Emhoff is the first Jewish spouse in a presidential administration, and the celebration was the first White House Passover Seder to be open to the public.
Emhoff spoke about celebrating Passover as a child, which he said often involved attending Seder at his grandmother's home in Brooklyn.
"Now, of course, it's exactly what you're picturing. That apartment. The plastic covering on the sofa. The smell of brisket wafting in from the kitchen," Emhoff said. "And me, sitting there at the table, patiently waiting, just waiting, to dig into that delightfully gelatinous gefilte fish, which inexplicably I still love today."
Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, and first lady Jill Biden also shared Passover messages at the event.
"As Jewish families across the country and around the world mark this important tradition, we know you're all setting the Seder table with heavy hearts, but also with hope for the year ahead," the president said.