First Ever White House Pesach

Thursday night, the president and his family will be marking the beginning of Passover, inviting friends and co-workers over for a White House Seder.
The Seder is a fulfillment of a vow that a small group of Obama campaign staff made during their Seder last year, on April 19. Unable to go home for the holidays, the group of 10 held a Seder in the basement of the Sheraton Hotel in PA., as the Obama campaign neared the end of its primary campaign battle in the state. Obama participated in the Jewish , along with friends who were traveling with him that day.
The White House says the Seder meal will be traditional, including matza, bitter herbs, a roasted egg and greens in the family dining room in the executive mansion.
The evening will also include the reading of the Haggadah.
Passover celebrates the Jewish exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery.
This is the first president-hosted Seder at the White House.
Obama's move won quick praise from the National Jewish Democratic Council as the nation's first White House Seder.
"By hosting the first presidential Seder in America's history," President Barack Obama shows the personal and deep relationship his has with the Jewish community,” said Alexis C. Rice, the group's deputy executive director. "There is no question, Obama is a true friend of the Jewish community."

Neither Bush ever had a Seder at the White House.
Either did Reagan.

We are aware of the interrelatedness of today's world.
And, as Dr. Kissinger used to say, “Realpolitik.”
We feel that President Obama is doing the best he can at the moment, and we don't believe that the U.S. dictates Israel's politics.

Chag Sameach, everyone!