Rabbi David Katz, the Executive Director of the Israel Heritage Foundation (IHF) spoke at the foundation's gala event with Former US President Donald Trump.
Rabbi Katz addressed the diverse audience, emphasizing the importance of unity among Jewish people and the significance of Jerusalem to the Jewish community. The event took place during the three weeks of mourning in the Jewish calendar, a period dedicated to remembering the destruction of the Holy Temple thousands of years ago.
Rabbi Katz said, "In a Jewish calendar, we are doing the three weeks that we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple that happened thousands of years ago. Jewish people around the world still mourn this great loss." He further expressed hope for the rebuilding of the Third Temple in Jerusalem, stating, "We have the great beliefs that very soon we will all see the building of the Third Temple in Jerusalem very soon."
Rabbi Katz highlighted the importance of unity among Jewish people, stating, "We know one of the reasons for the destruction of the Holy Temple was Jews were not united. Jews were not loving each other's. Our job to bring and to build the Third Temple is to unite."
The event also recognized the contributions of President Trump to Jerusalem and the Jewish people. Rabbi Katz explained: "We honor President Trump for what he has done. We all recognize what he has done for us and he'll be awarded tonight with the Keter of Jerusalem award, which he very much deserves."
Rabbi Katz emphasized: "We hope that this message will go out to the world - that Israel is the state of the Jewish people and the Jewish people should be able to live in Jerusalem the way we Americans live in America."
Rabbi Katz concluded by expressing hope for a secure Jerusalem, free from the threat of terrorism, and the anticipation of the building of the Third Temple.