Hasidic Leaders From New York and New Jersey Meet Trump and Vance in Historic White House Summit

Hasidic Jewish leaders from New York and New Jersey made a rare trip to the Oval Office last week for what was described as a historic meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The gathering brought together representatives from some of the Northeast's largest Orthodox and Hasidic communities, including Kiryas Joel, Williamsburg and Lakewood, New Jersey.

The meeting was the first gathering of its kind at the White House in nearly five decades. And it wasn't just a photo opportunity.

The meeting was arranged by the White House Faith Office and gave the religious leaders an opportunity to meet directly with Trump and Vance. Rep. Mike Lawler, whose New York district includes large Orthodox and Hasidic communities, also attended.

Grand Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum of Kiryas Joel recited a traditional Jewish blessing reserved for kings before presenting Trump with a leather-bound copy of the prayer.

The meeting reportedly brought together Aharon Teitelbaum and his brother, Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, the rival Satmar rebbes who have been estranged for decades following a bitter succession dispute that split the influential Hasidic community.

The leaders in the room represented communities with significant influence in local and state politics across the Northeast. From Kiryas Joel and Williamsburg to Lakewood, organized Orthodox voting blocs have long played an important role in closely watched elections.

For Trump, the meeting was another opportunity to maintain relationships with Orthodox communities that have provided him substantial political support.

For the Hasidic leaders, it was something even more important.

A direct meeting with the president and vice president, and a gathering that, according to the administration, hadn't happened on this scale in decades.