Argentine President Javier Milei made a secret appearance at a major Chabad event in the country, held to mark 30 years since the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
At his request, Milei sat in a discreet corner on the upper floor of the Buenos Aires auditorium to avoid drawing attention from the thousands of attendees. The event was organized by Chabad’s chief emissary, Rabbi Tzvi Grinblat.
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Argentine President Javier Milei (right) at the Lubavitcher Rebbe memorial event in Buenos Aires
Chabad emissary in Buenos Aires, Rabbi Chaim Oirachman, who coordinated the president’s visit, explained that it was Milei's personal wish to attend. The rabbi said the president preferred the greatness and personality of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to be the event's focus, choosing to sit quietly and listen to the Torah teachings and melodies.
At the event's start, Israeli Ambassador to Argentina Eyal Sela recited a Psalm for the hostages and soldiers, and Rabbi Eliahu Hamra of the AMIA community recited a Psalm for the Jews of Argentina. The main address was given by Chabad emissary in Montreal, Rabbi Moshe New.
Milei has a personal connection to the Chabad movement and has visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe's grave several times in recent years. He previously told the Chabad newsletter: "I did not have the honor of meeting the Rebbe personally, but I have visited the Rebbe's Ohel twice just this past year. I asked for his holy blessing to be elected president of Argentina, and that blessing was fulfilled."
He also expressed his intention to "soon visit the Rebbe's Ohel again to thank him for the blessings that came true and to seek his blessing for great success in fulfilling my duties as the president of Argentina"—a promise he has since kept.