As the Bidens mark Hanukkah, the White House gets its own menorah for the first time

The White House Menorah can be seen in Cross Hall and is part of this year's "We The People"-themed holiday display. The Bidens will add the menorah to the permanent White House collection at a Hanukkah reception Monday evening.

This year, to celebrate the ancient Jewish festival of lights, the White House added a menorah to its holiday lineup for the first time.

The nine-pronged candelabra was created by the Executive Residence Carpentry Shop out of wood removed from the building in 1950 during a Truman-era renovation, the White House says.

It now sits in Cross Hall, between portraits of former presidents Jimmy Carter and Lyndon Johnson, as part of this year’s “We The People”-themed holiday display. The White House welcomes roughly 50,000 visitors each holiday season, in addition to offering virtual tours of the decorations.