Obama displays menorah rescued from Sandy destruction in Hanukkah ceremony

President Obama called a 90-year-old menorah saved from a Long Island temple ravaged by Hurricane Sandy a "symbol of perseverance" at the White House Hanukkah ceremony on Thursday.

The president said the menorah stood as one of the "powerful symbols of [the Hanukkah] spirit" in brief remarks before around 600 guests. The lamp, crafted of solid brass, was saved from the Temple Israel of Long Beach. The house of worship was badly damaged as the hurricane battered the New York coast.

"I'm willing to bet it will survive another 90 years, and another 90 years after that," the president said. "Tonight it serves as another symbol of perseverance."

Obama, who was joined by first lady Michelle Obama, added that on the sixth night of the Jewish holiday, "we pray its light will bring victims of Sandy and all Americans to a brighter tomorrow."

The menorah was lit by Rabbi Larry Bazer, an Afghanistan war veteran. Obama noted that Bazer had been deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a military chaplain over the last Hanukkah, joking he had turned down an invitation to the White House ceremony.

"We don't get that very often," Obama said. "Usually when we invite people they come."

Entertainment for the event was provided by the West Point Jewish Chapel Cadet Choir and the U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra. 

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