Historic: Gedolei Yisroel and Admorim to Meet with President Trump at the White House This Thursday

In what is being described as a historic event, a delegation of prominent Admorim and Roshei Yeshiva is scheduled to meet with President Trump in the Oval Office this Thursday, Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech.

The high-level audience has been in the works for several months, spearheaded by White House Jewish Liaison Martin Marks, who personally extended the invitations via phone.

As of now, the confirmed attendees include the Satmar Rebbes, the Bobover Rebbe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, and Hagaon Harav Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. Initially, it was reported that Harav Aharon Mendel Twersky would attend as an emissary of his father, the Skverer Rebbe. However, updated reports indicate that the Skverer Rebbe himself may make the trip to Washington to personally participate in the historic gathering.

The Rabbinic delegation will travel to Washington D.C. on Thursday morning via private jets. Each Rebbe will be accompanied by a son and a gabbai or senior askan. The group is expected to arrive at the White House at approximately 12:30 p.m. to clear the necessary security protocols, with the Oval Office meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

During the meeting, which is expected to last about half an hour, the Gedolim will express hakaras hatov to the President for his administration’s ongoing support of the Orthodox Jewish community. They will also use the opportunity to advocate for several critical issues concerning the klal and yachid. White House sources note that the meeting is part of a broader initiative to strengthen ties with the Jewish community ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Over the past few days, intense preparations and high-level meetings have been taking place among senior askanim from the respective courts to finalize the agenda and talking points, ensuring the meeting is a success.

On Sunday night, a crucial asifah was held at the home of the Bobover Rebbe, where lead askanim discussed the significance of the upcoming meeting and the potential to'eles it can bring. The Bobover Rebbe will fly to Washington on Thursday morning alongside the Satmar Rebbe (Mahari"i) aboard the private jet of noted nagid R' Lipa Friedman.

Also on Sunday night, Hagaon Harav Malkiel Kotler traveled for a private meeting with the Skverer Rebbe. He was accompanied by Hagaon Harav Avrohom Bromberg, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Hatalmud in Lakewood. The meeting reportedly focused on a pressing pidyon shvuyim matter that will be raised with the President.

Meanwhile, the Satmar Rebbe (Mahari"i) held a meeting with chaplains who serve in the federal prison system to discuss relevant issues. Simultaneously, consultations were held at the residence of the Satmar Rebbe (Mahar"a) in Kiryas Joel with prominent askanim and klal activists. Among them was Harav Yaakov Shapiro, Rav of Bayswater and a leading figure in Netrona, who held a lengthy discussion with the Rebbe regarding the planned White House visit.