Agudath Israel of America welcomed more than 200 community leaders, activists, elected officials, and government representatives to its New York Legislative Meet and Greet on Tuesday evening, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to advocacy and the enduring strength of New York’s Orthodox Jewish community.

Against the backdrop of the New York City skyline, and against the backdrop of rising antisemitism both in New York and around the world, the evening carried a message of resilience and determination.

Setting the tone in his opening remarks, Agudath Israel board member Chaskel Bennett declared, “We are not going anywhere.”

He continued, “We will stand up for ourselves. We will stand up for our community. We will stand up for the Jewish people and for our Jewish identity. We will do so with grace, dignity, courage, and confidence. We will never be intimidated into silence, and we will never apologize for who we are or for standing up for what is right.”

Mr. Sol Werdiger, Agudath Israel’s Chairman of the Board highlighted Agudath Israel’s role as a national advocacy organization, including its efforts across 13 states and its continued work with government leaders in Albany, New York City Hall, Washington, D.C., and beyond. He pointed to recent advocacy successes, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s intention to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, which will provide new opportunities to support students and families across the state.

During the program, Agudath Israel presented a mezuzah to New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin in recognition of her steadfast friendship and unwavering support of the Jewish community, particularly her leadership in advancing initiatives to help keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.

Speaker Menin addressed the alarming rise in antisemitism and reflected on her personal connection to the issue as the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, reaffirming her commitment to standing with the Jewish community.

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine was also honored with a mezuzah in appreciation of his many years of friendship and consistent support for the Jewish community. In his remarks, Comptroller Levine praised the Jewish community’s enduring contributions to New York City and echoed the evening’s central theme.

“We are not going anywhere,” he said. “We are part of the past of this city. We are part of the present of this city. We will be a part of the future of this city.”

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D NY-9) also addressed attendees, reaffirming her commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities.

“I am resolute that bigotry, violence, discrimination, and any prejudices toward the Jewish communities of America and our world will never be tolerated, never be accepted, and I will continue to fight to ensure that Jewish families and communities are respected and protected,” she said.

At Agudath Israel’s NY legislative meet & greet, board member @ChaskelBennett drew a clear red line for media, podcasters and elected officials: demonizing Jews through inflammatory and incendiary rhetoric is unacceptable. Such language has no place in public discourse, and those… pic.twitter.com/zErvXbjsYN

— Agudath Israel of America (@AgudahNews) July 9, 2026

"We are not going anywhere!”

Agudath Israel board member @ChaskelBennett sets the tone at Agudah’s NY legislative meet and greet. pic.twitter.com/UM4wqtG1rJ

— Agudath Israel of America (@AgudahNews) July 9, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 10, 2026) — A scheduled diplomatic session between senior municipal figures from the mayoral administration and international representatives from Iran was abruptly canceled following direct intervention by federal authorities. The meeting, which was arranged by the leadership of the city’s specialized international relations department, was intended to occur earlier this week at a commercial facility near the United Nations headquarters before federal foreign policy administrators intervened.

Reports indicate that regional administrators within the municipal agency finalized a calendar appointment to hold formal discussions with the permanent Iranian envoy. However, federal diplomatic officials were not briefed on the local initiative beforehand. Upon discovering the arrangement, representatives from the federal executive department initiated a prompt meeting with municipal leadership to clarify the legal boundaries governing local governance and foreign affairs, resulting in an immediate directive to terminate the engagement.

Internal reviews reveal that the head of the municipality was completely unaware of the independent scheduling arrangement prior to the federal notifications. Following the disclosure, the primary commissioner responsible for arranging the session received a formal administrative reprimand for attempting to coordinate high-level foreign interactions without appropriate authorization or communication.

In a public statement responding to the scheduling controversy, representatives from the municipal agency affirmed that the engagement was permanently dismantled and would not proceed under any circumstances. Observers note that the incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding local administrative attempts to engage in international discussions that traditionally fall under federal jurisdiction, particularly involving nations experiencing diplomatic strain with the country. The municipal department, originally designed to foster global trade and share localized infrastructure practices, faces heightened scrutiny regarding its operational priorities and adherence to administrative protocol.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

UNION, N.J. (July 10, 2026) — Regional emergency medical first responders have issued an urgent public safety alert to families following multiple emergency calls involving a specific brand of children’s candy. Emergency personnel from Hatzalah responded to several critical incidents where young children experienced airway obstructions while consuming Zazers Pop Lick Tutti Frutti candies, prompting the immediate community advisory.

The product features a pacifier-shaped hard lollipop design that medical responders warn poses a severe choking hazard for infants and young children. Due to the physical shape and structural design of the novelty treat, the candy piece can potentially detach or become lodged in a small child’s throat, creating an immediate medical emergency. Safety officials are strongly advising parents, caregivers, and local vendors to immediately discard the product and ensure it is kept out of the reach of toddlers and young children to prevent further injuries.

Local community advocates and safety organizations are working to spread awareness of the hazard across the tri-state area, especially through neighborhood parent networks and local grocery distributors. Emergency medical technicians emphasize that choking incidents involving hard candies can escalate rapidly, and they urge families to remain vigilant regarding the types of novelty treats permitted in the home. Responders reiterate that standard pacifier-style candies should be avoided entirely for younger age groups. Residents are reminded to immediately contact local emergency numbers if a child shows signs of respiratory distress or airway blockage.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 10, 2026) — The New York State Attorney General’s office has filed a major lawsuit against several prominent chemical and agricultural manufacturing giants, claiming the corporations knowingly distributed hazardous substances in everyday household items. The legal action names major industry figures, including 3M, DuPont de Nemours, The Chemours Company, and Corteva, alleging that they were fully aware of the public health and environmental risks associated with their products yet failed to inform the public.

The litigation focuses on a category of synthetic compounds known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as forever chemicals due to their inability to naturally degrade. For decades, these compounds were widely utilized across the country to manufacture a variety of goods, including non-stick cookware, cosmetics, water-resistant apparel, and protective fabric treatments. Because these substances accumulate within the human body and the natural environment over time, scientific studies have increasingly connected them to severe medical conditions, including elevated cancer risks and childhood development issues.

According to state legal filings submitted in Albany, the manufacturers allegedly possessed internal research dating back multiple decades that confirmed the toxicity and environmental persistence of these chemicals. Despite these internal findings, the companies allegedly misled consumers and continued to aggressively market the products as safe. The lawsuit seeks to hold the corporations financially responsible for the extensive environmental damage caused throughout New York, demanding that the firms establish a dedicated fund to cover regional cleanup operations and implement clear warning labels on any remaining products that utilize the compounds.

This latest lawsuit follows previous legal developments across the region, including a multi-billion-dollar settlement reached in a neighboring state last year involving similar environmental claims against some of the same manufacturers. State officials intend to use this action to enforce consumer protection laws and protect local natural resources from ongoing chemical exposure.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 9, 2026) — Work has officially commenced on the highly anticipated development of the final commercial office tower at the World Trade Center site, marking a major milestone in the decades-long physical reconstruction of Lower Manhattan. The 55-story skyscraper, which will rise to a height of 1,226 feet at 200 Greenwich Street, is slated to serve as the new global headquarters for American Express.

The start of construction comes nearly twenty-five years after the tragic events that reshaped the region. Once completed, the massive structure will encompass approximately two million square feet of space, custom-built to accommodate up to 10,000 corporate professionals. The architectural layout integrates modern environmental standards, featuring advanced smart-building technology, fully electric and energy-efficient operations, and over an acre of green spaces spread across landscaped terraces and outdoor gardens offering wide views of the skyline.

The multi-billion-dollar development represents a major financial injection into the regional economy, operating entirely without municipal tax incentives under a long-term ground lease with the regional port authority. The project is projected to generate more than 2,000 union construction jobs and over 3,200 total positions throughout its development timeline. Economic evaluations indicate the initiative will inject roughly $5.9 billion into the local city economy and over $6.3 billion into the state overall.

Situated directly adjacent to the local transit hub, the tower will provide direct access to twelve subway lines and commuter trains, reinforcing the neighborhood’s position as a vibrant center for commerce, transit, and community life. While foundational underground preparation has been progressing for several months, vertical construction is slated to accelerate in the coming weeks, with structural steel framing expected to visibly emerge over the next year. Project timelines indicate that substantial construction is scheduled to wrap up by the end of the decade, with the doors officially opening to personnel in 2031. Until the development is fully realized, the corporate tenant will maintain operations at its current nearby facility.

Ground has officially been broken on 2 World Trade Center in New York City, 25 years after 9/11. The 1,226-foot, 55-story tower, set to become American Express’ global headquarters, is expected to be completed in 2031. pic.twitter.com/bQpN0xRUyZ

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 9, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 9, 2026) — A newly published municipal map highlighting dozens of immigrant enclaves across the five boroughs has sparked controversy regarding the criteria used to catalog the city’s diverse cultural footprint. The visual guide, released by city tourism and immigrant affairs agencies, identifies 30 distinct geographic pockets representing various international communities, ranging from long-established hubs to emerging neighborhood clusters.

The publication categorizes numerous specific cultural districts, including Little Palestine in Brooklyn, Little Poland, and various regional enclaves across Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. However, community leaders and local observers quickly noted the complete absence of historic Jewish enclaves from the graphic. Despite representing roughly 11 percent of the total municipal population, major historic and contemporary centers of Jewish life, such as Borough Park, Crown Heights, Williamsburg, and the Lower East Side, were not featured on the official chart. Go figure.

City representatives defended the publication by clarifying that the map was not intended to serve as a comprehensive historical inventory of every ethnic or religious group in the metropolitan region. According to official statements, the initiative was specifically designed as a targeted campaign to guide visitors toward neighborhoods with high concentrations of recent foreign-born residents rather than established multi-generational communities. Municipal spokespersons also noted that certain highlighted locations, such as Little Odessa in Brooklyn, encompass significant populations of Jewish immigrants from Eastern European nations.

Despite the administration’s explanation, civic advocates maintain that omitting longstanding cultural districts risks minimizing the foundational contributions of key immigrant groups who shaped the city’s modern landscape. Future municipal outreach projects should adopt a more inclusive approach that balances recent demographic shifts with the deep-rooted cultural heritage of established neighborhoods.

The Mayor's Office made a map of NYC's immigrant enclaves: Little Africa, Little Poland, Little Palestine. But they just couldn't figure out how to represent 11% of the city. Couldn't decipher where the Jews are from. Asked everyone. Huge riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an… pic.twitter.com/hdnzhtTt9T

— Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt (@avitalrachel) July 8, 2026

The major Sepharadi corridor of South Brooklyn, Syrian, Egyptian, Lebanese, and others, from the East side of Ave. J down toward Ave. V, gets left out completely.

So does the Bukharian Jewish community in Queens, largely from Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

The Brooklyn… https://t.co/jgH0gt2vee

— Isaac Choua (@ChouaIsaac) July 8, 2026

Mamdani's "Map Of NYC" left out Little Italy but includes:

Little Africa (2x)
Little Albania
Little Bangladesh
Little Bhod-Tibet
Little Caribbean
Little Colombia
Little Dominican
Little Ecuador
Little Egypt
Little Guyana (2x)
Little Haiti
Little India
Little Manila
Little…

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 9, 2026

A win for TOLERANCE & EQUITY! Each time, Mamdani gets more & more creative on how to shun certain groups. This time, he has figuratively wiped out Italians, Jews & the Irish aka “the privileged white colonialist oppressors” politically opposed to him. What a great mayor for ALL… https://t.co/hbaHcMhPpW

— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) July 9, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (July 9, 2026) — The primary commercial airport serving Palm Beach County has officially completed its transition to President Donald J. Trump International Airport. The structural rebranding, which stems from state legislation signed into law earlier this spring, marks a major milestone for the regional transportation hub that handles over eight million passengers annually.

While physical signage, digital branding, and road transit indicators across the area are currently being updated in structured phases, regional aviation officials confirm that daily airline schedules, flight operations, security screening, and terminal services remain entirely unaffected. Federal aviation authorities have formally updated administrative tracking identifiers for pilots, air traffic control towers, and flight navigation systems to reflect the facility’s new operational name.

For general travelers and booking platforms, a temporary transition window remains in effect. Passengers searching for flight reservations, checking baggage, or managing digital travel itineraries are advised to continue using the long-standing three-letter code associated with the facility through mid-August. International air transport regulators authorized a synchronized systemwide update to transition passenger-facing booking platforms to the new designated code on August 18, allowing domestic and international carriers sufficient time to adjust automated ticketing software without creating operational delays.

Local municipal officials emphasize that the legislative change represents a branding modification and does not alter the underlying ownership, legal governance, or day-to-day management of the facility, which remains under county oversight. Property taxes will not be utilized to cover transition costs, as administrative updates and new terminal displays are being supported through internal airport operational funds alongside state transportation assistance. Regional authorities maintain that their primary focus continues to be delivering a seamless and efficient travel experience for residents and visitors throughout the multi-phase rollout.

WATCH: At 5:01 a.m. ET today, Palm Beach International Airport was officially renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport. The airport’s code has also changed from PBI to DJT. pic.twitter.com/idOgb5oqCo

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 9, 2026

Spotted in Palm Beach County, Florida pic.twitter.com/YVmPbWax1p

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 9, 2026

Source: Torah Anytime

Update: Please have in mind Moshe ben Dina, a community member involved in the accident yesterday, who is in need rachamei shamayim.

B’suros Tovos

—
There is currently an accident on West Broadway by Franklin Ave.

An individual was struck sadly, and we hope they are ok. EMS, Police, the Fire Department, and Hatzalah are on scene.

Besuros Tovos.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

July 9, 2026 — According to newly released national polling data evaluating political views within the domestic Jewish population, public favorability figures reveal significant internal divergences that closely correspond to religious observance and denominational affiliation. The comprehensive survey indicates that broader national averages are heavily influenced by secular and non-practicing demographics, which represent the clear majority of respondents in mainstream sampling pools.

Data drawn from the national study shows that overall favorable sentiment toward New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stands at 44 percent among surveyed Jewish adults, while 39 percent hold an unfavorable view. In contrast, favorability for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached 32 percent, with 59 percent expressing negative views. Broader policy evaluations showed 70 percent unfavorable sentiment toward federal executive leadership, alongside elevated disapproval metrics concerning economic policy and international relations.

A closer examination of the underlying demographic breakdown clarifies the origin of these statistical trends. The survey framework notes that non-observant individuals make up the vast majority of participants: over a third reported never attending religious services, with an additional 36 percent attending once or twice a year at most. Furthermore, orthodox respondents represented just 10 percent of the total sample, while Reform, Conservative, and unaffiliated individuals accounted for the remaining 85 percent.

When evaluating geopolitical perspectives, 58 percent of participants affirmed that the state of Israel remains personally important to them, whereas 12 percent characterized it as unimportant. Regarding historical security events, 79 percent rejected any justification for the October 2023 terror attacks, and 73 percent affirmed the legitimacy of initial defensive military operations. However, views on ongoing regional governance and international policy split along secular and traditional lines, reinforcing analysts’ assertions that religious practice remains the primary determining factor in communal perspectives across the country.

This statistic of course mind boggling and frustrating to see the focus of some of our distant brothers and sisters.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 9, 2026) — Municipal and state leadership have unveiled a broad joint initiative aimed at significantly modernizing public transit speeds and overall service reliability across New York City. The comprehensive action plan targets 50 key travel corridors spanning some of the most delay-prone routes in the five boroughs, with an overarching goal of increasing average bus speeds by 20 percent and trimming commute times by up to six minutes per trip.

According to municipal transit reports, current surface transit speeds across the metropolitan area remain heavily impacted by vehicular congestion and frequent curbside delays. To resolve these operational bottlenecks, local transportation authorities and regional transit officials are introducing dedicated street redesigns, protected travel lanes, and expanded automated camera enforcement to deter private vehicles from obstructing designated transit lanes.

A core component of the multi-year infrastructure overhaul includes establishing five specialized rapid transit bus corridors featuring center-running lanes, dedicated boarding platforms, and priority traffic signal coordination. These designated routes encompass major travel arteries, including Flatbush and Utica avenues in Brooklyn, Northern Boulevard in Queens, a high-volume cross-Bronx corridor, and an express connection linking Brooklyn to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

In addition to physical roadway modifications, the regional transit system is scheduled to phase in systemwide all-door boarding by late next year to streamline passenger entry and reduce dwell times at stops. The plan also funds physical comfort enhancements at the street level, allocating resources for hundreds of new sheltered waiting structures, thousands of additional seating benches, and real-time arrival displays. Transit representatives emphasize that these coordinated infrastructure investments will improve daily travel conditions and enhance accessibility for millions of commuters relying on surface transportation.

Mayor Mamdani promised New Yorkers fast buses and better service. We’re taking that commitment to the next level.

Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service is our action plan for a world-class bus system our city deserves. One that is fast, reliable, and comfortable for every rider. pic.twitter.com/gftSxLdMQh

— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) July 8, 2026

Mamdani responds to heckler: That’s the city I want—a city where you can heckle your public officials because the bus is running on time. pic.twitter.com/UPC08iDxqV

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 8, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 8, 2026) — Regional weather monitoring teams are issuing early warnings for heavy downpours and potential localized flooding expected to hit the metropolitan area over the next two days. A weather pattern carrying significant moisture is moving into the region, bringing consecutive periods of unsettled weather on Thursday and Friday.

Meteorological forecasts indicate that the most severe weather conditions will likely concentrate during the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday. While general precipitation amounts across the region are anticipated to range between a quarter-inch and three-quarters of an inch, severe localized storms could produce significantly higher accumulations. Peak periods within the strongest storm cells could see rapid rainfall rates reaching one to two inches per hour, creating conditions ripe for sudden water accumulation in poorly drained areas. In addition to precipitation, regional wind gusts could reach up to 25 mph during peak storm activity.

Emergency management officials are encouraging residents to review basic safety procedures ahead of the system’s arrival. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution and avoid navigating through standing water, as submerged roadways conceal hazards and can easily stall vehicles. Low-lying neighborhoods and ground-level residences face elevated risks during short-duration downpours. In particular, occupants of basement apartments and lower-level living spaces should remain vigilant, keep essential emergency items readily accessible, and prepare to relocate to higher floors if water begins to accumulate nearby.

Community members are advised to secure loose outdoor items that could be impacted by gusty winds and to ensure that nearby storm drains and gutters are clear of debris to assist with drainage. Officials will continue monitoring the system’s movement, as precise rainfall totals and localized tracks may shift as the storm front progresses across the area. Residents should stay tuned to local updates throughout Thursday and Friday as conditions develop.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (July 8, 2026) — Drivers traveling across Southern New Jersey are now navigating a fully modernized transit corridor following the complete phase-out of physical cash collection along the Atlantic City Expressway. The operational shift, which went into effect earlier this year, marks the official conclusion of traditional toll plaza operations that had been in continuous service along the 44-mile highway route since 1965.

Under the updated infrastructure network, physical barriers and manual payment booths have been entirely replaced by high-speed electronic overhead gantries. Vehicles equipped with active electronic transponders are automatically processed at standard commuter rates, while unregistered motorists are identified using automated optical license plate readers. Unregistered drivers subsequently receive paper invoices by mail via a state-managed billing structure, which includes administrative processing fees and elevated rates reflecting the operational overhead of physical mail delivery.

Regional transportation authorities emphasize that eliminating manual toll stops significantly enhances overall corridor safety by reducing severe rear-end collisions and lane-merging hazards frequently recorded near traditional collection barriers. Furthermore, removing physical plazas streamlines high-volume commuter flows—particularly during peak seasonal beach traffic—while creating necessary right-of-way clearance for future highway expansion, including planned additional travel lanes in both directions.

Industry analysts consider the successful regional implementation a critical milestone for state infrastructure modernization. Public transit experts anticipate that the transition along the South Jersey thoroughfare will serve as an operational framework for future electronic tolling upgrades on other high-traffic state highways and regional turnpikes moving forward.

This video provides detailed visual context on how the newly implemented electronic gantries and toll-by-plate billing systems operate along the Atlantic City Expressway.

“We are thrilled to announce that the Bureau of Prisons has officially begun launching its new inmate tablet initiative TODAY.

This is a tremendous step forward, and we want to express our sincere gratitude to BOP Director William Marshall and Deputy Director Josh Smith for their leadership and commitment to improving the lives of incarcerated individuals and their families. We had the privilege of meeting with Director Marshall yesterday in Washington, D.C., and once again saw firsthand his genuine desire to continue moving the Bureau in a positive direction.

These tablets will be a true game changer.

Most significantly, they will allow inmates to participate in video calls with their loved ones, giving parents the priceless opportunity to see and interact with their children face-to-face. Unlike telephone calls, which are limited by available minutes, the video calling feature will be available with unlimited minutes during designated periods of the day, allowing families to remain far more connected than ever before.

The tablets will also provide access to First Step Act programming, educational materials, and digital books, enabling incarcerated individuals to spend their time learning, growing, and preparing for successful reentry into society.

Tzedek is proud to have played a role in encouraging and supporting this important initiative, and we commend the BOP for making it a reality.”

Reporter: Will you resume Iran talks?

President Trump: “I don’t care. They can ‘talk.’ They’re wasting their time; they’re a bunch of lying guys. They’re bad people. And frankly? I don’t wanna waste my time with them. I deal with these guys — they’re liars, they’re cheats, they’re sick people, they killed 54,000 of their people protesting. I’ll let my wonderful negotiators keep talking, but I don’t see it. I don’t like these people”

WATCH: Q: Will you resume Iran talks?

Trump: "I don't care. They can 'talk.' They're wasting their time; they're a bunch of lying guys. They're bad people. And frankly? I don't wanna waste my time with them. I deal with these guys — they're liars, they're cheats, they're sick… pic.twitter.com/cUa8RtmgGg

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) July 8, 2026

As temperatures continue to rise and scorching summer heat settles in, many of us find ourselves preparing for Shabbat with a new set of practical questions. How should we use the air conditioner on Shabbat? May one adjust the air conditioning vents on Shabbat? What if the house becomes unbearably hot, especially for young children, the elderly, or someone who is ill, may we ask a goi to turn the air conditioner?

In this article, we will explore the common halachic questions that arise regarding air conditioning on Shabbat, examining the relevant principles and the rulings of the Poskim, so that we can honor the of Shabbat while maintaining a comfortable and healthy home.

Asking a goi to turn on an air conditioner

Some Poskim of the previous generation wrote that it is generally forbidden to ask a non-Jew to turn on an air conditioner on Shabbat unless the heat is exceptionally severe. Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul explains that although Halacha permitted asking a non-Jew to light a fire on extremely cold days—when temperatures are freezing—hot weather is viewed differently, since excessive cold presents a more immediate danger than heat.

However, many authorities have questioned this distinction, arguing that extreme heat can be no less dangerous and may, in some circumstances, pose an even greater risk than severe cold. As support, they cite the well-known account of Rabbi Yeudah haNasi and Antoninus. Before setting out on a journey during the summer, Antoninus asked Rebbi for a blessing. Rebbi initially blessed him, “May Hashem save you from the cold.” Antoninus responded that protection from the cold is relatively simple, since one can always put on additional clothing. Rebbi then blessed him instead, “May Hashem save you from the heat.” Antoninus replied, “This is indeed a good blessing,” acknowledging that there is no comparable protection from oppressive heat. This passage suggests that extreme heat can be more difficult to cope with than severe cold and highlights the seriousness with which it should be regarded when evaluating the halachic implications of excessive heat.

Adjusting the air conditioning vents.

On Shabbat, it is generally permissible to adjust air conditioning vents as long as the adjustments are made manually and not through electronic means. This means physically manipulating the vents without utilizing any electronic controls. One may also open or close the vents based on personal preference. However, it is important to note that these actions may impact the efficiency and power consumption of the air conditioning system.

Adjustments that increase or decrease the airflow may result in greater or lesser electricity usage, which is a subject of dispute among the poskim. The reason for this dispute is that when the air conditioner adjusts itself to the temperature at the new vents’ location, it may require additional energy consumption. Although we may not perceive the increase in electricity usage directly, it does occur, and more energy is being consumed at the power plant during that time.

According to Rabbi Elyashiv, it is not permitted to move the vents due to the aforementioned reason. However, Rabbi Aurbach holds the opinion that it is permissible because the Torah does not forbid actions that are imperceptible to the human senses, such as the subtle changes in electricity usage in this case. Additionally, it can be argued that this is considered “grama” (indirect use) of electricity since the increased fuel burning occurs at the power plant, which is located far away from the individual’s house. Furthermore, it is possible that no change occurs in electricity usage when moving the vents, and in such cases, there would be no grounds for prohibition (שמירת שבת כהלכתה פרק יג הלכה מ).

The permissibility of moving vents is not restricted by muktse (prohibition on handling certain items on Shabbat) because they are designed for adjustment. Furthermore, it does not fall under the category of building(בונה וסותר) , as it is analogous to opening and closing a window(חוט שני שבת ח״א עמוד רג) .

Of course, it is important to clarify that adjusting air conditioning vents on Shabbat is only permissible when the action is purely mechanical, and there is no activation of any electrical components involved. This means that the adjustment should be limited to manual manipulation of the vents without triggering any electrical mechanisms. In such cases, where the action solely relies on mechanical operation, it is considered permissible within the framework of Shabbat observance. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the adjustments made to the vents align with the principles of Shabbat while maintaining a comfortable environment.

Navigating Rooms Controlled by Smart Thermostats.

Smart thermostats operate by detecting the ambient temperature in your home and transmitting signals to your heating and cooling system, prompting adjustments based on your pre-set schedule. According to poskim, it is permissible to enter a room with the awareness that opening the door may introduce warmer air, potentially causing the AC unit to activate. This is because the resulting change is considered “grama” (indirect causation), as there is a delay between the time the thermostat detects the change and responds to it.

Collecting water from the Air Conditioning System.

If the air conditioning unit spills water in the house on Shabbat, it is generally not permissible to place a bucket underneath to collect the water. This is because the spilled water is considered muktse. Placing the bucket to collect the water would render the bucket un-useful, which is not allowed on Shabbat (מבטל כלי מהיכנו).

However, in the event that the water creates a wet and unpleasant environment where people are staying, it is permissible to place a bucket to collect the water (גרף של רעי). Once the bucket is filled, one may then empty the water into a sink and return the bucket under the air conditioning unit to collect any further water (שמירת שבת כהלכתה פרק יג הלכה לט).

AC that spills water onto a garden.

In cases where the air conditioning unit spills water onto a garden or area with plants and grass, resulting in their growth, it is generally permissible. This is because the air conditioning was turned on before Shabbat, and the person is not actively engaged in any actions on Shabbat that contribute to the growth of the plants. Since the growth occurs as an indirect result of the functioning air conditioning unit, it is not considered a direct violation of Shabbat laws.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

BANDAR ABBAS, Iran (July 7, 2026) — According to newly surfaced international military reports, the United States Armed Forces have initiated a series of powerful targeted airstrikes hitting defensive infrastructure and a major airbase facility in the coastal region of Bandar Abbas. The localized military action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, occurring while high-level diplomatic delegations, including the American presidency, remain positioned nearby in neighboring Turkey for cross-continental security summits.

Reports indicate that the strategic deployment was executed by American naval and aerial assets operating within the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The defense operations reportedly targeted critical ground installations, drone deployment stations, and airfield assets linked to regional paramilitary networks. The sudden military engagement follows multiple maritime tracking reports involving disruptions to international commercial shipping vessels attempting to navigate the narrow fuel-shipping waterway over the preceding twenty-four hours.

Regional intelligence analysts note that the renewed kinetic exchanges represent a direct challenge to the fragile multi-lateral ceasefire agreements established earlier this spring. While Western defense authorities frame the strikes as measured, defensive responses necessary to protect commercial navigation and impose heavy costs on maritime aggression, foreign ministry officials in Tehran have characterized the operations as an unprovoked violation of sovereignty.

ALl this is happeninb, while president Trump is in his hotel room in nearby Turkey. Turkish President Erdogan will probably be very delighted to hear of the renewed strikes.

U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 7, 2026

Bandar Abbas Airport was a major target tonight, where a senior figure in the Islamic regime was present and from where the regime has launched missiles and drones toward neighboring countries. This regime only understands Hebrew and Arabic; it does not understand American… pic.twitter.com/RdDPTgR87T

— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) July 7, 2026

UPDATE: President Trump is SAFE at his hotel in Turkey amid at least a DOZEN new retaliatory strikes on Iran by the US military

Bombs are CONTINUING to drop at this moment.

It seems Iran didn't believe the US would hit them with Trump in Turkey, but they were wrong. https://t.co/r0Q3d98LyJ pic.twitter.com/fOkibdCGN3

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 7, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

BANDAR ABBAS, Iran (July 7, 2026) — The United States Armed Forces have initiated a series of powerful targeted airstrikes hitting defensive infrastructure and a major airbase facility in the coastal region of Bandar Abbas. The localized military action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, occurring while high-level diplomatic delegations, including the American presidency, remain positioned nearby in neighboring Turkey for cross-continental security summits.

Reports indicate that the strategic deployment was executed by American naval and aerial assets operating within the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The defense operations reportedly targeted critical ground installations, drone deployment stations, and airfield assets linked to regional paramilitary networks. The sudden military engagement follows multiple maritime tracking reports involving disruptions to international commercial shipping vessels attempting to navigate the narrow fuel-shipping waterway over the preceding twenty-four hours.

Regional intelligence analysts note that the renewed kinetic exchanges represent a direct challenge to the fragile multi-lateral ceasefire agreements established earlier this spring. While Western defense authorities frame the strikes as measured, defensive responses necessary to protect commercial navigation and impose heavy costs on maritime aggression, foreign ministry officials in Tehran have characterized the operations as an unprovoked violation of sovereignty.

ALl this is happeninb, while president Trump is in his hotel room in nearby Turkey. Turkish President Erdogan will probably be very delighted to hear of the renewed strikes.

U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 7, 2026

Bandar Abbas Airport was a major target tonight, where a senior figure in the Islamic regime was present and from where the regime has launched missiles and drones toward neighboring countries. This regime only understands Hebrew and Arabic; it does not understand American… pic.twitter.com/RdDPTgR87T

— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) July 7, 2026

UPDATE: President Trump is SAFE at his hotel in Turkey amid at least a DOZEN new retaliatory strikes on Iran by the US military

Bombs are CONTINUING to drop at this moment.

It seems Iran didn't believe the US would hit them with Trump in Turkey, but they were wrong. https://t.co/r0Q3d98LyJ pic.twitter.com/fOkibdCGN3

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 7, 2026

“The American people do not support providing all these top-line military gifts to Erdogan and his regime. He is a national-socialist Islamist, a brutal dictator, key backer of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, and a completely unreliable member of NATO (if we want to talk about NATO).

He threatened to destroy Israel the other day, and the administration not only said nothing but went ahead with the F-35 and jet engine sales AND will lift all sanctions against Turkey, and we are doing so while lavishly praising Erdogan. Erdogan is a grave threat to Greece, another NATO member.

He is close friends with Putin and the Iranian regime. And the list goes on. I’ve posted several times about this because I believe it is so troubling and will have to be dealt with by future American administrations for decades to come. It was absolutely unnecessary.”

Agree https://t.co/VWPBb31cWF

— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) July 7, 2026

Putin does not. If you understand Stalin you understand Putin. I don’t think we do. https://t.co/KWPwxaS5Tx

— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) July 7, 2026

It’s Christmas in Turkey. We’re piling on so many generous and expensive gifts even Erdogan is surprised.

Big mistake. https://t.co/LuXrBsX4rF

— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) July 7, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 7, 2026) — Emergency responders and municipal building inspectors rushed to a Midtown Manhattan high-rise today after construction crews noticed structural support columns warping on the upper levels of a massive office-to-residential redevelopment project. The incident prompted the immediate evacuation of multiple surrounding structures and widespread street closures during the morning rush hour in one of the city’s busiest transit corridors.

First responders arrived at the 37-story tower on East 42nd Street, the former global headquarters of a major pharmaceutical corporation, following reports of potential debris hazards near the exterior facade. Upon entering the site, engineers and emergency crews discovered that two critical structural support columns had buckled on the 21st floor. The severe compromise has resulted in sagging floors spanning between the 21st and 26th stories, causing the entire high-rise to remain highly unstable and showing signs of minute, continuous movement.

Municipal authorities quickly established a broad safety perimeter, shutting down pedestrian and vehicular traffic across several blocks between First and Third Avenues. Out of an abundance of caution, emergency personnel ordered the evacuation of adjacent commercial facilities, apartment complexes, and a nearby neighborhood school serving roughly 400 students. All construction personnel working inside the tower were safely accounted for, and city officials confirmed that no injuries have been reported among workers or the public.

The high-rise is currently undergoing what has been billed as one of the largest commercial-to-residential conversions in the country, intended to bring over 1,600 new housing units to the area. Architectural and engineering specialists on the scene are currently deploying specialized drones to visually monitor the upper levels without risking human life. City building inspectors and independent structural engineers are actively collaborating to formulate a stabilization plan, which will include bringing in massive emergency steel beams and columns to shore up the damaged infrastructure once it is deemed safe for emergency crews to enter the interior.

BREAKING: Midtown Manhattan high rise evacuated after construction workers discover buckled columns … sagging floors and falling bricks. 42nd & 43rd streets near 2nd avenue closed as DOB assesses the danger. pic.twitter.com/294MXBdkeY

— Steven Bognar (@Bogs4NY) July 7, 2026

WATCH: Inside Manhattan building after columns buckle; NYC mayor Mamdani calls situation ‘extremely serious’ pic.twitter.com/M8nVnBFual

— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) July 7, 2026

A building in midtown Manhattan was evacuated after fire officials said two columns buckled and floors were sagging between the 21st and 26th floors. Several buildings nearby have also been evacuated over concerns of a potential collapse. CBS News' @lilialuciano has more. pic.twitter.com/mHMTiMjN8A

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 7, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

ANKARA, Turkey (July 7, 2026) — A sudden shift in American foreign policy has raised significant security anxieties across the Middle East following a bilateral meeting at the ongoing NATO leaders’ summit. During the diplomatic gathering, the United States presidency announced intentions to completely roll back heavy economic and defense sanctions previously imposed on the Turkish government. Furthermore, American leadership indicated a strong willingness to reconsider allowing the nation to acquire highly advanced F-35 stealth fighter aircraft, reversing a multi-year ban that had severely restricted bilateral defense cooperation.

The prospective defense agreement has drawn sharp criticism from high-ranking Israeli officials, who view any enhancement of the Turkish air force as an existential hazard to the regional balance of power. According to reports, Israeli leadership has privately and publicly urged the American administration to withhold advanced military hardware and fighter jet components from the country. Israeli defense analysts emphasize that the strategic stability of the region relies heavily on maintaining a clear qualitative military edge, which could be compromised if modern stealth capabilities are introduced to unpredictable regional actors.

Opponents of the defense deal highlight the current regime’s pattern of aggressive foreign policy rhetoric and overt alignment with controversial international organizations. Critics point out that the leadership in Ankara has repeatedly expressed hostile stances toward neighboring nations, including calls targeting the sovereignty of regional states and explicit backing for extremist entities such as the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated militant groups. Opponents also argue that the political climate within the country frequently fosters anti-Western sentiment, casting doubt on its reliability as a strategic partner.

While American officials frame the decision as an effort to restore diplomatic ties with a crucial cross-continental ally and reward past cooperation, regional observers remain deeply skeptical. The unfolding policy reversal is expected to invite intense scrutiny from global security experts and allied nations concerned about the long-term implications for airspace dominance and stability throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Netanyahu on Fox & Friends makes a plea to President Trump to not supply Turkey with F-35s because "it will upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority" pic.twitter.com/ulEe9iW0U6

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 6, 2026

Trump removes sanctions on Turkey. pic.twitter.com/AOOuDAzXhZ

— Kosher (@koshercockney) July 7, 2026

In a candid and thought-provoking analysis, correspondent Jake Turx, one of the most recognizable Hasidic Jewish faces in America, shares hard-earned insights drawn from fifteen years of direct engagement with tens of thousands of non-Jews across the country.

Turx challenges conventional approaches to combating antisemitism, arguing that many professional “Jew-hatred experts” misunderstand its roots. He distinguishes between grifters who profit from online outrage and ordinary people whose prejudices stem from ignorance or personal experience. Rather than relying primarily on exposure, cancellation, or political pressure, Turx makes the case for a dual approach: living with authentic Torah values to create a Kiddush Hashem on the human level, and embracing teshuvah on a deeper level.

He warns that aggressive strategies, while sometimes necessary, often backfire by reinforcing conspiracy narratives and strengthening the very movement they seek to weaken.

Full statement by Jake Turx follows below.

“As perhaps the most visibly recognizable Hasidic Jew in America today, I’ve spent the last fifteen years meeting tens of thousands of Americans who’ve never encountered a Jew before, while conducting a more comprehensive field study on antisemitism than any you’ll ever read in an academic journal. The conclusions I’ve reached is that many of the experts who’ve built careers studying Jew-hatred don’t actually understand why it exists, how it spreads or how it can be reversed.

First, many of the loudest voices in the online Jew-hatred ecosystem don’t actually hate Jews, they’re mostly in it for the grift. Jew-hatred has become their business model because outrage pays and Jews are the product.

Meanwhile, the rank and file are different. Many are predisposed to believe the worst about Jews because they’ve never actually met a Jew personally, or because of a negative experience which they’ve generalized to an entire people. So when Jews live an authentic Torah life, treat others with dignity, and genuinely strive to make a Kiddush Hashem, those assumptions often begin to crumble.

Across my years of experience, individual Jews living with authenticity and behaving with humility can accomplish more than those multimillion-dollar campaigns to “fight antisemitism.” Too often the instinct is to expose, deplatform, or destroy the lives of anyone expressing antisemitic views instead of engaging in self-reflection. And while there are certainly times when public accountability is necessary, making social and professional destruction the primary strategy often validates the grifters’ narrative that “the Jews are trying to silence us,” and instead of weakening the movement, it can deepen resentment and push ordinary followers further into it.

At the same time, Jewish tradition teaches that hatred of the Jewish people serves as a wake-up call, urging us toward teshuvah and a closer relationship with Hashem.
If we imagine that we can continue living however we please while defeating antisemitism through political power, social pressure, or public campaigns alone, we risk missing the message entirely. Worse still, as recent history suggests, when we ignore that spiritual dimension and think we can make Jew-hatred disappear through aggressive force, the consequences can be severe. (See how the international Jewish boycott against Nazi goods worked out.)

On the human level, we should engage people, build genuine relationships and make a Kiddush Hashem. On the spiritual level, we should recognize that the ultimate answer is teshuvah.

When Jews make a Kiddush Hashem, the marketplace for antisemitism begins to dry up. The grifters depend on stories — real, exaggerated, or fabricated — that reinforce the worst stereotypes about Jews. The more Jews return to Torah and sanctify Hashem’s Name through our conduct, the fewer believable stories there are to sell, the less receptive the audience becomes and the weaker the business model of professional Jew-hatred grows.

If we fail to do so, no strategy no matter how sophisticated or aggressive will protect us.”

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 7, 2026) — Municipal health authorities are advising residents, employees, and visitors across a large section of Manhattan’s Upper East Side to monitor themselves for respiratory symptoms following a significant spike in confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease. According to the latest tracking data from public health agencies, the community cluster has rapidly expanded to 23 confirmed cases since initial monitoring began earlier this month, with at least 17 individuals requiring hospitalization. No fatalities have been reported in connection with the current tracking period.

The health advisory is primarily focused on the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods, specifically encompassing ZIP codes 10028, 10128, and 10075. Medical professionals have also extended the precautionary advisory zone to individuals who recently frequented the eastern perimeter of Central Park between East 76th and East 97th streets.

Legionnaires’ disease presents as a severe variety of pneumonia triggered by exposure to Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm water environments. Public health investigators emphasize that the illness is entirely non-contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person. Environmental specialists are currently conducting widespread diagnostic testing on regional rooftop cooling towers to pinpoint the precise environmental source of the bacterial release.

Sanitary officials have confirmed that the bacterial presence is completely unrelated to municipal drinking water supplies, domestic plumbing infrastructure, or standard home air conditioning units, all of which remain entirely safe for regular household use. Instead, transmission typically occurs when individuals inhale microscopic water droplets or mist contaminated with the bacteria.

Anyone who has spent time in the designated Upper East Side sectors since late June and subsequently experiences flu-like symptoms—including high fever, persistent cough, chills, or shortness of breath—is strongly urged to contact a medical provider immediately. Early diagnostic testing is critical, as the infection responds effectively to standard antibiotic regimens when treatment is initiated promptly, particularly for high-risk demographics such as adults over the age of 50, smokers, and individuals with underlying chronic respiratory conditions.

We’re investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side.

If you live or work in or have visited ZIP codes 10028, 10128, and 10075 since late June and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately: https://t.co/0rXv78p1V1 pic.twitter.com/TYmdoWJ4sm

— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) July 6, 2026

Our staff are working around the clock to inform the community and identify the source of the Legionnaires’ disease cluster on the Upper East Side (ZIP codes 10028 & 10128).

It is safe to use your AC. If you live in these ZIP codes, here’s what to know.https://t.co/0rXv78p1V1 pic.twitter.com/bzH1uytXIK

— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) July 4, 2026

Below is a recording of the drasha that Charlie Harary gave on Shiva Asar B’tamuz in the 5 Towns.

Source: Chazaq

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 6, 2026) — A prolonged period of triple-digit temperatures spanning several consecutive days has resulted in multiple fatalities and a sharp spike in emergency medical evaluations across New York and New Jersey. The dangerous weather system, which brought extreme conditions to the region from midweek through Saturday, prompted local municipalities to initiate emergency relief efforts as public health agencies monitored the impact.

In New York City, municipal officials confirmed that three residents lost their lives over the weekend due to heat-induced illnesses within their homes. The localized fatalities coincided with a significant surge in hospitalizations, with municipal data tracking nearly 380 emergency room visits related to heat exposure across the five boroughs during the four-day spike. In neighboring New Jersey, regional health authorities reported an estimated 29 fatalities spanning 10 different counties, affecting individuals ranging from their 30s to their 80s. A substantial portion of those affected were discovered in residential spaces lacking functioning air conditioning systems, while several others suffered fatal exposure outdoors or inside stationary vehicles.

Regional administrations enacted comprehensive safety protocols throughout the duration of the weather advisory to mitigate health risks for vulnerable populations. In the city, local public sites—including neighborhood libraries and senior centers—were temporarily converted into air-conditioned cooling spaces. Additionally, operating hours for community pools were extended, and dedicated outreach networks actively monitored high-risk demographics, including senior citizens and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Though regional temperatures have moderated following the conclusion of the specific system, regional representatives stress that seasonal risks remain elevated. Public safety agencies emphasize the necessity of ongoing community vigilance, reminding residents to check on neighbors and utilize local cooling resources as regular summer conditions persist.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

OAKLAND GARDENS, N.Y. (July 6, 2026) — Homeowners, renters, and business owners across the region who sustained property damage during the severe storms on May 20, 2026, can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans. The financial relief program is designed to help local communities recover from the unexpected severe weather and cover structural and personal property losses that insurance may not fully address.

Under the newly active program, qualified homeowners are eligible to request financial aid up to $500,000 to cover structural repairs on their primary residences. Additionally, both homeowners and tenants can apply for up to $100,000 to replace or repair damaged personal belongings, electronics, or furniture. For the business community, including local entrepreneurs and corporations, loans up to $2,000,000 are available to address physical property destruction, inventory losses, and essential equipment replacement. Private non-profit organizations and small businesses facing ongoing financial challenges can also access working capital loans up to $2,000,000 to sustain normal operations during the recovery period.

To streamline the application process, a temporary in-person customer support center will open on Bell Boulevard starting July 7, 2026, and will remain operational until July 21, 2026. Representatives will be available on-site during designated daytime and evening hours throughout the week to guide applicants through the necessary paperwork, help upload relevant documentation, and answer specific eligibility questions. Residents can also file applications online or seek assistance through dedicated telephone helplines and specialized communication services for individuals with hearing or speech disabilities. The final window to submit applications for physical property damage will close on August 31, 2026, while the filing period for economic injury relief will extend until March 30, 2027.

For more information, please visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein explores an often-overlooked historical connection: the impact of the American Revolution (1775–1781) on the 18th-century Jewish world, as recorded by the renowned scholar Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai, known as the Chida.

In his diary, Ma’agal Tov, the Chida documented the financial crisis that swept through Europe during his travels in Amsterdam (1777–1778). He specifically noted that because the British stock market in London crashed—largely due to England’s heavy financial investment in the American colonies—wealthy Jewish patrons in Amsterdam who had invested in London suffered significant losses.

During this period, the Chida was seeking a “padrino” (patron) to support the publication of his scholarly works. He described the period as a time of great distress, noting that the market collapse made his efforts exceptionally difficult.

Despite the widespread financial instability caused by the war across the Atlantic, the Chida miraculously secured a patron, Senior Aaron, within 25 days, with a formal agreement signed by the 42nd day.

Rabbi Glatstein highlights this episode as an example of how the American Revolution had international financial consequences that affected Jewish life in Europe. He suggests that the shifting economic landscape during this era played a role in the eventual transition of Torah centers from Europe toward the United States, viewing these events as part of the “mighty and awesome acts” of Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

We can all breathe a sigh of relief, now that the sunken drain on Rockaway Turnpike has finally been fixed!

After months of 5TC-advocating, assistance from our local politicians, dozens of flat tires, and thousands of dollars of repairs…the drain is finally fixed!

We thank everyone for their assistance!

Rabbi Shmuel Zucker on Let’s Get Real with Coach Menachem Sunday July 5th.

Starting Over with Hashem: Discovering the Hashem I Never Got to Know / For Those Who Grew Up with Pressure, Fear, Guilt, or Pain—Discovering a Deeper, Warmer Relationship with Hashem

Rabbi Shmuel Zucker joins Let’s Get Real with Coach Menachem for a powerful conversation on starting over with Hashem, especially for those who grew up with pressure, fear, guilt, pain, or a painful image of Hashem. Rabbi Zucker discusses how to rediscover Hashem as a loving Father, rebuild connection through tefillah, bring warmth and fire into Yiddishkeit, and create a deeper, more personal relationship with Hashem.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (July 6, 2026) — New York State lawmakers have successfully secured public funding to expand specialized personal safety and self-defense education for women and girls across the South Shore region. The financial backing will directly benefit GD Force, a regional training organization based in Long Beach that focuses on equipping participants with situational awareness skills and practical defensive techniques under the leadership of Rebecca Weiss.

The legislative effort, spearheaded by Assemblyman Ari Brown and Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, highlights a growing emphasis on community-based public safety initiatives that complement traditional law enforcement. The regional representatives emphasize that personal security extends beyond standard policing, noting the importance of providing individuals with the practical tools and knowledge necessary to identify potential threats, handle challenging scenarios, and navigate their daily surroundings with elevated confidence.

Through its structured, hands-on instructional programs, GD Force empowers local women and girls with real-world techniques that can make a meaningful difference in everyday life. Advocates of the initiative point out that investing in specialized educational resources helps build more resilient neighborhoods by fostering a heightened sense of personal security and self-assurance among residents. The newly directed state resources are expected to allow the program to scale its outreach, offering more structured classes and workshops to families and individuals throughout the local area.

The collaborative funding push reflects an ongoing commitment by Assemblyman Brown and Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to deliver impactful state investments that strengthen families and improve the overall quality of life on the South Shore. By prioritizing partnerships with trusted regional instructional organizations, the lawmakers aim to ensure that women and girls have continuous access to critical safety resources, helping them feel secure and prepared each day.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

July 6, 2026 — A newly released national study indicates that a substantial majority of Jewish Americans have personally encountered antisemitism over the past year, prompting widespread adjustments to daily routines and public behavior due to safety apprehensions. According to the research data, approximately 57 percent of Jewish adults in the United States experienced some form of anti-Jewish hostility during this timeframe, impacting millions of households nationwide.

The findings document a sharp decline in perceived security, with 58 percent of respondents stating they feel less safe compared to the previous year. Exposure to hostility was particularly prevalent in digital spaces, where 59 percent reported encountering antisemitic content online, and one in ten noted that such rhetoric was directed at them personally. Additionally, 47 percent of participants reported hearing classic anti-Jewish tropes in daily life.

This environment has led many individuals to alter how they express their identity. The data reveals that 38 percent of respondents now actively conceal items that would identify them as Jewish, while 32 percent intentionally avoid sharing Jewish-related content online. Furthermore, nearly a quarter of those surveyed reported skipping Jewish events or communal observances due to security concerns. Physical threats or direct assaults affected 8 percent of participants, while over a third observed anti-Jewish vandalism, graffiti, or slurs within their local neighborhoods and workplaces. Conversely, 40 percent of respondents noted experiencing expressions of solidarity from non-Jewish neighbors or colleagues.

Community advocates and researchers point out that the data reflects a pervasive challenge where individuals who live more visibly or openly as Jews face an increased likelihood of encountering hostility. The study also measured communal consensus regarding institutional tools to address the issue, finding that 71 percent of participants believe a standardized international definition of antisemitism accurately captures the problem, with more than two-thirds supporting its official adoption by public and private organizations.

The research project, which sampled over 1,000 Jewish American adults, utilized a standardized probability panel and carried a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Analysts emphasize that the results underscore a critical, ongoing need for broad, non-partisan action to address safety concerns and protect cultural visibility across mainstream society.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

Israel, July 6, 2026 – According to newly surfaced figures attributed to military manpower authorities, the ongoing public narrative surrounding draft exemptions in Israel may overlook critical administrative realities. While public discourse and legislative debates have heavily centered on the charedi community as the primary source of non-conscription, internal data indicates that enlistment challenges extend significantly into non-religious sectors of society.

The statistics reveal that among all individuals who receive pre-enlistment exemptions from service, secular citizens account for approximately 46.6 percent of the total. This figure is nearly identical to the 44.7 percent represented by the Charedi community. Religious Zionists comprise the remaining 8.7 percent of those exempted. Furthermore, broader historical reviews show that as of 2022, roughly 18.4 percent of the total Jewish male population eligible for the draft did not enter active service, underscoring a wider systemic trend rather than an isolated sectoral phenomenon.

Reports indicate that non-conscription within the secular public is routinely handled through standard administrative channels, such as medical waivers, psychological deferrals, and formal individual exemptions. These categories rarely receive the same level of media scrutiny or public demonstration that characterizes discussions surrounding religious exemptions. Consequently, the data suggests that standard avoidance metrics are quietly absorbed into the system on an individual basis across the country.

Legal analysts and community advocates note that if the objective of the current oversight is to establish absolute systemic equity, the findings suggest that administrative scrutiny must be applied evenly across all demographic sectors. Singling out a specific group for political or legal pressure fails to address the parallel rates of exemption occurring throughout mainstream society. Observers emphasize that a comprehensive understanding of national service requires evaluating all legal avenues of deferral rather than focusing exclusively on one cultural segment.

In a strongly worded open letter, Rabbi Pini Dunner urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the arrests and imprisonment of yeshiva students, warning that the current enforcement tactics are morally wrong and strategically counterproductive.

Rabbi Dunner, who has long advocated for greater Charedi participation in the IDF, emphasizes that the ultra-Orthodox community must become part of Israel’s national defense effort. However, he argues that dragging young men from their homes and criminalizing them is not the solution.

“These young men are the products of a system that leaves them with almost no legitimate alternative,” he writes. “Criminalizing them will only deepen the crisis, inflame tensions, and make a real solution more elusive.”

Instead of targeting the students, Rabbi Dunner calls on the Prime Minister to confront the root causes of the unsustainable status quo and find a wiser path forward — one that respects both Israel’s security needs and Jewish historical sensitivities.

The full letter is published below.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (July 6, 2026) — A veteran law enforcement officer is recovering after being struck by gunfire during an early morning confrontation over the holiday weekend. The incident occurred around 4:10 a.m. on Sunday when an armed individual advanced toward an unmarked department vehicle near the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and St. John’s Place.

The seasoned investigator, Det. Robert Karroll, a twenty-year veteran of the department who was less than two weeks away from his planned retirement, was positioned in the vehicle with fellow officers as part of a temporary holiday safety deployment. According to administrative officials, an eighteen-year-old male carrying a handgun approached the vehicle, prompting the personnel inside to exit the car and attempt to engage him.

The situation rapidly escalated into an exchange of gunfire. Multiple rounds struck the departmental vehicle, causing significant ballistic damage to the front and rear windshields as well as the passenger-side doors. During the shootout, a single round struck the veteran investigator in the upper back. Officials noted that his protective ballistic armor successfully absorbed the primary force of the impact, preventing critical injury and leaving him with a minor contusion. A second officer also sustained minor physical trauma to the face and shoulder during the chaotic encounter. Both injured personnel were transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment and are fully expected to recover.

The armed teenager fled the scene on foot immediately following the gunfire, sparking a pursuit through the surrounding neighborhood blocks. Responding officers successfully tracked the fleeing suspect down near the corner of Rogers Avenue and Union Street, where he was subdued with an electronic control device after actively resisting attempts to place him in restraints.

A nine-millimeter semi-automatic firearm was recovered at the scene of the arrest. Because the confrontation unfolded with extreme speed and unpredictability, responding personnel were unable to activate their body-worn recording equipment prior to the initial discharge of weapons, though tracking footage from nearby commercial security systems captured the suspect carrying a weapon immediately prior to the encounter.

The Village of Cedarhurst announced its 29th Annual Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series, a cherished tradition that brings everyone together for evenings filled with great entertainment and lasting memories.

The season kicks off on Tuesday, July 7 at 7:00 PM with a Salute to the 250th Anniversary of America and our Veterans.

Click here to view the complete 2026 Summer Concert Schedule. (PDF document)(PDF)

The Jewish concerts are August 11th featuring Yaakov Rosenblum and August 25th featuring Itzik Dadya.

These concerts are made possible through the generous support of sponsors, whose contributions help make this summer tradition possible year after year.

All concerts are free and take place in beautiful Andrew J. Parise Park. Arrive early, find the perfect spot on the lawn, and enjoy a wonderful evening with family, friends, and neighbors.

We look forward to seeing you in the park this summer!

This video features an interview with Yoni Itzkowitz, the son of Albert Itzkowitz HY”D, who was brutally murdered in Casino Park in Queens, New York, on May 18th. The discussion focuses on the ongoing investigation and the family’s search for justice.

Yoni’s father, who had worked as a mashgiach in a local nursing home for nearly 20 years and was previously involved in the family’s business, the GNI Bakery, was remembered as a kind and gentle person with no known enemies.

The murder occurred in broad daylight in a section of the park that lacks surveillance cameras, making the investigation challenging for the NYPD. The family and the NYPD are actively seeking leads and have been distributing flyers in multiple languages to the local community.

To encourage witnesses to come forward, a reward for credible information leading to an arrest has been increased to a total of $20,000, with the family matching the Crimestoppers contribution.

While the NYPD has not ruled out any possibilities, the family and the host discuss the possibility that this could have been a hate crime, noting the rise of antisemitic attacks and the lack of other clear motives for such a senseless act of violence.

The family remains in close contact with the authorities and continues to advocate for updates, urging anyone with information to contact the NYPD Crimestoppers tip line.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

TRENTON, N.J. (July 5, 2026) — State transit officials have officially launched an online reservation system for motorized bicycle registrations and specialized operator permits as a major regulatory overhaul prepares to take effect across the state later this month. Under the incoming framework, everyone operating an electric bicycle must ensure their vehicle is fully registered and that they possess the proper operating credentials before the state’s hard enforcement deadline arrives on July 19, 2026.

The newly enacted regulations establish distinct categories for various electric models to better manage the surging popularity of micro-mobility options. Lower-powered versions that utilize pedal-assist technology and max out at 20 miles per hour must be cataloged with the state, though owners are not required to obtain liability insurance policies for these specific units. Conversely, higher-powered variations and any models equipped with a manual throttle capable of hitting speeds up to 28 miles per hour face much tighter restrictions, including a strict mandate for active liability insurance coverage.

Age requirements are also shifting under the new statutory guidelines. The absolute minimum age to operate any class of electric bicycle in the state is now set at 15. Individuals who currently hold a standard, valid state driver’s license automatically fulfill the operating requirements and do not need to secure separate licensing documentation. However, minors aged 15 and 16, along with adults who do not possess a standard license, must successfully navigate a multi-step permitting process. This pathway includes clearing written traffic knowledge and vision screenings, completing a required period of supervised practice, and passing an on-road skills evaluation.

Administrative centers throughout the state are currently handling the initial processing wave, allowing residents to complete the full identification and indexing process during a single scheduled visit. To secure a valid registration, applicants must submit a specialized processing form, fulfill a rigorous six-point identification protocol, and present solid proof of ownership such as a bill of sale or an official store receipt. Additionally, those registering faster, throttle-equipped models must present valid proof of insurance coverage. Upon successful verification, the state issues a pair of unique license decals that must be permanently attached to both sides of the bicycle’s front fork.

When architect Liran Shukrun, Partner and CEO of Primovitz-Bas, first encountered Givat Hashalvah nearly four years ago, the plan on paper did not yet reveal what the place could become. It looked familiar: another residential plan near Yerushalayim, another hillside with buildings arranged across it. But the land itself was saying something larger. The site sat on a high ridge, facing south, with rare topography, open views toward Yerushalayim, and on clear days, even the sea. The opportunity was not in the drawing. It was in the place.

For Liran, that is where architecture begins. A skilled architect can design a building. The harder work is understanding the story of a place: what belongs here, specifically here, and nowhere else. In Givat Hashalvah, that story began to emerge when the team understood the families this project was being created for: frum families, many from the Anglo world, looking to build a meaningful life in Eretz Yisroel with community, quality, and shared values around them.

That insight changed the master plan. The goal became to make community visible in the architecture itself. Cars, access roads, and technical systems were placed underground so the surface could belong to people. In their place came courtyards, paths, schools, shuls, parks, and shared spaces connected along an east-to-west axis that stitches the neighborhood together. Instead of life being pushed around the buildings, the buildings began to revolve around the life between them.

That is the story inside the plan. Givat Hashalvah is not arranged as a collection of homes with amenities attached. It is shaped as a neighborhood where walking, meeting, davening, hosting, learning, and raising children can happen naturally. The question was never only what could be built on the hill. It was what kind of life the hill was asking to hold.

Explore Givat Hashalvah →https://go.lyo.group/48DZktt

By 5 Towns Central Staff

Wantagh, NY (July 5, 2026) — Mid-summer heat waves drawing massive crowds to the South Shore took a dramatic turn after a swimmer was injured in a suspected shark attack. The incident triggered emergency protocols and left regional beachgoers on high alert during a heavily attended holiday weekend.

The encounter transpired around midday near Field 6 at Jones Beach State Park. Witnesses reported that a male swimmer emerged from the water suffering from severe, heavily bleeding lacerations to his right foot. Park lifeguards and emergency medical technicians administered immediate on-site medical attention before the individual was rushed via ambulance to Nassau University Medical Center. Officials confirmed that while the deep puncture wounds are entirely consistent with a marine animal bite, the injuries are not considered life-threatening, and the patient is expected to make a full recovery.

Following the attack, state park police and lifeguards immediately ordered all swimmers out of the ocean to clear the beachfront. Response teams utilized jet skis, patrol boats, and aerial drone surveillance to thoroughly scan the coastline for dangerous marine life. After a comprehensive one-hour search yielded no further sightings, officials permitted the public to re-enter the ocean, though swimming remains strictly limited to waist-deep wading as a continuing safety precaution.

The incident follows a cluster of shark sightings earlier in the week that triggered similar temporary closures at nearby Point Lookout. For local residents planning a beach excursion today, heightened vigilance and specific swimming restrictions remain in effect across the region’s coastlines.

At Rockaway Beach, multiple sections are currently facing long-term closures due to ongoing construction and wildlife nesting protection, while daily lifeguard staffing determines which specific bays open for swimming each morning at 10:00 a.m. Meanwhile, nearby Long Beach continues to maintain standard holiday weekend operations with enhanced visual monitoring, though local safety personnel emphasize that all ocean visitors must follow direct lifeguard instructions, avoid swimming near schools of baitfish, and remain strictly within designated boundaries.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

Gut Vuch & Shavuah Tov to all!

JERUSALEM (July 4, 2026) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marked America’s 250th Independence Day on Saturday with a video message celebrating the United States’ historic milestone and underscoring what he described as the deep and lasting partnership between Israel and America.

In his remarks, Netanyahu extended congratulations to President Donald Trump and the American people, emphasizing the United States’ long role in advancing liberty and defending democratic ideals. He framed the anniversary not only as a celebration of national independence, but also as a reminder of the sacrifices required to preserve freedom across generations.

Netanyahu also connected this year’s Fourth of July to a major moment in Israeli history: the 50th anniversary of Operation Jonathan, the 1976 Israeli rescue mission at Entebbe, Uganda. The operation, carried out as America was marking its bicentennial, brought more than 100 hostages home alive after they had been held by terrorists. Netanyahu’s brother, Yoni Netanyahu, who commanded the mission, was killed during the rescue.

The prime minister said the memory of Entebbe continues to symbolize the risks taken by those who defend innocent lives and confront terrorism. He linked that legacy to the broader security cooperation between Israeli and American forces, saying both nations have repeatedly stood against threats to freedom over the past five decades.

Netanyahu described the Israel-U.S. relationship as rooted in more than diplomacy or strategic interests, pointing instead to shared democratic values and a common worldview. He warned that enemies of both countries continue to target those principles, but said the alliance between Israel and America strengthens the cause of freedom.

The message closed with Netanyahu expressing blessings for the United States, Israel and the partnership between the two nations as America celebrates its semiquincentennial.

NETANYAHU MARKS AMERICA'S 250TH INDEPENDENCE DAY, HONORS OPERATION JONATHAN AND REAFFIRMS THE U.S.-ISRAEL ALLIANCE

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU MARKS U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message congratulating the United States on its 250th… pic.twitter.com/1xKRCAyax3

— Israel Realtime (@IsraelRealtime) July 4, 2026

On the other hand, the non-American mayor, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, used America’s 250th anniversary to sharply criticize the country, accusing the U.S. of allowing children to go hungry while billionaires and “oligarchs” gain more power.

He said America’s wealth was built by working people with “calloused, dirt-streaked hands” while accusing the country of allowing the wealth built by workers to be concentrated in “the soft hands of a precious few.”

JUST IN: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani used America’s 250th anniversary to sharply criticize the country, accusing the U.S. of allowing children to go hungry while billionaires and “oligarchs” gain more power.

He said America’s wealth was built by working people with “calloused,… pic.twitter.com/p7Ayuza5je

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 3, 2026

By Rabbi Binyamin Silver, Esq.

As we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of this extraordinary country, it behooves us to reflect not merely on where America has been, but on where she may be heading. In an age marked by deep political polarization, cultural upheaval, shifting moral frameworks, technological disruption, and the recent alarming rise in antisemitism, one cannot help but wonder what the next 250 years will look like. Will this nation continue its extraordinary ascent, remaining the greatest experiment in liberty and opportunity the world has ever known? Or are we witnessing the early signs of a darker path, one that history has proven rarely ends well?

Of course, out of ingrained religious duty, I must note that the long-awaited arrival of Mashiach would render this entire essay moot. Amen. But until then, it is worth considering the two divergent roads before us.

Another 250 Years of Prosperity

In the best-case scenario, America remains true to herself.

The constitutional values that make this country exceptional—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—continue to prevail. Freedom of religion remains sacred. Freedom of speech remains protected. Opportunity remains abundant. America rediscovers that diversity was never meant to divide us, but to strengthen us. Different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences continue to sharpen this nation’s edge, making her stronger, more innovative, and more resilient.

The American experiment continues to vindicate itself as one of history’s greatest studies in unity. America remains a world power, a military power, and a global force for peace. It stands as a beacon of morality, a nation where people are judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their kippah, where the peaceful practice of diverse faiths is not merely tolerated but embraced as part of the moral fabric of society. In classic American fashion, its relentless expansion will no doubt continue, offering ever larger cups of soda and increasingly supersized burgers.

In this version of the future, the recent rise in antisemitism and moral obfuscation will be remembered as a temporary stain, a dark blob in an otherwise glorious story. It will be cited as a case study by anthropologists, historians, and sociologists, and will likely be attributed to long COVID or Trump Derangement Syndrome (undoubtedly, TDS will have made it into the DSM by then). It will be remembered as a moment where society drifted dangerously close to the edge due to extenuating circumstances, but corrected course before it was too late.

The Statue of Liberty will be shining brightly after having undergone a refurbishment (spearheaded by some future sane and patriotic mayor of New York City) and the big beautiful white house ballroom will have hosted thousands of international dignitaries who came to pay their respects to the world superpower and beacon of light that is America. The birds will be chirping and the English-speaking American people (all thin and fit due to the proliferation of GLP-1s) will not simply walk but skip with a spring in their steps and a whistle on their lips.

And for the Jewish people?

The streets of the goldene medina remain paved with cheese. Jewish religious life continues to flourish. Torah institutions continue to rise. Families continue to build. Communities continue to strengthen. Jews continue to contribute disproportionately to medicine, law, innovation, finance, philanthropy, and the betterment of the country and civilization. There will be an entire industry of incredibly sophisticated “unsmart” devices to protect our children from all of the technological advancements. And in this version, America remains the blessing that brought millions to its shores seeking peace, refuge, and opportunity.

The Dark Alternative

History teaches us that blessings can be squandered. What if the sudden moral confusion is not a passing moment but the beginning of a new reality? What if the intolerance and the radical philosophies migrate to the mainstream? What if anti-Zionism continues its predictable transformation into outright antisemitism? Unfortunately, we have seen this movie before.

Nazi Germany did not simply rise through brute force. It rose through narrative and media manipulation. Through the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, led by Goebbels, which masterfully weaponized newspapers, radio, film, and public messaging to normalize hatred, distort truth, and shape a nation’s moral collapse. It did not start with death camps. It started with agenda driven narratives that were repeated ad nauseum until flagrant lies were magically converted to reality.

In this scenario of the future, society devolves into a mockery of itself, devaluing truth in favor of divisive and harmful ideals. Picture the worst version of Mike Judge’s *Idiocracy*, with a focus on hatred, division and anti-Jewish sentiment. Symbols of freedom and liberty will be left to rot and decay, and in their stead this country will feature a stream of nonstop rainbow flags and loud drum punctuated marches replete with anti-American chants. The country will be adorned with a healthy presence of genderless statues paying homage to the postmodern moral rot that it idealizes. Talking heads will extoll the virtues of no borders and no police, preach of the inherent evil in apprehending criminals (how can you not respect their humanity?), mock the notion of inherent truth, and lament the past sins of the olden days when the Unites States had a strong and successful military force (guns are terrible!).

Under that pattern, America would slowly become uninhabitable for Jews. Not overnight, but gradually. Perhaps a mass Aliyah, generously sponsored by the heirs to the Rosenberg fortune, would ensue, unlike anything in modern Jewish history. Until once again, the final refuge of the Jewish people would be our only true home, Eretz Yisroel.

The Jewish Future Is Secure

To be sure, the future of the Jewish people is not what concerns me. We have survived far worse, and we will survive whatever comes next. We are an eternal people chosen by God to represent and spread His greatness on earth and thus, netzach Yisroel lo yishaker, the eternity of the Jewish people is everlasting. It may not always be as pleasant as we would prefer, but our flame will not be extinguished and our story will continue.

No, my friends. My fear is not for the Jew. My fear is for America. Because history is remarkably consistent. Societies that permit antisemitism to define them rarely survive. Throughout history mighty empires that were too big to fail have collapsed into astonishing ruin while sharing one common feature- hatred of the Jew. While causation or correlation can be debated, *res ipsa loquitur*, history speaks for itself, we are still here and they, the mighty empires that sought our destruction, survive only in the history section of the local library.

As a proud American Jew, I pray that this country chooses wisely, so that in the year 2276 our descendants can celebrate this nation’s legacy with the same pride, gratitude, and prominence that we have been blessed to experience today.

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

By 5 Towns Central Staff

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (July 3, 2026) — Swimming was temporarily suspended at Long Beach on Thursday after a shark was spotted offshore, prompting lifeguards to clear the water as a precaution during the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The incident followed an earlier sighting of an approximately 9-foot shark near Point Lookout, where lifeguards immediately raised red flags and ordered swimmers out of the water. Officials later suspended swimming at Long Beach after the shark was seen in the area.

Lifeguards, assisted by drone operators and Jet Ski patrols, monitored the shoreline while searching for the animal. After no additional shark activity was observed for the required period, officials determined it was safe to reopen the beaches to swimmers.

Authorities emphasized that the closures were precautionary and that no injuries were reported. Shark sightings tend to increase during the summer months as warmer waters and schools of bait fish draw marine life closer to shore.

Beachgoers are urged to follow all instructions from lifeguards and exit the water immediately if a shark is spotted. Officials say enhanced patrols using drones and other surveillance equipment will continue throughout the holiday weekend.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

QUEENS, N.Y. (July 3, 2026) — Two women have been charged in an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme in which prosecutors say one posed as a physician and treated patients for years without a medical license while using the credentials of a licensed nurse practitioner.

According to the New York Attorney General’s Office, Francia Aguila, 53, of Farmington, allegedly examined patients at Steinway Hope Medical in Astoria despite not being licensed to practice medicine. Prosecutors say Aguila wore a white lab coat, referred to herself as “Doctor Fran,” conducted medical examinations, prescribed medications, and used the identity and professional credentials of co-defendant Gifty Appiah, 59, of Staten Island, a licensed nurse practitioner.

Investigators allege Appiah rarely appeared at the clinic while Aguila treated patients in her place. Authorities say the pair submitted false claims to Medicaid-managed care organizations, representing that Appiah had personally provided medical services.

The alleged scheme took place between March 2021 and November 2024, resulting in more than $105,000 in fraudulent Medicaid reimbursements, according to prosecutors.

Attorney General Letitia James said practicing medicine without a license endangers patients and undermines confidence in the healthcare system. She added that her office remains committed to investigating Medicaid fraud and prosecuting individuals accused of exploiting the program.

The charges include multiple counts related to Medicaid fraud, grand larceny, offering false instruments for filing, and unauthorized practice of a profession.

The allegations are contained in a criminal complaint, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 2, 2026) — Thousands of New York City police officers will have to wait longer than expected to receive their Fourth of July holiday pay after the NYPD confirmed that the payments have been delayed due to what it described as an internal processing error.

Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry informed union members Wednesday that the holiday compensation, which is typically included in the second paycheck of July, will instead be issued during the third week of the month. Hendry said the union has filed a formal grievance, arguing that the delay violates the department’s labor agreement.

The delayed payments come as officers are working extended 12-hour shifts amid heightened security preparations for Independence Day celebrations and a prolonged stretch of extreme heat across the city.

In a statement, the NYPD acknowledged the payroll issue, calling it an “internal processing error” and saying officials are working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

The delay follows a similar payroll issue earlier this year, when officers experienced postponed paychecks after city officials attributed the problem to payroll system tax updates shortly after Mayor Zohran Mamdani took office.

The Police Benevolent Association said it will continue pursuing the grievance until affected officers receive the compensation they are owed.

By: Chaim Yehuda Meyer

The United States of America is a nation of immigrants. Jews in this country have benefited from the immigration system as today’s refugees seek to do. This land proved a safe haven for the Jewish people through a Spanish Inquisition that lasted until 1834. The Russian pogroms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought many Jews here as well. As World War II ravaged Europe, the United States welcomed some of our people but closed its borders to many more. We cannot let that repeat itself again. A rising tide raises all Jews: when we achieve legal victories it’s a win for all. Why not allow others to afford themselves of the benefits of this great country?

The United States’ legal system for immigration is one that many people seek to avail themselves of. Let’s make that system work for hard working people with no criminal background or history who just want to live freely. It is harmful and wrong to use terms such as “illegal aliens.” People are seeking asylum, going through the legal process and waiting for their day in court. There are no guarantees their relief will be granted. But while they are in immigration proceedings, they are paying taxes, have ties to the community and are feeling safe with family. As President Ronald Regan said, “[A]nyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.” Indeed, America is not uniform: we can retain our religious identity but still be proud Americans.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday this July 4th let us show hakaras hatov for the opportunity it has afforded us to live as Torah Jews. We can also appreciate the need for other peoples and groups who seek the safe haven of these shores. So long as they have no criminal background or history, others should be able to avail themselves of our immigration system and laws as well. At the same time, we should not be too comfortable here. The ultimate protection comes from Hashem. So long as we keep His Torah we merit to live here safely and anywhere else in exile. (And yes, until Moshiach comes Jews in Israel are also in gallus).

Noted Jewish poet Emma Lazarus’ timeless words are etched on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning yo breathe free.” Lazarus was a descendant of Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Portugal. She went from referring to Jews as “they” to “we.” It’s easy to “other” people until we face similar circumstances. Emma herself faced antisemitism. “Kol Yisroel chaveirim; we’re all in the same boat,” as Rabbi Shmuel Kunda sang. “If one of us drills a little hole then none of us can float.”

My own Rabbi Shimshon Sherer gave the invocation before the U.S. Senate on June 29, 1999 blessing their work and citing to Dovid HaMelech’s words: “Those who sow with tears shall reap with song.” (Tehillim 126:5). We have enjoyed the benefits of the United States but yearn for our permanent home, Eretz Yisroel. Yes, we celebrate America’s independence but know that for us it is not permanence. By doing for others may we merit to dance with Moshiach soon.

—
About The Author

The author is an attorney and writer living in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Meyer practices in the immigration and family law fields.

He can be reached at [email protected]

By 5 Towns Central Staff

MONSEY, N.Y. (July 2, 2026) — A frum Monsey resident has claimed the top prize in the New York Lottery’s popular “Set for Life” scratch-off game after purchasing the winning ticket in Spring Valley.

Henya Fried won the game’s grand prize, giving her the option of receiving $5,000 per week for life or taking a one-time lump-sum payment of approximately $3.46 million before taxes.

According to New York State Lottery rules, the annuity option guarantees payments of $260,000 annually for the first 20 years. If the winner is still living after that period (IY”H), the weekly payments continue for the remainder of their lifetime.

Fried’s husband, Meir Fried, is well known in the Monsey community for his acts of chesed and serves as a customer service manager at Rockland Kosher Supermarket.

The winning ticket was purchased at a retailer in Spring Valley. Henya chose the $5k/week option. We wish her and the extended family endless Beracha!

The “Set for Life” game remains one of the Lottery’s most popular scratch-off tickets, offering winners the rare choice between a lifetime income stream and a substantial lump-sum payout.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

GLEN SPEY, N.Y. (July 2, 2026) — Camp Morasha held a moving presentation today highlighting the “Shalom for Charlotte” campaign, an initiative created in memory of Charlotte Herzberg A”H to encourage greater achdus and shalom among Klal Yisrael.

Camp Morasha had a powerful presentation today promoting the incredible Herzberg campaign as a zechus for Shaindel A"H bas Chaim Yehuda Leib. Take the shalom pledge: https://t.co/YGvnhLg4OI pic.twitter.com/pdOb6M29G6

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) July 2, 2026

The program coincided with the shloshim for Charlotte A”H and fell on Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, a period associated with reflecting on the importance of unity and addressing the causes of division within klal yisroel.

Campers were encouraged to embrace the campaign’s message by making a personal commitment to increase peace, kindness, and understanding in their daily lives, turning Charlotte’s memory into a lasting source of inspiration.

The initiative invites members of the community to participate by making a commitment to strengthen shalom and submit their pledge as a source of comfort and chizuk for the Herzberg family.

Those wishing to participate can do so by visiting:

ShalomForCharlotte.com

May these acts of achdus serve as a lasting zechus for Shaindel bas Chaim Yehuda Leib A”H and bring continued comfort to her family.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN (July 2, 2026) — An individual carrying a knife and a baseball bat was removed from Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway on Thursday and taken into police custody, b’chasdei Hashem.

According to Chabad political liaison Yaacov Behrman, the individual is well known to both the NYPD and the synagogue’s security team and has a history of prior incidents at the location.

Behrman said the man had previously been barred from entering the property, with synagogue management having filed the appropriate paperwork with the NYPD notifying authorities that he was not permitted on the premises.

“He was arrested today, and at this time, this does not appear to be related to any broader threat or security concern,” Behrman said.

Authorities have not released the individual’s identity or announced any charges. Police have not indicated that anyone was injured during the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Brooklyn, New York, July 1, 2026: A man carrying a knife and a baseball bat entered Chabad Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway.

Jewish worshippers confronted him, forced him out of the building, and held him until police arrived and arrested him.

Source: @COLLiveNews pic.twitter.com/E8maJMvSnM

— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) July 2, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

INWOOD, N.Y. (July 2, 2026) — Nassau County police have released additional details following the dramatic attempted arrest in Inwood that was captured on video and shared by Five Towns Central on Wednesday.

According to detectives, officers initially stopped a man operating a moped with a female passenger near Burnside Avenue and Nassau Expressway as part of a Vehicle and Traffic Law investigation. As officers approached, both individuals allegedly became aggressive, and the driver attempted to flee.

Police arrested the passenger, identified as 40-year-old Nicole Demmerele of Brooklyn, at the scene. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Jason Adams, also of Brooklyn, fled on foot.

The Nassau County Police Department’s K-9 Unit responded to assist in the search, and Adams was located a short distance away and taken into custody.

Authorities said both suspects violently resisted arrest, resulting in injuries to two responding officers. The officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Demmerele was also taken to a hospital for evaluation.

During the investigation, detectives determined that the moped had been reported stolen in New York City.

Adams has been charged with second-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

Demmerele is charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.

Both defendants are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead.

The incident remains under investigation.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 2, 2026) — The New York City Council has approved a record-setting $125.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2027, adopting the spending plan in a 45-6 vote just hours before the July 1 deadline.

The budget, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, increases city spending by more than $10 billion over the previous fiscal year while avoiding major reductions in municipal services.

Education received the largest allocation, with approximately $38 billion designated for the Department of Education. The budget also includes $6.6 billion for the New York City Police Department, representing an increase of roughly $300 million from last year. Additional funding includes $4.2 billion for the Department of Homeless Services, $2.6 billion for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and $350 million placed into the city’s general reserves.

To help finance the expanded spending plan, the city is expected to rely in part on a newly enacted surcharge on certain luxury second homes. Officials estimate the tax could generate between $340 million and $500 million annually, though projections vary.

Despite the budget’s passage, City Comptroller Mark Levine cautioned that significant fiscal challenges remain. Levine noted that the balanced budget depends on approximately $6.1 billion in one-time savings and temporary measures rather than long-term structural solutions.

According to the comptroller’s office, the city is already projecting an $8.8 billion budget gap for the following fiscal year, raising concerns about future spending and revenue as temporary funding sources expire.

While city leaders praised the budget for preserving services and investing in key priorities, fiscal experts say New York will likely face difficult financial decisions in the years ahead as it works to address growing long-term budget pressures.

Update: 5TC finally confirmed that the suspect involved in yesterday’s pursuit was arrested after being found atop of Kings Masonry. We thank our local law enforcement for their efforts!

—
Wild Footage of an attempted arrest on Burnside and 878. After a scuffle, the individual ultimately got away by running through the trees.

Wild Footage of an attempted arrest on Burnside and 878. After a scuffle, the individual ultimately got away by running through the trees. pic.twitter.com/cXfdI6cWKT

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) July 1, 2026

Now, as can be seen in the footage below, helicopters and police are swarming the area. Be on the lookout.

Helicopters and police are swarming the area. Be on the lookout. pic.twitter.com/y7rppCIArf

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) July 1, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

LOS ANGELES (July 2, 2026) — TikTok has reached a settlement with a Florida teenager who claimed years of compulsive use of the platform contributed to serious mental health struggles, just weeks before a closely watched social media addiction trial is scheduled to begin.

The plaintiff, identified in court filings as 15-year-old R.K.C., alleged that prolonged use of TikTok led to severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The agreement comes after the teen also reached a separate settlement with YouTube on June 23. As a result, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Snapchat parent Snap remain the only defendants in the case, which is scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles on July 27.

The lawsuit is among a growing number of legal challenges alleging that social media companies knowingly designed addictive features that can negatively affect the mental health of young users. The companies have generally denied wrongdoing while continuing to introduce new parental controls and safety tools.

TikTok previously settled another lawsuit involving similar allegations earlier this year. In May, TikTok, Meta, Snap, and YouTube also agreed to pay approximately $27 million to resolve claims brought by a Kentucky school district related to the impact of social media on students.

The upcoming trial against the remaining defendants is expected to be closely watched, as it could shape future litigation involving social media platforms and their responsibility for the well-being of younger users.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

WASHINGTON (July 2, 2026) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Micron Technology will invest $250 million into the new Trump Accounts program, calling it the largest corporate commitment yet to the recently created savings initiative for American children.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, saying the investment would benefit children across the country and describing it as “the biggest corporate investment of its kind.”

The Trump Accounts program, established under last year’s tax legislation, is set to launch on July 4. The accounts will be available to children under the age of 18 who have a Social Security number. Similar to individual retirement accounts, the funds are designed to grow tax-free, with contributions permitted from parents, relatives, employers, and other contributors.

Federal officials are still finalizing details regarding how the accounts will operate, including how private-sector investments will be incorporated. The administration has reportedly explored partnerships with additional companies, including firms in the artificial intelligence and aerospace sectors, to help fund or seed the accounts.

Micron’s $250 million commitment is one of the first major corporate investments announced since the program was signed into law. Earlier, Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell, pledged $6.25 billion to support the initiative, significantly expanding its potential reach.

Supporters of the program say it is intended to encourage long-term savings and investment for future generations, while critics have raised questions about implementation and oversight. Additional guidance on enrollment and account administration is expected before the program officially begins later this week.

By 5 Towns Central Staff
**
JERUSALEM (July 1, 2026)** — Israeli lawmakers have advanced legislation that would formally recognize Torah study as a fundamental value of the State of Israel, a measure supporters describe as a landmark affirmation of the central role of Torah learning in the country’s identity.

Backers of the proposal say the legislation would grant constitutional-level recognition to Torah study, reflecting its historic and national significance within the Jewish state. They argue the bill reinforces Israel’s character as both a Jewish and democratic nation while acknowledging the enduring importance of Torah learning throughout Jewish history.

Opponents, however, contend the measure could have significant legal implications beyond its symbolic language. Critics argue that enshrining Torah study as a fundamental state value may make it more difficult for future governments or courts to impose sanctions on yeshiva students who do not perform military service, an issue that has been at the center of ongoing political and legal debates.

The legislation comes amid continued efforts to resolve the longstanding dispute over military service requirements for members of the charedi community. The issue has repeatedly tested Israel’s governing coalitions and remains one of the country’s most contentious political questions.

Supporters maintain that the bill recognizes the spiritual contribution of Torah scholars to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, while opponents warn it could further complicate efforts to establish a broadly accepted framework for military service obligations.

The proposal is expected to remain the focus of intense debate as it continues through the legislative process.

When architect Liran Shukrun, Partner and CEO of Primovitz-Bas, first encountered Givat Hashalvah nearly four years ago, the plan on paper did not yet reveal what the place could become. It looked familiar: another residential plan near Yerushalayim, another hillside with buildings arranged across it. But the land itself was saying something larger. The site sat on a high ridge, facing south, with rare topography, open views toward Yerushalayim, and on clear days, even the sea. The opportunity was not in the drawing. It was in the place.

For Liran, that is where architecture begins. A skilled architect can design a building. The harder work is understanding the story of a place: what belongs here, specifically here, and nowhere else. In Givat Hashalvah, that story began to emerge when the team understood the families this project was being created for: frum families, many from the Anglo world, looking to build a meaningful life in Eretz Yisroel with community, quality, and shared values around them.

That insight changed the master plan. The goal became to make community visible in the architecture itself. Cars, access roads, and technical systems were placed underground so the surface could belong to people. In their place came courtyards, paths, schools, shuls, parks, and shared spaces connected along an east-to-west axis that stitches the neighborhood together. Instead of life being pushed around the buildings, the buildings began to revolve around the life between them.

That is the story inside the plan. Givat Hashalvah is not arranged as a collection of homes with amenities attached. It is shaped as a neighborhood where walking, meeting, davening, hosting, learning, and raising children can happen naturally. The question was never only what could be built on the hill. It was what kind of life the hill was asking to hold.

Explore Givat Hashalvah →https://go.lyo.group/48DZktt

R’ Motti Neuburger via Torah Anytime

R’ Simcha Bunim Londinski via Torah Anytime

By 5 Towns Central Staff

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (July 1, 2026) — Renewal has reached a remarkable milestone, facilitating its 1,500th living kidney donation, a landmark achievement that has transformed—and saved the lives of countless patients in need of transplants.

The milestone was marked by a special moment honoring Rabbi Zev Goldberg, who became the organization’s 1,500th kidney donor. Rabbi Goldberg was personally congratulated by Rabbi Trump, himself a living kidney donor, who thanked him for his extraordinary act of generosity and selflessness.

Mi K’amcha: Today, we celebrate 1,500 life-saving kidney donations through Renewal.

Rabbi Trump, himself a donor, personally congratulated and thanked the campaign's 1,500th donor, Rabbi Zev Goldberg, for his extraordinary generosity. He expressed heartfelt appreciation for… pic.twitter.com/iYmtXPMpb0

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) July 1, 2026

Renewal, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients navigate the kidney transplant process, has become a leading force in facilitating living kidney donations, particularly within the Orthodox Jewish community. By matching donors with recipients and guiding both through the complex medical and logistical process, the organization has helped dramatically reduce wait times for life-saving transplants.

Living kidney donation is widely recognized as one of the greatest acts of chesed, often providing recipients with better long-term outcomes than deceased-donor transplants while allowing them to avoid years on dialysis.

The celebration of the 1,500th donation highlights the impact of hundreds of volunteer donors who have chosen to undergo surgery to give strangers and loved ones alike a second chance at life.

Mi K’amcha Yisrael!

President Clinton received the Talmud after it was completed from Jay Schottenstein, at an event for BMG of Lakewood.

BREAKING: President Bill Clinton has the ArtScroll Talmud.

He received it from Jay Schottenstein back in 1996, at an event for BMG of Lakewood. pic.twitter.com/azUSNQYZyc

— Frum TikTok (@FrumTikTok) July 1, 2026

Video source: FrumTikTok

By 5 Towns Central Staff

LOD, Israel (July 1, 2026) — The Israel Airports Authority has launched a major tender for the expansion of Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport, marking one of the largest aviation infrastructure projects in the country’s history.

The multi-billion-shekel initiative is designed to accommodate growing passenger demand and the continued return of international airlines, increasing the airport’s annual ground capacity to approximately 40 million travelers.

At the heart of the project is the construction of a new 63,000-square-meter eastern wing connected to Terminal 3. The expansion includes two major facilities that will significantly enhance passenger processing and airport operations.

The first component is a four-story, 41,000-square-meter terminal addition that will increase the number of check-in counters from 120 to 206. The new building will feature expanded passenger waiting areas, additional retail and duty-free space, restaurants, offices, training facilities, and protected areas. It will also connect to the airport’s existing multi-level bridge through two new bridges spanning the railway line.

The second phase includes a 22,000-square-meter baggage screening and sorting facility equipped with advanced security screening technology. The building will house the airport’s next-generation baggage handling system, along with operational offices, storage areas, staff facilities, and technical infrastructure.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said the expansion reflects Israel’s continued investment in aviation infrastructure as international travel demand increases. Israel Airports Authority Chairman Yiftah Ron-Tal said the project is intended to prepare Ben Gurion Airport for decades of future growth while maintaining high standards of safety, security, and passenger service.

Airport officials added that the expansion is part of a broader long-term development strategy that also includes construction of a fifth terminal concourse, expanded aircraft parking aprons, upgraded baggage systems, and a new central air traffic control facility to support increasing passenger volumes.

David Rubinfeld, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, Clinical Director of Our Place Behavioral Services, recently reflected on how one old telephone booth in a bungalow colony offered a powerful reminder of a slower, less anxious way of life:

“I recently visited the bungalow colony where I spent my summers growing up. Amazingly, the only telephone booth we had for about 30 families is still standing. I showed it to my kids, and they couldn’t believe that one phone was enough for everyone.

It reminded me of a different mindset. A phone wasn’t something you carried every minute of the day. It was used for emergencies or truly important messages. Most of life waited, and people accepted that. And guess what? People were less anxious!

About five years ago, I removed my work email from my phone. At first, I had the urge to check it constantly. I wondered if I was missing something important. But after a while, the urge disappeared. Now I check my email when I’m at work, and that’s usually enough. In all that time, I can hardly think of an emergency that couldn’t wait. The occasional urgent email simply isn’t worth living with the daily anxiety of always being ‘on.'”

– All restrictions begin from sunset on the eve of the Seventeenth of Tamuz.

– If necessary, a shailah should be asked regarding being lenient on the night of the Seventeenth of Tammuz.

– The following halachos apply only to the Three Weeks. The Nine Days are stricter.

– Restrictions on swimming are only for the Nine Days and not the Three Weeks.

– Anything that is allowed during the Nine Days is certainly allowed during the Three Weeks.

Haircuts

– Haircuts are prohibited, for both men and women. Children may take haircuts only if the long hair is bothering the child.

– A woman may take a haircut if it is necessary for shidduchim or tznius, etc.

– Adults should not give children haircuts.

⁃ Shaving and trimming beards are not allowed.

⁃ Electrolysis, waxing, etc. for women is allowed.

⁃ If one is going to take a loss then shaving/haircuts are allowed until the week of tisha bav.

⁃ Mustache that prevents you from eating can be cut even during the week of tisha bav.

⁃ Wigs can be cut if necessary.

⁃ Nails can be cut up until the week of tisha bav.

⁃ If tisha bav falls out on Shabbos then nails can be cut on Erev Shabbos.

Music

⁃ No music or dancing even at a seudas mitzva. Singing is allowed.

⁃ Music tapes are not allowed.

⁃ Music lessons are allowed.

⁃ If necessary, slow inspirational or classical music is allowed.

⁃ Music while exercising, or to keep one awake while driving, is permitted.

– Teaching children music is permitted.

– A cappella is permitted but not preferred.

– All music is better than any form of radio.

– Children below the age of chinuch (around age seven) may listen to music and adults may hear it (e.g., playgroups, while driving, etc.).

Shechayanu (clothing)

⁃ No shechayanu should be made at all.

⁃ No eating or buying new fruits because of the shechayanu.

⁃ Shechayanu on Shabbos is allowed.

⁃ Nowadays that most don’t make shechayanu on new clothes, a Sheila should be asked if you’re allowed to buy/wear new expensive clothing.

⁃ Clothing that’s not expensive can be bought and worn.

⁃ Expensive goes according to each persons means.

⁃ Clothing can be bought in order to be worn after the three weeks.

⁃ Large purchases are allowed but if they make you happy then you shouldn’t buy them.

Construction

⁃ Construction shouldn’t be done during the nine days and it’s better not to be done at all during the three weeks. If necessary a Sheila should be asked.

⁃ If it was started before the three weeks then it can be finished.

⁃ No moving into a new house, unless you have no place else to live.

⁃ Going to contract on a house is allowed.

Danger

– Swimming is allowed up until the Nine Days.

– Some say to be extra careful not to swim in dangerous areas. The custom has become not to do anything that’s overly dangerous.

– All forms of traveling are allowed, even during the Nine Days.

– Medical procedures, even optional ones, are allowed.

– Activites considered ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ should be avoided due to reasons of danger.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

Harav Amos Guetta Hy”d, a renowned mekubal and longtime bal eizah, was murdered Wednesday after being stabbed during an attack inside the beis medrash where he delivered shiurim in Netanya. He was 75 years old.

According to Israeli authorities, the suspect was reportedly one of Harav Guetta’s talmidim and is believed to suffer from mental illness. Preliminary reports indicate the suspect had insisted on davening with the Rav before a confrontation escalated into the fatal stabbing. Police launched an extensive manhunt following the attack and continued collecting evidence at the scene throughout the day.

Born in Libya in 1951, Harav Guetta immigrated to Israel with his family as a child and settled in Netanya. After initially working as a postal carrier and pursuing medical studies, he devoted his life entirely to Torah learning and teaching.

He learned at Kollel Or HaTorah in Netanya under Harav Shimon Gabai and later studied in chavrusa with Harav Avraham Mordechai Yitzchaki. He eventually established his own yeshiva, named in honor of the renowned mekubal Harav Yitzchak Chai Taieb zt”l.

Over the years, Harav Guetta became widely known for his shiurim, warmth, and efforts to bring thousands of Jews closer to Torah and mitzvos. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he temporarily relocated with a group of close talmidim to Tiberias so that Torah learning could continue despite widespread closures of batei medrash.

Those close to the Rav noted that he continued to inspire countless people despite enduring profound personal tragedy, including the loss of a young son in a motor vehicle accident shortly after his bar mitzvah.

Harav Guetta is survived by two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Harav Moshe Guetta, worked closely alongside him for many years in his Torah and outreach activities.

The investigation into the attack remains ongoing.

Besuros Tovos.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 1, 2026) — The New York City Council has approved legislation requiring the NYPD to report on how it protects students, families, and staff from disruptive protests outside K-12 schools and childcare centers, following Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s veto of an earlier, broader proposal.

The measure, sponsored by Councilwoman Elsie Encarnación, passed with a veto-proof majority and requires Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to submit regular reports detailing when the department establishes security perimeters and how it balances public safety with the constitutional rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and protest. The reports must also explain how the NYPD ensures emergency access to schools and accommodates activities such as student walkouts.

Unlike the original proposal, the revised legislation does not apply to colleges or universities. Mayor Mamdani vetoed the earlier version in April, arguing that creating buffer zones around institutions of higher education could infringe on First Amendment rights and limit demonstrations on issues ranging from immigration enforcement to fossil fuel divestment and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Supporters of the revised bill said it strikes a balance between protecting children and preserving free expression. Council Speaker Julie Menin said students should be able to attend school without intimidation, while Councilman Eric Dinowitz emphasized that families deserve safe access to school buildings.

Critics argued the legislation has limited practical impact because most recent anti-Israel demonstrations have occurred at colleges and universities, particularly at campuses such as Columbia University and the City College of New York, which are not covered by the new reporting requirement.

The council also approved separate legislation authorizing the NYPD to establish buffer zones around houses of worship when necessary. Meanwhile, New York State recently enacted a law creating a 50-foot buffer zone around religious institutions, making it a misdemeanor to intentionally interfere with access to those facilities.

Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and UJA-Federation of New York, welcomed the council’s action, describing it as an important step toward protecting students, families, and religious communities while respecting constitutional rights.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

BUFFALO, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) — A Rochester-area woman has been arrested on federal charges alleging she attempted to provide material support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, by sending more than $30,000 in cryptocurrency to an individual she believed was an active member of the group.

Federal prosecutors identified the defendant as 37-year-old Catherine Beth Washburn of Irondequoit, New York. She is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Washburn allegedly led the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an organization formed after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Prosecutors allege the group advocated acts of sabotage and property destruction rather than peaceful protest.

Court documents allege Washburn communicated extensively with an individual she believed to be an active PIJ operative in Gaza. Investigators say she expressed admiration for terrorist attacks against Israel and made numerous antisemitic statements in private messages, including expressing hatred toward Jewish people and support for additional attacks similar to those carried out on Oct. 7.

Federal investigators also allege financial records show approximately 80 cryptocurrency transactions totaling more than $30,000 sent to an account associated with the purported PIJ member.

In one message cited in the criminal complaint, Washburn allegedly joked that her fundraising activities could result in multiple life sentences.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said the charges reflect an effort to disrupt financial support for terrorist organizations, while FBI officials emphasized that investigating individuals accused of providing material assistance to foreign terrorist groups remains a top counterterrorism priority.

The charges are allegations, and Washburn is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Her case will proceed in federal court in the Western District of New York.

The Justice Department announced today that Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, was ARRESTED AND CHARGED by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources, namely currency, to designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) the… pic.twitter.com/AIQs3ooxbD

— National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice (@DOJNatSec) June 30, 2026

CASE UPDATE from @FBIBuffalo: Upstate New York Woman Arrested, Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad

Catherine Beth Washburn was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources,… pic.twitter.com/NpxsIJN4jk

— FBI (@FBI) June 30, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (June 30, 2026) — A California man who pleaded guilty in connection with the 2023 death of pro-Israel demonstrator Paul Kessler hy”d has been sentenced to one year in county jail followed by two years of felony probation.

Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, of Moorpark, was sentenced this week after pleading guilty in May to felony battery causing serious bodily injury and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors had sought a state prison sentence, arguing that the circumstances warranted a more severe punishment.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko expressed disappointment with the sentence, stating that Kessler’s death and its impact on his family justified a prison commitment.

The case stems from opposing pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations held on Nov. 5, 2023, in Thousand Oaks. During a confrontation between Alnaji and 69-year-old Paul Kessler, Alnaji struck Kessler with a megaphone, causing him to fall backward and suffer a fatal head injury after striking the pavement.

Medical testimony presented during earlier court proceedings concluded that Kessler died from blunt force trauma resulting from both the blow to his head and the subsequent fall.

Kessler was transported to a hospital following the incident but later succumbed to his injuries. His death drew national attention amid heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war and raised concerns about political violence at public demonstrations.

During sentencing, the court also considered victim impact statements submitted by Kessler’s family, including his widow.

Alnaji was arrested several days after the incident and remained the subject of a lengthy criminal prosecution that concluded with his guilty plea earlier this year. Prosecutors said they disagreed with the final sentence but acknowledged that the court had the authority to determine the appropriate punishment.

Dave Portnoy, known for his global pizza reviews, was spotted at a kosher pizza shop, Zevy’s Pizza.

“One bite, everyone knows the rules”.

The pizza received a 7.5/10, which apparently is very impressive in the Dave Portnoy scale of reviews.

7.5, very solid

We will take it Dave

A little more well done may have gotten them over the 8 hump… https://t.co/SrMByocwkF pic.twitter.com/XxcLX4271o

— jewboy media (@simmy_cohen) June 30, 2026

Footage credit: jewboy media

By 5 Towns Central Staff

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2026) — The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear the case of an Ohio Orthodox Jewish homeowner challenging a city ordinance that required him to obtain a special permit to host a minyan in his home.

Daniel Grand filed the lawsuit after officials in University Heights, Ohio, informed him in 2021 that he could not hold regular prayer services in his residence without first obtaining a special use permit. Grand had planned to host a small minyan of about a dozen participants.

According to court filings, Grand argues that complying with the permit process would have effectively forced his family to leave their home because the property would have been reclassified as a house of worship under local zoning rules. Rather than proceed under those conditions, he canceled the minyan and later withdrew his permit application.

Grand also alleges that city officials selectively enforced zoning laws against religious gatherings while permitting comparable secular gatherings without similar restrictions. In addition, he claims the city engaged in a pattern of harassment after the dispute began, including heightened code enforcement, surveillance of his property, delays involving his certificate of occupancy and tax abatements, and other retaliatory actions. Court records also include evidence of neighborhood opposition, including at least one letter objecting to the presence of a Jewish prayer gathering in the community.

Lower federal courts dismissed Grand’s lawsuit, ruling that he first needed to complete the city’s permitting process before pursuing his constitutional claims in court.

Represented by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and Alliance Defending Freedom, Grand appealed to the nation’s highest court. His petition received support from several religious liberty organizations, including Agudath Israel of America, which filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the justices to hear the case.

By agreeing to review the appeal, the Supreme Court will now consider whether property owners must fully exhaust local permitting procedures before bringing constitutional challenges involving the free exercise of religion. The Court’s eventual ruling could have significant implications for religious liberty and local zoning regulations nationwide.

BREAKING: “Prayer Permit” case going to the Supreme Court!

SCOTUS has just agreed to hear the case of Daniel Grand, an Orthodox Jew forbidden from holding a Sabbath prayer meeting in his Ohio home without a “special use permit.” City officials later harassed him and encouraged… pic.twitter.com/WvITx6Mzq1

— Kristen Waggoner (@KristenWaggoner) June 30, 2026

He tried to start a small Sabbath prayer meeting in his Ohio home. The mayor told him he needed a special permit … then told neighbors to surveil and report on him.

No one needs a permit to pray. With our co-counsel, @Orrick, we’ve asked SCOTUS to hear Daniel Grand’s case. pic.twitter.com/uUaFZi7yOV

— Kristen Waggoner (@KristenWaggoner) June 9, 2026

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest and indictment of Nduka Lewis Ekpenyong, 36, of Hewlett, New York arrest and indictment of Nduka Lewis Ekpenyong, 36, of Hewlett, New York for allegedly stealing more than $2.5 million from Medicaid through a fraud scheme that left children without the nutritional supplements they needed.

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) found that from April 13, 2023, to July 15, 2025, Ekpenyong submitted over 6,000 claims to Medicaid through his company, Duke Medical, Inc. (Duke Medical), for PediaSure with Peptides, but did not purchase the vast majority of the product for which he submitted claims to Medicaid. Ekpenyong pocketed more than $2.5 million from Medicaid through his false billing scheme, which he used to buy luxury cars, including a Bentley and a Range Rover, and pay the mortgage on his Long Island mansion. Ekpenyong and Duke Medical were charged with Grand Larceny, Healthcare Fraud, and Scheme to Defraud.

“While Nduka Ekpenyong was buying luxury cars with money he allegedly stole from our state’s Medicaid program, families affected by his fraud were struggling to feed their children,” said Attorney General James. “My office has shut down this heartless fraud scheme for good. This case should send a strong message to anyone seeking to profit by exploiting Medicaid: we will use the full force of the law to bring you to justice.”

Duke Medical is a medical supply company located in Brownsville, Brooklyn that provides medical equipment and supplies. The OAG’s investigation found that Ekpenyong allegedly instructed office staff at pediatric practices to alter doctors’ prescriptions for the basic PediaSure Nutritional Supplement and submit requests that would allow him to bill Medicaid for the more expensive, and medically unnecessary, PediaSure with Peptides. PediaSure with Peptides is intended only for children diagnosed with severe gastrointestinal issues.

Ekpenyong, through Duke Medical, allegedly submitted thousands of fraudulent reimbursement claims to Medicaid for cases of PediaSure with Peptides that Ekpenyong never actually ordered. In fact, an OAG audit revealed that Duke Medical purchased only 10 percent of the amount for which Ekpenyong billed Medicaid. As a result, Medicaid paid Duke Medical approximately $2,531,194.30 for PediaSure with Peptides that was not medically necessary, and in many cases, was not purchased or delivered by Duke Medical at all. The OAG’s investigation found that Duke Medical’s fraudulent scheme prevented some families in need from getting the formula their children’s pediatricians had ordered, preventing them from receiving the care they needed.

In addition to the criminal indictment against Ekpenyong and Duke Medical, Attorney General James filed a civil asset forfeiture action, allowing OAG to seize assets Ekpenyong purchased with his stolen Medicaid funds, including a Bentley and a Range Rover. The OAG’s civil asset forfeiture action also constrains Ekpenyong from selling his multi-million-dollar house on Long Island, the mortgage for which he paid using stolen Medicaid funds.

Ekpenyong and Duke Medical were charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, one count of Health Care Fraud in the Second Degree, and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. If convicted, Ekpenyong faces a maximum sentence of eight and a third to 25 years in state prison on the top count. The OAG’s civil asset forfeiture action seeks $7,593,582.90 in damages for Ekpenyong’s fraud.

These charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This investigation was handled by Detective John Cataldi under the supervision of Detective Supervisor Dominick DiGennaro and Deputy Chief Ronald Lynch. The audit investigation was conducted by Principal Auditor Investigator Kizzy-Ann Waldropt with the assistance of Principal Auditor Investigator Shoma Howard, under the supervision of Supervising Principal Auditor Investigator Patricia Iemma and Regional Chief Auditor Jonathan Romano.

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest and indictment of Nduka Lewis Ekpenyong, 36, of Hewlett, New York arrest and indictment of Nduka Lewis Ekpenyong, 36, of Hewlett, New York for allegedly stealing more than $2.5 million from Medicaid through a fraud scheme that left children without the nutritional supplements they needed.

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) found that from April 13, 2023, to July 15, 2025, Ekpenyong submitted over 6,000 claims to Medicaid through his company, Duke Medical, Inc. (Duke Medical), for PediaSure with Peptides, but did not purchase the vast majority of the product for which he submitted claims to Medicaid. Ekpenyong pocketed more than $2.5 million from Medicaid through his false billing scheme, which he used to buy luxury cars, including a Bentley and a Range Rover, and pay the mortgage on his Long Island mansion. Ekpenyong and Duke Medical were charged with Grand Larceny, Healthcare Fraud, and Scheme to Defraud.

“While Nduka Ekpenyong was buying luxury cars with money he allegedly stole from our state’s Medicaid program, families affected by his fraud were struggling to feed their children,” said Attorney General James. “My office has shut down this heartless fraud scheme for good. This case should send a strong message to anyone seeking to profit by exploiting Medicaid: we will use the full force of the law to bring you to justice.”

Duke Medical is a medical supply company located in Brownsville, Brooklyn that provides medical equipment and supplies. The OAG’s investigation found that Ekpenyong allegedly instructed office staff at pediatric practices to alter doctors’ prescriptions for the basic PediaSure Nutritional Supplement and submit requests that would allow him to bill Medicaid for the more expensive, and medically unnecessary, PediaSure with Peptides. PediaSure with Peptides is intended only for children diagnosed with severe gastrointestinal issues.

Ekpenyong, through Duke Medical, allegedly submitted thousands of fraudulent reimbursement claims to Medicaid for cases of PediaSure with Peptides that Ekpenyong never actually ordered. In fact, an OAG audit revealed that Duke Medical purchased only 10 percent of the amount for which Ekpenyong billed Medicaid. As a result, Medicaid paid Duke Medical approximately $2,531,194.30 for PediaSure with Peptides that was not medically necessary, and in many cases, was not purchased or delivered by Duke Medical at all. The OAG’s investigation found that Duke Medical’s fraudulent scheme prevented some families in need from getting the formula their children’s pediatricians had ordered, preventing them from receiving the care they needed.

In addition to the criminal indictment against Ekpenyong and Duke Medical, Attorney General James filed a civil asset forfeiture action, allowing OAG to seize assets Ekpenyong purchased with his stolen Medicaid funds, including a Bentley and a Range Rover. The OAG’s civil asset forfeiture action also constrains Ekpenyong from selling his multi-million-dollar house on Long Island, the mortgage for which he paid using stolen Medicaid funds.

Ekpenyong and Duke Medical were charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, one count of Health Care Fraud in the Second Degree, and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. If convicted, Ekpenyong faces a maximum sentence of eight and a third to 25 years in state prison on the top count. The OAG’s civil asset forfeiture action seeks $7,593,582.90 in damages for Ekpenyong’s fraud.

These charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This investigation was handled by Detective John Cataldi under the supervision of Detective Supervisor Dominick DiGennaro and Deputy Chief Ronald Lynch. The audit investigation was conducted by Principal Auditor Investigator Kizzy-Ann Waldropt with the assistance of Principal Auditor Investigator Shoma Howard, under the supervision of Supervising Principal Auditor Investigator Patricia Iemma and Regional Chief Auditor Jonathan Romano.

Liberty Water has informed the Village that the water main on Pearsall Avenue, from Rockaway Turnpike to Avery Place, will be shut down until approximately 7:30 PM.

This temporary shutdown is part of Liberty Water’s Infrastructure Renewal Project, which began this week. For more information about the project, click here.

By Moshe Phillips

(Moshe Phillips is national chairman of Americans For A Safe Israel-AFSI (www.AFSI.org), a leading pro-Israel advocacy and education organization.)

The name Netanyahu first appeared in the world’s news headlines fifty years ago this month, thirty years before Benjamin Netanyahu was originally elected Israel’s prime minister.

After a US Air Force pilot was rescued this past April in Iran Benjamin Netanyahu declared: “All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America’s dauntless warriors. This proves that when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds and overcome the forces of darkness and terror (…..) As a nation that repeatedly carried out daring rescue operations, and as someone who was wounded in such a mission and lost a brother in the Entebbe rescue, Israelis and I, we know what a bold decision you took.”

Benjamin Netanyahu’s older brother was named Jonathan (Yonatan) Netanyahu and is more often remembered as Yoni. Yoni was killed in action fighting anti-Israel terrorists on July 4, 1976 just as the world’s oldest democracy celebrated its Bicentennial. Yoni died in a heroic rescue effort which freed over a hundred hijacked hostages in Entebbe, Uganda and saved their lives. America’s commemoration of liberty shared the world’s headlines with Israel’s celebration of the liberation of the hostages.

It is recalled that Yoni once wrote to a friend at Harvard stating that “The present crisis is military. But the future crisis will be diplomatic.”

Yoni was right. In the immediate aftermath of Entebbe then U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim described the raid as “…a serious violation of the national sovereignty of (Uganda) a United Nations member state.”

It is too easy to dismiss Waldheim’s words as the anti-Israel ravings of a Nazi army veteran. Enemies have always targeted Israel through both military means and through diplomacy. The drive to create a Palestinian State, specifically after October 7, must be understood for what it is: the continuation of the war against Israel by other means (apologies to Clausewitz).

The inspiration that Yoni’s story creates should especially be recalled at this time of unparalleled international pressure on Israel to surrender and retreat.

Below is a survey of a handful of books published in English about Yoni Netanyahu and the daring counter-terrorism hostage rescue operation at Entebbe. Yoni was the commander of the assault and was the only Israeli commando killed in battle.

90 Minutes at Entebbe
By William Stevenson with Uri Dan (Bantam Books, 1976)
The most popular account of the operation, it was written by veteran journalists and rushed to press just weeks after the rescue. While being highly readable, it lacks depth. Despite the title there is more here about Israeli government decisions than insight into the fighting on the ground. A good summary is given of the terrorist PFLP organization. It is the only book of the ones listed here that provides transcripts of the highly disturbing United Nations “debate” on “(A)ggression of Zionist Israel against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda.” Transcripts of phone conversations between an Israeli colonel and Uganda’s brutal dictator Idi Amin are also given.

Entebbe**, The Jonathan Netanyahu Story, A Defining Moment in the War on Terror**
By Iddo Netanyahu (Balfour Books, 2003)
Iddo is the youngest of the three Netanyahu brothers. His service in Israel’s commando services and his unique access to its veterans and the history of the Netanyahu family as well as the perspective of 25 years make the book the most authoritative. The narrative is more about the operation than a biography of Yoni. Originally published in Israel, it was very popular there. Excellent diagrams and solid endnotes make the work complete.

Entebbe Rescue
By Yeshayahu Ben-Porat, Eitan Haber, Zeev Schiff (Dell, 1977)
Translated from an Israeli book, it is far less readable than 90 Minutes at Entebbe and lacks focus. Significantly, this book’s biographical sketch of Yoni has a selection of several excellent passages from letters Yoni wrote that are also included in Self Portrait of a Hero (see below).

Self Portrait of a Hero: The Letters of Jonathan Netanyahu
Notes by Benjamin and Iddo Netanyahu (Random House, 1980)
A must read; it contains Yoni’s letters to family and friends from 1963 when he first entered high school in the Philadelphia suburb of Cheltenham to just days before the Entebbe raid. His intellect, patriotism, compassion, dedication to duty and leadership are on full display, amplifying the loss of someone who had just turned 30.

Yoni: Hero of Entebbe
By Max Hastings (The Dial Press, 1979)
The only full length biography of Yoni in English, this is the work of a talented journalist. Covering far more than Entebbe, this excellent narrative gives accounts of Yoni’s battles in the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur War and in anti-terrorist actions against the PLO in Lebanon. Also depicted is Yoni’s decision to abandon his academic pursuits in order to return to active duty as an officer in the elite commando forces.

Two books for young readers should be pointed out. They are Raid at Entebbe by Ira Peck, published by Scholastic in 1977, and Yoni Netanyahu: Commando at Entebbe by Devra Newberger Speargen, published by the Jewish Publication Society in 1997.

The importance of introducing Yoni and the story of Entebbe to young people is vital. In these challenging times Jewish young people desperately need role models that encourage determination and idealism – tragically, there are just too few such heroes. As Natan Sharansky told The Jerusalem Post in 2001, “When I was in (Soviet) prison, when I heard the engine of some airplane, I immediately was thinking of Entebbe, and it gave me confidence…”

Steven Friedman, a classmate of Yoni’s at his suburban Philadelphia high school, issued some remarks in advance of a 2006 memorial lecture in honor of Yoni and Friedman’s remarks are well worth recalling.

Friedman stated, “It is important to honor and recall the bold and daring Entebbe Raid and its leader, Yoni Netanyahu, as Israel and the West confront the same anti-Western and anti-Israel radical Islamic terrorism in the Middle East and Iraq. The lessons of Entebbe are fully applicable in the present – and should guide the overall policy of bold action, no negotiation, and use of decisive strategic military force to deal with Islamic terrorism.”

Eastbound Far Rockaway Branch trains are bypassing Rosedale, Laurelton, and Locust Manor after a person was struck by a work train at Rosedale.

Expect delays in both directions while emergency crews respond. Both early morning trains were canceled. Please plan for additional travel time.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) — Entrepreneur Gabe Einhorn, who recently drew widespread attention after sharing a message from an individual who withdrew a job opportunity because he is Jewish, says an unexpected act of support has become one of the most meaningful moments since the incident.

Following the viral post, Einhorn said he and his business have been the target of significant online harassment and antisemitic abuse. Amid the backlash, he received a personal invitation from Ralph Herzka, founder and chairman of Meridian Capital Group, one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate finance firms.

Einhorn and his brother, Aiden, met with Herzka for lunch, where they spent more than an hour discussing faith, business, and the challenges of being openly Jewish in today’s professional environment. Herzka later introduced the brothers to members of his team during a tour of the company’s offices.

Reflecting on the meeting, Einhorn said the experience reinforced his belief that speaking out against antisemitism can have a positive impact, even when the public response includes hostility. He said the outreach demonstrated that influential people are paying attention and are willing to show support during difficult moments.

The meeting comes as concerns over antisemitic incidents continue to rise across the United States, with many Jewish individuals reporting increased discrimination both online and in the workplace. Community leaders have encouraged those facing antisemitism to report incidents and continue speaking out, while emphasizing the importance of allies who publicly stand against hate.

For Einhorn, the gesture served as a reminder that acts of solidarity can carry lasting significance, particularly during periods of intense public scrutiny and online harassment.

Someone sent Gabe an antisemitic message. He shared it publicly to show the level of antisemitism that exists today. He did not dox anyone.

Now people are trying to destroy his business because he exposed this message.

The Holocaust was just 80 years ago. Six million Jews were… https://t.co/Pl57UPoanv

— Evan Solomon (@Evanzsolomon) June 15, 2026

“Not interested in working for a jew”
This kid applied to our job on handshake, we accepted him, and then he responded this.
He probably knows nothing about Jews accept for what they tell him in college and on social media. Sad world. pic.twitter.com/6dFhpT7iST

— Gabe Einhorn (@EinhornGabe) June 8, 2026

From DMs to Real Life: Ralph Herzka.

Ralph built Meridian Capital Group into one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the country.

After everything that happened with the antisemitism situation, Ralph reached out directly. He messaged and invited me and my… pic.twitter.com/v9MdFGQrjw

— Gabe Einhorn (@EinhornGabe) June 30, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff
**
NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 30, 2026)** — New York City officials reached a last-minute agreement Tuesday on a $125.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2027, avoiding the July 1 deadline after weeks of negotiations over housing, public safety, and social services.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced the deal after resolving a dispute over rental assistance. Rather than expanding the existing CityFHEPS housing voucher program, the city will create a new $175 million rental assistance initiative for residents facing eviction or living in shelters who do not qualify for CityFHEPS. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development will oversee the program.

The administration also agreed to withdraw its appeal of litigation related to a previously approved housing voucher expansion. Total city spending on housing assistance is expected to reach approximately $1.7 billion.

The adopted budget closely mirrors the mayor’s executive proposal, allocating $37.9 billion for education, $14.6 billion for social services, and $6.59 billion for the New York City Police Department.

One notable decision was the exclusion of additional funding to increase NYPD staffing. The final budget does not include plans to hire more police officers, despite calls from some elected officials to expand the force. Mayor Mamdani said current staffing levels can meet the city’s public safety needs through more efficient deployment, while others have expressed concern that declining headcount could impact policing.

City officials also said projected budget shortfalls have been reduced with the help of temporary financial assistance from New York State. Additional revenue is expected from the newly enacted surcharge on certain luxury second homes, though estimates differ on how much the measure will generate each year.

The budget takes effect July 1, funding city operations for the coming fiscal year while setting the stage for continued debate over housing, public safety, and the city’s long-term financial outlook.

Mamdani promised the moon — free buses, free childcare, free EVERYTHING — and now? Turns out the math doesn't math! Who could've POSSIBLY seen this coming? Oh wait… everyone with a calculator. NY got SOLD a fantasy, and now the bill's due. Buckle up, Big Apple. You voted for it. pic.twitter.com/iQuXuzmKri

— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) June 30, 2026

QUEENS, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) — Two people were killed and at least 20 others were injured after a charter bus overturned in a multi-vehicle crash late Monday night on the Long Island Expressway, forcing the closure of the highway in both directions for several hours.

The crash occurred shortly before midnight near Exit 16 in Queens. According to authorities, the westbound bus collided with another vehicle before overturning over the center median into the eastbound lanes, where it struck additional vehicles. The bus driver and one passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency crews responded with a large-scale rescue operation, treating dozens of people at the scene. More than 20 individuals were transported to area hospitals, including one person listed in critical condition and several others with less serious injuries.

The Long Island Expressway remained closed in both directions for hours as first responders assisted victims and investigators documented the scene. The closures caused major traffic disruptions across Queens before all lanes were reopened Tuesday afternoon.

Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have joined local authorities in examining the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet released the identities of the two victims, pending family notification.

The investigation remains ongoing.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) — New York City has released proposed rules outlining how its new tax on high-value secondary residences will be enforced, with thousands of property owners expected to begin receiving eligibility notices later this summer.

Under the proposal, the Department of Finance will notify owners by August 30 if their properties have been identified as subject to the surcharge. The agency will also have the authority to review records dating back six years and conduct audits to determine whether a property qualifies for the tax or an exemption.

The surcharge applies to one-, two-, and three-family homes valued at $5 million or more, as well as condominiums and cooperative apartments valued at $1 million or more, when those properties are not used as a primary residence.

City officials said the regulations are intended to discourage attempts to avoid the tax. Owners who knowingly provide false or misleading information could face penalties equal to 50 percent of the tax owed. The proposed rules specifically address situations in which luxury properties are divided into multiple units solely to evade the surcharge, allowing the city to disregard such arrangements if they are determined to have been made in bad faith.

Property owners who receive a determination will generally have 30 days to challenge it through the New York City Tax Commission or, in certain cases, directly with the Department of Finance.

The surcharge is expected to generate between $340 million and $500 million annually from roughly 10,000 luxury second homes across the city. Tax rates vary depending on the type and value of the property, with higher rates applying to high-value condominiums and cooperative apartments.

The proposed regulations are open for public comment through July 9 before they can take effect.

The new tax has drawn criticism from segments of the real estate industry, with some organizations arguing that its valuation methods and enforcement provisions could face legal challenges. City officials, however, maintain that the measure is intended to ensure owners of high-value secondary residences contribute a greater share toward municipal services and infrastructure.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

JERUSALEM (June 30, 2026) — More than 22,500 new immigrants made Israel their home during 2025, with new government data showing a growing share arriving from Western countries and bringing sought-after professional skills despite ongoing regional security challenges.

According to the Aliyah and Integration Ministry’s annual report, 22,522 immigrants arrived in Israel during the year. While that represents a modest decline from recent years, the makeup of new arrivals shifted significantly.

Immigration from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada rose sharply, totaling 8,499 newcomers—a 25 percent increase over 2024. Western countries accounted for 38 percent of all immigrants, up from 21 percent the previous year. The United States led Western immigration with 3,781 arrivals, while immigration from France increased by 51 percent.

The report also found that younger adults are playing an increasingly prominent role in aliyah. Approximately 34 percent of new immigrants were between the ages of 18 and 35. Although more single adults immigrated than in previous years, families with three to five members remained the largest demographic group.

Israel also welcomed hundreds of highly skilled professionals through specialized integration programs. During 2025, 541 physicians, 26 leading scientists, and more than 2,000 professionals in technology and engineering relocated to the country. Employment among immigrants reached 62 percent, exceeding the national employment rate.

In addition, 3,165 immigrants arrived with plans to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, with many coming from the United States, Russia, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and France.

Most new immigrants chose to settle in Tel Aviv, Netanya, Jerusalem, and Haifa, while those arriving from Western countries showed a stronger preference for Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, and Ra’anana.

Officials said the report underscores the importance of expanding integration services and strengthening community support as Israel continues to attract immigrants from around the world.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) — New York City officials announced the permanent closure of the North Infirmary Command at Rikers Island, marking another step in the city’s long-term plan to phase out the jail complex and transition to a borough-based correctional system.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the closure reflects the city’s effort to move away from aging facilities while expanding rehabilitative and medical services for incarcerated individuals. City officials described the move as part of a broader strategy to modernize the correctional system while improving conditions for those in custody.

The Department of Correction has transferred the former infirmary facility, along with portions of two other vacant buildings, to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. The agency will develop a master plan for future uses of the Rikers Island property, with officials citing possibilities that include renewable energy infrastructure and other public projects centered on environmental justice.

The North Infirmary Command most recently housed approximately 223 detainees requiring hospital-level medical care. Those services have been relocated following the opening of new therapeutic housing and specialty medical units. Earlier this year, the city began transferring medically complex detainees to a new 104-bed specialty care unit at Bellevue Hospital, with additional medical facilities planned at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and North Central Bronx.

Despite the latest milestone, significant challenges remain in meeting New York State’s legal requirement to close Rikers Island by August 2027. Construction of four smaller borough-based jails continues, but officials have acknowledged the facilities are unlikely to be completed before the deadline.

Current jail populations also exceed the combined capacity of the planned replacement facilities, underscoring the logistical hurdles facing the transition. City leaders have reiterated their commitment to ultimately closing Rikers Island while continuing to evaluate how best to meet legal obligations and public safety needs.

MONACO (June 29, 2026) — Authorities in Monaco are investigating an explosion outside a residential building that injured three people, including prominent Ukrainian Jewish businessman and philanthropist Vadym Yermolaiev.

According to investigators, the blast occurred after a suspect allegedly left a backpack outside the building before it exploded. The individual fled the scene, and police have launched a manhunt. Officials have not yet announced a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Yermolaiev, founder of the Alef Corporation and a longtime philanthropist based in Dnipro, was among those injured along with two members of his family. Officials have not released details about the extent of their injuries.

Known for his extensive charitable work, Yermolaiev has supported numerous educational, cultural, and humanitarian initiatives within Ukraine’s Jewish community. His contributions have included projects connected to Dnipro’s Menorah Center, one of the world’s largest Jewish community complexes.

Monaco authorities have secured the area while investigators examine evidence from the scene and work to identify the person responsible. No arrests have been announced.

The incident has drawn international attention due to Yermolaiev’s prominence in Ukraine’s business and philanthropic communities. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward as efforts to locate the suspect remain underway.

BREAKING: A powerful explosion has been reported in Monaco after a person allegedly dropped off bags shortly before the blast. pic.twitter.com/cWBBSnfBih

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 29, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 29, 2026) — New York State has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for New York City on Tuesday, June 30, as forecasters warn of deteriorating air quality ahead of a prolonged stretch of dangerous heat expected to impact the region through the Independence Day weekend.

The advisory will be in effect from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast to reach Orange levels, indicating conditions that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, outdoor workers, and people with heart disease, lung disease, or asthma are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activity and monitor for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

While the advisory primarily targets vulnerable populations, officials note that healthy individuals are generally expected to face only a low risk from outdoor activities.

The air quality alert comes as New York City prepares for a significant heat wave beginning Wednesday and continuing through at least Sunday. Forecasts call for daytime heat indices ranging from 95 to 109 degrees, with little overnight cooling in many areas. Daily chances of thunderstorms are also expected, and some storms could become severe.

Emergency management officials are urging residents to take precautions before the hottest conditions arrive. Staying hydrated, limiting time outdoors during peak afternoon hours, wearing lightweight clothing, and checking on elderly neighbors and other vulnerable individuals are among the recommended safety measures.

Officials also remind residents to recognize the warning signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.

With both poor air quality and extreme heat expected over the coming days, New Yorkers are encouraged to monitor local forecasts and remain prepared for changing weather conditions throughout the week.

An Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect for NYC today, June 29, due to ozone.

Young children, older adults, and people with heart or breathing conditions should avoid strenuous and prolonged outdoor activities: https://t.co/3uEcf9Ayfj pic.twitter.com/c6OwJzKMXl

— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) June 29, 2026

By 5 Towns Central Staff

MENLO PARK, Calif. (June 29, 2026) — WhatsApp has announced the rollout of a long-awaited usernames feature that will allow users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers, marking one of the messaging platform’s most significant privacy updates in years.

While a phone number will still be required to create and maintain a WhatsApp account, users will soon be able to communicate using a unique username instead of revealing their personal number. The feature is expected to begin rolling out later this year, with username reservations opening in phases across different countries.

Usernames can range from three to 35 characters and must comply with WhatsApp’s community guidelines. Meta said it is reserving certain usernames for public figures, organizations, and well-known brands to help prevent impersonation. Businesses and content creators will also have the option to use usernames that match their existing Facebook or Instagram accounts for a consistent online identity.

Users will be notified when reservations become available in their region. Once eligible, a username can be selected by navigating to Settings > Account > Username within the app. WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key, allowing users to restrict contact to people who know both their username and the associated key.

Unlike social media platforms, WhatsApp usernames will not be searchable. Instead, users must share their exact username directly with others, helping maintain greater control over who can initiate conversations. Usernames can also be changed or removed at any time.

Initially, usernames can only be shared through text or by telling someone directly, as WhatsApp has not yet added QR code support for the new feature.

The update brings WhatsApp closer to other encrypted messaging platforms that have long offered username-based communication, while giving its billions of users an additional layer of privacy and flexibility when connecting with new contacts.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

JERUSALEM (June 29, 2026) — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed new details Monday about high-level discussions within Israel’s leadership during the recent conflict with Iran, describing disagreements over whether military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon should be tied to developments on the Iranian front.

According to Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted repeated efforts by the United States to link a ceasefire in Lebanon with broader diplomatic efforts involving Iran. Katz said he witnessed several conversations between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump in which the prime minister argued for maintaining military pressure on Hezbollah independent of negotiations concerning Iran.

Katz said Israel viewed its operations in Lebanon as an opportunity to significantly weaken Hezbollah’s military capabilities. He noted that widespread evacuations from Beirut’s southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, and other areas created what he described as strategic leverage to reshape the security situation along Israel’s northern border.

He also stated that Israeli military planners had prepared additional operational options, including expanded airstrikes throughout Lebanon and possible evacuation warnings for communities in the Beqaa Valley. According to Katz, those plans were intended to further degrade Hezbollah’s infrastructure and improve long-term security for residents of northern Israel.

Katz asserted that Hezbollah sought to connect the Lebanon conflict to the Iran front in hopes of securing a ceasefire, while acknowledging that U.S. efforts to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran ultimately influenced Israel’s military decisions.

Instead of significantly expanding operations, Katz said Israel shifted to an alternative strategy that included continued targeted strikes and reinforcing security measures along the border. He expressed concern that Hezbollah has since reestablished a presence in some areas of southern Lebanon, including locations south of the Litani River, despite ongoing Israeli military operations.

The remarks provide one of the most detailed public accounts to date of internal Israeli deliberations over military strategy during the recent regional conflict and highlight the balancing of operational objectives with broader diplomatic considerations involving Israel’s closest ally.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

QUEENS, N.Y. (June 29, 2026) — Federal authorities are investigating after a JetBlue Airways aircraft reportedly struck a drone while approaching John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning.

According to air traffic communications, the flight crew informed controllers that the aircraft had collided with what appeared to be a drone while turning onto its final approach. The reported impact occurred at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet, with the object striking the area just above the cockpit around 7:15 a.m.

Despite the incident, the pilots reported that the aircraft remained fully operational and did not require emergency assistance. The flight continued to JFK and landed safely without further incident.

Following the landing, maintenance personnel conducted a detailed inspection of the aircraft. Officials said no visible damage was found.

The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation to determine whether the object was in fact a drone and, if so, identify its operator. Flying drones near airports or in the path of arriving and departing aircraft is prohibited without proper authorization due to the significant safety risks they pose.

The incident comes just days after another commercial flight crew reported a close encounter with a drone while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport, underscoring growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity in heavily trafficked airspace.

The FAA receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month and continues to warn recreational and commercial drone operators to comply with federal regulations. Violations can result in substantial civil penalties, criminal charges, and possible imprisonment, particularly when unauthorized drone operations endanger aircraft or interfere with airport operations.

By: Rabbi Shay Tahan

In the midst of recent events, a fascinating debate emerged regarding the relationship between the United States and Israel. The President of the United States declared that without America, there would be no State of Israel. In response, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee countered that without Israel, there would be no America. These contrasting statements raise a profound question: Who truly depends upon whom? More importantly, what is the Torah’s perspective on this relationship?

The 70 Bulls

At the end of our parashah, Parashat Pinchas, the Torah commands that seventy bulls be offered during the festival of Sukkot. Commenting on this commandment, Rashi (Bamidbar 29:18) explains that these seventy offerings correspond to the seventy nations of the world. He further notes that these sacrifices served as an atonement and protection for the nations, shielding them from suffering and calamity.

This is a remarkable and profound statement. The nations of the world may believe that Israel depends upon them for its survival and prosperity, but the Torah presents a very different perspective. Through the service of the Beit HaMikdash, it was Israel that brought blessing, protection, and atonement to the entire world.

The Talmud (Sukkah 55b) goes even further, declaring: “Woe to the nations who lost something and do not realize what they lost! When the Beit HaMikdash stood, the altar atoned for them; now who will atone for them?” The destruction of the Temple was not merely a tragedy for the Jewish people—it was a loss for all of humanity.

The Jewish people have a unique spiritual mission: to bring blessing to the entire world. As Hashem told Avraham Avinu, “Through you shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Bereishit 12:3).

Therefore, while Israel certainly appreciates and values the friendship and support of nations that stand by her, the Torah reminds us that the nations themselves benefit immensely from their relationship with Israel. The spiritual influence of the Jewish people, their devotion to Hashem, and their role in fulfilling the divine mission of being “a light unto the nations” bring blessing and protection to the world.

The Gemara (Yevamot 63a) adds another remarkable dimension to this idea. It teaches that the entire world is blessed because of Israel; even the ships sailing upon the sea receive their sustenance and blessing through the merit of the Jewish people. Likewise, the Gemara states:

“Just as the world cannot exist without winds, so too the world cannot exist without Israel” (Ta’anit 3b).

These statements are not expressions of national pride or superiority. Rather, they define the spiritual role that Hashem assigned to the Jewish people from the very beginning of creation. Israel was chosen to serve as the channel through which divine blessing flows into the world.

Heart of the World

This concept is articulated beautifully by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi in the Kuzari. He compares the relationship between Israel and the nations to that of the heart and the rest of the human body. Just as the heart is the most vital organ, pumping life and nourishment to every limb and sustaining the entire body, so too the Jewish people function as the spiritual heart of humanity. Every organ has its own importance and unique purpose, but without the heart, the body cannot survive.

Similarly, every nation contributes to the development of civilization and has its own mission in the divine plan. Yet the spiritual vitality that sustains the world emanates from Israel. When the heart is healthy, the entire body flourishes; when the heart suffers, every limb feels the consequences. So too, the spiritual condition of Israel profoundly affects the well-being of the entire world.

Throughout history, many have observed a pattern that countries often benefited economically, intellectually, and culturally from their Jewish communities and suffered losses after expelling or persecuting them. There are striking examples, here are few:

Spain (1492)

The most famous example is Spain. During the “Golden Age” of Spanish Jewry, Jews played a central role in commerce, medicine, science, diplomacy, and finance. Following the expulsion of the Jews in 1492 by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, Spain gradually declined. Although it initially became wealthy from New World silver, its economy weakened over time, and many historians note that the loss of a productive and educated Jewish population contributed to its long-term decline.

England (1290)

When Edward I expelled the Jews in 1290, England lost an important commercial and financial community. Jews were not readmitted until the time of Oliver Cromwell in the seventeenth century. Their return coincided with England’s emergence as a major commercial power.

Portugal (1496–1497)

Portugal also expelled or forcibly converted its Jews. The country lost many merchants, physicians, navigators, and scholars. Numerous Jewish refugees settled in places such as the Netherlands and the Ottoman Empire, helping those societies flourish.

Poland

For centuries, Poland welcomed Jews and became the center of world Jewry. The Jewish community contributed significantly to trade and economic development. After the devastation of Polish Jewry during the Holocaust and the subsequent communist-era antisemitic campaigns, Poland lost a vibrant and influential segment of its society.

Germany

Before the rise of the Nazis, German Jews were disproportionately represented in medicine, law, science, banking, and academia. The persecution and murder of German Jewry during the Holocaust led to an enormous intellectual and economic loss. Many Jewish refugees emigrated to countries such as the United States and significantly contributed to American science, medicine, and culture.

Ottoman Empire

A positive example is the Ottoman Empire. After Spain expelled its Jews, Sultan Bayezid II welcomed them, reportedly remarking that Ferdinand had impoverished Spain while enriching his own empire. Sephardic Jews contributed greatly to Ottoman commerce, medicine, diplomacy, and industry.

The United States

Many have noted that the United States has been exceptionally blessed while serving as one of the greatest havens for Jewish life in history. Jews have made outsized contributions to American medicine, science, finance, law, philanthropy, and technology. From a Torah perspective, one could view America’s prosperity alongside the principle stated to Avraham Avinu.

Summary:

This perspective casts the modern debate regarding Israel and the nations in an entirely different light. Political leaders may argue over whether Israel depends upon America or whether America depends upon Israel. The Torah’s answer is that, on a spiritual plane, the world itself depends upon Israel. The seventy sacrifices offered on Sukkot on behalf of the seventy nations, the Gemara’s declaration that the entire world is blessed through Israel, and the Kuzari’s analogy of Israel as the heart of humanity all point to one fundamental truth: the Jewish people are not merely another nation among nations; they are the spiritual conduit through which divine blessing reaches the world.

This does not diminish the importance of alliances or the gratitude owed to nations that support Israel. Rather, it reminds us that beneath the political and military realities lies a deeper truth. The nations may provide Israel with material assistance, but Israel, through its covenant with Hashem and its dedication to Torah and mitzvot, provides the world with its heartbeat, its divine blessing, and its very source of sustenance.

By 5 Towns Central Staff

MINEOLA, N.Y. (June 29, 2026) — Nassau County officials unveiled a new Drone as First Responder (DFR) program designed to enhance emergency response capabilities and provide officers with real-time aerial intelligence before they arrive at the scene of an incident.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder introduced the initiative during a press conference highlighting the department’s continued investment in advanced public safety technology. Officials said the program is intended to improve situational awareness, accelerate response times, and enhance safety for both first responders and the public.

As part of the launch, the Nassau County Police Department demonstrated the system by deploying a drone from a dedicated launch pod. The live demonstration included a real-time video feed from the aircraft, allowing attendees to see how officers can quickly assess emergency situations from the air before personnel arrive on the ground.

The DFR program utilizes strategically placed drone launch stations across the county, enabling aircraft to be dispatched within moments of certain emergency calls. Officials said the technology can assist with locating suspects, searching for missing persons, monitoring active incidents, documenting crash scenes, and providing critical information during emergencies while reducing potential risks to responding officers.

County leaders described the program as another step in modernizing the police department through the use of innovative technology while maintaining Nassau County’s strong focus on public safety. The drones are expected to supplement—not replace—traditional police response by providing responding units with valuable aerial perspectives that can improve decision-making during rapidly evolving incidents.

The Drone as First Responder program will be implemented throughout Nassau County as officials continue expanding the department’s technology resources to support emergency operations and community safety.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (June 29, 2026) — A vehicle displaying a New Jersey personalized license plate reading “RVR2SEA” was seen Sunday on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, prompting calls for state officials to review whether the plate complies with New Jersey’s personalized license plate standards.

The sequence has drawn attention because it clearly references the phrase “From the River to the Sea,” a slogan that wishes to wipe Israel and its inhabitants off the face of the earth.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission states that personalized license plates may not contain offensive or objectionable combinations of letters or numbers. The agency has the authority to deny or revoke vanity plates that are determined to violate its guidelines.

The appearance of the plate has sparked renewed discussion over how state agencies evaluate personalized license plate requests and whether certain combinations should be permitted when they are associated with controversial political or ideological messages.

It was not immediately known whether the plate had previously been reviewed by the New Jersey MVC or whether any complaint had been submitted regarding its approval. The agency has not publicly commented on the specific plate.

Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld on Let’s get Real with coach Menachem, Sunday June, 28.

The practice begins with visualizing the four-letter name of Hashem (Yud-Kei-Vav-Kei) as a “secret formula.” By keeping this awareness in the mind, one draws divine consciousness into the frequency of daily experience.

Drawing on teachings from the Vilna Gaon and the Baal Shem Tov, the discussion highlights that the Hebrew letters are not just linguistic signs, but the fundamental “building blocks of reality” and portals for a deeper relationship with the Creator.

Rabbi Rosenfeld explains that Shivisi is rooted in hishtavus (equanimity). It means maintaining a state of inner peace and “all-rightness,” recognizing that at the core of reality, everything is unfolding as it should.

This is a practical tool for everyday life. By “engraving” the name of Hashem into one’s neural pathways, one can navigate challenges, such as traffic or personal anxiety, by grounding oneself in the constant presence of the divine rather than getting lost in the past or future.

JERUSALEM, Israel (June 29, 2026) — Senior Israeli military officials have warned that Hamas is working to restore its combat capabilities in Gaza, raising concerns that the terror group may be preparing for another round of major fighting with Israel.

According to assessments presented to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, officers from the Military Intelligence Directorate and Southern Command believe Hamas is using the current pause in large-scale combat to rebuild weapons stockpiles, recruit young fighters and reestablish battlefield infrastructure damaged during the war.

The reported assessment says Hamas is producing large numbers of explosive devices and anti-tank weapons each month. The group is also said to be bringing in new recruits, primarily young men in their late teens and early twenties, while resuming training for its Nukhba commandos, the elite unit that played a central role in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.

Israeli officials are also monitoring Hamas efforts to reconstruct parts of its tunnel network across Gaza. Much of that underground system was targeted repeatedly by Israeli forces over the past two years, but military assessments indicate Hamas is attempting to rebuild command, movement and weapons routes below ground.

The group is also reportedly trying to bring drones and communications equipment into Gaza through smuggling channels linked to the Sinai Peninsula. Israeli defense officials believe Hamas remains the dominant force inside the enclave and is not facing any serious internal challenge to its authority.

Within the IDF, senior commanders are said to support renewed military action aimed at preventing Hamas from fully restoring its operational strength. However, the United States has opposed a broad new Israeli campaign, instead pressing to preserve the current framework while advancing a broader postwar arrangement for Gaza.

That plan remains stuck in its early stages. Its next phase calls for a gradual Israeli pullback, the disarmament of Hamas and the arrival of an international security force. Progress has stalled as Hamas resists disarmament, while mediators continue to treat the group’s removal from armed control as a central condition for moving forward.

LAWRENCE, N.Y. (June 29, 2026) — New York homeowners are being reminded that many inflatable, pop-up, and temporary backyard pools are treated the same as permanent swimming pools under state safety rules once they are capable of holding more than 24 inches of water.

That threshold means some large seasonal pools, quick-set pools, and similar summer setups may require approval from the local building department before they are installed. Homeowners who assume a pool is exempt because it can be taken down at the end of the season may still be subject to the same safety standards that apply to above-ground or in-ground pools.

In most cases, a qualifying pool must be enclosed by a compliant barrier at least 48 inches high. The barrier must be designed to prevent unsupervised access, especially by young children, and gates generally must meet self-closing and self-latching requirements.

Pool alarm rules may also apply. Approved alarms are intended to alert occupants when someone enters the water or when a protected access point is opened. Electrical equipment connected to pumps, filters, or other pool systems must also be installed safely and in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes.

Local officials are urging residents to check with their municipality before purchasing or setting up larger inflatable pools or backyard water structures. Requirements can vary depending on the property, pool design, access points, and local enforcement standards.

Failure to comply can lead to code violations, fines, and orders to remove or correct the installation. More importantly, officials say the regulations are aimed at preventing drownings and reducing the risk of children reaching pools without adult supervision.

Families planning to use temporary pools this summer should measure carefully, review local permit rules, secure all access points, and make sure required alarms and barriers are in place before filling the pool.

NEW YORK – As online harassment and digital radicalization increasingly shape how young people experience hate, the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), in partnership with the New York City Council, reached more than 20,000 New York City public school students this academic year through its “Decode Hate” program, a program that gives middle and high school students the tools to recognize, navigate and confront antisemitism and all forms of hate, online and in their communities.

Since September, dozens of specially trained facilitators have worked directly with teachers and visited classrooms across New York City, building students’ online critical thinking skills. The program includes advance and follow-up modules led by teachers, paired with workshops led by AJCF facilitators, teaches students to identify online harassment, understand, recognize and avoid manipulation and misinformation, and understand their individual social responsibility in practicing responsible online citizenship.

In the classroom workshops, students participate in discussion-based activities, scenario exercises and sessions that build practical skills for navigating digital spaces, including how to identify manipulation tactics, report harassment, and intervene when they see peers targeted online. Students completed the program with greater awareness of online harassment and peer bias, a deeper understanding of bigotry and antisemitism, and practical strategies to respond when they encounter hate, on and offline. AJCF’s facilitators report that students are leaving the classroom prepared to speak up rather than stay silent.

“This is how you defeat hate, not with slogans, but by giving every student the digital literacy and judgment to recognize manipulation the moment they encounter it online,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony. “We’re preparing a generation that recognizes hate and refuses to stay silent.”

“‘Decode Hate’ is more than a program, it’s a movement to ensure that our young people are equipped to navigate the digital world they actually live in,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Chairman Simon Bergson. “By teaching students to think critically online as clearly as they would in person, we are building a generation committed to justice, empathy and moral courage.”

“Seeing tens of thousands of students build these skills and then carry that awareness directly into their online communities is inspiring,” added Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Executive Vice President Michael Cohen. “Education becomes powerful when it gives students the tools to act against hate wherever they encounter it, including in the spaces where they spend most of their time.”

Critically, students also learn at a young age about the permanence and impact of their own digital footprint and how their personal engagement in online hate can have long-lasting consequences to their futures.

The initiative reflects AJCF’s broader commitment to ensuring that New York City’s public schools are not only safe spaces but places where students build the digital judgment to navigate everyday life online. The program’s impact has already led to meaningful conversations with school districts and legislators interested in bringing the model to communities beyond New York City.

The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), headquartered in New York City, is dedicated to harnessing the lessons of the Holocaust to combat antisemitism, hatred, and bigotry while building a better future. In addition to its educational and leadership programs in New York, including Decode Hate, developed in partnership with the New York City Council and New York City Public Schools, as well as the American Service Academies Program and the RISE Leadership Program, AJCF maintains the Auschwitz Jewish Center in Oświęcim, Poland, including the city’s last remaining synagogue, a museum and educational center, and other preserved Jewish properties that serve as living reminders of a once-thriving Jewish community. Through its work with students, educators, civic leaders, clergy and law enforcement, AJCF equips current and future leaders with the tools to recognize and confront antisemitism, extremism, and hate in all its forms.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 28, 2026) — A stretch of dangerous heat is expected to build across the Tri-State area this week, with temperatures rising sharply ahead of the July Fourth holiday and heat index values making conditions feel even hotter.

After a humid start to the week, the most intense heat is forecast for Wednesday through Friday. New York City is expected to climb into the mid-90s by Wednesday, with highs near 100 degrees on Thursday and Friday. In Lakewood, temperatures are projected to run even higher, potentially reaching 106 degrees on Thursday and 104 degrees on Friday.

Humidity will add to the risk, especially for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and those without reliable air conditioning. Overnight lows are also expected to remain unusually warm, limiting the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat.

The heat is part of a broader weather pattern affecting large portions of the central and eastern United States. A strong area of high pressure is expected to act like a lid in the atmosphere, trapping hot, humid air and reducing the chance for widespread cooling rainfall. The setup is forecast to peak around the Independence Day holiday, with excessive heat possible across parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South, and Northeast.

Thunderstorm chances may increase late in the week and into Shabbos, though storms are not expected to provide broad or lasting relief from the heat. Temperatures are expected to ease somewhat after the weekend, with more seasonable conditions possible early next week.

Residents are urged to drink water regularly, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, wear lightweight clothing, and check on neighbors or relatives who may be at higher risk. Children and pets should never be left in vehicles, even briefly, as interior temperatures can rise rapidly.

Heads-up, New Yorkers: dangerous heat is building this week. Heat index values could reach 100 to 105 from Wednesday through Friday, climbing as high as 110 in the urban corridor on Thursday. Overnight, the heat index may not drop below 80, so relief will be hard to find even…

— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) June 27, 2026

NYC HEATWAVE: NY Gov. Hochul urged taking precautions ahead of the first heat wave of the season. As early as Tuesday, areas may begin feeling the brunt of it, with highs pushing into the 90s. It gets even hotter on Wednesday and Thursday. pic.twitter.com/7ZYCsPkbwM

— Breaking News of the Day (@BNOfTheDay) June 29, 2026

JERUSALEM (June 28, 2026) — The Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday that Capt. David Hazutt hy”d, 21, of Ashkelon, was killed during operational activity in southern Lebanon, after his family was notified.

Hazutt served as a platoon commander in the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, one of the IDF’s veteran infantry formations. He was killed overnight during a firefight in the Deir Siriane area, where Israeli troops encountered armed terrorists during activity in the village.

According to preliminary information, the clash took place at close range after Golani soldiers entered a building and came under threat from an armed operative. Hazutt was fatally wounded during the exchange. Further details about the circumstances remain under military review.

His death adds to the toll on Israeli forces operating along the northern front, where tensions with Hezbollah and other terror elements in southern Lebanon have continued despite ongoing efforts to contain the conflict. Israeli troops have remained active in border-area operations aimed at preventing attacks and disrupting armed groups positioned near Israeli communities. And to think that Israel should still consider a deal with Heabollah?!

Hazutt, who was from Ashkelon, was remembered by relatives and acquaintances as a dedicated officer who carried responsibility beyond his years. His fall was met with grief in his hometown and among fellow soldiers in the Golani Brigade.

Yihi Zichro Baruch..

**Captain David Hazut**, during his Golani training track.

David was killed yesterday in battle in Lebanon as platoon commander in the Golani Brigade.

These are Israel's heroes their bravery, sacrifice and love for Israel is why Israel is unbeatable. pic.twitter.com/jgv4JPKMD2

— Israel Lives (@IranIsISIS) June 28, 2026

Liberty Water will begin an important infrastructure improvement project to replace aging water mains throughout portions of the Village. Work is scheduled to begin the week of June 29, 2026, weather permitting.

The project will take place in the following areas:

• Atlantic Avenue, from Rockaway Avenue to Centre Street
• Centre Street, from Oak Avenue to Summit Avenue
• Fair Oak Place, from Atlantic Avenue to the dead end
• Oak Avenue, from Centre Street to Washington Avenue
• Oak Court, from Fair Oak Place to the dead end
• Villa Place, from Oak Avenue to the dead end
• Summit Avenue, from Rockaway Avenue to approximately 480 feet east of Washington Avenue

The work will be completed in four phases:

1. Installation of the new water main
2. Testing and water quality sampling of the new main
3. Transfer of individual water service connections to the new main
4. Final roadway restoration

During construction, you may experience temporary traffic detours, lane restrictions, and occasional road closures. If a planned water shutdown is required, Liberty Water will place door hanger notices at affected properties at least 24 hours in advance with additional information.

Northern Shomron, Israel (June 28, 2026)

Preparations have begun for Noa, a new community planned for northern Shomron, as the first group of prospective families visited the site together with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan.

The community is expected to be established near Ganim and Kadim, two former communities evacuated during the 2005 disengagement and now slated to be rebuilt this summer. The effort is part of a broader push to renew Jewish life in areas of northern Shomron that were emptied nearly two decades ago.

During the site visit, Dagan told the families that the establishment of Noa represents a historic step and a meaningful contribution to Israel’s future. He described the planned community as one that will strengthen the region and help advance both security and national values.

For the families who took part, the visit marked the beginning of a practical process toward building a new home in the area. Organizers view Noa as another important piece in the renewed development of northern Shomron, alongside the expected rebuilding of Ganim and Kadim.

While additional planning steps remain ahead, the launch of preparations signals significant momentum for the project. Supporters say the creation of Noa reflects years of determination by residents and local leaders seeking to return to northern Shomron and establish a lasting presence there.

— VID: Preparations began yesterday for the establishment of Noa, a new community in northern Shomron, as the first group of families visited the site with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan.

• The community is planned near Ganim and Kadim, two communities evacuated… pic.twitter.com/26r9vCZwlS

— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) June 27, 2026

Far Rockaway, NY (June 28, 2026)

A moving display of friendship and sensitivity at Torah Academy for Girls has left the community deeply inspired after graduates quietly rallied around a classmate who is facing a serious medical challenge.

One of the girls had recently been diagnosed with an illness and was told by doctors that she could attend graduation only if she wore a mask. Rather than allow their friend to feel uncomfortable or singled out during such an important milestone, her classmates made a private decision to all arrive wearing masks as well.

The gesture was not organized for attention or recognition. It was a simple act of care, carried out by the girls themselves, to protect their friend’s dignity and make sure she could participate in the celebration without embarrassment.

School leadership described the graduation as an emotionally overwhelming experience, praising the extraordinary achdus shown by the class. The graduates’ unity, sensitivity, and maturity turned the event into far more than a ceremony marking the end of high school. It became a powerful lesson in compassion, friendship, and true kavod habrios.

The moment reflected the values that parents and educators work so hard to instill: noticing another person’s pain, responding without fanfare, and choosing kindness even when no one is asking for it. For the classmate facing illness, the collective decision sent a clear message that she was not standing alone.

In a generation often criticized for focusing on itself, these students offered a different picture. Their response showed thoughtfulness, emotional strength, and a deep understanding of what it means to support another bas Yisroel.

Watch footage below of Rabbi Joey Haber describing the beautiful scene, along with actual footage from the graduation:

Mi K’amcha: All the TAG seniors showed up to graduation wearing masks to not embarrass their one friend who had a sudden illness and was required to wear a mask. pic.twitter.com/DgLGQQqw0a

— 5TownsCentral (@5TownsCentral) June 28, 2026

We wish this young girl a speedy recovery!

The Israel Airports Authority has announced the phased reopening of Terminal 1 to accommodate the busy summer travel season.

Domestic flights to and from Eilat will resume from Terminal 1 beginning Sunday, June 28.

International flights will begin operating from Terminal 1 starting Wednesday, July 1.

Passengers should check with their airline before traveling to the airport, as departure terminals may vary during the transition.

Jerusalem, Israel (June 27, 2026)

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under renewed strain after Washington accused Tehran of launching drone attacks against commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel and Lebanon moved forward with a U.S.-brokered framework agreement that has already triggered fierce opposition from Hezbollah.

President Donald Trump said Iran violated the ceasefire by sending multiple one-way attack drones toward ships transiting the strategic waterway. One drone reportedly struck the upper deck of a cargo vessel, causing damage but not stopping the ship’s journey. U.S. forces intercepted additional drones, according to American officials.

The United States responded with strikes on Iranian military assets in southern Iran, including sites tied to drones, missile storage, surveillance, communications, coastal radar, and maritime attack capabilities. U.S. officials described the strikes as targeted retaliation rather than a return to full-scale combat, though Trump warned that continued Iranian attacks could lead to a far broader military response.

President Trump stated: “United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn! There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”

BREAKING: The U.S. military launched a new round of airstrikes against Iranian targets Saturday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC) attacked another commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to Fox News.

The official… pic.twitter.com/PNa8vSwkqn

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 27, 2026

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it struck American positions in the region after the U.S. attacks and accused Washington of violating understandings connected to maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest exchange has raised concern that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire could unravel just as a communication channel was reportedly established to prevent maritime incidents from spiraling into a wider war.

Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon signed a U.S.-brokered framework in Washington to begin formal negotiations over security arrangements in southern Lebanon. The plan includes two pilot areas where Israeli forces are expected to withdraw, while Lebanon’s army gradually assumes responsibility on the ground.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Lebanon:

I want to remind you what was in Lebanon. Hezbollah had 150,000 missiles and rockets. And we eliminated about 90% of this huge stockpile.

We shocked them with beepers, we eliminated Nasrallah, we killed the commanders of the… pic.twitter.com/NM2duPrnsZ

— World Source News (@Worldsource24) June 27, 2026

Israeli leaders said the agreement does not mean a full withdrawal is imminent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces will remain in a southern Lebanon security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed and no longer poses a threat to northern Israel.

Hezbollah rejected the framework, calling it a surrender of Lebanese sovereignty and vowing not to abandon its position. Pro-Hezbollah demonstrations broke out in Beirut, including roadblocks and unrest near routes leading to the airport.

Hezbollah Fury Erupts in Beirut After Israel-Lebanon Deal

Protesters blocked major roads, burned tires across the capital, and clashed with security forces, who responded with tear gas.

Under the deal, only two small areas in southern Lebanon will be handed over to the… pic.twitter.com/c7N0HFY3gE

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 27, 2026

The twin crises leave the region at a dangerous crossroads: diplomacy is advancing on the Israel-Lebanon front, but U.S.-Iran fighting near the Strait of Hormuz threatens to ignite a broader conflict.

Besuros Tovos.

June 26, 2026

“Dear Members,

Following up on Ari Schulman’s earlier message regarding the potential acquisition of the Woodmere Club property, we wanted to share an update as we continue to thoughtfully evaluate our vision for what could be a significant opportunity for Young Israel of Woodmere and our broader community.

As part of our evaluation process, we have established several committees to examine every aspect of this opportunity. These include Executive, Building, Fundraising, Finance, and Legal/Transaction Committees. Together, these committees bring the experience, expertise, and oversight necessary to carefully and responsibly assess every facet of this potential opportunity.

If you would like to learn more about the vision and possibilities being explored, please visit our project website:

https://yiwsouth.org/?utm_source=shul_membership&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=building

While we are excited about the possibilities this property may offer, we note that nothing has been finalized. At this stage, our agreement is non-binding, providing us with the opportunity to conduct the necessary site, legal and financial due diligence to help us determine whether this project can be executed in a manner that serves the best interests of our members.

Should we ultimately conclude that moving forward is appropriate, any binding agreement, as Ari Schulman said in his initial email, would first require approval by the Executive Board and would then be presented to the membership for a formal vote.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our community. If you are interested in becoming involved or serving on one of our committees, please reach out by emailing [email protected].

We will continue to keep the membership informed as our evaluation progresses, and we look forward to sharing additional updates in the weeks ahead.”

FLUSHING — Leading Queens elected officials, Itzkowitz family members and Jewish community leaders came together Thursday morning at the entrance to Kissena Park, demanding answers in the unsolved murder of Albert “Avrumie” Itzkowitz, a beloved Queens resident, volunteer EMT, kosher supervisor and grandfather who was shot and killed in broad daylight on May 18 while sitting near Kissena Lake.

More than five weeks after the killing, no arrests have been made. Investigators continue to seek leads from the public, noting that more than 200 people were present in the park at the time of the shooting.

Ahead of the press conference, Crime Stoppers announced an increased reward of $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. At the gathering, the Itzkowitz family announced they will match that reward, bringing the total to $20,000.

Speakers included State Senator John Liu, Assemblymember Nily Rozic, Assemblymember David Weprin, Council Member Sandra Ung, community leaders and members of the Itzkowitz family.

Throughout the press conference, speakers emphasized growing concern within the community that the killing may have been motivated by antisemitism, noting that Itzkowitz was a visibly Orthodox Jewish man attacked in a public park in a period of rising antisemitic incidents across New York City.

Family members described Itzkowitz as a deeply faithful, gentle man who spent his life in service of others.

“Five weeks ago, my father was sitting in Kissena Park during a routine break, a place he knew and trusted and he was murdered in broad daylight. He was visibly Jewish, he was alone and he was killed in a public space where he should have been safe,” said Itzkowitz’s daughter, Leah Lifshitz. “In a city where antisemitic incidents are rising, we cannot ignore the context of what happened here. Whether or not it is ultimately confirmed, this is a question that must be fully and seriously investigated from every angle. My father deserved safety, and our community deserves honesty and urgency.”

“We are grateful to Assemblymember Nily Rozic for hosting today’s press conference, and to State Senator John Liu, Assemblymember David Weprin and Council Member Sandra Ung for standing with our family and this community,” said Tzvi Yonie Itzkowitz, Itzkowitz’s youngest son. “We are also thankful to the NYPD, the Queens District Attorney’s Office and Crime Stoppers for their continued work. Crime Stoppers has increased its reward to $10,000, and our family is matching that amount, bringing the total reward to $20,000. We are asking anyone who was in Kissena Park on May 18. if you saw something, no matter how small it may seem, please come forward.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit tips online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org