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U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Wednesday (December 17) afternoon.
During his opening remarks, Obama said a few words in Hebrew before cheering the day's news that Cuba had released 65-year-old Alan Gross, an American aid worker who had been imprisoned for five years.
The Hanukkah event came shortly after Obama announced plans to restore diplomatic ties it severed with Cuba more than 50 years ago.
Obama was scheduled to host a second Hanukkah reception later in the evening.
