Trump hosts Jewish leaders, ex-hostage for Passover event

A Passover event at the WHite House highlighted the warm ties between President Donald Trump and Jewish leaders.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump hosted several prominent Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish leaders at a Passover event at the White House on Monday, underscoring his ongoing engagement with the Jewish community.

The gathering also included Israeli-American former Hamas captive Edan Alexander, who attended with his family.

According to a Belaaz report, the meeting focused on Trump’s relationship with Jewish leaders and broader themes tied to Passover, including redemption/ At one point during the event, Trump phoned his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom live an observant Jewish lifestyle.

Among those in attendance were Ambassador Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism; Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America; Moshe Dovid Nigerman, a leader in the Satmar community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, a social advocate; and Israel Spitzer, mayor of New Square, New York.

Margaretten, founder of the Tzedek Association, used the opportunity to praise Trump’s record on criminal justice reform. He highlighted the First Step Act, which reduces prison sentences for inmates based on good behavior and eliminated certain mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenses.

The presence of Edan Alexander drew particular attention. An Israeli-American who was serving in the Israel Defense Forces, Alexander was kidnapped from his base during the October 7 attacks and later released. According to Hebrew-language outlet Ynet, a guest at the event said Trump was “absolutely enamored with him.”

Trump had publicly called for Alexander’s release in May 2025, despite his status as a high-profile hostage. Hamas ultimately freed Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward Trump, without demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners in return.

“I came to thank the person responsible for saving my life,” Alexander said during a previous White House visit in July 2025.

Since his release, Alexander has visited the White House three times.