Baltimore, MD - Dec. 22, 2024 - Maryland is predicting a nearly $3 billion dollar budget shortfall for budget year 2026.
Governor Larry Hogan left office with a $5 billion dollar budget surplus.
"It would be a mistake for the legislature to use its newly expanded budgetary power to return to the old habits of raiding the rainy day fund or recklessly spending down the surplus," he said.
Hogan hoped the state's $3 billion-dollar rainy day fund and $2.5 billion-dollar structural surplus wouldn't go to waste.
Now, some say it has, pointing to a multi-million-dollar downward swing.
"Governor Hogan left the state in good financial shape, actually a surplus. The numbers are getting worse and worse for the state of Maryland, and this has happened on Governor Moore's watch, and ...
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Send a Menorah kit to a IDF soldier.
Thousands of oil-ready Menorahs will be sent to the IDF army bases.馃晭
For only $32 you can be a part of this special Mitzvah and light up a soldier's heart 鉂わ笍
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This week, many festive celebrations marked the siyum of Masechet Bava Batra across the Jewish world. Yet, one man commemorated it alone.
A Message from Dr. Yonatan Schussheim
"I’d appreciate it if you could spare me a couple of minutes," Dr. Yonatan Schussheim wrote to me this week. "I’d like to share something that I think will interest you."
Dr. Yonatan Schussheim, an OB-GYN, is the son of the late Dr. Eli Schussheim, zt”l, the legendary founder of EFRAT. Initially, I assumed he wanted to discuss something related to the organization’s activities, but I was mistaken.
“I’m speaking to you as the father of Emunah, who was engaged to Yehonatan Deutsch, Hy”d,” he began.
He didn’t need to refresh my memory. Even in a year of immense ...
Parashat Miketz: It’s Not About Me
What is Yosef’s first statement to Pharaoh? Remember: Yosef was incarcerated for 12 years in an Egyptian jail when suddenly he is taken out of his cell and brought to the palace to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Since we would expect that Yosef would try to dazzle the king with his brilliance, it’s astonishing to hear the first words that come out of his mouth: “Not I! God will bring an answer [that will bring] peace to Pharaoh,” that is to say, it’s not me—it’s God. I am only the medium, the messenger. Yosef expresses his faith in a simple and straightforward way. He then succeeds in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and is ultimately chosen to oversee the entire Egyptian economy.
Yosef&...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 23, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Nosson Tzvi Frand (Baltimore) & Sara Genesha Mitnick (Brooklyn) on ther engagement.
MazelTtov Mrs. Elana Frand & Rabbi and Mrs. Shimon & Rochel Mitnick
讬讛"专 砖讬讝讻讜 诇讘谞讜转 讘讬转 谞讗诪谉 讘讬砖专讗诇. 讗诪谉!
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 22, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Zachary & Rachel Richards on the birth of a son.
讬讛"专 砖讬讝讻讜 诇讙讚诇 讘谞诐 诇转讜专讛, 诇讞讜驻讛, 讜诇诪注砖讬诐 讟讜讘讬诐. 讗诪谉!
Annapolis, MD - Dec. 22, 2024 - In a statement emailed out Saturday afternoon, Governor Wes Moore, says state workers are getting an extra holiday in 2024, Dec.24th.
“Our state employees have worked tirelessly all year long ensuring that Maryland is safer, more affordable, more competitive and the state that serves. We hope that all of our incredible public servants across the state can take a much-needed day to be with their loved ones this holiday season.”
The day will be treated like any other state employee holiday. This will make Tuesday, the 14th holiday for state employees.
An energy crisis in Iran has left its leadership scrambling to find a solution after schools and government institutions across the country were forced to close their doors last week due to widespread power outages that Tehran, in its current state, is ill-equipped to deal with.
After a summer of blackouts, the energy crisis in the Islamic Republic has become exacerbated by harsh winter conditions, and severe cold, snow and air pollution have added to the woes of an energy sector unable to deal with seasonal surges due to years of underinvestment and sanctions.
The New York Times reported on Saturday, however, that one other factor has contributed to the dire state of the country’s energy supplies — a pair of attacks on major gas pipelines back in February...
As mediators in Cairo and Doha continued efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and the Hamas terror group, international reports purported to shed some light on some of the gaps remaining between the two parties.
An Egyptian report on Sunday claimed that Israel is demanding the freeing of 11 Israeli men in the first round of hostage releases, while a report from the BBC the previous evening said that the talks are 90 percent agreed upon, although control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border remains a sticking point.
Israel has been largely mum on any recent developments in the negotiations being brokered by Egypt and Qatar, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying last week that “that the less we discuss this, the better.&rdquo...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Sunday), at IDF Northern Command headquarters, convened the Security Cabinet.
Before the discussion, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers viewed war materiel that the IDF has seized in villages in southern Lebanon during the ground activity in the area.
IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi and Head of Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin briefed Prime Minister Netanyahu on the operational activity in Lebanon, which is also continuing at present, as well as on the collection and seizure of war materiel during operations in the villages, including from storage areas in private homes that have been found to contain Hezbollah weapons and ammunition.
The Prime Minister also visited a mock tunnel that was built for presentation and traini...
Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 22, 2024 - "For the miracles, the mighty deeds, and the wars": This year's Chanukah candle-lighting ceremonies at the Western Wall will be in the presence of families of hostages, bereaved families, wounded IDF soldiers, IDF soldiers, and security forces. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation: "We invite the public to join us for the candle-lighting ceremonies held every evening during Chanukah".
In preparation for Chanukah, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation is organizing the official annual candle-lighting ceremonies at the Western Wall Plaza.
From Wednesday, 24 Kislev, 5785 (December 25, 2024) through Wednesday, 1 Tevet 5785 (January 1, 2025), a central candle-lighting ceremony will be held each evening at the Western Wall Plaza, with musical accompanime...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 21, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi Stutman & Temima Wolf on their engagement!
Mazel Tov to Moshe & Susan Stutman and Josh & Ahuva Wolf
讬讛"专 砖讬讝讻讜 诇讘谞讜转 讘讬转 谞讗诪谉 讘讬砖专讗诇. 讗诪谉!
Ohel Moshe's (Rabbi Teichman) X2 Completion Campaign is Live!Click here to donate now.
Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 21, 2024 - Each year the Organization of Victims of Terrorism hosts a special day of celebration for Bar and Bat mitzvah-age children who have lost a parent to terror, with a day ending at Beit Hanasi in Jerusalem, Israel.
The week before Chanukkah, President Isaac Herzog welcomed the 67 children and their families to the Presidential Residence where the group filled the main diplomatic hall. President Herzog spoke first, followed by Labor Minister Yoav Ben Tzur, and Chairman of the Organization of Victims of Terrorism Abie Moses. All encouraged the youngsters to work on finding happiness and success after the darkness they had experienced.
Tours of Beit Hanasi were available before the official program, the reception included colorf...
With the spread of bird flu in the U.S., the prices of eggs have jumped in recent weeks, throwing another curveball to consumers looking to prepare goods for the upcoming holidays.
The price tag for a dozen Grade A large eggs was nearly $3.65 last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, an uptick from $3.37 in October. The price for the same amount of eggs at the beginning of this year was $2.52.
“The food at home index rose 0.5 percent over the month. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in November,” BLS said in a news release earlier this month. “The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 1.7 percent over the month, as the index for beef increased 3.1 percent and the index for eg...
The Israeli military said on Saturday that while the investigation into the failure to intercept the missile that hit Tel Aviv early in the morning was still ongoing, some lessons were already being implemented.
The ballistic missile, fired by Yemen's Houthi jihadists, landed at a playground in a residential area, leading to 16 people sustaining injuries from glass shards.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said that "some of the conclusions have already been implemented, in regards of both interception and early warning."
The spokesperson added that "no further details regarding aerial defense activities and the alert system can be disclosed due to operational security considerations.”
The Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in w...
The Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi David Yosef and Rabbi Kalman Ber, have requested President Yitzhak Herzog to grant a pardon to Soldier A, who leaked classified documents to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman, Eli Feldstein.
"The difficult decision made in his case is causing division within the nation. We see the presidency as a symbol of peace and unity. The soldier deeply regrets his actions. We join many others in urging you to use your authority to grant him a pardon," they said.
The soldier, through his attorneys, submitted a pardon request to President Herzog last Thursday, expressing remorse for his actions and stating, "I admit my mistake, have learned my lesson, and am truly remorseful."
The request emphasized that "His case presents special personal...
White House aides covered up President Biden’s apparent mental decline from Day 1 of his presidency, shielding the aging commander-in-chief from the public and even rearranging his schedule after scatterbrained performances, an explosive report revealed Thursday.
The lack of access to the nation’s oldest-ever president has been well known in Washington — with Biden hosting the fewest large press conferences in modern history and frequently descending into gaffes at the podium when he appeared — but how much the White House made up for the haziness had until now been hidden, according to aides, Democratic lawmakers and donors who spoke with the Wall Street Journal.
Presidential staff formed a tight shell around Biden, 82, right after he took office a...
Crowds gathered Saturday night at Hostages Square for the weekly families' rally, under the banner, "A complete nation requires everyone - together!"
Families of released hostages and those whose bodies have been returned to Israel opened the rally with a message of support to all the families, stressing, "We stand with you until the last hostage returns!"
During the rally, the families emphasized their clear and unequivocal demand for a deal that would guarantee the return of every last hostage.
Hen Avigdori, whose wife Sharon and daughter Noam were released from Hamas captivity, said: "The release of hostages isn't just about freeing a hundred people from terrible captivity by human monsters - it's the liberation of us all - it's all of us emerging from darkness to...
