Trump meets with prominent NY, NJ Hasidic Jewish leaders in rare White House gathering
Kiryas Joel’s Satmar Grand Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum and other local leaders were among those in the delegation.
More Stories
The Satmar Grand Rebbe of Kiryas Joel met privately with President Donald Trump at the White House Thursday as part of a rare gathering of prominent Hasidic Jewish leaders.
Photos and information provided to News 12 by Satmar Headquarters show Grand Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum traveling to Washington with his son, Chief Rabbi Menachem Mendel Teitelbaum, before participating in meetings at the White House.
Teitelbaum was among a broader delegation of religious leaders representing Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish communities in Kiryas Joel, Williamsburg, Monsey, New Square and Lakewood, New Jersey.
The White House reported the gathering was the first of its kind there since 1979.
The delegation met with Vice President JD Vance before meeting with Trump in the Oval Office. Rep. Mike Lawler was also present during the visit, according to published reports. Teitelbaum also met privately with Trump in the Oval Office. Satmar Headquarters says Kiryas Joel Administrator Gedalye Szegedin accompanied him. Trump’s son-in-law and key outside adviser Jared Kushner was also present.
During the visit, Teitelbaum offered Trump a traditional Hebrew blessing for the president and government, which was translated into English for Trump.
Published reports say discussions during the broader White House visit included housing, prison reform and issues affecting large families, including expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit for families with more than three children.
A White House official told Jewish Insider that the religious leaders also thanked Trump for his administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism, promote school choice and address issues affecting people of faith.
The meeting carries particular significance in the Hudson Valley because Teitelbaum leads the Satmar community in Kiryas Joel, one of the fastest-growing communities in Orange County.
It also comes during a consequential period of growth for the village. News 12 reported this week that property owners have petitioned to annex nearly 500 acres from the neighboring Town of Woodbury into Kiryas Joel and the Town of Palm Tree. The proposal is now beginning a lengthy public review process.
There is no indication at this time that the annexation proposal was discussed during the White House visit.
News 12 has reached out to the White House and Lawler’s office for additional information about the meeting and what was discussed.
