U.S. Trade Rep To Help Light National Menorah

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman will help light the National Menorah near the White House to mark the start of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish holiday.

The ceremony will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m., ahead of the first night of Hanukkah. It will also feature performances by violinist Miri Ben-Ari and the U.S. Air Force Band. Froman will represent President Barack Obama's administration.

President Jimmy Carter attended the first White House menorah lighting in 1979. President Ronald Reagan dubbed it the "National Menorah."

Free tickets to the event are available online. Those who attend will receive hot Hanukkah latkes and doughnuts, along with personal menorah kits and dreidels.

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