Baltimore, MD – Dec. 17, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Bracha (Avi, z’l) Strimber, a’h, mother of Shayna (Gobbie) Cohn, and Josh Strimber and sister of Rena Goldhahn.
The levayah will be held today, Wed., Dec. 17, at Levinson's at 2:00PMKevurah will take place at the Chevra Ahavas Chesed Cemetery, 9780 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133Shiva will be observed at 3117 Northbrook Road, Baltimore, MD 21208
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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 16, 2025 — The Yeshiva of Greater Washington Boys Division, Tiferes Gedaliah, is hosting a High School Open House on Tuesday, December 23 at 8:00 p.m. at the Weichbrod Home, 6714 Woodbury Rd, Baltimore, MD 21209. The event offers Baltimore families the opportunity to meet and hear from the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Ahron Lopiansky, and learn about the yeshiva’s serious limudei kodesh program, comprehensive general studies tracks, transportation options to and from Baltimore, and partial boarding availability.
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 15, 2025 - Today, Miriam’s Library closed on its new building. Reb Mendel Mintz, together with Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan and Rabbi Jonathan Aryeh Seidemann, along with various dignitaries, marked the milestone as the vision took a tangible step forward. Miriam’s Library is being built as a center for educational support, tutoring, and specialized resources for students and families. It is designed not as a memorial, but as a living continuation of Miriam (Fink) Mintz’s care, commitment, and belief in every child.
Miriam’s Library Closing for New Building — Reb Mendel Mintz, Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, and Rabbi Jonathan Aryeh Seidemann
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Baltimore, MD — Dec. 13, 2025 — The BJH today announced the official launch of THE BUZZ, a new WhatsApp-based platform designed to give Baltimore residents a centralized, curated feed of promotions, events, specials, and community announcements. The BUZZ operates as a sister channel to the widely followed BJL News & Information Feed — the community’s long-standing, trusted source for real-time news and reliable updates.
Built on the same commitment to clarity, accuracy, and consistency that has made BJL the region’s most dependable news presence, The BUZZ was created to meet a growing need within the community: a clean, organized space dedicated exclusively to local deals, offerings, and happenings. While BJL continues to focus on timely and essential n...
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Talya, a devoted Yiddishe mother, sits beside the hospital bed of her one-year-old daughter, Sheina Yafa.
Born with a severe brain bleed, Sheina was later diagnosed with "neuroblastoma" - a rare, aggressive cancer.
Since the day she entered this world, Sheina has been fighting to live.
And Talya has been fighting with her - with tefillos, tears, and every ounce of strength a mother can have.
But the treatment - their only hope - is far beyond what the family can afford. Every cent has already been used.
Now, as we gather around our menorahs and sing "Maoz Tzur", Talya is begging for a miracle.
She turns to Klal Yisrael - to you - and pleads: “Help me save my daughter’s life.”
This is not just...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 16, 2025 - Our closing was supposed to be December 3.That was the plan for weeks. Then the appraisal delayed things, the date shifted, and when the new closing date finally came through, I paused.First day of Chanukah.I smiled. Chanukah is chinuch. Chanukah is Chanukas Habayis — taking something physical and committing it to a higher purpose. I didn’t overthink it, but it felt right.Then, twenty-four hours before we closed, the news from Sydney began unfolding. A Chanukah gathering. Jews celebrating openly. And tragedy. Being Chabad, it felt deeply personal.I didn’t know what to make of the timing.But the clock was ticking, and at 2:45 p.m., on the first day of Chanukah — in the presence of local rabbonim and community leaders — we c...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 16, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rabbi Mendel Gopin, z’l, father of Rabbi Zev Gopin.
Shiva in Baltimore - through Monday morning - will begin at 3701 North Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21218 on Friday with Shacharis.Minyanim:FridayShacharis 9 amMincha 1 pmFriday Shiva hours9 am to 2 pmMotzaei Shabbos7 pm to 10 pmSundayShacharis 9 amMincha 1 pmMaariv 8 pmSunday Shiva hours 9 am to 2 pm6 pm to 10 pmMondayShacharis 8.30 amבלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 16, 2025 - Chag Urim Sameach; the holiday of lights and joy. The terrible tragedy in Sydney is still fresh and we’re all processing. I’m still sputtering from October 7th, to be honest. How do we cope, how do we celebrate this Holiday of Lights with joy; how do we have faith in goodness, in humanity?
Somehow, Kislev flew by and even with all the preparations in the classroom and the knowledge that Chanuka was coming, there is always a delay when it comes to my own home. Such is the life of the Morah.
There were many thoughts that percolated in my head this month, related to Chanuka, and the parshiyos of this month, however I did not have the time to formulate them on paper. I will try to do so now with the goal be...
Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 16, 2025 - On the second night of Chanukkah, at the Jerusalem, Israel, Ramada Hotel, a festive celebration was held, a celebration in honor of Nova survivors.
For more than a year, Kesher Yehudi has consistently created spaces where Israelis fractured by trauma, grief, and distance from tradition can come together—often at the most emotionally complex moments on the Jewish calendar.
Through Shabbatot, holidays, and shared learning, the organization has become a bridge between survivors of October 7 and a broader Jewish story of faith, continuity, and resilience.
On Simchat Torah, that bridge carried extraordinary weight. Nova Festival survivors gathered in Jerusalem not only to mark a holiday once tied to unimaginable loss, but to c...
Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 16, 2025 - The Ministry of Economy presents a forecast for Israeli export data in 2025, predicting that by the end of the year, exports will approach $160 billion – an increase of approximately 3% compared to 2024.
A press conference was held at the King David Hotel on Tuesday afternoon. Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat and German Economic Affairs and Energy Minister Katharina Reiche spoke and answered questions.
Barkat said in English, "The economic relationship between Israel and Germany goes far beyond trade figures. Germany is our largest trading partner in the European Union and a true strategic partner—a country with which we are jointly building a future of growth, innovation, and prosperity fo...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 13, 2025 - We are again pleased to repost the following at the request of our readers:Menorah Safety
Never leave Chanukah candles unattended and never go to sleep while Chanukah candles are burning
Place the Menorah on a sturdy heat resistant surface away from anything that can catch fire including walls, curtains, cabinets, wooden and plastic tables, tablecloths, etc
Light candles out of childrens reach and where they cannot be knocked over
Keep surfaces and surrounding areas clear from burned matches, wick trimmings, oil residue, and other debris
Do not light “school project” Menorahs made from materials that can burn (wood, plastic, paper etc)
When Cooking Latkes
Keep small children away fr...
I grew up in England, in what you’d call a “traditional” Jewish home. We kept the basics: we bought meat from the kosher butcher, avoided pork and shellfish, and went to the local shul on Shabbos mornings and festivals. But halachic observance wasn’t really on our radar.
One big gift of growing up in England, though, was that the government funds faith-based schools as part of the public system, so I was able to attend Jewish schools throughout my childhood. That meant Jewish friends, Jewish teachers, and a basic Jewish education.
Everything shifted after my grandfather passed away. My father wanted to say Kaddish for him, and began going to shul every day and putting on tefillin. That daily commitment slowly changed all of us. As his learning and observance deepe...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 16, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Toby Dobin, a’h, mother of Mr. Avi Dobin.
The levaya was yesterday in New Jersey.
Shiva will be observed until Sunday morning at 1269 E. 10th St., Brooklyn, NY 11230.
Minyanim
Shacharis (We-Fr; Su)- 8:00 am
Mincha/Maariv (Tu-Th)- 4:15 pm
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 15, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Brian Cynamon, z’l, husband of Barbara Cynamon, and father of Evan Cynamon, z’l, Dovid (Sora Mindy) Cynamon and Chad CynamonShiva will be observed in Baltimore beginning with Maariv this evenng (Tuesday, Dec. 16) at the Cook Residence, 425 Yeshiva Lane, Baltimore, MD 21208Minyanim:Shachris 7:30AMMincha 2:30PM(Erev Shabbos TBA)Maariv 6:35PMThe family respectfully requests no visitors after 9:00PM
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The U.S. economy added jobs in November as economic uncertainty continued to dampen activity in the labor market.
The Labor Department on Tuesday reported that employers added 64,000 jobs in November, a figure that was above the 50,000 estimate of economists polled by LSEG.
The unemployment rate ticked higher to 4.6% for November, which was higher than the 4.4% rate expected by economists. The 4.6% unemployment rate is the highest since September 2021.
Job gains in the two prior months in which the employment report was released were both revised down. Employment in August was revised down by 22,000 from a loss of 4,000 jobs to a loss of 26,000 jobs; while September was revised down by 11,000 jobs from a gain of 119,000 jobs to 108,000 jobs.
Taken together, employ...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 16, 2025 – 8:45 AM (BJL):A) Reisterstown Road and SladeA traffic accident at the intersection of Reisterstown Road and Slade Road has traffic significantly backed up in the area.B) Reisterstown Road near Naylors LaneAn accident on Reisterstown Road near Naylors Lane is causing significant backups in both directions. Northbound Reisterstown Road is currently fully closed (from Market Maven toward Target).Avoid the area.
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 2, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira Mr. Barry Ziman, z’l, brother of Mr. Benyamin Ziman.The levayah will take place on Wednesday, December 10 at Robinson Funeral Home, 34 Main St, Centerbrook, CT 06409Shiva through Tuesday morning, Dec. 16 will be observed begining Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6906 Dorset Place, Baltimore, MD 21215The family respectfully requests no visitors between 2–4 PM or after 10 PM.PLEASE NOTE: Park on Labyrinth or Fallstaff Shacharis: 7:00 AM (Thu, Fri, Sun, Mon, Tues)Mincha/Maariv: 4:30 PM (Thu, Sun, Mon)Friday Mincha: 2:00 PMMotzai Shabbos Maariv: 5:30 PM
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The White House sent a sharp private message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel eliminated a senior Hamas military commander over the weekend, warning that the strike violated the Gaza ceasefire brokered by President Trump, Axios reported.
According to the report, US officials said the message reflected growing frustration within the Trump administration over Israel’s actions and disagreements surrounding the next stage of the Gaza agreement and Israel’s regional policies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner were described as increasingly dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s approach.
The dispute followed an Israeli strike on Saturday in Gaza City that killed Ra’ad Sa’ad, d...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 15, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Morton Esterson, z’l, father of Rachel (Alan) Rosenblatt and Samuel (Malka) Esterson.
The levaya will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at 2:30pm at Sol Levinson's
Shiva will be observed at 6607 Park Heights Avenue, Apt B1, Pikesville, MD 21215.
The family respectfully requests no visitors after 9:00pm. Shacharit: Wed., Dec. 17-Fri., Dec. 19 at 7:00am Sunday, Dec. 21 at 8:00am Monday, Dec. 22 at 7:00am Mincha/Maariv: Wednesday, Dec. 17-Thursday, Dec. 18 Sunday, Dec. 21 at 4:30pm Mincha Erev Shabbos: 1:00pm
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 15, 2025 - Members of the Jewish community in Pikesville gathered Sunday at ARIEL Chabad for a menorah lighting event on the first night of Hanukkah with increased security measures in place in response to the Australia mass shooting.
Rabbi Velvel Belinsky, who is the director of ARIEL Chabad, is devastated by the shooting on Bondi Beach, which targeted the Jewish community during a menorah lighting event.
“The terrorist attack that was in Australia touched me personally because as a yeshiva student I was sent for one year to help working in Australia with the Jewish community, and I was working at the very Chabad Center that organized this menorah lighting,” Belinsky said.
He knew the head rabbi behind the event and his son-in-law, who died i...
