New York, N.Y. - Feb. 26, 2025 - It is with deep regret that Agudath Israel of America announces the impending retirement of Rabbi Abba Cohen, long-time director of Agudath Israel’s Washington Office and its Vice President for Government Affairs.
During his 36-year tenure as head of Agudath Israel’s Washington Office, Rabbi Cohen worked with seven presidential administrations and 19 Congresses. He is universally respected in the nation’s capital as a skilled spokesman and tireless advocate for the Orthodox Jewish community, as a model of honor and impeccable integrity, as a paradigm of keen intelligence and consummate professionalism.
A trailblazing Orthodox Jewish advocate in Washington, Rabbi Cohen has built strong relationships across both sides of...
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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2025 - At Mesivta Kesser Torah, we take pride in every bochur—in his growth, his hasmadah, and his place in the mesorah of Klal Yisroel. Each talmid is not just a part of the yeshiva; he is a treasured jewel upon its crown.
This was so vividly seen this past month, as we gathered for two extraordinary events:
שאל אביך ויגדך – A powerful father-son learning event, where fathers and sons connected through the eternal bond of Torah.
זקניך ויאמרו לך – A special grandfather-grandson learning event, where generations joined together to share in the mesorah, strengthening the crown of Torah that has been passed down for centuries.
At Kesser Torah, this is our mission: to instill in each talmid...
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Hamas will return four deceased hostages to Israel on Wednesday night.
"Pursuant to Israel's demands, agreement has been reached with the mediators: Four of our deceased hostages will be returned tonight in the framework of the first stage, in an agreed-upon procedure and without Hamas ceremonies," the Prime Minister's Office stated.
Hamas published the names of the deceased hostages who it intends to release: Ohad Yahalomi, Tsahi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mantzur.
The families of the hostages who appear on the list were notified personally.
The family of Tsahi Idan wrote in a statement: "Our family received with great sorrow Hamas's announcement that our beloved Tsahi is not among the living and his body will be retu...
Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 26, 2025 - The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Hamas will return four deceased hostages to Israel on Wednesday night.
"Pursuant to Israel's demands, agreement has been reached with the mediators: Four of our deceased hostages will be returned tonight in the framework of the first stage, in an agreed-upon procedure and without Hamas ceremonies," the Prime Minister's Office stated.
Hamas published the names of the deceased hostages who it intends to release: Ohad Yahalomi, Tsahi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mantzur.
The families of the hostages who appear on the list were notified personally.
The family of Tsahi Idan wrote in a statement: "Our family received with great sorrow Hamas's announcement that our beloved Tsahi is not among ...
Washington, D.C. _ Feb. 26, 2025 - The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) requested in a meeting on Tuesday that managers present him with a plan for a 50 percent reduction in staff, a mass firing that could affect tens of thousands of employees across the country.
The deadline for the plan to be submitted to Leland Dudek, who was elevated to the acting commissioner position just a couple of weeks ago, is this afternoon, according to two sources who wished to remain anonymous.
The decision could target one of the government’s most prominent public-facing initiatives: SSA field offices, where seniors, people with disabilities, and survivors whose parents have died can sign up for benefits and get information.
“I’m getting conflicting reports...
Tzohar, Israel - Feb. 26, 2025 - Yarden Bibas eulogized his wife Shiri and their children Ariel and Kfir, who were buried together in the Tzohar Cemetery on Wednesday.
Bibas, wearing an orange kippah, began by addressing his wife. "Mi Amor. I remember the first time I said 'mi amor' to you. It was at the very beginning of our relationship. You told me to only call you if I was certain I loved you, not to say it carelessly. I didn't say it then because I didn't want you to think I was rushing to say, 'I love you.' Shiri, I'll confess to you now that I already loved you back then when I said "mi amor."
"Shiri, I love you and will always love you! Shiri, you are everything to me! You are the best wife and mother there could be. Shiri, you a...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 26, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yitzchak Maybloom (Lakewood) & Esti Frand (Lakewood) on their engagement!
Mazel Tov to parents Rabbi & Mrs. Pinchas Maybloom and Rabbi & Mrs. Baruch Frand and grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yissocher Frand
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
The first measles death has been reported in West Texas amid the outbreak that has infected more than 100 people, Associated Press reported on Wednesday morning.
Melissa Whitfield, a spokesperson for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center confirmed the death to AP.
The patient's identity and age were not shared.
Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AP.
As of Tuesday, the Texas outbreak had affected 124 people across nine counties, according to a statement from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Cases have also been spreading to New Mexico, with a total of nine confirmed in that state so far.
The DSHS first confirmed the outbreak on Feb. 5.he agency added that the best ...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 23, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mr. Jack Gedalius, z’l, father of Joel Gedalius.
The Levaya will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 12pm, graveside at Wellwood Cemetery, 1400 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY (North Ave and Carmel). Shiva will be observed at 3022 Temple Gate Road, Baltimore, MD, 21209
Minyanim:
7:00am Shacharis (Thursday)
6:45am Shacharis (Friday/Rosh Chodesh)
5:40pm Mincha/Ma'ariv (Wednesday-Thursday)
4:00pm Erev shabbos mincha
Visiting times:9am-11:30am (Monday-Friday)
6pm-8pm (Sunday-Thursday)
Bila Hamaves Lanetzach…
Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday that the deceased hostages will be handed over to Israel at 11:00 p.m.
Hamas's militant wing published the names of the four deceased hostages who will be returned to Israel on Wednesday night. An Israeli official confirmed that Israel is set to receive the four caskets.
It is predicted that the deceased hostages will be released without a Hamas ceremony and the Egyptians are involved in the matter. Hamas will transfer the caskets to the Red Cross, and Israel will gradually release terrorists until the bodies are positively identified.
Israeli officials stressed that until there is final identification of the deceased hostages, the most significant group of terrorists will not be released.
Hamas announced that the European Hospital in Khan Yun...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 26, 2025 - Baltimore's prosecutor on Tuesday withdrew the motion to vacate judgment in the case of Adnan Syed.
It comes the night before Syed was set to go before a judge to have his sentence officially reduced.
Syed's court appearance was based on the Juvenile Reduction Act. Since Syed did at least 20 years for a crime he was accused of as a child, and he has since turned his life around, the act states his sentence should be reduced to time served.
Bates' decision differs from his predecessor, Marilyn Mosby. After looking at the case, Bates said he found the evidence was not there to support Mosby's claim.
| DOCUMENTS: Public Filing | Executive Summary (PDFs)
The Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office said...
Murdered hostage Shiri Bibas, along with her murdered hostage children, Ariel and Kfir, are being laid to rest in the Tzohar cemetery on Wednesday.
At the request of the Bibas family, the funeral of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas is being held privately without media presence.
"Mi Amor, I remember the first time I called you Mi Amor," Yarden said, mourning his wife.
"Ariel, in his innocence, wanted to be a superhero and save people trapped in a pit. I believe you fulfilled that dream. Ariel, you are a superhero," he added.
"Shiri, people say they will always be here with me, but they are not you, so please stay close to me," he continued.
"Ariel, I hope you're not angry with me for failing to protect you properly and for not being there for you. I hope you know I thought about...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 26, 2025 - New reports of negligence inside Baltimore City Public Schools. The district is now responding to a troubling financial audit released by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, which details 17 findings against the District.
The audit found that City Schools failed to consistently “comply with procurement policies and maintain sufficient documentation related to disbursements.” Overall, according to the audit, seven issues were discovered concerning procurement and disbursements.
The audit also found the district failed to properly prescreen new hires who work with students.
Most of the findings were related to the school system's mishandling of expenditures, including contracts that appear to have been improperly awarde...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 2025 - Every Shabbos table offers every Jewish family an incredible opportunity by which they can share their joy for Shabbos, for Yiddishkeit and for HaShem with their children. Unfortunately, our schedules are hectic and many people don’t have the time to prepare themselves to utilize the Shabbos table to its fullest. Therefore, we at ACHIM created TableTalk as a pre-packaged talking points pamphlet which is attractive, fun and has something for everyone. Limited copies are distributed to many shuls on a weekly basis but they are snatched up very quickly. Get yours ASAP or click on the graphic below and print your own.What’s in it and what’s all the excitement about?TableTalk features:• Weekly halachic dilemma creating l...
The Hamas terror group is preparing for the end of the first stage of the ceasefire deal and appointing new commanders, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
According to the report, Hamas has begun mapping its new positions, where it will station terrorists if the fighting restarts. The terror group has also begun repairing tunnels damaged by IDF operations.
ʻIzz al-Dīn al-Ḥaddād, head of Hamas' military wing in northern Gaza, met earlier this month with Hamas officials and analyzed possible scenarios for Israeli attacks.
The report said that al-Ḥaddād warned the senior terrorists that Israel will first try to take over a strategic road which crosses Gaza.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway on the ground, and Hamas has distributed fliers calling to teach...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday began his 13th day of testimony in court with a special request.
"We are now accompanying Shiri Bibas and her children [on their last journey]; I think it is appropriate that we stand for a minute of silence, to remember who we are fighting for," Netanyahu said.
Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman rejected the request, saying, "Everyone remembers who we are fighting against and what we are fighting for; right now, let us proceed as usual."
On Tuesday, Netanyahu did not give testimony, after the court canceled the hearing due to security considerations presented behind closed doors. The discussion was attended by IDF intelligence chief Shlomi Binder, who, unusually, was called in to testify. The hearing was called at Netanyahu's reques...
Families of female lookouts who served at the Nahal Oz outpost are furious about the leak of the IDF investigation of the failures of the October 7 attack to the media before it was shown to them.
"We are shocked and pained by the leak of the IDF investigation before it was shown to us, the bereaved families. The least we deserve is to be able to receive answers about the failure that led to the murder of our daughters before the public does," the families stated.
They added, "The leak of the investigation before it was presented to us is a great shame for the IDF and a continuation of the army's disgraceful conduct toward the bereaved families."
As a result, many families are considering whether to attend the presentation of the IDF investigation on Thursday. The familie...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 26, 2025 – 12:06AM - There is a significant water main break in the 3800 block of Labyrinth Road which may pose safety risks for drivers, particularly those operating large vehicles.
If possible, avoid the area.
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The Knesset building was lit up this evening (Tuesday) in orange, ahead of the funeral procession for Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, which will take place tomorrow.
The Knesset building will be lit up in orange tomorrow as well.
Tomorrow, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana will open the Knesset plenum session at 11:00 AM with a minute of silence in memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, who were murdered in captivity, and in memory of all those murdered and fallen since October 7, 2023, and during the Sword of Iron War.
Yesterday, members of the coalition and the opposition asked Ohana to open the Knesset plenum with a minute of silence, at the same time as the funeral of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas.
