WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump welcomed a delegation of rabbonim to the White House on Thursday for a historic pre-Rosh Hashanah gathering that brought some prominent figures in the American Torah world into the Oval Office.
The gathering, which had been organized over the course of several months, was described by those involved as an opportunity for the president and senior administration officials to meet directly with representatives of major Chassidishe and yeshiva communities, exchange New Year greetings, and hear concerns affecting the Orthodox Jewish community. Reports ahead of the meeting described an Oval Office gathering of this particular composition as exceedingly rare.
The delegation represented a small cross-section of the frum community. Participants included Rav Malkiel Kotler, the only Litvishe Rosh Yeshiva invited; the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum of Williamsburg; his brother, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Kiryas Yoel; the Bobover Rebbe; the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey; and Rav Aharon Mendel Twersky, son of the Skverer Rebbe, who attended on his father’s behalf. The Skverer Rebbe had initially been invited personally but ultimately did not make the trip.
In the Oval Office seating arrangement, Rav Malkiel was seated first, followed by the Satmar Rebbe Rav Zalman Leib and then his brother, the Satmar Rebbe Rav Aharon.
One of the most unique moments of the day occurred when the two Satmar Rebbes arrived. The brothers, who lead the two branches of Satmar and have been estranged for decades, greeted one another warmly and exchanged brachos. Rav Aharon also wished Rav Zalman Leib mazel tov on the engagement of a grandchild that had been finalized the previous night.
President Trump, apparently intrigued by the resemblance between the brothers, asked, “Are you twins?” They explained that they are brothers.
The gathering had been spearheaded by White House Jewish liaison Martin Marks, who personally contacted the rabbinic leaders and spent months working on the arrangements. The stated purpose was to provide an opportunity ahead of Rosh Hashanah to convey appreciation for the administration’s support of Orthodox Jewish institutions and to allow Trump to extend New Year greetings to major segments of the frum community.
Before meeting with Trump, members of the delegation gathered with senior administration officials. Marks opened the session, followed by remarks from White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf. Earlier reports had indicated that the delegation would first meet administration officials in the Roosevelt Room before proceeding to the Oval Office.
During the discussion, several communal representatives raised issues of particular concern to the frum community. Yoeli Rosenfeld of Bobov, Reb Gedalya Segedin of Satmar, New Square Mayor Yisroel Moshe Spitzer and others participated in presenting those concerns.
Among the matters receiving significant attention was the situation of Jewish inmates in federal and state correctional facilities around the country. The participants discussed religious and other difficulties confronting frum prisoners and efforts to ensure that their needs and rights are properly accommodated.
The independence of yeshivos and mosdos in New York was another significant concern surrounding the gathering. In recent years, the state’s attempts to impose educational requirements on private religious schools have generated a sustained battle over the ability of yeshivos to maintain their traditional derech halimud and educational structure without government interference. Reports ahead of Thursday’s meeting indicated that protecting the autonomy of Chareidi education was expected to be among the issues raised with the administration.
The inclusion of Satmar in the delegation had generated criticism in some strongly pro-Israel circles before Thursday’s meeting because of Satmar’s longstanding anti-Zionist ideology. Some Trump supporters publicly objected to giving the Satmar leadership access to the president.
Vice President JD Vance joined the gathering midway through the proceedings and personally greeted those seated around the table. Vance spoke warmly about the Orthodox community’s emphasis on family and education, saying that both subjects were particularly close to him.
The vice president also displayed curiosity about some of the differences in Chassidishe dress. At one point, Vance asked why the Rebbes were wearing different-colored bekitches. Mr. Yossi Gestetner jokingly responded that “it depends on their bank account balance,” drawing laughter from those gathered in the room.
Rep. Mike Lawler of New York was also present for the historic visit, as was Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. Lawler had been seen arriving at the White House ahead of the delegation, and reports before the meeting said he had been involved in efforts surrounding the gathering.
The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey arrived somewhat later than the other participants and consequently was not present for the official White House group photograph.
The day also included a more private encounter between President Trump and Rav Aharon Teitelbaum. The Satmar Rebbe met privately with the president for approximately 10 minutes together with Kushner before the remaining rabbonim were brought into the Oval Office.
During the encounter, Rav Aharon gave President Trump a bracha, which Reb Gedalya Segedin translated into English for the president.
Thursday’s gathering followed a morning of complicated travel arrangements for some of the participants. Several of the Rebbes traveled to Washington aboard private aircraft, with delays affecting some of the flights. Rav Malkiel Kotler arrived at the White House while other members of the delegation were still making their way to Washington. Contemporary reports and photographs documented the arrival of Rav Malkiel and the various Chassidishe delegations at the White House throughout the afternoon.
The Skverer Rebbe, who did not attend personally, sent his son Rav Aharon Mendel Twersky in his place. The Rebbe also entrusted his son with a letter for President Trump expressing appreciation for actions taken by the administration on behalf of the Jewish community, along with a personal New Year brocha.
{Matzav.com}
