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Tell us a little about yourself and how you entered the world of developmental pediatrics.
Dr. Richter: I grew up in Brooklyn, and life later took us to Lakewood, Israel, and Baltimore. My work with children with special needs began in high school, when friends and I launched a local bnos program for them. I later earned a master's degree in special education, served as assistant director of a self-contained special education program, and provided ABA and direct behavioral support to children.
I attended medical school at Sackler/Tel Aviv University and completed my pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins. A rotation at Kennedy Krieger Institute led to an invitation to help develop a new autism diagnostic program, bringing together my backgrounds in special education and medicine...
Baltimore, MD – September 23, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Hedda Medjuck, a’h, sister of Rabbi Meir Mark.Shiva will be observed at 2535 Smith Avenue on Friday afternoon from 1:00 PM–4:30 PM, with Mincha at 4:30 PM.בלע המוות לנצח ומחה ד’ אלוקים דמעה מעל כל פנים
The YomTov of Succos represents multiple ideas within the Torah and the Mepharshim. The Torah tells us that the Chag recalls how we lived in these makeshift houses as we left Mitzrayim. (Behar 23:43) The Gemara questions whether we are commemorating the actual “houses” in which we lived temporarily or whether we are really referring to the Ananei Hakovod which divinely protected us when we were in the Midbar. (Gemara Succah, 11b) Either way, The Gemara concludes we are recalling an event which took place in Nissan, around the same time as Pesach, immediately after Yitzias Mitzrayim, Indeed, Chazal say that Succos would be more appropriately celebrated in the spring but we shifted it to the fall so it would not appear that it was simply a comfortable time to ...
BDE to Sunkist Fruit Gems, the little neon-colored candies that have been flying through synagogue airspace at bar mitzvahs and aufrufs for generations. After more than 70 years, the iconic kosher candy has been discontinued.Despite their popularity, Ferrara discontinued the candy on May 1, citing declining consumer demand. Other fruit candies may be available as substitutes, including a similar product from Sunsations, but for longtime Fruit Gem fans, there is really only one conclusion: “The Sunkist Fruit Gems as you and I know it, gone,” said candy wholesaler Jon Prince.There is technically a chance Fruit Gems could return, but the candy company says it would take massive demand from consumers across the country. So if you find an unopened bag hiding in your ...
Baltimore, MD – September 24, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Muttie and Shira Kohn and their family on the birth of a baby boy.
!יה"ר שיזכו לגדלו לתורה לחופה ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Below are links to helpful articles and lists related to schach mats, along with Sukkos-related videos on our STAR-K Sukkos Video Channel.
Guide to STAR-K Certified Schach
A summary of Rav Moshe Heinemann’s guidance regarding kosher schach
Kosher Certified Schach Manufacturers
A list of schach manufacturers certified by STAR-K
The Halachos of Schach
A more in-depth review of the halachos of schach by Rav Heinemann
After Sukkos: Proper Schach Storage
Guidelines on proper storage of your schach to avoid insect infestation
Audio-Visual Guidance
Listen to STAR-K’s Kosher Conversation ‘Sukkos Special‘ podcast with Rabbi Mordechai Frankel.
Sukkahs-to-Go and Schach Mat Webinar
Watch Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rabbi Boruch Beyer discuss various Sukkos-related topics...
Baltimore, MD – September 23, 2026 - Talmidim in Grades 3–5 at Torah Institute enjoyed a fun and meaningful day of Sukkos-related activities as they prepared for the upcoming Yom Tov.
Third and fourth graders put their creativity to work designing beautiful Sukkos-themed decorative posters, combining hands-on fun with the excitement and spirit of Yom Tov.
Fifth graders focused on the mitzvah of Arba Minim, learning about the four minim, their significance, and the halachos surrounding this special mitzvah.
The activities gave the talmidim an enjoyable opportunity to combine learning and creativity while building excitement for Sukkos.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee received a giant esrog during a special meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem ahead of the Sukkot holiday.
The unusual gift was presented by Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and Rabbi Chaim Michoel Gutterman of the Shuvu educational network.
Honig explained that the esrog is traditionally associated with the heart and was chosen as a symbol of appreciation for Huckabee’s support and solidarity with the Jewish people. “You have a heart as big as this etrog,” Honig told the ambassador.
Rabbi Gutterman added “Just as the etrog remains on the tree through all the seasons," Rabbi Gutterman said, “you have stood with us through every period - through the ups and downs and throu...
Baltimore, MD – September 22, 2026 - On Sunday, Erev Yom Kippur, the Mercaz Daf Yomi of Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah celebrated a siyum on Maseches Chullin, bringing together a large crowd for a meaningful celebration of Torah just hours before the onset of Yom Kippur.
The gathering brought together the Maggidei Shiur and participants from Mercaz’s 13 daily Daf Yomi shiurim, uniting the many lomdei haDaf who learn at different times throughout the day in celebration of their shared accomplishment. Among those in attendance was Dr. Thomas Azman, who marked the extraordinary personal milestone of completing the entire Shas with the completion of Maseches Chullin.
A delicious fleishig seudah was served during the siyum, serving as the first seudah of Erev Yom Kippur. The Zidich...
What happens when preschool teachers are given time to play and explore?
That was the challenge Jewish Educational Services (JES) presented to educators at Cheder Chabad during a recent professional development workshop, Curious, Creative, and Capable: Supporting Creativity, Development, and Meaningful Learning Through Process Art, Books, Boxes, and Open-Ended Materials, developed and facilitated by Leah Golfeyz, JES Special Education and Support Consultant. Grounded in the belief that children are naturally curious, creative, and capable, the workshop invited teachers to experiment with clay, loose parts, paint, and other open-ended materials without directions or a predetermined outcome. In doing so, they experienced firsthand how process-focused learning encourages children to exp...
Baltimore, MD – September 22, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Sivi and Mordechai Yager (Eretz Yisrael) on the birth of a baby girl.
Mazel Tov to the grandparents Louis Feinstein and Gail and David Dannenbaum.
!יה"ר שיזכו לגדלה לתורה לחופה ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Car Free Day is today, September 22!
Marylanders can ride MTA Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC, Commuter Bus and Mobility for free all day.
Leave the car home and take advantage of free public transportation across Maryland today!
Travelers heading to the New York and New Jersey Tri-State area this weekend should monitor forecasts as a potential nor’easter could bring heavy rain, powerful winds, coastal flooding and dangerous surf.
The storm’s exact track and strength remain uncertain, but forecasters are watching the system closely. Parts of Long Island and coastal areas could see several inches of rain and wind gusts above 50 mph.
Travelers should expect possible road and flight delays, particularly along coastal routes, and check updated weather and travel conditions before departing.
A shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur left a police officer seriously wounded and the gunman critically injured.
Synagogue president Norman Weddum said he was guiding congregants into the sanctuary Sunday evening when he heard gunshots. The officer, who had been stationed outside in an unmarked vehicle, came under fire as worshippers were arriving. Weddum said congregants were rushed back inside, the doors were closed and people were told to get on the floor. Thank G-d, no one inside the synagogue was injured.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said preliminary evidence shows Sean Ward, 29, arrived in a truck around 7 p.m. and opened fire on the officer. The officer returned fire before a second officer arrived and also fired. U...
Netanel Shukrun, a father of six from Alei Zahav, was laid to rest Monday night after being killed in a terror shooting at a natural spring near Neve Tzuf on the eve of Yom Kippur.
Shukrun had gone to the spring with his eldest son, 16-year-old Yoav, to immerse before Yom Kippur. A gunman opened fire from a vehicle, striking Shukrun while he was inside his car. The attacker fled on foot, was wounded by an IDF tracker and was later captured at a hospital near Ramallah by Duvdevan commandos. Shukrun was taken to Beilinson Hospital in serious condition but later died from his wounds.
Hundreds attended the funeral in Alei Zahav, where Shukrun was remembered as a kind and humble man devoted to his family.
His widow, Meirav, said that at the last moment, he warned Yoav abou...
