President Donald Trump, on the eve of the 31st anniversary of the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, issued a letter to Chabad emissaries worldwide in which he honored the Rebbe as 鈥渙ne of the most dynamic and influential faith leaders in modern history鈥 and reflected on how he personally drew 鈥渟trength and inspiration鈥 from his enduring legacy.
In his message, Trump recognized Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson鈥檚 profound influence on Jewish life and global faith leadership, highlighting his efforts to rekindle spiritual strength in the wake of the Holocaust.
鈥淢elania and I are honored to send our greetings on the occasion of the yahrtzeit (the anniversary of a person鈥檚 passing, observed through prayer and study) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe,鈥 the letter reads. 鈥淎s I affirmed in my Proclamation on Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., the Rebbe was one of the most dynamic and influential faith leaders in modern history.鈥
Trump credited the Rebbe鈥檚 teachings as a source of inspiration for the First Step Act鈥攈is administration鈥檚 landmark criminal justice reform bill鈥攁nd acknowledged Chabad鈥檚 extensive spiritual and social outreach across the country.
This year鈥檚 observance falls on Sunday, June 29, and is expected to draw more than 50,000 people to the Rebbe鈥檚 resting place in Queens, New York. Known as the Ohel, the site has become one of the most visited Jewish sacred spaces in North America. It is the burial place of the Rebbe alongside his father-in-law, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, and has served as a spiritual destination for people of all backgrounds since Rabbi Schneerson鈥檚 passing on June 12, 1994.
President Trump visited the Ohel on October 7, 2024, one year after the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in Israel. The visit took place during a period in which the president had survived two assassination attempts within a matter of weeks鈥攁 chapter he described as deeply challenging both personally and nationally.
鈥淲hen I visited the Ohel鈥 I drew strength and inspiration from the Rebbe鈥檚 legacy,鈥 Trump wrote. Reflecting on the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, he added: 鈥淭he entire country felt the power of the Ohel and the Rebbe鈥檚 enduring example. As is frequently cited in the Talmud, the Rebbe lived by the principle that when you save one life, you save an entire world.鈥
Alexander鈥檚 family had joined Trump for the visit, along with many other relatives of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks.
Concluding the letter, Trump stated: 鈥淭hrough great strength, unflinching resolve, and much prayer, I am committed to restoring peace throughout the world鈥攏ot least in the Middle East鈥攁nd to stamping out anti-Semitic hate wherever it rears its head. In doing this, we will restore our country to its tradition of greatness and usher in a new Golden Age for the entire world. This, I believe, is the Rebbe鈥檚 legacy.鈥