The US House Foreign Affairs Committee will from now on only refer to the West Bank by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria, the Axios news site reports, citing an internal committee memo sent yesterday by its chairman Rep. Brian Mast, a Florida Republican, to the 50 GOP staffers on the panel.
The report says Mast wrote that “in recognition of our unbreakable bond with Israel and the inherent right of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, the House Foreign Affairs committee will, from here forward, refer to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria in formal correspondence, communication and documentation.”
“Jewish roots in this region span centuries,” he added, and “as representatives of the American people, we must do our part to stem this reprehensib...
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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...
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Baltimore, MD – Feb. 26, 2025 - Tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 27, Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar, is Yom Kippur Koton and is a special opportunity to daven on behalf of Achainu B'nei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and worldwide.
Please note the following Yom Kippur Koton Mincha Minyanim in town:(If you know of any others, please let us know so we may add them to this list.)
Khal Ahavas Yisrael Tzemach Tzedek (KAYTT) - Rabbi Dovid Heber – 12:55PM
The Ezras Noshim will be open for women. ArtScroll Yom Kippur Koton booklets will be available.
Community Kollel - 2:45PM
Agudah of Park Heights - Rabbi Moshe Heinemann - 4:55PM (Upstairs 3rd floor)
Bais HaKnesses Ohr HaChaim - Rabbi Zvi Weiss - 5:00PM
(Please text 410-458-9522 if you will be fasting.)
Darchei Tzedek - Rabbi Y...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 26, 2025 - Baltimore’s gymnastics community has a new reason to celebrate! Nine talented athletes from the Bas Melech Gymnastics Team recently traveled to Miami to compete in the National Girls Jewish Gymnastics League—and they didn’t just participate; they dominated.
The team placed in all areas and across all the age ranges and brought home multiple medals proving that their dedication and hard work paid off in a big way.
Medals won by the Bas Melech team:
1st, 2nd and 3rd place on beam
1st, 3rd, 4th and 8th place for floor
3rd and 4th place on bar
1st, 2nd and 3rd place for all around
(Ages 13-17)
3rd place for beam
2nd place for floor
6th place for bar
4th, 5th and 12th for all around
(Ages 11-12)
8th and 9th place for b...
Washington, D.C. – Feb. 26, 2025 - While record-high egg prices have left Trump officials "scrambling" for a solution to bring down costs, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins floated options to "immediately" reduce money spent on the dietary staple.
"We're looking at importing some eggs in the short term," she said from the White House lawn on Wednesday.
"We're talking to several countries around the world that can get us eggs right away. This would not be a long-term fix, but to immediately begin to bring those prices down."
The fourth pillar of a five-pronged approach to alleviating some of the cost burden, importing eggs is just a portion of a more all-encompassing plan that entails deregulation, investments in biosecurity, repopulating fowl and inves...
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...
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...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 26, 2025 - Today as the youngest hostages are being laid to rest, old wounds have been reopened. A year ago, I faced one of the most challenging moments of my time in the office. As I sought to condemn the Hamas attack on Israel and the rise of antisemitism here in Baltimore, I was confronted with the unthinkable: this would be the first resolution I’d ever seen fail to pass in the City Council.
I never imagined that something so clear and deeply personal would meet such resistance. Yet, I am reminded of the lessons passed down by our elders about the double standard: what is unacceptable for others is somehow acceptable when it comes to Jews.
After hearing about the horrors my grandparents endured in the Holocaust, I never believed that “...
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...
