Chanukah came a few days early to the U.S. Capitol, as leaders of the House and Senate joined Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), in lighting the menorah.

It was the third time that congressional leaders lit the candles, a ritual started following the Hamas-led attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

At the time, “the Jewish community was in need of light and a reminder of what miracles can be,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), as he addressed dozens of Jews filling rows of seats at the ceremony.

He noted that this was the first time since the congressional menorah lighting tradition began that there were no living hostages in Gaza, but lawmakers remain committed to bringing home the body of the last hostage still hel

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