Rebbes and a rosh yeshiva held an extraordinary meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, raising a series of urgent issues affecting Orthodox Jews in the United States and Israel, including the Israeli military draft crisis, Jewish prisoners, kosher food in federal prisons, religious liberty, and other communal concerns.
The historic visit included extensive discussions in the Roosevelt Room with senior administration officials, a meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance, and an approximately half-hour session with President Trump in the Oval Office. During their meeting with the president, the rabbinic leaders recited the traditional prayer for the welfare of the government, thanked Trump for his longstanding support of the Jewish community, and appealed for his assistance on several pressing matters.
The visit began Thursday morning as private planes carrying the invited Rebbes and rabbis began arriving in Washington. The first to arrive was Rav Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, accompanied by several close associates.
Upon reaching the White House, Rav Kotler was accompanied by Reb Moshe Margareten, chairman of the Tzedek Association, who had already been at the White House for meetings involving various communal advocacy matters.
Margareten escorted Rav Kotler to the Roosevelt Room, where the first extended meeting between the delegation and senior administration officials was scheduled to take place.
The other Rebbes arrived shortly afterward. The Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, and the Bobover Rebbe arrived first, followed by the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum; Rav Aharon Mendel Twersky, who attended on behalf of his father, the Skverer Rebbe; and the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, whose flight had been unexpectedly delayed.
The Rebbes were accompanied by their sons, including the Satmar Williamsburg rabbi, the Sigeter rabbi, and Rav Chaim Sholom Halberstam, the eldest son of the Bobover Rebbe.
A number of prominent community leaders and activists also joined the delegation, including Reb Moshe Dovid Niederman, chairman of the UJO; Reb Gedalya Segedin, administrator of Kiryas Joel; Reb Yisroel Moshe Spitzer, mayor of New Square; Reb Yoel Rosenfeld, executive director of Bobov institutions; Airmont Trustee Reb Yehuda Leib Zorger; Reb Yossi Gestetner; and others.
The Rebbes were additionally accompanied by their attendants and close associates, including Reb Moshe Friedman, Reb Chaim Shlomo Fischer, and Reb Chaim Goldfinger.
After completing security screening at the White House, the delegation was escorted to the Roosevelt Room for an extended discussion with government and administration officials. Among those present were Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Rep. Jerry Nadler, and a deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.
Kushner warmly greeted each of the Rebbes and told the Bobover Rebbe that he clearly remembered attending an event previously held at the Rebbe’s home.
The delegation raised a series of critical communal issues during the discussion. Vice President J.D. Vance subsequently entered the room, shook hands with the Rebbes, and greeted them as Gestetner introduced the members of the delegation.
One major subject was the welfare of Jewish prisoners, particularly the quality and availability of kosher food in prisons. The delegation made an emotional appeal for conditions to be improved, stressing that food unfit for human consumption cannot meaningfully be considered food.
Segedin explained that the problem is partly financial, as ordinary government prison budgets do not cover the significantly higher cost of kosher meals. He said that during a recent visit by a federal prison official to Kiryas Joel, a proposal was made to prepare meals for Jewish prisoners in Kiryas Joel’s commercial kitchens, which could substantially reduce the cost to the government.
The proposal is currently awaiting approval from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Segedin asked Vance to assist in moving the approval process forward.
The Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, raised another prison-related issue involving restrictive policies governing short furloughs for prisoners to visit their families. Current rules allow an absence of only 15 hours, he said, leaving inmates with little meaningful time at home after travel is taken into account, particularly around Rosh Hashanah, which lasts two days.
Vance expressed strong admiration for the American Jewish community and particularly praised its tradition of raising large families. He noted that he also has a growing family and recently welcomed his fourth child, emphasizing that he has supported and intends to continue supporting policies that assist larger families.
Niederman addressed discrimination involving housing and Section 8 assistance for large families. Rosenfeld discussed an initiative he has promoted for some time to expand an assistance program currently limited to families with no more than three children. Smiling, he pointed to Vance’s recent arrival of a fourth child and suggested that it was an appropriate opportunity to broaden the program.
Several additional issues were raised during the meeting. The Sigeter rabbi discussed the plight of Jewish prisoners, Rosenfeld addressed concerns involving Maimonides Medical Center in Boro Park, Spitzer raised matters involving the redemption and release of Jewish prisoners, and Segedin discussed Kiryas Joel’s water needs.
During a lighter exchange, Vance asked why the Rebbes wore different styles of traditional clothing. Segedin explained that the distinctions reflected the countries and regions from which their communities originated, including Poland, Hungary, Galicia, and Lithuania, and that the Rebbes carefully preserve the traditions inherited from their ancestors.
The conversation later turned to the preservation of Jewish cemeteries and ancestral burial sites throughout Europe. Niederman identified several cities where intervention by the U.S. government could help protect endangered Jewish cemeteries.
Rav Kotler cited a similar problem involving the Jewish cemetery in Vilna, while Rosenfeld discussed cemeteries in Poland requiring restoration and protection.
Vance listened closely to the delegation’s requests, pledged to do whatever he could to assist, and then departed the meeting.
While waiting for their scheduled meeting with Trump, the Rebbes remained together in the Roosevelt Room, where they shared Torah thoughts, stories about righteous Jewish leaders, and discussions relating to the approaching High Holidays, creating an unusual scene of religious conversation within the White House.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the delegation left the Roosevelt Room and proceeded toward the Oval Office for its meeting with the president.
Before entering, the two Satmar Rebbes warmly greeted one another. Rav Aharon Teitelbaum congratulated his brother, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, on the recent wedding of his grandson and the engagement of his granddaughter, which had taken place that night.
Rav Aharon Teitelbaum was initially brought into the Oval Office for a private meeting with Trump, accompanied by Segedin. During the approximately 10-minute discussion, the Rebbe presented several personal requests involving efforts to secure the release of Jewish prisoners and other urgent concerns. Among the leading issues was the Israeli government’s effort to draft yeshiva students, a subject Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum would raise again later in the meeting.
After the private discussion concluded, the remaining members of the main delegation were invited into the Oval Office.
Only the Rebbes, Rav Kotler, and three leading community activists — Niederman, Segedin, and Spitzer — initially entered. The Rebbes’ sons, attendants, and remaining activists stayed in the Roosevelt Room. The Oval Office door remained open, however, allowing those outside to observe the proceedings.
The Rebbes entered and took their places in a row of chairs positioned across from the president’s desk.
Seated from right to left were Rav Aharon Mendel Twersky, the Bobover Rebbe, the Satmar Rebbe Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, and Rav Malkiel Kotler.
Upon seeing the delegation, Trump immediately asked that his son-in-law Jared Kushner be summoned, saying, “He has to be here when such distinguished guests arrive.”
The reception formally began with Rav Aharon Teitelbaum reciting the traditional Jewish prayer for the welfare and success of the government. Segedin translated the prayer into English as all of the Rebbes stood respectfully.
Trump then jokingly asked Kushner whether he had understood the Hebrew wording. Kushner smiled and replied that he had understood half of what was said.
After everyone took their seats, Trump welcomed his distinguished guests, and Rep. Mike Lawler, whose district includes Rockland County, also greeted the delegation.
Rav Aharon Teitelbaum then addressed the president, thanking him for his directive to reopen houses of worship and religious institutions during the COVID pandemic. He continued by discussing several additional issues affecting the Orthodox Jewish community.
Rav Aharon Mendel Twersky, son of the Skverer Rebbe, spoke next and apologized that his father had been unable to participate personally. He then presented Trump with an envelope containing a detailed personal letter from his father.
The Rebbes continued discussing a range of matters affecting Orthodox Jewish communities in the United States and Israel.
Rav Kotler was then asked to speak, but the rosh yeshiva chose instead to present Trump with a personal letter. The Satmar Rebbe continued the discussion by once again raising the Israeli military draft crisis.
The letter was prepared and edited by activists from the Center for Assistance and Guidance in the United States, headed by Rav Shimon Shisha, who has devoted extensive efforts to assisting Jewish prisoners.
The letter to Trump began: “To the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20500. Dear Mr. President, on behalf of tens of thousands of Jews currently living in Israel, we write to you seeking your assistance in a matter of the utmost importance to us.”
It continued: “Long before you first ran for public office, you demonstrated tremendous kindness toward the Jews you encountered. After assuming the presidency, you extended that kindness to the Jewish people throughout the world. We will forever be grateful. In light of this longstanding relationship, we plead for your intervention on behalf of 100,000 students studying in yeshivas and rabbinical seminaries in Israel. We do not need to explain to you the unique lifestyle of Orthodox Judaism, commonly known here in the United States as the ultra-Orthodox community.
“For nearly two hundred years, students attending recognized religious schools and training to become ordained clergy have been exempt from conscription into the United States military. For more than seventy-five years, a similar exemption existed in Israel. Recently, it was abolished, a step that has had a devastating impact on the Orthodox community.”
The letter continued: “For many reasons, it is not practical for the IDF to accommodate the religious and cultural needs of the Orthodox community. It would be nearly impossible for Orthodox Jews to serve in a secular Israeli military without sacrificing their unique identity and surrendering essential religious freedoms. Here in the United States, we enjoy the protections provided by the First Amendment to the Constitution, protections that do not exist in Israel.”
The letter added: “It seems inconceivable that Jews in the Land of Israel should be deprived of their religious liberties. Tragically, however, that is the situation. Tens of thousands of God-fearing students, whose only desire is to continue living according to the tradition of their ancestors, extending all the way back to the patriarchs, are living in genuine fear.”
The appeal continued: “As we write these words, dozens of students are imprisoned in military prisons because of their refusal to enlist. Every Orthodox Jew of draft age walks the streets in fear and goes to sleep at night knowing that he could be arrested at any moment, solely because of his religious beliefs.”
The letter further stated: “They are unable to leave the country for any reason, including to seek refuge elsewhere. To our understanding, thousands of American citizens who hold dual citizenship are unable to return home. Mr. President, since the days of the Founding Fathers, the world has not seen a leader so determined to defend religious freedom. You will be recorded in history alongside Thomas Jefferson and George Washington for your courageous efforts to help Jews throughout the world practice their faith in peace.”
It concluded: “We respectfully ask you to direct your administration to raise this matter at the highest levels of the Israeli government and urge its leaders to follow your example by protecting the religious liberties of ultra-Orthodox Jews rather than persecuting them. With profound gratitude and our warmest blessings.”
In an unusual moment during the meeting, Trump asked Rav Aharon Teitelbaum to give him the paper containing the points they had discussed during their earlier private conversation. The Rebbe handed over the document, and Trump placed it in his personal desk drawer.
Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum then described the difficulties facing Jewish prisoners and thanked Trump for assistance he has provided to couples struggling to have children. He also raised the plight of yeshiva students in Israel, with the president listening closely and expressing interest in the details.
Rav Zalman Leib delivered his remarks to Trump in English and expressed the appreciation of the Jewish people for the president’s steadfast support of Jews.
The Bobover Rebbe had also prepared remarks concerning the preservation of Jewish cemeteries in Poland and the situation at Maimonides Medical Center, but time constraints prevented him from presenting them.
Trump then spoke about his decision several years ago to commute the sentence of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin. He remarked with amusement that even after dramatic military operations, he had never received the kind of enthusiastic response and expressions of gratitude from the Jewish community that followed Rubashkin’s release.
Rosenfeld told Trump that thousands of people had poured into the streets and danced when news of Rubashkin’s release became known. Trump added that he had spoken at the time with the judge who imposed Rubashkin’s 28-year sentence and concluded that antisemitism had influenced the punishment, leading him to grant clemency.
Rosenfeld used the opportunity to discuss what he described as injustices in the criminal justice system involving Orthodox Jews and the disproportionately severe sentences sometimes imposed upon them. Trump nodded in agreement.
During the meeting, Lawler asked Trump whether several additional community activists waiting outside could be brought into the Oval Office. The president agreed, and Margareten, Zorger, Gestetner, and Reb Rafi Silberberg joined the gathering.
Margareten thanked Trump and his administration for their continued support and specifically praised Lawler for his efforts to preserve an assistance program benefiting yeshivas through a legislative amendment.
Trump asked the Rebbes whether their communities supported Lawler. Those whose communities are located within Lawler’s district confirmed that he enjoys enthusiastic support and thanked him for his assistance.
The community representatives told Trump that he had received 98% of the vote in Kiryas Joel in the most recent election and 100% in New Square, adding that similarly strong numbers had been recorded for Lawler.
The Oval Office meeting lasted approximately half an hour. As it concluded, Trump pledged to continue helping wherever possible, while the Rebbes offered warm blessings for his continued success as president.
Before leaving, Rav Kotler presented Trump with a special clemency request on behalf of a Jewish man facing serious legal difficulties. All of the Rebbes had signed the letter beforehand at Rav Kotler’s request.
As the delegation departed, Trump presented the Rebbes and community leaders with presidential challenge coins as souvenirs of their White House visit.
The Rebbes wished one another that they be inscribed and sealed for a good year and then departed the White House for the airports to return to their respective communities.
{Matzav.com}
