White House Chanukah & Chutzpah

Posted on December 9, 2009 In Blog

The official invitations for President Obama’s first Chanukah Reception are hitting mailboxes today.

The griping which began a few weeks ago continues, with the latest pettiness being directed at the wording of the invitation. (The invitation is actually quite nice, with a Chanukah-appropriate deep blue background with raised silver engraving.)

This level of ingratitude and chutzpah is downright offensive.

Here’s what we said last year in the face of ridiculous nitpicking of President Bush’s final Chanukah Party, and here’s some thoughtful and proper perspective from the noted historian Jonathan Sarna.

While it is true that the trait of being “stiffnecked” and stubborn has served our people well for centuries, this is not the appropriate use of this Jewish instinct.