Jerusalem, Israel (June 7, 2026)

Tensions across the Middle East escalated sharply Sunday after Israel carried out airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and Iranian missiles were later launched toward Israel, prompting nationwide security measures and heightened military readiness.

Israeli officials said the strike on Beirut targeted Hezbollah-linked infrastructure following a missile attack from Lebanon into northern Israel. The operation marked one of the most significant actions against Hezbollah’s stronghold in the Lebanese capital since a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire effort began earlier this year. The attack was a response to continued violations and threats against communities in northern Israel.

A senior U.S. official blamed Hezbollah for the latest escalation, stating that the group continues to undermine efforts aimed at restoring stability along the Israel-Lebanon border. The official said ceasefire proposals remain available and stressed that both Israel and Lebanon have incentives to avoid a wider conflict. The United States reiterated support for Israel’s right to defend itself while also backing diplomatic efforts intended to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty and reduce the influence of armed groups operating outside state control.

Within hours of the Beirut strike, the Israel Defense Forces announced that missiles had been launched from Iranian territory toward Israel. Air defense systems were activated across the country as authorities issued emergency alerts to residents in affected regions and instructed civilians to seek shelter. Israeli military leaders conducted ongoing assessments and warned that additional attacks could follow.

As a precaution, Israel imposed stricter Home Front Command guidelines nationwide. Educational activities were suspended, while limits were placed on public gatherings. Defense officials said the measures were taken due to concerns about further missile launches and the possibility of a broader confrontation involving Iran and Hezbollah.

The developments have increased concerns that fighting could expand beyond the Israel-Lebanon front, potentially complicating ongoing international diplomatic efforts and further destabilizing an already volatile region.

Thankfully, both batches of ballistic missiles were successfully intercepted. Besuros tovos.

Iranian regime supporters gathered in the streets of Kermanshah, western Iran, celebrating as ballistic missiles streaked overhead toward Israel. pic.twitter.com/fRKCwd5b7D

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 7, 2026

Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. https://t.co/BtjlfxOegW

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 7, 2026

All launches from Iran were successfully intercepted. https://t.co/yOFjCSmeUP pic.twitter.com/hWAanJL261

— נועה מגיד | Noa magid (@NoaMagid) June 7, 2026

“Psach Shaarei Shamayim!”

THIS. IS. ISRAEL.
His older sister is getting married.
He asked her if he could sing at her wedding ceremony.
She said yes.
WATCH to see this young boy singing “Open the gates of heaven, and open Your treasure house of good” to honor his sister…
Mazal tov! pic.twitter.com/oaizUXB5jN

— Dov Lipman (@DovLipman) June 7, 2026

Kochav Yair, Israel (June 7, 2026)

A deadly shooting attack unfolded Sunday across several communities in central Israel, leaving one man dead R”L and several others wounded as security forces rushed to contain what initially appeared to be a multi-site terror incident. The violence began near Kochav Yair, close to the West Bank boundary, and continued in nearby areas including Tzur Natan, Tzur Yitzhak, and the vicinity of Sal’it.

Emergency responders treated victims at multiple scenes after reports of gunfire directed at civilians, including at a gas station near Kochav Yair and along nearby roadways. A man in his 30s was pronounced dead after suffering fatal gunshot wounds. Several additional victims were transported to hospitals, with at least two reported in serious condition and others suffering moderate injuries.

Authorities said the attacker moved between locations by vehicle, prompting an immediate security lockdown in the affected area as police and military forces searched for any additional threats. The primary suspect was shot and killed by police, while another person was arrested after reportedly attempting to attack officers. Initial concerns that several attackers were operating simultaneously were later revised as officials indicated the shooting spree appeared to have been carried out by one gunman with a suspected accomplice.

The attack triggered a large emergency response and renewed security concerns in communities near the seam line, where Israeli towns sit close to Palestinian areas of the West Bank. Residents in parts of the region were urged to remain indoors while forces secured roads, checked vehicles, and worked to determine whether the attackers had received assistance.

The investigation remains active, and officials are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the suspect’s background and how he was able to move between multiple locations before being stopped. The shooting comes amid an already tense security climate in Israel, where authorities remain on heightened alert following months of regional instability.

HY”D. Besuros Tovos.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the Start of the Government Meeting: :
"We are fighting terrorism on all fronts. In Judea and Samaria and along the seam line, the IDF, ISA and the Israel Police foil hundreds of attacks every year, though unfortunately not all of them. This… pic.twitter.com/hdxt84wJ69

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 7, 2026

WATCH: Civilian shot at gas station in Kochav Yair during terror attack

One person was killed and five others injured in terror attack in central Israel. The shooting suspect was eliminated by police, and a second person was arrested in Taybeh on suspicion of involvement in the… pic.twitter.com/9M0gDnQ5nj

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) June 7, 2026

WATCH: CCTV Captures Terrorist Shooting Attack Near Kochav Ya’ir #Israel pic.twitter.com/pl85Z5gef1

— The Premium 24 (@ThePremium24X) June 7, 2026

The Village was informed that PSEG Long Island will be conducting aerial inspections of power lines and towers in our community beginning June 8, 2026, through June 19, 2026.

During this period, you may observe a helicopter flying at a low altitude or hovering for an extended duration. There is no cause for alarm. This is part of the survey team’s routine duties.

The helicopter utilized for these inspections will be light gray in color with blue lettering that reads “UTILITY PATROL”.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these inspections, please do not hesitate to call PSEG Long Island Customer Service at 1-800-490-0025.

**
Albany, NY (June 6, 2026)**

New York lawmakers have approved a major consumer protection measure aimed at preventing companies from using personal information to set different prices for different shoppers.

The bill, known as the One Fair Price Act, would prohibit businesses from relying on data connected to a person or device when deciding what price to charge. That could include information such as browsing activity, income indicators, location data, device details, or other digital signals used to estimate what a customer may be willing to pay.

Supporters say the measure is intended to stop so-called surveillance pricing, a practice in which companies use consumer data and automated tools to personalize prices in ways shoppers may not see or understand. If signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York would join a small but growing group of states moving to restrict the practice.

The legislation would still allow certain standard discounts, including programs for seniors, teachers, loyalty members, and other clearly defined groups. It would also require businesses to tell customers when prices are being changed automatically through algorithmic systems, commonly referred to as dynamic pricing.

The proposal goes further than a disclosure law Hochul approved last year, which required companies to notify consumers when algorithmic pricing was being shaped by personal data. The new bill would move beyond transparency and impose an outright ban on individualized pricing based on such information.

Consumer advocates have praised the bill as one of the strongest state-level responses to data-driven pricing, though some have said lawmakers may need to refine parts of the law in the future. Business groups are expected to press the governor’s office over concerns that the measure could limit targeted promotions or personalized discounts.

Hochul’s office has said the bill is under review. She has until the end of the year to decide whether to sign it, veto it, or seek changes before it becomes law.

Jerusalem, Israel (June 6, 2026)

Israel faced a series of escalating security developments over Shabbos, as the IDF cleared for publication the deaths of two soldiers during operations in southern Lebanon R”L.

Capt. Shahar Gamla hy”d, 23, of Netur, who served as a deputy platoon commander in the Egoz Unit, succumbed to wounds sustained after being critically injured in combat. Sgt. Ohad Yaari hy”d, 21, of Rehovot, a soldier in the Shaked Battalion, was killed during an operational mission in the same area.

The losses came amid continued Hezbollah fire from Lebanon, with sirens sounding in multiple northern Israeli communities over the past day. Late Friday night, alarms were activated in several frontline areas, including Kiryat Shmona, after rocket launches were detected from Lebanon. All this, as The Trump administration continues pressuring Israel to stick to this ridiculous ceasefire.

At the same time, Israeli officials addressed serious incidents in Yehuda and Shomron, including reports that masked Israelis entered Huwara and assaulted Palestinians and passersby. The IDF condemned the violence, warning that such actions interfere with security operations and heighten instability. The military also responded to footage showing a soldier assaulting a Palestinian, describing the conduct as unacceptable and inconsistent with IDF standards.

In a separate incident near Hebron, Palestinian health officials reported that a seven-month-old infant was killed by gunfire and that the child’s parents were wounded. The IDF said troops operating in the area opened fire after identifying a vehicle accelerating toward them, and the incident is expected to face further review.

Beyond Israel’s borders, tensions between the United States and Iran intensified after American forces struck Iranian radar sites in response to drone activity near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran later launched missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, with U.S. and regional defenses reportedly intercepting most of the projectiles.

The developments add pressure to already fragile diplomatic efforts involving Israel, Lebanon, the United States, and Iran, as military officials weigh potential ceasefire understandings while active fire continues across multiple fronts.

Besuros Tovos.

“Dear Community,

A truck displaying a “Free Palestine” sign was recently observed in the park. The matter was immediately brought to the attention of State Assemblyman Ari Brown and me. Working together with the Mayor, the Village Board, and the Nassau County Police Department, we took steps to ensure the situation was addressed promptly and appropriately.

As Head of Security for the Village of Cedarhurst, I want residents to know that we remain vigilant and take all community concerns seriously. We will continue to monitor situations closely and respond whenever necessary to help maintain the safety and quality of life that our residents expect and deserve.”

Dan Plaut
Trustee , Village of Cedarhurst

“Dear Customer,

Your neighborhood is currently experiencing an emergency water shut-off due to an unscheduled emergency water main repair. Please expect low pressure/discolored water while we make the necessary repairs to resolve the issue and maintain system reliability. The location impacted is Multiple Streets in Lawrence: Central Ave, Fulton St, Laurel Ln, Sunset Rd & Boxwood Ln. Water service is expected to be restored by 06:30 PM .

Please keep all faucets off during this period to prevent flooding of your home when water service returns. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our customer service department at 877-426-6999.

Liberty thanks you for your patience at this time.”

Agudath Israel of America, alongside a coalition of religious organizations, has filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in a case that raises the question of whether a religious institution has the constitutional right, free from judicial interference, to decline to renew the contract of an employee who violated the institution’s religious tenets. This has significant implications for the ability of religious schools to operate in accordance with their faith and mission.

The case arose after a Catholic school in Minnesota declined to renew the contract of a school librarian after the employee announced plans to publicly act in a manner inconsistent with the schools’ religious principles. The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the school, holding that the First Amendment protects religious institutions from government interference in such matters. However, the employee appealed the ruling, and the case is now before the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Agudath Israel’s brief explains the high stakes this case represents and the implications it would have for all religious schools. The submission asks the court to uphold the right to educate children in an environment consistent with one’s religious values. It explains that religious schools do much more than merely provide classroom instruction, rather they transmit faith, values, and a way of life.

The brief goes on to explain that this mission depends on the ability of such schools to make employment decisions that reflect and protect their religious character: “Schools for Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and Muslims alike could not survive without the autonomy necessary to carry out their religious missions… If courts were to intrude on the employment decisions of religious schools for such personnel, religious schools would be faced with the … choice of violating their religious convictions, or else shutting down entirely.”

“Religious schools must be able to operate by the faith they teach,” said Daniel Kaminetsky, General Counsel of Agudath Israel. “For yeshivos and other faith-based schools, the right to hire and retain employees who support the school’s religious mission is essential to religious liberty. Courts should not undermine a religious school’s understanding of its own beliefs or mission.”

Agudath Israel of America thanks Haley Denler, Esq., Nicholas J. Nelson, Esq., Russell B. Balikian, Esq., Andrew G.I. Kilberg, Esq., Michael P. Corcoran, Esq., and Aly Cox, Esq. of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for their work on the brief.

Washington, DC (June 4, 2026)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is continuing to support Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner despite mounting controversy over Platner’s past conduct, online comments, and use of imagery associated with Nazi Germany.

Platner, an oyster farmer and Marine veteran seeking to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, has faced criticism over a chest tattoo resembling the Totenkopf, a skull symbol historically associated with Nazi SS units. Platner has said he did not understand the symbol’s connection when he got the tattoo and later had it covered after entering the Senate race.

The controversy has been especially sensitive among Jewish Democrats and pro-Israel groups because of Platner’s past comments about Israel and the Gaza war. A deleted 2014 online post surfaced in which he analyzed a Hamas attack on Israeli soldiers in language critics viewed as overly approving. Platner has also called for cutting U.S. aid to Israel and has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Schumer, who has long emphasized his support for Israel and Jewish communities, was pressed this week about whether he remained comfortable backing Platner. Rather than directly addressing the specific controversies, Schumer focused on Democrats’ goal of defeating Collins and regaining control of the Senate.

Several Jewish Democratic groups have distanced themselves from Platner’s campaign, while others in the party continue to view the Maine race as one of the most important Senate contests of the cycle. The split reflects a broader Democratic tension between progressive candidates critical of Israel and Jewish organizations concerned about antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric.

Platner has acknowledged making offensive online remarks in the past and has described some of his earlier language as unacceptable. He has also attributed parts of his past conduct to struggles following military service, while denying that he holds antisemitic views.

The scrutiny has intensified as the Maine primary approaches, with new personal allegations further complicating his campaign. For Democrats, the race presents both a major pickup opportunity and a growing political challenge as party leaders weigh electability, accountability, and concerns from Jewish voters.

Washington, DC (June 4, 2026)

A new congressional proposal is expected to call for a major change in the way the United States supports Israel’s military, moving away from direct annual aid and toward a model in which Israel would finance its own purchases of American weapons.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana is preparing a nonbinding House resolution urging the next U.S.-Israel security agreement to end the current grant-based structure. The existing 10-year memorandum of understanding provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military assistance and is set to expire in 2028.

The proposal comes after Stutzman met last week in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has increasingly spoken in favor of reducing Israel’s dependence on direct U.S. military aid. Netanyahu has framed the shift as a sign of Israel’s economic and defense maturity, while emphasizing that the alliance with Washington should continue through joint projects, weapons development, intelligence cooperation, and expanded defense trade.

The idea has also gained attention within the Trump administration. Senior U.S. officials have indicated that discussions are underway about a future agreement that would place greater emphasis on trade and partnership rather than traditional aid. Any formal change, however, would require extensive negotiation between the two governments and support in Congress.

Supporters of the shift argue that Israel has become strong enough to move beyond the aid-recipient model and that a new framework could answer growing questions from American taxpayers about foreign military assistance. They also say deeper industrial cooperation could benefit both countries by expanding weapons production, missile defense programs, and advanced technology development.

The proposal comes amid broader debate in Washington over U.S. spending abroad and the future of America’s security commitments. While support for Israel remains strong among many lawmakers, direct military aid has faced increasing scrutiny from both the right and left.

For now, the current aid agreement remains in place through 2028. Stutzman’s resolution would not change policy on its own, but it signals a growing push to reshape one of the central pillars of the U.S.-Israel defense relationship.

New York, NY (June 4, 2026)

B&H Photo employees are set to receive an additional week of wages as a company bonus, following an announcement from CEO Menashe Horowitz recognizing staff performance and ongoing financial pressures facing workers.

In a message to employees, Horowitz said the company had completed a successful year despite a difficult retail environment and credited the workforce for its dedication, effort, and strong results. He also acknowledged that many households continue to feel the impact of inflation and elevated living costs.

The bonus is intended to provide employees with added support as families manage higher expenses for everyday needs. It will be calculated as one extra week of regular wages and will not include overtime pay. The payment is expected to be processed during the current payroll cycle.

The announcement comes shortly before B&H’s annual salary review period. Horowitz indicated that regular raise discussions are expected to take place in the coming weeks, giving employees another potential opportunity for increased compensation.

B&H Photo, headquartered in New York City, is one of the world’s leading retailers of photography, video, audio, computer, and imaging equipment. Its flagship Manhattan store is widely known among professionals, hobbyists, and production teams, while its online operation serves customers across the United States and internationally.

The company is also recognized for operating in accordance with Torah-based values, including closing its Manhattan store and suspending website checkout on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

The added wages reflect a broader effort by the company to recognize employees during a period when many workers continue to face rising costs. For staff members, the extra paycheck is expected to offer timely relief while the company prepares for its upcoming compensation review cycle.

**
Jerusalem, Israel (June 4, 2026)**

Nefesh B’Nefesh is preparing for one of its busiest summer aliyah seasons in recent years, with more than 2,300 North American immigrants expected to arrive in Israel over the coming months.

The incoming group includes 478 families and is scheduled to arrive during the summer period, traditionally the peak season for aliyah from North America. The organization projects that total North American aliyah in 2026 will surpass 4,150 olim, placing the year on track to exceed last year’s already strong immigration numbers.

To manage the expected wave of arrivals, Nefesh B’Nefesh is coordinating 47 group flights operated by El Al. The flights are set to depart from several major North American hubs, including New York, New Jersey, Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles.

The summer influx comes as interest in aliyah remains steady among families, professionals, students, retirees, and young adults seeking to build their futures in Israel. For many, the summer months offer a practical transition window, allowing families to arrive before the start of the Israeli school year and giving new immigrants time to settle into housing, employment, language programs, and community life.

In preparation for the season, Nefesh B’Nefesh has expanded its outreach and support programming. More than 650 prospective olim and family members recently participated in informational and preparatory events in New Jersey and Toronto. The sessions were held in partnership with Israeli and Jewish communal organizations involved in aliyah planning and immigrant absorption.

The organization’s summer operation includes logistical guidance, flight coordination, pre-aliyah counseling, and post-arrival support aimed at helping new immigrants navigate the move more smoothly.

As the flights begin, communities across Israel are expected to welcome a broad mix of newcomers from across the United States and Canada. The anticipated numbers reflect continued momentum in North American aliyah and a growing effort to help families make the transition with organized support before and after landing.

New York, NY (June 4, 2026)

A planned federal law enforcement contract is drawing concern from privacy advocates over the possibility that vehicle movements across New York and the rest of the country could be searched through commercial license plate reader databases without a traditional warrant process.

Federal procurement records indicate that the FBI is seeking a cloud-based system that would allow agents to access automated license plate reader data from cameras operating nationwide. The proposed arrangement, reportedly valued at up to $36 million, would give the agency the ability to search vehicle histories using license plate numbers and review information such as location, time, date, and vehicle details.

Automated plate readers are commonly used on roadways, near toll points, in parking areas, and on some law enforcement vehicles. The technology captures images of passing vehicles and logs identifying information that can later be searched. While police agencies often use the tools to locate stolen vehicles or identify cars connected to investigations, civil liberties groups warn that large-scale access can also create detailed records of ordinary drivers’ movements.

The concern is especially significant because many drivers whose information enters these systems are not suspected of wrongdoing. Privacy advocates argue that such databases can reveal sensitive patterns, including where people live, work, worship, receive medical care, attend school, or participate in political and community events.

Federal officials have defended the use of commercially available information, saying such data can support investigations and intelligence work when handled within legal boundaries. Critics counter that purchasing data from private companies allows the government to obtain sensitive location information in ways that may avoid the protections normally associated with court-approved warrants.

The issue has renewed debate over what rules should apply when government agencies buy information collected by private surveillance networks. For New Yorkers, the proposal raises practical questions about how much travel data is being gathered, how long it is stored, who can search it, and whether stronger safeguards are needed before vehicle-location histories can be accessed.

New York, NY (June 4, 2026)

A 23-year-old Jewish woman was assaulted on a New York City subway train in a disturbing antisemitic attack, according to video and details shared with a national antisemitism-monitoring organization.

The attack took place on Sunday, May 31, at approximately 2:15 p.m., while the victim was riding the train. Footage from the incident shows another passenger directing hostile antisemitic accusations at the woman before the encounter escalated into physical violence.

The suspect confronted the victim with inflammatory claims rooted in antisemitic conspiracy rhetoric. This vile woman yelled that she could “smell the babies” the Jewish victim had eaten and yelled that “Jews eat babies”. The situation then turned violent when the woman was choked, forced to the ground, and beaten. The victim’s phone captured portions of the confrontation, including the moments leading up to the assault.

The incident has prompted renewed concern among Jewish New Yorkers over safety on public transit, particularly amid a broader rise in antisemitic harassment and violence reported across the city in recent years. Community advocates have repeatedly urged law enforcement and transit officials to respond aggressively to bias incidents and ensure that victims feel safe reporting attacks.

Authorities are expected to review the video evidence as part of the investigation. It was not immediately clear whether charges had been filed or whether the matter had formally been classified as a hate crime.

Public safety officials continue to encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses a bias-related incident to report it immediately to police. Riders are also urged to preserve video, photos, and any identifying details that may assist investigators.

The assault underscores the vulnerability many commuters face when hate speech escalates into violence in shared public spaces. Swift accountability is essential to deter future attacks and reassure residents that antisemitic intimidation will not be tolerated in New York City.

Sadly to say, we do not recommend Jews to ride the subways, they were not safe under the Adams administration, and they will continue getting worse under the Mamdani administration.

NYC, May 31, 2026: A 23 year old Jewish woman sent CAM footage of her assault on a subway train.

Around 2:15 PM, a woman told her she could “smell the babies” she had eaten and yelled that “Jews eat babies” before choking her, throwing her to the ground, and beating her. pic.twitter.com/4yMygy3EEb

— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) June 3, 2026

Far Rockaway, NY (June 4, 2026)

Rabbi Yaakov Bender has issued another forceful warning to parents over students bringing electric bikes and scooters to yeshiva, citing recent tragedies and growing safety concerns surrounding high-speed micromobility devices.

In a message to parents, Rabbi Bender expressed deep frustration that some children are still being allowed to ride electric bikes and scooters to school despite repeated warnings. He said the devices have no place in a yeshiva setting and placed responsibility directly on parents who permit their children to use them.

The warning follows a fatal crash last week on the Queensboro Bridge, where two men were killed in a head-on collision involving an electric scooter and a bicycle in the bridge’s bike lane. The incident renewed concerns across New York City about powerful electric scooters and bikes being used in crowded public spaces, particularly by riders who may not understand the risks or legal limits.

Rabbi Bender also pointed to previous cases in Jewish communities in which children riding scooters were killed or seriously injured. He described the issue as a matter of basic parental responsibility, saying that while parents naturally want to make their children happy, giving them access to dangerous devices can lead to devastating consequences.

Several electric bikes and scooters have recently been confiscated after students rode them to yeshiva and attempted to hide them in nearby backyards rather than bringing them onto campus. Rabbi Bender said the devices are now being kept securely in his office to prevent students from retrieving them and riding them again.

The message reflects broader concern among schools, parents, and community leaders about the rapid spread of e-bikes and electric scooters among children and teenagers. While the devices have become popular and convenient, safety advocates have warned that many are capable of dangerous speeds and can cause severe injuries in crashes.

Rabbi Bender urged parents not to give in to pressure from children who claim that peers are using the devices, stressing that the potential consequences are far too serious to ignore.

New York, NY (June 4, 2026)

A 23-year-old Connecticut man is facing hate crime charges after authorities said he raised a swastika-marked flag at New York University during a campus event last month.

Alexander Stepnowsky, a recent NYU graduate, was arrested Tuesday after surrendering to police. He has been charged with burglary as a hate crime, criminal trespass as a hate crime, and aggravated harassment. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday and was released without bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for August.

Authorities allege that Stepnowsky used his university identification on May 13 to enter a campus building during NYU’s graduation-period activities. Surveillance footage allegedly showed him raising a flag designed to resemble Israeli imagery, with stripes around a Star of David, NYU-related markings, and large swastikas on both sides.

Investigators are said to have reviewed the incident as bias-related, and police sources indicated that Stepnowsky expressed frustration over the university’s handling of issues connected to Israel. NYU has said it cooperated with law enforcement and is pursuing its own disciplinary process, which could bring serious university consequences in addition to the criminal case.

The arrest comes as New York City continues to see elevated levels of antisemitic hate crimes. Police data released this week showed 41 confirmed antisemitic hate crimes in May, a sharp increase from the same month last year. Antisemitic incidents made up the majority of confirmed hate crimes in the city for the month.

So far this year, Jewish New Yorkers have remained the most frequently targeted group in the city’s hate crime statistics, with confirmed antisemitic incidents far outpacing those aimed at other religious or racial groups.

City officials have noted that the rise in hate crimes stands in contrast to broader crime trends, including declines in shootings and murders during the first five months of the year. The continued increase in antisemitic incidents, however, has intensified concern among Jewish communities, campus leaders, and law enforcement officials working to address bias-related threats across the city.

By: Rabbi Efrem Goldberg

Recently, Pope Leo XIV and President Trump found themselves on opposite sides of another major issue, this time, artificial intelligence. In his new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, a 42,300-word letter addressed to the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on preserving human dignity in a technological age, the Pope offers a detailed vision for governing AI. He does not call for a halt to innovation, rather for a deliberate slowing of AI adoption so that ethics, law, and public oversight can keep pace with the technology’s rapid advance. In effect, he argues for “disarming” AI before it acquires unchecked power over society.

President Trump has taken the opposite approach. Convinced that the United States must develop advanced AI before China does, he has championed a largely hands-off regulatory framework. In January 2025, he repealed President Biden’s more cautious executive order on AI, dismissing it as an “attempt to paralyze this industry.” His administration instead pledged to remove barriers to American AI leadership and accelerate innovation.

The Pope, by contrast, urges governments to establish concrete guardrails: oversight of algorithms and data management, protections against large-scale job displacement, measures to curb excessive concentrations of wealth and power, and safeguards for children in the digital world.

Both Pope Leo and President Trump would agree that artificial intelligence is taking the world by storm, leaving some awestruck and others terrified, and both reactions are understandable. There is good reason to be excited about the possibilities, but also compelling reasons to be frightened.

The debate between these two visions, innovation first or caution first, raises a broader question: What does Judaism teach about technologies that promise unprecedented benefits while carrying unprecedented risks? As AI becomes more powerful, what guidance does Jewish tradition offer for balancing innovation, human dignity, and responsibility?

We can use AI not only to be more efficient and productive and save time, but we can even use it for inspiration in strengthening our relationship with the One and only true God, Hashem. The Chafetz Chaim, R’ Yisrael Meir HaKohen (Shem Olam, Volume I), writes that while technology adds efficiency, ease, and comfort to our lives, its ultimate purpose is to serve as a metaphor that can strengthen our emunah, our faith in Hashem and in His hashgacha, His providence in the world and in our lives.

Writing a century ago, and responding to the new inventions of his time, the Chafetz Chaim explains that new technologies can help us understand and apply the Mishna (Avos 2:1): “Contemplate three things and you will not come to make mistakes: Know what is above you, a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book.”

Earlier generations were stronger in their basic emunah and did not need these illustrations to bolster their faith. However, he writes, in more recent times, when faith has weakened and doubt has increased, Hashem sends these amazing technologies, each one offering a way to better grasp aspects of emunah.

For example, the telescope enables us to understand that Hashem sees and observes everything we do here on Earth, even though He is far away. The phone enriches our belief in prayer: just as we can speak on a phone across the world and be heard instantly, so too Hashem hears all our prayers despite any distance. The Chafetz Chaim explains that the photograph, which captures an image of a person who may not even be aware they are being watched, reminds us that our lives are recorded and will one day be reviewed before our Creator. The phonograph, which records a person’s voice and plays it back later, serves as a metaphor for accountability for how we use our speech, whether for gossip, criticism, or slander.

If the Chafetz Chaim were alive today, we could imagine him adding AI to this list of tools that can strengthen our relationship with Hashem. Some people struggle to believe in or relate to a Power who is invisible, beyond physical perception, and yet who knows and sustains billions of human beings simultaneously. How can such a Being know each individual, care for them, hear them, and guide them?

Enter AI, an extraordinary human-made system that can process and respond to billions of inquiries at once. AI does not merely give generic answers; its responses can feel personalized and directed, helping individuals navigate their specific questions and needs. If an app or website can simultaneously respond to millions or billions of users, then all the more so can the Almighty know each person completely, where they come from, where they are going, and how best to guide them. If a digital system can instantly provide answers, l’havdil, Hashem listens and responds to every prayer and request.

The Ramban, in his introduction to Iyov, writes: “We must believe that God knows all individual creatures and the details of their lives.” Similarly, the Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah #168), in discussing the Metzora, writes that the purpose of the mitzvah is to firmly establish in our hearts that Hashem’s providence is individual and extends to each and every human being.

Though each of us is only one among more than eight billion people on Earth, our choices matter, and we matter. We should never doubt that the Master of the Universe knows where we are, where we have come from, and where we are meant to go. He listens, He responds, and He guides.

We can benefit from rapidly developing technology in a myriad of ways, and Judaism absolutely embraces and values such advancements. Of course, there are also enormous reasons for concern. One concern is that while AI can deepen appreciation for Hashem, some have warned that it may also lead people to begin metaphorically, or even literally, worshipping AI. Tech experts have raised the possibility of a “ChatGPT god,” a new form of religious-like devotion emerging around artificial intelligence.

Consider this: AI demonstrates a level of intelligence that exceeds any individual human capability. Its knowledge and processing speed appear vast and limitless. It can search all of cyberspace instantly, generate analysis, compose music, write poetry, create art, and more. It does not sleep, does not feel hunger, is not distracted by temptation, and does not experience physical pain.

Notable historian and scholar Yuval Noah Harari has suggested that AI chatbots like ChatGPT may eventually be capable of producing their own scriptures and even founding new sects or cults that could evolve into religion. He, like many early investors in AI and like the Pope, has called for stricter regulation of AI.

Another concern is that Judaism, while recognizing the benefits of tools that expand human capability, is also deeply sensitive to how such tools can distort the moral fabric of society if left unchecked. AI represents an unprecedented acceleration in the production and distribution of sheker, falsehood, at scale. Never before has there been a technology capable of so easily generating convincing text, images, audio, and video that blur the line between truth and fabrication. In an unregulated environment, this could lead to a world where people can no longer distinguish truth from illusion, undermining trust in relationships and institutions.

Just imagine a world in which people cannot tell whether what they are reading, watching, or listening to is authentic or artificially generated. What happens when couples exchange anniversary cards written by AI instead of from the heart? What happens when all communication carries the suspicion that it may not truly come from the sender?

Another consideration is that Judaism is wary of technologies that imitate human intelligence while lacking a Neshama, moral agency, and responsibility. AI can simulate thinking and productivity, but it does not love, it does not care, and it bears no obligation to human beings. For that reason, its role must remain instrumental and transactional. It can assist human effort, but it must never replace the uniquely human domains of wisdom, relationship, creativity, and moral choice.

A Stanford Medicine article from 2025 highlights serious concerns about AI chatbots, especially those designed as companions. It explains that they can sometimes produce unsafe or inappropriate responses, including content related to self-harm, drugs, or inappropriate material, even when interacting with children or teens. One of the key concerns is that younger users are especially vulnerable because they are still developing emotionally and may trust or rely on these systems as if they were real friends, which can lead to isolation and unhealthy attachments.

However, the article also emphasizes that this is not only a teenage issue. Adults can also develop emotional dependence on AI or begin to confuse the helpful responses it provides with a real relationship. Because chatbots are consistently responsive and “understanding,” it can feel as though there is a real person on the other side who cares and is forming a meaningful connection, even though there is not. The article warns that this blurs the line between information, support, and genuine human relationship, making dependency more likely across all age groups.

While AI can draw from vast amounts of information, it is still often inaccurate, inconsistent, or subtly wrong. It does not truly “know” anything; it generates responses based on patterns in data, which means it can mix sources, miss context, or present confident but unreliable answers. When it comes to Torah and Halacha, this is especially serious, because there is no room for error or guesswork in matters of practical guidance. From this perspective, AI cannot be depended upon for psak or even for serious learning in a way that replaces real guidance, because it does not understand who it is speaking to. It does not know a person’s background, level, struggles, or circumstances, and therefore cannot tailor responses the way a real rebbe or rav can and does.

That is why the transmission of Torah is described as requiring a rebbe–talmid relationship: real people with real personalities, experience, and depth connecting with one another. Learning involves more than consuming information, it is about guidance, nuance, correction, and a living relationship in which questions are understood in context and answers are given with responsibility toward the person receiving them. AI, by design, cannot replicate that kind of human connection or accountability.

The Jewish approach to AI is not one of outright rejection but of careful embrace. Judaism recognizes that technology can be a powerful tool for improving human life and even strengthening emunah and does not reflexively fear innovation. But at the same time, Torah demands boundaries, discernment, and responsibility. AI can be welcomed for its benefits, efficiency, creativity, access to knowledge, and inspiration, but it must be surrounded by clear guardrails that preserve truth, human dignity, and authentic relationships.

Ultimately, Judaism teaches that technology must remain a servant of humanity, not its replacement, nor our master, and that every advancement must be guided by the enduring values of Torah, wisdom, and moral accountability.

Trump on the Axios report that he told Netanyahu, “You’re **** crazy”:

“I wouldn’t say I was angry. I was a little perturbed by the constant fighting with Lebanon. At some point I said, ‘Bibi, we’ve got to stop this.’

Trump added that the disagreement did not damage their relationship: “I really like Bibi. We worked excellently together.”

5TC response: While we often support Trump’s policies, this is ridiculous. Look at how many IDF soldiers have been killed since this so-called U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect (13 killed R”L). And somehow Bibi is the one being blamed for “instigating”? Instead of pressuring Israel, the focus should be on Iran, which continues to target U.S. bases while Washington’s own ceasefire with Iran remains in place, another policy that makes no sense.

Trump confirms:

Trump on Axios report that he told Netanyahu "you're f*cking crazy":

I did. I always get angry.

I was a little bit perturbed at him, constantly fighting with Lebanon….

You know, at some point I said we're going to stop this. pic.twitter.com/4c6Tpo1GkZ

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 3, 2026

Netanyahu confirms:

Q: Trump called you "fucking crazy."

Netanyahu: Sometimes, as in the best of families, we have these tactical disagreements. We always find a way to work them out.

We can disagree in the morning, and we have a common action by the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/fNedBpFm3l

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 3, 2026

Far Rockaway, NY (June 3, 2026)

A coordinated overnight effort between Rockaway Nassau Shomrim and officers from the NYPD’s 101st Precinct led to arrests connected to the theft of multiple scooters, with the recovered property returned to its rightful owners.

According to information shared by community safety officials, the arrests came during a Midnight Patrol operation involving RNSP and the 101st Precinct.

In addition to the recovery, residents are being encouraged to take preventive steps that can make it easier to identify and return stolen or misplaced property. The NYPD 101st Precinct’s Community Affairs and Crime Prevention teams, together with RNSP, offer a registration program for bicycles, scooters, strollers, and electronic devices.

Through the program, items are marked with a unique identifying number connected to the owner. That information is then stored electronically in a shared database used by the NYPD and RNSP. If an item is later lost, stolen, or recovered, the registration record can help authorities quickly confirm ownership and return the property.

Community members interested in registering their bicycles, scooters, strollers, or devices may contact the NYPD 101st Precinct at 718-868-3400 or the RNSP 24-hour hotline at 516-858-7300.

Officials said the registration initiative has already helped return hundreds of recovered items to their owners. Community leaders continue to urge residents to take advantage of the service, particularly as scooters and bicycles remain frequent targets for theft in residential areas.

Chaya Schlanger, the almanah of Rabbi Eli Schlanger hy”d who was tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Bondi, Sydney, in December. Speaking publicly for the first time, Chaya and family members reflect on their grief, their Emunah, and the resilience of their community.

Chaya explains that she and her five children are determined to continue the charitable and community work R’ Eli championed. Her daughter shares that R’ Eli was not just a father but a best friend who taught them to care for and give to others.

For the family, Emunah is the primary mechanism for coping with the overwhelming loss. They emphasize that while they cannot explain the tragedy, they focus on being survivors rather than victims, choosing to ask what they can do next rather than “why”.

The family addresses the rise in anti-Semitism, noting its increase following the October 7 attacks. Their consistent motto, shared by R’ Eli, is that the response to anti-Semitism should never be to hide. Instead, one should be “more Jewish” and more proud of their identity.

The family discusses the need for greater government-provided security and expresses a belief that those who commit such crimes must face responsibility.

May the Neshamah of Reb Eli and all the other victims have an Aliyah and may the family continue receiving strength and Nechamos from above.

Jerusalem, Israel (June 3, 2026)

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is backing legislation that would restrict the loud broadcasting of the Islamic call to prayer from mosques, reviving a highly sensitive debate over noise enforcement and religious practice.

The proposal would give police expanded authority to act against mosque loudspeaker systems that violate the measure. Under the plan, police could seize sound equipment and issue fines of up to 50,000 shekels, equal to roughly $13,500, for violations.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has released a video backing legislation to ban the loud broadcasting of the Islamic call to prayer from mosques.

The proposal would allow police to confiscate mosque sound systems and impose fines of up to 50,000… pic.twitter.com/1xGyw6WkPR

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) June 3, 2026

Ben Gvir has framed the effort as a response to noise complaints, arguing that loudspeaker broadcasts in some communities disturb residents and should be subject to stronger enforcement. He has also directed police to take action under existing authority where they believe noise laws are being violated.

The measure is intended to protect quality of life in mixed and residential areas where loud broadcasts can be disruptive. Critics argue that existing noise regulations are sufficient and that the proposal risks inflaming religious and communal tensions at a time of already heightened conflict.

Past attempts to restrict mosque loudspeakers have surfaced in Israeli politics but have not been fully enacted into law. The latest push comes as Ben Gvir and members of his political camp seek broader police enforcement powers on public order issues.

The legislation’s path remains uncertain, and it would likely face significant political and legal scrutiny if advanced.

Update from NCPD: “The Fourth Squad reports the details of a Serious Vehicular Accident involving a motorcycle that occurred on Monday, June 1st at 3:35 pm in Cedarhurst.

According to detectives, a 49-year-old female operating a 2022 Kawasaki EX6, was involved in a collision with a 2024 Nissan Altima being operated by a 20-year-old female on Rockaway Turnpike in the vicinity of Argyle Road. As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The female operator of the Nissan Altima remained at the scene and was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing.”

—
Update: It’s many hours later, and Rockaway Turnpike is still only allowing one side through. Heavy traffic remains.

This is not generally a good sign, unfortunately. Hopeful that the biker is ok.

—
There is currently a bad accident involving a car and a motorcycle on Rockaway Tpke and Argyle.

Police are blocking off the road. Avoid the area.

After posting the attached comment, we received the following statement from Assemblyman Ari Brown:

“I am pleased to report that after speaking directly with the Atlantic Beach Bridge Authority, they acknowledged the error that was brought to their attention and have advised that refunds will be issued shortly to those affected.

I want to thank the Atlantic Beach Bridge Authority for their professionalism, responsiveness, and willingness to work through this matter. From our first conversation through the resolution, they were a pleasure to work with and addressed the issue promptly once it was identified.

Thank you to the residents who brought this matter forward. We will continue working to ensure that concerns are addressed and resolved as quickly as possible.”

Ari Brown. NYS Assembly – AD 20

The Village of Lawrence is pleased to announce that Liberty Water will begin a series of water main replacement projects in the coming weeks as part of its ongoing efforts to improve water service reliability, water quality, and system performance throughout the community.

The project will include the replacement of aging water mains on the following streets:

* Lord Avenue (between Central Avenue and Broadway) – approximately 1,000 feet of pipe
* Rand Place – approximately 725 feet of pipe
* Lismore Road – approximately 450 feet of pipe
* Wentworth Place – approximately 515 feet of pipe
* Stevens Place – approximately 300 feet of pipe
* Wildacre Place – approximately 725 feet of pipe

According to Liberty Water, infrastructure upgrades are selected after a comprehensive review of the age and condition of existing water mains, repair history, and customer service data, including water pressure concerns and service complaints.

Construction is expected to begin within the next several weeks and continue throughout the month of June.

These improvements are designed to address water pressure deficiencies, accommodate increased demand on the system, and enhance overall water quality for residents.

Following the completion of the water main replacement work, the Village of Lawrence will repave the affected roadways to ensure streets are fully restored and improved for residents.

“Our administration has made infrastructure improvements a top priority, and this project is another important step forward,” said Mayor Samuel Nahmias. “Replacing aging water mains before they become larger problems is a smart investment that will improve service for residents today and strengthen our community for years to come. We are proud to partner with Liberty Water on this initiative and will ensure that the affected streets are fully repaved once the work is complete.”

Jerusalem, Israel (June 2, 2026)

A senior official in the Prime Minister’s Office is pushing back against claims that a recent phone call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump included personal insults or comments about Netanyahu facing imprisonment, while acknowledging that the exchange between the two leaders was tense.

The call reportedly came amid disagreement over public messaging following discussions about a possible ceasefire and Israel’s continued response to Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon. According to the official, the conversation focused on how statements from both leaders were being interpreted internationally, particularly after Trump publicly announced a ceasefire and Netanyahu later warned that Israel would respond forcefully if its cities or civilians were targeted.

The sequence of events began with an initial call between Netanyahu and Trump at approximately 7:00 p.m. About 40 minutes later, Trump announced that a ceasefire was in place. Later that evening, Netanyahu stated that Israel would respond in Beirut if Israeli population centers or citizens came under attack. A second call between the leaders, described as more heated, took place shortly before midnight.

During that second conversation, Trump reportedly expressed concern that Netanyahu’s statement suggested continued military escalation despite the ceasefire announcement. Netanyahu, in turn, argued that Trump’s remarks created the impression that Israel had halted operations on all fronts, which Israeli officials said did not reflect the situation on the ground.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the discussion did not amount to a rupture in communication between the two leaders. The official also said Trump recognized that Israel faces serious difficulties in explaining its position internationally, especially as military action against Hezbollah continues to draw scrutiny.

Israeli officials are firmly denying claims that Trump made personal remarks suggesting Netanyahu would already be in jail or similar comments. They maintain that while the call reflected real frustration over strategy and messaging, the dispute centered on how each side’s public statements affected global understanding of the ceasefire and Israel’s military posture.

The episode highlights ongoing friction between Washington and Jerusalem over battlefield decisions, diplomatic messaging, and the challenge of coordinating policy during a volatile regional conflict.

Newark, NJ (June 2, 2026)

Federal officials say international passenger and cargo processing at Newark Liberty International Airport will continue for now, easing concerns that a dispute over security outside a nearby immigration detention center could spill into one of the region’s busiest travel hubs.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Monday that the administration does not currently need to redirect customs personnel from Newark Airport to assist with crowd-control operations outside Delaney Hall, a migrant detention facility in Newark. The decision follows increased coordination with New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement after days of confrontations between protesters and federal immigration authorities.

The unrest outside Delaney Hall has centered on objections to conditions at the privately operated detention center, which has capacity for roughly 1,000 detainees. Demonstrations intensified over the past week, prompting Governor Mikie Sherrill to order state police to take control of security operations outside the facility in an effort to reduce violence and stabilize the area.

Mullin had previously warned that Customs and Border Protection personnel could be pulled from Newark Airport if additional security support was needed at the detention center. Such a move could have suspended international arrivals and cargo processing, creating major disruptions for United Airlines, international travelers, freight operators, and businesses dependent on the airport.

Travel and business groups had raised alarms over the possibility, warning that any pause in customs processing at Newark or other major airports could leave passengers stranded and delay critical shipments. The administration has also floated similar action involving airports in sanctuary cities, including Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco.

The timing has heightened concern across the travel sector, with the World Cup set to begin later this month across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament final is scheduled for July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, only a short distance from Newark Airport.

For now, federal officials are signaling that continued cooperation with state and local authorities has reduced the immediate threat of airport disruptions.

June 2, 2026

Conservative commentator Mark Levin is calling for a criminal investigation after details of a reported phone call between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were leaked amid escalating tensions involving Israel, Hezbollah, Lebanon, and negotiations tied to Iran. The controversy centers on claims that Trump sharply criticized Netanyahu over Israeli military actions in Lebanon, with the reported call quickly becoming a flashpoint in U.S.-Israel political debate.

Levin argued that the leak was not merely a media matter, but a serious breach with potential national security implications. In a statement posted after the report circulated, Levin accused anonymous leakers of fabricating key parts of the story and said the episode should trigger consequences for both the outlet involved and those who provided the information.

Levin wrote:

“MORE RE YESTERDAY’S LEAK ABOUT THE PHONE CALL BETWEEN POTUS AND BIBII

Barack Ravid at Axios should be fired. Reason: his story was largely fabricated by those leaking anonymously leaking to him. The media need to take seriously the accuracy of what they report and these media companies need to clean up their messes. Axios should issue an immediate correction and apology, and the DOJ/FBI should open a criminal investigation today. A criminal investigation is warranted because of the nature of the leak and the purpose, which was to damage relations between our country and Israel, give aid and support to the enemy, and influence the course of the war/negotiations in a way that is harmful to our country.

I have already commented on the actual substance of the call: Israel must be free to destroy Hezbollah. Hezbollah continues to rain thousands of missiles and drones against Israel, at the direction of its Iranian regime masters. Israel is a sovereign nation that must and will protect its people. Let’s recall that Hezbollah has killed hundreds of Americans, including Marines, over the years. They are doing us a favor as well by taking on Hezbollah, which we’ve refused to do for decades.

Moreover, Iran must not be able to dictate terms of any agreement, including its demand to protect Hezbollah should any deal be struck (and, obviously, I’ve made my opposition to any deal known — the regime needs to be eliminated if we, in our country, as well as the rest of the world, are to be finally free of the Islamist nuclear and terror threat — see my monologue last Sunday on Fox).”

The dispute underscores the sensitivity surrounding U.S.-Israel communications during active regional conflict. It also highlights broader concerns among supporters of Israel that leaked diplomatic conversations can affect military strategy, public perception, and ongoing negotiations involving Iran and Hezbollah.

Brooklyn, NY (June 1, 2026)

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday that New York may consider new limits on classroom screen time, signaling that the state’s push to reduce digital distractions in schools could expand beyond smartphones.

Speaking during a school roundtable in Brooklyn, Hochul said concerns from parents and educators have increasingly focused on younger students’ use of laptops, tablets, and other classroom devices. She said any future policy would require a careful review process involving educators, experts, families, and other stakeholders before the state moves forward.

The comments come after New York’s statewide school smartphone restrictions received positive early feedback from educators. According to survey findings discussed by the governor, a large majority of roughly 600 teachers reported that the phone policy improved classroom conditions, including student focus, peer interaction, and overall engagement.

The discussion is now shifting toward whether similar concerns apply to school-issued technology, particularly in early grades. Some educators and parent advocates have questioned whether young children benefit from frequent device use, especially when traditional instruction, handwriting, reading from printed materials, and face-to-face discussion may better support early development.

Over the weekend, the state teachers union approved a resolution calling for an end to one-device-per-student practices through second grade, with exceptions for students who need technology for translation, disability accommodations, or special education services. The union also raised concerns about artificial intelligence in schools and urged close oversight of chatbot use in educational settings.

Supporters of reducing classroom screen use argue that young students need more direct instruction, social interaction, and hands-on learning. Others caution that technology can still play a useful role when used carefully, particularly for accessibility, language support, and individualized instruction.

Hochul’s remarks suggest that state officials are still in the information-gathering stage and have not settled on a formal proposal. Still, the issue is likely to draw growing attention as schools evaluate how much technology belongs in the classroom, especially for the youngest students.

Albany, NY (June 1, 2026)

New York is moving to tax nicotine pouches under the same framework used for other tobacco products, following the approval of the state’s $268 billion budget.

The new policy applies the state’s 75% wholesale tobacco tax to alternative nicotine products, including popular pouch brands that contain nicotine but no tobacco leaf. The change places those products alongside items such as cigars and smokeless tobacco for tax purposes, while cigarettes remain covered by a separate per-pack tax.

State officials have framed the move as part of a broader public health strategy focused on nicotine addiction and youth access. The Hochul administration has argued that products containing nicotine should not be treated as harmless simply because they do not contain tobacco leaf, particularly as flavored and discreet pouch products have become more visible in the marketplace.

The measure is also expected to generate new revenue for health-related spending. Beginning in fiscal year 2028, the state anticipates tens of millions of dollars in additional annual funding for the Health Care Reform Act fund, which helps support health care programs across New York.

The tax has drawn sharp pushback from industry representatives and some retailers, who argue that nicotine pouches should not be treated the same as combustible tobacco products. Opponents contend that higher prices may discourage adult smokers from switching to products they view as lower-risk alternatives, while also creating incentives for consumers to seek cheaper products outside regulated retail channels.

Public health advocates have taken a different view, saying taxes on nicotine products can help reduce use, particularly among young people, and prevent another generation from becoming dependent on nicotine.

The debate reflects a wider national discussion over how governments should regulate newer nicotine products that are not cigarettes but still carry addiction concerns. In New York, the latest budget decision makes clear that state leaders intend to bring those products more firmly into the existing tobacco tax structure, even as disagreement continues over whether the approach will improve public health or simply raise costs for consumers.

**
June 1, 2026**

President Donald Trump said Monday that he intervened directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent a broader Israeli operation in Beirut, while also claiming that Hezbollah had agreed through intermediaries to stop firing on Israel and Israeli forces.

The announcement came during a tense day of regional diplomacy, as fighting along Israel’s northern front continued to raise concerns about a wider escalation. Trump said Netanyahu had agreed to pull back from a major raid in Lebanon’s capital, while Israel, in turn, would halt attacks on Hezbollah if the terror group stopped its assaults.

The reported understanding remains uncertain. Hezbollah has repeatedly violated past pauses in fighting, and communities in northern Israel have continued facing drone and rocket threats throughout the conflict. Israeli soldiers have also been killed during recent periods described as ceasefires or temporary pauses, fueling anger among Israelis who argue that restraint has allowed Hezbollah to regroup and continue attacking civilians and military positions.

Behind the scenes, Trump’s push appears tied to broader negotiations with Iran, Hezbollah’s chief backer. Reports indicate that the administration is concerned that a major Israeli strike in Beirut could derail those talks and further destabilize the region. At the same time, Israeli leaders have insisted that the country will retain the right to act forcefully if Hezbollah continues attacking from Lebanon.

Netanyahu later signaled that Israel’s position had not changed, saying military operations in southern Lebanon would continue as needed and that Beirut could still be targeted if Hezbollah attacks persist.

The episode highlights a growing divide between Washington’s diplomatic priorities and Israel’s security demands. While the White House is pressing for a pause that could support wider regional negotiations, many in Israel remain deeply skeptical of any arrangement that leaves Hezbollah’s command structure and weapons network intact.

For northern Israeli residents, the central question remains whether the latest diplomatic intervention will bring real quiet, or simply another short-lived pause before the next round of attacks.

SHOTS FIRED: TRUMP JUST WENT OFF ON NETANYAHU: “YOU’RE F**KING CRAZY” pic.twitter.com/Y4ludu8jS2

— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) June 2, 2026

**
London, England (June 1, 2026)**

British Airways has extended its pause on service between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv, keeping the route suspended through October 24, 2026, as airlines continue to reassess operations across the Middle East amid ongoing security concerns.

The decision delays what had been expected to be a limited return to Israel later this summer. The airline had previously planned to restart the route in early August with one daily flight, a reduced schedule compared with its standard twice-daily service. That plan has now been pushed back as regional tensions continue to affect air travel planning and risk assessments.

The Heathrow–Tel Aviv route has faced repeated disruption since security conditions in the region deteriorated. Aviation operations have been affected by the Israel-Hamas war, threats from Iranian-backed groups, and attacks that have raised concerns about the safety of commercial flights near Israeli airspace. A missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport earlier this year contributed to renewed caution among international carriers.

Passengers impacted by the latest extension are being offered options to either receive a full refund or rebook their flights without penalty. Travelers with upcoming plans are being advised to review their itineraries carefully and monitor airline updates, as schedules remain subject to further changes depending on security developments.

British Airways is not alone in maintaining caution over Israel service. Several major international carriers have postponed or reduced flights to Tel Aviv, while others have resumed limited operations under revised schedules. U.S. airlines have also delayed broader returns to Israel, leaving Israeli carriers and select foreign airlines to handle much of the demand.

The extended suspension underscores the continuing uncertainty facing travelers and airlines as the regional situation remains fluid. For now, British Airways passengers seeking direct service between London and Tel Aviv will need to consider alternate carriers or connecting routes until the airline determines that regular operations can safely resume.

Mayor Samuel Nahmias marched at the front of more than 50,000 marchers in the Israel Day Parade on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, accompanied by his wife, Monica, their children, and Village Trustee Steven Gottesman.

Joining them were (left to right): Fourth Precinct South Auxiliary Inspector Danny Gluck, Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Howard Kopel, Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, NCPD Chaplain Rabbi Elie Weinstock, and Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey P. Pravato. Not pictured: Assemblyman Ari Brown, Radio Host Sid Rosenberg, and influencer Gabriel Boxer.

In a reel that went viral, Mayor Nahmias noted: Today, I was proud to march in the Israel Day Parade alongside my children, celebrating the unbreakable bond between America and Israel.

Standing with thousands of supporters, and with our soon to be Governor, Bruce Blakeman – we sent a simple message:

“We stand with Israel.

We stand with the Jewish people.

And we stand against antisemitism, every time and everywhere.”

[

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Update: It’s many hours later, and Rockaway Turnpike is still only allowing one side through. Heavy traffic remains.

This is not generally a good sign, unfortunately. Hopeful that the biker is ok.

—

There is currently a bad accident involving a car and a motorcycle on Rockaway Tpke and Argyle.

Police are blocking off the road. Avoid the area.

Last week, 5TC alerted the public about a large sunken drain hole on Rockaway Turnpike, just past Lowe’s, that has caused dozens of flat tires.

Chaverim issued a warning, and 5TC personally reached out to numerous local elected officials. Each official contacted different agencies and parties, but unfortunately, the issue has still not been repaired.

Over the weekend, another driver reached out after suffering a major flat tire and additional vehicle damage, with repairs already estimated at $2,000.

Nassau County Road Maintenance had a supervisor check it out and informed that this is an NYC roadway and they are the ones responsible. They also contacted New York City DOT of the issue.

There is no reason this dangerous road condition should remain unresolved. The responsible party should also be held accountable for the damage caused to these vehicles.

After the remarkable capture of Beaufort Castle in Lebanon—a symbolic stronghold long associated with Hezbollah—the bravery and determination of Israeli soldiers once again came into focus. Alongside the military achievement, an earlier discussion we wrote about during a previous escalation on the Lebanese front has resurfaced: how the Torah defines the northern boundary of Eretz Yisrael, and whether present-day Lebanon falls within that biblical framework.

While 44 years ago the battle for Beaufort Castle was fierce and costly, claiming the lives of many soldiers, this time the fortress was captured relatively quickly and with far less resistance. How can we understand this contrast?

In the past I suggested an explanation based on a well-known Rashi (Bereshit 28, 13). When Yaakov Avinu arrived at Har HaMoriah and went to sleep, Rashi explains that Hashem, so to speak, folded the entire Land of Israel beneath him. The purpose was to show Yaakov that the land would be inherited by his descendants with ease.

The deeper message may be that when something truly belongs to a person, it naturally gravitates back to its rightful owner—but only after the owner demonstrates that he genuinely desires it. The struggles and obstacles along the way may be real, yet ultimately the object seeks to return to where it belongs.

Perhaps the same idea can be applied here. Forty-four years ago, capturing Beaufort required a bitter and costly battle. Today, after decades of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering attachment to the Land of Israel, the same stronghold fell with remarkable speed. Perhaps this is because the Jewish people have demonstrated, time and again, that they truly desire the land promised to them.

It may also reflect the unfolding process of the Geulah. As we have discussed in previous articles, the horn of Israel continues to rise, and the redemption advances step by step, sometimes in ways that become apparent only in hindsight.

Of course, we do not presume to know Hashem’s calculations. Yet the image is striking. When a land has been promised by Hashem to the Jewish people, its ultimate destiny is to return to them. What once required immense effort may one day come with surprising ease, because, in a deeper sense, it is simply returning to its rightful owner.

Is Lebanon within Israel’s promised borders?

The Torah does not leave the borders of the Land of Israel undefined. In the covenant with Avraham Avinu, Hashem promises: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt until the great river, the Euphrates (Perat)” (Bereishit 15:18). This establishes a sweeping geographic vision of the promised land that extends far beyond the settled borders familiar from later Jewish history. The expansive region described in these pesukim reaches across parts of modern-day Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, all the way to the Euphrates River, which flows through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

A fascinating Rashi on this pasuk notes that the Torah’s promise here refers to the inheritance of ten nations, whereas throughout history Bnei Yisrael has only conquered seven. From this its proven that the full realization of the promise was never meant to be completed in earlier generations, but is reserved for the future redemption, in the days of Mashiach, when the entire promised territory will ultimately be attained. Ohr Hachayim writes that this understanding should strengthen us in exile, reminding us that Hashem’s promise has not been exhausted, and that the complete fulfillment of the land’s boundaries will yet come.

His interpretation may be based on sources in the Yerushalmi (Kidushin 1, 8), which states that Hashem said to Israel: your forefathers conquered the land of seven nations, but you—in the future—will conquer the land of ten nations.

Another reference appears in Parshat Ekev, where the Torah describes the territory that will be given to Israel in conquest: “Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours—from the wilderness and Lebanon, and from the river, the Euphrates River, until the western sea shall be your boundary” (Devarim 11:24). Here, Lebanon is not merely implied but explicitly named as part of the northern direction of expansion described by the Torah.

A further indication is found in the very beginning of Sefer Yehoshua (1:3–4): “Every place on which the soles of your feet will tread I have given to you, as I have spoken to Moshe. From this desert and Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the great sea westward shall be your boundary.”

The inheritance of Shevet Asher extends along the northern coastal region, including areas adjacent to what is today southern Lebanon. Cities such as Akko and the regions north of Mount Carmel reflect how the biblical settlement naturally stretches toward that northern axis. The repetition of this formulation reinforces that the northern boundary described in the Torah continues into the era of entry into the land under Yehoshua.

When these sources are viewed together, a consistent picture emerges: the Torah describes a far broader conception of Eretz Yisrael than the borders most commonly associated with the modern State of Israel. Lebanon appears in the Torah’s language as part of the northern directional boundary of that promised land, and is treated by several classical sources as falling within that biblical scope.

From the river to the sea

Geographically, this becomes even more striking when considering the river identified with the biblical Perat—the Euphrates—which flows through modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq before continuing toward the Persian Gulf. The Torah’s description of the land thus spans a vast territory that extends far beyond its commonly perceived dimensions.

While the practical realization of these borders is a subject of its own discussion, the Torah’s language presents a clear and expansive vision of the land promised to Avraham and his descendants, in which Lebanon occupies a significant place within the northern boundary descriptions.

The Northern Front: A Milchemet Mitzvah?

Within Chazal and the Rishonim, these pesukim are not treated merely as poetic language. The Ramban, in his commentary to Parshat Ekev (Devarim 11:24), understands these descriptions as defining the scope of the biblical inheritance promised to the Jewish people. According to his approach, Lebanon is included within the territory that Hashem commanded Israel to conquer. He distinguishes it from regions such as Syria, whose conquest is classified as a milchemet reshut (a discretionary war). Lebanon, by contrast, falls within the borders promised by Hashem and is therefore included in the obligation of conquest, giving it the status of a milchemet mitzvah.

Also the Rambam (Hilchot Melachim, chapter 5) explains that a war fought to conquer the Land of Israel within the borders promised by Hashem is classified as a milchemet mitzvah—a commanded war. This designation reflects the unique status of the land and the obligation to establish Jewish sovereignty over the territory that Hashem assigned to the Jewish people.

The events unfolding—remarkable on both a historical and biblical scale—may be understood by many as an indication that the process of Geulah is advancing with increasing momentum. We can only pray that this continues, and that our soldiers and the entire nation should remain safe and well.

“What an incredible display of unity, love, and resilience as tens of thousands of New Yorkers turned out for the Israel Day Parade in NYC!

Today, we boycotted antisemitism and sent a powerful message: New York will always stand with its Jewish community, and New Yorkers will always stand with Israel.

עם ישראל חי ”

What an incredible display of unity, love, and resilience as tens of thousands of New Yorkers turned out for the Israel Day Parade in NYC!

Today, we boycotted antisemitism and sent a powerful message: New York will always stand with its Jewish community, and New Yorkers will… pic.twitter.com/wHmhFUKfwd

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) May 31, 2026

It was great to march today alongside friends and leaders from Israel, including Knesset Speaker @AmirOhana, Jerusalem Mayor @MosheLion, Consul General @Ofir_Akunis, and so many others, together with thousands of proud New Yorkers.

A special thank you to the NYPD for a job well… pic.twitter.com/OANoIogbvV

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) June 1, 2026

Tel Aviv, Israel (June 1, 2026)

El Al Israel Airlines is expanding its long-haul network with a new nonstop route between Tel Aviv and San Francisco, strengthening the Israeli carrier’s presence on the U.S. West Coast.

The new service is scheduled to begin October 25, 2026, with three weekly flights operating on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The route will be flown on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering Economy, Premium, and Business class seating for the roughly 15-hour journey between Ben Gurion Airport and San Francisco International Airport.

The launch is aimed at serving growing demand from business travelers, particularly in the technology sector, as well as Israeli and Jewish communities across Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. The route is expected to provide a direct travel option for passengers who currently rely on connecting flights through other U.S. or European cities.

El Al is also giving the route a local touch, assigning the Tel Aviv-to-San Francisco flight the number LY49 in a nod to the San Francisco 49ers.

The San Francisco addition comes as El Al continues a broad international expansion across several regions, including North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The airline has announced multiple new destinations in recent months as it works to meet rising travel demand and reinforce Israel’s direct air links with major global markets.

With the new Bay Area route, El Al’s North American winter schedule is expected to reach 45 weekly flights. The airline will serve six major U.S. markets: New York through both JFK and Newark, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The expansion reflects the airline’s continued focus on the North American market, which remains one of its most important international regions. For travelers between Israel and Northern California, the new route is expected to offer a significant convenience boost, reducing travel time and providing a direct connection between two major technology and innovation hubs.

June 1, 2026

Newly released tracking data shows antisemitic incidents continued to occur at an elevated pace worldwide during the final full week of May, with researchers recording 139 cases between May 21 and May 28.

The findings reflect a broad range of activity, including harassment, threats, vandalism, public incitement, and anti-Israel expressions that crossed into antisemitic rhetoric. The data also highlights how antisemitism continues to emerge from multiple ideological sources, including far-left, Islamist-inspired, and far-right movements.

Among incidents in which researchers were able to identify a clear ideological motivation, far-left actors accounted for 44.6% of cases, while Islamist-inspired individuals or groups were linked to 43.9%. Far-right actors made up 11.5% of the ideologically categorized incidents. Cases without a clear ideological connection were not included in that breakdown.

The report also found that more than one-fifth of all recorded incidents involved incitement or violent language targeting Jews or calling for Israel’s elimination. Researchers said those cases represented 21.9% of the total incidents documented during the week.

Common forms of rhetoric included calls for an “intifada,” use of the phrase “From the river to the sea,” and references to violence against Israeli soldiers. The inverted red triangle, a symbol increasingly associated with Hamas target-marking imagery, appeared in 11 recorded incidents. Calls for an “intifada” and use of “From the river to the sea” were each documented in nine cases, while variations of language calling for death to Israeli military personnel appeared in six.

The latest figures come amid continued concern over the normalization of antisemitic language in public demonstrations, online spaces, and political activism. Jewish advocacy groups have warned that slogans and symbols tied to violence can contribute to an atmosphere of intimidation for Jewish communities, even when presented in the context of anti-Israel protest.

The data underscores the ongoing challenge facing law enforcement, public officials, and community leaders as they work to distinguish lawful political expression from rhetoric that promotes hatred, threats, or violence against Jews.

**
New York, NY (June 1, 2026)**

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s newly created Office of Mass Engagement is drawing renewed scrutiny after budget documents showed a sharp increase in projected staffing costs for the City Hall unit.

The office, launched earlier this year to expand public participation in city policymaking, is now expected to include 40 employees, up from an earlier staffing level of 14. Salary costs for the unit are projected at more than $5.1 million in the Fiscal Year 2027 executive budget, not including a smaller amount set aside for non-personnel expenses.

City officials have described the office as a way to bring residents more directly into government decision-making, particularly communities that have historically had limited access to City Hall. The unit has been tied to outreach efforts around major policy debates, including rent regulation hearings that could affect roughly 2 million rent-stabilized tenants.

The office’s rapid growth, however, has prompted criticism from opponents who argue that taxpayer funds are being used for work that resembles political organizing. Some critics have raised concerns over job descriptions that emphasize grassroots campaigns and public mobilization, saying those responsibilities blur the line between civic engagement and advocacy on behalf of the mayor’s agenda.

City Hall has defended the office as a government outreach operation, not a political arm, and has said its work is aimed at increasing participation rather than pushing a predetermined outcome. Officials have also said outreach has included a range of stakeholders, including tenant groups and landlord representatives.

The staffing plan includes several senior roles with six-figure salaries, including leadership positions connected to organizing and public engagement. Some employees previously worked in campaign or community organizing roles, a fact that has further fueled debate over the office’s purpose and structure.

The controversy comes as the administration advances a $124.7 billion executive budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The mayor’s office budget is also set to rise compared with the prior administration, adding to broader questions over City Hall staffing, communications operations, and spending priorities as budget negotiations continue.

Torah and therapy: Discovering how the inner work of Torah Can Guide Us Through Pain, Loss, Anxiety, and Life’s Challenges

Rabbi Dr. Bin Goldman joins Coach Menachem for a powerful conversation on the intersection of Torah, therapy, healing, trauma, anxiety, spirituality, and personal growth. Together they explore how Torah can serve not only as a system of beliefs and practices, but as a path toward healing, wholeness, and deeper connection with Hashem.

Topics include emotional healing, consciousness, mindfulness, trauma recovery, spiritual growth, religious trauma, peak experiences, plant medicine, anxiety, gratitude, and how to build a genuine relationship with Hashem.

Can Torah heal emotional pain? What happens when trauma affects our connection to God? How do we move from inspiration to transformation? Join us as we explore these questions and more.

Yonatan Razel, known for songs including “V’hi She’amda” and “Katonti,” is currently hospitalized and in critical condition following a stroke R”L.

Please daven for: Yonatan Adi ben Chaya Rachel.

Besuros Tovos!

Oh no!

Yonatan Razel, the musician, had a stroke and is in life threatening condition.

Please say a little prayer for him.

His name for davening is Yonatan Adi Ben Chaya Rachel. pic.twitter.com/8fl9tjaSLW

— Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) June 1, 2026

Newark, NJ (May 31, 2026)

Newark officials have ordered a nightly curfew around the Delaney Hall immigration detention center after several days of escalating confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement outside the facility.

Mayor Ras Baraka announced that the curfew will run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the area surrounding the detention center and will remain in place until further notice. The order follows another tense night along Doremus Avenue, where protesters and police clashed near barricades set up to manage demonstrations.

The unrest comes amid growing scrutiny of conditions inside Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed immigration detention facility that has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over federal immigration enforcement. Advocates say hundreds of detainees have taken part in a hunger and work strike over concerns that include medical care, access to families, food, overcrowding, and delays in immigration proceedings.

State police recently took over the lead role in managing the protest area outside the facility after several days of confrontations involving federal immigration officers. Officials established a designated protest zone in an effort to allow demonstrations while keeping access routes clear and limiting the risk of additional clashes.

State leaders said some individuals at the scene damaged barriers, threw objects, and set fires in the street, creating danger for both peaceful protesters and officers. Officials urged demonstrators to remain peaceful so attention could stay focused on detainee conditions and calls for greater oversight of the facility.

The situation has drawn attention from elected officials, immigrant rights organizations, and relatives of detainees, many of whom have called for increased transparency and the eventual closure of Delaney Hall. Federal officials have disputed some claims about conditions inside the facility and said restrictions on visits were tied to safety concerns during the unrest.

Family visitation was partially restored Sunday, though questions remained about the scope of access for all detainees. The area remains under heightened law enforcement presence as officials work to prevent further clashes while demonstrations continue.

UPDATE: OUT-OF-STATE rioters are being BROUGHT IN and were just ARRESTED by police during anti-ICE riots

Even Democrat Gov. Sherrill just admitted it: "They're escalating. 5 of 6 people arrested by state police were from OUTSIDE NEW JERSEY."

Liberals are flying and bussing… pic.twitter.com/cJRBNZ0ekJ

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 30, 2026

Nabatieh, Lebanon (May 31, 2026)

Israeli forces have taken control of the Beaufort Castle area in southern Lebanon, marking one of the most significant ground advances by the IDF in Lebanon in more than two decades.

The operation was carried out by forces from the Golani Brigade, the 7th Armored Brigade, and Givati units operating under the 36th Division. Israeli troops crossed the Litani River and moved onto the Beaufort Ridge, a high-ground position overlooking large sections of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

The IDF said the operation targeted Hezbollah infrastructure that had been built up in the area, including positions used for observation, weapons activity, and attacks toward Israel. The military said the advance was supported by air power, artillery, and tanks, and was approved by senior IDF leadership.

Beaufort Castle has long held both military and symbolic significance. The Crusader-era fortress became a key battlefield during the First Lebanon War in 1982, when Israeli forces captured it from Palestinian armed groups in a costly battle. Israel later used the site during its years in the southern Lebanon security zone before withdrawing from Lebanon in 2000.

At the time of that withdrawal, Hezbollah’s takeover of the site became a powerful image in the region. Its renewed capture by Israeli forces is now being viewed in Israel as both a strategic move and a symbolic reversal, particularly amid the ongoing campaign to push Hezbollah away from the border.

The latest advance comes as fighting in southern Lebanon has intensified, with Israeli forces expanding operations against Hezbollah positions north of the border area. The military has described the campaign as part of a broader effort to reduce threats to northern Israeli communities and prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing attack infrastructure near Israel.

The situation remains fluid, with continued military activity reported across parts of southern Lebanon.

BREAKING:

Israeli forces have captured the strategic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon.

The Crusader-era fortress overlooks the Litani River and is considered a key strategic position in the region.

Israel previously controlled the area during its presence in southern… pic.twitter.com/ic0JRYftTe

— Current Report (@Currentreport1) May 31, 2026

Historic.

26 years after the last Israeli soldier left Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces have returned and conquered it once again.

We will not stop until Hezbollah is fully destroyed.

Israel is stronger than ever. pic.twitter.com/UnQbbF69Fl

— Vivid. (@VividProwess) May 31, 2026

More than 600 elected officials, government leaders, clergy and communal stakeholders gathered in Manhattan at the iconic Cipriani 42nd Street on Sunday morning to celebrate the extraordinary impact of Met Council, America’s largest Jewish charity serving the needy. Held ahead of New York City’s Salute to Israel Parade, the annual event brought together some of the most influential voices in public service and community leadership to recognize Met Council’s work supporting more than 350,000 New Yorkers through its network of food pantries, social services, senior programs and anti-poverty initiatives.

Gov. Hochul used the event to formally sign the “Buffer Zone” bill, aimed to protect houses of worship and religious with 50-foot security perimeters where protests are not allowed.

The prestigious gathering underscored both Met Council’s critical role as a leading provider of social services across New York and its unique ability to convene leaders from every level of government.

Brooklyn, NY (May 31, 2026)

Police are investigating a pair of unusual overnight incidents in Brooklyn after groups of men were filmed removing manhole covers, entering the sewer system, and later leaving in vehicles.

The activity was reported in two separate neighborhoods, Williamsburg and Gravesend, several miles apart. Authorities have not said whether the incidents are connected, and no arrests have been announced in the latest cases.

One group was reportedly seen entering a manhole near Bedford Avenue and Hayward Street in Williamsburg at about 1 a.m. and resurfacing hours later. In a separate incident, several people were recorded near McDonald Avenue and Collin Place in Gravesend climbing out of a sewer opening, some wearing waders and boots. Video from that scene showed individuals removing dirty clothing and placing clothing or equipment into nearby vehicles before leaving the area.

The NYPD Emergency Service Unit inspected the underground system after the reports. City environmental officials also reviewed the sewer infrastructure. Officials said no immediate danger or damage was found, though entering the sewer system without authorization remains illegal and dangerous.

Investigators have not publicly identified a motive. Possible explanations circulating in the community include unauthorized urban exploration or attempts to search for valuables underground, but police have not confirmed either theory.

The incidents have drawn added attention because they occurred in neighborhoods with dense residential blocks and active pedestrian areas. Residents have raised concerns about public safety, particularly given the unusual timing and the organized appearance of the activity.

Brooklyn saw a similar case in 2025, when several men were arrested after allegedly entering a sewer system in Bensonhurst. In that case, suspects reportedly offered explanations involving cleaning work or searching for valuables, though investigators did not accept those accounts as verified.

Authorities are continuing to review video and inspect whether any underground access points were tampered with. Police are asking anyone with information about the latest incidents to contact investigators.

#BREAKING: Video footage obtained by Williamsburg 365 shows seven individuals emerging from a manhole at Bedford Avenue and Lynch Street early Friday morning. The unusual activity is part of a series of incidents reported over two consecutive days in Williamsburg. pic.twitter.com/s6sbCbtxyT

— Williamsburg 365 News (@Williamsburg365) May 31, 2026

Not only is this happening in Brooklyn, but also Williamsburg, Virginia.
Why are 7-8 young men, not homeless, going into sewers through manhole covers and re-emerging hours later? https://t.co/2USxFtUP5h pic.twitter.com/Hp61lnBIXX

— Booker (@RealBookerScott) May 31, 2026

President Trump calls on New York to vote for Bruce Blakeman and oust Kathy Hochul as governor.

He just posted a picture of himself dunking on Hochul, with the following message:

“PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP vs. Kathy Hochul, New York’s failed Governor who, if people are smart, will vote for Bruce Blakeman — He will, MAKE NEW YORK GREAT AGAIN! President DJT”

NOW: President Trump calls on New York to VOTE FOR BRUCE BLAKEMAN and oust Kathy Hochul as governor

He just posted a picture of himself dunking on Hochul

"PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP vs. Kathy Hochul, New York’s failed Governor who, if people are smart, will vote for Bruce… pic.twitter.com/E2PaEe3DSL

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 30, 2026

Jerusalem, Israel (May 30, 2026)

Gut vuch & Shuavuah Tov to all,

Israel faced a sharp escalation along its northern front over the past day, with dozens of rockets, drones, and anti-tank missiles launched from Lebanon toward IDF positions and civilian areas across the Galilee.

According to Israeli reports, more than 65 rockets were fired toward IDF forces in roughly 12 hours, while another 14 were launched toward communities including Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, and Carmiel. Four rockets targeted the Carmiel area. Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across northern Israel as residents were warned of incoming rockets, drone infiltrations, and interception activity.

The Israeli Air Force intercepted numerous launches, though some projectiles landed in open areas. A strike was identified near Kiryat Shmona, with no injuries reported in the incidents.

Israeli officials are weighing a broader response following the attacks. Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to seek approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a more aggressive policy against Hezbollah, potentially including expanded strikes beyond southern Lebanon. Netanyahu is also expected to convene senior ministers to discuss possible targets and timing.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, speaking near the northern border, urged a far stronger response against Hezbollah’s strongholds in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. He praised recent IDF operations but argued that further military pressure is needed to deter continued attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The IDF said its operations in southern Lebanon remain ongoing. Israeli forces recently struck a Hezbollah artillery command center after operatives were identified at the site, with secondary explosions indicating that weapons had been stored inside. The military also released footage showing Hezbollah rockets striking buildings in the Christian village of Marjaayoun, including the Saint Georges Orthodox Church, saying no IDF troops were operating nearby.

In Gaza, Israeli troops eliminated four Hamas terrorists in separate operations after they were identified as immediate threats to forces, including one operative allegedly preparing sniper attacks.

Separately, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met with Bedouin and Druze leaders ahead of Eid al-Adha, thanking minority communities serving in the military and pledging continued support for soldiers and their families.

The regional picture remains tense as U.S.-Iran discussions over the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear material continue without a final agreement.

Besuros Tovos.

By Rabbi Binyamin Silver Esq.

In recent weeks, renewed controversy surrounding Kars4Kids has reignited old accusations, not merely against a charity organization, but against broader ideas tied to Jewish communal life, multiculturalism, and the role of religious communities in America. Much of the discussion has gone far beyond legitimate criticism of nonprofit transparency, legal disclosure, and the vexing notes of an all too familiar ditty. Instead, it has drifted into something deeper and far more dangerous: the suggestion that strong ethnic or religious communities are somehow incompatible with American ideals.

That claim deserves a response.

This article is not a legal analysis of truth in advertising laws, or an expose on the ethics of, shall we say, grey marketing techniques. Rather, this is a response to the broader narrative that has emerged around the controversy. This narrative paints Jewish communal organization, religious particularism, or multiculturalism itself as somehow foreign to the American experiment.

Yet, it is precisely the opposite.

The United States was never envisioned as a nation built upon enforced cultural sameness. All available evidence indicates that the Founding Fathers did not create America as a melting pot in which every distinction would disappear. Rather, they established a constitutional framework that would allow vastly different communities, beliefs, and traditions to coexist peacefully under shared laws and shared civic values. The American experiment is an attempt to create a whole that is greater than the sum total of its components, and thus, implicitly assumes disparate ethnic and religious groups coming together under the banner of shared values and mutual respect. As eloquently expressed on the almighty dollar bill (inflation to the shekel notwithstanding), E pluribus unum – out of many, one.

In fact, our founding document, the Constitution itself, reflects this reality. The First Amendment protects religious liberty not because the Founders expected religion to fade away, but because they understood that vibrant religious communities were essential to a free society. America’s success has always depended upon people bringing the moral strength, discipline, charity, and traditions of their communities into the public square, to enhance the broader constitutional order.

While certainly not the only example, Jewish communities illustrate this balance particularly well, maintaining a distinct religious and cultural identity while simultaneously fully participating and deeply contributing to the broader American civic framework. For generations, Jewish Americans built schools, charities, synagogues, mutual aid networks, and philanthropic organizations that served both their own communities and society at large. They maintained strong identities while participating fully in American civic life. That is not a betrayal of Americanism. It is Americanism.

Critics of multiculturalism often argue that emphasizing group identity weakens national unity. There is a legitimate concern buried within that argument: a nation cannot survive if people lose all sense of shared moral obligation or common civic identity. But too often, that concern evolves into the false assertion that strong and close-knit minority communities themselves are the problem. They are not.

Assuming, arguendo, that these critics are truth-seekers of the highest order rather than individuals motivated by anti-Semitic bias, there is indeed a legitimate concern that multiculturalism, when divorced from shared moral and civic foundations, can ultimately implode upon itself under the weight of its own misapplication. Even critical social values can be misappropriated to the detriment of society. For example, by all accounts, justice is a critical value and ought to be adopted by any society that wishes to prosper. And yet, the biblical city of Sodom, serves as a stark reminder that even strict justice can be abused. The Sodom episode highlights the extreme absurdity that can result when a value is taken too far and ultimately becomes the very cause of its own demise.

The Sodom episode, pursuant to the Medrash that no child ever forgets, also provides a great measuring stick by which to determine if a “good” value has been taken to its absurd extreme. Case in point, when you find yourself chopping off the feet of a visitor in the name of “justice” you can be fairly certain that it is time to dial back the emphasis on strict justice and moderate its application.

On the other hand, when a value produces a society that successfully enables minority ethnic and religious groups to balance internal focus with enhancing, contributing, and benefiting the broader community, the value should be celebrated. This is not to say, that there aren’t bad actors, or instances of abuse, but taken in its totality, we can comfortably conclude that the value is a net positive.

Setting political theory aside however, I believe there is a more subtle but dangerous issue at the core of the anti-multiculturalism argument, particularly as it relates to the Jewish community. The claim that multiculturalism is inherently corrosive reflects a deep-seated moral confusion, in that it fails to distinguish between communities that seek to live peacefully within a constitutional order and groups or ideologies that fundamentally undermine the moral and civic foundations upon which that order depends.

At its core, the argument falsely conflates communities that are openly hostile to the moral and civic foundations upon which this country was built with communities that deeply respect those foundations and openly express gratitude for the privilege of living as citizens of this nation. Failure to distinguish between different communities and their societal contributions, or lack thereof, is a lapse in moral judgment of the highest order.

The existence of harmful minority movements does not invalidate multiculturalism any more than the existence of criminal individuals invalidates liberty itself. This confusion is so egregious that it almost seems intentional, but who is to judge, ignorance, malice, and stupidity are often interchangeable.

Noticeably, the same cast of characters that are opposed to multiculturalism in the current instance, are also guilty of exercising poor moral judgment with respect to most current events. It is the same crowd, the woke left and horseshoe right, that don’t understand why the Trump administration is concerned with Iran having a nuclear weapon and not concerned about Israel having nuclear capabilities. They are equally puzzled as to why we should support attacking Hezbollah, and they are empathically convinced that the justified and legitimate operations in Gaza are a genocide. The best I can offer, is at least they are consistent!

Indeed, the most egregious societal sin, is the intentional obfuscation of morality. A society that treats up as down, and good as evil, is a society that cannot prosper. It is a binyan shel sheker, a structure of pure falsehood, that will inevitably collapse due to its lack of foundation.

America’s strength has never come from forcing everyone into cultural uniformity. Its strength comes from creating a constitutional order governed by Judeo- Christian values in which diverse communities can contribute their unique contributions while remaining united by shared civic principles. For those still unable to grasp why regimes such as Iran should not possess nuclear weapons though, the distinction between healthy pluralism and genuinely dangerous ideologies may prove equally elusive.

Rabbi Binyamin Silver, Esq. is the rabbi of the Young Israel of Long Beach, a picturesque and growing year-round community minutes from Far Rockaway and the Five Towns. Rabbi Silver may be reached at [[email protected]].

“Dear Parents,

I do not like to bombard parents with emails.

But I beg you: Do not allow your children to ride electric scooters!

The video below is of a Darchei boy who borrowed a friend’s scooter.

Would you give your child a loaded gun?

If, chas v’shalom, a kid is badly hurt—or worse—you will have only yourself to blame.

A parent asked why I am so tough on this. After all, his son says, “All the kids have electric scooters.”

I told him not to believe his son.

As a general rule, “Almost all the kids” means two other boys.

I beg you!

Rabbi Yaakov Bender”

“Dear Parents,

I do not like to bombard parents with emails.

But I beg you: Do not allow your children to ride electric scooters!

The video below is of a Darchei boy who borrowed a friend’s scooter.

Would you give your child a loaded gun?

If, chas v’shalom, a kid is badly hurt—or worse—you will have only yourself to blame.

A parent asked why I am so tough on this. After all, his son says, “All the kids have electric scooters.”

I told him not to believe his son.

As a general rule, “Almost all the kids” means two other boys.

I beg you!

Rabbi Yaakov Bender”

Woodmere, NY (May 28, 2026) — A Cedarhurst man has been arrested in connection with a fatal Woodmere crash that left Moshe Kreindler A”H critically injured before he later succumbed to his injuries.

The crash occurred on Thursday, March 19, at approximately 7:53 a.m. near University Street and Branch Boulevard. According to investigators, Moshe, 39, was driving on University Street when the vehicle was involved in a collision with a 2019 Honda Accord operated by 24-year-old Brayan Romero Flores.

Both drivers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and evaluation following the crash, which ultimately led to the tragic passing of Moshe R”L.

Police have now charged Romero Flores, of Cedarhurst, in connection with the fatal collision. He is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and reckless driving. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, May 28, at First District Court in Hempstead.

The case is being handled by the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad, which investigates serious and fatal crashes. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading up to the collision.

Kreindler’s death deeply impacted many in the Five Towns and surrounding communities. His passing prompted an outpouring of heartbreak following the March crash, as the community rallied around his family during the difficult weeks after the accident.

The arrest marks a significant development in the case more than two months after the collision. Although nothing can replace the life that was lost, the arrest may offer a small measure of nechama to Moshe Kreindler’s family, friends, and the wider community still grieving his petirah.

May Moshe’s neshama have an Aliyah.

Buffalo, NY (May 28, 2026) — A bright streak of light over Western New York early Wednesday morning prompted reports of a possible meteor after residents saw, heard, and even felt what some described as a sudden flash and explosion-like sound.

This is the best video I’ve seen of the meteor streaking through the sky above Western New York at 5:15 this morning. pic.twitter.com/TCJDyPBu6y

— Patrick Hammer (@Pat_HammerWGRZ) May 27, 2026

The event was captured on a doorbell camera in East Amherst, northeast of Buffalo. The video shows a fast-moving light crossing the sky, followed by a brief flash that lit up the area. The sighting was reported around 5:15 a.m., shortly before sunrise.

Local meteorologist Pat Hammer said he received multiple reports from people who experienced the event in different ways, including a flash of light, a loud boom, and a sensation that suggested the sound may have carried across the area. While the footage appears consistent with a bright meteor or fireball, formal confirmation was still pending.

The American Meteor Society was reviewing reports from the Buffalo region to determine whether the sighting matched a fireball event. Fireballs are unusually bright meteors that can become visible over a wide area and may sometimes produce a loud sound when they break apart in the atmosphere.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries connected to the incident. Most meteors burn up high above the ground, and only a small number produce fragments that reach the surface.

The early-morning timing and clear video helped draw attention to the sighting, as residents across parts of Western New York compared what they saw and heard. Events like this can sometimes be confirmed through public reports, security camera footage, weather satellite data, or other monitoring systems.

For now, officials have not confirmed that the object was a meteor, but the reports and footage have fueled strong interest across the Buffalo area. Residents who saw the flash or heard the boom may be asked to submit details that can help track the object’s path and determine what occurred.

Look at the windshield on the car below to see its reflection:

Meteo that fell in Buffalo this morning went through my car….video proof! #meteor #Buffalo #uap #ufo pic.twitter.com/Mffeo711lb

— W B (@The_dj_wad_e) May 27, 2026

Albany, NY (May 28, 2026) — New York drivers could eventually see lower auto insurance bills under a package of reforms included in the new state budget, though officials say the savings may not appear immediately.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has said the changes are intended to reduce premiums by targeting fraud, limiting certain lawsuit payouts, and strengthening oversight of insurance rates. Her office has pointed to estimates suggesting that the reforms could lower costs by roughly 10% once fully reflected in the market. For a driver paying $2,000 annually, that would amount to about $200 in savings.

New York has some of the highest auto insurance costs in the country, with average annual premiums above $4,000, according to figures cited by the governor’s office. State officials have argued that staged crashes, inflated claims, and high litigation costs have contributed to the burden on drivers, businesses, public agencies, and emergency service providers.

The budget package makes several changes to injury claims tied to vehicle crashes. It narrows the standard for certain serious injury claims, limits some damages for people found mostly responsible for a crash, and caps recoveries in specific cases involving uninsured drivers, impaired driving, or felony-related conduct.

The reforms also include new restrictions on how insurers may set rates. Companies will be barred from using certain personal factors, including employment status, education level, homeownership, and ZIP code, when determining premiums. State regulators will also have stronger authority to review rates and prevent excessive profits.

Another provision expands enforcement tools against staged accidents, allowing prosecutors to pursue people who organize or coordinate fraudulent crashes, not only those directly behind the wheel.

The final deal did not include a broader liability change sought by Hochul that would have limited exposure for entities with deeper pockets, such as large companies and transit agencies, when they were only partly responsible in lawsuits.

Supporters say the reforms are a long-needed step toward cutting fraud and reducing unnecessary litigation. Critics argue the changes could make it harder for injured crash victims to recover full damages and say insurers should face tougher accountability.

For now, drivers are unlikely to see immediate changes on their bills, with state officials indicating that any savings may take one to two years to materialize.

Car insurance is just too damn high! But I've got a plan to crack down on fraud and fix legal loopholes to drive down costs for New Yorkers. pic.twitter.com/fJOxehdBU7

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 9, 2026

East Rutherford, NJ (May 28, 2026) — FIFA is facing a new consumer protection investigation in New York and New Jersey over ticket prices and sales practices tied to next summer’s World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.

The inquiry is focused on whether fans were treated fairly during the ticket-buying process for games scheduled at the East Rutherford venue, which is set to host eight matches, including the tournament final. Officials in both states have issued subpoenas seeking information about pricing methods, seating assignments, and how ticket categories were presented to buyers.

One major area of concern is the use of variable pricing, a system that allows prices to rise based on demand. Fans have complained that costs increased sharply for many matches, leaving some buyers facing far higher prices than expected. Investigators are also reviewing changes to stadium seating maps, after some customers reported that seats they believed were in premium areas appeared to be reassigned farther from the field under revised layouts.

MetLife Stadium, temporarily operating under a World Cup venue name, will host its first tournament match on June 13, when Brazil is scheduled to face Morocco. The final is set for July 19, and some resale listings for that game have climbed to extraordinary levels, with certain seats posted for tens of thousands of dollars.

The investigation comes as local officials face growing pressure to make the global event more accessible to residents in the region. New York City recently announced a limited lottery offering 1,000 discounted tickets to city residents for MetLife matches, excluding the final. Those seats are being offered at $50 each, along with transportation support.

FIFA has also previously made a smaller number of lower-cost tickets available through national team channels, but critics say those offerings do not offset broader concerns about affordability, transparency, and access.

With the World Cup approaching, the probe adds another layer of scrutiny to one of the tournament’s most high-profile host sites and could shape how ticketing complaints are handled before fans arrive in the New York-New Jersey area.

New York, NY (May 28, 2026) — Gov. Kathy Hochul attempted to question President Donald Trump’s Knicks loyalty this week, but her own basketball history mistake quickly became the focus of criticism from fans.

The exchange came as attention builds around the possibility that Trump could attend an NBA Finals game involving the New York Knicks. Asked about the president potentially appearing at a championship matchup, Hochul tried to cast doubt on his knowledge of the team by challenging him to identify the starting lineup from what she described as the Knicks’ 1993 championship squad.

The remark immediately drew pushback because the Knicks did not win an NBA title in 1993. The franchise’s most recent championship came in 1973, when New York defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. The team also captured a title in 1970. In 1993, the Knicks were a strong Eastern Conference contender but did not reach the NBA Finals. They returned to the Finals the following year, in 1994, but lost to the Houston Rockets.

WATCH: NY Gov. Kathy Hochul suggests President Trump, who grew up in Queens, isn't really a New York Knicks fan and challenges him to name "the starting lineup of the 1993 championship team."

The Knicks did not make the NBA Finals in 1993 and were instead eliminated in the… pic.twitter.com/hHCfzOOWr1

— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) May 27, 2026

The governor’s comment quickly circulated among basketball fans and political observers, many of whom noted that the attempted jab at Trump’s Knicks credentials had instead highlighted her own error. The moment became another example of how sports references can create political trouble when the details are off.

Trump, a Queens native, has publicly embraced the Knicks’ postseason run, and the possibility of a presidential appearance at Madison Square Garden has added a political subplot to the team’s championship push.

For Hochul, the issue was less about basketball itself and more about an avoidable public stumble. In a state where Knicks history is closely followed by generations of fans, confusing the team’s championship timeline turned a light political dig into a self-inflicted distraction.

IT'S OFFICIAL: President Trump is expected to ATTEND a New York Knicks' NBA Finals game, and Gov. Hochul (D) BACKFIRED when she tried to roast him

HOCHUL: I'd ask him to name the 1993 Knicks championship starting lineup and see how HE does

FOX: "Unfortunately for Hochul,… pic.twitter.com/wZ3NHzLx66

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 28, 2026

New York, NY (May 28, 2026)

A Republican-led House committee has opened an investigation into several New York City officials over local policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, escalating a broader fight between Washington and sanctuary jurisdictions.

The House Judiciary Committee sent records requests to all five city district attorneys, along with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Department of Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards. The letters seek documents and communications related to how city agencies handle requests from federal immigration authorities, including detainers issued by ICE.

Committee leaders say New York’s policies have prevented federal agents from taking custody of individuals who were already in local criminal custody. They pointed to city correction data from July 2022 through June 2025, alleging that fewer than 4% of ICE detainers were honored during that period and that nearly 1,000 requests involving criminal defendants were declined. ([New York Post][1])

The inquiry also focuses on limits governing NYPD cooperation with immigration authorities. Under city rules, police generally may not honor an immigration detainer unless it is backed by a judicial warrant and involves a person convicted of a serious or violent crime, or someone flagged in a terrorism database. ([New York Post][1])

Republican lawmakers argue that those restrictions endanger public safety and interfere with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. They also criticized prosecutorial policies they say may reduce immigration consequences for certain defendants.

Supporters of New York’s sanctuary laws maintain that the policies protect constitutional rights, encourage immigrant communities to report crimes, and preserve trust between residents and local agencies. Civil liberties advocates have argued that local police should not be turned into immigration agents and that cooperation with federal detainers must remain limited by due process safeguards. ([New York City Bar Association][2])

The city officials have been asked to provide records by June 10. Similar congressional requests have also been sent to officials in other cities as House Republicans continue pressing local governments over immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies.

[1]: https://nypost.com/2026/05/27/us-news/house-judiciary-committee-launches-investigation-of-tisch-bragg-over-sanctuary-laws/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “House Judiciary Committee launches investigation of Tisch, Bragg and other NYC officials over sanctuary laws”
[2]: https://www.nycbar.org/reports/testimony-on-sanctuary-protections-for-immigrant-communities/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Testimony on Sanctuary Protections for Immigrant Communities”

Washington, DC (May 28, 2026)

A new report is drawing attention in Washington over allegations that Qatar spent more than $65 million on programs tied to American education, including initiatives reaching universities, K-12 schools, teacher training programs, and national education networks.

The report claims the funding was routed over a 17-year period through Qatar Foundation International and related educational partnerships. Its authors allege that the programs helped advance classroom materials and training frameworks that presented Israel in a sharply negative light, questioned its legitimacy as both a Jewish and democratic state, and promoted views that could weaken support for regional peace efforts.

The findings also raise concerns that some educational content may have framed extremist groups in overly sympathetic terms, including language that could blur the distinction between political activism and terrorism. The report argues that such materials risk shaping how students and educators understand the Middle East, Israel, and the broader conflict with Islamist movements.

According to the report, the outreach extended beyond higher education and into public and private school settings, giving Qatar-linked institutions access to younger students and the educators responsible for teaching them. It also claims that particular attention was given to states with large immigrant communities and broader strategic value.

The allegations come amid growing national scrutiny of foreign funding in American education, especially where outside governments or government-linked entities may influence curriculum, research, or teacher development without sufficient transparency. Lawmakers and watchdog groups have increasingly called for stricter disclosure rules covering foreign gifts, grants, and institutional partnerships.

The report urges federal authorities to investigate Qatar Foundation International and consider whether the organization should be treated as a foreign agent. Such a step would impose heightened oversight and could sharply limit its ability to fund or shape educational activity in the United States.

The claims have not yet been adjudicated by federal authorities, but they are likely to fuel renewed debate over foreign influence, antisemitism, transparency, and the role of outside funding in American classrooms.

Former Mayor Adams with a powerful message to Jewish New Yorkers.

“This Sunday, Fifth Avenue will once again become a sea of blue and white as proud New Yorkers come together to celebrate the unbreakable bond between New York and Israel.

As mayor, I proudly marched in this parade every year I was in office, and this year will be no different. Join me Sunday as we stand against antisemitism and stand with NYC’s Jewish community.”

A MESSAGE TO MY FELLOW NEW YORKERS: pic.twitter.com/2be2vPDkTH

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) May 27, 2026

Mamdani, we don’t need you, nor do we want you. Looking forward to marching alongside Eric Adams.

Former Mayor Adams with a powerful message to Jewish New Yorkers.

“This Sunday, Fifth Avenue will once again become a sea of blue and white as proud New Yorkers come together to celebrate the unbreakable bond between New York and Israel.

As mayor, I proudly marched in this parade every year I was in office, and this year will be no different. Join me Sunday as we stand against antisemitism and stand with NYC’s Jewish community.”

A MESSAGE TO MY FELLOW NEW YORKERS: pic.twitter.com/2be2vPDkTH

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) May 27, 2026

Mamdani, we don’t need you, nor do we want you. Looking forward to march alongside Eric Adams.

New York, NY (May 27, 2026) — John F. Kennedy International Airport has been added to the group of U.S. entry points handling enhanced health screenings for travelers arriving from parts of Central and East Africa affected by an Ebola outbreak.

Federal health officials are expanding airport-based screening operations as part of a broader effort to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the United States through international travel. The screenings apply to certain passengers who have recently been in affected countries, including areas where public health authorities are tracking active transmission.

The expanded airport network is intended to concentrate arriving travelers at locations equipped with public health personnel, screening procedures, and coordination between federal agencies. JFK’s addition is especially significant because of its role as one of the nation’s busiest international gateways and a major arrival point for passengers connecting through Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

As part of the response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seeking personnel to assist with the screenings. The work may include helping identify travelers who require additional health review, supporting intake procedures, and coordinating follow-up guidance when necessary.

Health screenings at airports generally involve questions about recent travel, possible exposure, and symptoms consistent with Ebola infection. Travelers who meet certain risk criteria may be referred for further evaluation or monitoring, depending on federal protocols.

Ebola is a serious viral illness that can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person. Public health officials emphasize that airport screening is only one layer of prevention, alongside monitoring abroad, airline reporting procedures, and follow-up with travelers after arrival.

There is currently no indication that routine travel through JFK poses a general risk to the public. The enhanced measures are aimed at identifying a narrow group of passengers with recent travel history in areas where health authorities are responding to the outbreak.

The new screening role places JFK alongside other major U.S. airports participating in the federal response and underscores New York’s importance in national travel health preparedness.

Tel Aviv, Israel (May 27, 2026) — Israir is advancing a major long-haul expansion plan that would bring the carrier into the Tel Aviv–New York market with its own wide-body aircraft, marking a significant shift for the Israeli airline.

The company is finalizing an estimated $85 million deal for two Airbus A330 aircraft, a move designed to support nonstop transatlantic service from Ben Gurion Airport to New York. The airline is preparing to use a dry-lease structure, meaning the planes would be operated by Israir’s own Israeli flight crews and supported by its maintenance teams, rather than relying on a foreign operator to manage the service.

The planned fleet addition would allow Israir to move beyond its traditional short- and medium-haul network and compete directly on one of Israel’s most important international routes. The airline has been preparing for the launch of New York service, with recent operational steps indicating that the first flights could begin during the summer travel season, subject to final approvals and aircraft readiness.

Demand for nonstop flights between Israel and the United States remains high, especially as available seats have fluctuated due to changing schedules among international carriers. Israir’s entry would add another Israeli carrier to the route and could help ease pressure on passengers seeking direct service during a period of limited capacity.

The Airbus A330, a wide-body aircraft commonly used for long-haul routes, would give Israir the range and passenger capacity needed for regular service across the Atlantic. The investment also signals the airline’s broader ambition to build a more independent long-distance operation, rather than relying primarily on regional routes and charter-style flying.

If implemented as planned, the Tel Aviv–New York route would place Israir in direct competition with established players serving the corridor and could reshape pricing and availability for travelers heading between Israel and the New York area.

The expansion comes as Israeli airlines continue adapting to a volatile aviation environment, with strong passenger demand, shifting foreign airline schedules, and a renewed focus on securing dependable direct routes from Israel to key global destinations.

Tel Aviv, Israel (May 27, 2026) — Wizz Air is set to restart service to and from Israel, bringing a major low-cost option back to Ben Gurion Airport as travelers prepare for the busy summer season.

The carrier is making hundreds of thousands of seats available through its website and mobile app, with routes linking Israel to a broad list of European destinations. Planned service includes flights to London, Budapest, Bucharest, Bratislava, Larnaca, Warsaw, Krakow, Milan, Rome, Athens, and Sofia, giving Israeli passengers renewed access to popular vacation, business, and family travel markets.

The return comes after a period of uncertainty for international aviation in Israel, with some airlines adjusting or delaying schedules amid security reviews, fuel pressures, and operational challenges. Wizz Air says it is prepared to operate its full schedule during the peak travel period and is positioning the move as part of a wider effort to rebuild affordable connectivity between Israel and Europe.

The airline has also highlighted its fuel purchasing strategy as a factor in keeping fares more predictable. Wizz Air says it secured a significant portion of its fuel needs at a lower fixed rate than current market levels, helping reduce exposure to sharp price swings that can lead to higher ticket costs.

Reliability is another major focus of the carrier’s return. Wizz Air says it has maintained a flight completion rate of 99.53% since the start of 2026, a figure it is using to reassure passengers booking summer trips during a volatile period for regional air travel.

In addition to direct routes, Wizz Air passengers can access onward connections through the airline’s broader network, which includes more than 1,000 routes. The company is aiming to carry over 80 million passengers globally in 2026.

The renewed Tel Aviv schedule is expected to strengthen competition on European routes and expand lower-cost travel options for Israelis heading abroad in the coming months.

Nostalgia: Murray Huberfeld of the 5 Towns, former owner of “KD,” was asked by Moshe Frank to share some memories of his beloved restaurant.

Kosher Delight may be gone, but it remains a place we’ll never forget.

Nostalgia: Murray Huberfeld of the 5 Towns, former owner of “KD,” was asked by Moshe Frank to share some memories of his beloved restaurant.

Kosher Delight may be gone, but it remains a place we’ll never forget. pic.twitter.com/2xijQv9RU2

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) May 27, 2026

New York, NY (May 27, 2026)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s housing agenda is facing sharp criticism that the plan could shift too much control over private apartment buildings toward government-backed nonprofits and tenant-led entities.

The debate intensified after Councilwoman Vickie Paladino warned that parts of the administration’s approach could place major real estate assets under the control of nonprofit organizations, raising questions about oversight, accountability, and the long-term impact on property owners. The proposal could discourage investment in rental housing and create opportunities for mismanagement if large sums of public money flow through outside organizations.

Mamdani’s housing plan is aimed at expanding affordable housing, preserving existing rent-regulated units, and cracking down on landlords accused of severe neglect. The administration has promoted the initiative as a way to protect tenants living in deteriorating buildings while creating clearer pathways for residents, nonprofits, or community-based groups to take over troubled properties in certain cases.

Supporters claim the policy is necessary because some landlords have allowed buildings to fall into dangerous conditions while tenants wait months or years for repairs. They argue that stronger legal tools could force improvements and prevent housing from being lost to neglect.

Opponents counter that New York City has a poor record managing its own public housing portfolio and should not expand its role in private property oversight without stronger safeguards. They also warn that nonprofit control of distressed buildings could become a costly system with limited transparency if the city does not establish clear rules for funding, management, and performance.

HOLY CRAP. NYC Councilwoman just exposed that Mayor Mamdani's plan to transfer ownership away from landlords will go into "NONPROFITS" to the tune of BILLIONS

It's a recipe for fraud. The 3rd world scammer is ripping everybody off!

"They want to take this and fund this all… pic.twitter.com/PCkZgMOrtc

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 27, 2026

The New York Post Editorial Board EVISCERATES Socialist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s radical plan to LEGALLY SEIZE buildings from landlords deemed to be in bad shape — and hand them over to tenants, nonprofits, or community land trusts. Headline: “Mamdani’s Plan to Squash Private… pic.twitter.com/uxwWLzPPsm

— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) May 27, 2026

After nearly two months and multiple extenders, Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have finally reached an agreement on the 2026–27 New York State budget. The budget includes several important gains for New York’s yeshivas and nonpublic schools, reflecting priorities advanced by Agudath Israel and its coalition partners throughout this year’s legislative session.

At a time of rising antisemitism and increasing security threats facing Jewish institutions, security remained a major priority during budget negotiations. The budget includes $90 million for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) program, a significant increase that will help yeshivas and nonpublic schools address the growing costs of protecting students and school facilities. The budget also includes an additional $35 million for the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) program for a two year total of $70 million, bringing Governor Hochul’s total investment in the program since taking office to more than $131 million.

The budget also continues to support the Mandated Services Program (MSA), the largest source of state funding provided to nonpublic schools. The agreement allocates nearly $246 million for Mandated Services Aid and CAP (Comprehensive Attendance Program) reimbursements, continuing a critical funding stream for Yeshivas and nonpublic schools statewide. Agudath Israel also appreciates the recent release of approximately $20 million to help address prior-year MSA shortfalls, providing meaningful relief to schools still awaiting reimbursement for services already performed.

Furthermore, the budget includes language establishing buffer zones around houses of worship and educational institutions amid growing concerns over harassment and protests targeting these locations. The provision also supersedes any local buffer-zone laws enacted by municipalities. Agudath Israel especially appreciates Governor Hochul’s leadership in prioritizing this issue during budget negotiations and her continued commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting those attending religious services across New York.

These achievements reflect the efforts of dedicated grassroots activists and community members who traveled to Albany, met with legislators, and made their voices heard throughout the budget process. Agudath Israel is also grateful to work alongside coalition partners including New York State Catholic Conference and Teach NYS in advocating for the needs of nonpublic schools and families.

“We are encouraged by many of the provisions included in this budget agreement,” said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of New York Government Relations for Agudath Israel of America. “At a time when schools and families are facing real challenges, these investments in security and nonpublic school support will make a meaningful difference for communities across New York. We thank Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and the many legislators who worked to ensure these priorities were included.”

Brooklyn, NY (May 27, 2026)

Members of the Park Slope Food Coop voted Tuesday night to approve a boycott of Israeli products, ending a years-long internal battle that has deeply divided the well-known Brooklyn grocery cooperative.

More than 7,000 members participated in the virtual meeting, a turnout described by longtime members as the largest in the co-op’s 53-year history. The meeting had been moved online after some Jewish members raised safety concerns about attending in person amid months of heated debate and allegations of intimidation.

The boycott passed by a margin of 67 percent to 31 percent, with 2 percent abstaining. The vote followed an earlier procedural decision that lowered the threshold for approving boycotts from a 75 percent supermajority to a simple majority. That change passed with 61 percent support, allowing the later Israel boycott measure to succeed. Had the prior supermajority rule remained in effect, the measure would not have passed.

The dispute centered on whether the co-op should remove a small number of Israeli grocery items as part of a broader boycott campaign targeting Israel. The debate intensified after October 7 and became one of the most contentious issues in the co-op’s history, drawing far more participation than its usual meetings, which often attract only a small fraction of the membership.

Jewish members who opposed the measure said the process was unfair and contributed to an atmosphere in which many felt targeted or unsafe. Some criticized a move to proceed directly to a vote without allowing additional opposing speakers, while others raised concerns about technical problems during the Zoom polling process and suggested the matter could face further challenges.

Supporters of the boycott argued that the co-op has a history of taking political and social stands and said the vote reflected the will of the membership.

The decision marks a major turning point for the Park Slope institution, but it is unlikely to end the controversy. The vote has left many members questioning the future of the co-op’s internal culture and whether the highly charged debate will lead to resignations, legal disputes or lasting divisions.

Washington, D.C. (May 27, 2026)

A renewed effort in Congress to make daylight saving time permanent is drawing concern from observant Jewish communities, where leaders warn that darker winter mornings could seriously disrupt daily schedules built around Shacharis and school start times.

The proposal, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, has gained fresh momentum after advancing through a House committee as part of a broader legislative package. President Donald Trump has voiced support for ending the twice-yearly clock changes, and House Republicans have promoted the measure as a way to provide more evening daylight and reduce the disruption caused by resetting clocks each spring and fall.

For many frum families, however, the concern is not the end of clock changes but the choice of permanent daylight saving time rather than permanent standard time. Under year-round daylight saving time, sunrise would come an hour later during the winter months. In several major cities, that could push sunrise past 8 a.m. for extended periods, and in some western portions of time zones, close to or beyond 9 a.m.

That shift could create major challenges for men who daven Shacharis before work, yeshivos and girls’ schools setting morning schedules, and parents trying to balance carpool, chinuch and employment obligations. Since halachic morning prayer times depend on dawn and sunrise, a later sunrise would make many early minyanim impractical or significantly more complicated during parts of the winter.

Jewish community advocates say the issue requires serious attention from lawmakers before any final vote. While many Americans support ending the twice-a-year clock change, the debate over whether the country should remain on daylight saving time or standard time carries real consequences for religious communities, schoolchildren and morning commuters.

The legislation has not yet become law and would still need full congressional approval before taking effect. Still, the bill’s advancement has prompted renewed calls for elected officials to consider the impact on communities whose daily religious obligations are closely tied to natural daylight.

JUST IN: President Trump announces legislation has ADVANCED to make PERMANENT Daylight Saving Time through the Sunshine Protection Act — and demands Congress make it LAW

No more time changes soon!

"This is so important in that Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent… pic.twitter.com/VBHfUBFeIz

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 21, 2026

Los Angeles, CA (May 27, 2026)

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the University of California, alleging that UCLA failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from antisemitic harassment, discrimination and violence following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

The complaint focuses heavily on the April 2024 anti-Israel encampment at UCLA’s Royce Quad, where protesters allegedly set up barricades, checkpoints and restricted access to parts of campus. Federal officials say Jewish and Israeli students were blocked from classrooms, libraries and walkways, and in some cases were pressured to disavow Zionism before being allowed to pass.

The lawsuit alleges that students were subjected to physical attacks, threats, pepper spray and other forms of intimidation. Federal officials also cited allegations that some students were beaten or struck during the unrest, including one who was seriously injured during violent clashes.

According to the complaint, protesters created organized barriers and groups that controlled access to campus areas, while university officials failed to enforce school rules or intervene quickly enough. Federal officials described the encampment and surrounding clashes as a severe disruption that left many Jewish students afraid to attend class or move freely around campus.

The Justice Department says UCLA violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by showing deliberate indifference to a hostile educational environment based on Jewish and Israeli identity. The suit also alleges that more than 100 complaints from Jewish and Israeli students were not adequately addressed.

Federal officials cited internal findings indicating that UCLA leadership allowed the encampment to continue for days despite repeated reports of harassment and intimidation. The complaint says the university’s inaction led many Jewish students to avoid campus, consider transferring or feel excluded from normal student life.

The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in federal scrutiny of campus antisemitism following the wave of anti-Israel demonstrations that spread across universities after October 7. The Justice Department says universities receiving federal funds are legally required to protect students from discrimination and must respond decisively when targeted harassment interferes with education.

By: Rabbi Shay Tahan

The Israel Day Parade on Fifth Avenue is one of the most visible annual expressions of solidarity with the Jewish community and the State of Israel in New York City. Tens of thousands of participants—schools, synagogues, community organizations, and public figures—march through the city in a public display of identity, unity, and support. Because of its scale and visibility, the participation of elected officials, particularly the mayor of New York, is widely viewed as more than ceremonial. It is often understood as a public statement about how the city’s leadership relates to its Jewish community and whether it chooses to visibly stand with it in moments of communal expression.

Against this backdrop, when a sitting mayor does not participate in the parade, the discussion in the community is not limited to questions of scheduling or protocol. For many, it raises a broader sensitivity that Jewish tradition itself recognizes: the meaning of public presence and public absence at moments that carry communal and national symbolism.

Don’t be mistaken, this is not about needing his approval or seeking his friendliness, but about trying to understand the significance of how such a decision is perceived in the public sphere—especially when it contributes to a sense of distance or ambiguity regarding support for a deeply important communal expression.

In Torah, and later in Tanach, there is repeated attention to how leaders—both within Israel and outside it—publicly align or distance themselves from the Jewish people, and how their visibility or lack of it shapes perception, morale, and legitimacy.

Pharaoh

The very first thing Pharaoh did was not to enslave the Jews, but to publicly speak against the nation of Israel and portray them as a threat. “And Pharaoh said to his people: ‘Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.’”
— (Shemot 1:9)

Only afterward did the persecution begin — first the slavery, and later the decrees against the Jewish babies.

The Torah emphasizes that before the physical oppression came the public rhetoric. Pharaoh first shaped public perception, presenting the Jewish people as dangerous and unwanted, and only then moved toward open persecution. The delegitimization preceded the oppression.

Balak

The same pattern appears with Balak. Before attempting to harm Israel through Bilaam’s curses, Balak first turns publicly to his people and frames the Jewish nation as a threat. The pasuk states: “Moav said to the elders of Midian: ‘Now this congregation will lick up all our surroundings, as an ox licks up the greenery of the field.’”— (Bamidbar 22:4)

Again, before any direct attack takes place, there is first the public rhetoric — portraying Israel as dangerous, unwanted, and threatening to society around them. Only afterward does Balak move toward active attempts to curse and destroy the nation.

Korach

This technique is used not only by the enemies of Israel, but even within internal Jewish conflicts. Before Korach openly challenges Moshe Rabbeinu, the Torah describes: “ויקח קרח”— (Bamidbar 16:1)

Rashi famously explains: “לקח את עצמו לצד אחד, להיות נחלק על העידה” — Korach first separated and distanced himself, placing himself on the opposite side before beginning the actual confrontation. The rebellion did not begin with open attack, but with public distancing and the creation of division. Only afterward did the direct conflict emerge.

The Song of Dvorah

In the Song of Dvorah, after Israel’s victory over Sisra, she does not only describe the battle, but carefully records who joined the national effort and who remained absent. Certain tribes are praised for their visible participation:

“Zebulun is a people that risked their lives unto death” — (Shoftim 5:18)

While others are rebuked for their distance: “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds…?” — (Shoftim 5:16)

And most sharply: “Curse Meroz… because they did not come to the help of Hashem”
— (Shoftim 5:23)

The emphasis is not only on action, but on presence—on whether different parts of the nation visibly stood together at a defining moment. Absence is not treated as neutral; it becomes part of how the national moment is recorded and remembered.

A similar sensitivity appears in the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah. The Navi carefully documents who participates in the rebuilding of the city walls, emphasizing collective engagement in restoring Jewish life and dignity. At the same time, it notes the failure of certain elites to fully join:

“Their nobles did not bring their necks to the work of Hashem” — (Nehemiah 3:5)

The point is not merely labor or logistics. Leadership is measured, in part, by whether one stands publicly with the people in moments of national rebuilding and restoration.

This pattern is especially clear when Tanach describes gentile rulers and their public stance toward the Jewish people. When Cyrus (Koresh) king of Persia issues a public proclamation allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple, the decree itself is recorded as part of the redemption narrative: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: Hashem… has charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem” — (Ezra 1:2)

The significance is not only legal permission, but public recognition. The Jewish return is not hidden or marginal; it is acknowledged by imperial authority in a way that grants it legitimacy in the broader world.

Similarly, during the time of Daryavesh, imperial backing strengthens the rebuilding process and restrains interference from surrounding officials (Ezra 6). Again, the importance is not only administrative. Public support from ruling power contributes to the dignity, stability, and visibility of Jewish national life.

On the other hand, psukim also shows how public ridicule or distancing by foreign officials contributes to weakening perception. In the book of Nehemiah, Sanballat responds to the rebuilding of Jerusalem with open mockery:

“What are these feeble Jews doing?” — (Nehemiah 4:2)

The goal is not only opposition, but delegitimization—portraying Jewish national renewal as weak and unworthy of support. Public messaging becomes part of the struggle itself.

Across these sources, a consistent idea emerges: public moments of communal identity are never merely ceremonial. Presence communicates recognition, solidarity, and legitimacy; absence communicates distance, and is often experienced as such.

Within this framework, the participation of civic leaders in public expressions of communal identity carries symbolic weight. When such leaders choose to attend, it is perceived as public acknowledgment of the community’s place within the civic fabric. When they do not, the absence itself is noticed—not necessarily as policy, but as public positioning.

The Torah language suggests that these moments are never neutral. Whether in the tribes of Israel, the rebuilding of Yerushalayim, or the stance of foreign rulers toward Jewish restoration, visibility and absence become part of how communal reality is experienced, recorded, and remembered.

Albany, NY (May 27, 2026)

The New York State Legislature passed a new law Tuesday establishing protected buffer zones around houses of worship, following months of debate over how to respond to protests and harassment outside religious institutions.

The measure creates a 50-foot protected area around entrances to houses of worship and also applies to certain religious education sites and community centers. Police managing protests at these locations will be allowed to set larger perimeters when necessary to maintain access and public safety.

Under the law, interfering with someone entering or leaving a protected religious site can be prosecuted as a Class B misdemeanor. Supporters say the measure is aimed at stopping targeted intimidation while still allowing lawful demonstrations to continue at a reasonable distance.

Governor Kathy Hochul pushed for the legislation as part of the state budget process, arguing that New Yorkers must be able to enter shuls and other houses of worship without fear. The push gained momentum after a series of hostile anti-Israel demonstrations outside synagogues, including incidents where Jewish passersby were harassed and demonstrators displayed extremist symbols or voiced support for terror groups.

The legislation follows action by New York City, where lawmakers passed a related measure requiring the NYPD to develop public safety plans for protests near houses of worship. The city version does not create a fixed statewide distance requirement or the same criminal penalties. Mayor Zohran Mamdani separately vetoed a bill that would have expanded similar protections around educational facilities.

The issue has remained politically divisive, with supporters framing the new state law as a necessary response to rising antisemitism and targeted harassment. Opponents have argued that buffer zones could chill free speech and give police too much discretion over protests.

For Jewish communities across New York, the passage marks a significant victory after repeated calls for stronger protection around shuls, schools and communal spaces. Lawmakers backing the measure said the goal is to ensure that people of every faith can attend services, school programs and community events safely.

Sorry Mayor Mamdani, Albany will protect Jewish New Yorkers if you cannot.

New Yorkers who came tonight to Gracie Mansion protesting Zohran Mamdani discovered that Mamdani has a buffer zone near his house.

Let that sink in: the mayor who used his veto power to prevent Jewish schools from having buffer zones against Nazis protesting at their doorstep,…

— Rabbi Poupko (@RabbiPoupko) May 27, 2026

By Kayla Glickman

At a time when many Jewish students report hiding visible signs of their Jewish identity or avoiding speaking openly about Israel on campus, 100 students gathered at the fifth annual Nitzavim Fellowship Impact Project Showcase to mark the culmination of a year-long investment with a different message: the future of Jewish campus life will be shaped by students willing to lead proudly.

The showcase, hosted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, featured seventeen finalists spanning six projects, with this year’s winning project, titled “Am Echad,” developed by Skylar Margulies of Long Island, Sacha Feit of New Milford, New Jersey, and Ari Gordon of Atlanta, Georgia. The team received $5,000 in seed funding to implement their initiative this fall at Washington University in St. Louis.

Their project aims to connect Jewish college students with Jewish high school and elementary school students from different religious backgrounds through free tutoring and mentorship opportunities, using academic support as a vehicle to strengthen Jewish unity and foster deeper connections.

This year, the judging panel comprised Deputy Director from the Ministry of Diaspora and Combating Anti-Semitism, Yom Tov Ranaan; Chief Development Officer of Masa Israel Journey Sacky Mitrani; Hebrew University Professor Ron Shor; and Program Director of Jewish Life at the Walder Foundation Jenni Richton.

“Jewish students can find real connection and community on campus through meaningful mentoring and tutoring relationships, one partnership at a time,” said Margulies, who grew up in the Five Towns. “We’ve already recruited 15 tutors and paired another 15 to 30 students, and we believe that by building strong mentorship networks, we can meaningfully strengthen both our community today and our future.”

Founded in 2021 by Rabbi Adi Isaacs in partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Seven Schwartz Brothers Leadership Trust, the Nitzavim Fellowship educates, engages, and empowers gap year students from North America and the UK to create impact projects that will solve problems they anticipate facing on campus.

“We are living through a time when many Jewish students feel the need to hide their identity or stay silent about Israel on campus, yet this showcase reflects a growing movement of young Jewish leaders choosing to proactively shape campus culture and strengthen Jewish life amid rising antisemitism across North American universities,” said Rabbi Isaacs. “What we saw at the showcase was an inspiring generation stepping forward with courage, creativity, and a deep sense of responsibility for the future of the Jewish people.”

The fellowship has expanded in recent years through its partnership with Masa Israel Journey to include leadership seminars, a Shabbaton for additional gap year students, and additional educational programming throughout the year.

“It’s clear that this program gives students incredible confidence, leadership training, and presentation skills,” said Jenni Richton, who sat on the judging panel. “What makes the program especially powerful is that it brings together students from such a diverse cross-section of Jewish life and campus experiences, and that diversity only strengthens the impact they are able to have together.”

High school graduates heading to Israel for a gap year before college can now apply for the 2026-27 Fellowship or get more information at Nitzavim.org.

Haifa, Israel (May 26, 2026)

Israeli doctors have achieved a major milestone in regenerative medicine after successfully implanting a lab-grown, 3D-bioprinted cornea in a patient who had been legally blind in one eye.

The procedure was performed at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa as part of an early clinical trial involving a bio-fabricated corneal implant made from cultured human cells. Following the surgery, the patient reportedly began detecting light and shapes, offering early evidence that the implant was functioning and that the eye was responding to the treatment.

The breakthrough is being viewed as a significant advance in the effort to treat corneal blindness, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Corneal transplants are currently limited by the availability of suitable donor tissue, leaving many patients waiting for years or unable to receive treatment at all.

The new technology uses a biological 3D-printing process to create corneal tissue in a laboratory setting. Instead of relying on a full donor cornea for each patient, researchers say the platform could potentially produce many implantable corneas from a smaller amount of donor-derived cellular material. That could dramatically expand the supply of transplantable tissue if the technology continues to prove safe and effective.

Medical experts have described the achievement as an early but important step, noting that additional trials and long-term follow-up will be needed before the treatment can become widely available. Still, the successful implantation marks a promising development for patients suffering from corneal damage, disease or blindness.

Beyond eye care, the advance also points to the broader potential of bioprinting in medicine. Scientists around the world are working toward the ability to produce personalized tissues and, eventually, more complex organs for transplantation. While fully printed organs remain a developing frontier, this Israeli success shows how lab-grown tissue may one day help reduce dependence on traditional organ donation and ease severe global shortages.

For Israel’s medical and scientific community, the procedure represents both a source of national pride and a hopeful sign for patients who have long awaited new options for restoring vision.

New York, NY (May 26, 2026)

A large rally was held outside Gracie Mansion on Tuesday afternoon, as critics of Mayor Zohran Mamdani gathered to voice concern over his relationship with segments of New York City’s Jewish community.

The demonstration drew a sizable crowd of thousands of Jewish community members, activists and supporters who came to protest the mayor’s failure to adequately address antisemitism and his strained relationship with pro-Israel New Yorkers. The gathering reflected growing frustration among residents who believe City Hall has not shown sufficient sensitivity to Jewish communal concerns at a time of heightened anxiety.

Speakers and participants focused on several recent controversies involving Mamdani, including backlash over his decision not to attend the upcoming Israel Day on Fifth parade and broader criticism of his past statements and positions on Israel. Many attendees said the issue goes beyond politics, arguing that Jewish New Yorkers need to feel that city leadership stands firmly with them against antisemitism, harassment and intimidation.

The rally followed a Jewish Heritage Month event at Gracie Mansion that drew mixed reactions from community figures. While some Jewish leaders attended, others declined invitations or encouraged a boycott, citing concerns over the mayor’s public record and the administration’s handling of Jewish community issues.

Participants at Tuesday’s rally called on City Hall to strengthen outreach to Jewish neighborhoods, take public safety concerns more seriously and make clear that antisemitism will be confronted forcefully in every setting. The crowd also urged city officials to ensure that Jewish schools, shuls and public events receive the security support they need.

Mamdani has previously rejected accusations that his views amount to hostility toward Jews, and his administration has pointed to hate-crime prevention funding and interfaith outreach as evidence of its commitment to protecting all New Yorkers.

The rally ended peacefully, with organizers describing the turnout as a strong message that Jewish concerns must remain a priority for city leaders.

BREAKING: Massive crowd gathers in NYC to protest Mayor Mamdani and the wave of pro-Hamas mobs terrorizing the city. pic.twitter.com/IHABLdds2e

— Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) May 26, 2026

MASSIVE Anti-Mamdani Rally outside of Gracie Mansion in New York City pic.twitter.com/qUhqQp7rX8

— kevin smith (@kevin_smith45) May 26, 2026

HAPPENING NOW: Anti-Mamdani protest in NYC draws a massive crowd.

New Yorkers have had enough of this radical agenda! pic.twitter.com/YshxPfG5hc

— Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) May 26, 2026

New York, NY (May 26, 2026)

Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday released a broad housing agenda aimed at expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, overhauling public housing and taking action against chronically neglected apartment buildings.

Speaking in Gowanus, Mamdani outlined his Block by Block plan, a central part of his campaign pledge to address New York City’s housing shortage. The proposal calls for the construction of 200,000 affordable and rent-stabilized homes over the next decade, while also preserving another 200,000 existing affordable units.

The plan includes a $22 billion capital investment over five years, along with zoning and regulatory changes intended to make it easier to build new housing and create paths to homeownership. City officials say the goal is to expand supply while keeping new development accessible to working- and middle-class New Yorkers.

A major portion of the plan focuses on tenant protections. The administration is seeking changes to the city’s maintenance code, improved investigations of 311 complaints and stronger enforcement against negligent landlords. Beginning with the next heat season on October 1, the city plans to investigate every heat-related complaint and pursue legal action where landlords fail to meet their obligations.

Mamdani also announced that the city will seek to intervene in apartment buildings with long-standing patterns of neglect. Under the proposal, properties with severe and repeated maintenance failures could be moved away from irresponsible owners and placed under the control of non-profits, community land trusts or, in some cases, tenant-led ownership models. The administration says the approach is meant to ensure that troubled buildings are managed by entities focused on long-term stability and safe living conditions.

The city is also launching a $5 million loan program to help landlords cover overdue rent owed by tenants, a step officials say could prevent evictions while stabilizing affordable apartments. A separate city-backed insurance initiative is expected to help reduce insurance costs for apartment owners.

For NYCHA, the administration plans to commit $5.6 billion over five years toward renovations and repairs across more than 170,000 apartments in 335 developments.

The Rent Guidelines Board is expected to vote in June on allowable increases for rent-stabilized apartments, with tenant advocates and landlord groups closely watching the outcome.

R’ Yaakov Bender Shlita

Jerusalem, Israel (May 26, 2026)

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced that Tzvika Mor, a prominent voice among hostage families, will join the Religious Zionism party’s roster ahead of Israel’s upcoming Knesset elections.

Mor, the father of former hostage Eitan Mor, became a widely recognized public figure following the October 7 Hamas attack. His son was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival when terrorists overran the area. During the attack, Eitan assisted wounded and fleeing attendees before he was taken captive and brought into Gaza. He was later released after a lengthy period in captivity.

Tzvika Mor is also known as a co-founder and leading figure in the Tikva Forum, a group representing families of hostages and terror victims that has consistently pressed for a hardline approach toward Hamas. The forum has argued that Israel should maintain strong military pressure and avoid broad concessions that could endanger national security or leave Hamas in control.

Smotrich praised Mor’s decision to enter politics, presenting him as a symbol of personal strength, ideological commitment and public responsibility. The Religious Zionism leader said Mor’s experience as the father of a hostage, combined with his consistent advocacy for military pressure, gives him a powerful voice in national decision-making.

Mor’s addition to the slate appears aimed at reinforcing the party’s security-focused message as Israel moves closer to elections. Religious Zionism has made the war against Hamas, opposition to territorial concessions and a firm stance on national identity central parts of its platform.

The move also reflects the growing role of hostage families in Israel’s political conversation. Since October 7, relatives of captives have taken different public positions on how the government should pursue their loved ones’ return, with some calling for negotiated deals and others warning that concessions could strengthen Hamas.

By joining Smotrich’s party, Mor is formally entering the political arena after months of advocacy on one of the most sensitive issues in Israeli public life.

White Lake, NY (May 26, 2026)

The Jewish community is mourning the petirah of Harav Shmuel Yosef Fishbain ZT”L, who served for many decades as the Rav of Congregation Beth Sinai/White Lake Torah Center in White Lake, New York.

Under his leadership, the shul became a central address for Torah, tefillah and year-round Jewish life in the Town of Bethel. Founded in 1975, Congregation Beth Sinai/White Lake Torah Center grew into a respected makom Torah closely identified with Rav Fishbain’s steady guidance, warmth and deep devotion to every member of the kehillah.

Rav Fishbain was born in Chicago in 1927 and was raised in a home defined by mesiras nefesh for Torah and chinuch. His father, a Chernobyler chossid, was niftar when Rav Fishbain was still young, after devoting himself to building authentic Jewish education in Chicago during a time when many families were not yet sending their children to yeshivos.

His mother was known for her exceptional chessed and hachnasas orchim, opening her home to leading gedolei Yisroel and maintaining a deep commitment to Torah values despite difficult circumstances. She ensured that her sons attended Yeshiva Torah V’Daas and that her daughters received a Bais Yaakov education.

Rav Fishbain went on to learn in Telshe Yeshiva, Yeshiva Torah V’Daas and Yeshiva Netzach Yisrael, where he later served as a Ram. He was a talmid of Hagaon HaRav Yisrael Gustman and maintained close connections with many gedolei Torah throughout his life.

Before arriving in White Lake nearly five decades ago, Rav Fishbain served as Rav in Hurleyville, where he was already known for his humility, warmth and personal care for every Yid.

Hamakom Yinacheim.

**
Sydney, Australia (May 26, 2026)**

Australian police are facing renewed scrutiny after a public inquiry heard that no dedicated threat assessment was prepared for the Chanukah gathering at Bondi Beach where a mass shooting killed 15 people last December.

The Royal Commission examining antisemitism and social cohesion was told that New South Wales Police did not complete a specific security assessment for the open-air Jewish community event, despite warnings from communal security officials about heightened risks. Testimony indicated that such an assessment could have helped align police resources with the threat environment at the time.

The inquiry also heard that a Jewish security organization had raised concerns before the event, pointing to the visibility of Jewish families in a public setting and the broader rise in antisemitic hostility across Australia. A request for a fixed police presence at the beach was not approved, with authorities instead relying on other patrol arrangements.

Senior police officials acknowledged that the handling of the event is now being examined closely, including whether Chanukah gatherings should have received planning similar to other major Jewish holidays. The event’s open setting, expected attendance, and inability of private security volunteers to carry weapons have all become central issues in the commission’s review.

The hearings have also focused on the wider security climate following the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. National security officials told the commission that antisemitic intimidation and violence escalated over time, contributing to Australia’s decision in August 2024 to raise its terrorism threat level from possible to probable.

Investigators have described a pattern of antisemitic incidents targeting homes, schools, synagogues, vehicles, and Jewish-owned businesses before the Bondi attack. Intelligence officials also linked Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to separate antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, while indicating that other suspected foreign-backed activity could not be definitively proven.

The commission’s latest hearings underscore growing questions over whether authorities adequately responded to the danger facing Jewish Australians before the Bondi massacre, and whether stronger coordination between police, intelligence agencies, and community security groups could help prevent future attacks.

**
Jerusalem, Israel (May 26, 2026)**

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel remains in an active war against Hezbollah, pledging to intensify military pressure as the terror group increases drone and rocket attacks along the northern front.

Netanyahu said Israeli forces have killed more than 600 Hezbollah terrorists in recent weeks, describing the ongoing campaign as necessary to prevent the Iran-backed group from regaining strength near Israel’s border. He said Israel would continue expanding operations rather than easing its response.

The remarks came as Israeli forces carried out a broader wave of strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, including weapons sites, command infrastructure, and launch areas used in recent attacks. The military campaign follows a sharp rise in Hezbollah drone activity, including the use of FPV drones that have posed a growing challenge for Israeli troops operating near the border.

Israeli officials say specialized teams are working on new ways to counter the drone threat, which has become one of Hezbollah’s most persistent tools in the current fighting. The aircraft are difficult to stop because of their small size, maneuverability, and ability to strike soldiers, vehicles, and border communities with precision.

The escalation has further strained an already fragile ceasefire framework between Israel and Lebanon. While diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a wider regional conflict, Hezbollah’s attacks have fueled calls inside Israel for a more aggressive military response.

American officials have also signaled that Israel may have broader room to act if Hezbollah continues targeting Israeli forces and civilians. That position comes as Washington-backed talks seek to strengthen Lebanese state control and reduce the influence of armed groups operating outside the government’s authority.

For residents of northern Israel, the renewed fighting has extended months of uncertainty and disruption. Israeli leaders say the goal remains restoring security to the border region and ensuring that displaced families can safely return home.

Netanyahu’s latest comments indicate that Israel does not view the current round of fighting as a limited exchange, but as an ongoing campaign to weaken Hezbollah’s military capabilities and deter further attacks.

Jerusalem, Israel (May 26, 2026)

The United States may be prepared to back a wider Israeli military response in Lebanon as Hezbollah’s attacks across the northern border intensify, according to a senior American official familiar with the matter.

The warning comes during a sharp escalation in hostilities, with Hezbollah launching a large wave of drones and rockets toward Israel in recent days. The attacks have targeted both military positions and civilian areas, heightening pressure on Israeli leaders to respond more forcefully.

The American official indicated that Washington views the latest Hezbollah activity as a serious challenge to ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Israel and Lebanon. The official said the group has continued its attacks despite repeated warnings to halt fire and suggested that the United States would not expect Israel to absorb sustained strikes without responding.

Recent fighting has unfolded against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire framework that has struggled to hold since Hezbollah resumed attacks in early March. Israeli officials have accused the Iran-backed organization of attempting to undermine negotiations that could strengthen the Lebanese government and reduce Hezbollah’s military influence.

Israel has already expanded strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and other areas, while officials in Jerusalem face growing domestic calls for a stronger campaign. The possibility of a broader operation raises concerns about further destabilizing Lebanon, where the conflict has caused heavy damage and deepened an already severe political and economic crisis.

At the center of the dispute is the future of Hezbollah’s armed presence in Lebanon. A durable ceasefire led by the Lebanese state would likely require a significant shift in the balance of power inside the country, a development Hezbollah has long resisted.

Besuros Tovos.

Lipa Schmeltzer is not engaged.

A rumor claiming he was started circulating on WhatsApp, so he addressed it directly and with incredible grace.

This is how you shut down false rumors the right way.

He even ended it by giving everyone a bracha, even the one who initiated the rumors.

Lipa Schmeltzer is not engaged.

But it went around on WhatsApp that he was.

So he addressed it head on.

Here’s a masterclass on how to handle false rumors.

He even gave them a bracha . He really is one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/K2DFv5WZH8

— Yaakov Langer (@jacklanger) May 26, 2026

Video via Yaakov Langer

Early Friday morning, during Shavuos, Bagels & Co., a kosher Jewish-owned business in Jamaica Estates, was vandalized while closed. Reports say the suspect smashed flower pots, overturned furniture, and tried to damage the storefront; the NYPD is investigating it as a possible hate crime.

This attack is part of a deeply disturbing pattern of intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers. Mayor Mamdani must immediately increase NYPD protection for Jewish schools, synagogues, and businesses across Queens and the city.

Jewish New Yorkers deserve safety, security, and equal protection—without excuses and without delay.

@NYCMayor Antisemitic Vandalism in Queens Must Stop!!

Early Friday morning at 1 AM during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, while closed, a man was caught on video smashing up Bagels & Co., a kosher Jewish-owned bagel shop in Queens. He destroyed flower pots, flipped tables, and… pic.twitter.com/O0ne2LjeNs

— Moshe Spern (@moshespern) May 24, 2026

A public notice has been issued by prominent Rabbanim in the Chicago Jewish community, cautioning members against a growing issue of individuals exploiting communal chesed by soliciting large loans or credit card use that are not repaid. The warning, pinned with pushpins in a local Shul, emphasizes the importance of consulting a Rav before proceeding with significant financial requests.

This issue is not limited to Chicago. It is happening in New York, Lakewood, and frum communities everywhere. We are all one family, but that doesn’t mean we should lend without thinking. Chazal gave us guidelines before extending loans for a very good reason, we must use them.

New York, NY (May 25, 2026)

Moshe Spern is voicing support for renewed efforts to strengthen protections around schools during demonstrations, while also raising broader concerns about antisemitism in the city.

Spern recently joined a program hosted by former Governor Andrew Cuomo to discuss legislation being advanced by City Council Speaker Julie Menin. The measure is aimed at addressing protest activity near schools and comes amid continued debate over how the city should balance public safety, student access and free speech rights.

I had the opportunity to call into @andrewcuomo show yesterday to discuss @SpeakerMenin new bill to protect schools from protests and plus share my continuing concerns about the @NYCMayor and the rising antisemitism in the city. Thank you former Governor Cuomo for having me on. pic.twitter.com/NBrq0ofS0Y

— Moshe Spern (@moshespern) May 25, 2026

The latest proposal follows earlier controversy over a school protest safety measure that was vetoed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Council leaders have since moved toward a revised version that more narrowly focuses on early childhood programs and most K–12 schools, while leaving out colleges and other institutions that had raised concerns among critics of the prior bill.

Clearer rules are needed to protect students, parents and school staff from harassment or intimidation when protests take place near educational settings. Children should not have to navigate hostile demonstrations while entering or leaving school.

Spern, who has previously spoken out about antisemitism in New York City schools and civic institutions, said the issue should be viewed as part of a larger challenge facing Jewish New Yorkers. He has expressed concern that city leadership has not done enough to confront antisemitic rhetoric and incidents with the urgency they require.

Washington, DC (May 25, 2026)

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are signaling a united public stance as negotiations continue over a potential agreement with Iran, with both leaders emphasizing that any final deal must prevent Tehran from developing or obtaining nuclear weapons.

Trump said he has instructed his negotiating team not to rush the process, arguing that the United States has leverage and that any agreement must be completed carefully. His comments come as discussions continue over Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and broader regional security arrangements. Recent reporting indicates that a possible framework has been under discussion, though major details remain unresolved and the proposal has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials concerned about enforceability and sequencing.

Netanyahu said he spoke with Trump about a memorandum of understanding connected to the Strait of Hormuz and upcoming talks over Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli leader stressed that Israel’s position remains unchanged: Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, and any agreement must dismantle enrichment capabilities and remove enriched nuclear material from Iranian territory.

The statements reflect the delicate balance facing Washington and Jerusalem as negotiators pursue a diplomatic path while maintaining pressure on Tehran. The potential agreement has major implications for Israel’s security, regional stability, global energy markets, and the future of the Abraham Accords. ([MarketWatch][2])

Full statement from President Donald J. Trump:

“One of the worst deals ever made by our Country was the Iran Nuclear Deal, put forth and signed into existence by Barack Hussein Obama and the rank amateurs of the Obama Administration.

It was a direct path to Iran developing a Nuclear Weapon. Not so with the transaction currently being negotiated with Iran by the Trump Administration – THE EXACT OPPOSITE, in fact!

The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side. The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed. Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!

Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one. They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. I would like to thank, thus far, all of the countries of the Middle East for their support and cooperation, which will be further enhanced and strengthened by their joining the Nations of the historic Abraham Accords and, who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join, as well!

Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Full statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

“Last night, I spoke with President Donald Trump about the memorandum of understanding regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and about the upcoming negotiations toward a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.

I expressed to President Trump my deep appreciation for his firm commitment to Israel’s security, including during the operations “Roaring Lion” and “Epic Fury,” in which American and Israeli forces fought shoulder to shoulder against the Iranian threat.

President Trump and I agreed that any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear threat. This means dismantling Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from its territory.

President Trump reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself against threats on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

The partnership between our two countries has been proven on the battlefield and has never been stronger.

My policy, like that of President Trump, remains unchanged: Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”

5TC Exclusive: President Trump is also apparently not into this no left turn in Cedarhurst! pic.twitter.com/HFaLOZcd03

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) May 24, 2026

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (May 24, 2026)

Health officials are racing to contain a widening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after more than 900 suspected cases were identified, including more than 100 confirmed infections, according to the latest reported figures.

The outbreak has centered heavily in eastern Congo, where conflict, displacement, limited medical resources, and mistrust of authorities have complicated efforts to isolate patients, trace contacts, and safely handle burials. The crisis has also placed major strain on local hospitals and health workers, many of whom are operating in difficult and dangerous conditions.

The World Health Organization has described the situation as a serious public health emergency, while noting that the risk remains highest inside Congo and the surrounding region. The global spread risk is currently considered low, though neighboring countries and international health agencies have increased monitoring and preparedness efforts.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a form of the virus for which there is currently no approved vaccine. That has made containment especially urgent, as public health teams rely heavily on early detection, patient isolation, protective equipment, safe burial practices, and community cooperation to slow transmission.

Response efforts have been further challenged by unrest around treatment centers. In recent days, some Ebola facilities have reportedly come under attack amid anger and fear over burial restrictions and the handling of victims’ bodies. Health officials have warned that unsafe contact with infected bodies can spread the virus quickly, making public cooperation critical.

The growing number of suspected cases has raised concern that the outbreak may be larger than official confirmed totals show. International health partners are now working with Congolese authorities to expand testing, strengthen surveillance, and deliver supplies to affected areas.

For communities already facing insecurity and hardship, the outbreak has added another layer of fear. Health officials are urging residents to report symptoms quickly, avoid direct contact with suspected patients or victims, and follow public health guidance as containment efforts continue.

New York, NY (May 24, 2026)

Calls for heightened security are growing ahead of this year’s Israel Day on Fifth parade, as Jewish community leaders and elected officials weigh how best to protect participants and spectators during one of the city’s largest annual pro-Israel events.

Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and a former New York state assemblyman from Brooklyn, is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to deploy the National Guard in support of the NYPD for the May 31 parade. Hikind said the request is not a criticism of the police department, but an effort to add another layer of protection amid ongoing concerns over antisemitism and anti-Israel demonstrations across the city.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL:
CALL IN THE NATIONAL GUARD FOR THE ISRAELI DAY PARADE.

Give New Yorkers an extra layer of protection.

I am grateful to the following elected officials who have joined in this request to @GovKathyHochul:

Assembly members:
Kalman Yeger, D-Brooklyn.
Michael… pic.twitter.com/hqJYM9YOKf

— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 24, 2026

The parade is scheduled to run along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan from 62nd Street to 74th Street. Hikind has warned that security planning should extend beyond the main parade route, noting that attendees carrying Israeli flags or wearing visibly pro-Israel items could face harassment or threats in nearby areas before and after the event.

Several elected officials have joined Hikind’s request, including Assembly members Kalman Yeger, Michael Novakhov, Lester Chang, David Weprin and Ari Brown, as well as Councilman Jim Gennaro.

Organizers of Israel Day on Fifth have taken a different position. The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, which hosts the event, has said it is working closely with law enforcement and is not seeking a National Guard deployment. JCRC leadership has expressed confidence in the NYPD and said extensive security planning is already underway with city and communal security partners.

Concerns surrounding the parade come after recent anti-Israel protests outside Jewish institutions in Brooklyn and Manhattan, including demonstrations near Park East Synagogue and Young Israel Senior Services in Midwood. The event has also drawn political attention after Mayor Zohran Mamdani indicated he does not plan to attend.

With thousands expected to gather next Sunday, community leaders say the focus remains on ensuring that the parade can proceed safely while allowing participants to publicly express support for Israel.

New York, NY (May 24, 2026)

A notable halachic moment unfolded aboard an El Al flight when Rav Ezriel Auerbach Shlita was seen consulting with a flight attendant to determine the proper time to count the Omer during a long-haul journey from Los Angeles to Israel.

The question arose because of the flight’s unusual timing and route. As the aircraft traveled eastward across multiple time zones, passengers experienced an extended period of daylight, making it unclear when nightfall should be considered to have arrived for the purposes of Sefiras HaOmer.

To clarify the matter, Rav Urbach reviewed the aircraft’s real-time flight path using the seatback screen, which displayed the plane’s location and the region beneath it. With assistance from the flight attendant, he was able to determine that although daylight was still visible from the aircraft, it was already nighttime on the ground below the flight path.

That information helped resolve the halachic question, allowing him to determine the appropriate time for counting the Omer while in the air.

The scene highlighted the practical challenges that can arise when halacha meets modern travel, especially on long international flights crossing several time zones. For observant Jewish travelers, questions involving zmanim, tefillah, Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Sefiras HaOmer can become complex when sunrise, sunset, and nightfall do not align neatly with what passengers see from the cabin window.

New York, NY (May 24, 2026)

A notable halachic moment unfolded aboard an El Al flight when Rav Aszriel Urbach Shlita was seen consulting with a flight attendant to determine the proper time to count the Omer during a long-haul journey from Los Angeles to Israel.

The question arose because of the flight’s unusual timing and route. As the aircraft traveled eastward across multiple time zones, passengers experienced an extended period of daylight, making it unclear when nightfall should be considered to have arrived for the purposes of Sefiras HaOmer.

To clarify the matter, Rav Urbach reviewed the aircraft’s real-time flight path using the seatback screen, which displayed the plane’s location and the region beneath it. With assistance from the flight attendant, he was able to determine that although daylight was still visible from the aircraft, it was already nighttime on the ground below the flight path.

That information helped resolve the halachic question, allowing him to determine the appropriate time for counting the Omer while in the air.

The scene highlighted the practical challenges that can arise when halacha meets modern travel, especially on long international flights crossing several time zones. For observant Jewish travelers, questions involving zmanim, tefillah, Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Sefiras HaOmer can become complex when sunrise, sunset, and nightfall do not align neatly with what passengers see from the cabin window.

New York, NY (May 24, 2026)

B&H Photo drew attention online after a customer posted that he was unable to complete a website purchase because the company’s checkout system was closed for Shabbos.

The Manhattan-based electronics retailer, founded and operated by Orthodox Jews, has long maintained a policy of closing both its physical store and online checkout during Shabbos and Yomim Tovim. Customers can still browse products and add items to their carts, but purchases cannot be completed until checkout reopens after Shabbos.

The post, which showed a message on the B&H website explaining that checkout would reopen later, sparked widespread discussion online. Some users expressed frustration at being unable to immediately purchase an item, while others praised the company for maintaining its religious values in a highly competitive retail market.

B&H has become one of the most prominent camera, video, audio, and electronics retailers in the country, serving professional photographers, filmmakers, businesses, institutions, and everyday consumers. Its continued success while adhering to Shabbos observance has made it a well-known example of a major business refusing to compromise on religious principles, even in the fast-moving world of e-commerce.

For many in the Jewish community, the moment was not only about a delayed purchase. It was a reminder that success does not have to come at the expense of conviction. In an era when companies often chase every possible sale and every extra hour of activity, B&H’s policy stands out as a public statement that values can and must come before convenience.

The company’s decision may occasionally surprise or frustrate customers unfamiliar with Shabbos observance. But for decades, B&H has shown that a business can close, pause, and honor its beliefs while still earning respect and loyalty around the world.

In a marketplace that rarely stops moving, B&H’s weekly pause remains one of its most recognizable features — and, for many, one of its most admirable.

Far Rockaway, NY (May 24, 2026)

A cleaning lady was arrested after thousands of dollars were allegedly stolen from a local home over an extended period, following a coordinated response by the NYPD and Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol.

According to community safety officials, the homeowners became concerned after money repeatedly went missing from the residence. After installing cameras inside the home, they discovered that the person responsible was a cleaning woman who had been working there.

The information was turned over to authorities, leading to a coordinated operation between police and RNSP members. The worker was taken into custody shortly afterward.

The incident serves as an important reminder for families to take basic precautions when hiring anyone to work inside a private home. Community members are encouraged to ask for references, verify information when possible, and avoid leaving cash, jewelry, or other valuables in unsecured areas.

Simple steps such as securing valuables, keeping records, and installing basic in-home surveillance can help protect families and provide critical evidence if something goes wrong.

Residents who believe they may be victims of theft by someone working in their home should not confront the individual directly. Instead, they should contact 911 and then call the RNSP 24-hour hotline at (516) 858-7300.

Authorities and community safety volunteers continue to urge vigilance, especially when allowing regular access to cleaning staff, contractors, aides, or other workers inside the home.

A person doing work in a stole from her place of work. The excellent #collaboration between the RNSP (Rockaway Nassau Shomrim) and the @NYPD101Pct Day Tour & Q-Team resulted in #OneUnder.@NYPDDetectives@NYPDQueensSouth#PublicSafety Tips:
* Before hiring someone to work in… pic.twitter.com/dp1dTTB6Od

— RNSP (@RockawayNassau) May 24, 2026

**
Toronto, Ontario (May 24, 2026)**

The urgent search for 14-year-old Esther, also known as Esti, has been made even more painful after missing-person flyers posted across Toronto were torn down, an act that has deeply disturbed community members already shaken by her disappearance.

Esther has been missing for more than a week after last being seen late Friday night, May 15, near Earl Bales Park in North York, around Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West. Toronto Police have upgraded the case to a Priority 1 investigation, signaling serious concern for her safety and the need for immediate public assistance.

She is described as 5-foot-2 with a medium build and brown hair. At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a green long-sleeve shirt, gray sweatpants, and no shoes.

Volunteers and community members have been working to spread awareness by placing flyers in public areas, hoping that someone may recognize Esther or recall seeing something important. Many of those posters were ripped down intensifying anguish across the Jewish community, where many see the act as part of a broader climate of hostility that became painfully familiar after October 7, when posters of Israeli hostages were repeatedly removed or vandalized in cities around the world.

While authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive for the removal of Esther’s flyers, community members say the focus must remain on bringing her home safely and ensuring that hatred does not interfere with a search for a missing child.

Police are asking residents, drivers, businesses, and property owners near Earl Bales Park and the surrounding North York area to review security footage, dashcam video, yards, sheds, stairwells, and other spaces where Esther may have passed through or sought shelter.

Anyone who sees Esther or has urgent information should call 911 immediately. Tips may also be directed to Toronto Police at 416-808-3200 or Shomrim Toronto at 647-557-6735. Besuros Tovos.

Posters torn down for a missing 14 yr old Jewish girl in North York in one of the most Jewish neighborhoods in Canada & reportedly happened across the city of Toronto.

Reminiscent of the disrespect of the Hostage Posters. The same exact Jew hate.

Be ashamed, Canada pic.twitter.com/c5kG9XVCpQ

— Dan Levy דניאל אליהו בן מאניש דוד (@TheDanLevy) May 23, 2026

A missing 14-year-old girl’s posters are being ripped down.

Let that sink in.

This is not politics.
This is not activism.
This is a child on the spectrum who is still missing.

If you see someone tearing down Esti’s signs — call it out. Stand up to it. This is not who Canadians… pic.twitter.com/UrOx6KhVYC

— Matthew Taub (@MatthewTaub) May 23, 2026

New York, NY (May 24, 2026)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed scrutiny, as usual, over his past meetings with a Queens imam whose public record includes inflammatory comments about Israel, Hamas, and the Holocaust.

The controversy centers on Sheikh Fadhel Al-Sahlani, the imam of the Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Jamaica, Queens. Mamdani reportedly visited the center multiple times beginning in 2025, including appearances before and after his election as mayor. His most recent visit drew attention because it came after Al-Sahlani had publicly framed Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel in favorable terms and described the group’s actions as having sparked broad change.

Al-Sahlani has also been criticized for past Holocaust-related statements and for accusing Israel of severe misconduct during the war in Gaza. His remarks have alarmed Jewish leaders and critics of the mayor, who say elected officials must be especially careful about appearing alongside religious figures who have made extremist or antisemitic statements.

Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, has long been an outspoken critic of Israel’s policies and has faced criticism from Jewish community leaders over his handling of Israel-related issues. His critics argue that repeated contact with Al-Sahlani adds to broader concerns about his approach to antisemitism and Middle East tensions.

A spokesman for the mayor said Mamdani rejects Holocaust denial and does not agree with the imam’s comments about Hamas. The spokesman also said visits to religious institutions should not be interpreted as support for every statement made by individuals connected to those institutions.

Previous New York City mayors have also appeared at events connected to Al-Sahlani, but Mamdani’s interactions have drawn sharper attention because they occurred after the October 7 massacre and amid heightened fears over antisemitism in New York.

The mayor’s office has sought to frame the visits as part of broader outreach to faith communities across the city. Critics, however, say the administration must do more to reassure Jewish New Yorkers that extremist rhetoric will not be normalized or overlooked.

Staten Island, NY (May 24, 2026)

A deadly explosion at a Staten Island shipyard left one worker dead and dozens of emergency responders injured Friday afternoon, turning a fire response at a waterfront industrial site into a major rescue operation.

The incident unfolded at 3075 Richmond Terrace in Mariners Harbor, where firefighters were called at about 3:30 p.m. for a fire at a dockside repair facility. Initial reports indicated that workers may have been trapped inside a structure at the site, prompting crews to enter the building and begin search operations.

A powerful blast erupted as firefighters were working to reach those inside. A second explosion followed while emergency personnel were still operating in the structure, causing additional injuries and rapidly worsening conditions.

One civilian worker was killed, and another civilian was injured. More than 30 FDNY members and emergency medical personnel were also hurt, including at least two first responders who sustained serious blast-related injuries. One fire marshal remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition after suffering severe head trauma, while another firefighter was listed in serious condition.

The emergency drew a large response, with roughly 200 fire and EMS personnel sent to the scene. Crews battled difficult conditions inside a large metal-framed industrial building, where enclosed spaces and waterfront operations added to the danger.

The fire was eventually brought under control Friday evening, but investigators continued working through the weekend to determine what caused the blaze and the explosions. Authorities are examining conditions at the shipyard, the type of work being performed, and whether flammable materials or confined spaces contributed to the severity of the blast.

Officials said the investigation remains active, and further details are expected as inspectors and fire marshals complete their review.

NYC—At least 16 people were reportedly injured following a fire and major explosion at a shipyard in Staten Island, New York, according to the AP. Emergency crews responded as thick smoke and flames engulfed the area. pic.twitter.com/A476xZFvmP

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) May 23, 2026

JUST IN:
At least 1 person has been killed and more than 30 others injured following a fire and explosion at a Staten Island shipyard, according to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Emergency crews remain on the scene as the investigation continues. https://t.co/OqW24ykcPb pic.twitter.com/Pd3hC9oG4W

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) May 23, 2026

A major fire and explosion at a Staten Island shipyard in New York has left at least 16 people injured.

The facility is one of New York Harbor’s key maritime repair yards, servicing ferries, tugboats, barges, and commercial vessels operating along the East Coast.#sstvi pic.twitter.com/2N57K9uQnW

— GlobeUpdate (@Globupdate) May 23, 2026

By Dr. Rafael Medoff, historian and author:

The words “Free Palestine” and “F— Israel” were painted on the windows of a wellness studio in Vermont last week, over two Israeli flags that the Jewish owner had placed there.

Mark Treinkman, a leader in Vermont’s Jewish community, pointed out that in recent months, synagogues in Vermont have received death threats, swastikas have been painted on school walls, and Jewish students have been the targets of antisemitic bullying.

Treinkman says the latest assault is “the predictable consequence of a political campaign in Vermont that demonizes Israel and pressures local communities to treat Jews and Zionists as equivalent to Nazis.” He noted that a local hate group, the Palestine Solidarity Coalition, has been promoting a campaign accusing Israel of apartheid.

“Apartheid Israel”—where the Supreme Court has an Arab member; where Arab citizens have served in the cabinet, as ambassadors, and even as Miss Israel; and where an Arab party recently was part of the governing coalition.

“Apartheid Israel”—the only country in the world that has airlifted tens of thousands of black Africans out of lands of famine and oppression, bringing them to freedom and safety.

But never mind those inconvenient facts!

“When anti-Zionist activists tell people that Jews with deep spiritual, cultural, and familial ties to Israel are ‘baby killers’ and ‘genocide supporters,’ it sends a dangerous signal that intimidation against them is understandable, deserved, or even justified,” Treinkman added.

But the bullies of the Palestine Solidarity Coalition are not the only Vermonters spreading such vicious slurs—nor are they the most influential.

That title belongs to the most powerful political leader in Vermont, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.

— During his 2019 presidential campaign, Sanders’s team posted a video accusing Israel of imposing “apartheid-like conditions in Palestine.” Sanders has also repeatedly called Israel’s government “racist.”

— In 2024, Sanders claimed Israel was carrying out “ethnic cleansing.”

— In 2025, Sanders wrote: “Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.”

— In recent weeks, Sanders has accused Israel of “dragging” America into war.

Did Sen. Sanders’s extremist rhetoric helped incite last week’s vandalism in Vermont? Perhaps we’ll learn the answer to that question when the vandal is apprehended.

In the meantime, one thing is clear: the anti-Israel lies that Sanders continually spreads have helped create an atmosphere of hatred. And in such an atmosphere, there’s no telling what will happen next.

“I am deeply concerned about what we are hearing about an Iran “deal,” being pushed by some voices in the administration.

President Trump’s decision to strike Iran was the most consequential decision of his second term. He was right to do so, and we achieved extraordinary military results—including destroying all of their missiles & drones and sinking their entire navy.

If the result of all that is to be an Iranian regime—still run by Islamists who chant “death to America”—now receiving billions of dollars, being able to enrich uranium & develop nuclear weapons, and having effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, then that outcome would be a disastrous mistake.

The details are still coming out—and I pray the early reports are wrong—but the fact that Biden’s Rob Malley is praising the deal is not encouraging.

President Trump believes in peace through strength, and his strong leadership has already made America much safer. He should continue to hold the line, defend America & enforce the red lines he has repeatedly drawn.”

New York, NY (May 23, 2026)

A proposed tax on all-cash real estate purchases over $1 million in New York City is expected to be removed from the state budget, easing concerns from buyers, sellers, and the real estate industry.

The proposal would have added a 1% charge on qualifying home purchases made without financing. Lawmakers had considered the measure as one way to raise revenue for New York City as officials work to close a significant budget gap. But amid budget negotiations in Albany, the plan now appears likely to be left out of the final agreement.

The all-cash tax was aimed at wealthier buyers who can purchase property without relying on a mortgage. Supporters argued that the measure could generate new revenue from higher-end transactions while addressing an increasingly uneven housing market. Critics said the tax would create new complications, discourage deals, burden sellers indirectly, and include loopholes that could weaken its impact.

All-cash purchases have become a major force in New York City’s housing market, especially as high mortgage rates have made financing more expensive. Cash offers are often more attractive to sellers because they can close more quickly and carry less risk of falling apart during the mortgage approval process. A recent housing analysis found that all-cash deals made up more than 60% of home sales in the city during the first half of 2025.

While the cash-purchase tax is expected to fall away, state officials are still moving forward with a separate pied-à-terre tax targeting expensive second homes. That proposal would apply to New York City properties valued at more than $5 million and is expected to affect roughly 10,000 homes. Officials estimate it could raise at least $500 million annually for the city.

The debate reflects the broader challenge facing city and state leaders as they search for revenue without raising income or corporate taxes. For now, the likely removal of the all-cash purchase tax marks a win for the real estate sector, while the fight over luxury housing taxes continues in Albany.

Albany, NY (May 23, 2026)

New York lawmakers have advanced a wide-ranging public safety and government budget bill that would significantly limit how local police, jails, and public agencies cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

The Public Protection and General Government bill, listed as S9005C/A10005C, includes several immigration-related provisions backed by Governor Kathy Hochul and Democratic lawmakers. The legislation would bar local governments from entering 287(g) agreements, which allow local officers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions, and would also restrict detention agreements that permit county jails to hold people for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The bill would require existing ICE-related detention contracts to be wound down and would prevent local police and correctional facilities from using public resources for civil immigration enforcement. Supporters say the measure is intended to keep local law enforcement focused on local crimes while protecting immigrant communities from being drawn into federal enforcement actions when no judicial warrant is involved.

Another major part of the package would create protections for sensitive locations, including schools, houses of worship, hospitals, childcare centers, and polling places. Under the proposal, immigration authorities could be denied access to non-public areas of those sites unless they present a warrant signed by a federal judge.

The legislation also includes new identification rules for law enforcement officers. On-duty officers interacting with the public would generally be required to display identifying information such as names, badge numbers, and agency markings, with exceptions for undercover work, medical or hazardous conditions, and certain rescue operations.

Republican lawmakers and some county officials have sharply criticized the proposal, arguing that it could make communities less safe by restricting cooperation between local and federal authorities. Supporters counter that the bill preserves cooperation in criminal investigations while drawing a firm line against using local agencies for civil immigration enforcement.

If enacted, the measure would mark one of New York’s most significant state-level efforts to limit ICE involvement in local policing and public institutions.