The Jewish world continues to mark the holiday of Hanukkah as world leaders and dignitaries from around the globe paused to observe the occasion together with their fellow countrymen.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man lights a candle on the third night of the holiday of Hanukkah in the southern city of Ashdod (photo credit: REUTERS)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman prays after lighting candles on the third night of the holiday of Hanukkah in the southern city of Ashdod (photo credit: REUTERS)
Cell phones are used as cameras as US President Barack Obama attends a Hanukkah reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House (photo credit: REUTERS)
US President Barack Obama (R) is joined by (L-R) Inbar Shaked Vardi, Mouran Ibrahim and first lady Michelle Obama as they attend a Hanukkah reception in the White House (photo credit: REUTERS)
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper (L) and his wife Laureen participate in a candle lighting ceremony to mark the start of Hanukkah in Montreal (photo credit: REUTERS)
US Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the annual lighting of the National Hanukkah Menorah on the Ellipse in Washington (photo credit: REUTERS)
Members of Hungary's Jewish community gather to celebrate Hanukkah and to light the first candle on the menorah in downtown Budapest (photo credit: REUTERS)
A giant menorah stands next to a Christmas tree in front of the Brandenburg gate to celebrate Hanukkah in Berlin (photo credit: REUTERS)
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Berlin mayor Michael Mueller (top, R-L) use a crane to light the first candle on the giant menorah in front of the Brandenburg gate in Berlin (photo credit: REUTERS)