BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (VINnews) — BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine President Javier Milei paid tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, on Thursday at a Buenos Aires event marking the 32nd yahrzeit of the influential Jewish leader.

Addressing more than 2,000 attendees, Milei said the Rebbe’s teachings have influenced his thinking and inspired his upcoming book. He noted that he had quietly attended the annual Chabad-Lubavitch tribute in previous years before taking the stage this year.

Milei said a teaching of the Lubavitcher Rebbe—that humanity’s mission is to elevate the physical world through faith and action—left a lasting impact on him.

The Argentine leader’s connection to the Rebbe predates his presidency. Following his election, his first international trip was to the Rebbe’s gravesite in New York.

The event also featured remarks from Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt and testimony from former Hamas hostage Yosef Chaim Ohana, who spoke about how faith sustained him during 736 days in Hamas captivity.