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Shabbos Vayechi highlights an important and often overlooked message. As we read about Yaakov Avinu preparing for the end of his life and giving clear instructions regarding his kevurah, we are reminded that planning ahead is not only responsible but deeply rooted in Torah values.Yet for many, end-of-life planning is postponed indefinitely. Even in the frum community, many are unaware of the practical and halachic details that can significantly affect kavod hameis and a family’s peace of mind. When these matters are addressed thoughtfully in advance, families avoid unnecessary stress and uncertainty during already difficult moments.To help the community gain the clarity they need, NASCK is offering two free live workshops over Shabbos Vayechi weekend, presented by Rabbi Elchonon Zohn...
Baltimore, MD – December 31, 2025 – BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi Lowenthal (Baltimore) and Toby Meth (Baltimore) on their engagement. Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Mrs. Norman & Shaindy Lowenthal.
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 30, 2025 - The Eruv of Baltimore has launched a centralized online hub at eruvofbaltimore.org. Community members can now check the Eruv status, support the organization through donations, and manage their listings in one place. To ensure you stay informed, the site also offers sign-ups for weekly Erev Shabbos alerts via email, text, or phone.
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Baltimore, MD - Jan 1, 2026 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.Click on the graphic below:
This week we read of the death of Yaakov and his burial in the Cave of Machpelah in Chevron. Although the Torah does not cite the exact date of his death, tradition as recorded by the Chasam Sofer has it that he transpired on the first day of Sukkos, the fifteenth of Tishrei. The Chasam Sofer goes on to hypothesize that he was buried on the Tenth of Teves. The Torah depicts the seventy days of embalming and wailing that took place after his death before they began the trek to bury him. The trip took eight days. When the procession arrived in the Land of Israel, they first observed seven days of mourning prior to the burial. With the total number of days from death to burial being eighty-five days, assuming Tishrei was a full thirty day month — and thus sixteen remaining days to T...
Parshas Vayechi represents the culmination of creation, the end of Sefer Breishis.  The world and its teva are in place, Avraham Avienu forms his Bris with Hashem, thus beginning the Jewish people and Avraham’s children lead to the birth and forming of the Shivtei Yisroel – the 12 Shevatim.  Indeed, much of the Parsha centers around Yaakov’s brachos to his sons.  Perhaps most fitting, within the brachos we find a telling piece of musar, one as applicable today as it was then, some three thousand years ago. While much commentary has been devoted to the contents of each Bracha, perhaps the most stunning is the “blessing” given to Shimon and Levy.  The “bracha” given to Shimon and Levy is unique in many respects.  First, they...
Annapolis, MD - Jan 1, 2026  - A new set of Maryland laws passed during the 2025 legislative session will take effect January 1, 2026, covering issues from property tax procedures to health insurance requirements. Maryland General Assembly One of the laws revises the state’s property tax sales process by allowing a tax collector to withhold certain owner-occupied property — including property occupied by an heir of a deceased owner — from tax sale and requiring counties to establish a registry for interested parties.  Continuing care providers will see changes to governing body membership under another law going into effect at the start of 2026 Transportation network companies — including rideshare services — will be required to provide weekl...
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 1, 2026 - Kehilas Ohel Moshe, under the leadership of Rabbi Zvi Teichman, together with Congregation Tiferes Yisroel, proudly hosted a meaningful and uplifting New Year’s Day Varcha Kallah: Aspiring for Dveykus, bringing together men and women for a morning devoted to tefillah, learning, and connection. The program opened with Shacharis, followed by a delicious breakfast and a shiur from Rabbi Shmuel Kimche in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Ohel Moshe’s new social hall. The morning then continued in the main shul with inspiring and insightful divrei Torah and shiurim from Rabbi Zvi Teichman and Rabbi Menachem Goldberger, offering a powerful exploration of pathways toward deeper dveykus and avodas Hashem. Marked by thoughtful presentations, wa...
Baltimore, MD – Jan. 1, 2026 – As flu and other respiratory illnesses become increasingly pervasive, LifeBridge Health has reinstated masking requirements for employees and visitors, effective immediately. Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital are part of the LifeBridge Health system. The move comes as flu activity surges nationwide, with health officials reporting high or very high levels in most states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 7.5 million Americans have become ill from the flu this season, with 3,100 deaths reported so far, including eight children. Hospitalizations are also climbing sharply, with 5.6 flu-related admissions per 100,000 people last week, up from 3.1 the week before. Flu cases accounted for 5.4% of all hospitalizations...
Dozens of New Year’s revelers are feared dead Thursday after a massive fire ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps. The chaotic blaze at the Le Constellation venue in the Alpine ski resort municipality of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which erupted around 1:30 a.m. local time during a New Year's celebration, also left around 100 injured, many of them seriously, authorities said. "This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare," said Mathias Rénard, head of the regional government."Several tens of people" were killed at the bar, Valais Canton police commander Frédéric Gisler added during a news conference.  Helicopters and ambulances rushed to the scene to assist victims...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 31, 2025 - On Sunday, the 1st grade classes of Rabbi Eisenberg and Rabbi Mitnick at Torah Institute (TI) celebrated a beautiful siyum on Parshas Bereishis. Parents looked on with pride as they watched the joy on their children’s faces during what is, iy”H, the first of many meaningful siyumim to come. Each boy recited his pasuk with confidence and care, bringing much nachas to their families. The menahel, Rabbi Shimon Hirsch, shared divrei bracha and words of encouragement, and the celebration concluded with delicious refreshments enjoyed by all.  
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 24, 2025 - Laniado Hospital recently concluded a powerful three-event visit to the Baltimore–Washington area with renowned Israeli speaker and global Israel advocate Hillel Fuld, delivering a message that was both inspiring and urgent: even in times of war, protecting human life must remain paramount. The visit began Sunday evening, December 7, with a major community gathering at Beth Tfiloh Congregation in Baltimore, drawing approximately 500 attendees. The evening was emceed by New York–based businessman and musical artist Shalom Jacobs, who infused the program with warmth and soul. Jacobs performed his iconic Mi Shebeirach, and for the emotional finale was joined by Beth Tfiloh’s Cantor Yoni Rose, accompanied by Yehuda Mond on keyboard and Yitzy K...
Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 31, 2025 - In this column, I often explore the stories behind Israeli street names which honor historical figures who shaped our Jewish past and present. But this time, I’d like to nominate someone whose name should appear on an Israeli street, but doesn’t yet: Giorgio Perlasca, the Italian businessman who risked his life to save thousands of Jews in Budapest, Hungary, during the Holocaust. Perlasca’s story borders on unbelievable. Born in Italy in 1910, he once supported Mussolini’s Fascist regime but broke with it after Italy enacted racial laws and aligned with Nazi Germany. In 1944, while on a business trip to Hungary, Perlasca witnessed the systematic deportation of Jews and felt compelled to act. When the Spanish ambassador was forced...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 31, 2025: Are you a…BT ?FFB ?FFB WSL*?(*With Slight Lapses)Are we living on different planes? Are we really so different?Join us for an inspiring shiur and candid discussion on our common struggles and aspirations for a meaningful relationship with Hashem.Rabbis Teichman and Goldberger and their respective Shuls invite you to join them, January 1st at Ohel Moshe 2808 Smith Ave. (Parking across the street at the Shopping Center) See flyer for schedule.Hope to see you there!
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 31, 2025  -  Prices at the gas pump are the lowest since the coronavirus pandemic and they are still falling, giving consumers wallets a break as the new year starts.  With many Americans traveling after celebrating the holidays, The National News Desk’s Taylor Murray spoke with Gas Buddy Petroleum Analyst Matt McClain and asked him the best way to help people find the cheapest gas along their route home. McClain said the Gasbuddy app is easy to download and used millions of times each month.
“The reality is you can actually place your final destination in Gas Buddy app. It’s going to give you driving directions, but most importantly along your route it’s going to give you the cheapest gas prices along the...
Maryland ends the year with almost 15,000 fewer federal jobs than it had at the start of the year, according to the latest estimates from the Maryland Department of Labor. The department reported this month that the state lost another 700 federal jobs in September, the most recent month for which estimates were available. That continued an eight-month string of falling federal employment numbers and maintained Maryland’s spot as the state with the most federal jobs lost this year. Maryland has lost about 9% of its federal workforce since January, falling from an estimated 163,100 federal jobs in the state then to about 148,500 as of September, the department said. The loss of 14,600 federal jobs in Maryland is part of the larger effort by the Trump administration to slas...
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