In the United States, for the first time in history, a National Sabbath has been proclaimed

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially signed a proclamation for the first-ever National Shabbat. The event is scheduled for the period from sunset on May 15 to the evening of May 16, 2026 and will be held as part of Jewish American Heritage Month.

According to the White House press office, the initiative is designed to recognize the Jewish community’s contribution to the development of the United States. In the document, the President emphasized the historical significance of George Washington’s letter of 1790, which stated the inadmissibility of religious persecution. The Proclamation invites citizens to use this time for prayer, thanksgiving and spiritual reflection.

The National Sabbath is also closely linked to preparations for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. In the text of the appeal, Donald Trump emphasized the need to counter anti-Semitism and violence, particularly in the academic environment of universities. The protection of religious freedom was called one of the fundamental principles of American statehood, which is particularly relevant against the background of active discussions about the role of religious communities in the modern public life of the country.

Earlier, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople called for a dialog between Orthodoxy and Judaism.