Israel, October 5, 2026: Shortly after 6:30 a.m., Anastasia Stelmachov’s mother called to ask if she was all right. The now 27-year-old paramedic from Bat Yam was nearing the end of a 24-hour shift in the Ariel area when she woke Nashet Nasser, an EMT and ambulance driver.
“I woke up Nashet, my driver, and said, ‘Get up. A war has started,’” she recalls. Nashet, who is Arab-Israeli, leapt awake and both jumped into action.
Soon, the two were instructed to take a bullet-resistant ambulance south. As they approached Ashkelon, they saw rockets and interceptions overhead and columns of smoke across the horizon.
“It looked like a war movie,” Anastasia says.
The ambulance was struck by the blast and fragments of a rocket that had landed nearby, causi...
A medical transport jet carrying six people from Bermuda to Boston disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean early Saturday morning after experiencing apparent electrical problems and a terrifying plunge of approximately 13,000 feet.
The Canadian-registered Gulfstream G100, operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, was carrying four Canadian crew members, a Bermudian patient and a family member who was accompanying the patient for medical care. The aircraft departed Bermuda shortly before midnight and was scheduled to arrive at Boston Logan International Airport early Saturday.
As the aircraft approached Massachusetts, air traffic controllers struggled to communicate with the crew. The pilot reportedly indicated that the aircraft was experiencing electrical problems, and a controller was heard ask...
Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said Monday that Ali al-Amoudi, the terror group’s de facto leader in Gaza, survived an Israeli attempt to eliminate him in a strike several days ago.
The Israeli strike took place Saturday in Gaza and targeted al-Amoudi, whom the IDF has described as the most senior Hamas figure remaining in the Gaza Strip. The military said following the strike that its results were under review.
Al-Amoudi was not reported among those killed, and Hamas officials have now said that he survived the attempted assassination.
Al-Amoudi was a close associate of Yahya Sinwar and served as head of Sinwar’s office. He was released from an Israeli prison in the 2011 Gilad Schalit prisoner exchange after serving nearly 20 years and later joined Hamas’s political b...
Baltimore, MD – October 4, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Marilyn (Baila Malka) Frenkel, a"h, mother of Dr. Tzipie Moss, Mrs. Devorah Muller, Dr. Chanie Brandsdorfer, and Dr. Moishe Dov Frenkel.
Shiva will take place at:3123 Enclave CourtPikesville, MD 21208:Sunday night 10/47:45 pm Maariv minyanShiva is 7:45 pm-9:30 pmMonday 10/58:00 am Shacharis minyanShiva is 8:00 am-12:00 pm4:00 pm -7:30 pm6:30 pm Mincha/MaarivTuesday 10/6, Wednesday 10/7, Thursday 10/81:00 pm - 4:00 pm6:00 pm- 8:00 pmFriday 10/910:00 am - 2:00 pmTzipie will be sitting in Baltimore the whole shiva.
Her siblings will be sitting shiva in Baltimore with her on Sunday night and Monday. They will then be returning to their own communities.
בלע ה...
Baltimore, MD – October 1, 2026 - (BJL) The spirit of Zman Simchaseinu was felt Wednesday night of Chol Hamoed at Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah, as members of the Baltimore community gathered for a lively Simchas Beis Hashoeva filled with singing, dancing, and the simcha of Yom Tov.The celebration brought together young and old to share in the special joy of Chol Hamoed Sukkos and celebrate together as a community.
Agudath Israel of America is welcoming new federal regulations for the Education Freedom Tax Credit, set to launch in January 2027. Eligible taxpayers can receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700, or $3,400 for married couples filing jointly, for contributions to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations.
Rabbi A. D. Motzen, Agudath Israel’s national director of government affairs, thanked Trump administration officials for working with stakeholders to develop the regulations.
“Agudath Israel thanks the many senior officials and staff across the Trump Administration who listened to the concerns of stakeholders and worked collaboratively with each other to produce regulations that will help millions of students across the country,” Motzen said.
Motzen also urged...
Iran is preparing for a potentially broader military response if the United States resumes large-scale attacks, with Iranian officials warning that U.S. interests outside the Middle East and countries supporting American military operations could potentially be targeted. No final decision has been made on the scope of any response.
Iran has reportedly instructed allied groups in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq to prepare for a possible coordinated response. The plans could extend from the Strait of Hormuz to American interests throughout the region and beyond.
Simultaneously, Tehran continues diplomatic efforts. Iran recently proposed a seven-day plan that, if accepted, could halt hostilities across the region and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal includes relief from the U.S. blockade o...
Baltimore, MD – October 1, 2026 – A new Maryland law taking effect Thursday changes how certain juveniles accused of crimes are charged, allowing more cases to begin in juvenile court rather than automatically being handled in adult court.
Supporters of the Youth Charging Reform Act say the change can give young people faster access to education, treatment and rehabilitation services. They argue that placing eligible juveniles into the juvenile system sooner can address underlying issues and help prevent them from continuing to reoffend.
The law keeps the most serious offenses eligible for adult-court prosecution. Prosecutors can also still request adult charges for juveniles when the circumstances meet the requirements of the law.
Supporters also point to the previous syste...
BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Chaya Malka-Mona Freishtat, a’h, mother of Alan Freishtat.
The levaya will take place Thursday at Eretz HaChaim Cemetery in Beit Shemesh, following the arrival of EL AL Flight 1002. The approximate time of the levaya is 6:15 PM Israel time. Because the timing is dependent on the flight’s arrival, those planning to attend are advised to check the flight status beforehand. I was not able to reliably verify the live status of Flight 1002 from the available flight-tracking sources.
Shiva will begin following the Chag. Click here for shiva times: https://www.baltimorejewishlife.com/chesed/nichum-aveilim.php
New details are emerging following the terrifying incident aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and the aircraft suddenly plunged during the midair struggle.
Israeli officials have classified the incident as a terrorist attack and are investigating whether the co-pilot acted alone. Investigators are also examining his background and online activity, including reports of disturbing posts about killing Jews and indications that he may have been radicalized. Officials have said there is currently no clear evidence that Iran directed the attack.
Passengers described terrifying moments as the plane entered a steep dive and began spinning. Three Israeli passengers rushed toward the cockpit after hearing a struggle and helped ...
Baltimore, MD – September 30, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Susan Taragin a"h, sister of Sarah Schabes and Rachel Gray, wife of Dr. Herbert Taragin, and mother of Rabbi Moshe Taragin, Rabbi Reuven Taragin, and Dr. Benjamin Taragin.
Kevura will take place in Israel tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30.
Shiva will begin after Yom Tov.
Details will be forthcoming.
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – September 30, 2026 – The Baltimore Orioles are moving forward with another major renovation project at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, this time transforming part of the left-field upper deck into a new social space for fans ahead of the 2027 season.
The project will remove approximately 2,000 seats from the upper deck and replace them with a large gathering area featuring drink rails, standing-room viewing areas, tables and chairs, a central bar, concessions and televisions throughout the space. The new area will be open to all ticketed fans on game days and will also be available for private events on non-game days.
Construction is already underway, with the Orioles planning to have the new space ready for Opening Day 2027. Following the renovations, the estima...
Baltimore, MD – September 30, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of R' Moshe Elchanan (Heini) Hendler z"l, father of Rabbi Avraham Hendler.
Avraham Hendler will be sitting shiva in Baltimore at 917 Painted Post Road:Sunday night, Motzei Yom Tov, 9:00 - 11:00 PM Monday morning: Shacharis 8:00 AMMincha/Maariv 6:25 PM
Shiva will then continue in Toronto, Canada at 78 Baycrest Avenue. Phone: 443-691-1050
בלע המות לנצח
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September 25 at 12:53 pm
Baltimore, MD – September 25, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Moshe Lowinger (Lakewood) on his engagement to Esther Shurin (Baltimore).
!יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
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September 25 at 12:43 pm
The Yom Tov of joy is upon us. After a month of Elul followed by the uplifting Days of Awe, we are ready to celebrate and explode with happiness for the lot in life we have each been fortunate to have been granted.
The question remains, "Is everybody happy?"
The Tur famously quotes his brother Rav Yehuda who alleged that the three holidays we celebrate each year, correspond to the Patriarchs.
Pesach aligns with Avraham, Shavuos to Yitzchok, and Sukkos to Yaakov.
When the three angels famously visited Avraham, the Torah reports he directed Sarah to 'knead and make cakes' alluding to Matzo. The horn from the ram that substituted for the sacrificing of Yitzchok, was the Shofar that blew at Mount Sinai on Shavuos. Yaakov built 'shelters for his cattle' calling the loc...
