US officials use National Menorah Lighting to promote peace, unity

U.S. officials and religious leaders spoke about peace and hope at the National Menorah Lighting hosted in front of the White House Wednesday to mark the beginning of Hanukkah. 

“We can all benefit from the study of Torah, the mandates to visit the sick, feed the poor, pursue justice, welcome the stranger,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told the audience, echoing words from a New York Times op-ed written in honor of the holiday.

“There is a yearning for this beauty, this rooted history,” he added.