Israel's Chief Rabbis Take Center Stage in Historic Faith Diplomacy Exhibit at President’s Residence (Photos)
Jerusalem, Israel - May 12, 2026 - An extraordinary exhibition highlighting a century of faith-based diplomacy between Israel and the United States and 250 Years of the US was inaugurated at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Israel, placing the legacy and influence of Israel’s Chief Rabbis at the forefront of the story.
Launched by the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy (JCAP) with President Isaac Herzog, the exhibit traces a remarkable, a largely untold diplomatic continuum led by Israel’s rabbinic leadership. At its heart are three landmark visits by Chief Rabbis to the White House: Abraham Isaac Kook in 1924, Isaac Halevi Herzog in 1941 and 1949, and Avraham Shapira in 1992.
The exhibition underscores how these rabbinic figures did far more than provide spiritual leadership—they actively strived to shape diplomatic channels with U.S. presidents during some of the most pivotal moments in modern Jewish history.
Rabbi Herzog’s Diplomatic Legacy Highlighted
Particular attention is given to the efforts of Chief Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog, whose correspondence with U.S. leadership reveals a profound blend of spiritual authority and political engagement.
Among the newly unveiled materials is a 1947 letter sent to President Harry S. Truman, expressing appreciation for his support of the Jewish people in the critical days surrounding the UN vote on November 29. The letter offers fresh insight into the behind-the-scenes rabbinic involvement in the diplomatic path toward the establishment of the State of Israel.
Even more striking is a handwritten 1941 letter from Rabbi Herzog to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, written during the height of the Holocaust. In it, Rabbi Herzog sought an audience to advocate for European Jewry, describing his mission as both religious and national, and expressing a desire to convey the “Blessing of Zion” to the American leader on behalf of the Jewish people.
These documents illuminate the unique role of the Chief Rabbinate, not only as a religious authority, but as a moral and diplomatic voice engaging world powers during moments of crisis and transformation.
A Century of Rabbinic Diplomacy
The exhibition, based on extensive research conducted by JCAP in U.S. presidential archives, reveals a continuous and largely unknown relationship between Israel’s Chief Rabbis and American presidents spanning nearly seven decades.
Artifacts on display include a rare 1924 photograph from Rabbi Kook’s U.S. visit, the Truman correspondence, and exclusive images from the Oval Office documenting Rabbi Shapira’s 1992 meeting with President George H. W. Bush.
Together, they tell a story of enduring engagement—where faith leadership intersected with statecraft in shaping Israel–U.S. relations.
Present-Day Rabbinic Leadership Continues the Legacy
The exhibition opening was attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, who emphasized the deeper spiritual significance of these diplomatic encounters.
“The exhibition reflects not only historical meetings,” Rabbi Ber stated, “but a profound process—the recognition by the nations of the world of the prophetic vision unfolding before our eyes, as the people of Israel return to their land and destiny.”
He was joined by leading rabbinic figure Rav Yaakov Shapira, senior officials, including US Deputy Chief of Mission David Brownstein and Member of Knesset Ohad Tal.
Faith as the Foundation of Diplomacy
President Herzog highlighted the shared spiritual foundations underpinning the U.S.–Israel relationship, noting that both nations draw from the enduring values of the Bible—values that have long inspired leaders of faith and strengthened the bond between the two countries.
JCAP Chairman Chaim Silberstein emphasized that the materials reveal a longstanding partnership shaped not only by politics, but by faith-driven leadership. “The role of Israel’s Chief Rabbis,” he noted, “is clearly visible—particularly in critical moments when engagement with U.S. presidents helped shape the course of history.”
The exhibition is to travel to additional venues in Jerusalem and Washington.
An extraordinary exhibition highlighting a century of faith-based diplomacy between Israel and the United States and 250 Years of the US was inaugurated at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Israel, placing the legacy and influence of Israel’s Chief Rabbis at the forefront of the story. (Photo Credit: Meir Elipur)
Jerusalem, Israel - May 12, 2026 - An extraordinary exhibition highlighting a century of faith-based diplomacy between Israel and the United States and 250 Years of the US was inaugurated at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Israel, placing the legacy and influence of Israel’s Chief Rabbis at the forefront of the story.
Launched by the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy (JCAP) with President Isaac Herzog, the exhibit traces a remarkable, a largely untold diplomatic continuum led by Israel’s rabbinic leadership. At its heart are three landmark visits by Chief Rabbis to the White House: Abraham Isaac Kook in 1924, Isaac Halevi Herzog in 1941 and 1949, and Avraham Shapira in 1992.
The exhibition underscores how these rabbinic figures did far more than provide spiritual leadership—they actively strived to shape diplomatic channels with U.S. presidents during some of the most pivotal moments in modern Jewish history.
Rabbi Herzog’s Diplomatic Legacy Highlighted
Particular attention is given to the efforts of Chief Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog, whose correspondence with U.S. leadership reveals a profound blend of spiritual authority and political engagement.
Among the newly unveiled materials is a 1947 letter sent to President Harry S. Truman, expressing appreciation for his support of the Jewish people in the critical days surrounding the UN vote on November 29. The letter offers fresh insight into the behind-the-scenes rabbinic involvement in the diplomatic path toward the establishment of the State of Israel.
Even more striking is a handwritten 1941 letter from Rabbi Herzog to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, written during the height of the Holocaust. In it, Rabbi Herzog sought an audience to advocate for European Jewry, describing his mission as both religious and national, and expressing a desire to convey the “Blessing of Zion” to the American leader on behalf of the Jewish people.
These documents illuminate the unique role of the Chief Rabbinate, not only as a religious authority, but as a moral and diplomatic voice engaging world powers during moments of crisis and transformation.
A Century of Rabbinic Diplomacy
The exhibition, based on extensive research conducted by JCAP in U.S. presidential archives, reveals a continuous and largely unknown relationship between Israel’s Chief Rabbis and American presidents spanning nearly seven decades.
Artifacts on display include a rare 1924 photograph from Rabbi Kook’s U.S. visit, the Truman correspondence, and exclusive images from the Oval Office documenting Rabbi Shapira’s 1992 meeting with President George H. W. Bush.
Together, they tell a story of enduring engagement—where faith leadership intersected with statecraft in shaping Israel–U.S. relations.
Present-Day Rabbinic Leadership Continues the Legacy
The exhibition opening was attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, who emphasized the deeper spiritual significance of these diplomatic encounters.
“The exhibition reflects not only historical meetings,” Rabbi Ber stated, “but a profound process—the recognition by the nations of the world of the prophetic vision unfolding before our eyes, as the people of Israel return to their land and destiny.”
He was joined by leading rabbinic figure Rav Yaakov Shapira, senior officials, including US Deputy Chief of Mission David Brownstein and Member of Knesset Ohad Tal.
Faith as the Foundation of Diplomacy
President Herzog highlighted the shared spiritual foundations underpinning the U.S.–Israel relationship, noting that both nations draw from the enduring values of the Bible—values that have long inspired leaders of faith and strengthened the bond between the two countries.
JCAP Chairman Chaim Silberstein emphasized that the materials reveal a longstanding partnership shaped not only by politics, but by faith-driven leadership. “The role of Israel’s Chief Rabbis,” he noted, “is clearly visible—particularly in critical moments when engagement with U.S. presidents helped shape the course of history.”
The exhibition is to travel to additional venues in Jerusalem and Washington.
