LI Doc, Rabbi's 'Tremendous Honor' Lighting White House Menorah

OCEANSIDE, NY — Aaron Glatt isn't just a renowned doctor who serves as chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau, he's the associate rabbi at Young Israel of Woodmere.

It's from those two backgrounds that he was chosen to light the menorah this week at the White House, alongside President Joe Biden and Senator Chuck Schumer.

"I had worked with various different groups during this pandemic," Glatt told Patch. "The White House had called me up to invite me to be a representative of the Jewish people on behalf of the work that I did in helping take care of patients, as well as providing education for the community."

It's a humbling experience for the doctor, who worked with many people since the winter of 2020.

"I don't know why they selected me, but they did," he said. "It was a tremendous honor in doing so."

But Glatt said it is a powerful symbol standing in for all health care workers by participating in the Festival of Lights celebration on Wednesday.

He has been educating the Jewish population, and the general public, about COVID-19, including the need for getting vaccinated.

"I assume that's why they selected me," Glatt said.

The doctor/rabbi had a private meeting with Biden and the First Lady, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her husband, Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, and Schumer.

"I had not met the president or the vice president before," he said. "It was a wonderful event and they were very gracious to me."

Plus, Glatt got an unexpected distinction from Biden.

"I called the United States a 'Nation of Kindness,' and I was very honored to see the president quote me on that."