Baltimore, MD – June 12, 2026 – 9:08AM (BJL) Expect delays near the intersection of Old Court Road and Reisterstown Road. Two lanes are being closed on Old Court Road near the Giant shopping center, resulting in slower-than-normal traffic through the area.
Baltimore, MD - June 11, 2026:
Q: Rabbi Schwartz, congratulations on becoming the new Executive Director of the Jewish Caring Network and Tikva House. What drew you to this role?
What drew me in is deeply personal. My wife and I have experienced what it means to have children facing life-threatening illness. We spent long periods in out-of-town hospitals, frightened and exhausted, without guidance or a place to stay. We learned firsthand that healing is not just about the patient—it requires a family to be there to help.
JCN and Tikva House exist to provide that support. We empower families to remain as their loved one's greatest source of healing, hope, and strength.
With diverse experience across rabbinic and financial sectors, and most significantly, as a JCN board member, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to lead one of Baltimore's premier chesed organizations.
Q: For those who may not be familiar, what exactly does JCN do, and how is it different from other organizations that help the sick?
While we eagerly collaborate with other community organizations to ensure that people are well served without duplicating efforts, the Jewish Caring Network is the primary support for families navigating serious and long-term illness. JCN, originally called Gevuras Yarden, was founded thirty years ago by Chaiya Drabkin a"h and Keren Traub as a zechus for the healing of a young community member battling cancer.
Today, JCN serves approximately 100 families at any given time. We provide a wide range of personalized services that keep patients and their families together, supported, and uplifted throughout treatment and recovery. As such, we become extended family.
We offer:
What distinguishes JCN is the depth and duration of our relationships. Serious illness is rarely a short journey. Families need ongoing, constant support throughout years of treatment and recovery.
A dedicated coordinator is assigned to each family to create a personal connection and care plan. We also have a vast volunteer network who answer the call day and night to deliver whatever is needed.
Q: Where does Tikva House fit into the JCN mission?
The Tikva House is one of the crown jewels of the Jewish world. It stands ready to receive people from across the world who come to Baltimore seeking life-saving medical care at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Located just one block from Hopkins, Tikva House is a world-class kosher hospitality residence serving local and global patients and families regardless of affiliation or level of observance.
We offer:
Orchestrated by Rabbi Boruch Brull, Tikva House was secured with a generous gift by Rabbi Ephraim & Etti Rubin a”h and built through the tireless leadership of Mrs. Stacey Goldenberg, who guided JCN for more than two decades.
Over 13 years, we have hosted more than 21,000 stays for people from 8 countries and more than 85 cities. This past month, we welcomed families from Brazil, Spain, South Africa, and Israel.
In the words of one recent guest:
“Within its walls, we have found comfort, community, and hope… a virtual hug from the Baltimore community.”
And from another:
“You became our family and took care of every detail so that we could be totally present for our critically ill sister in the hospital.”
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing JCN right now?
Our community has grown and the needs of families facing serious illness continue to expand. Today’s patients and caregivers are navigating not only medical challenges, but also profound emotional, practical, and financial burdens.
Simply scaling back is not an option. Illness doesn't pause just because funding becomes more difficult. Caring well for others is not a luxury; it’s a basic tenet of our Torah values.
Our challenge is ensuring long-term sustainability while continuing to provide a high level of personalized care. This means:
Q: What message would you most like the community to hear?
Illness can touch any family, at any time.
When it does, what matters most is that the community will be there for you and your family. JCN and Tikva House exist to ensure that no family faces this alone. Whether serving local families or welcoming guests from around the world, our mission remains: to provide support, compassionate care, and meaningful hope for the family for the long term.
There are many ways to take part in this mission:
We welcome your partnership with our fundraising campaign this week, June 14–16.
The measure of a community is not how it celebrates together, but how it cares for those who are struggling.
Baltimore, MD – June 11, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi and Sarah Mutterperl on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov grandparents Yosef & Alana Mutterperl and Moshe & Pearl Rosensaft
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - June 11, 2026 - Mazel Tov to Rabbi Yossi Flam's 10th grade on completing Meseches Sotah marking a significant accomplishment for the class. The siyum was made by Eli Cohn. The young men celebrated the occasion with a delicious lunch from Accents Grill.
A special yasher koach to the entire class on reaching this meaningful milestone!
Baltimore, MD - June 11, 2026 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.
Click on the graphic below:
Baltimore, MD – June 11, 2026 – A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11:00 AM this morning until 8:00 PM this evening.
Heat index values up to 105 degrees are expected.
Jerusalem, Israel - June 11, 2026 - The Tower of David Jerusalem Museum is currently hosting a special exhibition celebrating the life and career of Israeli cultural icon Yehoram Gaon, tracing more than seven decades of creativity in music, theater, film, and public life.
A guided tour of the exhibition takes visitors through two galleries chronicling Gaon's remarkable journey—from his childhood in Jerusalem's historic neighborhoods and his service in IDF entertainment troupes to his success on the stage and screen, his celebrated recordings, and his continuing artistic work today.
Born in Jerusalem in 1939, Gaon became one of Israel's most beloved entertainers. Often described as the soundtrack of a nation, his songs have accompanied generations of Israelis through moments of joy, remembrance, and national celebration.
On Tuesday evening, the exhibition came to life with a special concert at the Tower of David. Gaon attended the event, addressed the audience, and delighted attendees by joining the performers on stage for a song of his own.
The pleasant summer weather and a temporary easing of security concerns allowed hundreds of visitors to enjoy the evening beneath the stars in the museum's historic citadel courtyard.
The featured performer was Assaf Amdursky, one of Israel's leading contemporary musicians, who presented "I Am a Guitar," a moving tribute to the classic songs of the Gesher Hayarkon Trio. The influential 1960s group featured Arik Einstein, Yehoram Gaon, and Beni Amdursky, Assaf's father, and helped shape the sound of modern Israeli music.
Performing beneath the illuminated walls of Jerusalem's ancient fortress, Amdursky introduced both familiar favorites and timeless Israeli classics to an appreciative audience.
At the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, many galleries are safe shelters; therefore, it has been able to host visitors despite the difficult security situation.
Baltimore, MD – June 11, 2026 – 9:30AM (BJL) – Road construction on the northbound side of Reisterstown Road just past Hooks Lane is causing significant delays. Traffic is backed up past the I-695 beltway, extending south of the interchange.
Annapolis, MD - June 11, 2026 - Maryland officials are moving forward with a plan to require electric vehicle charger owners to register their devices with the state — and pay a fee — so that the chargers can be inspected.
State officials decided to lower the annual fee from $150 to $75 per charging port, after EV owners and charger companies expressed concerns earlier this year that the program could stymie the spread of chargers in Maryland. But some concerns linger.
“We’ve listened to the concerns, support and feedback shared by electric vehicle owners, local businesses and industry partners,” Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said in a news release Thursday. “Reducing the registration fee allows us to continue supporting a reliable and accurate electric vehicle charging network while easing the cost for Maryland residents and businesses.”
Charger owners are required to register their ports with the Maryland Department of Agriculture using an online form no later than July 1, or they could face fines. The registration date was delayed about six months as the department worked to address concern from stakeholders.
Cincinnati, OH - June 11, 2026 - When Rabbi Chaim Tropp, a menahel in Cincinnati, heard that the city's first Rita's Italian Ice had opened, he decided to visit with his family.
As they entered the store, Rabbi Tropp and his family met the owner, an African American woman in her forties who greeted them warmly and professionally.
Wanting to verify that the store was indeed kosher certified, they respectfully asked to see the certification.
"It's right over here," she said proudly. "We're very happy to be certified. We very much want to accommodate the Jewish community."
Curious about her enthusiasm, Rabbi Tropp asked what made the certification so meaningful to her.
Her answer surprised them.
She explained that she had grown up in a rough neighborhood in Baltimore. As a teenager, her first job was working for a Jewish couple, Yaakov and Chava Drebin, who owned a kosher bagel store in Baltimore called Goldberg’s New York Bagels.
The experience left a lasting impression on her.
She recalled that every time she looked at her paycheck, there seemed to be a little more money than expected. Without her asking for a raise, the owners would occasionally increase her pay as a way of showing appreciation for her hard work.
More than the money itself, she remembered the respect, kindness, and dignity with which they treated her.
Years later, those memories remained vivid.
The positive experience not only shaped her view of the Jewish community, but seemed to play a meaningful role in her own personal growth and success. Being trusted, respected, and valued at a young age gave her confidence and motivation as she charted her future.
From humble beginnings in Baltimore, she went on to build a successful career in corporate America, later serving as a chief financial officer for a nonprofit organization. Today, she is opening three Rita's locations throughout the Cincinnati area.
Now, as the owner of Cincinnati's first Rita's location, she considers it a privilege to ensure that her business is kosher certified and welcoming to Jewish customers.
As Rabbi Tropp listened to her story, he was struck by how simple acts of menschlichkeit performed years earlier by a Jewish couple in Baltimore continued to bear fruit decades later.
The kindness they had shown a young employee had not been forgotten.
Their willingness to recognize her efforts, treat her with dignity, and make her feel valued helped shape the trajectory of a young woman's life and created a lasting Kiddush Hashem that crossed generations and communities.
(This story should be a zechus for a refuah sheleima for Esther Yael bas Batsheva. Please have her in mind in your tefilos.)
If these articles resonate with you and you believe in the power of living with the awareness and sensitivities of our mission of Kiddush Hashem, please consider contributing to our once-a-year campaign at: https://causematch.com/lkh26
Your support enables us to reach more schools, and communities through our many educational programs, resources, and initiatives.
The United States launched strikes in Iran early Thursday morning, a senior US official confirmed, following reports that air defense systems were activated across several regions in the country.
Among other locations, the systems were activated in Fars Province, on Qeshm Island, and in the capital, Tehran.
Additionally, reports indicate an explosion at the petrochemical plant in Assaluyeh - the largest facility of its kind in the country, responsible for approximately 50% of Iranian petrochemical production. Further explosions were reportedly heard on Kish Island, Qeshm Island, and in Sirik, near the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) also confirmed that its forces "began launching additional self-defense strikes" against "multiple targets" in Iran.
Baltimore, MD – June 10, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Elinor Weil, a’h, mother of Michelle Weil and Marc Weil.
A revered teacher at Baltimore’s Talmudical Academy, she will be remembered with great fondness and respect by the generations of students she taught there.
The funeral and shiva are being conducted privately.
בלע המות לנצח
Anne Arundel County, MD - June 10, 2026 – (WBALTV) Maryland State Police are investigating a road rage incident that shut down Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Anne Arundel County.
According to police, a man was shot during an alleged road rage incident Wednesday morning on northbound I-295 near Route 175. The victim was taken to Shock Trauma, where he is being treated for his injuries. The victim had a passenger in his vehicle that did not suffer any injuries.
The roadway was shut down for the investigation and police are asking drivers to use alternative routes through the area.
Baltimore, MD – June 10, 2026 – (BJL) Yet another update on the exciting progress taking place at TI's construction site. Clearing done, grading underway, Stormwater Management Vaults should finish this week. With each passing day, the vision moves closer to reality, B'H, and the remarkable progress is becoming increasingly visible across the campus.
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Baltimore, MD – June 9, 2026 – 4:06PM (BJL) A stalled bus in the turning lane on Park Heights at Old Court is causing a traffic backup toward the Beltway.
h/t: Bmore Traffic
Baltimore, MD - June 9, 2026 - Please note that ALL cheeses used are Cholov Stam.
Baltimore, MD - June 9, 2026 - BJL just received this notice from a community member:
"I wanted to add to the warnings posted about the missionaries targeting our community. We just received a curious handwritten letter addressed to us by name. It's so rare to get handwritten mail these days. It was a handwritten letter from a ".... Witness" and included one of their pamphlets. While we can choose to keep our doors shut to solicitors, these letters bypass that boundary to get directly into our homes.The Tactic: They use highly convincing, handwritten envelopes addressed to you by name that seem to be a personal letter until you open it and begin reading.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Tuesday night that its forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at the direction of US President Donald Trump.
CENTCOM said in a statement that the strikes were in response to Monday’s downing of a US Army Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression," it stated.
The announcement came shortly after Iranian media outlets reported at least four explosions near Sirik Port in the Bandar Abbas district of the country. Explosions were also reported on Qeshm Island.
The Bas Melech Gymnastics Team traveled to Athletic Edge Gymnastics in Staten Island last month to compete against some of the top orthodox gymnastics programs in the region. With more than 100 gymnasts from across the country competing in nine gyms, the competition was fierce. As usual, Bas Melech soared to the challenge.
The highlight of the day came when our Level 3 team was crowned All-Around Team Champions, bringing home a magnificent championship trophy and earning Bas Melech's place at the top of the podium.
Throughout the competition, our gymnasts demonstrated skill, composure, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that have become hallmarks of our team. From the first event to the final awards ceremony, the girls cheered one another on and represented our community with pride.
Child Division (ages 6-9)
2nd Place Bars
1st Place Floor
1st Place All-Around
Junior Division (ages 10-11)
2nd Place Bars
2nd Place Beam
2nd Place Floor
2nd Place All-Around
Senior Division (ages 12+)
5th Place Bars
2nd Place Beam
2nd Place Floor
4th and 5th Place All-Around
Junior Division (ages 11-13)
5th Place Bars
1st and 4th Place Beam
4th and 5th Place Floor
th Place All-Around
Senior Division (ages 15+)
4th and 5th Place Bars
3rd and 5th Place Beam
3rd and 4th Place Floor
3rd and 4th Place All-Around
A special thank you goes to our dedicated coaches, Ally Ozimiek, Claire Cashion, Carlee Darden, Mrs. Michelle Anflick and Mauri Ruiz, whose guidance, encouragement, and commitment continue to help our gymnasts grow both on and off the competition floor.
Congratulations to all of our competing gymnasts:
Racheli Abramson
Tzipporah Barber
Ora Blaustein
Lea Bregin
Elisheva Berkowitz
Leah Don
Tova Feld
Ahuva Goldberg
Shira Devorah Goldberg
Sarah Jeannette Hametz
Ashira Hirsh
Lifsha Kaufman
Leah Miller
Batsheva Priluck
Rikki Richter
Tzila Schwartz
Tiby Silberstein
Emmie Stern
With another win and a new trophy, Bas Melech once again strengthens its reputation in the Jewish gymnastics arena.
The future is bright, and we're excited to see what comes next. 🏆
Registration for Fall Gymnastics Classes is now open. Visit basmelech.org or call (443)939-5399 to register, learn more about the Jewish Gymnastics League and Bas Melech programs, or donate to support our team.
Baltimore, MD – June 9, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yosef Kimelfeld (Baltimore) and Chavi Tyberg (Ramat Beit Shemesh) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to grandmother Amira Cohen Elling
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
US President Donald Trump revealed that Iran shot down an American Apache helicopter this morning (Tuesday) and that the US would respond to that attack.
"I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the President wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The Apache helicopter crashed during operational activity near the Strait of Hormuz earlier today.
The New York Times, citing two officials briefed on the incident, reported that the two crew members aboard the helicopter were safely rescued following a rapid recovery operation.
What Is Your Mission?
Moriah Chen from the Hidabroot website published the following questionnaire for anyone who wants to gain a clearer picture of themselves and of their mission in the world:
1. What would you do for free? Think about the activities you do without noticing the passage of time. What makes you forget to eat or sleep? What subject can you talk about for hours without stopping? Sometimes your profession or direction in life is hidden in the things you would do even without being paid.
2. In what areas do people turn to you for help? In what field do your friends and family already see you as an expert? Sometimes our natural talent is already obvious to others, even when we don’t notice it ourselves.
3. Ask people close to you what they find unique about you. Ask them to describe your singular strengths and the contribution you make to the world. Often, others see us more clearly than we see ourselves.
4. What makes you angry or sparks a desire for change? Which challenges and problems awaken in you a strong desire to make a difference? It is worth exploring, because working on these very issues may bring you special fulfillment.
5. How would you like to be remembered? What would you want people to write about you after 120 years, regarding your family, your devotion to Torah, your values and accomplishments? How you aspire to influence the world and the people around you may be an important clue to your own special mission in the world.
From the Apple in the Holocaust to Space
Holocaust survivor Dr. Avraham Peter passed away this week, two months before his 100th birthday. Most of us never heard of him during his lifetime, and many may not have heard of him even after his passing. That's a shame. Here is a small attempt to correct that.
As a senior engineer, Dr. Peter helped establish the Israeli Air Force in the early years of the state. He then went on to an international scientific career in the field of astrophysics. Here is just one remarkable achievement: for years he worked at NASA.
During the Apollo 13 crisis, he was called into the American space agency's situation room. The spacecraft had launched toward the moon, but an explosion in an oxygen tank threatened the lives of the astronauts. Operating with complete composure, Peter improvised complex and creative engineering solutions, and ultimately the astronauts returned safely to Earth.
When the media asked him about those moments, he always returned to one small story, which he told countless times throughout his life. In all his lectures and articles, he said those moments shaped him and gave him strength:
Peter was born in Poland. His family was sent to the Lodz Ghetto, to years of harsh hunger, illness, and forced labor. One day, young Avraham was sent to work beyond the ghetto walls, and at enormous risk managed to obtain an apple. Had he been caught, the punishment would have of course been immediate death. He hid the apple, managed to get it past the strict guards, and brought it to his father inside the camp.
His father had not seen fresh fruit in years. He was sick and weak. When his son handed him the apple, tears streamed from his eyes.
But here comes the life-changing moment: instead of rushing to eat the apple out of an almost inhuman hunger, young Avraham was moved to see his father holding the apple in his hand, lifting it upward and reciting slowly and aloud the blessing over fruit: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the tree.” Then he added the “Shehecheyanu” blessing: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment."
Young Avraham was stunned. His father had not lunged at the apple but had paused to give thanks, to bless, to give this moment Jewish meaning. Then he took a bite of the apple — and shared the pieces among the family.
"That made me a proud Jew," his son said.
"It made me understand that it is not our instincts that lead us. I saw my father rise above everything, and that was the spiritual anchor that accompanied me all my life. Father died in the ghetto, like most of the family. But I survived, and the memory of him reciting the blessing over the apple gave me the resilience to succeed. I understood that even under extreme pressure, even in scarcity, even in the ghetto and even in NASA's situation room — you can be in control, you can function. We are much more than a body; we are a soul.
My father thanked God for an apple, and I was privileged to explore the wonders of creation in depth, to dive into the world of science, and to see the Creator there too — just as in the apple."
For more than eighty years, that apple gave strength to Dr. Peter. Last week he was laid to rest in Jerusalem.
Parashat Shelach: Let Us Not Be Grasshoppers
A verse in this week’s Torah portion, Shelach, reveals a great secret.
Ten of the twelve spies sent to the Land of Israel return to the people in the desert filled with despair. According to them, there is no point in continuing the journey to the Land of Israel. As they describe their encounter with the inhabitants of the land, they say:
“We were in our own eyes like grasshoppers, and so we were in their eyes.”
In other words: We saw ourselves as grasshoppers, and therefore that is how we appeared to the people living there as well. We lacked self-confidence. We thought we were small and weak, with no chance of success, and that is how the people we met in the Land perceived us too.
Our self-perception is the foundation. It radiates outward. If we see ourselves as people of worth and meaning, if we go out into the world with optimism, vision, and faith, that is how others will look back at us as well.
This is true with our children. It is true in the workplace, in society, and also on the national level, as a people and as a state.
With recent reports of kosher consumers accidentally receiving food from non-kosher establishments, awareness of proper food-delivery procedures has never been more important. Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger speaks with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus Administrator at the cRc and Executive Director of AKO, about the halachos of chasimos, delivery services, and protecting the integrity of kosher food from restaurant to doorstep. Whether you order through an app or pick up takeout yourself, this episode contains practical guidance every consumer should know.
Israel has once again entered a nationwide emergency status following renewed hostilities with Iran and missile attacks targeting Israel.
Schools across the country were closed on Monday, June 8. Education Minister Yoav Kisch has announced that schools will remain closed on Tuesday, June 9, as well.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has informed Chaim V’Chessed that it is closed today, Monday, and will also remain closed on Tuesday.
Government services are operating on a limited basis. Some government offices remain open while others have suspended operations. In Jerusalem, the main Misrad HaPnim branch on Shlomzion Street was closed on Monday, while the Har Choma and Mevaseret Zion branches remained open. Officials have informed Chaim V’Chessed that the Shlomzion branch will be closed on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Transportation reported that its License Office in Jerusalem was open on Monday, while the Beit Shemesh branch was closed. It remains to be seen which offices will operate on Tuesday.
In an important development for travelers, Ben Gurion Airport remains open and regular commercial flights are continuing. However, government officials are reportedly considering possible restrictions on airport operations should the security situation deteriorate.
Lastly, the Chaim V’Chessed Special Moments Retreat for mothers of children with special needs is scheduled to take place in Nir Etzion on Wednesday and Thursday. Chaim V’Chessed representatives are in contact with Home Front Command officials regarding the situation. As of this writing, the retreat is still scheduled to take place as planned.
Chaim V’Chessed is closely monitoring developments and will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Baltimore, MD - June 8, 2026 - This past Sunday, four of the leading roshei yeshiva of Eretz Yisroel walked into Baltimore. Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Yosef Chevroni, and Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband left their yeshivos and traveled across the world because the Torah of Eretz Yisroel is fighting for its very survival, and they came to ask us to help carry it.
We watched a Rosh Yeshiva break down in tears as he described his fear for the bochurim who learn under constant threat, and another explain the contrast that in Eretz Yisroel the lomdei Torah are pursued and disgraced, yet here in Baltimore they are embraced.
From visits in private homes through the packed asifa at Shomrei Emunah, one message was repeated again and again: ish nidcheh, v'ein hatzibbur nidcheh, an individual can be pushed aside, but a tzibbur standing together can never be pushed away.
Be part of the tzibbur. Support Keren Olam Hatorah today. Click here to donate now.
HaRav Avraham Salim delivering a shuir to Yeshivas Ner Yisrael
Dr Paul Volosov speaking at the brunch at his home.
Reuven Wolf greeting HaRav Aharon Feldman
HaRav Yaakov Hillel delivering divrei chizzuk by Shomrei Emuna
Jerusalem, Israel - June 8, 2026 - As growing numbers of frum families explore the possibility of building their futures in Eretz Yisroel, a distinguished delegation of Rabbanim from Baltimore embarked this past week on a four-day leadership mission to Eretz Yisroel organized by Naava Kodesh.
The Baltimore delegation included Rabbis Daniel Rose, Duvi Rubin, and Binyamin Marwick. They were joined by Baltimore community baalei batim Yaakov Berkowitz and Dovid Paige.
Leaving behind families, kehillos, and many daily responsibilities, the Rabbanim traveled to Eretz Yisroel to see firsthand and gain a better understanding of the realities, new opportunities, and solutions to successfully deal with the challenges facing families considering Aliyah and settling long-term in Eretz Yisroel.
The visit reflects a growing trend in orthodox communities in North America of families exploring the possibility of relocating to Eretz Yisroel. The visit offered the Rabbanim a firsthand, close-up look at the many Anglo-friendly mosdos, communities, support systems, and practical resources available to those considering the move.
The mission began in Yerushalayim, where the Rabbanim met with Harav Yitzchok Berkowitz, Shlit"a, and Harav Asher Weiss Shlit"a to discuss the various components that go into moving to Eretz Yisroel and how to best prepare a family for a successful move both beruchniyus uvegashmiyus.
The delegation also participated in roundtable discussions with public officials and organizations actively involved in helping Olim navigate life in Israel, including MK Yitzchok Pindrus and R’ Nechemyah Malinowitz, Executive Director of Eretz HaKodesh, as well as an in-depth discussion about the financial aspects of Aliyah with the team of financial counselors at Mesila headquarters.
The Rabbanim also met with Chaim V’Chesed founder and director, R’ Pesach Friedman, at the Chaim V’Chesed headquarters in Yerushalayim to hear how the Anglo community is navigating bureaucracy and day to day life in Eretz Yisroel.
On subsequent days, the delegation traveled extensively throughout Ramat Beit Shemesh, touring the many Anglo-friendly mosdos, chadarim, Bais Yaakovs, and high schools that make up the Ramat Beit Shemesh landscape, discussing with mechanchim how challenges in chinuch are successfully being addressed and how to best guide and prepare the families that are moving.
Meetings also took place with local Rabbanim in Ramat Beit Shemesh, including Harav Yaakov Haber Shlita, Harav Elimelech Kornfeld Shlita, and Harav Dovid Gottlieb Shlita.
Particular attention was given to the areas most relevant for families considering Aliyah: chinuch, parnassah, community integration, housing, and navigating day-to-day life in Eretz Yisroel.
The mission also included discussions with municipal leaders, including Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg and local Klitah Director Yonah Kaufman, providing participants with insight into the support structures available to new Olim.
‘’This was a truly high-level and impactful mission that gave participants a firsthand look at the realities, opportunities, and growth taking place in Eretz Yisroel’’, shared Yonah Kaufman Director of the Klita dep. In Bet Shemesh, ‘’particularly in Ramat Beit Shemesh. The insights gained will undoubtedly help the Rabbanim provide informed guidance and support to the growing number of Baltimore families considering Aliyah."
Founder and Executive Director of Naava Kodesh, R' Tzvi Arnstein noted, ‘’It was very moving to see the group of Rabbanim come and see firsthand how a family can practically make the move and be matzliach. The question was not whether Eretz Yisroel can work for english speaking families; rather, it was how the move can be done successfully.’’
Beyond the established communities of Yerushalayim and Ramat Beit Shemesh, the delegation explored emerging communities throughout Israel, including Rechovot and Afula, which offer more affordable housing options. These conversations highlighted the expanding range of opportunities available to families seeking affordable housing, strong Torah infrastructure, and vibrant community life throughout the country.
Also accompanying the delegation was R’ Dovid Paige, Director of Naava Kodesh's Baltimore Division, who shared his amazement at the many Anglo-friendly mosdos, institutions, and resources available to families considering Aliyah.
"I was amazed by the tremendous כוח being invested by so many people whose sole motivation is to be מרבה כבוד שמים, all working to make ארץ ישראל a place where every Yid can thrive and truly call home."
As the first of what is intended to be many such missions, the trip provided the Rabbanim with a unique opportunity to gain an on-the-ground, close-up perspective of the communities, schools, organizations, and support systems available in Israel. Meeting directly with mechanchim, Rabbanim, municipal leaders, and families who have successfully made the transition offered a clearer understanding of the opportunities, resources, and realities available to families seeking to successfully make the move to Eretz Yisroel.
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Pikesville, MD – June 7, 2026 – 9:59AM (BJL) – An officer has reportedly been shot in the area of Milford Mill Rd. and Scotts Level Rd. in Pikesville.
A tactical team has been requested to the scene. Motorists should expect a significant police presence and possible traffic delays in the area.
Residents are urged to avoid the area if possible and allow emergency personnel to operate safely.
Eastern Sharon, Israel - June 7, 2026 - A man approximately 35 years old was murdered and 5 others were seriously and moderately injured in a rolling shooting attack in eastern Sharon area
This morning (Sunday), at 10:34, a report was received at MDA’s 101 emergency dispatch center of multiple shooting casualties at a gas station near Kfar Yair, in Tzur Yitzhak, and in Tzur Natan. Large numbers of ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and MDA medicycle first responders were immediately dispatched to the scene.
MDA paramedics pronounced the death of a man approximately 35 years old who had suffered gunshot wounds.
In addition, MDA EMTs and paramedics provided medical treatment and evacuated to Meir and Beilinson hospitals 5 injured casualties, including:
2 in serious condition, both approximately 40 years old
3 in moderate condition: a 61-year-old woman, a 31-year-old man, and a man approximately 30 years old
MDA Kfar Saba station manager and paramedic Lior Zilberberg:
“We were in a large drill in a nearby community when we received reports at the MDA 101 hotline about shooting casualties at several scenes close to us. We immediately terminated the drill and set out with mobile intensive care units and ambulances to the gas station in Kfar Yair, Tzur Yitzhak, and Tzur Natan. At the gas station, MDA EMTs and paramedics provided medical treatment to 2 injured individuals who were evacuated to hospital in serious and moderate condition. At the entrance to Tzur Yitzhak we saw 2 injured persons: a man approximately 30 years old suffering from a gunshot wound to his arm, and a 61-year-old woman who was in a vehicle and was injured by gunfire to her upper body. We provided them both with medical treatment and they were evacuated in MDA mobile intensive care units to hospital in moderate condition. I continued driving toward Tzur Natan where we were informed of active shooting. As I was driving, civilians signaled me to stop and called me to provide medical treatment to an unconscious casualty inside a vehicle. He had no pulse and was not breathing, with gunshot wounds to his body, and after medical assessments we were forced to pronounce him dead. Near the vehicle lay another injured person who was conscious and suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper body. After initial medical treatment in the field, he was evacuated in a mobile intensive care unit to hospital in moderate-to-serious condition.”
MDA medicycle unit paramedic Eyal Drori:
“We arrived at several scenes after calls were received at MDA’s 101 dispatch center regarding shooting incidents at multiple locations. Large MDA teams were rapidly dispatched to the various sites, and at each of the scenes we reached the injured and immediately began providing medical treatment to stabilize their condition. We continue to operate at the scene and provide medical treatment to the casualties.”
MDA EMT Adi Piumi:
“We arrived in large MDA numbers quickly at the scene in Tzur Yitzhak, where we treated an injured person in moderate condition with gunshot wounds to the upper limbs. He was conscious and communicated with us. We provided medical treatment that included bandaging and stopping bleeding. At the same time, large MDA forces were treating additional injured persons at several other scenes.”
MDA Senior EMT Walid Diwani:
“I arrived at the gas station scene in Kfar Yair and saw a man lying on the ground near the fuel pumps, with bystanders trying to assist him. I got out of the ambulance together with the paramedic with me and we began providing initial medical treatment. During the treatment, civilians at the scene called me and reported another injured person in a nearby restaurant. While the paramedic treated the first casualty, I took emergency equipment and ran to the restaurant, where I saw another man suffering very severe injuries. He was pale and breathing slowly, and I saw two MDA first responders already beginning to treat him. I returned to the first casualty, we placed him into the ambulance and provided ongoing updates to MDA’s 101 emergency dispatch during evacuation.”
Baltimore, MD– June 7, 2026 – 10:12AM (BJL) – The traffic light at the intersection of Green Summit/Stone Cliff & Greenspring Ave is flashing.
Jerusalem, Israel - June 7, 2026 - Sirens sounded across northern Israel on Sunday evening after Iran launched several missile barrages at Israel.
During the first barrage, four missiles were launched at the north. All were intercepted.
A short time earlier, the IDF stated that following the strike in Beirut and upon the conclusion of a situational assessment, it is preparing for potential fire toward the territory of the State of Israel in the coming hours.
The IDF noted that it has reinforced its defensive posture and remains on high alert and prepared for a range of defensive and offensive scenarios. The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, and senior IDF commanders are currently conducting situational assessments and closely monitoring developments.
Baltimore, MD - June 7, 2026 - Breakfast at the home of philanthropist Paul Volosov in Baltimore this morning benefiting Keren Olam HaTorah.
VIDEO below: Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, said:
“The bachurim themselves are not afraid, but we, the Roshei Yeshiva, are afraid for them.”
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Baltimore, MD - June 7, 2026 - At Beis Kenesses Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore, Rav Yaakov Hopfer shlit”a, Nasi of the Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore, spoke about the open nissim Klal Yisroel has witnessed over the past two years. “There have been many wars, and by natural calculations, thousands more should have been killed. Yet we have seen tremendous nissim, because Klal Yisroel has stood behind Torah. Torah is meigin u’matzil, and the support of Torah is what protects Klal Yisroel.”
Minneapolis, MN - June 7, 2026 - Target is voluntarily recalling Up & Up Fragrance Free and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes following customer complaints of product discoloration, and FDA testing that identified the presence of Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in product samples.
Use of products contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioi may result in serious and life-threatening infections. The products are predominantly used on newborns, infants, and young children, who are particularly vulnerable to opportunistic infection due to their immature immune systems. In healthy individuals, use of the product on skin with minor lesions will more likely result in local infections, whereas in immunocompromised individuals, newborns, infants and young children, the infection is more likely to spread into the bloodstream, potentially leading to life-threatening sepsis or pneumonia.
The recalled wipes were manufactured by a supplier, and sold at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com.
The Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian terror regime in western and central Iran early Monday morning, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said.
Iranian media reported explosions that were heard in several areas of the country, including the capital Tehran and Isfahan.
The strikes occurred several hours after Iran launched several barrages of missiles toward Israel.
Baltimore, MD - June 6, 2026 - A lack of rain is still affecting water levels throughout our region, and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works is still asking people to conserve water.
While The Prettyboy and Liberty reservoirs are up slightly, the DPW’s Matthew Garbark said they still have a long way to go.
“We ask people to do what they can. “We don’t expect people to not recreate and to not have fun and do what they do during the summer,” Garbark said.
Garbark added that groundwater levels have been low and that we need rain and a lot of it.
Baltimore, MD – June 5, 2026 – 9:07AM (BJL) Motorists are advised to use caution at the intersection of Park Heights Avenue and Seven Mile Lane. It appears that a large vehicle may have struck the traffic signal structure, causing one of the turn-signal heads to become bent sideways. As a result, drivers attempting to turn from Park Heights onto Seven Mile Lane literally cannot see when the turn signal changes to green unless they are positioned at just the right angle.
Additionally, the traffic signal facing motorists traveling from the Seven Mile Market direction is hanging upside down. While the light itself is functioning properly, its position makes it extremely difficult - if not nearly impossible - to see.
Please use extra caution when traveling through the intersection, particularly when making turns.
Baltimore, MD – June 4, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mr. Yossi Statman z"l, father of Yanky Statman.
The levaya will be held at Levinson’s on Friday, June 5, 2026 at noon.
Details to follow.
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – June 4, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Shimon (Ryan) Hakimi, z’l, brother of Rodney Hakimi.
Shiva will be observed at 2809 Laurelwood Ct., Baltimore, Md 21209.
_Thursday night 6/4, Friday 6/5, and Sunday- Tuesday 6/7- 6/9
Minyanim:
Shacharis: 7:00AM (Sunday 8:00AM)
Mincha/ Maariv – 8:0PM (Erev Shabbos: 2:30PM)
Shiva hours:
7:00 AM- 10:00 AM
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM_
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – June 4, 2026 – Here's another update on the exciting progress taking place at TI's construction site.
As trees are carefully being removed to make way for the future building, tree-grinding and clearing equipment has been brought in to efficiently repurpose or remove the timber and prepare the area for the next phase of construction.
Meanwhile, crews continue shaping and grading the earth dike along the driveway. Truck after truck is hauling away excavated soil as work steadily transforms the landscape, creating the foundation for what will soon become a beautiful new home for generations of talmidim.
With each passing day, the vision moves closer to reality, B'H, and the remarkable progress is becoming increasingly visible across the campus.
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Baltimore, MD – June 4, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Eliyahu Lauer and Racheli Gross on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Yirmiyahu and Dorie Lauer and Mr. & Mrs. Moshe and Pia Gross
Mazel Tov to grandmother Sherri Zaslow
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – June 4, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Zach and Yaffa Stern on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to the grandparents: Alvin & Robyn Stern, Dr. & Mrs. Yaakov & Bari Elefant and Esti Elefant
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – June 4, 2026 – (BJL) – Ring camera footage captured thieves helping themselves to the contents of unlocked vehicles on Hatton Road and Northbrook Road overnight. The video - from Hatton - was recorded at 4:18AM, giving residents a sense of the timeframe during which the activity occurred. Community members are strongly urged to lock their car doors, remove valuables, and ensure their vehicles are secured at all times. Unfortunately, these crimes often occur when criminals find easy opportunities, so taking a few extra seconds to lock up can go a long way toward preventing theft.
Baltimore, MD - June 4, 2026 - Baltimore will have the rare privilege this Sunday of welcoming five of the world's leading gedolei torah under one roof.
On June 7th, at 1:45 PM, HaRav Yaakov Hillel, HaRav Avraham Salim, HaRav Aharon Feldman, HaRav Yosef Chevroni, and HaRav Chaim Mordechai Ausband will arrive at Shomrei Emunah, 6221 Greenspring Ave., for a community-wide event on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah.
Baltimore has always taken pride in its deep connection to Torah and its role in supporting the broader Olam HaTorah, and this Sunday offers every member of the community the chance to be part of something truly historic.
Keren Olam HaTorah was established in response to the devastating budget cuts that struck the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel in April 2024. With government funds frozen and the financial rug pulled out from under tens of thousands of yeshiva bochurim and avreichem, gedolim and askanim across the world came together to create Keren Olam HaTorah, a lifeline for lomdei torah. Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting the 120,000 lomdim the organization serves. Not a cent is diverted to event costs or overhead.
This Sunday's asifah is an opportunity for Baltimore to stand up and be counted alongside the gedolei hador in declaring that the Torah is worth fighting for. Come see the rabbonim. Hear their words. Heed their call.
Baltimore, MD – June 3, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Baruch and Nechama Gross on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Aaron & Devora Gross
Mazel Tov great-grandmother Mrs. Ruth (Rabbi Shlomo, z’l) Stein
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – June 3, 2026 - 7:11AM (BJL) The traffic light at the intersection of Reisterstown Road and Slade is flashing yellow.
Baltimore, MD - June 3, 2026 - Maryland motorists will face an increase in the state gas tax rate starting next month, but whether they notice the change is another thing entirely.
New tax rates released Monday by the Office of the Comptroller set the new tax rate on gasoline at 46.6 cents per gallon, a net increase of six-tenths of a penny more than this year’s rate, and the first increase after two year of slight declines. The tax is in addition to the federal tax on gas of 18.4 cents a gallon.
Robert Rehrmann, the director of the Board of Revenue Estimates, said the overall increase this year was not driven by the war with Iran.
“Although Middle East geopolitical shocks triggered a spike in gasoline prices beginning in early March, the average price over the full 12-month determination period was lower than the prior year,” Rehrmann wrote in his report.
Baltimore, MD - June 3, 2026 - A FOX45 News investigation has uncovered questions surrounding the use of a Maryland state-issued Senate license plate that appears to still be displayed on a vehicle driven by a former lawmaker months after leaving office.
Records obtained by FOX45 News show unpaid toll violations connected to the "Senate 41" license plate in March and April of this year. The plate is assigned to Maryland's 41st Senate District, currently represented by Sen. Dalya Attar. However, Attar told FOX45 News the vehicle involved in the violations does not belong to her.
The violations stem from three trips through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel on March 8, March 16, and April 27. According to sources familiar with the matter, the white sedan displaying the "Senate 41" plate belongs to former Sen. Jill Carter.
FOX45 News contacted Carter multiple times seeking comment. An associate of Carter later told FOX45 News they were looking into the matter, but as of publication, has not provided a statement.
Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2026 - SPECIAL UPDATE: The Board of Elections website is accepting online voter registration and voter modifications at ChangePartyMD.com until 11:59PM tonight
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Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2026 - The following was sent today to the OCA parent body:
Dear OCA Families,
Since OCA was founded 15 years ago, our goal was to create a safe environment in which your children - our students - would thrive, educationally, socially, and emotionally. We have been blessed to grow as a community in our rented space. We are now at a pivotal moment in our history and have the opportunity to start our next chapter in a home of our own.
With gratitude to Hashem, we are thrilled to announce that we have recently invested in a permanent home for our school! All grades will be united under one roof at 7133 Rutherford Road in Windsor Mill. We have tremendous hakarat hatov to the Building Committee and OCA Board for their tireless efforts over the past three years to help make this dream a reality.
There is much to be done before we are able to move into the building, including undertaking significant renovations and raising the funds necessary to transform the space into a learning environment that supports our educational model. We are in the very beginning stages of planning, so a firm timeline has yet to be established. The building of our home is a multi-year process and we will not move in until it is ready. For the coming school year, we will be at our current location.
While we are very excited about this development, we know that change comes with many questions and uncertainties. We promise to keep you - our valued families and partners - informed throughout the process. Our first opportunity to share more information and address your questions will be at our Annual Meeting on June 16 at 8:00pm. All questions must be submitted in advance here, no later than Tuesday, June 9.
In the meantime, we hope that you will join us in our excitement as we look forward to a new chapter for OCA. Together, we can lead OCA toward a vibrant future.
Best,
Dr. Holly Vanderwalde
Board President
Dr. Deborah L. Rapoport
Head of School
Baltimore, MD – June 2, 2026 – 3:13PM - (BJL) – A tree is down at the corner of Highgate and Ludgate, impacting traffic in the area. Expect delays, particularly near Cross Country School.
Baltimore, MD - May 29, 2026 - Over 50 companies and more than 300 job seekers came together last night at the Baltimore Job Network Job Fair, making it an evening of productive networking, career growth, and community support.
Throughout the evening, attendees connected with employers, explored career opportunities, and built valuable professional relationships. A photographer was on-site providing LinkedIn headshots, and an HR professional offered resume feedback and advice. Multiple interviews have already been scheduled as a result of the event, along with a lot of networking among participants.
What truly stood out was the incredible sense of achdus. Volunteers worked tirelessly to introduce job seekers to potential employers and help the event run smoothly, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere for everyone involved.
We thank all of the volunteers, employers, and participants who helped make last night's event such a meaningful and successful experience. With Hashem's help, we look forward to hearing about many employment opportunities and positions filled with candidates as a result!
Baltimore, MD – May 28, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yossi Slakin (Baltimore) and Gitty Katz (Cedarhurst) on their engagement.
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
For years, liberal and Reform organizations have presumed to speak on behalf of Diaspora Jewry, including American Jews, while advancing their agenda at the Kotel.
This week, that changed.
A bill was introduced in the Knesset's Constitution Committee that would grant the Chief Rabbinite official jurisdiction over the Kotel, designating it as a formal Makom Kodosh. The legislation would prohibit Nashot HaKotel from conducting protest activities at the site.
As expected, liberal and Reform representatives appeared at the committee - loudly proclaiming, in the name of American Jewry, that such a move would sever the bond between the Jewish people and their holiest site.
For the first time, they were not the only voice in the room.
Our voters brought us into the WZO, and it was that representation that gave us the ability to walk into the Knesset and speak on their behalf. Standing before the Constitution Committee, we made a historic declaration: This is what American Jews actually want. This is what Diaspora Jewry wants. Stop speaking in our name.
"We are the ones who speak in our name," said Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz, a member of the leadership of Eretz HaKodesh, at the committee. "And what we want is a Kotel that remains kodesh."
Also present was Esther Jacobs, who stood before the committee and spoke powerfully in the name of the women, declaring where they truly stand.
For the first time in an official capacity, the authentic voice of American Orthodox Jewry was heard in the halls of the Knesset, standing firm to protect the kedusha of the Kotel for generations to come.
Baltimore, MD – May 25, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Moshe Males (Baltimore) and Shira Neumann (Monsey) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Micha & Penina Males and Ari & Chana Neumann
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 25, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Karen Cohn, a”h, wife of Jeff Cohn, mother of Gobbie (Shayna) Cohn, Rafi (Chedva) Cohn, and sister of Marcie (Ofer) Lurman, and Simmie (Effie) Sonstein.
The levaya will be held at Levinson’s on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 2:00PM
The kevurah will take place at the Chevra Ahavas Chesed cemetery 9780 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133.
Shiva will be observed at 3214 Northbrook Road, Baltimore, MD 21208
Shacharis: 6:50AM (Sunday: 8:00AM)
Mincha/Maariv-Plag: 6:40PM
Mincha Erev Shabbos: 3:00PM
בלע המות לנצח
Please Daven For Yael bas Batsheva
A sweet young Baltimore girl needs our tefilos and support.
Please help this special family with mounting medical and travel expenses, and most importantly keep Yael bas Batsheva in your tefilos for a complete refuah.
https://thechesedfund.com/ybf/ybf
We wish we were sharing better news. Unfortunately, Yael’s treatment has not been working as well as everyone had hoped, and her medical team is now looking toward a specialized treatment option in Seattle that could potentially be life-saving. As parents, hearing this is heartbreaking, but we are holding tightly onto hope and doing everything possible to give Yael every chance to fight.
Because of her fragile condition, Yael is not well enough to travel on a commercial flight. Her doctors have advised that she will need private or medical transportation to safely get her to Seattle for treatment. We are now hoping to raise funds to help make this urgent journey possible.
In addition to the cost of private medical travel, this next chapter brings an overwhelming financial burden for the family. Traveling to another city for treatment means expenses far beyond medical care itself — extended hotel stays, transportation, daily necessities, and the countless unexpected costs that come with living beside a hospital for an unknown amount of time. The last thing any parent should have to worry about while fighting for their child’s life is how they will afford to be there.
The weight of watching your child fight for their life is unimaginable, and on top of the emotional burden comes the financial strain of ongoing medical expenses, lost income, and now emergency travel needs. Every donation, share, and prayer means more than words can express. Your support helps bring Yael one step closer to the care that could save her life and allows her family to focus entirely on being by her side through this fight.
Thank you for continuing to stand with Yael and surround her with love, strength, and hope.
Baltimore, MD - May 25, 2026 - There are questions over outside players potentially having a hand in the race for Baltimore County State's Attorney.
Sarah David is listed as being publicly backed by the Working Families Party, a political group with financial ties to George Soros.
"So, that's an independent expenditure group, so they can't coordinate with our campaign at all," David said.
David is denying any direct affiliation with the progressive billionaire who has spent millions reshaping the nation's justice system.
Baltimore, MD – May 24, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Marleen May, a’h, mother of David (Tami) May.Levaya and shiva information to follow.
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD - May 2, 2026 - (BJL) What a beautiful day in Baltimore! Today, May 24th, Mesivta Toras Chaim was zoche to celebrate the Hachnasas Sefer Torah of the Taffel family — and what a Simcha it was! 🕺🏻 The celebration began at Bnei Jacob Shaarei Zion with the completion of the Torah alongside Rabbi Ron, the sofer, who flew in personally from Eretz Yisrael to bring this holy Torah to its new home. The Torah was then danced through the streets by a beautiful crowd of community members, rabbanim, and the talmidim and alumni of Mesivta Toras Chaim — all the way to its new home on Clarks Lane. A true Kiddush Hashem! ✡️ The day culminated in a magnificent seudah at Bnai Jacob, where Mr. Jay Taffel shared the deeply moving story behind this Torah — sponsored l'ilui nishmas his Aunt and Uncle, Harvey and Anita Taffel ז״ל, who never merited having children of their own. May the talmidim of Mesivta Toras Chaim become their spiritual children, and may this Torah be a tremendous zechus for their neshomos. 🙏 Words of beracha and chizuk were shared by HaRav Menachem Goldberger שליט״א, Rav of Tiferes Yisroel, and Rabbi Chanina Szendro, Menahel of Mesivta Toras Chaim. May this Torah bring endless bracha to the Taffel Mishpacha, to the talmidim of MTC, and to all of Klal Yisrael! 🔥 מזל טוב מזל טוב! 🎊
Baltimore, MD – May 24, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Baruch Oratz and Aliza Abrams on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Yehuda & Sima Oratz and Saul & Chani Abrams
Mazel Tov to grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Oratz, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Wahrman, and Dr. & Mrs. Ross Abrams
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
The core framework of a potential peace agreement between Washington and Tehran hinges on a major concession regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear capabilities.
According to two US officials quoted by the New York Times on Saturday night, the emerging deal requires Iran to completely forfeit its dangerous stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which Iran has committed to.
While White House officials declined to comment on the specifics, President Donald Trump confirmed earlier that the United States is rapidly approaching an agreement aimed at concluding the war and restoring shipping access to the vital Strait of Hormuz corridor.
Despite the President's optimistic remarks, details on the ground remain fluid, and substantial diplomatic hurdles persist before a final treaty can be signed.
Baltimore, MD – May 23, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rabbi Nachum Schorr, z’l, husband of Dr. Zipora Schorr and father of Rabbi Avremel Schoor, Rabbi Sharagi Schorr, Mrs. Peshi (Rabbi Chaim Tzvi) Senter, Hudi Schorr, and Yanky (Naami) Schorr
The levaya and kevura will take place tomorrow, Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Eretz Yisrael.
Shiva:
Dr. Schorr and Yanky Schoor wil be observing shiva beginning Sunday evening at 3502 Shelburne Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 and will be joined by the other family members on Monday.
Details to follow…
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – May 23, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mr. Ruben Bengio, z’l, father of Jack Bengio.
Levaya and Shiva details forthcoming
בלע המות לנצח
A shootout erupted on Saturday evening just outside the White House gates, marking the third instance of gunfire in the immediate vicinity of President Donald Trump in less than a month.
The US Secret Service confirmed to The Associated Press that an armed individual who opened fire at a security checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue was shot and killed after officers returned fire.
According to a law enforcement official speaking on the condition of anonymity, the deceased suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best.
The agency stated that the incident began shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time) when the suspect pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing. Secret Service personnel immediately engaged the gunman, striking him. The suspect was rushed to a local hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
Baltimore, MD - May 21, 2026 - At this point, you should know the drill. Yom Tov comes around and while most people are cooking and or shopping, I am writing. To paraphrase an expression, writing is food for the soul, or at least mine. It is Spring, and with that comes along the rains, the flowers, and lots of birds flying around and building nests. My backyard is privy to the signs of Nature and the changing of the seasons and am grateful for that. Besides enhancing my Menuchas HaNefesh, it also gives me great writing material. One fine day, about a month ago or so, my husband noticed the beginnings of a nest. There were lots of interesting stringy-type material, including the remnants of a plastic bag and many other things I do not wish to know the source of, strewn across our patio cement floor. He looked up and noticed the nest that was being built underneath the gutter and on the outdoor light. He also pointed out that this was right by the back door leading onto the patio which meant that every time we would open the door, we would scare the bird in the nest. And that is exactly what happened when the bird finally settled down to roost. We learned to open the door slowly and gently and not let it close loudly. Eventually, the bird got used to us and stayed with us, and he became a part of our daily routine of not just checking the weather but checking if he was still there.
It was my daughter who realized that we had a mitzvah opportunity on our hands, and after our son consulted with the Rav, we were told that we could perform the mitzvah on this American Robin. First however, we had to make it hefker and then determine which was the mother bird as both the father and the mother of this breed take turns sitting on their blue eggs. Typically, the mother bird sits at night, and the father sits during the day. This was confirmed with pictures we took and then looked up on Google. One early morning I saw the mother bird who indeed looked different than the father bird we saw in the daytime. Now it was time to do the mitzvah! We waited until nighttime and all had turns on different nights, as to spare paining the mother bird from being sent away several times on the same night. Each person first shooed the mother away, heard her cry (which is supposed to arouse Hashem’s rachamim to bring the Geula) and then lifted the eggs. Some family members felt sad sending the mother bird away and hearing her cry. Others were intrigued by this unique mitzvah and marveled at the warm eggs, feeling the gift of life inside them. On another early morning, when I went outside for my daily cup of Joe and hisbodedus, I noticed that TWO birds flew the coop! It was both the mother and father! This was a rare occurrence, another fact that I looked up. This whole wondrous act of Nature could not have come at a better time. Hashem’s timing, as they say, is impeccable. There were some difficult personal situations that family members were enduring that was not in their control and left them feeling upset, frustrated and very hurt. This bird watching gave a new perspective and with every turn of the backyard events, also provided much needed chizuk. This bird built her home in which to lay the eggs and hatch. It was built with chochma that includes temperature control within the parent birds breathing system and in establishing a soft comfortable environment. This breed also has both parents very much involved with the hatching process. The way the bird sat on the nest, patiently waiting, resolutely doing her job, no matter the outside circumstances, spoke volumes about parenting in general. The birds sat and sat and sat, rain or shine, not giving up, knowing there was purpose in what they were doing. Then one day we decided to check what was happening in the nest. We did so when the bird flew away, and lo and behold there were two (!) hatchlings born, alongside the other two blue eggs. We were beyond ecstatic. We named them Sivan, as it was Rosh Chodesh, and Matan, in honor of Matan Torah. The mother and father birds were also given names initially, as a form of tefillah because of the personal challenges. We called them Tikvah (hope) and Cheirut (freedom.) How fortifying and rejuvenating as this occurred on the new month when we pray for Yeshuos! We continued to watch and now worried about the other two eggs. Would they hatch? Were the newborns being fed? Could they survive the heat? I felt very much like a Bird Bubby. Then we checked on them again and to our great delight, there was another birth! Rus was hatched and now we were waiting for the final egg, which we called Boaz. Boaz joined the Tzipor family on Daled Sivan to our relief and joy. The nest was whole and the family was complete. They made it through step one with the hatching. Currently, we anxiously await for the next and final step of flying. What’s the message for all of us with this lovely little anecdotal observation? Chag HaShavuos is just about here. It is almost the end of the school year and what I consider a time for Mechanchim (and parents) to make their own Cheshbon HaNefesh in the classroom (and at home). Did we establish the right environment for chinuch? Did we do everything we could possibly do and wait patiently during the process? Did we remain resolute and stay strong in our Emunah of ourselves and our students (and children)? Did we continue to warm them and feed them, making them feel safe in their unshaken trust of our ability to care for them? Harbeh Shlucim LaMakom. I thank Hashem for sending us Tikva and Cheirut, along with Sivan, Matan, Rus and Boaz. I have learned so much from observing the Briyah and the Niflaos HaBorei, as well as how to look inward into my own home with my children and in my classroom with my students. Ultimately, we know that Hashem oversees the “nest.” I daven for all of us that we find our way back home to His home, the Beis HaMikdash, which Dovid HaMelech refers to as our nest. (84:4) Gam Tzipor Matzah Bayis U’Dror Kein Lah… Even a bird has found a home and a sparrow has made a nest for herself.
Written as a zechus for our children to be matzliach on their personal derech in Avodas Hashem at this time of Kabolas Hatorah!
Baltimore, MD – May 20, 2026 – (BJL) The Park Heights JCC has closed for the evening due to a power outage.
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Baltimore, MD - May 20, 2026 - Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim – Talmudical Academy of Baltimore is proud to announce its upcoming Hadran Aloch: All In! campaign, taking place on June 10th and 11th. The annual campaign will bring together TA parents, grandparents, alumni, staff, and friends in support of the Yeshiva and its talmidim.
As in previous years, Hadran Aloch will connect the campaign to a powerful learning initiative, infusing the talmidim with chashivus haTorah, a sense of accomplishment, and the joy of reaching meaningful milestones in their learning.
This year’s theme, All In, reflects the spirit that defines TA every day. TA’s talmidim are all in, learning, growing, reviewing, and striving. TA’s rebbeim and teachers are all in, guiding their students with dedication, warmth, and care. TA’s parents, alumni, grandparents, and supporters are all in, partnering with the Yeshiva in building generations of Bnei Torah.
As part of this year’s campaign, TA is privileged to recognize three extraordinary honorees whose lives and contributions reflect the meaning of being All In for TA.
Hadran Aloch Award
TA is proud to present the Hadran Aloch Award to Aryeh and Goldie Gross, in recognition of nearly two decades of exceptional devotion, leadership, and service to the Yeshiva. As parents of three TA boys, volunteers, and communal leaders, Aryeh and Goldie have given of themselves to TA with extraordinary consistency and heart. Aryeh serves as a member of the TA Executive Board, bringing wisdom, dedication, and steady leadership to the Yeshiva’s growth. Goldie, a past president of the PTA, has played a major role in strengthening the parent body, enhancing school life, and helping create the warmth and energy that define the TA family. For almost twenty years, the Grosses have been deeply involved in the life of the Yeshiva, giving their time, talent, energy, and resources to benefit TA’s talmidim, families, and staff. Their dedication represents the very essence of this year’s campaign theme.
Kesser Torah Award
TA is honored to present the Kesser Torah Award to Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok and Janet Pollock, in recognition of Rabbi Pollock’s 45 years of dedicated harbotzas Torah at TA. For four and a half decades, Rabbi Pollock has served as a beloved elementary school rebbe, teaching and inspiring thousands of TA talmidim. Generations of students have been shaped by his warmth, patience, clarity, and deep commitment to their growth as Bnei Torah. His classroom has been a place where boys learn not only skills and knowledge, but also a love for Torah, respect for their rebbeim, and pride in their Yiddishkeit. Together with his wife, Janet, Rabbi Pollock has devoted his life to the chinuch of TA’s talmidim. TA is privileged to recognize their remarkable contribution to the Yeshiva and to generations of families.
Legacy Family Award
TA is proud to present the TA Legacy Family Award to the Abramson Family, a third-generation TA family whose connection to the Yeshiva spans decades. Three Abramson brothers attended TA in the 1960s, forming a bond with the Yeshiva that has continued through the generations. Many of their sons attended TA, and today, grandchildren and even a great-grandchild are continuing that legacy as TA talmidim. This multi-generational connection reflects the enduring impact of a TA chinuch and the deep loyalty of families who remain connected to the Yeshiva across decades. The Abramson family represents a beautiful TA story: a talmid becomes a parent, a parent becomes a grandparent, and the values of Torah, mesorah, and commitment to chinuch continue forward. TA is honored to recognize the Abramsons for their family’s longstanding relationship with the Yeshiva and their continued commitment to its future.
All In for TA!
Through Hadran Aloch: All In, TA invites the entire community to join in supporting the Yeshiva’s mission of cultivating excellence in chinuch and preparing generations of talmidim to lead lives rooted in Limud HaTorah, middos tovos, and simchas hachaim.
We look forward to sharing more details about the campaign, the learning initiative, and opportunities for the community to participate as we get closer to the live campaign on June 10th and 11th!
Wishing you and your families an uplifting and beautiful Yom Tov!
Baltimore, MD - May 20, 2026 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.
Click on the graphic below:
Baltimore, MD – May 20, 2026 – Many in the Pikesville community were unaware of a disturbing incident that reportedly took place Monday involving several Pikesville Middle School students. According to a letter sent Tuesday by Pikesville Middle School Principal Bridges to staff and families, students from the school allegedly assaulted another student who does not attend the school during an incident at a home in the community. The assault was reportedly captured on video and circulated on social media among students. Authorities say the victim was transported to a local hospital, and three suspects have since been arrested and charged. The school says students involved will also face serious disciplinary consequences.
Below is the full letter distributed by the principal to school families:
Baltimore, MD – May 20, 2026 – 12:39PM (BJL) – The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the Baltimore area in effect until 8:00PM this evening.
Stay alert for the possibility of strong storms, including heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning throughout the afternoon and evening hours
Baltimore, MD – May 19, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mordechai & Chaya Rochel Silber on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Rebetzin Shmuel & Aviva Silber
Mazel tov to the great-grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Barry & Judy Silber and Dr. & Mrs. Gabriel & Florence Gurell.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
A growing safety concern across the Baltimore community
Baltimore, MD - May 19, 2026 - It’s a familiar sight on sidewalks and streets throughout our community: a teenager zipping silently past on an electric scooter, weaving through traffic or dodging pedestrians with a flick of the wrist. Whether they are heading to a friend’s house or rushing to Shul for davening/learning, these "e-mobility" devices have become a staple of local teen life.
While these scooters are convenient, a new safety awareness campaign in New York is sounding a loud alarm about a growing trend of "scooter entitlement" among young riders. In NYC, officials recently launched a sobering campaign with the tagline:
“One Choice Can Change Everything. You Can’t Rewind a Crash.”
While the campaign videos are often too graphic for our community platform, the message is urgent: the streets are a shared space, and a "rules don't apply to me" attitude is a recipe for disaster.
The Local Reality: A Close Call Away
Fortunately, Baltimore has not yet seen the volume of serious incidents reported in New York. However, local residents are noticing more "close calls," particularly during peak community hours.
"We see it often -boys trying to beat the clock to make it to Minyan, zipping across intersections without looking," noted one community observer. "The speed they reach is significant, and because they are silent, drivers and/or pedestrains often don't see or hear them until it’s almost too late."
“Boruch Hashem, here in Baltimore we have not yet seen the level of serious e-scooter injuries and tragedies that other cities are experiencing, and we hope we never do,” said Elimelech Goldstein, President of Hatzalah of Baltimore. “But we are absolutely seeing more risky behavior, close calls, and situations that could easily end very differently. These scooters may seem harmless, but when operated at high speeds, without helmets, through traffic, or without regard for traffic laws, they can become extremely dangerous in seconds. We strongly encourage parents to have open conversations with their children about safety, awareness, and responsibility before an avoidable tragedy occurs.”
Safety advocates highlight three major "blind spots" in teen rider behavior:
By the Numbers: The Risk to Our Youth
Recent data from pediatric trauma centers shows a sharp rise in e-scooter injuries among minors:
The "Kitchen Table" Talk: What to Tell Your Kids
Experts suggest that instead of banning the devices, parents should focus on "Road Literacy." These points should be non-negotiable before a teen takes a scooter out:
A Call for Community Responsibility
The goal isn't to take the fun out of the ride, but to ensure that our community’s streak of safety continues. By treating e-scooters with the same respect as a car, our teens can enjoy their independence without endangering themselves or their neighbors.
Baltimore, MD – May 17, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Phyllis Heller, a'h, mother of Todd (Ruth) Heller.
The levayah will be held in New York on Wednesday.
Shiva will be observed at 2922 West Strathmore Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209 on Thursday.
Shacharit: 7:00am
Mincha: 6:00pm
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – May 19, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shlomo and Gila Pollack on the birth of a daughter**.**
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - May 19, 2026 - Rav Mordechai Shuchatowitz, Rav of Agudah Greenspring and head of the Baltimore Beis Din, spoke today to the middle school talmidim at Yeshivas Toras Simcha.
He shared a story about the young Rav Mordechai Gifter, later the Telshe Rosh Yeshiva. When Rav Gifter’s father brought him to Rav Shimon Shkop for a bracha, Rav Shimon asked what bracha he wanted for his bachur. His father answered, “That he should become a big talmid chacham.”
Rav Shimon replied that such a bracha depended on the young man himself: if he learned with diligence and hasmada, he could indeed become a talmid chacham. Rav Gifter then asked for a bracha to have a geshmak in learning. “Ah,” Rav Shimon answered, “that kind of bracha I can give.”
Rav Shuchatowitz urged the YTS talmidim to learn with enjoyment, enthusiasm, and a true geshmak.
Baltimore, MD – May 18, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Levi Yitzchak Lowenbraun (Boro Park) on Rachael Nelkin (Baltimore) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Mr. Avraham Lowenbraun and Mr. & Mrs. Moshe & Gila Nelkin.
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 18, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shmuel Ber Lurie and Chana Bracha Ehrenreich on their engagement.
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - May 18, 2026 - There was tremendous nachas at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School this past Sunday, May 17, as high school student Moshe L. ’28 won 1st place in the high school division at the Chidon Tanach National Finals in New York, earning him the right to, IY"H, compete in the international tournament next year on Yom Ha'atzmaut in Israel. Additionally, 7th grader Tamar L. ’31 placed 6th in the middle school division, an incredible accomplishment.
Twelve BT students traveled to New York to compete in the National Finals of the Chidon HaTanach - the Dr. Shimshon Isseroff US National Bible Contest for Jewish Youth. It was an incredibly exciting day for our students, their families, and the entire BT chevroh.
Chidon HaTanach is a prestigious international competition that challenges students on their mastery of Tanach, focusing on breadth of knowledge. Participation is voluntary, with students dedicating many extra hours outside the regular school day to learning, chazarah, and preparation. Reaching the finalist stage reflects real commitment, discipline, and ahavas Torah.
One of the things that makes Beth Tfiloh so special is the thoughtful way Jewish learning is approached across the school. As Baltimore’s only co-educational K-12 college preparatory school, BT works hard to meet students where they are at, helping them deepen their connection to Torah and Judaism in ways that feel meaningful and personal. Students have opportunities to study Ivrit, Tanach, and a broad range of Jewish studies, while also being encouraged to challenge themselves and grow through advanced learning opportunities like the Chidon program.
Under the guidance of Chidon teacher Rabbi Leib Zalesch, students spent months preparing for the competition, learning Sefer Bereishit, Sefer Shmuel Bet, selections from Tehillim, and in the high school division, portions of Sefer Yechezkel.
The high school competition concluded with an intense playoff round, where all three finalists tied for first place - an extraordinary accomplishment and a reflection of just how competitive the field was. Moshe’s performance earned him the opportunity to represent the United States on the international stage in Eretz Yisrael next year.
For the fifteenth consecutive year, Beth Tfiloh was represented at the national finals, something that speaks to the strong culture of serious Torah learning that continues to thrive at the school. In previous years, BT students Caleb Gitlitz ’21, Ryan Joseph ’21, and Yisrael Kaplowitz ’25 had the zechus to represent the United States at the international Chidon in Eretz Yisrael.
Yasher koach to Tamar, Moshe, Rabbi Zalesch, and all of the students who participated in this year’s Chidon. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to limud Torah continue to bring tremendous pride and nachas to the entire Beth Tfiloh community.
Daily
How should we prepare for Shavuot, the holiday of receiving the Torah? In my opinion, it’s by taking on something daily. A fixed daily learning session, long or short, alone or with a study partner. The main thing is consistency.
A few years ago, my husband Yedidya’s daily learning became part of the rhythm of our home. Every morning he learns Daf Yomi — one page of Gemara a day. I interviewed him about it on Zoom in honor of Shavuot, but maybe I’m the one who should have been interviewed, about what it looks like from the side, because it changes everything. Truly. Half an hour of daily learning affects the entire day, for everyone in the home.
Taking his lead, I began a daily learning session of my own, called Chit”at, which stands for Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya. It takes just a few minutes every morning, but I discovered a secret: If you learn the daily portion of the parshah each day, you complete the entire Torah once a year. If you say a few chapters of Tehillim each day, you complete the entire Book of Tehillim every month. And if you read one paragraph of Tanya each day, you finish it once a year.
I never imagined all of this could fit into my lifestyle and schedule. There is only one explanation: making it daily.
On Shavuot, when we receive the Torah anew, we are told to take on one small commitment, one good practical resolution. My recommendation for the holiday of receiving the Torah is to take on something daily. It’s all about commitment and consistency.
What Is the Last Verse in Tanach?
That is the question Emanuel Silberman, head of the Jerusalem Municipality’s Department of Education asked at the opening of the Bible Quiz for elementary schools in the city.
“Even small children know the first verse of the Torah by heart,” he noted. “ ‘ In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.’ But what is the last verse? Who knows that by heart?”
Thousands of years after the verse that describes the creation of the world, we arrive at this verse, at the end of the second book of Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles): “Thus said Cyrus, king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth Hashem, God of the heavens, has given me, and He has charged me to build Him a House in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all His people, Hashem his God is with him, and let him go up.”
Fascinating. The Torah begins with the most universal and global message: God created the world. But it ends with the most Jewish, national, and personal story: that same God, who gave King Cyrus dominion over all the kingdoms of the world, wants one House in Jerusalem, and wants us, with God’s help, to go up there.
The final word of Tanach is: “Veya’al,” let him go up. May we never stop rising and elevating ourselves, even when we are already here in the Land.
To Want
Most of us are not great Torah scholars, and we certainly do not know the entire Torah. The following story explains the significance of our own small, personal Torah study.
A great rabbi once came to a yeshivah of outstanding students and wanted to know who the best student was. He entered the beit midrash and said he had a serious Torah question, a very complex sugya that only a genius could solve. For a long time, everyone tried to answer the question, but no one succeeded. Disappointed, the rabbi left. All the students went back to their pursuits, except for one young man who ran outside and chased after the rabbi’s wagon.
“Wait,” the student said. “What was the answer to the Rav’s question?”
The rabbi said to him: “You are the one I was looking for. The main thing is not the knowledge. It is the desire to know.”
This story is true in so many areas of life, and certainly when it comes to Torah learning. The main thing is the heart, the aspiration, the thirst, the spark.
A Short Guide to Shavuot
The Great Secret
Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal, whose yahrzeit we marked last week, was a rabbi, kabbalist, and poet. Some 300 years ago, in his classic work Mesillat Yesharim, he wrote:
“I will tell you a great secret: Each person receives his portion in Torah, and Mount Sinai is not complete until each person comes into the world and reveals his portion. If so, when someone comes into the world and does not strive in Torah to reveal his portion, how can the Torah be complete?”
There is a “scoop” being revealed here: Every person has his or her own portion in Torah. Each individual has their own connection, their own learning, their own personal and unique point of contact with the eternal Torah. You cannot copy someone else’s homework. You cannot be satisfied with the fact that other people are learning Torah. Each person must add his or her own fingerprint, their one-time light.
Hundreds of thousands will take part in Tikun Leil Shavuot and learn all night. But each person can also simply stretch out a hand, take a book down from the shelf, read, and discover the great secret.
The Ten Commandments
On Shavuot morning, this Friday, it is customary to bring even young children to shul to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments. In Chabad, the Ten Commandments are read at different times in playgrounds, parks, and other places.
I only noticed lately one word that appears most often in this foundational text, which became a basis of world civilization. The word is “lo.” Do not. It appears there thirteen times, more than the number of commandments. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not commit adultery. Do not covet. Do not make for yourself an idol or any image. Do not do any work on Shabbat. And more.
This is not a charter of human rights, but a charter of human obligations. Not what I deserve, but what I owe another person. The foundation of human existence is boundaries. It is what we do not do.
It seems to me that this message is very relevant to our times, to an era that is becoming increasingly boundaryless. In the liberal world, it sometimes feels as if every advertisement, series, and campaign is broadcasting the exact opposite: Commit adultery! Covet! Make yourself an idol!
Shavuot is an opportunity to remember Mount Sinai, and the simple words “Do not.”
Dairy Foods
Already in the Middle Ages, there are records of eating honey and milk on the holiday, foods that hint to the sweetness and pleasantness of Torah. In Shir HaShirim it says, “Honey and milk are under your tongue,” and Eretz Yisrael is described as “a land flowing with milk and honey.”
It is not a halachah to eat cheesecake on the holiday, but it is certainly an important custom. Other beautiful customs are to decorate homes and synagogues with greenery and to hold bikurim ceremonies, in memory of the pilgrimage to the Beit HaMikdash with the first fruits.
So what is the mitzvah of Shavuot?
It is worth noticing that in this way Shavuot is different from Pesach and Sukkot, the other two holidays that make up the Three Festivals. On Pesach, matzah is the star of the holiday. On Sukkot, the sukkah is the heart of the holiday. What is the tangible mitzvah of Shavuot?
There is no such mitzvah.
Our commentators explain that the essence of Shavuot is simply to connect to the giving of the Torah. Without matzah and without a sukkah. Deep in the heart.
Annapolis, MD - May 18, 2026 - In a commencement speech at Valley Forge Military Academy on May 9, Gov. Wes Moore told graduates the academy had taught them “something that I wish more people in this society understood — that we will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate those that do.”
For two decades, Moore’s own accounts of his Army service and Afghanistan deployment have tested whether he lives by that standard.
In an April 2014 interview with the USO’s magazine”On Patrol,” Moore was asked about his duties in Afghanistan. “I was an infantry officer, military police officer and then became special ops when I joined the 82nd Airborne Division,” Moore said.
Based on Army records, his answer was not true.
Baltimore, MD - May 17, 2026 - Lev HaTorah Academy is proudly opening its doors for the 2026 - 2027 school year, providing a premium Jewish preschool, elementary and middle school education for children in the Baltimore community. With separate boys’ and girls’ divisions, we partner with parents to raise the next generation of Jewish leaders, innovators and contributors.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Serena Stern, M.Ed., a seasoned educator with over 20 years of broad educational experience, Lev HaTorah Academy is guided by both expertise and vision. With more than a decade of successful school leadership, she brings a depth of knowledge and clarity of direction to the school. Mrs. Stern engages teachers in rigorous professional development, regular data meetings, and strong accountability to ensure every student receives top-level, individualized instruction.
Our academic program is grounded in the most current, research-based methods in literacy and mathematics, while our Judaic studies program builds real skills alongside a genuine love for Torah. Multiple modality learning takes place utilizing all five senses, real-life experiences, and hands-on projects. Students learn in a way that works best for them. Through ongoing insight into each student’s progress, and small class sizes, we personalize learning to meet each child where they are, supporting, challenging, and guiding them to grow.
Call 443-450-6782 to schedule a tour. Learn more at www.levbaltimore.com
Buy tickets to our upcoming auction, and win some amazing prizes while supporting the school. Visit causematch.com/levbalt to to find out more.
Baltimore, MD – May 17, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Shoshana Sanders, a’h, wife of Mordechai Sanders and mother of Aaron (Ashley) Sanders
The levayah will be held at Levinson’s on Monday morning, May 18, at 8:30AM.
The kevura wil take place in Eretz Yisrael.
Shiva will be observed at 2725 Woodcourt Road, Baltimore, MD Wednesday and Thursday.
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – May 17, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yosef and Shani Bizouati on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to the grandparents Rabbi and Rebbetzin Shmuel & Aviva Silber
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - May 17, 2026 - The Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School 11th-grade Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship class taught by Steven Venick recently brought the heat of the boardroom to the classroom for a live "Shark Tank" event. Taking place in the theater with an audience of parents, faculty, and peers, five student-led teams pitched original business ventures designed to solve real-world problems.
Each student had a specific job in their company from CEO, CFO, CPM and CMO and presented to the Sharks based on their role.
The event featured a diverse range of innovative products:
Kustom: Presented Locko, an aesthetically pleasing, fashion-forward bag engineered with theft-deterrent features to give commuters and students peace of mind.
Jaw Droppers: Introduced Root Flow, a specialized hairbrush that automatically applies natural, healthy oils to promote hair growth and maintenance during grooming.
Cap-tivated Minds: Pitching Fast Flip, the world’s first dual-cap packaging system designed to eliminate product waste by allowing users to easily access every last drop of shampoo or household goods.
Student Express: Demonstrated Ideas, Inc., an AI-powered platform providing instant, step-by-step homework guidance and fostering safe communication between students and teachers.
Ghostbusters: Unveiled Ghosted, a Chrome extension that uses AI to log job applications and automate follow-up emails, bringing transparency and pressure to the modern hiring process.
Our panel of "Sharks" evaluated each team on their innovation, presentation skills, and the feasibility of their business models. The students responded to the Sharks with on point validations of how their product could be successful.
Congratulations to the winning team "Cap-tivated Minds presenting Fast Flip" and all of our 11th-grade entrepreneurs for their hard work, creativity, dedication and professional spirit! These life skills will carry forward to college and eventually the real world.
#FinancialLiteracy #SharkTank #StudentInnovators #FutureEntrepreneurs
BDE: Shirley (Sima) Feldman, a’h
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Shirley (Sima) Feldman, a’h, mother of Chana (Carol) Kroll, Daniel Feldman, and Steven Feldman
Shiva will be be observed at 6305 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209 Sunday, May 17th through Wednesday, May 20th.
Hours of shiva: 12 noon to 5 pm. Break from 5 to 7. Resume 7 to 9 pm
בלע המות לנצח
