WASHINGTON (VINnews) — Hundreds of Chabad emissaries, supporters, public officials and community leaders from across the United States and dozens of countries gathered in Washington this week for the Living Legacy Conference, a three-day event dedicated to the teachings and enduring influence of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

Organized by the American Friends of Lubavitch-Chabad, the conference explored the Rebbe’s impact on Jewish life, public service and civic engagement while highlighting the global reach of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which today operates in all 50 states and more than 110 countries.

The gathering opened with a Capitol Hill breakfast attended by members of Congress and senators from both parties. Participants later visited the Library of Congress, where rare Jewish manuscripts and Chabad-related works were displayed. Educational sessions examined the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States, Jewish contributions to American history and the Rebbe’s teachings on leadership.

The conference continued at the U.S. State Department, where diplomats and Jewish leaders took part in a Global Jewish Roundtable. Among the speakers was Yechiel Leiter.

“It is not easy to inspire a room full of rabbis, but he succeeded,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov.

Additional discussions focused on challenges facing Jewish communities around the world, with diplomats and Chabad representatives from Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Gulf states sharing perspectives from their regions.

An evening gala at the Organization of American States honored members of the U.S. military and Jewish service members. The parents of former Gaza hostage Edan Alexander, Adi and Yael Alexander, spoke about faith, hope and prayer, drawing on their visits to the Rebbe’s resting place in New York.

The keynote address was delivered by Marcus Solomon, who discussed the Rebbe’s approach to combating antisemitism and addressing contemporary social challenges.

On the conference’s final day, participants visited the White House and met with senior administration officials. A smaller delegation later held discussions with Vice President JD Vance.

Rabbi Shemtov said the conference’s mission was to foster unity among people of different backgrounds and viewpoints while drawing inspiration from the Rebbe’s teachings.

“At a time when Jewish communities face growing challenges, bringing people together around a shared sense of purpose is more important than ever,” he said.