happen.

BH: Any other highlights?
ER: Seeing Barney, the dog.

Editor’s Note: The official White House photograph of President Bush and Ellen and Rabbi Perry Rank will appear in the next Open Lion.

Rabbi Perry Rank poses
beneath a presidential
portrait at the White House

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