As Jewish families across the United States prepare to usher in Shabbos, they are doing so with an added layer of national recognition; the first time in American history that a sitting president has formally called upon the Jewish people to observe a mitzvah.

In his Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation issued May 4, President Donald Trump urged Jewish Americans to mark what he termed “Shabbat 250,” a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. “From sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, friends, families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation,” the proclamation read, describing Shabbos as “the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty.”

The announcement has sparked a series of invitation-only events across Washington tied to the proclamation. Among the most sought-after invitations is the White House reception scheduled for the Indian Treaty Room, where Jewish members of the Trump administration are expected to attend. Another private dinner, co-hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, is set to gather Jewish administration officials, congressional staffers, and policy figures. The event will feature wine provided by Psagot Winery, an Israeli vineyard located in Yehudah and Shomron.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to work for an administration that values religious freedom,” Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, long-time Trump ally and United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism told Belaaz. “The president is a true friend and advocate for the values of religion.”

Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, President of the Tzedek Association, who has worked extensively with the Trump Administration, told Belaaz: “Shabbos has always been the secret of Jewish survival. Through every generation and every challenge, Shabbos kept Yidden connected to Hashem, to family, and to our mesorah. At a time when America prepares to celebrate 250 years, it is especially meaningful to see Jews across the country coming together to honor the gift of Shabbos and the religious freedom this great country has given us to observe it proudly. In a world that moves so fast and pulls people in so many directions, Shabbos reminds us what truly matters; emunah, family, kedusha, and gratitude to the Ribbono Shel Olam.”

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch, said in a statement; “I’m obviously delighted by the president’s call to observe Shabbat, because this reinforces Jewish identity with Jewish observance and tradition.”

Rabbi Josh Joseph, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, issued a statement endorsing the call. “This weekend, following President Trump’s encouragement, we will mark Shabbat 250,” he said. “We will pause to acknowledge all the blessings that the Almighty has provided American Jews through the unique devotion to liberty embedded in this nation.”

Chabad announced special Shabbos 250 programming, and more than 7,500 people registered on Shabbat250.org pledging to observe the day.

For many in the Torah world, the moment carried a weight that transcended politics. Rabbi Dovid Katz, Executive Director of the Israel Heritage Foundation, told Belaaz that the president’s call stirred deep emotion, drawing a striking contrast to the struggles of an earlier generation of American Jews.

“70-80 years ago, when Yidden were here in the United States and the government did not push Yidden to observe Shabbos, every erev Shabbos people had a big nisayon of should I observe the Shabbos and how will I put bread and parnosa for my children and my wife? Or should I unfortunately chas v’shalom violate Shabbos? And it was every erev Shabbos people went through this nisayon,” Rabbi Katz said. “And Baruch Hashem, b’yomeinu hayeim b’zman hazeh, today, instead of Yidden having the same nisayon, the government, the president, and his entire staff — I texted today and WhatsApped today and communicated with over 40 people that are close to the Trump administration and everybody is so excited and so happy and so pushing for this that I really think that it’s almost k’yom shekulo Shabbos.”

Rabbi Katz, who said he had written letters to President Trump and the administration in support of the initiative, drew on a teaching of the Rizhiner Rebbe zy”a to give the moment a broader spiritual frame.

“We are all entering in Moshiach days,” he said, “and the holy Rizhiner Rebbe zy”a once said that before Moshiach will come, Hashem will give a very big shefa and very good days for Klal Yisroel and Klal Yisroel will think that we’ve reached the highest happiness, the highest simcha, and the highest achievements — and Hashem will say wait, there’s much more to come, Moshiach is here and now you’ll really know what yom shekulo Shabbos means.”