United States President Donald Trump announced at a press conference on Friday that all state governors must immediately open synagogues.
The president also stated that if they do not open the synagogues, he will intervene and open the synagogues in all states.
But the reason for the press conference and what happened behind the scenes before the speech - is not known to everyone.
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“We need more prayers” • Trump ordered: Reopen synagogues
Immediately after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a conference call was held from the White House with several rabbis and rebbes in New York - led by the Satmar Rebbe, who spoke with advisor Avi Berkowitz, who asked the Rebbe to close all the study halls.
Earlier this week, the Rebbe called Advisor Berkowitz and asked him to reopen the synagogues, claiming that the closure of synagogues in New York was only the result of a political game by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and that just as the White House asked the rabbis to close, he is now asking the White House to open.
Last Wednesday, Berkowitz called the Rebbe and said that he had spoken with the president - and the president promised him to work to open the synagogues before Shavuot.
Indeed, on Thursday the president mentioned synagogues in his remarks, and the next day, Friday, he asked all state governors to immediately open all houses of worship.
Following this, the governor of New York granted permission to open the synagogues.
Satmar notes that in preparation for Shavuot, the Rebbe will return to pray in the Great Synagogue in the city of Kiryat Joel, along with the tens of thousands of Hasidim who will come to celebrate the holiday in the shadow of the Rebbe, as every year, without any changes.
