Meeting Trump and Our Hakarat Hatov Gratitude

In a discussion with a prominent Rabbi at a fundraising dinner in 2019, I asked whether it was really a Jewish thing to honor famous people if they donated large sums of money or were in positions of power. The Rabbi replied, “Giving people honor is part of the primary Torah precept of “Ve Ahavta Lerayacha Kamocha,” loving one’s neighbor as oneself. By honoring them, “he continued, “you are alsoobserving a most important Jewish concept of “Hakarat Hatov,” extending recognition and gratitude for the good deeds that one does for others.” He further stated, “People can do a lot of things with their money and fame, but channeling it for the good of others is a great Mitzvah.

With a Presidential election coming up in less than a week, we must not forget the necessity of extending our “Hakarat Hatov” to those who have supported the State of Israel.

We must not forget the necessity of extending our “Hakarat Hatov” to those who have supported the State of Israel.

Even though you may deeply disagree with President Donald Trump on many issues and oppose him on a personal level, on the subject of Israel we must give him much due. Trump has openly and unabashedly supported the State of Israel, even at the expense of much political criticism.

My personal interaction with Trump has clarified to me why he is so supportive of Israel. I met Trump on February 3, 2015, when I was working as a reporter for a New York Jewish paper covering the Algemeiner Jewish 100 Awards Gala. Trump was invited, along with his daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Jared’s parents to make the keynote address.

As Donald Trump walked into the lobby of the event hall, I ran over to solicit a quote from him for my article. His security detail pushed me aside, but Trump allowed me to approach him. He asked, “What would you like to ask me?” I replied, “Mr. Trump, how does it feel to have a Jewish daughter?” He responded: “I have a better question for you — ask me how I feel having Jewish grandchildren.” I then echoed his suggested question and he immediately replied, “Not what I had expected but I am very honored, very honored!”

When I asked Trump about Ivanka’s choice to be Jewish, his response implied that converting was Ivanka’s own personal choice, which did not need his validation. But when it comes to his grandchildren, Trump’s response implied that he is very honored that they were chosen by G-d to be Jewish.

We must never forget the historical changes that have taken place in the Middle East as a result of Trump’s efforts. Among his many accomplishments are: moving the United States Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel; recognizing the Golan Heights; withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and reinstituting sanctions; halting aid to the PLO, closing the PLO mission in Washington, and admonishing them for their “pay for slay” policy; appointing top-notch ambassadors to the United Nations who thoroughly defended Israel against UN abuses; signing an executive order condemning anti-Semitism and Israel hostility on college campuses; threatening to freeze federal funds to these institutions; and normalizing Israeli relations with the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan, with more to hopefully come.

The day after the second presidential debate, the first thing on Trump’s agenda was completing a peace deal to normalize relations between Israel and the Sudan. The following week, Ambassador David Friedman and Prime Minister Netanyahu signed an agreement in Ariel, reversing a decade’s old ban on U.S. taxpayer funding for scientific research conducted in Jewish settlements.

Regardless of how you vote, as these developments unfold before our eyes, it isvery important to give President Donald Trump and his team much “Hakarat Hatov,” much thanks and gratitude for the good deeds they performed and their gifts to Israel and the Jewish people.

Tzvi Allen Fishman is a New York-based journalist who has written extensively about Israel and events and politics relating to the Jewish community.