Barack Obama to celebrate first presidential Seder

BY Kenneth R. Bazinet and Michael Mcauliff

WASHINGTON, D.C. - There's a new reason Thursday night will be different from all other nights: Barack Obama is attending what's believed to be the first presidential Seder in the White House.

Administration staffers could find examples of Passover feasts at the White House before, but never one with the President himself honoring the holiday that celebrates the Jews' biblical escape from bondage in Egypt.

Passover meals were held in the Clinton White House, for example, but the commander-in-chief was not involved.

"This certifies the resonance of this ancient narrative and its relevance to all of us," said Jason Isaacson, the American Jewish Committee's Washington director. "It's a story of liberation from bondage, it's a story of people who persevere, it's a story of God's presence in our lives."

The White House provided no details of what insiders said will be a small, private event like one Obama did a year ago while he was still battling Hillary Clinton in the primaries.

"This Seder will be very similar to - and mark the anniversary of - the Seder held last year in Harrisburg, Pa., by campaign staff, and attended by the President and a few of his friends," said an administration official.

It will be led by Eric Lesser, a campaign aide who is now David Axelrod's assistant and who assembled last year's Seder.

That celebration turned out to be prophetic in its own way.

Participants jokingly added the line "next year in the White House!" after the traditional closing line, "next year in Jerusalem."

mmcauliff@nydailynews.com