WASHINGTON — In a historic event, a delegation of America’s most prominent Admorim and Roshei Yeshiva traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House. The high-level discussions focused on several pressing issues, including the plight of Jewish prisoners and strengthening ties with the Chareidi tzibur ahead of the upcoming elections.

Askanim had originally planned to present the President with a special letter regarding the looming gezeiras hagiyus in Eretz Yisroel, which had already garnered the haskamos of numerous Admorim and Roshei Yeshiva. However, due to a last-minute lack of coordination among the Rabbanim, the letter was ultimately not presented.

The journey began early in the morning as the Rabbanim departed via private jets. The Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg and the Bobover Rebbe flew together from Teterboro Airport, accompanied by their children and close mekuravim. Notably, the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg attended the meeting wearing a regular rabbinic hat rather than a shtreimel. The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey also departed from Teterboro on a private jet with his children. Meanwhile, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel flew to Washington separately, accompanied by his son.

Upon landing in the capital, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel was greeted at the airport by Congressman Pat Ryan. The other Admorim entered waiting vehicles for the drive to the White House. During the ride, the Bobover Rebbe requested that his entourage sing the niggun "V'sarev," noting that upon seeing the capital of the nations of the world, one must remember Yerushalayim. Outside the White House gates, R' Yoel Wertheimer distributed cold drinks from the Satmar Rebbe's vehicle to the tzibur waiting in the sweltering heat.

Following some brief delays, the delegation was warmly welcomed by White House officials. The group was first escorted to the Roosevelt Room, located just steps from the Oval Office, where they were received by official Martin Marques. Askan Yossi Gestetner delivered brief remarks, followed by Bobover askan Yoely Rosenfeld, who clearly outlined the primary agenda: chinuch, combating antisemitism, security, and the preservation of Jewish batei chaim in Europe. The Sigheter Rav also addressed the room. During this session, Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance joined the meeting.

The delegation then moved to an official conference room, where the meeting was opened by a Jewish White House director. The seating arrangement at the wide table placed the White House advisor for Jewish affairs in the center. To his right sat the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel, and to his left sat the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg. Beside him was the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, followed by Rav Aharon Menachem Mendel Twersky. On the right side, next to the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel, sat the Bobover Rebbe, with the Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Malkiel Kotler, seated at the end of the table.

The Rabbanim were subsequently escorted into the Oval Office to meet directly with the President. Congressman Mike Lawler, who joined the gathering, introduced the delegation, telling Trump that these are the greatest leaders of American Jewry.

The Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel bestowed a bracha upon the President, which was translated into English by askan R' Gedaliah Szegedin. The Rebbe raised the critical issue of Jewish prisoners. When the President mentioned his strong support for the State of Israel, the Rebbe took the opportunity to speak painfully about the gezeiras hagiyus threatening yeshiva bochurim.

The Oval Office meeting lasted approximately half an hour. Prior to the broader meeting, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel held a private, one-on-one meeting with the President that lasted nearly ten minutes.

As the meeting concluded and the delegation exited the room, a notable moment occurred when the two Satmar Rebbes greeted each other and shook hands. Shortly thereafter, the Rabbanim departed, bringing the historic Washington trip to a successful close.