Reflections from the Living Legacy Conference

This week, I spent two days in Washington, D.C., attending the Living Legacy Conference. The gathering celebrated the Rebbe's contributions to the Jewish people and humanity while marking the 85th anniversary of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin's arrival in the United States and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The Rebbe was always grateful for the blessings America provided him: a safe haven and fertile ground upon which to transplant and rebuild the Chabad movement, much of which had been decimated by Stalin and Hitler.
Throughout the program, we heard from elected officials, foreign ambassadors, peace negotiators, and academics, about the state of Jewish life across the United States and around the world. Breakfast was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Room in the Hart Senate Office Building, and lunch was held at the State Department.
One highlight was a lecture at the Library of Congress on Chassidic philosophy. Rabbi Justice Marcus Solomon, a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, addressed the nature of antisemitism and the Rebbe's approach to confronting it. He drew upon the biblical account of Jacob's fear of Esau's desire to kill him, and their ultimate reconciliation. (I reached out to his office and requested a transcript, which I hope to share here once I receive it.)
In his words, while governments and institutions often focus on commissions of inquiry, new legislation, or Holocaust education, the Rebbe recognized that antisemitism is a natural reality that will only end when the Moshiach comes. Until then, no inquiry will uncover anything new, and no law will eliminate the hatred. Still, the Rebbe believed that reconciliation was possible. Like the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau, it will not come through protests, diminishing our Jewish practices to match others, or trying to educate the antisemite, but through Jews being uncompromising in our commitment to Torah and living unapologetically as Jews.
As examples, Solomon cited French President Georges Pompidou, who imposed an arms embargo on Israel during a critical period, and U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, who was long viewed as one of Israel's harshest critics in the U.S. Senate but later became one of its strongest allies. In both instances, he said, the Rebbe advocated maintaining a firm Jewish position while preserving diplomatic relations, viewing this as the most effective way to influence others.
The final dinner was held at the Organization of American States, with military leaders in attendance. The U.S. Army Band performed the National Anthem. The parents of Edan Alexander, the last American hostage to be freed from Gaza, spoke about their visit to the Rebbe's Ohel and how it gave them hope in their darkest hour.
As I left Washington, I thought of the contrast between the challenges facing our people and the strength and vitality of Jewish life today. Eighty-five years after the Rebbe arrived on America's shores with little more than faith and determination, his vision continues to inspire and shape communities. The conference was a testament to how that vision continues to bear fruit, not only in Jewish life, but in the broader society that gave it room to flourish.