ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Wednesday (December 17) afternoon.<br/> <br />During his opening remarks, Obama said a few words in Hebrew before cheering the day's news that Cuba had released 65-year-old Alan Gross, an American aid worker who had been imprisoned for five years.<br/> <br />The Hanukkah event came shortly after Obama announced plans to restore diplomatic ties it severed with Cuba more than 50 years ago.<br/> <br />Obama was scheduled to host a second Hanukkah reception later in the evening.
