Written by Elisa Boxer | Illustrated by Sofia Moore.
Ages: 5-9 years
Review by: Heidi Frankel
Buy the book here
This remarkable picture book tells how the official White House menorah came to be and highlights its historical significance.
The story opens with a poignant line from a beam of wood: “I was supposed to be destroyed.” This simple statement sets the stage for a powerful narrative that weaves history, resilience, and transformation together.
“Beam of Light” recounts the journey of this piece of wood, which bore witness to the crumbling structure of the White House before and during its 1948 renovation under President Harry S. Truman.
In this beautifully illustrated book, the beam of wood narrates its story, taking readers back to 1943, when rabbis visited the White House to plead with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide a safe haven for Jewish people persecuted by the Nazis in Eastern Europe. Tragically, the president turned them away.
Years later, during Truman’s presidency, a confidential memo declared the White House structure a national concern, initiating extensive renovations and forcing its residents to leave.
During the renovation, the crew saved the beam and placed it in storage, where it remained for 70 years, spanning 13 presidencies.
Nearly forgotten, the beam found a greater purpose in 2022 when master woodworkers transformed it into the first official White House menorah, a symbol of resilience and permanence.
Today, the menorah shines its beams of light each year, celebrating the enduring strength of the Jewish people in America and around the world.
Once a literal support beam for the White House, this reclaimed piece of wood now symbolizes perseverance and hope, demonstrating how something once discarded can take on profound meaning. The author, Elisa Boxer, explains the momentous first lighting in the notes section at the back of the book.
“Beam of Light: The Story of the First White House Menorah” is not just a story about history; it celebrates strength, resilience, and the enduring power of transformation.
