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As reported last night on Matzav.com, a special Pesach event was held at the White House, bringing together senior administration officials and prominent Jewish leaders for a reception and policy discussion with President Donald Trump.

The event began with a reception in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building attended by approximately 70 staff members and senior officials, followed by a private 30-minute meeting in the Oval Office with the president and a select group of Jewish representatives.

During the meeting with the Jewish representatives, President Trump spoke candidly about his daughter Ivanka’s conversion, stating: “When Ivanka decided to convert, I wasn’t very happy at first, but today I am happier than ever. She is an amazing woman, and my son-in-law Jared Kushner is also an amazing and smart man.”

Turning to Iran, Trump said: “If not for my actions, the State of Israel would not exist today. No president before me did what I did for Israel.”

He also addressed the pardon he granted to Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin in 2017, saying: “I am proud that I granted a pardon to the prisoner Sholom Rubashkin. What was done to this man was a great and terrible injustice. That is exactly what they tried to do to me. I am glad that I set him free.”

During the meeting, Trump also called his daughter Ivanka, put her on speaker, and told her about the Jewish delegation gathered in the Oval Office.

Several key issues were discussed during the meeting. The president asked about the status of Department of Homeland Security funding for Jewish community security, an ongoing concern amid rising antisemitic threats. He also reiterated his strong support for Israel.

{Matzav.com}

After nearly ten years of ongoing tension surrounding the management of the hilula of Rav Yeshaya’le of Kerestir zt”l, a decisive arbitration ruling has now been issued, establishing clear control over the event and aiming to prevent confusion and disorder ahead of the annual mass pilgrimage on Gimmel Iyar.

It has been learned that the ruling was delivered by the Galanta Rebbe, a member of the rabbinic leadership of the Hisachdus HaRabbonim of the United States and Canada, following hearings in which both sides presented their claims and formally agreed to arbitration.

At the center of the decision is a clear and binding determination that full responsibility for organizing, overseeing, and managing the 101st hilula in the town of Kerestir, Hungary, belongs exclusively to the descendants of the tzaddik, the Rubin family of Reb Shayale’s Hoiz. The family has been handling operations at the site for years with notable success, though they have periodically faced interference.

The ruling emphasizes that representatives of the Rubin family will coordinate all logistical and operational aspects of the hilula with the relevant authorities, emergency services, and support organizations, and that no outside parties are permitted to interfere with or disrupt these arrangements.

It was further clarified in unequivocal terms that no other organization, aside from the Rubin family, may create misleading impressions through media or public messaging suggesting that they are responsible for running the hilula or any part of it. This includes the use of names such as “Reb Shayale’s Kach” or “Reb Shayale’s Bakery,” which were specifically cited as examples of potentially misleading branding.

At the same time, other groups will still be permitted to operate on the day of the hilula, but only on a limited basis and strictly in coordination with the Rubin family of “Reb Shayale’s Hoiz.”

Beginning this year, participants are expected to benefit from a more orderly and structured event, with clearly defined leadership under the Rubin family, who recently completed extensive renovations of the bais medrash of the tzaddik, along with expanding a large network of hachnosas orchim facilities, upgraded hospitality areas, the tzaddik’s home, and numerous additional resources for the many visitors.

{Matzav.com}