Jooish News

As I watched a video clip of the deep cleaning going on at Gottlieb’s in Williamsburg ahead of a possible visit by Trump today, I had a thought and figured I’d share it.

The owners, eager to make a good impression, are scrubbing every surface and polishing every fixture – both inside and outside the old shop – in preparation for the President’s visit.

This scene reminded me of a far more significant and personal cleansing process we undertake each year, going on now during the month of Elul.

As Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, we embark on a journey of introspection and self-refinement, cleansing our souls and hearts in preparation for the guaranteed King of Kings’ presence and judgement.

Just as Gottlieb’s is meticulously cleaned to possibly welcome the President, we too strive to purify our thoughts, words, and actions to welcome the Divine Presence. We reflect on our past deeds, seek forgiveness, and recommit to living a life of righteousness.

In this sense, the President’s visit serves as a powerful reminder of the greater significance of our own spiritual cleansing process ahead of the Yomim Nora’im.

Wishing you a meaningful and transformative Elul.

TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected]

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — It was revealed for publication that an Israeli citizen was recruited by intelligence agencies in Iran to initiate the assassination of Israeli public personalities. The citizen, who has not been named, was smuggled twice into Iran and received payment for carrying out missions.

In a combined countermeasure operation by the General Security Service (Shin Bet) and the Lahav 433 department of the Israel Police, the Israeli citizen was arrested during August 2024 on suspicion of committing security offenses related to establishing contact with intelligence agencies in the Iranian regime, according to a report by Arutz Sheva.

The investigation found, as part of the inquiry conducted by the Shin Bet and the IDF, that the citizen was a businessman. He had lived in Turkey for an extended period of time and had business and social ties with people of Turkish and Iranian origin.

The citizen agreed in April 2024 to meet with a rich businessman living in Iran named Edi, through the mediation of Turkish officials Andrey Farouk Aslan and Junaid Aslan, in order to promote business activity.

In order to promote his business activity, the citizen traveled to the city of Samandag in Turkey, where he met with two representatives sent on behalf of Edi and held a telephone conversation with Edi, as the latter could not leave Iran.

The investigation also revealed that following this meeting, in May 2024 the citizen went to Turkey, where he met with Andrey, Junaid and two of Edi’s representatives. When it became clear that Edi could no longer leave Iran for Turkey, the Israeli citizen was smuggled by car over the Turkish bordernear the city of Van, which is located in eastern Turkey, into Iran. There he met with Edi and another man named Haja, who was introduced to him as an activist on behalf of the Iranian security forces.

The Israeli citizen held two meetings in Iran. During these meetings, Edi offered the Israeli to carry out various security missions in Israel’s territory on behalf of the Iranian regime, including: transferring money or a gun to pre-determined locations, photographing various crowded places in the country and sending the photographs to the Iranian authorities, threatening other Israeli citizens employed in the country on behalf of the Iranian regime who did not carry out the requested tasks. The Israeli citizen asked to look into the matter.

His investigation also revealed that during August 2024, the Israeli citizen entered Iran for the second time while being smuggled through the border crossing hidden in a truck cabin. During his stay at Edi’s house in Iran, he met other Iranian intelligence officials, and was asked by them to carry out terrorist activities for Iran on Israeli soil. He was also asked to promote assassination attacks on the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu or Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant or  Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.

The Iranian intelligence officials also asked him to investigate the possibility of assassinating other senior figures, such as former Prime Minister Mr. Naftali Bennett, and other public figures, which they regarded as revenge for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil in July 2024, which was attributed by the Iranian authorities to the State of Israel.

The Israeli citizen demanded an advance payment of one million dollars before taking any action.

The next day, the Israeli held another meeting with the Iranian intelligence officials, in which they repeated their proposal to assassinate senior officials, explored the possibility that he would deposit funds in certain locations in Israel for others, work to locate Russian and US officials for the purpose of eliminating opponents of the Iranian regime in Europe and the US, and recruit a Mossad agent who would agree to work as a “double agent.” During this meeting as well, the Israeli demanded an advance payment of one million dollars, but the Iranian agents refused his request and informed him that they would contact him in the future. Before leaving Iran, he received 5,000 Euros from Edi and a representative of Iranian intelligence for his participation in the meetings.

On September 19, 2024, a high-level security indictment was submitted in this case.

A senior Shin Bet official: “This is a very severe case that is an example of the great efforts the Iranian intelligence agencies take to recruit Israeli citizens in order to promote terrorist activities in Israel. The security officials believe that the Iranians will continue their efforts to recruit operatives in Israel for the purpose of gathering intelligence and carrying out terrorist missions in Israel, while also turning, among other things, to those with a criminal background in order to carry out the missions.”

“At a time when the State of Israel is fighting a war on several fronts, an Israeli citizen goes to an enemy country on two different occasions, meets with Iranian intelligence agents and agrees to carry out serious acts of terrorism on Israeli soil. His actions helped Iran and its intelligence agents in their war against Israel. This is to emphasize that cooperation of Israelis with Iranian elements during war constitutes a serious security offense, even when the motive for the contact is for criminal or business purposes.

“The Shin Bet regards with the utmost seriousness any contact by Israelis with Iranian elements, while the motive for the contact in the first place being a business pretext or a criminal platform does not diminish the severity of the acts and the risk inherent in them, much less any cooperation with these agencies.

“The General Security Service, in cooperation with the Israel Police and other security agencies, will continue their efforts to monitor Iranian activity to recruit and activate Israeli elements and arrest them, while bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

In a public statement on social media, Squad member and anti-Israel U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) condemned Israel for allegedly launching a “pager attack” in Lebanon, which she claims resulted in the detonation of handheld devices in public spaces, leading to severe injuries and civilian deaths.

“Israel’s pager attack in Lebanon detonated thousands of handheld devices across a slew of public spaces, seriously injuring and killing innocent civilians,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

She went on to describe the attack as a clear violation of international law, stating, “This attack clearly and unequivocally violates international humanitarian law and undermines US efforts to prevent a wider conflict.”

Ocasio-Cortez called on Congress to investigate the incident, particularly looking into whether the U.S. government had any role in aiding the development or deployment of the technology used in the attack. “Congress needs a full accounting of the attack, including an answer from the State Department as to whether any US assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology,” she wrote.

The exact nature of the “pager attack” is unclear. There has been no official statement from the Israeli government or military.

{Matzav.com}

On Wednesday, September 18, at approximately 10:41 pm officers of the Manchester Township Police Department were dispatched to the area of State Highway 70 and Wilbur Avenue for a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle.

Upon arrival officers observed a blue 2016 Hyundai Accent with extensive front passenger side damage. Officers observed a single pedestrian lying in the roadway, later identified as 37-year-old Catherine L. Camargo of Manchester, NJ. The driver of the Hyundai was identified as 48-year-old Adam J. Lilley of Manchester, NJ. Camargo was pronounced deceased on scene upon the arrival of first responders. Lilley reported no injuries on scene.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that the Hyundai was traveling west on State Highway 70 prior to the crash. Shortly after passing the Green Acres Road intersection, the Hyundai impacted Camargo who was standing in the westbound lane of travel under low-light conditions. The Hyundai appeared to be in satisfactory operating condition, and had all required lamps activated prior to the crash. Following the crash, Lilley pulled to the side of the road and dialed 9-1-1.

Assisting at the scene were EMT’s from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Medical Services, Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, firefighters from the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and members of the New Jersey Department of Transportation Diversion Team. Additionally, detectives from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, a representative from the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office and the New Jersey State Police assisted in the investigation. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Michael O’Hara and Patrolman Keith Douglas of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.

(VINnews) — The New York Times has published a long article, revealing stunning new details about Israel’s “modern day Trojan Horse” — aka exploding pagers. One major revelation the article describes about Israel’s strategy, not previously reported, is that Israel did not intercept the pagers before they were delivered, as some have reported. Rather they did something far more ingenious.

The Times quoted 12 defense and intelligence officials who were briefed on the attack who described the operation as complex and long in the making.

According to the article, Hezbollah leadership had been distraught for years, due to Israel locating and targeting terrorists using advanced technology. That led to the need for pagers.

Hezbollah paid for the pagers that were used against them.

AGAIN: An Israeli Intelligence-run Shell Company SOLD the pagers to Hezbollah.

HAHAHAHA. https://t.co/khfSwQj012

— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) September 19, 2024

The Times wrote:

In Lebanon, as Israel picked off senior Hezbollah commandos with targeted assassinations, their leader came to a conclusion: If Israel was going high-tech, Hezbollah would go low. It was clear, a distressed Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah, said, that Israel was using cellphone networks to pinpoint the locations of his operatives.

“You ask me where is the agent,” Mr. Nasrallah told his followers in a publicly televised address in February. “I tell you that the phone in your hands, in your wife’s hands, and in your children’s hands is the agent.”

Then he issued a plea.

“Bury it,” Mr. Nasrallah said. “Put it in an iron box and lock it.”

He had been pushing for years for Hezbollah to invest instead in pagers, which for all their limited capabilities could receive data without giving away a user’s location or other compromising information, according to American intelligence assessments.

The Times then described Israel’s brilliant strategy to create a shell company manufacturing pagers.

Even before Mr. Nasrallah decided to expand pager usage, Israel had put into motion a plan to establish a shell company that would pose as an international pager producer.

By all appearances, B.A.C. Consulting was a Hungary-based company that was under contract to produce the devices on behalf of a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo. In fact, it was part of an Israeli front, according to three intelligence officers briefed on the operation. They said at least two other shell companies were created as well to mask the real identities of the people creating the pagers: Israeli intelligence officers.

B.A.C. did take on ordinary clients, for which it produced a range of ordinary pagers. But the only client that really mattered was Hezbollah, and its pagers were far from ordinary. Produced separately, they contained batteries laced with the explosive PETN, according to the three intelligence officers.

The pagers began shipping to Lebanon in the summer of 2022 in small numbers, but production was quickly ramped up after Mr. Nasrallah denounced cellphones.

Some of Mr. Nasrallah’s fears were spurred by reports from allies that Israel had acquired new means to hack into phones, activating microphones and cameras remotely to spy on their owners. According to three intelligence officials, Israel had invested millions in developing the technology, and word spread among Hezbollah and its allies that no cellphone communication — even encrypted messaging apps — was safe anymore.

Not only did Mr. Nasrallah ban cellphones from meetings of Hezbollah operatives, he ordered that the details of Hezbollah movements and plans never be communicated over cellphones, said three intelligence officials. Hezbollah officers, he ordered, had to carry pagers at all times, and in the event of war, pagers would be used to tell fighters where to go.

Over the summer, shipments of the pagers to Lebanon increased, with thousands arriving in the country and being distributed among Hezbollah officers and their allies, according to two American intelligence officials.

To Hezbollah, they were a defensive measure, but in Israel, intelligence officers referred to the pagers as “buttons” that could be pushed when the time seemed ripe.

That moment, it appears, came this week….

…Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would do whatever was necessary to enable more than 70,000 Israelis driven away by the fighting with Hezbollah to return home, according to reports in Israeli news outlets. Those residents, he said, could not return without “a fundamental change in the security situation in the north,” according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

On Tuesday, the order was given to activate the pagers.

The article added:

Powered by just a few ounces of an explosive compound concealed within the devices, the blasts sent grown men flying off motorcycles and slamming into walls, according to witnesses and video footage. People out shopping fell to the ground, writhing in agony, smoke snaking from their pockets.

Mohammed Awada, 52, and his son were driving by one man whose pager exploded, he said. “My son went crazy and started to scream when he saw the man’s hand flying away from him,” he said.

By the end of the day, at least a dozen people were dead and more than 2,700 were wounded, many of them maimed. And the following day, 20 more people were killed and hundreds wounded when walkie-talkies in Lebanon also began mysteriously exploding

LISTEN TO THE VIN PODCAST:

An atzeres tefillah will be held this coming Sunday, September 22, at 450 Broad Street in Newark, NJ, in response to the ongoing giyus (military draft) crisis in Eretz Yisroel.

The event will run from 1 PM to 5 PM.

Admorim and gedolei roshei yeshivos have expressed support for the atzeres tefillah, with details at this prior Matzav.com report.

The gathering, which posters titled “זעקת הגולה,” is being organized with the participation of various kehillos.

The posters promoting the event emphasize the seriousness of the situation, calling on the broader Jewish Diaspora to stand in solidarity with their brethren in Eretz Yisroel. The slogan on the posters, “כולכם נקבצו באו לך,” encourages widespread attendance to raise a collective voice in tefillah.

Participants will come together in Newark to daven for a favorable resolution to this crisis and for the safety and preservation of Yidden and Torah institutions in Eretz Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

LONDON, England (VINnews)-Jonathan Conricus, a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, expertly educated Candace Owens on the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Conricus provided a detailed and factual overview, dismantling misinformation and clarifying the intricacies of the decades-long conflict. Owens, known for her controversial takes, appeared outmatched during the exchange, unable to effectively counter Conricus’s points.

According to sources, Owens fell silent during key moments of the debate, reportedly unable to find supporting evidence on her laptop to back her claims. This rare moment of quiet from the outspoken commentator has sparked online discussions, with many praising Conricus for his clear and fact-based presentation.

Rep. Mike Waltz, a Republican from Florida, joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Pete Hegseth to discuss the exploding Hezbollah pagers.

When Ilan Buaron, a delivery driver for the popular delivery app Wolt, set out to deliver a pizza in Ramat Gan at 2am on Tuesday night, he had no idea the dramatic turn his delivery would take.

Buaron, aged 22, picked up the pizza from a restaurant, and was driving his moped towards the destination when he received a message on his cell phone. Buaron, who has been volunteering the past few years for Magen David Adom, received a message that a women was giving birth inside her home nearby.

Realizing the address was only two blocks away from his location, Buaron zoomed over to the women’s house, pizza in tow. Inside the home, he found a women in an advanced stage of labor. While this was the first time Buaron had been in an active labor situation, he nevertheless successfully delivered the new baby boy.  Baruch Hashem the baby is safe and well.

Despite all that was going on, Buaron even managed to contact to Wolt service center to let them know that the pizza he was carrying was likely not going to make it to its destination.

Buaron said: “I received a notification of an active birth on the way to the delivery address, I stopped here and helped the woman deliver her baby and I’m going to stay here a little longer.” A new pizza was sent to the customer, and when an ambulance soon arrived on the scene, the crew got to enjoy the fresh pizza from their local delivery man.

{Matzav.com}

How did Israel booby-trap the Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies that exploded over the past two days in a daring operation that enthralled the world?

“It manufactured them as part of an elaborate ruse,” the New York Times reported.

The report, quoting 12 current and former defense and intelligence officials who were briefed on the operation, described the plan behind the explosions as complex and long in the making.

At least two to three years ago, even before Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah decided to go “low-tech” and halt the use of cell phones among his operatives, Israel began establishing a shell company that would appear as an international pager producer.

B.A.C. Consulting appeared to be a Budapest-based company with a contract to manufacture devices for a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo, but it was actually part of an Israeli front company, three intelligence officers briefed on the operation said. At least two other shell companies were also established to mask the true identities of the employees manufacturing the pagers: Israeli intelligence officers.

B.A.C. did accept regular clients, for which it produced various pagers. But the only significant client was Hezbollah, and its pagers “were far from ordinary.” Hezbollah’s pagers were manufactured separately and were outfitted with batteries laced with the explosive PETN.

B.A.C. began shipping the pagers to Lebanon in the summer of 2022 in small quantities. After Nasrallah banned cell phones in February 2024, it quickly stepped up its production.

Some of Nasrallah’s fears were spurred by reports that Israel invested millions in developing new technology and had new means to hack into phones to spy on their owners. He decided that all cell phone communication — even encrypted messaging apps — was risky and not only banned cell phones from all Hezbollah meetings but ordered that Hezbollah plans or movement never be communicated via cell phones. He ordered all Hezbollah officers to carry pagers and said that if a war broke out, pagers would be used to transmit order to all operatives.

B.A.C received increased orders for pagers from Hezbollah over the summer and eagerly filled them. Thousands of the “enhanced” pagers (at no extra charge!) quickly arrived in Lebanon and were distributed to Hezbollah terrorists and their allies.

Israeli intelligence officers referred to the pagers as “buttons” that could be pushed when the time was right.

On Tuesday, when Israel was forced to prematurely activate the plan, the order was given to “press the buttons.”

Israel caused the pagers to beep and sent a message in Arabic that appeared to be from Hezbollah’s senior leadership.

Seconds later, Lebanon was in chaos.

For the Lebanese, the second wave of explosions was confirmation of the lesson from the day before: They now live in a world in which the most common of communication devices can be transformed into instruments of death.

One woman, Um Ibrahim, stopped a reporter in the middle of the confusion and begged to use a cellphone to call her children. Her hands shaking, she dialed a number and then screamed a directive:

“Turn off your phones now!”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The price of the charedi vandalism against the Green Line of the Jerusalem light rail system has spiralled to 326 million NIS, according to reports revealed in the Knesset finance committee.

During a discussion about increasing the 2024 budget, the finance ministry attempted to divert 78 million NIS to “public transport” – although in the explanatory booklet the request was for security and payment of damages to the contractors of the light rail. This sum is in addition to 248 million NIS which have already been transferred to pay for the heavy damage incurred by contractors since 2020, thus making the total damages 326 million NIS.

In response to opposition member’s complaints about prioritizing the light rail, The finance ministry argued that the money must be transferred in order that the entire 13.8 billion NIS light rail project can be completed. “They burnt equipment and delayed the contractors operations, causing them significant losses. These need to be reimbursed,” a finance ministry official said.

The damage has also delayed the planned opening of the new light rail route from the end of 2025 to the middle of 2026. The route traverses northern Jerusalem, connecting the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus to the Givat Ram campus. Charedi residents near Bar Ilan St. claim that the train will lead to the cancellation of bus routes and will force them to travel with secular residents of the capital.

Opposition members at the committee questioned why police were not making more arrests to curb the violent demonstrations and prevent the damage and the need for security which greatly increases costs. MK Naama Lazimi (Labor) fumed that the budget was similar to that required to rehabilitate the entire northern region, yet the light rail was preferred in the meantime. Other MKs asked why the money should not be used for preventing road accidents, in a year which has seen the highest number of casualties in 20 years.

The police responded, stating that “Police are working determinedly against violence and vandalism regarding the opposition of extremist elements to the light rail work. Since the beginning of the construction work on the route, more than 200 suspects have been arrested for causing disorder, violence and vandalism and tens of indictments have been issued. Civil damage suits have also been submitted against a number of people involved. Police presence has been increased and this has  led to a significant drop in vandalism in the area, and police activity will continue until completion of the work.”

Hezbollah fired several explosive drones at Israel early Thursday afternoon, injuring several Israelis near the moshav of Ya’ara in the western Gail.

It is the second Hezbollah attack on Thursday which left casualties. Eight Israelis were injured, two seriously, in an anti-tank missile attack on Thursday morning.

The victims are being treated at the scene.

A drone also scored a direct hit on the moshav of Beit Hillel. Baruch Hashem, no one was injured but the impact sparked fires.

Another drone hit a house in Kiryat Shmona, which is largely empty of its residents. No one was injured in the incident.

Kiryat Shmona

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

ARIZONA – At a September 12 Trump rally in Tucson, several attendees reported eye injuries with no clear explanation. Six people seated behind the former president experienced eye irritation, with three speaking on camera.

Mayra Rodriguez, a former Planned Parenthood official turned pro-life advocate, said her eyes began burning after the event. Initially, she thought it was allergies, but ER staff suggested exposure to a substance. Others seated nearby reported similar symptoms, including severe eye discomfort and facial flushing.

Rodriguez informed the campaign, which is investigating. The Secret Service, previously unaware of any threats, is now gathering information and looking into the incident.

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — As details of the remarkable attack on Hezbollah terrorists pagers continue to emerge, it is apparent that Israel has scored an incredible tactical success in its war against Iran and its terrorist proxies. Thousands of terrorists were maimed, hundreds seriously injured and a significant amount perished in the sci-fi style attack which defied belief until it happened.

Yet despite the initial euphoria in Israel over the spectacular way in which Hezbollah suffered a huge setback, without a coordinated attack on Hezbollah’s rocket launchers and weapon sites, the effect of the attack will remain marginal and will do nothing to remove the threat of the terrorist organization or enable tens of thousands of Israelis to return to their homes.

As journalist Nir Kipnis rightly pointed out on the Walla news site, as the hours tick by and the operation is not followed by other positive steps, it indicates that maybe this was just a ‘whistle in the dark’ of a government which is afraid to do what it has to do (and probably should have done on Oct. 11 last year). The fact that Israel is performing localized attacks, even the most impressive ones, leaves a doubt as to its ability to go on the offensive and achieve victory.

***FOR A DISSENTING OPINION – CLICK HERE.

A similar event occurred just a few weeks ago, when Israel succeeded in blocking thousands of rockets and drones with a ‘surgical’ operation by the air force. Everyone hiding in safe rooms in the north exulted, assuming that the IDF has come to win and remove the threat which is turning their lives into misery.

Yet despite this attack on our sovereignty, nothing occurred in the next few days. Apparently Hezbollah has a strategy but the IDF tends to bite like a mosquito and then disappear.

Tuesday’s incident only amplifies the question: What has Israel gained? Besides the moral victory over Hezbollah, almost nothing. Had Israel performed the operation in the midst of a war, as Hezbollah rushed to send missiles, the effect could have been maximized. It is now reported that the operation was hastily put together after some Hezbollah terrorists suspected that their pagers were bugged. Yet despite the techological brilliance of the operation, there seems to have been no plan in place for how to maximize the effect and destroy enemy capabilities as he lay helpless and in pain.

It therefore seems that the public pressure to ‘do something’ about the woeful situation in the north has led the government to reveal a card in its box of tricks but not to go to a real war against the ballistic missile threat. It is almost as if the government seeks to prove something to the raucous Israeli opposition rather than taking the steps needed to eradicate the more potent threats.

This is extremely worrying, as a government mired in politics during war cannot effectively marshal the force needed to win the war. As Israel is poised to change its Defense Minister for political reasons during a war, an act described as “madness” by the US administration, it must not forget to focus on the goal of the war: Defeating the enemy and destroying his capabilities to harm others.

***FOR A DISSENTING OPINION – CLICK HERE.

Washington D.C (VINnews)-In a recent statement, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has publicly condemned Israel, accusing the nation of launching a “pager attack” in Lebanon. The alleged attack, according to Ocasio-Cortez, involved the detonation of thousands of handheld devices, resulting in significant civilian casualties across various public spaces in the country.

“Israel’s pager attack in Lebanon detonated thousands of handheld devices across a slew of public spaces, seriously injuring and killing innocent civilians,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a pointed statement.

The congresswoman expressed deep concern about the potential involvement of U.S. resources or technology in the development of such a device and called for a thorough investigation by the U.S. State Department.

“Congress needs a full accounting of the attack, including an answer from the State Department as to whether any U.S. assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology,” she stated.

To date, Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, and no formal statement has been issued by its government on the incident. Without direct acknowledgement, the details of the attack remain murky, with conflicting reports and speculation about the nature and origins of the devices involved.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

Though it may be cliché to say that we are living in troubling times, it is true. Over the past few years, we have lost many of our great men and leaders. If you think about it, the number of people we looked up to and turned to for guidance who are no longer with us is tragically overwhelming. We peer into the void and wonder if, and how, it can be filled. Just recently, we lost a leading, towering rosh yeshiva, who was a mentor and guide to thousands, and a rebbe who was respected as a talmid chochom and tzaddik.

Tragedies abound. Young people hover between life and death, and just this past Sunday, there was a levayah for a young mother who suddenly took ill and passed away shortly thereafter.

Eretz Yisroel has been at war for almost a year, facing attacks from the north, south, east and west, with prospects for more attacks and a more intense double-pronged war developing. The country is unstable and ripping itself apart.

As Elul, the month of rachamim (mercy), is upon us, it appears that we have been in a period of din for too long now. What can we do to earn Hashem’s mercy so that He brings an end to our pain, suffering and losses?

This week’s parsha discusses the brachos that were delivered at Har Gerizim and the klalos that were delivered at Har Eivol. The people who follow the mitzvos of Hashem would be blessed and those who wouldn’t would be cursed.

The posuk (28:47) states that the reason the curses would befall a person is because he did not serve Hashem through joy and happiness. Many wonder why performing a mitzvah without simcha causes a person to become cursed and punished. After all, he did perform the mitzvah.

We will offer an explanation.

Last week, in Parshas Ki Seitzei, we studied 74 mitzvos, the most contained in any parsha. The most intriguing mitzvah there is the one that Chazal say never happened, namely, the ben sorer umoreh, the deviant son.

While the posuk states that he didn’t obey his parents, the Gemara (Sanhedrin 71a), quoted in Rashi, teaches that the mitzvah relates to a 13-year-old boy who stole and ate meat and wine. He is brought to bais din, and if the charges are proven, he is put to death.

What did he do to deserve the ultimate penalty? Rashi quotes the Gemara (ibid. 71b) that he is punished al sheim sofo, because if he engages in this activity, he will eventually commit acts that are punishable by death.

The Ramban gives two reasons for his severe punishment. One is that he mocked his parents and rebelled against them, and the second is that he is a zollel vesovei, a glutton. “By doing so, he is transgressing the commandment of kedoshim tihiyu, to be a holy people (Vayikra 19:2). He has also transgressed the commandments earlier in Devorim (13:5) of “ve’oso sa’avodu…uvo sidbokun – to serve Hashem and to connect to Him.”

He continues: “As I explained (Devorim 6:13), this indicates that we are to know Hashem [and include Him] bechol derocheinu, in all we do, and a person who eats and drinks such as this one will not know the derech Hashem, the path of Hashem.” The one who conducts himself in this way has veered from the path of Hashem and will never be able to get back onto it.

Not only doesn’t he have his priorities straight, but the ben sorer umoreh thinks that life is about having a good time and seeks ways to increase enjoyment. He doesn’t understand that the purpose of a Jew’s life is, as the Ramban writes, to serve Hashem and follow the path that He set out for us.

Someone who spends his days seeking pleasure will never be satiated. He’ll never have enough and he’ll never be happy. There will always be another restaurant to try out, another plane to procure, a bigger and more upscale home to move to, and a faster, nicer, more comfortable car to be driven in.

In this introspective month of Elul, we work on perfecting ourselves. One of the prime seforim people study to guide them in this pursuit is the classic Mesillas Yeshorim, written by the Ramchal. He opens the sefer by stating that at the root of being a meritorious person who properly serves Hashem is to know and understand our obligation in this world, to serve Hashem and to enjoy basking in the light of His presence.

We all know, and it should be obvious, that the world did not come into existence by itself. Through a cursory examination of a tiny fly, with its legs, wings, brain, eyes, digestive system, and more, it becomes evident that even such a small creature is far too complex to have simply evolved by chance.

Look at a tree growing in your backyard and reflect on its growth and internal irrigation system—how it sprouts fresh green leaves in the spring, which then change color and fall off in autumn—and it becomes obvious that this process didn’t happen by itself.

Since Hakadosh Boruch Hu created the world, He did so with a purpose. If the purpose of creation were simply for people to enjoy themselves, why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? Why does each person experience sadness, grief, anguish, and loss? There must be a higher reason for Hashem’s creation, especially of Am Yisroel, who Chazal teach are the very purpose of creation.

We are here as Hashem’s children, as the posuk says, “Bonim atem laHashem Elokeichem” (Devorim 14:1). We were created to observe Hashem’s mitzvos, to study His Torah, and to walk on the path He has paved for us. We must know that this is our purpose in life and behave accordingly. Those who do so earn the blessings of Hashem, as expressed in the Torah and specifically in this week’s parsha.

Additionally, by fulfilling our obligations, we become satisfied with ourselves and feel content in knowing that we are succeeding in life. Doing what we are meant to do nourishes our neshamos and brings us joy, gratification and a sense of attainment.

A person who understands that by performing mitzvos he brings brocha upon himself and fulfills the very purpose of his life will approach each mitzvah with joy. Someone who truly appreciates the inherent value of mitzvos will eagerly seize every opportunity to perform them. Procuring an esrog, for instance, is not seen as a burden; rather, he happily goes from place to place, seeking the finest esrog he can afford. He eagerly anticipates making the brocha and shaking it together with the lulav, hadasim, and aravos. With gratitude, he thanks Hashem for granting him the life and merit to perform this mitzvah, and he shakes them with joy and pride. This is true for every mitzvah.

Our original question is now answered. A person who does not perform mitzvos with joy reveals a lack of understanding of his true purpose in life. He fails to appreciate that the Creator, who sustains him, has asked him to fulfill these mitzvos. To paraphrase the Ramban’s words regarding the ben sorer umoreh, such a person does not know the derech Hashem, the path of Hashem upon which good people walk.

A most important task for parents is to be mechanech children to understand the correct priorities in life. This is not only crucial for their growth and success. It goes to the very core of their being and lives as bnei and bnos Yisroel.

The yeitzer hora is cunning, and young people who are not yet aware of its tricks can easily become entangled in material desires and peer pressures. We must guide them to follow the right path and emphasize Torah values that provide lasting fulfillment and joy. They need to understand that, as children of the Melech Malchei Hamelachim, they should conduct themselves with the dignity of royalty.

The most effective way to instill these values is through example, by learning with them and sharing meaningful divrei Torah and stories.

There is a new, fascinating sefer on the life of the Chofetz Chaim written by Rav Dov Eliach. He discusses that the Chofetz Chaim would wear simple clothes, but they were always perfectly clean and fitting, for he was a “ben Melech” and always conducted himself as such. All through the day, everything he did was for Hashem. He always sought to be connected with Hashem and was never distracted from his task of walking in the derech Hashem and acting as Hashem would want.

When he would get dressed, he would say, “I am doing this lesheim Hashem.” When he aged and began encountering difficulty in putting on his shoes, he said each time, “Ribono Shel Olam, I am doing this for Your honor.”

When he washed himself, he said, “Lesheim Hashem,” and when he wrote a letter, he would dip his pen into the bottle of ink and proclaim, “Lechvod Hashem.”

Everything was about Hashem, for he knew that his purpose in this world was to serve Hashem, and he knew that he was a favorite son to the Melech.

We need to follow his example and learn the lesson of the ben sorer umoreh, understanding what Hashem wants from us and consistently walking His path with the dignity of royalty. By doing so, we will merit Hashem’s brachos and experience true happiness, regardless of our circumstances. We will recognize that Hashem created the world and placed us in it for a supreme purpose.

We would dedicate our time to pursuing mitzvos and acting with kindness towards others. We would speak appropriately, dress properly, always be neat and clean, avoid places we don’t belong, and strive to be righteous and exemplary in all our actions.

We would earn the brachos listed in this week’s parsha, as would our children and others who follow our example.

And if we err, or fall from the path, we would get back on. We would regret our mistakes, do teshuvah, and be welcomed back into Hashem’s embrace.

We can all reach that level. We can all aspire to be like the Chofetz Chaim and other great tzaddikim, growing in Torah and avodah, if we maintain proper, eternal priorities and avoid being misled by trivial pursuits. Chasing fleeting pleasures that quickly disappear and offer little lasting value will only leave us with an empty feeling.

Elul, the Chassidic masters taught, stands for “lo anachnu.” We are Hashem’s. “Lo anachnu” – we are not for ourselves.

Elul is the time to forsake our silly wants and desires, and to recognize that we are Hashem’s. If we acknowledge that we are His, He will respond by affirming our connection and showing us mercy, just as a parent shows mercy to his children.

We have just passed the midway point of Elul. There is still much to do, but if we are on the derech Hashem and take steps towards rectifying our actions and bringing ourselves closer to Hashem, He will reach out to us, bring us all the way aboard, and grant us a kesivah vachasimah tovah. Kein yehi ratzon.

{Matzav.com}

The Shin Bet on Thursday revealed that a Jewish-Israeli citizen was arrested in August 2024 for allegedly committing severe security offenses after being recruited by Iran to assassinate senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.

The suspect was twice smuggled into Iran and met with Iranian intelligence and security officials and received payments for carrying out missions.

The operation, carried out by the Shin Bet and the Lahav 443 unit of the Israel Police, revealed that the suspect, a businessman who had lived for an extended period in Turkey, maintained business and social ties with individuals of Turkish and Iranian descent.

As part of these connections, in April 2024, the suspect agreed, mediated by Turkish operatives Andrei Farouk Aslan and Gunaid Aslan, to meet with a wealthy businessman living in Iran named Eddy for the purpose of promoting business activities.

To facilitate the business dealings, he traveled to the city of Samandag in Turkey, where he met with two representatives sent by Eddy who conducted a phone call with him as Eddy was unable to leave Iran.

The investigation further indicated that in May 2024, the suspect traveled to Turkey, where he met with Andrei, Gunaid, and Eddy’s two representatives. After it became clear that Eddy could not leave Iran for Turkey, the Israeli suspect was smuggled by car through a land border crossing near the eastern Turkish city of Van into Iran, where he met Eddy and another person named Hajah, who was introduced as an operative on behalf of Iranian security agencies.

The Israeli and others traveled to Eddy’s home in Iran, where he was introduced as an Israeli citizen. During this meeting, Eddy outlined to the suspect various security missions within Israel for the Iranian regime, including: transferring money or a gun to predetermined locations, photographing crowded places in the country and sending them to Iranian agents, and threatening other Israeli citizens operating in the country on behalf of the Iranian regime who had not completed their tasks. The Israeli citizen requested to look into the matter.

It further emerged during the investigation that in August 2024, the Israeli suspect entered Iran for the second time, having been smuggled through the border crossing while hidden inside a truck cabin. During his stay at Eddy’s house in Iran, he met with additional Iranian intelligence operatives, who asked him to carry out terrorist activities for Iran on Israeli soil, including promoting assassination attempts against Netanyahu, Gallant, and Bar.

Iranian intelligence officials also requested to explore the possibility of targeting other high-profile individuals, such as former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other public figures as a form of revenge for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil in July 2024.

The Israeli suspect, in turn, demanded an advance payment of one million dollars before carrying out any action.

The next day, the Israeli suspect held another meeting with Iranian intelligence officials during which they reiterated their proposal to assassinate senior figures, discussed the possibility of him hiding funds in safe locations in Israel for others, and spoke about locating Russian and American figures to eliminate opponents of the Iranian regime in Europe and the United States while recruiting a Mossad operative to become a “double agent.” The suspect again insisted on an advance of one million dollars but the Iranian agents refused his request and informed him they would contact him in the future. Before leaving Iran, he received 5,000 euros for his participation in the meetings.

On September 19, 2024, the suspect was charged with severe security charges at the Be’er Sheva District Court.

A senior official in the Shin Bet stated: “This is a very serious affair that exemplifies the immense efforts of Iranian intelligence to recruit Israeli citizens for the advancement of terrorist activities in Israel. Security officials estimate that Iran will continue its efforts to recruit operatives in Israel for intelligence gathering and executing terrorist missions, including approaching individuals with criminal backgrounds to fulfill these tasks.”

“While Israel is at war on multiple fronts, an Israeli citizen has, on two separate occasions, traveled to an enemy state, met with Iranian intelligence agents, and expressed a willingness to carry out serious terrorist acts on Israeli soil. His actions have aided Iran and its intelligence apparatus in their campaign against Israel.”

“It is important to emphasize that cooperation between Israelis and Iranian agents during wartime constitutes a serious security offense, even if the motive for the contact is criminal or business-related.

“The Shin Bet takes any interaction of Israelis with Iranian agents very seriously, asserting that the initial pretext of a business engagement or criminal platform does not lessen the severity of the actions and the inherent risks, not to mention collaborating with these entities.

“The Shin Bet, in cooperation with Israel Police and other security bodies will continue its efforts to monitor and thwart Iranian activities aimed at recruiting and activating Israeli operatives – while ensuring that the offenders face justice.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Sky News Arabic reported on Tuesday evening that the Israeli Mossad is believed to be responsible for the recent explosions involving Hezbollah terrorists’ communication devices in Lebanon.

The report claims that Mossad planted explosive materials inside the batteries of the devices, later triggering them by increasing the temperature within the batteries.

It was also mentioned that the explosive materials had been placed in the devices prior to their arrival in Hezbollah’s possession.

A Lebanese security source, speaking to Al-Jazeera, confirmed that the beepers were rigged with explosives in advance, before they were distributed to Hezbollah. According to this source, each explosive charge weighed no more than 20 grams. Hezbollah reportedly received the devices about five months ago.

Some of the Hezbollah members noticed their devices were overheating and discarded them before the explosions occurred. Security camera footage captured the detonation of the devices and the resulting injuries to Hezbollah personnel.

As of now, reports suggest that more than 4,000 Hezbollah members have been injured in the incident. A Hezbollah source stated, “Israel hacked into the organization’s communication devices and blew them up.” Following the explosions, Hezbollah leaders instructed their members to dispose of the devices.

{Matzav.com Israel}

More communications devices used by Hezbollah terrorists exploded on Wednesday afternoon across the group’s main stronghold in Beirut and in Southern Lebanon, Reuters reported, citing a security source.

The Hezbollah devices that exploded on Wednesday afternoon are hand-held radios, the Lebanese source told the press agency.

At least one of the blasts took place in the vicinity of a funeral for terrorists killed on Tuesday, when thousands of Hezbollah pagers detonated all over the country, according to eyewitness reports.

For the first time in nearly three decades, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters won’t endorse a candidate in the presidential race – a blow to the Democratic Party, which has reliably received the union’s approval for years.

The Teamsters confirmed the decision not to endorse Wednesday, as the union’s executive board met in Washington to consider an endorsement.

The non-endorsement comes two days after union leaders and members met privately with Vice President Kamala Harris and she laid out her case for an endorsement, underscoring the current administration’s many achievements for unions.

“Unfortunately, neither major candidate was able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure the interests of working people are always put before Big Business,” said Teamsters president Sean O’Brien in a statement. The union had “sought commitments from both Trump and Harris” specifically about their union campaigns, core industries and right to strike, but “were unable to secure those pledges,” he added.

Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, said in a statement that the “Vice President’s strong union record is why Teamsters locals across the country have already endorsed her – alongside the overwhelming majority of organized labor.”

Hitt also referenced a recent comment Trump made about firing striking workers in a conversation with Elon Musk, adding that Harris “will look out for the Teamsters rank-and-file no matter what – because they always have been and always will be the people she fights for.”

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The decision arrives as the powerful transportation workers union, with its 1.3 million members, has forged inroads with the GOP. O’Brien addressed the Republican National Convention in July, becoming the first labor leader to do so and sending shock waves through Democratic circles.

The Teamsters have a strong presence in battleground states and could play an outsize role in the election.

The non-endorsement underscores a major division within the Teamsters, as well as other American unions with diverse membership. The results of two surveys of Teamsters membership released Wednesday by the Teamsters showed rank-and-file members strongly favoring a Trump endorsement over Harris – while several powerful Teamsters local chapters have broken with his leadership to urge members to vote for Harris.

“This election is likely to come down to a handful of votes in the ‘blue wall’ states,” said Steve Rosenthal, a Democratic political strategist in the labor movement for decades. “The Teamsters have a significant number of members in each of those states. … Their endorsement coupled with a program aimed at mobilizing their members could be a deciding factor.”

No endorsement “likely means the difference between their members voting 50 percent for Harris versus close to 60 percent,” he said, adding that “in a close race, that could be significant.”

Yet, the absence of an endorsement is unlikely to have a noticeable impact on Harris’s campaign financing given the substantial amount of donations her campaign has received, Democratic strategists say. The Harris campaign is flush with cash, raising $615 million in the first six weeks after she joined the race. The Teamsters have donated more than $800,000 so far this election cycle, with more than 92 percent going to Democratic PACs, according to OpenSecrets, a nonprofit that tracks campaign finance.

This election cycle, many unions endorsed President Joe Biden much earlier than is typical, reflecting his administration’s efforts to champion labor. When Biden dropped out of the race in July, those unions swiftly rallied behind Harris, citing her role in the administration’s accomplishments for labor.

The Teamsters union typically waits to endorse until after both political conventions have taken place, and this year, O’Brien said the union would not stray from that tradition.

That decision has sparked an internal rift within the union.

“We’ve made a huge mistake,” John Palmer, a Teamsters executive board member and vice president at large who has been openly critical of the union’s burgeoning relationship with Republican nominee Donald Trump, said this week. “We’ve lost out on an opportunity to try to get our members to understand why they shouldn’t be voting for [Trump].”

After Monday’s meeting with Harris, O’Brien praised “her willingness to meet with rank-and-file Teamsters face-to-face,” and said the union was weighing its endorsement.

The Teamsters have endorsed the Democratic ticket in every presidential election since 1996, when they did not endorse a candidate. The union had closer ties to the GOP decades ago, endorsing Richard M. Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Teamsters leadership had taken a different approach to this presidential election, meeting with several candidates, including Biden, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and academic and activist Cornel West. O’Brien met privately with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in January and held a roundtable with the former president at the union’s headquarters. The union also donated $45,000 to both the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention, the latter marking the first major contribution to the GOP in years.

The budding relationship between the Teamsters and the GOP drew an uproar from progressive Teamsters, highlighting political divisions within the union’s membership, as well as Democrats in Washington. But O’Brien had explained the union’s strategy as an effort to carefully assess its options, saying that his members’ votes “will not be taken for granted.”

The indignation culminated with O’Brien’s prime-time address at the RNC, where he both praised Trump days after an assassination attempt – calling him “one tough SOB” – and railed against corporate greed, pledging to work with anyone who would support union priorities. Critics of O’Brien said his RNC address gave conservative members tacit approval to vote for Trump. Supporters say O’Brien’s efforts could move the GOP, which has been flirting with right-wing populist ideas, to the left on labor issues.

O’Brien had also requested to speak at the DNC but did not receive an invitation, according to the union. Democrats invited rank-and-file Teamsters whose pensions were saved by the Biden-Harris administration to speak on the convention stage.

Since then, the Teamsters National Black Caucus, as well as six union locals, went ahead and endorsed Harris anyway, urging their members to vote for her.

Local Teamsters union leaders have sent scathing letters to O’Brien, demanding a Harris endorsement: “I am completely disappointed and appalled at your decision to court one of the most anti-union, anti-worker politicians in history, Donald Trump,” Josh Zivalich, president of Teamsters Local 769 in Miami, wrote to O’Brien on Aug. 14.

Some labor experts say O’Brien has adopted a more bipartisan approach under pressure to consider the membership’s diverse political leanings. He won the union’s top office in 2021 after running as a reform candidate who promised more member involvement in union decision-making. O’Brien is also aware that many rank-and-file Teamsters are Trump supporters, experts say.

The Biden-Harris administration is widely viewed by historians as one of the most pro-union in modern U.S. history. The administration appointed a pro-labor leader to the National Labor Relations Board and has enacted three major spending bills with pro-union provisions. Plus, in a major victory for the Teamsters, the White House secured a pension bailout that restored retirement accounts for about 600,000 union members.

Trump has called himself “pro-worker.” And his selection of Sen. JD Vance as running mate reflects mounting pressure within the Republican Party to embrace populist right-wing politics intended to capture working-class votes. Still, as president, Trump supported a labor agenda that severely restricted union power, including installing NLRB appointees whose policies and rulings made it harder for workers to join unions.

The Teamsters released the results of an electronic poll of Teamsters members, which showed 59.6 percent supporting a Trump endorsement compared to 34 percent supporting a Harris endorsement.

The Teamsters also conducted a separate poll of Teamsters members, by phone, which they reported also gave Trump a similar lead.

Both polls were conducted by a third-party union polling service, according to the Teamsters, which did not provide information on the polling size or methodology.

(c) Washington Post

Jerusalem’s Old City and Yehuda and Shomron must be judenrein within a year, according to a Palestinian-drafted resolution, which the U.N. General Assembly passed on Wednesday.

The resolution, which passed by a 124-14 margin with 43 abstentions, is meant to give force to a July advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which declared Israeli presence to be illegal in any area over the 1949 armistice line.

More than 40 countries sponsored the resolution, which was the first that Palestinians filed after being granted unprecedented privileges, for a non-U.N. member, earlier this year.

The resolution calls on the Israel Defense Forces to withdraw completely from Yehuda and Shomron, eastern Yerushalayim and Gaza within 12 months, which means evacuating all Jewish communities beyond the armistice line, including Yerushalayim’s Old City.

It also bans arms sales to the IDF of any equipment that would be expected reasonably to be used in the territory over the 1949 lines and calls for a boycott of all products produced by Jews in those areas.

The resolution text lacks any mention of Israeli security concerns, historic ties to the lands or Hamas’s terror attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.

The vote came after a day of debate on Tuesday.

Argentina, Czechia, Fiji, Hungary, Malawi, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, Tuvalu and the United States joined Israel in opposing the resolution.

Notably, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Ukraine and Australia were among those who abstained.

General Assembly resolutions have no legal force, but the resolution’s passage on Wednesday is expected to be used in international courts and other fora to seek additional action against the Jewish state.

It is widely expected that the Palestinians will request that the U.N. Security Council take up the issue. Security Council resolutions are binding, but the United States would be expected to thwart such an effort, including with its veto power.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called it “a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism.”

He added that the General Assembly “continues to dance to the music of the Palestinian Authority, which backs the Hamas murderers.”

Before the vote, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters he would back the implementation of the resolution should it pass.

Seth Riklin and Daniel Mariaschin, president and CEO respectively of B’nai B’rith International, said that the international nonprofit is “appalled” by the “atrocious” resolution.

“B’nai B’rith International strongly condemns the U.N. General Assembly’s passage of the first resolution officially sponsored by Palestinians days after they became the first non-member state group further upgraded to many member state privileges at the U.N. General Assembly, despite the world body’s own rules and practices,” the duo stated.

“Coming from an assembly in which Arab and other pro-Palestinian governments wield an automatic majority to annually condemn Israel more than all other countries combined, the motion is unprecedented in its shamelessly one-sided endorsement of Palestinian claims and political demands, and further erodes the U.N.’s credibility as a serious contributor to promoting conflict-resolution and universal human rights,” they added.

“Shame on all countries that enabled this atrocious affront to justice and peace as part of the latest UNGA ’emergency session’ on the Middle East that does nothing to help seriously address and settle the emergency,” Riklin and Mariaschin said.

Arsen Ostrovsky and Nadav Steinman, CEO and board chair respectively of the International Legal Forum, stated that “today, simply put, the United Nations has become the diplomatic arm of Hamas” and that the resolution “is just the latest in a litany of obscenely one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the U.N. since Oct. 7.”

“All it does is reward the murderers, rapists and abductors of Hamas while pouring further fuel on worldwide antisemitism and eroding whatever remaining credibility of the already problematic and politicized International Court of Justice, upon which this resolution is meant to be based,” they added. “Ultimately, peace will only prevail when Hamas is defeated and the hostages are released, not through tiresome antics and pyrrhic Palestinian ‘victories’ at the U.N.”

(JNS)

NEW YORk – Food multinational supermarket chain Aldi continues its march across America’s supermarket battleground. Earlier this year, the group made steps to secure more territory, acquiring Southeastern Grocers with its Harvey Supermarket and Winn-Dixie chains.

Meanwhile, the German grocery giants announced intentions to open 800 new stores in the United States by 2028. This expansion caps off one of America’s brightest retail success stories. Aldi store openings have more than doubled since 2011 — as of February, 2,356 stores are now operational in the U.S., according to Statista.

Inspiring Growth

“Our growth is fueled by our customers, and they are asking for more Aldi stores in their neighborhoods nationwide,” writes CEO Jason Hart in a corporate statement. “With up to 40% savings on groceries, new customers are inspired to try us out, and existing customers keep coming back.”

This release follows the early 2023 arrival of Aldi’s regional headquarters in Loxley, Alabama. A Supermarket News report depicts the 564,000-square foot distribution center’s opening; the resource is built to serve the near-100 stores in the Southeastern U.S. The new center is an emblem of Aldi’s successful journey in the grocery world.

A German-American Dream

The story began in Germany. In 1961, brothers Karl and Theodor Albrecht — led by a mostly uncredited mother, Anna — opened their first discount grocery store. In the years since then, the company grew fast: 1976 saw Aldi’s first American venture in Iowa.

Now, the company owns 26 distribution centers across the United States and shows no signs of stopping. Aldi stores sell anything from fresh produce and meats to kitchenware and sneakers, and customers are loyal.

Where does this triumphant formula originate? The company website promotes a self-labeled “no-frills” shopping experience designed to make grocery purchases easier. Aldi’s model offers products at “everyday low prices” alongside “timely customer service” and “high-quality food.”

No-Frills But Great Prices

The Aldi method also alters the physical grocery-buying experience. Reduced floor space from smaller stores complements another cost-saving device. In Aldi stores, customers retrieve their goods from the original shipping boxes “to save on restocking shelves.”

This approach also radiates throughout another part of the Aldi family, Trader Joe’s. Aldi acquired the Californian grocery chain just three years after opening its first U.S. premises.

Split after a conflict between the two brothers, the grocery empire now functions as two different groups: Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord. Each group works within certain countries.

Aldi Süd covers the following regions:

• The United Kingdom
• Hungary
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Ireland
• Slovenia
• Italy
• Australia

Aldi Nord covers territories including:

• France
• The Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Poland
• Luxembourg

Trader Joe’s falls into Aldi Süd’s territory, making the United States the only country where both branches of Aldi operate.

Split Down The Middle

In 1961, the Albrecht brothers disagreed over selling nicotine products in their stores, eventually splitting the Aldi group in two. The same year the Berlin Wall went up, Aldi followed suit — one might say it has never been more disconnected.

Like with many corporate dynasties, the Aldi legacy has brushed shoulders with controversy on several occasions. To begin, Theo Sr. was kidnapped in 1971. The subsequent ransom of seven million Deutschmarks even became a tax-deductible expense following his plea to the German tax authorities.

Betraying the Albrecht Ethos

In 2016, Theodor Albrecht’s son, Theo Albrecht Jr., went public with his disdain for his late brother Berthold’s family. Years after Berthold died in 2012, the usually reclusive Theo Jr. spoke out against his in-laws in light of their spending habits and public decorum in a Stern interview.

“It was obvious to us that we would fulfill our father’s legacy and continue to run the Aldi Nord group of companies in his spirit,” said Albrecht. “That means: the company always comes first. Our families must also take a back seat.”

A Family Estranged

Only one year after Berthold’s death, his family withdrew excessive amounts from their inherited Jakobus Foundation.

In 2021, Nicolay sued his family for embezzlement, claiming they used their boardroom number superiority to extract millions from the trust. The plot thickened even more when Nicolay injured himself in an accident. He ended up legally forced into a psychiatric hospital by his siblings and mother.

Unrivaled Retail Legacy

Nevertheless, while these conflicts leave a sad imprint on the Albrecht brothers’ legacies, the Aldi brand clearly remains untouched. Moreover, the company’s trajectory leaves Aldi on a strong footing. The retailer’s recent publicity has been mostly positive.

Meaghan Yuen of EMarketer reported last year how Aldi’s recent store openings dwarfed its American-based grocery retail competitors. Through 2022 and 2023, Aldi opened more than double the number of new retail outlets of its nearest rival. Employee-owned supermarket sensation Publix was the closest competitor.

Hot Property

Aldi also made fifth spot on the National Retail Federation ‘s “2024 Hottest Retailers” list. The Schwarz Group, owner of Aldi’s chief German rival, Lidl, sits in second place.

For the moment, though, Aldi remains king of the American grocery world.

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

NEW YORK CITY (VINnews)-The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has joined a lawsuit against Intel after an employee accused the tech company of failing to act on repeated instances of antisemitism in the workplace. The lawsuit stems from allegations that one employee publicly displayed antisemitic behavior, and Intel took no action in response. The ADL, which has a long history of advocating against hate and bigotry, expressed concern over Intel’s apparent inaction and decided to lend its support to the case.

In a statement, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt emphasized the importance of accountability in corporate environments when it comes to fighting antisemitism and discrimination. Greenblatt said that companies like Intel have a responsibility to address such issues swiftly and effectively to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.

Rav Yehoshua Abba Busel will deliver his first shiur klali today at Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ.

This shiur klali marks the second instance of the next generation of yeshiva leadership, specifically the sons or sons-in-law of the current roshei yeshiva, delivering such a shiur. The first was when Rav Aharon Olshin delivered a shiur klali last zeman.

The shiur klali is scheduled to take place at 12:45 p.m.

This shiur klali serves as a form of hachtarah for Rav Busel, as he has assumed the title of “R”M” at the yeshiva.

Rav Busel’s wife, Miriam Golda, is a daughter of Rav Yisroel Neuman , rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ,

He is a son of Rav Yaakov Busel zt”l, the late rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef of Edison, NJ. He is a grandson of Rav Boruch Sorotzkin zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Telshe Cleveland.

Rav Busel also serves as rov of the High Street Shul in Lakewood.

Bais Medrash Govoah is famously led by four roshei yeshiva: Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rav Yeruchem Olshin, Rav Dovid Schustal, and Rav Yisroel Neuman. Rav Kotler is a son of the rosh yeshiva Rav Shneur Kotler and a grandson of the yeshiva’s founder, Rav Aharon Kotler. Rav Schustal is a son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler. Rav Olshin and Rav Neuman are both sons-in-law of Rav Dov Schwartzman, who, in turn, was a son-in-law of Rav Aharon Kotler.

{Matzav.com}

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Democratic Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver has defeated Republican small businessman Carmen Bucco in a contest in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District that opened up because of the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. in April.

McIver will serve out the remainder of Payne’s term, which ends in January. She and Bucco will face a rematch on the November ballot for the full term.

McIver emerged as the Democratic candidate in a crowded field in the July special election. A member of the city council of New Jersey’s biggest city since 2018, she also worked for Montclair Public Schools as a personnel director and plans to focus on affordability, infrastructure, abortion rights and “protecting our democracy,” she told The Associated Press earlier this summer.

Bucco describes himself on his campaign website as a small-business owner influenced by his upbringing in the foster system. He lists support for law enforcement and ending corruption as top issues.

The 10th District lies in a heavily Democratic and majority-Black region of northern New Jersey. Republicans are outnumbered by more than 6 to 1.

It’s been a volatile year for Democrats in New Jersey, where the party dominates state government and the congressional delegation.

Among the developments were the conviction on federal bribery charges of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who has denied the charges, and the demise of the so-called county party line — a system in which local political leaders give their preferred candidates favorable position on the primary ballot.

Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, who’s running for Menendez’s seat, and other Democrats brought a federal lawsuit challenging the practice as part of his campaign to oust Menendez, who has resigned since his conviction.

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Artscroll’s latest English Halacha sefer is entitled, “The Priceless Treasure of  Bircas Kohanim” – but the name applies to the sefer as well.  This sefer, replete with more than 550 Teshuvos from Maran HaRav Chaim Kanievskt zt”l is a priceless treasure in and of itself.  It is not just a halacha sefer, it is a kol-bo.  It is filled with inspiration, stories, history and minhagin.  This type of combination-format, in this author’s opinion, is path-breaking and will possibly entirely re-define how halacha seforim can be written. Most of all, anyone reading it is is overcome by a tremendous urge to run out for Shacharis to a sefardic minyan to attend Bircas Kohanim.

Somewhere in the introduction, the author,  Rabbi Naftali Weinberger, explains that he had asked Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l which sefer should be published first – the one on Shidduchim or the one on Bircas Kohanim. Everyone thought that he would certainly answer Bircas Kohanim – because of the Mitzvah of vekhibadto – that one must honor a Kohain.  In fact, Rav Chaim zatzal used to sort his letters by names that could possibly be that of a Kohain in order to respond to them first.  To everyone’s shock, Rav Chaim responded that the Shidduchim sefer should be published first because the delay in our girls getting married causes enormous damage to Klal Yisroel.  Wow.

Each page of this remarkable is filled with remarkably inspiring nuggets of information.  The Alter of Slabodka had formed his own, quicker minyan for Ne’ilah so that he could hear Bircas Kohanim before shkiyah.  But when the Yeshiva saw what the Alter was doing – the main minyan followed suit (p. 107). 

Rav Nachum zt”l, yes the famed Rav Nachum, explained that the Mir Yeshiva’s minhag of going faster through Ne’ilah was to give the tzibbur an extra Chessed of helping out the Kohanim fulfill their three Mitzvos.  The z’chus that the Tzibbur receives is on account of this Chessed  – to the Kohanim.  Wow.

It is reminiscent of Rav Chatzkel Levenstein zt”ls explanation of mechalkel chaim b’chessed – Rav Chatzkel Levenstein zt”l explains the three words we are all so familiar with in the shmoneh esreh differently than others do.  Mechalkel chaim b’chessed – Hashem sustains life with chessed.  What do these words mean?  Some have it that through Hashem’s middah of chessed – He sustains life. Others have it as Hashem could sustain life in many ways – but He does so with extras – with steak instead of with macaroni.  Rav Chatzlel zatzal explained it differently – He explained that it is the acts and the performance of Chessed which is the life-sustaining, life-giving force that sustains and gives purpose and direction to life and to the universe itself.

Some interesting halachos are that an Ashkenazic Kohain living in the USA may never duchen in an Ashkenazic minyan except for on Yom Tov – without exception (p. 142).  An Ashkenazic Jew may attend a sefardic minyan in the USA – even for the express purpose of hearing Bircas Kohanim.  Chapter fourteen of this sefer goes into great detail all of the explanations as to why Kohanim do not duchem in Chutz LaAretz.  In Chapter eight, the author deals with the D’oraisah form of the bracha – wherein it must be delivered by two Kohanim. The Rabbinic form of the Mitzvah is just with one Kohain.

Uman – The Exception

The author notes that Dayan Fisher zt”l ruled that in Uman, where the shuls were established primarily for those visiting from Eretz Yisroel for a short period of time – the Israeli Kohanim may duchen. Uman is not the only exception.  In the Hague, they also did duchen because they thought it protected them from the Cholera epidemic.  The practice ended at the second World War.

But Where do the Fingers Go?

Most people that learned through Mishna Brurah Seder when they were in Yeshiva remember the 5 air spaces Avirim that are discussed in Siman 128:12 but didn’t pay to much attention to where the five space were.  Rabbi Weinberger brings two different readings of the Mishna Brurah on this issue. (The pictures, drawn by Yoav Ilan, are on p. 301 – where all 7 different minhagim are depicted.) Of course the first and last spaces are between the middle finger and the ring finger on each hand.  The second and fourth spaces are between the thumbs and the index finger?  But where is the third space? The simple reading is that it is in the concave area below where the thumbs touch.  But the alternative reading is that the thumbs form an X and area 3 is at the top of the X. (The author does not address the fact that according to the alternative reading there would be a fourth concave area at the bottom of the X). The Zohar’s view is that the thumbs don’t touch at all.

The fact of the matter is that this Sefer is an essential read before Yom Tov and this reviewer predicts that it will be an instant  sellout.  Artscroll will have to reprint very soon. Also, for all wives of Kohanim out there – it is the perfect gift, just be prepared not to see your husband for two days.

The one deficit of this remarkable Sefer is that it is currently missing its index, but no doubt in the next printing – Artscroll will rectify that.  So for those looking for any mention of Yehudah Leib Ben Mordechai, it probably will not be found. 

The reviewer can be reached at [email protected]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a Delta Air Lines flight leaving Salt Lake City last weekend developed cabin pressure issues and left some passengers with bleeding eardrums, headaches and bloody noses.

The flight was traveling Sunday from Salt Lake City to Portland, Oregon, when pilots of the five-year-old Boeing 737-900ER aircraft noticed a pressurization problem and made an emergency landing back in Utah’s capital, according to the flight log.

Passengers told television station KSL they noticed people bleeding as the plane decreased in elevation over the Great Salt Lake. Pilots announced they were returning to the airport but did not explain why, passenger Caryn Allen said. Oxygen masks did not deploy.

Allen described watching her husband cover his ears in pain while other passengers tried to help a man on the other side of the aisle who had an uncontrollable bloody nose.

Another passenger, Jaci Purser, told KSL it felt like someone was stabbing her inner ear.

“I grabbed my ear, and I pulled my hand back, and there was blood on it,” she said.

Paramedics met passengers at the gate and identified at least 10 people out of the 140 on the flight who required medical attention. They recommended that anyone who was bleeding go to the hospital for further evaluation, and Delta offered to cover those transportation costs, the airline said.

“We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on Sept. 15,” Delta said in a statement. “The flight crew followed procedures to return to SLC where our teams on the ground supported our customers with their immediate needs.”

The airline said the plane was taken out of service Sunday and went back into service Monday after technicians resolved an issue that made the plane unable to pressurize above 10,000 feet, Delta said.

The Boeing aircraft involved in Sunday’s emergency landing is not part of the manufacturer’s newer MAX fleet, which came under investigation this year after a door plug blew off during a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines flight while the plane was at 16,000 feet over Oregon.

However, the FAA in late January recommended more thorough inspections of other Boeing aircrafts including the 737-900ER involved in the incident over Salt Lake City because it shares the same door plug design as the MAX jets.

Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani suffered a fate similar to thousands of Hezbollah terrorists on Tuesday: his pager exploded in his face as he was reading the latest “message.”

However, Amani’s injuries held a certain significance that the others didn’t – he was caught (literally) “red-handed” as being a member of a murderous terror group.

A member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told the New York Times that Amani had taken out the pager to read the message when it exploded in his face. He lost one eye and the other eye was severely wounded. He also suffered hand injuries.

The report added that the IRGC sources said Amani’s injuries are more severe than initially reported and he will be evacuated to Tehran for medical treatment.

Amani serves as a liaison between Tehran and Hezbollah and it is estimated that he even hosts Hezbollah meetings at the Iranian embassy.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Just one day after the explosion of thousands of pagers in Lebanon, two-way radios are now exploding, according to local reports.

The walkie-talkies, used by members of the Hezbollah, have blow up and set apartments and vehicles on fire.

Hundreds of injuries are being reported.

This comes just one day after over 4,000 terrorists were injured when their pagers – loaded with explosives – exploded.

Developing.

The U.S. State Department revealed on Wednesday that adult U.S. passports can now be renewed online, eliminating the need for the previous process, which required applicants to print forms and send checks by mail.

In a statement, the State Department explained, “By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible.” They also noted that “thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and a host of other improvements, the average routine passport is being processed today in roughly one-third the time as at the same point last summer, and well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times.”

The online renewal system, which began as a public beta in June, is now fully operational and available around the clock.

Although the method for renewing a passport has changed, the requirements remain the same. Users must upload a passport photo, pay the associated fees, and meet certain deadlines. Just like with the mail-in process, only passports that expired within the last five years are eligible for online renewal.

Currently, this online option is only open to adults residing in the United States or its territories. Children’s passports, as well as those of Americans living abroad, cannot yet be renewed through the new system.

Rena Bitter, the assistant secretary of consular affairs, informed the media on Wednesday that passport processing times are still between six to eight weeks.

“The benefit of online passport renewal is that it’s a more convenient service,” Bitter emphasized. “We don’t expect to have a different service standard for people who apply online versus people who apply by mail. We just want to make sure that we give the American people a choice to be able to do either.”

In 2021, due to staffing shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues, the time required for passport renewals surged to 18 weeks, despite lower demand. By 2023, with more Americans traveling internationally again, the system became further strained. However, the State Department later announced that processing times had returned to normal.

As of 2023, about 48% of U.S. citizens possessed passports, a notable rise from just 5% in 1990, according to the State Department.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America, will deliver remarks at a rally in Uniondale, New York on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Israel developed the plan to remotely detonate thousands of Hezbollah pagers months ago but was forced to activate the plan on Tuesday after two Hezbollah members grew suspicious, various media outlets reported.

Axios quoted a US official as saying: “It was a use it or lose it moment.”

Israel planned on using the operation as the first blow in an all-out war to try to disable Hezbollah. But when Israel received intelligence that two Hezbollah members had expressed suspicion about the pagers, they decided to execute the plan rather than lose the opportunity altogether.

Israeli officials did not inform the US about the plan, not even telling US envoy Amos Hochstein about it, who was in Israel to discuss the security situation with Hezbollah.

In order not to keep the US completely in the dark, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin moments before the explosions began and said that Israel was about to carry out an operation in Lebanon. However, he refused to provide any details.

The pagers that blew up bore the trademark of the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo. However, the company stated on Wednesday that the pagers were manufactured by BAC Consulting KFT, based in Budapest, Hungary.

“According to the cooperation agreement, we authorize BAC to use our brand trademark for product sales in designated regions, but the design and manufacturing of the products are solely the responsibility of BAC,” the statement read.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

JERUSALEM — Israel’s defense minister has declared the start of a “new phase” of the war as Israel turns its focus toward the northern front against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Speaking to Israeli troops on Wednesday, Yoav Gallant made no mention of the mysterious explosions of electronic devices in Lebanon in recent days. But he praised the work of Israel’s army and security agencies, saying “the results are very impressive.”

He said that after months of war against Hamas militants in Gaza, “the center of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces.”

“We are at the start of a new phase in the war – it requires courage, determination and perseverance,” he said.

Gallant’s comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was huddling with top security officials at Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

A major theft occurred at an IDF infantry training base in the Negev region late last week, with 18 containers full of military equipment stolen, according to Israeli media reports. The stolen items include rifle ammunition, bulletproof vests, night-vision apparatus, and specialized gear used by elite units. The incident, which took place at Base 906—one of three Negev bases of the School for Infantry Corps Professions and Squad Commanders—has raised serious concerns, particularly given the ongoing war.

While theft from IDF bases has been a recurring problem, the scale of this recent incident is particularly alarming. Channel 14 described it as “especially serious” due to the amount of equipment taken during wartime.

Military Police, in coordination with the Israel Police, have launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made so far. According to Naomi Kahn, director of the International Division of Regavim, a think tank focused on land and security issues, Bedouin thieves are likely responsible. “Past experience has taught us that there is no other direction to look in. Let’s put it that way,” Kahn told JNS.

For years, Regavim has been working to bring attention to the ongoing issue of theft from IDF bases. In some cases, trenches have even been built around bases to deter thieves. According to Kahn, entire military exercises have had to be canceled because Bedouin thieves were stealing not only spent ammunition but also metal targets, old vehicle frames, and other equipment. For a long time, a jurisdictional gap allowed thieves to operate with impunity, as IDF soldiers could not arrest civilians, and police were not permitted on military bases.

In response to the rampant thefts, the IDF and police formed a joint special unit in 2022 called “Magen HaNegev” (Negev Shield), which successfully confiscated 145 million shekels’ ($39 million) worth of military equipment and thwarted smuggling operations worth an additional 10 million shekels ($2.7 million). However, the unit was suspended when the war broke out on October 7, as its personnel were redeployed to other areas, leading to a resurgence in thefts.

Kahn emphasized the need to reinstate the Negev Shield unit, particularly in wartime, as weaponry is continuously cycled in and out of bases for repair and refitting. “It made a serious dent in all of this activity, and then as soon as the Oct. 7 war broke out, the unit was essentially suspended,” she explained, adding that the absence of the unit has allowed theft to return “with a vengeance.”

Kahn also called for greater accountability when thefts occur, a point echoed by Knesset member Yitzhak Kroizer of the Otzma Yehudit Party. Kroizer recently submitted a bill that would hold IDF commanders responsible if weapons were stolen from their bases, underscoring the seriousness of these security breaches. “There has to be not only responsibility when theft happens, but authority to stop it because it’s a security threat. Every man, woman, and child is endangered by this kind of thing,” Kahn warned.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Some 3,000 Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon were seriously injured after pagers used for communication exploded. A Hezbollah spokesperson said it was the “biggest security breach yet.” Hezbollah claimed that the pagers were blown up by Israel. Here is analysis from Andrew Marr.

WATCH:

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, announced on Wednesday that his office reached an agreement with Christopher Brown, 23, to plead guilty “for possessing a firearm as part of a planned terror attack on the New York Jewish community in 2022.”

Brown pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to a count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree as a crime of terrorism, Bragg’s office said. It added that Brown is slated to be sentenced on Nov. 13 “to a promised sentence of 10 years in state prison, followed by five years post-release supervision.”

“Christopher Brown has been held accountable for his plan to commit a violent, antisemitic terrorist attack,” Bragg stated. “Thankfully, we were able to intervene and prevent him from following through.”

“I want Manhattan’s Jewish community to know that we are remaining extremely vigilant against threats of violence during this time of rising antisemitism, and our terrorism and hate-crimes units are continuing to conduct proactive investigations to keep everyone safe,” he added.

Brown admitted in the plea agreement that he wrote antisemitic posts on social media, including “God wants me to shoot up a synagogue and die” and “gonna ask a priest if I should become a husband or shoot up a synagogue and die,” in November 2022. He also “used social media to express support for Nazi ideology and accelerationism, a form of racially and ethnically motivated extremism,” per Bragg’s office.

He also “discussed getting tattoos of Nazi insignia, including a swastika on his heart,” the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office stated, and “expressed support for and a desire to emulate Brenton Tarrant, who attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019.”

When officers arrested Brown on Nov. 18, 2022, at Penn Station in New York City, he had a knife, a swastika armband and a ski mask in his backpack. He had purchased a loaded gun in Pennsylvania for $650, the DA’s office said.

(JNS)

By Idy Perl

Last night a frightening incident took place on OceanParkway near Cortelyou Road.

A suspect approached a man sitting on a bench and asked himfor money. When the person declined, the perp started aggressively yelling athim, which made the man start to walk away.

As they approached Avenue C and East 3rd, thesuspect pulled out a gun and threatened to kill the man. He then quickly tookout a knife and stabbed the victim in the side of his head and robbed him.

The perp fled and was gone before the police arrived on thescene. The victim was transported to Maimonides Hospital in stable condition.

The suspect is described as an Indian male with a ponytail andwas wearing all black. He is still at large.

LEBANON – Israel has reportedly achieved a significant intelligence breakthrough by infiltrating a supply chain, leading to the simultaneous detonation of hundreds of Hezbollah pagers. This attack has reportedly struck a severe blow to the Lebanese militant group and its Iranian allies.

The explosions, which occurred in Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon, resulted in at least 11 fatalities and approximately 4,000 injuries. Among the injured was the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon. The incident marks an unprecedented coordinated attack.

Hezbollah, known for its preference for pagers over smartphones due to security concerns, appears to have been targeted with corrupted devices that exploded at a predetermined time. The NY Times reported that the pagers were from the Taiwanese company “Gold Apollo” A source close to Hezbollah, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the devices involved were part of a recent shipment of 3,000 pagers that were likely sabotaged prior to delivery.

Reports indicate that the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, managed to intercept Hezbollah’s communication devices before they were distributed to the group. The Mossad allegedly inserted PETN, a highly explosive material, into the pager batteries, triggering the explosions remotely by elevating the battery temperature.

A Lebanese security official mentioned that each pager contained less than 20 grams of explosives. Hezbollah had recently acquired these pagers following orders from its leader to discontinue cellphone use due to tracking risks from Israeli intelligence. The pagers were a new model for the group.

Lebanese soldiers stand guard at a street that leads to the American University hospital where they bring wounded people whose handheld pager exploded, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Experts suggest that the destruction of the pagers was caused by small explosive charges rather than overheating batteries. Images of the damage suggest deliberate detonation rather than accidental battery failure. Paul Christensen, a specialist in battery safety, noted that the extent of the damage was inconsistent with known battery failure cases.

Digital rights group SMEX pointed out that Israel might have exploited a flaw in the pagers or tampered with them before they reached Hezbollah. Yehoshua Kalisky, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, proposed that an electronic pulse could have been used to cause the explosions.

Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the explosions. While Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement, the attack represents a substantial security setback for Hezbollah and demonstrates Israel’s reach into the group’s operations.

The incident follows recent targeted operations by Israel, including the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and the political leader of Hamas, Ismael Haniyeh. The recent pager attack has been interpreted by some analysts as part of a broader strategy by Israeli intelligence to regain credibility following setbacks in the conflict with Hamas.

Experts describe the operation as a classic sabotage, suggesting it was meticulously planned over a long period. Analysts believe that Israel exploited Hezbollah’s shift from smartphones to pagers to conduct this sophisticated operation.

Just months before Luis Miguel Calzadilla-Rojas — a Venezuelan migrant and alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang — was detained after a shooting outside a probation office in Aurora, Colorado, he had gained entry to the United States through a controversial immigration initiative launched by the Biden-Harris administration, the NY Post reports.

Calzadilla-Rojas entered the country by using CBP One, an application designed to offer asylum seekers a lawful way into the United States.

He is one of the 1.3 million migrants who have been permitted to enter the U.S. through legal channels established by the Biden-Harris administration over the past two years.

These programs were initiated without input or approval from Congress.

Sources within Homeland Security have revealed to The Post that minimal vetting takes place for many migrants, particularly if their countries of origin — such as Venezuela, Haiti, and Cuba — do not cooperate with U.S. law enforcement agencies.

“It doesn’t surprise me that gang members get in so easily and frequently,” one source commented to The Post.

Calzadilla-Rojas is not the only person who has made it through the loopholes in the CBP One program.

In June, federal authorities arrested three suspected ISIS members from Tajikistan who had used the CBP One app to gain entry into the U.S., as per data from the Department of Homeland Security provided to the House Judiciary Committee.

Additionally, the program enabled the entry of two other suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang, who were later arrested in connection with an attempted murder in Aurora in late July.

The Biden-Harris administration introduced the CBP One app in January 2023, with President Biden asserting that it would help manage the flow of migrants entering the country illegally.

The app allows migrants to schedule appointments with immigration officials to review their requests for entry into the U.S. Applicants are required to be outside the country — typically across the border in Mexico — when applying.

President Biden argued that by offering asylum seekers a legal route into the country, they could undergo screening and avoid having to rely on cartel-run human smugglers.

However, critics, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who filed a lawsuit against the policy, claimed the administration was “inviting illegal aliens to cross the border.”

Following the policy’s implementation, there was a dramatic increase in illegal border crossings, with over 2 million migrants entering the U.S. between February 2023 and April 2024, peaking at 117,000 crossings in May alone.

Since January 2023, the app has facilitated the entry of approximately 813,000 migrants through southern border ports of entry.

The overwhelming demand for the CBP One system has led the Mexican government to assist by busing migrants to the U.S. border, allowing them to reach their appointments with CBP more swiftly.

In addition to the app, the Biden administration has permitted 30,000 Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan migrants to fly into the U.S. via commercial flights. To date, 530,000 migrants have arrived in the U.S. on such flights.

Although the flight program was briefly paused due to widespread fraud, it has since resumed.

Altogether, these programs have allowed 1.3 million migrants into the country.

While these entry methods continue to bring in thousands of migrants each month, the Biden-Harris administration has touted its success at the border. According to the administration, illegal crossings have fallen to their lowest levels since Biden took office, following the introduction of new restrictions on asylum seekers.

After three years of record-high illegal crossings, encounters with Border Patrol agents dropped to approximately 83,000 in June, 56,000 in July, and 58,000 in August, according to federal statistics.

“CBP continues to enforce the Securing the Border interim final rule and deliver strong consequences for illegal entry, and encounters between ports of entry remain at their lowest level in years,” Troy Miller, the acting chief of Customs and Border Protection, said in a recent statement.

The controversial CBP One app has faced harsh criticism from Republicans, who argue that it grants legal entry to migrants with no legitimate right to be in the U.S.

Former President Donald Trump has vowed to “terminate the Kamala phone app for smuggling illegals (CBP One App).”

Mark Green, the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, expressed his disapproval at a border hearing on Wednesday, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of orchestrating a “shell-game” and using entry programs as part of “a sleight of hand to skew the numbers.”

Critics maintain that the recent arrests of gang members and terror suspects demonstrate that CBP One has not enhanced border security.

When Calzadilla-Rojas utilized the CBP One app, he entered the U.S. through the Paso Del Norte port of entry in El Paso, Texas, in August 2023, according to sources within Homeland Security.

Although officers processing Calzadilla-Rojas conducted the required background checks, they found no records on him — likely due to the absence of information-sharing agreements between the U.S. and Venezuela, sources added.

He was granted entry into the U.S. on a two-year parole status, with the chance to seek an extended stay at a court hearing scheduled for April 2026, sources said.

Later, Calzadilla-Rojas was one of ten members of the violent Venezuelan street gang apprehended in connection with a January 3 shooting outside the Arapahoe County Probation Office in Aurora, Colorado, an area with a significant migrant population, according to police.

He has since been identified by the Aurora Police Department as a “documented member of TdA.”

Although he initially informed federal authorities that he would reside in Madison, Wisconsin, Calzadilla-Rojas was arrested nearly 1,000 miles away outside of Denver — a major hub for the Venezuelan gang in the U.S.

Various media outlets reported that hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon and Syria lost their eyesight after their pagers exploded on Tuesday in a coordinated series of blasts attributed to Israel.

Reports said that the pagers beeped for about 10 seconds before the explosions, causing the terrorists to take them out of their pockets or waistbands and hold them close to their faces to see the latest message.

The pagers then exploded, causing thousands of facial and hand injuries, including eye injuries. Those who didn’t take the pagers out of their pockets were injured in more delicate areas of their anatomy.

Iran’s Red Crescent organization stated on Wednesday that it sent eye surgeons and other medical professionals to Lebanon to help treat the victims of the exploding pagers.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

At today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) questioned witnesses about antisemitism on college campuses, and was interrupted by a protester.

WATCH:

Dear Editor,

I wanted to bring attention to an ongoing issue with AT&T service in parts of Lakewood, particularly in a few specific buildings. Over the past week and a half to two weeks, I’ve noticed a complete lack of data service when inside these buildings—where there used to be perfectly fine reception. It’s frustrating to suddenly have no connection at all when other service providers are working just fine in the same areas.

What’s even more troubling is that AT&T doesn’t seem to be offering any solutions. I’ve reached out to them, but so far, no real help has been provided.

I’m curious if other readers have been experiencing the same problem. Is this happening in other parts of Lakewood as well? Please share your thoughts and any suggestions in the comments—especially if you’ve found a way to fix or work around this issue. If enough of us are having trouble, maybe we can push AT&T for a resolution together.

Thank you

TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected]

US CAPITOL (JNS) — Moments after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that every Republican member of the panel asked in February for a hearing on antisemitism but instead got one more than six months later “generically on hate,” antisemitic protesters interrupted the proceedings.

“This is the kind of anger and hate that is encouraged. You’re now seeing the hate manifesting right here,” Cruz said, gesturing toward the protesters, whom officers removed from the room on Tuesday morning. “We now have a demonstration of antisemitism. We have a demonstration of the hate.”

“This is the kind of anger and hate that is encouraged. You’re now seeing the hate manifesting right here. We now have a demonstration of anti-Semitism. We have a demonstration of the hate.”

— Ted Cruz after protestors interrupt and are removed from hate crimes hearing pic.twitter.com/puYYs601nm

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) September 17, 2024

Protesters could also be found outside the room, and some sought out senators in the halls of the Capitol after the hearing had concluded.

The hearing was the first ostensibly about Jew-hatred at the Senate since Oct. 7, after the House held some 10 hearings on the topic. One of the latter, which centered on Jew-hatred on campus, centered on the testimony of three university presidents, two of whom have since resigned.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, opted for a hearing about hate crimes broadly, and not just antisemitism.

Mark Goldfeder, an attorney, Orthodox rabbi and director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, told JNS after his testimony during the hearing that he “was told that there was some confusion as to what the hearing was going to be about.”

“What we tried to do was explain that antisemitic hate crimes are often a canary in the coal mine of intolerance—that what starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews, that antisemitism is a threat to democracy everywhere,” he told JNS. “All communities need to show support.”

The hearing’s “all lives matter” approach, which critics said addressed Jew-hatred only as part of a broader story and not a sufficient concern in its own right, left some expecting a significant focus on hate crimes against Muslims and Arabs.

The activist group Code Pink, which frequently protests in the Capitol and which supports boycotting the Jewish state, had a visible presence both in the Dirksen Senate Office Building and in the halls of the Capitol, where its co-founder Medea Benjamin and others accosted senators as they entered the room.

Prior to the beginning of the hearing, which ran late, a man whose attire identified him with Code Pink, yelled that Durbin was 20 minutes late, because “the Jewish lobby had him on the phone, and told him he can’t talk about anything but antisemitism.”

“He was trying to figure out what to do,” the anti-Israel protester claimed, of the senator.

When Medea and others found Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in the halls and accused him of being beholden to the Jewish state, the senator called Code Pink the “China-funded people,” as reporting in the New York Times and elsewhere has noted that one of the group’s large benefactors, who has close ties to Chinese, is married to a Code Pink co-founder.

“Who funds you?” Benjamin asked Hawley. “AIPAC. The pro-Israel lobby.”

“There you go again with the antisemitism,” Hawley responded. Before he entered a members-only elevator, the senator said it was an honor to be protested by Code Pink, which is made up of “supporters of the Holocaust.”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) accused those who accosted him in a hallway of having “blood on your hands.”

‘It could, ironically, help us’

Goldfeder told JNS that despite the drama at the hearing, the committee members were attentive to his concerns.

“All of them really displayed a degree of care and concern about vulnerable communities that are being targeted,” he said. “I was especially appreciative of senators, who focus on the fact that while all hate crimes are important, there really is an acute problem right now, and this is a matter of triage for the Jewish community.”

Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, wrote to Durbin and to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the committee’s top Republican, ahead of the hearing. In the letter, he said he is disappointed that the committee didn’t call students and educators, who are at the front lines of rising Jew-hatred on campus, as witnesses and that the hearing shifted from being about Jew-hatred to broader hate.

“Now that the Judiciary Committee is having this hearing, the majority seems determined to reinforce the message to American Jews that antisemitism is, in their view, a second-class civil rights issue,” Diament wrote.

“Chairman Durbin hasn’t called any of the many victims of the wave of hate on university campuses or city streets to testify, nor has he called a leader of a mainstream American Jewish organization,” he added. “Moreover, as far as the committee’s majority is concerned, the biggest surge of antisemitism in this country’s history can’t be the sole topic of the hearing. Maybe ‘better late than never’ just doesn’t apply to this situation.”

Diament told JNS that he attended meetings on Capitol Hill on Tuesday but was not at the committee hearing.

The OU official thinks that the controversy about the hearing could help push forward several pieces of House-passed legislation that address rising Jew-hatred, including the Anitisemitism Awareness Act and bills that would strip tax benefits from nonprofits that support terror and would demand greater clarity about foreign funding of educational institutions.

“I had a couple of hallway conversations with some Democratic senators, who were not at the hearing but were surprised to hear how the hearing was set up,” Diament told JNS.

“It could, ironically, help us get the legislation across the finish line,” he said. “This hearing was not received well.”

In what appears to be a sophisticated, remote attack, pagers used by hundreds of members of Hezbollah exploded almost simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria, killing at least nine people and wounding thousands more. Samuel Katz, a counterterrorism expert and author who has written extensively about the elite special forces of Israel’s military, joins NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live” to discuss.

WATCH:

The source of the Hezbollah electronic pagers that exploded in Lebanon, killing at least 12 people and injuring as many as 2,800 others, remained a mystery on Wednesday, after a Taiwanese company and the government of Hungary denied links to the devices.

Two photos published to social media after the Tuesday explosions show the burned and damaged back panels of pagers with “GOLD” written in text above a model number, “AR-9.” The design of the text matches that emblazoned on the back of the “AR-924” pager model produced by Taiwanese pager manufacturer Gold Apollo Co.

Gold Apollo, however, said it did not design or manufacture the devices in question. It said those pagers were “entirely handled” by a Hungarian company called BAC Consulting KFT, which was authorized to use Gold Apollo’s brand trademark in some regions.

The Washington Post could not reach BAC for comment. But Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs contested Gold Apollo’s account, posting on social media that BAC is a “trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary. It has one manager registered at its declared address, and the referenced devices have never been in Hungary.”

Kovacs added that Hungarian national security services were “cooperating with all relevant international partner agencies and organizations.”

Experts have said that the electronic pagers – used by the Hezbollah militant group because they were considered more secure than cellphones – were probably rigged with explosives at some point before they were delivered to Lebanon.

Hezbollah blamed Israel and threatened to retaliate. The Israel Defense Forces, which does not typically announce operations abroad, declined to comment on whether it was responsible.

Hsu Ching-kuang, Gold Apollo’s founder, told reporters at the company’s headquarters in New Taipei City on Wednesday that he had no idea how a pager could be turned into an explosive. “I’m just doing my business, why am I getting involved in a terrorist attack?” Hsu said.

The electronic pagers only have a receiving function, and the battery inside is approximately the size of a AA battery, with no possibility of causing an explosion that could lead to casualties, according to Gold Apollo.

Hsu said that BAC had been selling the pagers using Gold Apollo’s brand for less than two years.

BAC Consulting KFT was established in 2022, according to documents filed at the Justice Ministry. Its main job was listed as consulting, but it also was registered to do other things, including produce electric devices and parts of electric devices and work with telecommunications.

BAC’s website, which was accessed by The Post before it was taken down Wednesday, said its mission was to work “internationally as agents of change with a network of consultants.” The site listed BAC’s founder and CEO as Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono. The site said she studied in Britain at the London School of Economics, SOAS and University College London, where she earned a PhD in physics. A LinkedIn profile associated with a Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono says she speaks seven languages and also worked as an independent expert at the European Commission.

The Post was unable to reach her via emails, phone calls or WhatsApp messages. NBC News said that when it reached a woman by that name on the phone, she said, “I don’t make the pagers. I am just the intermediate. I think you got it wrong.”

The Post also visited two Budapest addresses listed in the BAC company filings.

At the first, identified as the company’s headquarters, an A4 sheet of paper in a window pane on the front door read “BAC Consulting.” But when a reporter for The Post knocked on the door – on Wednesday afternoon during working hours – no one answered. The place appeared empty.

The building is in an area known for its sports club and its swimmers and water polo team.

The second address in the company filings was a block of apartment buildings, about 40 minutes away on public transportation. A neighbor on the listed floor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said that she knew the family that lived there “very well” but that the apartment, which had a security door with three locks, was usually empty. She hadn’t seen Bársony-Arcidiacono in three or four years, she said.

The neighbor said Bársony-Arcidiacono had been educated in physics and at one point was trying to get a job in Italy, where her mother was based.

Questions about where the digital pagers originated, and whether they had been tampered with at some point in the supply chain, began to swirl immediately after Tuesday’s explosions. Those questions multiplied after a second wave of explosions on Wednesday that included handheld radios, according to Lebanese health officials and the state news agency.

Taiwan’s Economy Ministry said in a statement earlier Wednesday that it had contacted Gold Apollo about the pagers, which “questioned whether the product was indeed theirs after reviewing the media reports and images, and they judged that the pager may have been tampered with after being exported.”

Founded in 1995, Gold Apollo is one of the primary producers of pagers in the world. New Taipei City’s Economic Development Department said the company has no record of violations of laws or regulations.

Gold Apollo exported 260,000 pagers from 2022 through last month, including almost 41,000 sets this year alone, according to data from the ministry. Most were exported to Europe and the United States, and there were no records of direct exports to Lebanon, the ministry said. This did not, however, rule out shipments through a third-party company.

The incident has alarmed many on the island about the implications of being involved in a global conflict with the backdrop of having to deal with its own problem of growing threats from China.

While Taiwan has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine during Russia’s invasion, the government has remained relatively silent on the war in Gaza. Hsiao Hsu-tsen, director of the foundation of former president Ma Ying-jeou, called on the Taiwanese government to release the details of its investigation to prevent potential “retaliation” from Hezbollah. Ma belongs to the Taiwanese opposition Kuomintang and has been a vocal critic of President Lai Ching-te’s administration.

Security experts pointed out the difficulties in strengthening the security level of the pagers.

“Preventing such attacks is very difficult,” said Yang Ming-hour, a computer engineering professor at Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan. He noted that pagers have very limited functions and few users, making it impractical to implement complex security monitoring on these simple and cheap devices.

“If more security measures were required, it would heavily burden manufacturers as meeting security standards would raise device costs,” Yang said.

“Pagers are not high-tech equipment, nor are they subject to export controls. Therefore, the regulatory intensity for them is naturally lower,” said Tzeng Yisuo, an associate research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, a state-funded think tank in Taipei.

– – –

(c) Washington Post

The battle with bureaucracy continues for a project to construct an education complex to teach as many as 2,500 Frum children.

The Jackson Township Planning Board in New Jersey rejected a proposal by 394 Chandler Holdings to build four private Jewish schools. As such, the company’s attorney, Donna Jennings, announced plans to sue.

The Aug. 19 decision resulted from a disagreement over whether the government should classify a road to the property as public or private. The latter designation would require future approval from the township council for exemptions on local zoning laws.

The board requested time to confer with the township council on resolving the road dispute, an extension Jennings opposed. In response, the board voted to reject the proposal without prejudice, which enables a resubmission of the application for another chance to get approval.

Jennings called the board’s decision “absolutely ridiculous.”

“I’ve never had a town tell me to go to another governmental entity first and then come back,” she said.

The construction project has taken time to secure approval; the developer applied in November 2022.

(JNS)

Beverly Hills, CA – The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC) marked the launch of its Western Region office with an exclusive event in Beverly Hills, celebrating the installation of Rabbi Pini Dunner, senior rabbi at Beverly Hills Synagoge, as its new Chair. The gathering, which took place at a private Beverly Hills residence, brought together a diverse group of influential business leaders, including investors, family office representatives, investment bankers, high-tech companies, trade representatives from Poland, Hungary, Israel, and consul generals, underscoring the Chamber’s dedication to fostering economic growth and collaboration across various sectors.

In his address (see below) the Rabbi outlined his vision for the Chamber’s future. He emphasized the importance of building networks, creating synergies, and leveraging opportunities to strengthen both local and global Jewish business communities. Rabbi Dunner’s address was complemented by remarks from Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, who spoke about the Chamber’s expanding role in advocating for Jewish business interests and promoting pro-business policies.

The event also featured special presentations to Beverly Hills Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian and Beverly Hills Police Department Chief Mark Stainbrook, acknowledging their significant contributions to the community. Both honorees expressed their appreciation and spoke about the importance of unity, safety, and economic development in Beverly Hills, aligning with the Chambers values.

Special guest Professor Asher Cohen, President of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, delivered the keynote address, sharing insights into the innovative developments at Hebrew University and the vital role academic institutions play in driving business and technological advancements.

During the event, Rabbi Dunner announced two significant initiatives aimed at expanding the Chamber’s impact. The first is the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Business & Trade Mission to Israel**,** planned for early 2025, with the possible inclusion of the UAE. The mission will provide participants with unique opportunities to meet business leaders, explore start-up opportunities, and engage with government officials.

The second initiative is the launch of a West Coast Pavilion at the upcoming JBiz Expo, scheduled to take place on December 9-10, 2024, at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The West Coast Pavilion will showcase businesses from the Western Region, highlighting innovation and talent to national and global markets. The JBiz Expo is a premier business-to-business networking event organized by the OJC, featuring industry experts, government collaborations, and numerous opportunities for growth and partnership.

L-R: BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook, Hungary Consul General István Gróf, event host Natalie Wizman, Beverly Hills Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian, OJC Global Ambassador Karen Setian, OJC CEO Duvi Honig, OJC Western Region Chair Rabbi Pini Dunner, Head of Foreign Trade Poland Consulate Anna Debecka, Polish Investment & Trade Agency representative Aleksander Skrzypek, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Johnson

Orange County, NY – The New York State Police and local police agencies have successfully apprehended a suspect who was being sought for several violent felony crimes out of New York City, state police announced Wednesday.

The manhunt led to a “cautionary lockout” at Monroe-Woodbury High School, Monroe-Woodbury Middle School, Central Valley Elementary, and Smith Clove Elementary. Students were dismissed an hour later than usual while the search was underway. Parents were advised to avoid picking up their children until further notice, and all after-school activities, including Club Kid, were canceled.

Following a massive police search and a major alert to all residents, the suspect, identified as Ali Ali, was considered armed and dangerous. Described as a medium-skinned Indian man, approximately 5’5” tall and 180 lbs, Ali was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and no shoes. Earlier, he had attempted to evade capture by fleeing from a stolen vehicle that crashed and caught fire at NYS Thruway milepost 49, north of Exit 16.

After running into a wooded area, he was located and apprehended around 2 PM near Mineral Springs and Troutbrook.

New York State Police expressed their gratitude to the community for their cooperation and assistance during the search.

BREAKING NEWS: Massive manhunt underway in Town of Woodbury for suspect wanted for violent crimes in NYC. Police say the suspect, Ali Ali, escaped into a wooded area off I-87 after a police pursuit and fiery crash in a stolen vehicle and is believed to be armed and dangerous. pic.twitter.com/XA1liqBCKm

— Blaise Gomez (@BlaiseGomez12) September 18, 2024

NEW YORK – Hedge fund billionaire and prominent Trump supporter John Paulson announced on Tuesday that he would withdraw his investments from the market if Vice President Harris wins the upcoming presidential election. Paulson expressed concerns that the Democrat nominee’s economic policies could unsettle investors.

The founder of Paulson & Co., famous for his profitable bet against the 2007 subprime mortgage market, appeared on FOX Business’ “The Claman Countdown.” When asked by host Liz Claman about potential future investments similar to his previous successes, Paulson said his decisions depend significantly on who wins the presidency and which party controls Congress.

Paulson shared his apprehension about Harris’ economic plans, contrasting them with Trump’s. He noted that while Trump seeks to extend the 2017 tax cuts introduced during his presidency, Harris has proposed letting them expire. Additionally, Harris plans to increase the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% and the capital gains rate from 20% to 28%.

Paulson raised further concerns about Harris’ proposal for a 25% tax on unrealized gains for individuals with a net worth of $100 million or more. He warned that this policy could trigger a large-scale sell-off of assets, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and art, potentially leading to a market crash and a rapid recession.

Claman pointed out that past fears about economic policies under presidents like Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden had led some investors to exit the market, only to regret it later as the market continued to perform well. However, Paulson insisted that timing matters when it comes to market investments based on political leadership.

Paulson emphasized that if Harris were to win, he would exit his equity positions, moving his investments into cash and gold to hedge against market uncertainty. He believes that the policies Harris has proposed would introduce significant volatility into the markets.

With about a week remaining before the Chief Rabbinate elections, negotiations between Aryeh Deri of Shas and Bezalel Smotrich of Religious Zionism to appoint a chareidi Sefardic Chief Rabbi and a Religious Zionist Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi have reached an impasse.

Five Ashkenazi candidates are currently in the race: Rav Micha Halevy, Rav Meir Kahana, Rav Eliezer Igra, Rav Kalman Ber, and Rav Moshe Chaim Lau, the son and brother of former Chief Rabbis Rav Yisroel Meir Lau and Rav Dovid Lau.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Taiwanese company Gold Apollo said Wednesday that it authorized its brand on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria but that another company based in Budapest manufactured them.

The AR-924 pagers were manufactured by BAC Consulting KFT, based in Hungary’s capital, according to a statement released Wednesday by Gold Apollo.

“According to the cooperation agreement, we authorize BAC to use our brand trademark for product sales in designated regions, but the design and manufacturing of the products are solely the responsibility of BAC,” the statement read.

Gold Apollo chair Hsu Ching-kuang told journalists Wednesday that his company has had a licensing agreement with BAC for the past three years, but did not provide evidence of the contract.

Experts believe explosive material was put into the pagers prior to their delivery and use in a sophisticated supply chain infiltration. Media reports said that a tiny amount of explosives, one to two ounces, was implanted next to the battery in each pager together with a switch to be used to detonate the explosives remotely.

Two sources, including a senior Lebanese security source, told Reuters that the Mossad planted explosives inside 5,000 pagers months ago. Hezbollah ordered the pagers from Gold Apollo and they arrived in the country earlier this year.

“The Mossad injected a board inside of the device that has explosive material that receives a code. It’s very hard to detect it through any means. Even with any device or scanner,” the source said.

The AR-924 pager, advertised as being “rugged,” contains a rechargeable lithium battery, according to specifications once advertised on Gold Apollo’s website before it was apparently taken down Tuesday after the sabotage attack. It could receive texts of up to 100 characters.

Ynet quoted Oleg Brodet, from the Cyber Labs at Ben-Gurion University, as saying that the operation may have taken years to execute, noting the complexity of supply chain cyberattacks. “To send a ‘compromised’ device, changes must be made during manufacturing or shipping. We believe something similar happened here, where devices intended for the terrorist organization were altered,” he said.

Lt. Col. (res.) Dr. Eyal Pinko told Ynet: “This isn’t science fiction. Many countries possess such capabilities. If we go back 14 years, there was a virus that targeted the Natanz nuclear facility, an operation attributed to Israel, which crippled Iran’s enrichment program.”

Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said from the beginning of 2022 until August 2024, Gold Apollo has exported 260,000 sets of pagers, including more than 40,000 sets between January and August of this year. The ministry said the pagers were exported mainly to European and American countries and that it had no records of direct exports of Gold Apollo pagers to Lebanon.

On February 14, Hezbollah leader Nassan Hasrallah ordered the terror group’s members to avoid using their cell phones after Israel carried out a series of targeted eliminations, killing 170 Hezbollah members, including a senior commander and a top Hamas official in Beirut.

Following the speech, pagers were distributed to all Hezbollah members in Lebanon and Syria.

“The phone that we have in our hands — I do not have a phone in my hand — is a listening device,” Nasrallah said in the speech.

“I tell you that the phone in your hands, in your wife’s hands, and in your children’s hands is the agent. It is a deadly agent, not a simple one. It is a deadly agent that provides specific and accurate information. Therefore, this requires great seriousness when confronting it.”

Is Israel about to launch a ground operation in Lebanon?

Reuters quoted analysts as saying that they don’t view the daring operation as a signal that a ground war is imminent. Instead, it is simply a sign of how deeply Israeli intelligence services have penetrated Hezbollah.

“It demonstrates Israel’s ability to infiltrate its adversaries in a remarkably dramatic way,” said Paul Pillar, a 28-year veteran of the U.S. intelligence community, mainly at the CIA.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem & AP)

Submitted: Dear parents of children that don’t have a school,

I have recently become aware of the many children sitting at home without a school. The pain that it causes the child as well as the parents and entire family is unbearable. Let me first start by saying even one child home is way too many! There are many reasons that parents are claiming this is happening. One being politics and logistics, another is that perhaps your child just doesn’t fit the mold of a talmid able to sit in a large classes and is acting out because he is not receiving the attention he needs. BH it is true that most yeshivas in Lakewood are filled to the brim, classes are bursting at the seams and instead of opening parallel classes they ad more seats to the existing classes and the students that can’t cut a one size fits all education are tossed out.

Experiencing this need on a personal level as well as speaking with many Menahelim, Rabanim and Parents and hearing the heart wrenching tales, we have started on an endeavor to open a new yeshiva. We will IH concentrate on building a Yeshiva where every child is seen and heard and known by name. We are Chas shalom not knocking any of the existing yeshivas we are merely recognizing the need for additional yeshivas due to the growing community Baruch HaShem- and perhaps something a little different.

Yeshiva Kol Yisroel has an existing 6-8th grade with available slots located in Toms River and is currently accepting registration for the upcoming school year for a primary class which will IH become the founding class of a full elementary boys yeshiva.

Our goal is to keep classes on the small side of 10-15 students and open parallel classes when the need arises. We plan to hire dynamic Rabiem that will be able to cater to each talmid on an individual level.

For information we can be contacted at [email protected] 718-788-4475

Mrs. Vojdnay.

TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected]

Thousands of Hezbollah members were injured – hundreds critically, and some were killed, when their pagers used for communication exploded.

Approximately 5,000 pagers exploded, injuring over 3,000 terrorist, hundreds critically.

Hospitals are flooded with the injured terrorists, exposing the identity of many.

The beepers, apparently from a new shipment that arrived a couple of months ago, all exploded around the same time.

Israel reportedly orchestrated the operation.

Recently, a New York Times article and an  [op-ed](http://Beeper Explosions Were Tactical Victory, But Strategic Disaster) published on VINNEWS wrote something rather disturbing about Israel’s exploding Beeper operation calling it a strategic disaster. 

We disagree entirely and fundamentally.  This operation achieved numerous objectives and repercussions:

• It demonstrably  increased morale of Israeli citizens, soldiers, and Jews worldwide.  In particular it demonstrated to the thousands of displaced Israeli citizens that the country does care about them.
• It demonstrably lowered  the moral of Hezbollah terrorists, their family members, and their supporters.
• It lowered the morale of Hamas terrorists, and their family members and their supporters.
• It lowered the morale of the Iranian puppet-masters who are engineering all of this middle-east terrorism.
• It heightened the morale of anti-Iranian Arab nations who are contemplating stronger relationships with Israel.
• It decimated the communication system of Hezbollah terrorists.
• It knocked out several thousand Hezbollah terrorists and fighters.
• It strengthened the resolve of Lebanese residents to rid themselves of Hezbollah.
• It also prepared the possibility for Israel creating a buffer zone in the north to better protect the northern communities.
• It heightened the morale of those who wish to topple the Imams in Iran that have killed women who do not wear hijabs and replace their government with a pro-western one.

Stating that there are no strategic benefits is patently false and plays into the hands of anti-Semites and those who wish to undermine the safety of Israel’s citizens.

WASHINGTON — (VINnews) A large Jewish advocacy group is urging Democratic Governor Jay Inslee to take action after Jewish students, faculty, and community members were “evacuated” from a meeting at the University of Washington. The administration handed over the building to anti-Israel protesters.

At a meeting of the university’s board of regents,the protesters shouted down speakers who were there to testify about the antisemitism Jewish students face on campus, as well as BDS support.

🧵EXCLUSIVE: Jewish students and community members, @UW faculty, administration and Board of Regents were evacuated today after anti-Israel activists took over a meeting

The antisemitic activists were not removed and staged a sit in pic.twitter.com/PWwxkXHDg0

— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) September 12, 2024

One of the speakers was Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle CEO Solomon Kane whose “remarks were met with one of the most vile, outrageous displays of antisemitism to be witnessed at a public meeting in the United States of America in recent memory,” said Jewish Federations of North America Chair Julie Platt and President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut in the letter to Inslee.

They added, “To make matters worse, the board, a public body duly chartered by the State of Washington, did nothing to remove the disrupters, but instead chose to adjourn the meeting rather than to ensure the right of this speaker and the others who had planned to speak to proceed. The board has so far taken no legal or disciplinary action against the disrupters,” and noted that Kane had to be escorted by police from the premises for his physical safety.

The letter concluded, “These are all basic expectations that shouldn’t need to be requested. Nothing short of these steps can hope to restore confidence in the integrity of the university or its intention to uphold the values of free speech, mutual respect, and opposition to antisemitism that are cornerstones of American civil society.”

Inslee and Washington’s Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson, both UW alumni, have been slammed for their inaction and silence as antisemitism has spread not only on the campus but across the state.

Outgoing Board of Regents Chair David Zeeck and Incoming Board of Regents Chair Blaine Tamaki spoke with Seattle radio host Ari Hoffman.

In a statement to the show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, they said, “Speakers addressing labor issues and those calling for divestment from Israel had spoken without interruption, but when Jewish speakers opposed to divestment and concerned about antisemitism on campus began their comments, protestors repeatedly interrupted and shouted them down. Despite repeated warnings to stop and clear the room, protestors continued their chants to shut down the meeting.”

Last school year Jewish students and faculty were harassed and blocked from walking on campus, Israeli and American flags were stolen and destroyed, antisemitic slurs were used against Jewish students, buildings were vandalized with antisemitic and anti-cop graffiti, and vigils and rallies were held for terrorists.

Students who engaged in vandalism and antisemitic attacks suffered no disciplinary action.

YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of R’ Shalom Yosef Gottlieb z”l, the owner of Gottlieb’s restaurant in Williamsburg, which Donald Trump is scheduled to visit later today.

R’ Shalom Yosef, 75, was the longtime proprietor of the popular food establishment, and widely known as a kind and caring man who performed tremendous amounts of chesed b’tzina.

His sudden petirah on Wednesday morning has sent shockwaves through Williamsburg and the Orthodox Jewish community in the tri-state area, who had expected him to be standing alongside Trump today.

YWN previously reported that Secret Service agents scoped out the restaurant earlier this week to ensure it would meet security protocols ahead of the Republican nominee’s visit.

There is no word yet on whether Trump’s visit will be canceled or rescheduled.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Israel was responsible for the detonation of pagers used by Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.

The report, which cited American and other sources, explained that the operation involved placing explosive material inside a fresh shipment of Taiwanese-made pagers sent to Lebanon.

Hezbollah had ordered the pagers from Gold Apollo, a manufacturer based in Taiwan. However, according to some officials who spoke to The New York Times, the devices were altered before reaching Lebanon. While most of the pagers were from the AP924 model, the shipment also included three other models from the same company.

Two officials detailed that the explosives, which weighed between one and two ounces, were inserted near the battery inside each pager. They also mentioned that a switch was added, allowing the explosives to be set off remotely.

At 3:30 p.m. in Lebanon, the pagers reportedly received what seemed to be a routine message from Hezbollah’s leadership, but in reality, this triggered the explosives, two officials told the newspaper.

Three officials further explained that the pagers were programmed to emit a series of beeps for a few seconds before detonating.

Hezbollah had purchased over 3,000 pagers from Gold Apollo, with several officials noting that the devices were distributed to members across Lebanon, and some even reached Hezbollah affiliates in Iran and Syria.

According to Lebanese reports, the explosions that took place on Tuesday resulted in 11 fatalities and left at least 4,000 people wounded.

Earlier in the day, Sky News’ Arabic division reported that the Mossad had planted the explosive material inside the pagers’ batteries and triggered them by raising the temperature of the batteries.

A security official from Lebanon told Al Jazeera that the pagers had been booby-trapped before being delivered to Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the explosions and has threatened retaliation. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denounced the incident, labeling it a “terrorist act” and holding Israel responsible.

{Matzav.com}

(AP) – A Philadelphia teenager who authorities say wanted to travel overseas and make bombs for terrorist organizations will be tried as an adult.

The District Attorney’s office made the announcement Wednesday as it disclosed more details of the allegations against Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman, who was 17 when he was arrested in August 2023. He is now 18, and his bail has been set at $5 million.

It was not immediately clear who is representing Abdul-Rahman. Court records for the case could not be located via an online search, and the District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a query about whether he has a lawyer. His father, Qawi Abdul-Rahman, a local criminal defense attorney who previously ran for a judgeship, was not in his law office Wednesday and did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Prosecutors say Abdul-Rahman conducted at least 12 tests on homemade bombs near his family’s home before he was arrested and was close to being able to detonate devices with a blast radius of several hundred yards (meters).

And as his knowledge of explosives increased, authorities allege, he conducted online searches that indicated at least some interest in striking targets including the Philadelphia Pride parade and critical infrastructure sites such as power plants and domestic military bases.

Law enforcement began investigating Abdul-Rahman after they received electronic communications between him and terrorist groups in Syria, prosecutors said. The communications indicated that Abdul-Rahman wanted to become a bombmaker for these groups, identified as Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad (KTJ) and Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS).

KTJ is officially designated by the U.S. State Department as a global terrorist organization and is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, prosecutors said. HTS also has a similar designation.

As the investigation into Abdul-Rahman continued, authorities learned he was buying military and tactical gear as well as materials that could be used in homemade bombs, prosecutors said.

Abdul-Rahman faces charges including possessing weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy, arson and causing or risking a catastrophe. Prosecutors said they sought to move his case to adult court due to the gravity of the charges and because the juvenile system was not equipped to provide adequate consequences or rehabilitation.

(AP) – Lebanon’s health ministry said Wednesday that at least 20 people were killed and 450 others wounded by exploding electronic devices in multiple regions of the country.

The explosions came a day after an apparent Israeli attack targeting pagers used by Hezbollah killed at least 12 and wounded nearly 3,000.

Associated Press journalists reported multiple explosions at the site of a Beirut funeral for three Hezbollah members and a child killed by exploding pagers the day before.

Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV reported explosions in multiple areas of Lebanon, and a Hezbollah official told the AP that walkie-talkies used by the group exploded in Beirut. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Hezbollah began striking Israel almost immediately after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that sparked the Israel-Hamas war. Since then, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire daily, coming close to a full-blown war on several occasions and forcing tens of thousands on both sides of the border to evacuate their homes.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The ministry does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count but says a little over half of those killed were women and children. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

Yesterday, Israeli Intelligence cleared for publication that former Defense Minister and Chief of Staff Moshe (Bogie) Ya’alon
was targeted by Hezbollah in an assassination attempt last year.

On Rosh Hashanah last year, a bomb exploded in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv. Investigations into the explosion led to the arrest of 8 suspects, who placed a claymore bomb in the part in an attempt to assassinate the former Israeli Defense leader.

Reacting to the news, Ya’alon said: “It’s not the first time someone has tried to kill me.”

The news of the attempted assassination of Ya’alon comes as the ISA cleared for publication that it had prevented an assassination attempt by Hezbollah, targeting a former Defense official. This second assassination attempt also used a claymore bomb, this time attached to a remotely operated device with a cellphone camera, so it could be remotely detonated by Hezbollah from within Lebanon.

{Matzav.com}

Reports in Lebanon indicate that over 3,000 Hezbollah terrorists were injured in the pager explosions earlier today, with 200 critically injured, and 9 confirmed dead.

Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the explosions, releasing a statement which said: “After reviewing the facts, we hold the Israeli enemy responsible for this attack, which harmed civilians and resulted in deaths and injuries.”

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held consultations with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other Defense officials, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv. The current events have likely postponed the firing of Gallant for the time being, with a source close to Bibi telling Channel 13: “It is not feasible to replace the Defense Minister in the midst of a complex security situation; the decision was made – but it will probably not be implemented in the immediate future.”

Reuters reported that the exploding pagers were in fact the latest model, only brought in by Hezbollah in recent months. Al Hadath also reported that the pagers had only been recently distributed to Hezbollah terrorists.

The explosions occurred in multiple locations, including ‘dozens’ of simultaneous explosions inside Syria. In Damascus, a car exploded after a device inside detonated.

According to Lebanon’s LBCI network, the explosions may have been caused by an overloading of the batteries inside the pagers. Some terrorists reportedly felt their pagers heating up, and discarded them before the explosions.

Reports from Al-Hadath also indicate that the wounded include senior Hezbollah terrorists, and their staff. The network reported that the son of senior Hezbollah official Hassan Fadlallah was injured in the explosions. An-Nahar in Lebanon reported that the son of a Hezbollah Member of Lebanese parliament, Ali Ammar, is among those killed.

Hezbollah has informed Reuters that Hezbollah terror head Hassan Nasrallah was not injured in the explosions.

{Matzav.com}

By Idy Perl

In light of the recent tragedies and losses that the Boro Park community has experienced, especially with the loss of three Boro Park Rabanim this Summer, Boro Park rabbanim are organizing an Atzeres Hisorerus. 

The Skulener Rebbe zt”l, the Kosover Rebbe zt”l, and Reb Moshe Wolfson zt”l all carried Klal Yisroel on their shoulders, and the loss of these Torah giants this summer has left the Boro Park community, as well as the entire Torah world, reeling. 

The Atzeres will take place this Thursday in Ateres Chaya in Boro Park. 

Hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists were wounded across Lebanon on Tuesday when their communication devices exploded, according to Lebanese reports, which cited “security sources” and eyewitnesses.

A Reuters journalist saw 10 terrorists bleeding from wounds in the southern suburb, which is the primary stronghold of Hezbollah. A security source told Qatar’s Al Jazeera that explosions occurred across Lebanon, not only in Beirut but also in the Beqaa Valley and the south.

Lebanese media affiliated with Hezbollah attributed the incident to the Israel Defense Forces, claiming the mysterious explosions were caused by a hack of the terrorist group’s internal communications networks.

A Hezbollah terrorist official in Lebanon cited by Reuters called the alleged computer hack by Israel the “biggest security breach so far.”

The IDF declined to comment to JNS on the incident, which came just hours after the Israeli Cabinet added the return of citizens displaced from their homes in the north to the country’s war goals, bringing a potential major confrontation with Hezbollah closer to reality.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has attacked Israel nearly daily since Oct. 8, firing thousands of rockets, missiles and drones. The attacks have so far killed more than 40 people and caused widespread damage. Tens of thousands of civilians remain internally displaced due to the violence.

According to Israeli media reports, the heads of the country’s security agencies, including Mossad chief David Barnea, convened on Tuesday afternoon for “frantic” talks regarding the threat posed by Hezbollah. (JNS)

{Matzav.com Israel}

WASHINGTON (AP) — Representatives for former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris ‘ transition teams met for the first time at the White House, the Biden administration announced Wednesday, as the outgoing administration plans to smooth the handoff to whomever wins in November.

Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients hosted a meeting Tuesday of the White House Transition Coordinating Committee — the government’s senior-most transition planning group — and for the first time this year included Harris and Trump aides. The meeting and invitation to both parties’ representatives are required under the Presidential Transition Act, which mandates that the designated candidate representatives serve in an advisory capacity.

The Roosevelt Room meeting lasted about an hour, the White House said, and included updates on various transition preparations, which include plans to provide office space for the nominees, identifying acting career officials to fill vacant political appointee roles during the transition and the preparation of memos on agency operations for the eventual president elect’s team.

Rav Gershon Ribner, rosh kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah and son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler, has succeeded in applying classical Talmudical analysis and methodology to understanding all areas of Yiddishkeit, bringing out its profundity and sense.

LISTEN:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday criticized Republican Donald Trump’s promise to deport millions of people who are in the United States illegally, questioning whether he would rely on massive raids and detention camps to carry it out.

Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, told the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s annual leadership conference that the nation can find both a pathway to citizenship for those who want to come and at the same time secure the border.

“We can do both, and we must do both,” she said.

Trump, for his part, was heading to Uniondale on New York’s Long Island as both candidates took a break Wednesday from campaigning in the toss-up states that will likely decide the Nov. 5 election.

Harris harked back to the Trump administration’s immigration policies as she bid for Hispanic support.

“While we fight to move our nation forward to a brighter future, Donald Trump and his extremist allies will keep trying to pull us backward,” Harris said. “We all remember what they did to tear families apart, and now they have pledged to carry out the largest deportation, a mass deportation, in American history.”

“Imagine what that would look like and what that would be? How’s that going to happen? Massive raids? Massive detention camps? What are they talking about?” she said.

Former president Trump has promised to carry out “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country” if he’s elected in November. He has offered no details on how such an operation would work.

Trump, who has leaned into immigration as a top campaign issue, has an advantage over Harris in opinion polling on whom voters trust to better handle the issue.

Trump was expected in Uniondale later in the day, visiting an area that could be key to Republicans maintaining control of the House. His party is trying to protect 18 Republicans in Democratic-heavy congressional districts that Joe Biden carried in 2020, particularly in coastal New York and California, and going on offense to challenge Democrats elsewhere.

Long Island in particular features one of the most closely watched races, between first-term Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and Democrat Laura Gillen. D’Esposito is a former New York Police detective who won in 2022 in a district that Biden won by about 15 percentage points in 2020.

Trump posted Tuesday on his Truth Social platform that the GOP has “a real chance of winning” New York “for the first time in many decades.” In that same post, Trump also pledged that he would “get SALT back,” suggesting he would eliminate a cap on state and local tax deductions that were part of tax cut legislation he signed into law in 2017.

The so-called SALT cap has led to bigger tax bills for many residents of New York, New Jersey, California and other high-cost, high-tax states, and is an important campaign issue in those states, particularly among those New York Republicans serving in districts Biden won.

Harris’ speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute marked the second day in a row that she has tended to constituencies considered key to the Democratic Party.

NEW YORK – The New Tolerance Campaign, a free speech watchdog, is calling out pro-Palestinian LGBT activist groups like Queers for Palestine and Gays for Gaza by offering them $1 million to fund a Pride parade in Gaza or the West Bank—an offer that, unsurprisingly, has been met with complete silence.

It seems that while these groups are vocal in their support for Palestine from the safety of Western countries, the reality of life for LGBTQ individuals in the Palestinian territories is conveniently ignored. In Gaza, for instance, homosexuality can land you in prison for up to ten years, according to the Human Dignity Trust. Palestine’s LGBT equality score? A dismal 22/100 on Equaldex.

The New Tolerance Campaign’s proposal is simple: $1 million to fund a half-mile Pride parade in any “major public street” in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, requiring 200 participants proudly displaying LGBT flags and Arabic signage. Given the activists’ endless claims that Hamas and the Palestinian Liberation Organization are “inclusive,” surely organizing a parade should be no problem, right?

“For nearly a year, ‘Queers for Palestine’ and similar groups have insisted that Hamas and the PLO are LGBTQ-friendly. Now they have the chance to prove it,” the New Tolerance Campaign wrote in their press release. “This isn’t just about highlighting the stark differences between life for LGBTQ individuals in Palestinian territories and Israel. It’s about opening the door for true liberalization in the Arab world. If they’re serious, this could be a step toward peace.”

Oh, and in case anyone thinks this is just a publicity stunt, they added: “This isn’t a joke. Our offer is real.”

But apparently, the groups waving their rainbow flags for Palestine aren’t interested in waving those same flags in Gaza or the West Bank. As of Tuesday morning, not a single pro-Palestinian LGBT group has taken up the offer, and when The National Desk reached out for comment, their inboxes remained mysteriously silent.

It’s almost as if these activists are well aware of what would happen if they actually tried to exercise their “inclusive” vision of LGBT rights in Palestinian territories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t mince words in his July congressional speech, calling out the absurdity of Gays for Gaza. “They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC,’” Netanyahu quipped. And he wasn’t wrong.

Israeli influencer Hillel Fuld was even more direct in 2023: “I invite the LGBTQ community to go to Gaza,” he said. “Let them bring their flags and demand human rights there. We all know what’ll happen next. They’ll get lynched.”

But hey, at least they can keep waving their flags safely from afar, where they don’t have to confront the grim reality of the cause they claim to support.

GENEVA — The U.N. human rights chief is calling for an independent investigation into mass explosions from detonating pagers in Lebanon and Syria.

Volker Türk said in a statement Wednesday that “the fear and terror unleashed is profound” and urged world leaders to step up “in defense of the rights of all people to live in peace and security.”

Türk said the targeting of thousands of people — whether civilians or members of armed groups — without knowledge of who held the devices or where they were, violates international law.

The statement made no reference to who might be responsible for Tuesday’s explosions.

“The protection of civilians must be the paramount priority,” he said, alluding to the deadly violence in the Middle East in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. “De-escalation is today more crucial than ever.”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida sheriff fed up with a spate of false school shooting threats is taking a new tactic to try get through to students and their parents: he’s posting the mugshot of any offender on social media.

Law enforcement officials in Florida and across the country have seen a wave of school shooting hoaxes recently, including in the wake of the deadly attack at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that killed two students and two teachers.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Florida’s Atlantic Coast said he’s tired of the hoaxes targeting students, disrupting schools and sapping law enforcement resources. In social media posts Monday, Chitwood warned parents that if their kids are arrested for making these threats, he’ll make sure the public knows.

“Since parents, you don’t want to raise your kids, I’m going to start raising them,” Chitwood said. “Every time we make an arrest, your kid’s photo is going to be put out there. And if I can do it, I’m going to perp walk your kid so that everybody can see what your kid’s up to.”

Chitwood made the announcement in a video highlighting the arrest of an 11-year-boy who was taken into custody for allegedly threatening to carry out a school shooting at Creekside or Silver Sands Middle School in Volusia County. Chitwood posted the boy’s full name and mugshot to his Facebook page.

In the video, which had more than 270,000 views on Facebook as of Monday afternoon, the camera pans across a conference table covered in airsoft guns, pistols, fake ammunition, knives and swords that law enforcement officers claim the boy was “showing off” to other students.

Later, the video cuts to officers letting the boy out of a squad car and leading him handcuffed into a secure facility, dressed in a blue flannel button-down shirt, black sweatpants and slip-on sandals. The boy’s face is fully visible at multiples points in the video.

“Right this way, young man,” an officer tells the boy, his hands shackled behind his back.

The boy is led into an empty cell, with metal cuffs around his wrists and ankles, before an officer closes the door and locks him inside.

“Do you have any questions?” the officer asks as he bolts the door.

“No sir,” the boy replies.

The video prompted a stream of reactions on social media, with many residents praising Chitwood, calling on him to publicly identify the parents as well — or press charges against them.

Others questioned the sheriff’s decision, saying the 11-year-old is just a child, and that the weight of the responsibility should fall on his parents.

Under Florida law, juvenile court records are generally exempt from public release — but not if the child is charged with a felony, as in this case.

Law enforcement officials across Florida have been tracking a stream of threats in the weeks since the 2024-2025 school year began. In Broward County, home to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, officials said last week they had already arrested nine students, ages 11 to 15, for making threats since August.

“For my parents, to the kids who are getting ready for school, I’m going to say this again,” Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said at a press conference, “nothing about this is a laughing or joking matter.”

“Parents, students, it’s not a game,” he added.

By Idy Perl

Williamsburg yidden are eagerly anticipating former President Trump’s visit to Williamsburg that is scheduled for tomorrow. The visit is one stop on Trump’s busy schedule this week as he flies around the country to attend several events before the upcoming election. 

Trump was in Flint, Michigan on Tuesday for a town-hall style event together with his former press secretary, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Today, on Wednesday, he is in New York for a rally at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale and is also meeting with the Satmar Rebbe at the Trump Tower. On Thursday, Trump is scheduled to attend an event in Washington DC with a pro-Israel group. 

Trump’s visit to Williamsburg is tentatively scheduled for 4-5PM, although the owner of Gottlieb’s Restaurant mentioned that a high-profile guest is scheduled to be there between 3-4PM. The visit still has a possibility of getting canceled if Trump’s schedule runs overtime or something else comes up, but the dozens of Secret Service agents and the truckloads of gates that have been seen in Williamsburg show that there is still a great chance that Trump will make it to Williamsburg. 

For more updates and exclusive coverage on the much-awaited visit, make sure to visit Williamsburg365 and follow their WhatsApp status and groups for real-time updates.

The Hezbollah terror group formally blamed Israel for the pager blasts that wounded at least 2,700 and killed eight of its operatives in Lebanon on Tuesday, warning the Jewish state will get “its fair punishment.

“After examining all the facts and data about the attack, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,” Hezbollah said in an official statement, according to a translation by Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen channel, which is affiliated with the terrorist organization.

The Hezbollah statement added, “This treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression from where it expects it or does not expect it,” per Al Mayadeen.

More than 2,700 Hezbollah terrorists were wounded and at least eight were killed across Lebanon on Tuesday when their communication devices exploded, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed.

Approximately 200 Hezbollah terrorists were in critical condition in 100 different hospitals, Beirut’s health minister announced some three hours after the explosions were first reported at 3.30 p.m. local time.

Senior Hezbollah officials were said to have been wounded in the blasts. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also hurt in one of the explosions, Tehran’s semi-official Mehr outlet reported.

In its first official statement on the incident, Hezbollah had said that the explosions, “the causes of which are still unknown,” killed at least three of its terrorist operatives, while wounding a large number of others.

The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the incident, which came just hours after the Israeli Cabinet added the return of citizens displaced from their homes in the north to the country’s war goals, bringing a potential major clash with Hezbollah closer to reality.

The IDF’s Home Front Command has reportedly informed local authorities of a possible escalation on the border with Lebanon but stressed that there are currently no changes to instructions for citizens. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and cousin of the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, issued a warning of retribution following a second day of explosions targeting Hezbollah communications devices. Blaming the attacks on Israel, which has maintained official silence, Safieddine vowed that Hezbollah would exact a “bloodily unique revenge.”

“These attacks will certainly be uniquely punished; there will be a bloodily unique revenge,” Safieddine declared in a public statement, signaling the group’s intent to retaliate in response to the recent explosions.

Though Safieddine refrained from elaborating on Hezbollah’s plans, he hinted at further developments to come. “I won’t talk about this at length,” he said, adding, “tomorrow, the leader of Hezbollah will speak and all will be revealed. And we will be in a new situation and a new confrontation with this enemy.”

Safieddine said Hezbollah is resilient, asserting that the terrorist organization remains unshaken. “The enemy should know that we are not beaten, that we will not break, that will not withdraw, and will not be influenced by what this enemy is doing.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

New York City (VINnews)-Jay L. Schottenstein, CEO and Chairman of American Eagle, marked an extraordinary milestone at the New York Stock Exchange. Celebrating 30 years of the company being publicly traded, Schottenstein opened the market with a unique gesture. Accompanied by his son Jeffery, he opted to blow a shofar instead of the traditional ringing of the opening bell, making for an unprecedented moment on the trading floor.

Schottenstein, who also sponsors the Artscroll Schottenstein Shas, explained to his employees that he blows the shofar daily during this month, aligning with the Jewish custom of blowing the shofar during Elul. This act, heard by the world, was a profound expression of his faith, creating a massive Kiddush Hashem.

Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) holds a campaign event in Sparta, Michigan, in which he took questions from reporters.

WATCH:

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Thanks for this platform. The letters you share and the topics addressed here seem to be ones that are issues that really lie at the core of our frum community. Thank you.

It’s high time someone spoke up about something that’s been bothering me for a while. Just as we are super careful about what we eat, making sure it’s all under proper hashgacha, we’re sorely lacking when it comes to what’s coming into our minds and hearts through the screens in our homes and in our hands.

Every day, we see more and more podcasts, videos, and other media being shoved into our frum world, spreading all sorts of wrong hashkafos and even kefirah. Usually, it’s just plain ameratzus and ignorance, with zero halachic and hashkafic knowledge.

These things are slipping into our lives under the radar, and it’s clear that we’re not paying enough attention. Where’s the supervision? Where’s the vigilance to make sure that what’s out there aligns with our Torah values?

It’s about time we had some kind of hashgacha for all the content we’re exposed to, just like we have for our food. And by the way, I include this very website. I hope you’ll print that. Everything should have to pass some level of scrutiny.

We wouldn’t think of eating something without checking if it’s kosher—so why are we so careless about what’s coming into our minds through our phones and computers?

Chazal tell us that what we see and hear affects us deeply. We need to be careful and make sure that our neshamos are protected from harmful influences. Let’s get some proper oversight in place and make sure that our community isn’t being led astray by things that have no place in our lives. I hope we haven’t already gone too far.

Sincerely,

C. D.

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email [email protected]

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The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

Donald Trump revealed details of his phone conversations with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who both called after a second apparent assassination attempt on the former president.

During a town hall meeting in Flint, Michigan, Trump he said he had “a nice conversation,” with Biden, adding that, “I appreciated that he called about what happened the other day.”

Trump also said his call with Harris was “very, very nice,” and that he appreciated the gesture—despite audible boos from the crowd. “No, it was very nice,” Trump interjected.

Though the former president eventually lamented the pair’s kindness, hinting at the fact it may be hard to criticize them again.

“He was so nice to me yesterday. In one way I sort of wish the call wasn’t made because I do feel a little… He’s so nice. ‘I’m so sorry about what happened and all that.’”

Trump continued: “Same with Kamala today. She could not have been nicer,” Trump added. “But the fact is we have to have people that are respected by the opponent.” Harris had earlier revealed that she “checked on him to see if he was okay.”

Read more.

Senior gedolei Torah in Eretz Yisroel—Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rosh Yeshivas Rashbi; Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka; Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka; Rav Aviezer Piltz, Rosh Yeshivas Tifrach; Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo; and Rav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron—have written special letters to kehillos in the United States, calling on them to join an upcoming tefillah gathering against the draft decree in Eretz Yisroel.

Earlier today, Matzav.com shared a poster containing the names of American rebbes and roshei yeshivas calling for an atzeres tefillah. As mentioned, both Satmar factions will unite, with both brothers, the two Satmar Rebbes, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum and Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, participating together in the rally, whose date and location have not yet been announced.

Now, the gedolei Torah of Eretz Yisroel have joined in calling for participation in the rally.

In his letter, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman writes, “To my dear brothers and friends, the Torah community and yeshiva students in the Diaspora of America, God-fearing and God-honoring individuals, and every Jew. The terrifying warning of my father-in-law, Rabbeinu HaGadol, the Avi Ezri zt”l, is already well known, that the decree of drafting yeshiva students is a decree of spiritual annihilation and religious coercion. This is a matter of ‘Yeihareg v’al ya’avor’ (one must be killed rather than transgress), as explicitly stated in the laws of Kiddush Hashem in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah. He asked that this be publicized in his name. Every Jew is obligated to do everything in their power to save the nation, lest they be among those who did not come to the aid of God among the mighty.”

In his letter, the Rosh HaYeshiva addresses the yeshiva students who refuse to appear at the draft offices: “All of Klal Yisroel should honor and elevate the yeshiva students in the Holy Land, the mighty warriors standing on the front lines of the battle, who do not report and do not cooperate at all with the military authorities.”

Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch wrote: “From the mountains of Tzion comes the call that to our deep sorrow, in recent times, the hand of those who fight against our holy Torah and the preservation of Judaism in the Holy Land has intensified. They do not recognize that our nation is a nation only by virtue of its Torah, as Rav Saadia Gaon said. They pursue and impose harsh decrees on yeshiva students and kollel scholars, uprooting them from the study halls and severing them from the source of life, burdening their families and threatening the survival of the yeshivas, which are the foundation of the Jewish home, so that they may falter, and the honor of the Torah and its scholars is brought to the dust.

“Therefore, it is of great importance and benefit to raise a loud and unified cry of protest from all the communities in their places of residence across the globe, to raise the banner of our faith in the Torah and its scholars, to frighten and protest against their evil schemes, and to call a rally in the public square to pour out prayers and supplications, so that the decree is removed from the sanctuaries of our lives—the Torah institutions and their students.”

In their letter, Rav Aviezer Pilz, Rav Chaim Feinstein, and Rav Dovid Cohen write: “We are raising a cry from the sanctuary of Hashem in Tzion to those who fear Hashem and tremble at His word regarding the hand of the wicked that has been raised against the Torah scholars, the precious yeshiva students and kollel scholars. With force and coercion, they work to uproot them from the tents of Torah, sever them from the source of life, and throw them into the abyss. They also burden the families of the Torah scholars and the survival of the yeshivas and kollelim, so that they may falter, and the honor of the Torah is brought low.

“Our brethren in the Diaspora, wherever they dwell, come to the aid of Hashem among the mighty in their fight for the foundations of the Jewish home. Raise the banner and proclaim that our nation is a nation only by virtue of its Torah. Torah scholars are the purpose of creation, its crown, and its splendor, and all their evil schemes will not succeed. Raise your voices, cry out, and rally in the public square, stand by your brothers, for this will greatly benefit the success of this existential struggle for the soul of the Jewish home. We pray before the Giver of the Torah that the path of the wicked will not succeed, and their schemes will not come to fruition, and we will merit to see the return of Hashem to Tzion, like precious stones shining with splendor, speedily in our days.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A poster was released last night announcing an atzeres tefillah in response to growing concerns about threats to the Torah world and the Olam Hayeshivos in Eretz Yisroel.

The poster says that this large-scale gathering, set for this month of Elul, aims to bring together thousands of Jews to cry out in tefillah and protest, pleading to Hashem “lehaavir es ro’a hagezeirah.”

The atzeres is being organized in response to governmental decrees that are seen as endangering the integrity of Torah institutions and the broader Torah community.

The poster does not delineate the date or location of this planned atzeres.

The poster contains various signatories at its bottom half. First listed are admorim, including the Satmar Rebbe Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, the Pupa Rebbe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, the Bobov-45 Rebbe, the Vienner Rov, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Williamsburg, as well as Rav Avrohom Yehoshua  Heshel Bick and other Chassidishe rabbonim.

Beneath those names, the poster lists names of gedolei roshei yeshivos: Rav Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood; Rav Yeruchem Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood; Rav Dovid Tzvi Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood; Rav Yisroel Tzvi Neuman, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood; Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg; Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Tiferes Yerachmiel of Lakewood; Rav Asher Kalmanowitz, rosh yeshiva of Mirrer Yeshiva of Brooklyn; Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood; Rav Shlomo Halioua, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin of Brooklyn; and Rav Yaakov Shraga Horowitz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Meir of Boro Park.

{Matzav.com}

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has revealed that his brain-chip company, Neuralink, has been granted clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a trial of an experimental implant. This device is expected to “allow individuals who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to regain sight.”

Neuralink’s Blindsight device will restore vision, even in cases where both the eyes and optic nerve are missing, as long as the visual cortex remains functional, Musk shared in an early Wednesday tweet. “Provided the visual cortex is intact, it will even enable those who have been blind from birth to see for the first time,” he emphasized.

Musk further explained that while the initial visual experience will be low resolution, akin to “Atari graphics,” the technology has the potential to evolve. “Eventually it has the potential to be better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet or even radar wavelengths, like Geordi La Forge,” he wrote. To illustrate his point, Musk included a photo of Geordi La Forge, a character from Star Trek who is blind but uses advanced technology to see.

Neuralink also confirmed the FDA’s approval, stating that Blindsight has been awarded the Breakthrough Device Designation. This designation is given to devices with the potential to treat or diagnose serious medical conditions, accelerating their development and review process.

This news about Neuralink’s device follows Musk’s previous announcement that the company plans to fit brain chip implants in eight more patients this year. These implants are designed to allow individuals with paralysis to control digital devices using only their thoughts.

CANNAN LIDOR (JNS) — Roughly two months after the expiration of the mandate of both of Israel’s chief rabbis, their acting replacement is also out of a title as of Monday, along with the rest of the Chief Rabbinate Council.

The result of a political power struggle between the Rabbinate and the High Court of Justice over women’s representation and the clergy’s independence, this development may affect kosher certification and several other areas of life in Israel unless it’s addressed soon, according to both critics and advocates of the Rabbinate.

Beyond its practical implications, the temporary breakdown within the Chief Rabbinate underlines growing tensions between an interventionist judiciary that critics say is excessively liberal, and state-employed clerics who opponents say are too rigid and inattentive to the needs of the public.

On Monday, the government submitted a bill that would extend the mandate of the Chief Rabbinate’s Council, the Rabbinate’s governing body, until Dec. 31. Separately, elections for chief rabbis are scheduled to be held this month.

The Council lost its legal mandate because of the rabbinate’s refusal to hold elections under the terms dictated in January by the High Court of Justice. Ruling on a petition by a feminist group, the court cited equality grounds in ordering the Rabbinate to consider appointing women to an elections-related position that the Rabbinate designates for rabbis only. Women cannot serve as rabbis in Orthodox Judaism.

The Rabbinate declined to hold elections under those terms, leading to the expiration of the mandate of the Sephardic and Ashkenazi chief rabbis on July 1 without successors. The court appeared to back down from this demand, facilitating the scheduling of elections for later this month. Meanwhile, though, the mandate of the Council, whose makeup is also determined in the elections, expired on Sept. 16, voiding the authority of its chair from continuing to fulfill the duties of the chief rabbis.

The bill extending the Council’s mandate will ensure the saga’s resolution, Yehuda Avidan, the director-general of the Religious Services Ministry, told JNS on Tuesday. He blamed the “overzealous court” for the impasse and added that the Rabbinate’s handling of the situation blocked judicial encroachment without compromising people in need of the institution’s services.

At stake are important areas of life entrusted to the Rabbinate, which in Israel is a state organ. It regulates kosher certification, conversion to Judaism and family and marital issues for Jews through the rabbinical court system, which is part of the judiciary and functions as a family court.

Kosher meat certification will not be affected because certification crews are already overseeing the production abroad (Israel imports most of its meat), according to a source within the Rabbinate. The crews will complete their missions, and the Council will have regained its mandate by the time they return, the source assured JNS.

Ritual circumcision, or milah, as well as divorces and marriages, are handled by religious councils, which are local municipal branches of the Rabbinate, the source added. The expiration of the Council’s mandate does not affect the local branches’ work but it does prevent the appointment of new staff, according to the source.

“In essence, you have a small gap that will be resolved quickly and remain unnoticeable to those who rely on the Rabbinate’s services,” said Avidan.

Avidan defended the decision not to hold elections in the Chief Rabbinate under terms dictated by the court.

“It was a classic slippery slope. The court’s demand that women be appointed to a position reserved for rabbis would have created a precedent that before long would lead to new demands to appoint women city rabbis and ultimately women chief rabbis. We value women and respect them but this does not comply with Jewish tradition, whose preservation the Rabbinate is entrusted to maintain,” Avidan told JNS.

The Rabbinate this month agreed to hold elections on Sept. 29 in Jerusalem. The decision to hold elections followed a High Court of Justice ruling on Aug. 8 that effectively lifted the court’s previous requirement that women be considered to serve under the title of “rabbi” on the Chief Rabbinate’s electing assembly of 150 people.

In the context of a 1980 law regulating the Chief Rabbinate’s work, the designation of “rabbi” may apply also to women versed in Jewish law, the court ruled in January. The Rabbinate must therefore consider appointing women to a category of 10 rabbis whom chief rabbis may by law appoint to the electing assembly, according to the ruling. Its Aug. 8 ruling cleared the path for scrapping the entire category of 10 appointed rabbis and allowed an election with only 140 delegates.

Half of the remaining 140 delegates comprise 70 municipal rabbis affiliated with the Chief Rabbinate, who are all men. The other half is made up of delegates who are not rabbis, including mayors, lawmakers, cabinet ministers, and other public representatives, some of whom are women.

“The court eventually realized it could not coerce the Rabbinate to declare women as rabbis or consider them for rabbinical positions, opening the road to an election. Better late than never,” said Avidan.

USA (VINnews)-Kamala Harris falsely claimed during a recent debate that no active-duty U.S. troops are deployed in war zones, sparking outrage from conservatives and military advocates. Harris boldly asserted, “As of today, there is not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone, in any war zone around the world, the first time this century.” This statement has been widely criticized as misleading and disrespectful to those still risking their lives abroad.

In response, Rep. Jim Banks has released footage showing U.S. troops under fire in the Middle East, directly contradicting Harris’ claims. According to Banks, the footage, which includes attacks from recent weeks and months, demonstrates the ongoing risks faced by American service members. This evidence adds to growing concerns about the Biden administration’s understanding of military realities and its failure to adequately support U.S. troops.