The Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel said he plans to ask Trump to help tens of thousands of Jewish students who could be forced to leave their yeshivas and join the Israeli military. He initially considered skipping the meeting because it comes during the busy weeks before Rosh Hashanah, but decided the chance to help was too important.
The delegation is expected to include the Satmar Rebbes from Kiryas Joel and Williamsburg, together with other major Hasidic rabbis and yeshiva leaders. They may also discuss protecting Hasidic schools in New York from government rules that could limit how independently they operate.
Trump has not promised to take action, and the White House has not released a final guest list. Still, getting this issue discussed directly with the American president gives Hasidic leaders rare political access at the highest level.