The meeting began in the Roosevelt Room, where White House Jewish liaison Martin Marks, who had worked for months to arrange the gathering, opened the session. White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf also addressed the group.
Vance joined the meeting midway in the Roosevelt Room and personally greeted the rabbis and other dignitaries around the table.
He praised the Jewish community’s strong emphasis on family and education, saying both issues are close to him. He also asked about the different colors of the Rebbes’ bekitches.
Yossi Gestetner joked that the color depends on their bank account balance, drawing laughter from the room. Gestetner later confirmed to VIN News that he did, in fact, make the remark as a joke.
At the beginning of the gathering, the two Satmar Rebbes, Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum of Williamsburg and Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum of Kiryas Joel, warmly greeted one another and exchanged brachos.
Rabbi Aaron also wished his brother a mazel tov on the engagement of a grandchild, which had been finalized the previous night.
Rabbi Malkiel Kotler was invited to address the president but instead handed Trump a private letter outlining several matters.
Rabbi Aaron also gave Trump a written note containing issues that had been discussed privately. Trump placed the note in a drawer at his desk.
The meeting concluded after nearly half an hour in the Oval Office, with the rabbis and Trump exchanging thanks before the delegation departed.
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