President Trump Meets Freed American Gaza Hostage at Chabad Golf Event

PALM BEACH,  FLORIDA (VINnews) — In an emotional meeting on Monday, President-elect Donald J. Trump met with an American hostage who was freed from Gaza, along with her daughter, two weeks after October 7th, 2023. Judith Raanan was the guest of honor at the 13th Annual Chabad Golf Classic held annually at the Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida, by Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens.

Judith had painted a painting of the mother of King David, especially for President Trump. It has been her dream to personally present this painting to the President. In anticipation of the event, event organizers Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler sent messages to President Trump through members of their Chabad that are close to him, letting him know that “a freed American hostage will be at his private golf course and would love to meet him and hand deliver a special gift she had made for him.” In addition, the Viglers prepared a special award for President Trump to present to Juidith Raanan, congratulating her courage and faith during her captivity.

Nearly one hundred golfers came to support the Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens at their annual golf event that raises funds for life saving surveillance drones for the IDF as well as Jewish education scholarships in the area. As the golfers waited for the cannon blast to launch the start of the golf day, Rabbi Vigler asked them to all turn around as President Trump was about to arrive. Robert D. Burke MD, co-chair of the Chabad Golf Classic, went over to the President when he finished playing golf and whispered to him that the hostage had just arrived and was waiting to greet him. The President immediately began to walk to the tent in which she was waiting on the exquisite golf course lawn.

As the President approached, he greeted Judith warmly and listened patiently as she presented her artwork—the mother of King David—to him, because she felt that he is the King David of our times. Her voice choked with emotion as she told the President about her traumatic experiences under her Hamas captors. “They’re monsters, aren’t they,” said the President. She then told him the story of how her captors asked her name. “Ismi Yahudit” “I am Judith,” she said, which also means “Jewish.” “You can’t escape your name”, they said.

The president was extremely attentive and interested in hearing what she had to say. He stood humbly, allowing her to speak freely, only commenting once she was finished. After she whispered something in her ear, to which he said, “I cannot say that publicly.

He then thanked her for being here and announced to the large crowd that he is working very hard to get the hostages back. He referenced what he has said publicly before that the hostages had better be back before January 20, or else. The president then made it clear that he had every intention of doing everything it takes to bring the hostages home.

Rebbetzin Chana Vigler then asked President Trump to present Judith with an award congratulating her bravery. President Trump gave it to her “In recognition of her strength, resilience and faith, and in gratitude to G-d Almighty, for protecting and rescuing her along with her beautiful daughter. With prayers that G-d have mercy upon her and on the remaining hostages.”

As the 13th Annual Chabad Golf Classic was raising funds for IDF surveillance drones, Judith spoke about how her captors forced her and her fellow hostages to be completely silent, whenever IDF drones were near them, as they could easily have been identified and rescued. She encouraged the participants to donate surveillance drones to the cause to help bring our hostages back home. In a spontaneous appeal, nearly 75 drones were donated at the event.

Life saving surveillance drones can be donated at JewishGardens.com/Israel