Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and a key architect of the 2020 Abraham Accords, has announced a $1 million donation to the Chabad of the UAE following the kidnapping and murder of Chabad shliach Rabbi Zvi Kogan hy”d.
In a statement shared on X, Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, expressed their grief over Rabbi Kogan’s murder, describing it as an attempt to undermine the bridges he was building between Jews and Muslims in the UAE.
“Ivanka and I are saddened by the loss of Rabbi Kogan, who was senselessly murdered to stop the historic bridges he was building between Jews and Muslims in the UAE. The success of his work, in partnership with the bold and positive vision of the Emirati government, has been a shining light in the world and a strong counter to the history of division,” Kushner wrote.
Kushner highlighted the UAE’s leadership in fostering religious coexistence and mutual respect, pointing to its efforts to rekindle the historical harmony between Jews and Muslims that existed in the Middle East before World War II. “The UAE is leading us back to that time,” he said, praising its progressive vision of inclusivity.
Announcing their $1 million donation, Kushner said the funds will support the Chabad of UAE in its efforts to strengthen the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. “In the UAE, people of all faiths and backgrounds thrive together in an environment of mutual understanding and respect,” Kushner stated. “Ivanka and I will redouble our efforts to work with the Jewish community and the country’s leadership to build a resilient, vibrant Jewish community. We welcome others to join us in this effort.”
Kushner also issued a broader call for unity, condemning the scapegoating of Israel and the Jewish people. “The constant scapegoating of Israel and the Jewish people benefits no one, other than inept leaders who use hatred to deflect from their own shortcomings. It’s time for the world to channel its collective energy to uplift our shared goals and ambitions,” he wrote.
Jared’s brother, Joshua Kushner, followed up the announcement by saying that he was “inspired” by their gift and that he too will be donating $1 million the Chabad of UAE.
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8 Responses
Wow, wow, wow.
Almost as much the fresh אלמנה just got
Tzaddikim. Yasher Kochahem.
I will assume that Jared and Josh mean well, however, to make a blanket statement claiming that before WWII Jews and Muslims lived together throughout the Middle East in harmony for many centuries, celebrating their shared values, is historically incorrect. Yes, there were times and places where relations were good, under enlightened rulers, to which we, the UAE leaders, as well as others of the Abraham accords, can rightfully and proudly look back to, but such was not the rule as a whole, pre-WWII, rather more like a notable or rare exception. On another note, if they want to support Judaism there they should donate to the general Jewish community overall rather than specifically to a non-mainstream messianic sect. In both of these matters they have shown a lack of discernment that is not too surprising due to their relative youth, but is still disappointing. Hopefully over time they will grow in their knowledge and perception, and act with greater maturity and wisdom.
Why are they still collecting money for the family?
Lamayseh: Jewish living under Arab rule was far far better than Jews living in Europe under Christian rule. In fact, Jews did pretty good the large majority of the time we lived under Arab rule for many centuries.
Yeshiva world, you are doing a great job in spreading hate among jews.
How do you allow such hateful comments to pass your moderators???
The Chinuch of these commenters are very telling.
A Yid, who during an Eis Tzarah goes on this vicious hateful rant, lacks in their Yichus….
Shame on you Yeshiva a world for being a mouthpiece to anti semites !
@emersealofhashem
um… maybe because their the only ones showing their yiddishkeit publicly in dangerous places….. just maybe… its called common sense….