No, they don't really ask that question at Vanity Fair. They do point out that W held no Seders at the White House but he did hold 8 Ramadan dinners, on the excuse that he wanted to promote world peace. Is George W. Bush a Muslim? We say, Let the record speak for itself.
Vanity Fair says:
Why This Night is Different From All Other Nights
Sunset today marks the first day of this year's celebration of Passover. It is a traditional springtime holiday for the Jewish people, and also for our President, Barack Obama, a non-Jew who has participated in a Seder since 2008, when he walked in on some campaign staffers with Manischewitz and matzo. Reports the New York Times:
"Top aides like David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett will attend, but so will assistants like 24-year-old Herbie Ziskend. White House chefs will prepare Jewish participants' family recipes, even rendering chicken fat-better known as schmaltz-for just the right matzo ball flavor.
If last year is any guide, Malia and Sasha Obama will take on the duties of Jewish children, asking four questions about the night's purpose-along with a few of their own-and scrambling to find matzo hidden in the gleaming antique furniture."
According to the Guardian, Obama is the first American President to hold a Seder in the White House, although George W. Bush "held eight Ramadan dinners in office to stress that America's war with violent extremists was not a war with Islam."
Anyway, tonight's dinner will presumably feature less macabre overtones—plus, matzo balls!
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