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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 - Jan. 2, 2026 - Kollel Avreichim Baltimore hosted its first Yarchei Kallah learning program this week. Now settled into their own building after spending the past year as guests of Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek, the kollel took the opportunity to invite the broader community to join them and use their day off from work to dedicate time to Torah.
The program began with a light breakfast, followed by a seder hachanah on the sugya of Chukas HaGoyim, and continued with an engaging and interactive shiur delivered by the Rosh HaKollel, Rabbi Binyomin Chajes. The lomdim expressed that the Yarchei Kallah left a profound impression, enriching their grasp of the sugya and enhancing their appreciation for ongoing limud haTorah.
B’ezras Hashem, Kollel Avreichim looks forw...
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Baltimore, MD – January 1, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Susan Bergman, a’h, beloved mother of Nitzan Bergman.
The levaya will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (PST) 1:00PM (Baltimore) at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks, 6150 Mt. Sinai Dr., Simi Valley, CA 93063.Click here for Live stream
Kevurah will take place at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks.
Shiva will be observed as follows: • Los Angeles: 2131 Century Park Ln., Building 3, Apt. 108, through Monday • Baltimore: Beginning Tuesday night, with Maariv at 8:00 p.m., continuing Wednesday with Shacharis at 8:00 a.m. and Mincha/Maariv at 4:45 p.m., at 3310 Labyrinth Rd., Baltimore, MD 21215
Those wishing to share memories and tributes may do so at: https://...
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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:
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 2, 2026 - Baltimore achieved a historic milestone in 2025 with its lowest homicide count on record and 101 fewer non-fatal shootings compared to 2024. But as the city enters 2026, residents have varying perspectives on whether they actually feel safer in their daily lives.
Sydney Clayton, a Fells Point neighbor, said the city's reputation doesn't match her personal experience.
"There is obviously a stigma when people talk about Baltimore and I don't feel that whenever I am around here. I don't intentionally walk alone at night but other times where I've had to I feel safe," Clayton said.
Clayton praised the declining crime statistics.
Day Gilmore, who has lived in Columbia for more than 40 years, said he's proud to see Baltimore ...
Baltimore, MD – January 2, 2026 (7:50AM) – Due to an accident at the intersection of Park Heights & Fallstaff, traffic is blocked on Fallstaff between Park Heights and Cross Country Boulevard.
Baltimore, MD – January 1, 2026 – BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Baruch and Daniella Ruben on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Attar.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
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 and Mr. & Mrs. Reuven & Debra Meth.
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.
