Yehuda Kaploun, born in Kfar Habad, Israel, to a Chabad-Lubavitch family, is a rabbi, businessman, philanthropist, and political advisor. His parents were emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and the family later moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where his father served as a rabbi and educator. His grandparents include Reb Moshe Zalman Feiglin, who established a Chabad presence in Australia, and Rabbi Zvi Oster, who founded a Beit Midrash in Brooklyn.

Kaploun is the Co-Founder and President of RussKap Water, a Miami-based company focused on atmospheric water generation (AWG), which produces clean drinking water from the air. He has represented the company internationally, including at a conference in Saudi Arabia, where he spoke about Jewish-Muslim shared heritage. He has also served as president of other AWG ventures and as a senior partner at Kap Consulting Group, advising businesses on government relations and public-private partnerships.

In addition to his business work, Kaploun has been active in philanthropy and disaster relief, including after 9/11 and during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. He co-founded the Moses and Aaron Foundation with the late Elie Wiesel, supporting children with special needs and their families. His contributions have been recognized by the U.S. Congress and Senate and by New York state and city officials.

Kaploun’s relationship with Donald Trump began in New York and was strengthened through his longtime business partner Ed Russo, a former Trump environmental advisor. After Trump’s 2024 election win, Kaploun served as Jewish outreach chief, working to build support across the Jewish community. He organized a unity event at Trump’s Bedminster club with Miriam Adelson and helped lead outreach beyond the Orthodox community.

He has spoken out against rising anti-Semitism in the U.S., drawing controversial comparisons to 1930s Germany, and has been critical of the Biden administration’s response. He is also a vocal supporter of Israel and joined President Trump at an October 7 commemoration event in 2024.

In early 2025, Kaploun visited Israel and met with government and religious leaders. He also arranged for U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to visit the Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami.

On April 10, 2025, Trump nominated Kaploun as U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism, with the rank of Ambassador-at-Large. The position required Senate confirmation. Trump called Kaploun a “staunch advocate for the Jewish faith” and said he would be a firm global representative. Kaploun said he was “humbled and honored” by the nomination. Kaploun previously stated that any role he assumes must go beyond symbolism and have a real global impact on the Jewish people.

In his confirmation hearing in November 2025, Kaploun told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that education is the core tool for combating anti-Semitism, stressing the need to teach Holocaust history, Jewish contributions to America, and the dangers of unchecked hatred. He defended free speech while insisting that anti-Semitism must be condemned “everywhere,” cited the IHRA definition to distinguish criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism, and described his own encounters with anti-Semitism throughout his life. Senators pressed him on Trump’s response to extremist figures, his ability to work in a bipartisan manner, and past controversial statements, prompting opposition from 18 House Democrats who called his nomination “partisan.” Supporters highlighted his qualifications and urged swift confirmation.

On December 18, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kaploun as the United States’ Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism, granting him ambassadorial rank and a formal role within the State Department following a 53–43 vote. Kaploun will coordinate U.S. efforts to track and counter anti-Semitism worldwide, engage foreign governments and international bodies, and advocate for the protection of Jewish communities amid a global rise in anti-Jewish incidents.

Sources: “Yehuda Kaploun,” Russkap Water.
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