Over the weekend, 13 leading Orthodox Jewish leaders published an open letter thanking President Donald Trump for his steady commitment to the “importance of religious entities.”
The unprecedented joint letter of appreciation and blessing was spearheaded by Rabbi Moshe Margareten of @Tzedek_Assoc. The group touted the administration’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the push to keep places of worship open.
“We write to express our deepest gratitude to you, Mr. President, especially in light of your recent declaration that houses of worship should be considered ‘essential.'”
“During any time of crisis people of all backgrounds beliefs and denominations look for leadership, to help them steer a course through the turbulence and uncertainty. Yet, not every era is blessed with the same caliber of leadership, as becomes evident in the extent to which a nation retains its integrity through times of upheaval,” the group wrote.
“It is precisely with this in mind that we feel so grateful that you, Mr. President, are indeed expressing that leadership we need so urgently, standing up for the first amendment rights which is critical to help us weather to storm of the current pandemic.”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo restricted religious gatherings and levied $15,000 fines for having more than 10 people together after a spike of coronavirus cases — causing many people in the Orthodox community to rebel against the restrictions.