Photos by: Y. Stein

Photos by: Y. Stein

Photos by: Y. Stein

Yisroel R.

Unfortunately, the first days of Sukkos are expected to be rainy this year in most heimishe neighborhoods, including Kiryas Joel, but it seems like Kiryas Joel will get lucky the first night of Sukkos, with what currently looks like a dry night. Rain is expected to begin Shabbos morning, the first day of Sukkos, and continue throughout much of the remainder of the first days. The wet weather could make spending time and eating the Yom Tov seudos in the sukkah difficult, before conditions improve for most of Chol Hamoed and the second days.

Friday, Erev Sukkos, will remain dry and partly cloudy, with a high near 69 degrees. Friday evening and the overnight hours are also expected to remain dry, allowing to preform the Mitzvas Eseh D’oreisa of the first night, and enjoy the seudah in the sukkah before the rain arrives Yom Tov morning.

Shabbos, the first day of Sukkos, will unfortunately turn rainy and windy, with rain developing during the morning and continuing through much of the day. Rain will increase at around 9 a.m., and remain elevated through the afternoon and into the evening. Temperatures will remain cool, with a high near 58 degrees and winds of 15 to 25 mph.

Sunday, the second day of Sukkos, is expected to be even wetter, with periods of rain likely throughout the day. Rain chances will be particularly high from the morning through the afternoon, reaching its peak during the midday hours. Temperatures will remain cool, with a high near 59 degrees and winds of 15 to 25 mph.

The beginning of Chol Hamoed will unfortunately remain wet, with periods of rain expected Monday and a high near 60 degrees. Conditions should improve significantly beginning Tuesday, with mostly dry weather expected for the remainder of Chol Hamoed. Temperatures will also warm considerably, climbing from around 69 degrees Tuesday into the low-to-upper 70s Wednesday through Friday, making for much more pleasant Chol Hamoed weather.

Looking ahead to the second days, Shabbos, Shemini Atzeres, currently looks mostly cloudy and dry, with a high near 72 degrees. Simchas Torah on Sunday could bring a few showers, although the current forecast shows only around a 30 percent chance of rain, with temperatures reaching around 70 degrees.

Have a happy Yom Tov Sukkos!

A festive Siyum Hazman was held at Yeshivas Esek HaTorah, together with siyumim on Masechtos Pesachim and Gittin.

The celebration featured an inspiring address by Hagoen Hatzadik Rav of Shemen LaMaor shlit"a, a beautiful musical presentation by the “Chassidish Choir” expressing the deep emotions of Simchas HaTorah, and enthusiastic dancing in honor of the Torah.

Sisu V’Simchu B’Simchas HaTorah!

photos: Issac Y.

By Y.M. Lowy

Sukkos is all about enjoying Yom Tov with family and guests, and a beautiful spread of desserts makes the meal even more special. Falkowitz Cakes & Desserts is getting ready for the Yom Tov rush with an assortment of tempting cakes and desserts that are perfect for serving in the sukkah.

From something sweet to enjoy with a cup of coffee to desserts that will have everyone reaching for another piece, Falkowitz has plenty to choose from for your Sukkos table. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or simply want to have something delicious on hand throughout Yom Tov, this is the place to indulge.

Falkowitz will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, September 22–24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, Erev Yom Tov, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stop by Falkowitz Cakes & Desserts at 597 Marcy Ave. in Brooklyn, or call 718-388-0039.

Photos by: Y. Stein

Construction crews have completed the first layer of asphalt on Daj Connector Road, marking another major step forward in the project.

The road is now awaiting new traffic lights, additional utility work by Orange and Rockland, and final paving. With the first layer now in place, the long-awaited road project is another step closer to completion.

Photos by: Isaac g

By Y.M. Lowy

The magnificent Sukkos Dee Voch package is filled with inspiring stories, fascinating features, and beautiful photography that every member of the family will enjoy immensely. It includes 8 sections and 1,400 pages of content!

In the Dee Voch magazine, readers will discover a special 12-page tribute honoring the 30th yahrtzeit of the gaon hakadosh Harav Moshe Aryeh Freund, zt”l, Gaavad Yerushalayim, featuring rare photographs from his life, many published for the first time, together with the stories and background behind each image. “V’yitnu Lecha Keser Malchus” explores when the Gedolei HaAdmorim ascended to the Kisei Malchus, including the exact dates, years, and positions they held beforehand, while “Harchivi Mekom Ohalech” brings detailed reports on the many new and expanded batei medrashim for the Yamim Noraim this year. As always, Dee Voch provides extensive coverage from the Rebbe’she courts, including Erev and Motzaei Rosh Hashanah 5787 and Admorim and Rabbanim at Tashlich, along with captivating scenes of Rosh Hashanah 5787 in Uman, Yidden around the world at Tashlich and Minhag Kaparos, and communities everywhere preparing for Yom Tov Sukkos.

This Sukkos, the Shrift comes with two special booklets, packed with fascinating stories, history, travel, interviews and thought-provoking features.

An in-depth look at the Belzer dynasty, beginning with the holy Sar Shalom and continuing through the generations to the present Belzer Rebbe, shlit”a.

The elderly gaon and talmid chacham, Harav Leibel Stempel, shlit”a, opens his rich memoirs, sharing his experiences during the war years and what he witnessed while in the presence of Gedolei Yisroel.

During a 10-day journey, Pinchos Leifer takes readers inside life in China, with its vast population of 1.4 billion and endless industries.

A fascinating documentation project exploring historic coups that left a lasting mark on world history.

An inside look at West Point, the oldest active military installation in the United States, and its prestigious academy that prepares the future leaders of the U.S. Army.

Talented photographer R’ Yisroel Goldstein shares his incredible story and his courageous battle to overcome alcohol and smoking addiction.

A creative and thought-provoking illustrated feature showing how the same person can embody completely opposite traits, and how what someone loves today can become what they dislike tomorrow.

The stories behind some of the iconic photographs from the September 11 attacks, revealing the thousands of words and human stories behind a single image.

and much much more!

Business Shrift Sukkos edition brings fascinating stories from the world of business, including a look at the story of philanthropist and administrator R’ Yisroel Arzel, who combines tzedakah, askanus and business; creative moments with pioneering graphic designer R’ Yehoshua Schwartz and his son R’ Shmuel Dovid Schwartz of the renowned Semcap marketing firm; and an inside look at businesses that need to be ready to operate 24 hours a day.

In honor of Sukkos, the Fink magazine brings a collection of powerful and inspiring stories, including the tale of a Holocaust survivor who faces opposition while building his sukkah, only to see his neighbor have a change of heart on the first night of Sukkos; the story of a non-religious Jew whose unexpected encounter with Shabbos leads him to begin putting on tefillin every day and eventually changes his life; the remarkable life story of Harav Moshe Yitzchok Babad, zt”l, who lost his left leg at a young age but overcame tremendous challenges with emunah, bitachon and simchah; and the heartbreaking story of a young girl who is taken from her mother after doctors suspect child neglect, with the now-grown girl looking back years later on the moment that changed her life forever.

This Sukkos, Kinder Shrift is packed with exciting stories, interviews and adventures for kids, including a special visit with the Skverer dayan in Boro Park, who answers questions submitted by Kinder Shrift readers; a fascinating journey to a Jewish community deep in the Amazon jungle; a musical conversation with four popular composers; and an inspiring interview with a writer who has already written an incredible 800 books in seven languages. Kids can also enjoy a dramatic comic story, a visit to a museum filled with unusual musical instruments, a fun conversation with sukkahs from different generations about how Sukkos looked in the olden days, and a special look at Hershy, a boy who builds beautiful miniature sukkahs to decorate his own sukkah.

A special Yom Tov comic supplement featuring A Sukkah'le a Kleine , a beautiful and dramatic comic story spanning more than 30 pages, written and illustrated by H. Feldman.

Yisroel R.

New York State Police has launched a six-day statewide traffic enforcement campaign beginning Tuesday, September 22, targeting speeding and aggressive driving as part of an initiative called “Fall Safe Speed.”

The campaign will continue through Sunday, September 27, with state troopers increasing enforcement across New York State in an effort to crack down on dangerous driving and improve roadway safety.

During the campaign, troopers will use both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles, which blend in with regular traffic but become recognizable as emergency vehicles when their lights are activated.

In addition to speeding and aggressive driving, troopers will be watching for distracted and impaired drivers, seat belt violations, and motorists who fail to comply with New York’s Move Over Law.

As fall officially begins today, Tuesday, September 22, cool fall weather has arrived in Monroe, with temperatures remaining in the 60s throughout the shortened business week. Cooler nights will bring an early taste of the approaching winter season, while mostly dry conditions and crisp, cool temperatures are expected through Thursday.

Tuesday will begin with partly cloudy skies before becoming overcast during the afternoon, with a slight chance of a rain shower. Temperatures will reach a high of 65 degrees and drop to a low of 47 degrees overnight.

Wednesday will bring partly cloudy skies, with a high near 66 degrees and a low of 45 degrees. Breezy conditions and cooler temperatures will add to the fall feel, especially during the evening hours.

Thursday will feature mostly sunny skies, with temperatures remaining cool. The high will reach near 66 degrees, with a low of 49 degrees.

As families prepare to leave their homes for the sukkah, we asked a different question: What new convenience have you recently brought into your home?

The answer we heard again and again was the Noam water machine.

Noam provides cold, hot, and warm water at any time. Its compact design and selection of colors allow it to fit naturally into almost any kitchen.

Cold Water Whenever You Need It

Rabbi Reuven Yaakovovitch of Borough Park first discovered Noam while visiting Israel.

“_What impressed me was knowing that cold water would always be available,” he explained. “There is no need to fill bottles, prepare ice, or worry that the refrigerator has run out of wate_r.”

He especially appreciates it after walking home on a hot Shabbos afternoon. “A cold glass of water from Noam makes all the difference.”

Convenient on Shabbos

Y. Oberlander of Williamsburg added Noam while renovating his kitchen.

“The main feature that convinced me was the automatic Shabbos mode,” he said. “You can enjoy hot water on Shabbos morning without rushing to prepare a kettle right before sunset.”

The machine includes a Shabbos mode with kosher certification from Hisachdus and the OU.

Designed With Safety in Mind

For Rabbi N. Weichbrodt of Lakewood, safety was the deciding factor.

After hearing about a child who was burned by a hot water kettle, he began searching for a safer option. Noam’s exterior does not become dangerously hot, and its hot water button includes a child safety lock.

“It gives us convenience together with greater peace of mind,” he said.

A Practical Addition to the Home

Other families highlighted the money saved on bottled water, the attractive design, and the convenience of having hot and cold water available around the clock.

Whether preparing coffee in the morning, making a baby bottle during the night, or pouring a refreshing glass of cold water, Noam has quickly become a practical part of everyday family life.

Limited time offer

Order now and get $250 OFF instantly.

Join thousands of families already using NOAM and discover the easiest way to enjoy fresh, filtered water every day.

Noam. On tap 24/7.

Order now and enjoy the convenience of fresh filtered water — exactly when you need it most.

Over the past several years, since the Bobov-45 Kehila built its massive new shul, finding a suitable location for a large Kehila Sukkah has been a challenge. Nevertheless, the Kehila has never compromised on size, securing a suitable lot each year to accommodate the large Sukkah.

This year, the Sukkah will be located in the heart of Boro Park, at the corner of 14th Avenue and 46th Street. A more than 100-year-old home that previously stood on the property was demolished this year, leaving the large lot vacant and providing an ideal opportunity for a massive Sukkah just blocks from the Bobov-45 Shul.

The massive tent structure has now been erected by Rentastic Party Rental, which provides the full setup needed for large-scale events and temporary spaces, including tents, stages, tables, chairs and other equipment.

The central location will provide Bobov-45 Chasidim with a spacious Sukkah in the heart of Boro Park throughout Yom Tov.

For more information about Rentastic Party Rental and its full selection of event rentals, visit www.rentasticparty.com.

By Y.M. Lowy

Yisroel R.

The Town of Tuxedo is moving forward with a major redevelopment of Powerhouse Park, advancing plans to transform the existing roughly 33-acre property into a larger recreational destination with new improved access, and expanded opportunities for residents and visitors.

The first phase focuses on major improvements throughout the existing park, with plans calling for a new playground, new or upgraded ball courts, walking trails, improvements to the dog park, reconfigured parking, and a stage with outdoor seating. Conceptual plans also include a covered pavilion and fire-pit area, basketball court, angler parking, commuter parking, and improved connections toward the nearby Tuxedo train station.

Plans for the project have been advancing since at least 2024. The Town completed its environmental review of the first phase in June 2025, and by February 2026, the Town Board had a resolution on its agenda to award the bid for the Powerhouse Park improvements, moving the project into the contracting stage. The work is expected to be carried out in phases as funding becomes available, allowing the park to remain in use during the redevelopment.

State Senator James Skoufis secured $125,000 in state funding for the project in 2024, providing an initial investment toward the broader redevelopment. Additional Town and county-related funding has also been used for planning and design work connected to the project.

A more ambitious second phase could eventually extend the redevelopment beyond the park itself. Plans envision a Riverwalk along the Ramapo River and a pedestrian bridge that would connect Powerhouse Park with trails on the opposite side of the river, potentially creating a larger recreational route toward Augusta Falls. The Town has already accepted a $75,000 Greenway matching grant for the Riverwalk, with a required $37,500 Town contribution.

That portion of the project remains further down the road, with the Riverwalk and bridge still requiring additional design, environmental review, permitting, and funding before construction can move ahead. If ultimately completed, the broader vision would take advantage of Powerhouse Park’s location near Route 17, the train station, and the Ramapo River, creating a recreational hub connecting the park, riverfront, and surrounding trail network.

photo: Illustration generated with AI; not an actual image of the project.

Yisroel R.

Monroe will see a cooler stretch through the extended weekend and Yom Kippur, with temperatures generally around the upper 60s to low 70s. Sunday, Erev Yom Kippur, is expected to be the wettest day, with periods of rain and the potential for heavier rainfall.

Friday will feature a mix of clouds and sunshine, with a high near 78 degrees and a low of 51 degrees.

Shabbos will remain partly cloudy and cooler, with a high around 69 degrees and a low of 54 degrees.

Sunday, Erev Yom Kippur, will bring periods of rain, with the potential for heavier rainfall at times. Around half an inch of rain is possible, with a high near 65 degrees and a low of 53 degrees.

Monday, Yom Kippur, will be cloudy and cool, with a high near 65 degrees and a low of 49 degrees.

Gmar Chasima Tova.

An incredible array of esteemed Rabbanim and Admorim appeared during the three hour event to strengthen and encourage the askanim of RCCS and give their honor and respect to the donors and patron of the building, legendary philanthropist R’ Barry Weiss.

Yisroel R.

Two separate major incidents caused heavy disruptions on Route 6 Thursday morning, beginning with a vehicle that became fully engulfed in flames and followed by a second crash involving two vehicles nearby.

The first incident happened as a vehicle traveling on Route 6 towards Monroe, between the overlook and the Thruway caught fire and became fully engulfed in heavy flames. The Woodbury Fire Department and police responded to the scene, and Route 6 was closed as emergency crews worked to extinguish the massive blaze.

The closure caused major traffic delays in the area, as this part of Route 6 has only one lane, leaving vehicles heavily backed up along the roadway.

While traffic remained at a standstill because of the fire, one vehicle attempted to make a U-turn in order to get out of the congestion when it suddenly crashed in a head-on matter with an oncoming vehicle. The impact caused both vehicles to drift off the road and both of them to roll over.

Woodbury Police, the Woodbury Fire Department, Woodbury EMS, State Police, State Park Police, Highlands Police, and the West Point Fire Department responded to the second incident, causing an even bigger chaotic situation on site.

The two incidents caused massive delays throughout the area as emergency crews worked at both scenes and traffic remained heavily affected along Route 6.

Led by the renowned Moreh Hora’ah, the Dayan of Beis Medrash Lev Aharon in Boro Park and Rosh Beis Hora’ah of Khal Debrecen shlita; the full-day gathering for Dayanim featured in-depth shiurim and practical guidance on complex areas of halacha.

Yisroel R.

Just in time for Yom Kippur, Cantor Yaakov Stark has released a moving new performance of “Ato Yodea,” bringing one of the classic pieces of Yom Kippur chazzanus to life in a polished new production. The six-minute video was released this week as part of Stark’s ongoing “Cantorial Classics” series.

“Ato Yodea,” based on the words “Ato Yodea Razei Olam” from the Yom Kippur davening, has long been associated with the chazzanus of Cantor Moshe Ganchoff and is rooted in a classic composition connected to Jacob Rappaport. Archival recordings and Jewish music collections have preserved the piece for decades as part of the traditional Yom Kippur repertoire.

In the newly released version, Stark is joined by international pianist Menachem Bristowski and the Core Music Collective choir. The production was produced, arranged, and conducted by Meir Briskman, who also serves as musical director for the project. The performance was filmed at the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv, a setting that has served as the backdrop for several earlier releases in Stark’s Cantorial Classics series.

The new release continues a series in which Stark has revisited well-known pieces from the world of traditional chazzanus, including “Shema Koleinu,” “Umipnei Chatoeinu,” “Hoshana,” “Tefilas Geshem,” and a collection of classic Shabbos zemiros. The series has repeatedly paired Stark’s voice with Briskman’s arrangements, Bristowski’s piano, and the Core Music Collective choir.

Released during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah and just ahead of Yom Kippur, “Ato Yodea” arrives at a fitting time, with its familiar words and stirring chazzanus capturing the emotion and seriousness of the holiest day of the year. The release is already appearing across Jewish music platforms as one of the newest additions to this year’s Yomim Noraim music lineup.

No job is too big for Rentastic Party Rental, as the company is hard at work preparing the infrastructure for the massive N’shei Adirei HaTorah event taking place in Lakewood.

More than 13,000 seats have been set up for the event, along with tents, stages, and the many other accessories and infrastructure needed to accommodate a gathering of this size.

The massive setup highlights Rentastic’s ability to handle events both large and small, providing everything from tables and seating to tents, staging, flooring, lighting, and other event necessities. The company serves customers throughout the Tri-State area. 

For more information about Rentastic Party Rental and its full selection of event rentals, visit www.rentasticparty.com.

If you know you know. It’s erev yom tov on Shamgar. 

Fathers and sons stopping traffic as they schlep schach across the street. Seminary girls weaving between strollers with iced coffees balanced like trophies. Kids on scooters trailing shopping bags and glittery chains past buckets of aravos. Tourists stand agog, not quite sure how to take it all in. Visiting chassidim of nearby Chassidic courts add their own rhythm. It's mayhem with a purpose, a geshmake matzav you hear from three blocks away.

You know this corner. You might even love it best at this exact time of year, when the whole neighborhood runs on frenetic energy and a halo of kedusha.

It’s an undiluted experience of Yerushalayim’s modern pulse but man cannot live on  adrenaline alone. Still, who wants to miss out?

What if you could come home and close the door while still enjoying being right there? 

Y38 is rising right off the intersection of Yirmiyahu and Shamgar. 

It’s a boutique architectural wonder in a landscape of housing complexes. Designed by Feigin Architects with extra-spacious rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows pulling in Yerushalayim's golden light. Amenities are your everyday indulgence. A residents' shul and a full gym. A spa and a simcha hall. Three levels of underground parking. And a business lounge for the calls you can't push off. Even a limited number of private mikvas available for purchase. Snag one now and you can still add your sauna too.  

And when you want some live action? The geshmake matzav is right outside. 

Construction is underway. 

If you're lucky to be in Yerushalayim for Sukkos, come stand on the corner of Yirmiyahu and Shamgar and picture owning both the vibe and the quiet. 

Talk to us for more details >>>

https://y38.co.il/?utm_source=Daily Monroe&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=9.2026

YS Gold

The upcoming fast of Yom Kippur represents an important crossroads between medicine and halacha, often requiring a ruling from medical professionals who understand and are sensitive to the parameters of halacha.

Thus, once again, the beis hora’ah of Rav Gavriel Cinner in Boro Park, will be hosting Drs. Stuart Ditchek, Martin Grajower, and Max Bulmash in the days leading up to Yom Kippur. Each of these physicians has a different specialty, and will field queries from those with medical conditions which may preclude them from fasting altogether, or fasting, but in a limited way.

The doctors will take questions in person as well as answering phone calls that will come into the beis hora’ah.

Photos by: Y. Stein

A rollover crash took place on Seven Springs Road in Monroe.

Kiryas Joel Public Safety, Kiryas Joel Fire Department, Kiryas Joel Hatzalah, New York State Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Monroe EMS responded to the scene.

The passenger was removed from the vehicle and suffered minor injuries.

By Y.M. Lowy

In this week’s Dee Voch edition, you will find numerous events that took place over the past week, including Gedolei Yisroel preparing for the Yamim Noraim, Rosh Hashanah 5787 in Rebbe’s courts; a historic Chanukas Habayis ceremony in Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh for the “Merkaz Rofeh Cholim B’Eretz Hakodesh”; a gathering at the home of the Pshevorsk Rebbe, for the benefit of Yeshivas Etz Chaim; the “Toraso Magen Lanu” event for supporters of Toldos Aharon institutions in Meron; the Sanzer-Klausenburger Rebbe’s visit to Eretz Yisroel; and the wedding in the Chernobyl and Sanz courts.

This week’s Shrift tells the remarkable story and personality of the world-renowned kiruv personality, Rabbi Yigal Cohen — from growing up in a poor home in Tel Aviv to bringing thousands of baalei teshuvah closer to Yiddishkeit through his work.

The Business Shrift features R’ Avrohom Braun who tells the story behind Sukkos Rachamim, established with the goal of offering affordable prices along with new innovations in the world of sukkahs.

In this week’s Fink magazine is the story of Chesky, a young orphaned bachur who begins drifting from the right path after getting involved with the wrong crowd. His older brother, Binyamin, tries to bring him back, but Chesky pushes him away. After Chesky is stopped by police on his way to a questionable outing, Binyamin allows him to use his name. The experience makes Chesky rethink his choices and realize that a brother remains a brother and a father remains a father, leading him to leave his old ways behind.

In this week’s Kinder Shrift, a conversation with the well-known marbitz Torah, Harav Pinchas Spitzer, shlit”a, about the importance of saying “I’m sorry” and asking someone for mechilah is featured.

Get your copy at grocery stores and local retailers, or subscribe via WhatsApp or the website!

By Y.M. Lowy

Several roads are affected by construction and utility work, with lane restrictions and full closures in parts of South Blooming Grove and along Route 32.

Green Road between Pine Hill Road and Sears Road in South Blooming Grove is down to one lane, with traffic being controlled through the work zone.

A similar setup is in place on Dallas Drive between Pine Hill Road and Fort Worth Place, where one lane is closed and traffic is being directed through the remaining lane.

Strawberry Lane is fully closed for Orange and Rockland construction. The closure is between 16 Hayes Court and the Hayes Court dead end while crews work on gas services. Vehicles parked in the affected area between September 14 and 18 from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be towed.

On Route 32, one lane is closed between Turner Road and Oakland Avenue, with traffic being controlled through the open lane while construction continues.

Drivers traveling through these areas should expect delays and use caution around the work zones.

State Route 32 in Woodbury is currently closed between Timber Trail and Weygant Hill following a vehicle crash that damaged a utility pole.

O&R crews, Woodbury EMS, Woodbury Police and the Woodbury Fire Department are responding at the scene.

The road is expected to remain closed while O&R works to repair or replace the damaged utility pole. Drivers should avoid the area until the roadway is reopened.

Today will be comfortable and breezy with temperatures in the low 70s and much lower humidity.

Tuesday will remain sunny and pleasant, with highs around 70° and a cool night.

Wednesday will turn warmer, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s under mostly sunny skies.

Thursday will be the warmest day of the stretch, with temperatures reaching around 80° and a mix of clouds and sunshine.

A major milestone is being reached in the construction of the new Daj connector road, as crews complete the extensive work of raising the roadway to the same elevation as County Route 105.

The project required a significant amount of fill to bring the new road up to the necessary height, along with retaining walls on both sides to support the elevated roadway. That phase of the project is now nearing completion, with the connecting road reaching the level of County Route 105.

The new road is being constructed to create an additional connection from County Route 105 to Niniger Road and improve access into Kiryas Joel.

Village officials say that, from the Village's side, construction is expected to be completed by November. However, the actual opening of the roadway will depend on two additional components involving outside utility and traffic-signal work.

First, Orange & Rockland must relocate three utility poles that currently stand in the way of opening the new roadway. The Village must wait for the utility company to complete that work before the connector road can be opened to traffic.

The second component involves modifications to the traffic signal at County Route 105. The existing signal currently controls traffic from three directions, but with the addition of the new connector road, it must be upgraded to accommodate a fourth approach.

A third Satmar Beis Medrash will open Shabbos Parshas Noach in the Shechinas Vayoel Moshe neighborhood, providing an additional shul for the rapidly growing development.

The new Beis Medrash will be located in the trailer building at 10 Maglenitz, which until now has housed the offices of the neighborhood’s developers. The building is now being converted to accommodate the new shul, with preparations underway ahead of its opening this Shabbos.

The Beis Medrash will serve the approximately 750 current residents of Phases 1 and 2 of the development, as additional families continue settling into the neighborhood.

The final layer of asphalt was paved last week along Bakertown Road, marking the completion of a major road expansion project aimed at improving traffic flow along the busy corridor.

As previously reported, the Village undertook the project to significantly widen the roadway and create additional travel and turning lanes. With the final paving now completed, motorists are already seeing a major difference compared to the congestion that previously characterized the road.

The newly expanded roadway now accommodates two lanes of traffic in key areas, with dedicated turning lanes at several locations. The added capacity is expected to make a significant difference, particularly during busy hours when traffic along Bakertown Road would frequently back up.

Crews were seen last week applying the final coat of asphalt, while aerial drone footage taken after the work was completed shows the newly widened and freshly paved roadway stretching through the area.

The completion brings to an end the main construction phase of the project and represents a major improvement for the many motorists who use Bakertown Road daily.

One final component of the project remains to be completed: the activation of the new traffic signals installed as part of the improvements. Once the new traffic lights are functioning, the expanded roadway and redesigned intersections will be fully operational.

photos: Y. Stein

Shoppers at the Walmart Supercenter on Larkin Drive are seeing major changes as the store undergoes an extensive renovation as part of Walmart’s statewide modernization program.

The Monroe location, at 288 Larkin Drive, is one of 24 Walmart stores across New York being remodeled this year, as the retail giant rolls out upgrades aimed at modernizing the shopping experience and improving both in-store and online services.

The renovation includes a redesigned store layout, updated departments and displays, and improvements intended to make it easier for customers to navigate the large Supercenter and locate products.

Technology is also a major part of the project, with Walmart expanding digital features that help shoppers find products inside the store and improving areas dedicated to online pickup and delivery orders.

Several departments are being refreshed, including apparel, produce, cosmetics, electronics, and the pharmacy. The pharmacy upgrades are expected to include more modern facilities and private consultation areas.

The Monroe project comes as Walmart undertakes renovations at more than 650 stores nationwide, part of the company’s broader effort to introduce its updated “Store of the Future” concept.

Despite the ongoing construction, the Monroe Walmart remains open to shoppers throughout the renovation.

Photos by: Y. Stein

By Y.M. Lowy

Members of the Orange County Department of Emergency Services recently joined the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for specialized drone training.

The training focused on how drones can be used during emergencies, including search-and-rescue operations, damage assessments and large-scale incidents.

Drones can give emergency responders an aerial view of an incident, allowing them to quickly assess the situation and gather information without putting additional personnel in harm’s way.

The joint training also gives local and state responders an opportunity to work together and prepare for situations where multiple agencies may be called to the same emergency.

Today will be pleasant and less humid with a high of 78° and a low of 49°. Some clouds early will give way to sunshine.

Shabbos will have a high of 77° and a low of 65°. Expect a mix of sunshine and clouds, with rain becoming possible later at night.

Sunday will be humid with a high of 80° and a low of 62°. Occasional rain and a thunderstorm are possible early in the morning, followed by periods of clouds and sunshine in the afternoon.

The New York State Police today announced that it issued a total of 11,201 tickets statewide during the Labor Day weekend enforcement campaign.

The special enforcement period began on Friday, September 4, 2026, and ran through Monday, September 7, 2026.

During the campaign, which was partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints and additional DWI patrols and focused enforcement efforts on impaired and distracted driving.

In total, troopers arrested 253 people for DWI and investigated 632 crashes, including five fatal crashes.

As part of the enforcement campaign, troopers targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. The following is a sampling of tickets issued during the campaign:

Speeding: 3,935

Distracted Driving: 308

Seat Belt Violations: 746

Move Over Law Violations: 234

During last year’s Labor Day weekend enforcement campaign, which ran from Friday, August 29, 2025, through Monday, September 1, 2025, State Police issued 9,912 total tickets and arrested 225 people for DWI.

By Y.M. Lowy

A new Village Transit route is being introduced for Bein Hazmanim, connecting batei medrashim and streets across the neighborhood.

The route will run on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The route will travel through streets across the neighborhood, with stops at designated bus stops. A map showing the full route and stops will be attached.

Ticket books will be sold at grocery stores and shopping centers throughout the Village, as well as at the Village office. Tickets cost $1.50.

Pick-up and drop-off are only at designated bus stops. Passengers should make sure they are standing on the correct side of the road, as buses cannot wait for passengers who need to cross.

By Y.M. Lowy

Photos by: Y. Stein

A U-Haul truck crashed into two State Police vehicles on Route 17 in Woodbury after a trooper had stopped a vehicle on the highway.

State Police had pulled over a vehicle on westbound Route 17 near Exit 130-A. During the traffic stop, two individuals were taken into custody by State Police at gunpoint.

The troopers remained on the side of the highway with their vehicles after the arrest when a U-Haul truck crashed into two State Police vehicles — one marked patrol car and one unmarked vehicle.

Woodbury Fire Department, Woodbury Police and Woodbury EMS responded to the scene.

The troopers sustained minor injuries in the crash, but they were outside of the vehicles when the U-Haul struck them. There were no serious injuries reported.

Crown Sterling, a well-known destination for sterling silver, has moved to a beautiful new location in the heart of Kiryas Joel, giving customers an even better place to shop for quality silver.

The new store, located at 230 Acres Road, is modern, fresh and beautifully designed, with a spacious and welcoming setting showcasing Crown Sterling’s extensive silver collection. A knowledgeable and friendly team is on hand to help customers find exactly what they are looking for, whether for their own home, a simcha or a special gift.

What sets Crown Sterling apart is simple: they only sell genuine 925 sterling silver. The store focuses exclusively on sterling silver, offering customers the quality they are looking for at prices that remain reasonable.

The move to the new location marks an exciting new chapter for Crown Sterling as it continues to grow alongside the rapidly expanding Kiryas Joel community.

With a wide selection, quality products and helpful service, Crown Sterling is looking forward to welcoming customers to its new location and continuing to provide the same great value customers have come to expect.

Visit Crown Sterling at 230 Acres Road in Kiryas Joel and experience the new store for yourself.

This Wednesday, September 9, you may receive a test emergency alert on your cell phone or landline as Orange County conducts a large-scale emergency exercise.

The county will be simulating a significant flooding event to test how local departments and emergency response partners coordinate during a major emergency.

As part of the exercise, Orange County will test its Countywide Emergency Alert System. All cell phones and landline phones in the Orange County area are expected to receive the test message.

There is no need to sign up to receive the alert. And most importantly, this is only a test. There is no emergency and no action is required when you receive the message.

The exercise is being held during National Emergency Preparedness Month as the county tests its emergency response systems and procedures.

Dee Voch is welcoming Rosh Hashanah with one of its largest and most ambitious packages to date, presenting readers with a massive seven-booklet collection spanning approximately 700 pages of news, features, inspiration, history, business, children’s content, fiction, and extensive coverage of the major events that shaped the Jewish world during 5786.

The expanded Rosh Hashanah package brings together the regular Dee Voch alongside special editions of Shrift, Business Shrift, Fink and Kinder Shrift, as well as major standalone supplements produced especially for the season, including an extensive commemorative volume documenting the historic visit of Gedolei Yisroel to the White House and the annual “Di Yohr” year-in-review.

The main Dee Voch edition itself has been significantly expanded for Rosh Hashanah, packed with coverage of the latest happenings throughout the frum world. Particular attention is given to the first Selichos, with extensive coverage and imagery from the courts of Rebbes and kehillos across the Jewish world.

Shrift

The Rosh Hashanah Shrift opens with a powerful and timely feature, “Avodah Tovah Umesukah,” presenting an extensive pre-Rosh Hashanah conversation with noted mashpia Harav Yitzchok Moshe Erlanger shlita.

Another gripping Shrift feature, “Unesaneh Tokef in Hadassah Hospital,” tells the extraordinary personal story of R’ Menachem Mendel Pappenheim.

In a completely different Rosh Hashanah feature, “Umi Yisparsem,” Shrift looks back at 10 distinctive personalities who became widely known throughout the Jewish world during 5786, examining the people and circumstances that suddenly placed them in the public eye.

History enthusiasts will find another remarkable story: the little-known plot by powerful Wall Street figures who were accused of planning a coup against President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the decorated general whose testimony brought the alleged scheme to national attention.

Business Shrift

The special Business Shrift presents “Daas Baal Habayis,” an in-depth profile of R’ Shimon Dovid Davidowitz, whose work helped revolutionize the Chassidish clothing industry in Eretz Yisroel.

Fink

The Rosh Hashanah Fink delivers a broad collection of emotional and thought-provoking stories built around themes particularly relevant to the Yemei Hadin.

“Funken” begins with the burial of a developmentally disabled girl alongside her accomplished grandmother. The stark contrast between their lives leads to a deeper question: perhaps the pure neshamah of the girl, despite everything she could not accomplish in conventional terms, occupies an even greater place Above.

“Im Kevanim, Im Kaavadim” follows Gedalya, the son of a baal teshuvah, as he struggles with the meaning of his own bechirah. Is he truly choosing his path, or merely following the road his father chose for him?

“Al Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti” takes readers back to the moving story of Chana and her yearning for a child. The historical narrative follows her pain on the journey to Shiloh, her heartfelt tefillah, her promise that a son would be dedicated to serving Hashem, and the fulfillment of that promise after the birth of Shmuel.

Another major feature, “Dark Shadows,” presents conversations with two Ethiopian Jewish women, Mrs. Gandel and Mrs. Leknash, about a world largely unfamiliar to contemporary readers.

Kinder Shrift

Younger readers receive their own substantial Rosh Hashanah edition of Kinder Shrift.

One special feature takes children inside the headquarters of Adir Publishing for a firsthand look at how some of Klal Yisroel’s familiar siddurim and seforim are produced.

Another timely feature focuses on children’s minyanim. Kinder Shrift speaks with organizers of children’s minyanim in major kehillos, exploring how they operate and the remarkable koach of the tefillos of tinokos shel beis rabban.

Historic White House Visit Special Edition

Among the highlights of the entire Rosh Hashanah package is a separate, specially produced booklet devoted exclusively to the historic journey of leading Gedolei Yisroel to the White House.

The commemorative volume provides extensive and exclusive coverage of the visit from beginning to end.

Readers follow each Rebbe and member of the delegation from the preparations and departure, through the journey to Washington and arrival at the White House.

The booklet documents the delegation’s meeting with Vice President JD Vance before reaching the historic centerpiece of the visit: the meeting of the Gedolei Yisroel with President Donald Trump.

Hundreds of photographs chronicle the historic day, capturing details and moments surrounding the visit and offering readers an opportunity to experience the extraordinary event from beginning to end.

More than simply another magazine supplement, the special edition was designed as a keepsake documenting a rare chapter in contemporary Jewish history — one readers will be able to revisit and preserve for years to come.

Dee Yur

Also included in the giant package is Dee Voch’s annual “Dee Yur,” an extensive review of the year that was.

As its name indicates, the special edition takes readers back through the major developments of 5786, bringing together the biggest Jewish and world news stories in one comprehensive volume.

Major international events are revisited alongside the stories that dominated the frum world, including the Iran war and the continuing battle surrounding the gezeiras giyus of bnei hayeshivos in Eretz Yisroel.

A particularly meaningful section is dedicated to the prominent figures Klal Yisroel lost during the past year, preserving the memories of Admorim, Rabbanim, Dayanim, Roshei Yeshivos and other distinguished figures, as well as prominent Rebbetzins and women of distinction who passed away during 5786.

Another extensive section revisits the major and unusual events that unfolded throughout the Chassidish courts over the course of the historic year, creating a permanent visual and written record of 5786.

“Vegvaizer” Eretz Yisroel Handbook Included Free

Also included in the massive Dee Voch package is the popular “Vegvaizer” handbook, a practical guide designed to make traveling and staying in Eretz Yisroel easier and more organized.

The guide includes detailed listings, addresses and phone numbers covering virtually every need a visitor may encounter in Eretz Yisroel, including minyanim, mekomos hakedoshim, Rabbanim and Admorim, drivers, apartment rentals, mikvaos, grocery stores, restaurants, attractions and museums.

Beyond the extensive directories, the handbook features practical instructions and informative articles aimed at giving travelers clarity before they even arrive.

Detailed maps of the major frum neighborhoods help visitors easily understand where they are and how to navigate unfamiliar areas, while additional sections provide useful information for planning trips and getting around.

Seven Booklets, 700 Pages, One Giant Rosh Hashanah Package, NOW IN STORES!

To receive the Dee Voch package weekly at your door, subscribe now via WhatsApp or the website!

A vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed into a ditch and trees along NY-17 West near Exit 128.

New York State Police and Blooming Grove EMS responded to the scene following the crash.

The vehicle came to a stop off the roadway among the trees. Emergency personnel worked at the scene while State Police handled the investigation.

A serious crash in Monroe on Motzai Shabbos ended with one person dead after a vehicle crashed and burst into flames.

The crash happened at about 2:26 a.m. on Cedar Cliff Road in the Town of Monroe. According to State Police, the vehicle went off the road for an unknown reason before sustaining damage that led to a fire.

The Monroe Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The sole occupant was trapped inside the vehicle and had to be extricated. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police, Monroe Police Department, Monroe Fire Department, Monroe EMS and Kiryas Joel Hatzalah all responded to the scene.

A water main break on Merriewold Lane South near Route 208 in the Village of South Blooming Grove prompted a water shutdown and road closure Sunday as crews worked to repair the damaged line.

Crews initially shut off water service in the affected area to allow repair work to begin. Merriewold Lane South was subsequently closed to traffic near Route 208 as workers accessed the damaged main and began making repairs.

Motorists should avoid Merriewold Lane South near Route 208 while the roadway remains closed and repair work continues.

Yisroel R.

Monroe will see a beautiful and cooler early September week, bringing a fitting pre-Rosh Hashanah feel as Selichos gets underway. Daytime temperatures will generally stay in the upper 70s to low 80s, while cooler nights and mornings, including lows in the 50s, will give the week a noticeable early-fall feel.

Monday will be sunny and pleasant, with a high near 77 degrees and a low of 53 degrees. The cooler temperatures, especially during the morning and evening, will make for a refreshing start to the week.

Tuesday will feature a mix of sunshine and clouds, with temperatures reaching around 78 degrees and a low of 59 degrees.

Wednesday will be partly cloudy and a little milder, with a high near 81 degrees and a low of 68 degrees, marking the warmest day of the weekly forecast.

Thursday will bring another mix of sunshine and clouds, with a high around 78 degrees and temperatures falling to 59 degrees. The return of cooler temperatures will bring back that crisp early-September feel.

Photos by: Y. Stein

A major extension has been constructed alongside the Beis Medrash on Duelk Avenue in Shechinas Zera Kodesh, providing urgently needed additional space ahead of Rosh Hashanah as the rapidly growing crowd continues to outgrow the existing facilities.

The large new structure extends outward from the current Beis Medrash and was put up at remarkable speed, with the entire project taking less than a week to complete so that it could be ready in time for the upcoming Yom Tov.

The expansion comes in addition to longer-term plans already underway for a new facility on a nearby lot that was acquired shortly after Chanukah. However, with Rosh Hashanah approaching and the existing Beis Medrash already unable to comfortably accommodate the growing number of mispallelim, waiting for the permanent project was simply not an option.

The decision was therefore made to immediately create additional space alongside the current building, giving the Beis Medrash a significant increase in capacity for the large Rosh Hashanah tefillos.

Crews moved rapidly on the project, completing in a matter of days what would ordinarily require considerably more time. The newly added space is now being prepared for use, ensuring that the Beis Medrash will be able to accommodate the expected crowds over Rosh Hashanah.

Yisroel R.

Major progress is being made in Beis Medrash HaGadol with the new extended gallery level and lobby, with crews pushing ahead at a rapid pace as the beis medrash prepares for the massive crowds expected by the Rebbe throughout the Yomim Tovim, beginning with Alef Selichos.

The new gallery section has just been completed Friday afternoon and is now expected to be put into use for the first day of Selichos, providing valuable additional space as the major Yom Tov crowds begin arriving and that familiar Rosh Hashanah atmosphere starts settling in. Work will continue immediately afterward to complete the final stages of the downstairs lobby, with the full project expected to be ready for use by Yom Tov in order to accommodate the thousands of guests coming for the Heilige Teg.

The construction push has been clearly visible in recent days, as crews installed the new flooring, completed the additional steps, and moved rapidly through the new lobby and gallery level, bringing the long-planned expansion closer and closer to its finished appearance.

The added space is expected to make a major difference over Yom Tov, when thousands gather at Beis Medrash HaGadol and every additional section becomes crucial. The expanded gallery will provide significantly more room, while the new lobby is also expected to be used for additional seating during the packed Yom Tov tefillos.

With Alef Selichos just hours away, the expansion is now visibly taking shape in a rapid manner, bringing another major step towards completion, as Beis Medrash HaGadol prepares to welcome the enormous Yom Tov crowds with a dramatically expanded and more comfortable space.

Yisroel R.

The major improvement project along Bakertown Road is heading into its final stretch, with final paving scheduled for this week as the Village of Kiryas Joel prepares to wrap up the extensive roadway upgrade project.

Crews are scheduled to carry out the final paving on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, September 8 and 9, from approximately 9:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. During those hours, the entrance into the Village from County Route 105 will be closed, with drivers detoured to enter through Acres Road.

Bakertown Road from Israel Zupnick Drive toward County Route 105 will meanwhile be open in one direction during the overnight work. Once paving is completed, crews are scheduled to return Thursday night, September 10, to stripe the newly finished roadway.

The work marks one of the final steps in the project, which has significantly widened and improved Bakertown Road. The new traffic lights are also expected to begin operating before Rosh Hashanah, bringing the upgraded roadway closer to its fully finished form.

With the paving, striping, and traffic signals completed, the Village will officially bring the project to a close, leaving motorists with a wider and newly improved Bakertown Road after months of construction and traffic changes.

Yisroel R.

A new plan being developed by State Senator James Skoufis and regional officials could make it much easier for airlines to take a chance on launching new flights from New York Stewart International Airport, potentially bringing more travel options closer to Monroe and the wider Orange County community.

The idea centers around something called a minimum revenue guarantee, or MRG. In simple terms, an airline would agree to begin flying a new route from Stewart, and if that route does not make enough money during its early period, a special fund would help cover part of the difference.

For example, if an airline decides it needs $5 million in revenue to make a new Stewart route worthwhile, but the route only brings in $4.7 million, the fund could help make up the missing $300,000. That extra protection could make airlines more willing to open routes they might otherwise consider too risky.

The goal is not to permanently subsidize airlines, but to help new routes get through their most difficult early stage while travelers become familiar with them and passenger demand builds. Officials are also looking at ways for money to flow back into the fund if a route later performs better than expected, allowing the same program to potentially help attract additional flights in the future.

Skoufis is working on the effort together with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. The focus is expected to be on bringing airlines that can connect Stewart passengers to major hubs, giving Hudson Valley travelers access to many more destinations from Stewart.

For Monroe-area families, that could make a major difference. Stewart Airport is far closer than JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark, but its limited selection of flights has often forced local travelers to make the longer trip toward the city. More airline service could turn Stewart into a much more practical option for both family and business travel.

Skoufis has said he expects to make a meaningful financial commitment toward the program, although the final amount and details are still being worked out. Officials have also already been in discussions with at least one major airline about a potential new route from Stewart to a larger national hub.

For an airport that has long struggled to attract and keep a broader lineup of commercial flights, the new approach represents a different strategy: instead of simply hoping airlines will come, officials are trying to reduce the financial risk of getting them through the door. If the plan succeeds, travelers in Monroe and across Orange County could eventually have more flights, more destinations, and far fewer trips to the city just to catch a plane.

Yisroel R.

Monroe is in for a dry and pleasant weekend, with a warmer Friday followed by noticeably cooler temperatures on Shabbos and Sunday. Partly cloudy skies will accompany much of the weekend, while nighttime temperatures turn crisp.

Friday will be partly cloudy and warm, with a high near 82 degrees and a low of 57 degrees.

Shabbos will remain partly cloudy but turn cooler, with temperatures reaching around 76 degrees during the day before falling to 57 degrees at night.

Sunday will be the coolest day of the weekend, with partly cloudy skies and a high near 73 degrees. Temperatures will drop to around 53 degrees at night, bringing that early-September feel.

photos: Abraham McNatt/White House 

The Orange County Mobile DMV Office scheduled to visit the Village of Harriman on Thursday, September 3, has been canceled, according to an announcement from Orange County Clerk Kelly A. Eskew.

The mobile office had been scheduled to operate at Harriman Village Hall, located at 1 Church Street, offering residents a convenient opportunity to complete DMV business locally.

Services were expected to include vehicle registration transactions, driver’s license transactions including REAL ID and Enhanced ID applications, as well as enforcement-related transactions.

Officials have not announced a new date for the Harriman Mobile DMV visit.

Yisroel R.

A historic meeting unfolded at the White House Thursday afternoon as President Donald J. Trump welcomed a distinguished delegation of leading Admorim and Rabbanim for a discussion on the needs and concerns of frum communities across the United States and around the world.

The invited delegation included the Bobover Rebbe, both Satmar Rebbes, the Vizhnitz Monsey Rebbe, and Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. The Skverer Rebbe, who was unable to attend due to personal matters, sent his eldest son, Rav Aharon Mendel Twersky, shlita, to represent him at the historic meeting.

Upon arriving at the White House, the Rabbanim first gathered together in a room with members of the Trump administration, where they discussed a range of important topics and concerns affecting frum communities across the country.

In an unexpected moment during the gathering, Vice President JD Vance entered the room to personally greet the Rabbanim. The Vice President spent time with the delegation as they discussed a number of important issues, adding another significant dimension to the historic White House visit.

Following the initial gathering, the Rebbe was brought in for a private meeting with President Trump, spending several minutes alone with the President.

Afterward, the full delegation of Admorim and Rabbanim entered to meet President Trump together, creating a phenomenal and memorable sight inside the White House. The atmosphere was exceptionally warm, with the Rabbanim speaking directly with the President and engaging him on the important matters they had come to Washington to discuss.

During the meeting, the Rebbe recited the special bracha said upon seeing a world leader, “Shenasan mikvodo l’basar vadam.” The powerful moment added a deeply meaningful note to a meeting already carrying tremendous significance for frum communities across the country.

Although the meeting was held behind closed doors and was not open to local press, reports from inside the Oval Office indicated that President Trump received the Rabbanim with exceptional warmth. The reception reflected the close ties he has maintained with the Orthodox Jewish community for many years, dating back to his time as one of New York’s most powerful real estate moguls, long before he entered politics. The discussion addressed numerous important issues affecting Orthodox Jewish communities in America, giving the delegation a rare opportunity to bring the concerns of frum kehillos directly before the world’s most powerful leader.

Congressman Mike Lawler, whose New York 17th Congressional District includes some of the region’s largest heimish communities, was also present alongside other major government officials and community leaders. As one of President Trump’s key Republican allies in New York, Lawler’s participation helped forge a closer link between the White House, the Rabbanim, and the thousands of frum families he represents back home.

The historic day began early, with the Admorim adjusting their morning schedules and davening early to allow enough time for the journey to the nation’s capital. The Bobover Rebbe and the Satmar Rebbe departed together aboard a private flight from Teterboro Airport in Bergen County, while the Vizhnitz Monsey Rebbe left from the same airport on a separate private flight. The Satmar Rebbe Shlita departed from the New York Stewart International Airport, located a short distance from his home in Kiryas Joel.

The Bobover Rebbe was accompanied by his eldest son, Rav Chaim Shulem Halberstam shlita. The Satmar Rebbe was accompanied by his eldest son, Rav Mendel, the Satmar Rav of Williamsburg. The Vizhnitz Monsey Rebbe brought along his eldest son, Rav Yakov Yosef, while the eldest son of the Satmar Rebbe, the Siget Rav, accompanied his father.

Airport delays affected the delegation’s schedule, but the change was handled smoothly in coordination with the White House, which arranged for the meeting to begin at 2:00 p.m. The Rabbanim began arriving at approximately 1:30 p.m., passed through security, and entered the West Wing of the White House ahead of the historic gathering.

Beyond the historic events of Thursday afternoon, the meeting carried a powerful connection to an iconic White House gathering nearly half a century ago. During Chanukah in December 1979, President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States received a delegation of leading Rabbanim in the White House in what was described at the time as the first meeting between an American president and such a delegation.

That 25-minute 1979 meeting included the Berach Moshe of Satmar, the Bobover Rebbe Rav Shlomo Halberstam zt”l, and the Vizhnitz Monsey Rebbe zt”l among other leading Admorim V’rabbanim. The Berach Moshe opened the gathering, while the Bobover Rebbe zt”l recited the special bracha reserved for encountering a world leader whose authority is comparable to that of a king, which was then translated to President Carter.

The encounter took place during the Iran hostage crisis, a deeply difficult period for the Carter administration. The Rebbes offered their brachos and expressed support for the president as he confronted the crisis, creating an image that would remain etched into the history of American Yiddishkeit.

Thursday’s meeting brought that history back to life 47 years later. The sons and successors of the same Rebbes who stood before President Carter that Chanukah returned to the White House together, this time to sit down with the 45th and 47th President of the United States, President Donald J. Trump, and once again carry the voice of their kehillos into the highest office of the land.

Nearly five decades separated the two gatherings, but the sight of leading Admorim and Rabbanim standing together inside the White House created another historic moment in the relationship between the American presidency and the leaders of its frum communities.

photo: Shuttetstock

Yisroel R.

With students heading back to school, drivers are once again being reminded to slow down, stay alert, and use extra caution around school buses, crosswalks, and busy school zones.

Orange County Emergency Services issued the reminder as classes resume across the county today, stressing that the return of the school year also means more children walking near roadways and more buses making frequent stops throughout the morning and afternoon, bringing renewed importance to safe and cautious driving during the busy back-to-school season.

Drivers are being urged to watch closely for children crossing streets and to be especially careful near schools, where traffic patterns can quickly become crowded during arrival and dismissal times.

Drivers are also reminded to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and extended stop arms, and to avoid distractions behind the wheel including texting, as we’ve seen a recent rise in school bus-related incidents in many areas that could have possibly been avoided.

The message is meant to help set the tone for a safe start to the school year, with drivers, parents, and students all playing a role in keeping children safe on the road, making it for a safe and successful school year.

Yisroel R.

The playground at Mombasha Park in the Town of Monroe has been closed until further notice after a safety inspection found conditions that prompted officials to shut the playground down.

According to Town Supervisor Maureen Richardson, the inspection was requested after parents raised concerns about the playground. A safety specialist from the town’s NYMIR insurance provider, who is also a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, examined the site and determined that the playground should remain closed.

The closure applies specifically to the playground. All other facilities at Mombasha Park remain open for public use.

Town officials said they have been aware of the playground’s deteriorating condition for several years and had previously attempted to secure Community Development Block Grant funding for improvements. That effort was unsuccessful after the town was required to modify its application because income data did not meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

The town was instead awarded $80,000 to create an ADA-accessible pathway connecting recreational and restroom facilities at the park. Supervisor Richardson said officials have also scoped out grant eligibility with Millennium Strategies as they work to identify funding for the repairs needed at the playground.

For now, the playground will remain closed while the town determines the next steps needed to address the safety concerns and reopen the facility.

Emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle collision on Route 17M near Freeland Street in Monroe, where one of the vehicles crashed into a nearby tree following the impact.

The Monroe Fire Department, Monroe Police Department, and Monroe EMS responded to the scene, with injuries reported as a result of the crash.

photos: Itzi M.

Yisroel R.

Monroe will begin the week with a quieter Monday before unsettled weather moves in, with showers and thunderstorms expected from Tuesday through Thursday as September begins.

Monday will start cloudy before turning partly cloudy during the afternoon, with a high near 80 degrees and a low of 65 degrees.

Tuesday will bring morning rain showers followed by numerous thunderstorms during the afternoon. Some storms may produce strong, gusty winds. The high will reach around 76 degrees, with a low of 66 degrees.

Wednesday will remain unsettled with scattered showers and thunderstorms, along with the potential for strong, gusty winds. Temperatures will reach around 80 degrees, with a low of 67 degrees.

Thursday will feature scattered showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 80 degrees and a low of 62 degrees, bringing a cooler end to an unsettled stretch of weather.

Just several months after the historic division of the Satmar yerusha, another significant division of the inheritance of the Berach Moshe of Satmar, zt”l, took place today, this time involving the Rebbe’s valuable and treasured silverware.

The silver pieces were divided equally among all seven children of the Berach Moshe, including the three daughters.

The division once again took place at the Monsey home of R’ Lipa Friedman, with children representing the various heirs in attendance, along with gabbaim and meshamshei bakodesh of the respective Rebbes.

All of the silverware was carefully divided into seven equal packages, with each portion then assigned to one of the seven children. The first package went for the Satmar Rav of BP, the second one for the Satmar Monsey Rav, third for the Satmar Montreal Rav, the fourth for the Satmar Rebbe, the fifth for the oldest son the Rebbe, the 6th for the Zenta Rav, anf 7th for the Satmar 15 Rav.

The gathering marks another chapter in the division of the treasured yerusha of the Berach Moshe, following the historic division held several months ago, when the priceless inheritance was similarly divided equally among his children.

A new parking lot has been completed behind the Kinor Duvid wedding hall, adding much-needed parking capacity for guests attending simchas at the popular venue.

The newly developed lot, located directly behind the building, provides additional convenient parking and is expected to help accommodate the large number of vehicles arriving during weddings and other events.

A major community development planned for the Woodbury Villas neighborhood is now moving forward at a rapid pace, with the long-planned building set to provide a central hub for the growing neighborhood and its residents.

The large building, planned near the entrance to Woodbury Villas off Nininger Road, is designed to serve a wide range of community, recreational, and everyday needs for local families.

Plans for the building include a large central Bais Medrash, which will serve as a Torah and tefillah center for the neighborhood, under the leadership of Rav Shlomo Yosef Yosefovitz, Rav of the neighborhood.

Beyond the Bais Medrash, the development is planned to include designated community space, facilities for local businesses and services, recreational areas, children's play space, and other amenities for residents. Plans have also included a swimming pool designed to accommodate the needs of the community.

Significant attention is also being given to the infrastructure surrounding the building. Plans call for substantial parking and traffic accommodations aimed at ensuring that activity at the new center does not create congestion along the neighborhood's main entrance.

Once completed, the new building is expected to become a central address for Woodbury Villas, providing residents with a broad range of facilities and services within the rapidly growing neighborhood.

Yisroel R.

Orange County has officially ended its agreement with federal immigration authorities to house ICE detainees at the Orange County Jail in Goshen, bringing the county into compliance with a new state law that required such detention contracts to be terminated.

The contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement allowed federal detainees to be held at the county jail while their immigration cases moved through the system. With the agreement now ended, Orange County will no longer hold detainees on behalf of ICE under that arrangement.

What remains unclear is where and when the detainees who had been held in Goshen will be transferred. County officials have said that ICE, rather than Orange County, is responsible for arranging and carrying out those moves, leaving local officials without clear information on where the detainees will be sent.

The change follows a new New York law requiring counties and local governments to end agreements used to detain people for federal immigration authorities by late August. Orange County terminated its contract by the state-mandated deadline, even as local law enforcement officials have voiced opposition to the new restrictions.

Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta is among the sheriffs challenging the law in federal court, arguing that the state is improperly limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. For now, however, the Goshen jail’s role in housing ICE detainees has come to an end, marking a significant shift in how immigration detention is handled in Orange County.

Yisroel R.

Monroe is in for a beautiful late-summer weekend, with plenty of sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and dry conditions expected from Friday through Sunday.

Friday will be partly sunny with a high near 80 degrees and a low of 53 degrees. The cooler nighttime temperatures will give the early Fall vibes.

Shabbos will be sunny and pleasant, with a high around 77 degrees and a low of 56 degrees.

Sunday will turn a little warmer with partly sunny skies, a high near 82 degrees, and a low of 64 degrees, bringing a comfortable finish to the weekend. Overall, the forecast will be dry and pleasant for this time of year.

Yisroel R.

Nearly two decades after the petirah of the Berach Moshe of Satmar, zt”l, another major chapter in the historic division of his inheritance is set to unfold Thursday, as a vast collection of treasured silver and gold items is divided equally among his seven children.

The latest stage follows the first major division several months ago, when the Berach Moshe’s priceless manuscripts and other chafzei kodesh were distributed among the family. That process, arranged through the efforts of R’ Lipa Friedman, brought together all of the Rebbe’s children for a division that had remained unresolved for approximately 20 years following his petirah.

With that first stage successfully completed, attention then turned to the Rebbe’s extensive collection of valuable gold and silver belongings. The collection includes items inherited from his holy ancestors, personal belongings that remained with the Rebbe from earlier years, and many pieces purchased by chassidim and presented to him as gifts throughout the decades.

Altogether, the collection being divided consists of 302 individual items, with their combined value estimated at more than $3 million. Among them are bechers, Kos Shel Eliyahu cups, candlesticks, trays, menorahs, plates, esrog boxes, wine and liquor bottles, netilas yadayim cups, silverware, Shabbos knives, salt containers, besamim boxes, fruit bowls, mayim acharonim holders, tobacco boxes, candle-lighting utensils, honey containers, Megillah cases, watches, and numerous additional pieces.

Before the division could take place, experienced appraisers carefully evaluated each item individually. Based on those valuations, the entire collection was organized into seven separate packages, with an effort made to ensure that each one would contain a comparable mixture of the three main categories: family heirlooms inherited by the Rebbe, his own personal belongings, and items given to him during his years as Rebbe.

Each of the seven packages contains approximately 40 to 50 items and carries an estimated value of around half a million dollars. Rather than assigning the packages directly, a goral will determine which one is received by each of the seven children, including the Rebbe’s sons and daughters.

The goral is set to take place Thursday at the summer home of R’ Lipa Friedman, the same location where the earlier division was held. Grandchildren of the Berach Moshe, together with gabbaim and representatives from the Satmar kehillos, are expected to participate, marking another significant step in the long-awaited division of the treasured belongings left behind by the Berach Moshe of Satmar, zt”l.

Despite the unrelenting rain, Rabbanim, askanim, and supporters gathered last Thursday, August 20, at Har Shalom Cemetery in Monsey to mark the dedication of Knafayim’s newly acquired chelka.

Knafayim walks alongside families facing the devastation of pregnancy loss, stepping into some of the most painful and overwhelming moments a family can face. Its dedicated team and volunteers walk alongside them through the days that follow, offering comfort, clarity and support through some of their darkest hours. The new chelka allows Knafayim to be there for families through one of the most sacred and difficult moments following a loss: ensuring these precious neshamos a dignified resting place, while giving their families the comfort and peace of mind of knowing that everything was handled with dignity and care. 

Event chairman Harav Shmuel Yitzchok Pfefferkorn, shlit"a, menahel of Yeshivas Karlin-Stolin in Lakewood, opened the event by comparing Knafayim’s volunteers to a bird that flies straight into a storm. This, he said, is the koach of Knafayim: when a family is caught in a  storm, Knafayim  flies  toward them.

R’ Meir Shalom Gertner, director of Har Shalom, expanded on that message, speaking of Knafayim’s tov v’hameitiv, giving these neshamos tehoros the kavod of a proper burial. Harav Tzvi Hirsch Rabinowitz, shlit"a, AB”D Kochvei Yitzchok Bobov Monsey, described this chesed as twofold: yekara d’shachvei for the neshamos, and yekara d’chayei for the families who must carry on without them. The neshamos, he added, will be melitzei yosher for all who support this sacred work.

Harav Pfefferkorn expressed heartfelt hakaras hatov to those who make Knafayim’s work possible, specifically the attending doctors, Dr. David Lubel, Dr. Yaakov Abdehlik, and the many other medical professionals whose dedication to Knafayim has touched countless families. 

Next Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, shlit"a, shared through tears his own firsthand experience with pregnancy loss. He spoke of the importance of having a place to mourn, and of the responsibility we carry as a community never to remain indifferent to a Jewish family's suffering.  

Harav Zusha Ausch, shlit"a, Rav of Knafayim, explained the meaning behind the organization’s name, citing a Midrash about a broken bird finding comfort in its beautiful wings. In moments of deep brokenness, he said, Knafayim’s volunteers are those wings. We cannot always change what has happened. But we can always make sure a family isn’t left to carry it alone.

The rain continued to fall as the gathering came to a close with a moving Kel Malei Rachamim for the nefulim a’h, led by a renowned chazan R’ Yechezkel Brecher. But the message of the evening was unmistakable; even in the moments that cannot be changed, there is still chesed to be done, kavod to be given, and a family that should never have to stand alone. 

The maamad concluded with a heartfelt tefillah that the new chelka should see as little use as possible, and that we should soon merit the day when there will be no more pain or sorrow with the coming of Moshiach and techiyas hameisim, bimherah beyameinu, amen. 

A massive house fire in Chester drew a major multi-agency emergency response last evening, with the blaze ultimately reaching a fourth alarm and leaving multiple firefighters injured.

The fire broke out at 67 Rock Ridge Road, prompting firefighters from Chester, Warwick, Washingtonville, Goshen,  Kiryas Joel, Woodbury, Monroe, Florida, Greenwood Lake, South Blooming Grove, Salisbury Mills, New Hampton, Pine Island and other departments to respond.

Multiple EMS agencies, including Empress EMS, Monroe EMS, Warwick EMS and Kiryas Joel Hatzolah, responded, while Chaveirim of Orange County also assisted at the scene.

The fire was upgraded first to a third alarm and later to a fourth alarm as crews battled the large blaze. The main body of the fire was eventually extinguished, though crews continued working on smaller flames and brush fires in the surrounding area.

Multiple firefighters were injured while battling the blaze and were transported to nearby medical centers for treatment.

Chester Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were also on scene, along with federal arson and explosives investigators as authorities began investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Yisroel R.

This week’s Dee Voch brings readers another packed issue filled with major events from across the heimishe world, fascinating personalities, dramatic history, business, important insight, and plenty for the entire family.

In Dee Voch, readers will find extensive coverage from the gathering of leading Admorim and Rabbanim at the chanukas habayis for the massive new offices of Ezra V’Yyiutz in Yerushalayim, established to strengthen and preserve Chareidi Yiddishkeit amid the ongoing gezeiras giyus bnei hayeshivos.

The issue also features the Sanz-Klausenburg Rebbe during his visit to Eretz Yisrael, the Pidyon Haben for a great-grandchild of the Belzer Rebbe, the Satmar Rebbe visiting Machanos Rav Tov of Satmar, the Bar Mitzvah of a grandson of the Rachmastrivka Rebbe, and coverage marking the yahrtzeit of the Yeshuos Yaakov of Skulen zt”l.

This week’s Shrift, “The Scam Hunter,” features a dramatic conversation with energetic askan R’ Itche Jialowski, who heads one of the most popular heimishe news lines in Eretz Yisrael. He takes readers behind the scenes of his intense operations against the countless scammers operating across the country, shares critical advice on how people can protect themselves from fraud, and reveals some of the secrets behind the popular news line.

Also in Shrift, “The Forgotten Hijacking: Chaos in the Air” revisits a terrifying incident nine months before the 9/11 attacks, when a man stormed the cockpit of a British Airways flight traveling from London to Nairobi, Kenya, attacked the lone pilot inside, seized the flight controls, and sent the aircraft carrying nearly 400 people into a frightening descent. The feature looks back at the largely forgotten incident that chillingly foreshadowed the dangers the world would later witness on 9/11.

In Business Shrift, “Daas Baal Habayis,” R’ Hershel Mendelson tells the nearly 60-year story of Mendelsohn’s Pizza, which has been serving the same familiar foods to customers for three generations.

This week’s Fink, “The Refrigerator Mother,” explores a disturbing chapter in the history of autism, when psychologists wrongly blamed mothers for causing autism in their children because of an alleged lack of warmth. The false theory left countless parents carrying tremendous guilt and led families toward unnecessary therapies, until researchers eventually established that autism is rooted in biological development and is not caused by flawed parenting.

And in Kinder Shrift, “The Turks in Eretz Yisrael,” young readers will get a fascinating look at the period when Eretz Yisrael was under Turkish rule, exploring an important era in the history of the land and what life was like during that time.

Get your copy at grocery stores and local retailers, or subscribe via WhatsApp or the website!

Yisroel R.

Kiryas Joel Hatzalah conducted a large-scale mass-casualty incident drill, providing members with an opportunity to practice their response to a simulated major emergency involving numerous patients with varying injuries.

Drills of this magnitude require extensive planning and preparation. A team of skilled and experienced members met numerous times to develop and execute a detailed operational plan. Careful consideration was given to creating realistic patients with varying levels of injury in order to maximize the value of the training.

The drill simulated a serious school-bus incident, with Hatzalah members converging on the scene as they would during an actual large-scale emergency. Hatzalah ambulances, fire apparatus, Chaverim vehicles, and other emergency vehicles were staged throughout the area as the exercise unfolded.

Hatzalah members treated and moved simulated patients from the scene, bringing stretchers to the bus and transporting patients to waiting ambulances. Multiple crews worked simultaneously, recreating the pressure, communication, and coordination required when a large number of patients need care at once.

Members of the Kiryas Joel Fire Department also participated in the training and worked around the bus and coordinated closely with Hatzalah members as patients were removed. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel operated side by side throughout the exercise, allowing both organizations to practice their respective roles as part of a unified response.

Chaverim participated in the drill as well, assisting with traffic and scene coordination as emergency vehicles moved throughout the area and responders worked around the simulated incident.

The exercise was conducted twice, allowing all members to participate and giving a broader group of volunteers hands-on experience with a mass-casualty scenario. More than 75 Hatzalah members took part in the drill.

Experienced outside specialists observed and evaluated the operation, providing valuable feedback on the overall response and identifying areas for continued growth. The evaluators gave Kiryas Joel Hatzalah a very high rating. While there are always opportunities for improvement, the drill further strengthened the skills, knowledge, and readiness of our members as they continue saving lives.

The extensive exercise gave Kiryas Joel Hatzalah an opportunity to practice communication, patient movement, scene management, and interagency coordination, all essential elements of an effective response when, Chas V’shalom, a major emergency brings numerous patients and responders to a single scene.

This drill would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of our dedicated Hatzolah members, the Kiryas Yoel Fire Department, Chaverim, M&S Auto, the Village of Kiryas Yoel, and everyone else who contributed to making this training exercise a success.

photos: Y. Stein

Orange County is moving forward with the next major expansion of the Heritage Trail, with planning and design progressing on a new 2.7-mile section of the popular walking and biking trail.

Known as Segment 3, the project will extend the Heritage Trail from the City of Middletown to Howells in the Town of Wallkill, utilizing an abandoned railroad right-of-way.

Plans call for the construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian path along the 2.7-mile stretch, along with a parking lot and improvements at various street crossings along the route.

The project continues to advance in 2026, with Orange County Transportation Council officials reporting that the design phase is progressing well. County officials have also been meeting with the Parks Department, NYSDOT and businesses in the downtown area to address concerns related to the project.

The county's transportation program shows millions of dollars being allocated toward the project, including federal and local funding for design and construction.

The Heritage Trail has become one of Orange County's major recreational corridors, and the Segment 3 project represents another step toward expanding the trail network and creating additional pedestrian and bicycle connections throughout the county.

While the new section is not located in Monroe, Orange County has separately identified a future connection from Monroe to the Harriman train station as another important link in its broader trail network.

Yisroel R.

The Woodbury Fire Department recently conducted a hands-on vehicle fire drill, giving firefighters the opportunity to sharpen their response to dangerous types of emergencies crews can encounter.

During the exercise, firefighters trained on scenarios using two old vehicles, with the cars heavily engulfed in flames as thick smoke filled the area. Crews stretched hose lines and worked from multiple positions to bring the fire under control.

Firefighters practiced approaching the burning vehicles, coordinating hose operations, and knocking down the flames while maintaining control of the scene. After the fires were extinguished, crews continued working around the damaged vehicles as part of the training.

The drill gave members a realistic setting to practice teamwork and response tactics that can be critical when arriving at an actual vehicle fire.

The Woodbury Fire Department said the exercise was held to enhance its response to emergencies and help ensure members remain prepared for real-life incidents.

photos: Y Stein

photos: Shot the Dot

Monsey marks the next step in Thryve’s growing community-based mental health network

Leading Rabbonim representing Monsey’s kehillos joined elected officials, askonim, healthcare leadership and community leaders last Thursday for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Thryve Wellness at Lev Health, marking an important step forward for trusted and accessible mental health care in Monsey.

The opening comes just six months after Thryve launched its first psychiatry program in Williamsburg, bringing its community-based model into Monsey through a trusted local healthcare setting.

Families already turn to Lev Health for pediatrics, women’s health, primary care and acute medical care. Adding Thryve’s psychiatry program creates a direct connection between physical and mental health care, giving families a familiar place to turn when additional support is needed.

Lev Health is led clinically by Temima Levine, FNP, Clinical Director, together with Dr. Shari Hirsch, a respected pediatrician and member of the community.

“As pediatricians, we often see the first signs that a child or family may be struggling long before they arrive in a mental health setting,” Dr. Hirsch said. “When families already have a place they trust for their healthcare, being able to help them find the right next step can make an enormous difference.”

That next step is where Thryve’s model begins.

A concern may first be noticed at home, by a rav, in school, in therapy or during a medical visit. Too often, families are then left trying to find the right psychiatrist, determine insurance coverage and wait for care.

Thryve was built to close that gap.

At Lev Health, Thryve provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management and ongoing follow-up, with rapid appointments, Medicaid and most insurances accepted, and both in-person and telehealth care available.

The program is led clinically by Dr. Leah R. Steinberg, MD, Thryve Wellness’ Medical Director, a board-certified adult psychiatrist and member of the community.

“Families should not have to wait until a situation becomes a crisis before mental health care becomes accessible,” Dr. Steinberg said. “As both a psychiatrist and a mother in the community, I understand how important it is for parents to know that when something begins to concern them, there is a confidential, professional and accessible place to turn.”

On the community side, Chaim Tuchinsky, LCSW, Thryve Wellness’ Director of Outreach and Programming, works to strengthen the relationships and referral pathways connecting families with appropriate care.

The strong turnout at the opening reflected the need for that approach, bringing together rabbanim and community leadership, healthcare organizations and elected officials, including New York State Assemblymember Aron Wieder, for the ribbon cutting and opening of the new program.

For Thryve, Monsey is the next step in an expansion already underway.

Williamsburg was the beginning. Monsey is now open, with additional communities being developed as Thryve continues building local points of mental health access across the Hudson Valley and across New York State.

The goal is not simply to open more clinics. It is to build around trusted local healthcare in each community, strengthen the connection between families and care, and make mental health services easier to reach before a concern becomes a crisis.

The opening of Thryve Wellness at Lev Health brings that model directly into Monsey — combining Lev Health’s trusted place in the community with Thryve’s growing mental health network and creating a clearer path into care for local families

Monsey marks the next step in Thryve’s growing community-based mental health network

Leading Rabbonim representing Monsey’s kehillos joined elected officials, askonim, healthcare leadership and community leaders last Thursday for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Thryve Wellness at Lev Health, marking an important step forward for trusted and accessible mental health care in Monsey.

The opening comes just six months after Thryve launched its first psychiatry program in Williamsburg, bringing its community-based model into Monsey through a trusted local healthcare setting.

Families already turn to Lev Health for pediatrics, women’s health, primary care and acute medical care. Adding Thryve’s psychiatry program creates a direct connection between physical and mental health care, giving families a familiar place to turn when additional support is needed.

Lev Health is led clinically by Temima Levine, FNP, Clinical Director, together with Dr. Shari Hirsch, a respected pediatrician and member of the community.

“As pediatricians, we often see the first signs that a child or family may be struggling long before they arrive in a mental health setting,” Dr. Hirsch said. “When families already have a place they trust for their healthcare, being able to help them find the right next step can make an enormous difference.”

That next step is where Thryve’s model begins.

A concern may first be noticed at home, by a rav, in school, in therapy or during a medical visit. Too often, families are then left trying to find the right psychiatrist, determine insurance coverage and wait for care.

Thryve was built to close that gap.

At Lev Health, Thryve provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management and ongoing follow-up, with rapid appointments, Medicaid and most insurances accepted, and both in-person and telehealth care available.

The program is led clinically by Dr. Leah R. Steinberg, MD, Thryve Wellness’ Medical Director, a board-certified adult psychiatrist and member of the community.

“Families should not have to wait until a situation becomes a crisis before mental health care becomes accessible,” Dr. Steinberg said. “As both a psychiatrist and a mother in the community, I understand how important it is for parents to know that when something begins to concern them, there is a confidential, professional and accessible place to turn.”

On the community side, Chaim Tuchinsky, LCSW, Thryve Wellness’ Director of Outreach and Programming, works to strengthen the relationships and referral pathways connecting families with appropriate care.

The strong turnout at the opening reflected the need for that approach, bringing together rabbanim and community leadership, healthcare organizations and elected officials, including New York State Assemblymember Aron Wieder, for the ribbon cutting and opening of the new program.

For Thryve, Monsey is the next step in an expansion already underway.

Williamsburg was the beginning. Monsey is now open, with additional communities being developed as Thryve continues building local points of mental health access across the Hudson Valley and across New York State.

The goal is not simply to open more clinics. It is to build around trusted local healthcare in each community, strengthen the connection between families and care, and make mental health services easier to reach before a concern becomes a crisis.

The opening of Thryve Wellness at Lev Health brings that model directly into Monsey — combining Lev Health’s trusted place in the community with Thryve’s growing mental health network and creating a clearer path into care for local families

Emergency responders were called to the ShopRite parking lot on Route 17M in Monroe following a two-car accident in which one of the vehicles subsequently crashed into a tree.

Monroe Police, Monroe Fire Department and Monroe EMS responded to the scene following the accident.

The circumstances surrounding the crash and the extent of any injuries were not immediately available.

Yisroel R.

Members of the hanalah of Kolel Shomrei Hachomos were received at the home of Hagaon Hatzaddik HaMashpia Rabbi Yakov Meir Shechter shlita in Yerushalayim ahead of their upcoming trip to Kiryas Yoel, where they will be visiting supporters and raising funds on behalf of the longstanding tzedakah organization.

During the visit, Rebbe Yakov Meir Shlita gave a special bracha for the supporters of Kolel Shomrei Hachomos in Kiryas Yoel and blessed the “Devash Chai” honey that will be distributed to contributors during the upcoming campaign in America.

The specially prepared honey will be given to each donor, carrying with it Rabbi Schechter’s heartfelt bracha for a sweet, enjoyable, and joyous year, together with nachas from their children.

Rabbi Schechter added an additional bracha stating, “those who taste from the honey, even just a little will be zoche to a sweet year, an enjoyable year, nacahs from their kids, and a year with a shefa of wealth.”