Michael Reagan, Stepson Of President Ronald

 

Reagan, Guest Speaker At Chazaq’s Inaugural Dinner, Passes Away

Michael Reagan—stepson of President Ronald Reagan, a nationally known conservative commentator, radio host, and author—passed away on January 4, 2026, at the age of 80. While his public life was firmly rooted in national politics and media, Reagan also forged meaningful connections with Queens and the Jewish community, connections that were symbolized most memorably by his appearance as a guest speaker at the inaugural dinner of Chazaq in August 2013.

That landmark evening, held at Leonard’s of Great Neck, marked a turning point for the Queens-based Torah outreach organization. Reagan’s presence lent national stature to what was, at its core, a deeply local and communal celebration—one focused on strengthening Jewish identity, education, and continuity in Queens and beyond.

Reagan was brought to the gala by Dr. Paul Brody and Rabbi Dr. Joseph Frager, who were individually honored that evening with the Israel Leadership Award. His participation was more than ceremonial. In his remarks and in private conversations throughout the night, Reagan spoke warmly about the moral clarity of the Reagan era, the importance of faith in public life, and the shared Judeo-Christian values that underpin the historic alliance between the United States and Israel. Those themes resonated strongly with the audience, many of whom were active in pro-Israel advocacy and Jewish communal leadership.

Throughout his career, Michael Reagan was widely known as a staunch defender of President Ronald Reagan’s legacy—particularly his unwavering support for Israel and his clear-eyed stance against totalitarianism and antisemitism. Reagan often framed Israel not only as a strategic ally of the United States, but as a moral beacon in a turbulent region, a perspective that earned him enduring respect within Jewish communities across the country.

At the Chazaq inaugural dinner, that worldview aligned seamlessly with the organization’s mission. Guided by its motto, “Building A Stronger Future,” Chazaq—under the leadership of Rabbis Ilan and Yaniv Meirov, shlit”a—has focused on Jewish education, youth programming, and family strengthening throughout Queens and beyond. Reagan’s presence underscored the idea that Jewish communal work in places like Queens is not insular, but part of a broader American and global conversation about values, faith, and responsibility.

The evening also reflected the wide coalition of supporters who believed in Chazaq’s vision. Activist and philanthropist Eugen Gluck, zt”l, stood alongside Rav Yaniv, while activist Odeleya Jacobs stood next to Rav Ilan—figures who, like Reagan, understood the importance of investing in the spiritual and moral future of the next generation.

Michael Reagan’s passing closes a chapter for those who remember that formative night in 2013. For the Queens Jewish community, his participation remains a point of pride—a reminder that local initiatives can attract and inspire national figures, and that the bonds between America, Israel, and Jewish communal life are often strengthened in banquet halls and community gatherings, far from the corridors of Washington.

His legacy, like that of his father, will continue to be discussed and debated. But in Queens, and within Chazaq’s history, Michael Reagan will also be remembered for standing with a growing Jewish community at a pivotal moment, lending his voice, presence, and conviction to the cause of building a stronger future.