Rabbinic Group Thanks President Trump for Encouraging Sabbath Observance in America

Baltimore, MD, May 6, 2026—Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, today thanked President Trump for his May 4 proclamation regarding Jewish American Heritage Month, in which he encouraged Jewish Americans “to observe a national Sabbath,” specifying that it should run from sundown Friday through nightfall on Saturday in accordance with Jewish tradition. At a time of rising antisemitism, CJV called this a “profound gesture of support for the Jewish community.”

CJV Executive Vice President Rabbi Yaakov Menken made the following statement:

Noting that July 4 will be on the Sabbath this year, we suggested to friends in the Trump Administration, and to other Jewish organizations, that our community might express our patriotism on that Sabbath. It is truly remarkable that President Trump is, instead, encouraging the Jewish community to express our patriotism simply by observing the Sabbath itself. With hatred for Jews on the rise, this is a profound gesture of support for the Jewish community, and we hope Jewish Americans will answer the President’s call to observe the Sabbath on May 15-16 — and will observe all upcoming Sabbaths as well.