Baltimore, MD - June 1, 2025 - On Sunday, May 25th, Shearith Israel held its centennial celebration and honored its living past presidents. The Shul was founded in 1851, however, the branch at Park Heights and Glen Avenues was opened in 1925. The Shul also paid tribute to Rav Hopfer and the past Rabbanim of the shul, Rabbis Rice, Shaffer, Schwab, and Feldman. Rav Hopfer spoke about how Torah Judaism, at that time, was in decline, and how incredible it is to see the Shul and the entire frum community of Baltimore growing the way that it has. Rav Hopfer also spoke of his close relationship with each of the honorees and their families. The program included two video presentations.
The first focused on the contributions of the honorees, while the other, highlighted the historical ...
Boulder, CO – June 1, 2025 – The FBI has launched an investigation into what it is calling a “targeted terror attack” near Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon.
At around 4:30 p.m., Boulder Police responded to reports of an attack involving multiple victims during a “Run for Their Lives” event—part of a global grassroots campaign advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Witnesses told CBS that the suspect used Molotov cocktails to target participants.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency's involvement on X, stating, “Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available.”
Evacuations began shortly after th...
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A Dedication Ceremony Was Held at Ramot Mall in Jerusalem for the New “Lehachayot” Kindness Club
Jerusalem, Israel - May 26, 2025 - At the Ramot Mall in Jerusalem, a dedication ceremony was held for the new Kindness Club of the “Lehachayot” organization – a special, thoughtfully designed space dedicated to the well-being of children with special needs and their families. The initiative was spearheaded by the energetic Chabad community activist, Rabbi Mendy Lebel.
The club was inaugurated by the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, and former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau.
Rabbi Lebel founded the “Beit Halomotai” center for individuals with special needs, was the driving force behind the project.
Photo: Mendi Kotle...
Baltimore, MD - June 1, 2025 - BGE ratepayers should prepare for higher electricity bills as electricity rates are set to increase by about 0.75 cent per kilowatt hour this summer, which doesn't seem like a lot but adds up to about six dollars a month for the average bill with more increases in the fall.
"It goes up every year, I feel like we've never seen a change," said Tramaine Washington, a BGE customer.
The rate hikes come just as warm weather arrives, a common pattern for utility bills that has many customers concerned about affordability.
"They're almost 50% more than they were five years ago. It has become a kitchen table topic because they're very expensive now, and I don't really see them going down unless you take action," said Laurel Peltier, an ener...
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Baltimore County, MD – May 30, 2025 – A zoning hearing has been scheduled for Monday, June 2, from 10–11 AM, regarding a proposal to open a cannabis dispensary at 301 Reisterstown Road, near Randall Avenue — just half a block from Seven Mile Market. The applicant is seeking a special exception in a commercial revitalization district, along with a variance for a modified parking plan and front setback.
However, June 2 is the second day of Shavuos. As a result, members of the community will obviously be unable to participate.
Scheduling this hearing on a day when a major portion of the community cannot be present is both exclusionary and deeply troubling.
Why This Matters: Potential Concerns
Community members have raised serious concerns about the impa...
In the grand tapestry of life, there are threads woven with such precision that they can only be described as min haShamayim. Just days before Shavuos, as the Jewish world braced itself to reaccept the Torah with awe and reverence, one father experienced a moment that is his personal mesoras hatorah.
He wasn't looking for miracles. In fact, all he wanted was to catch a quick Mincha. Living out of town, the earlier 1:30 Mincha had slipped past him. He had a long drive ahead, and he didn't want to miss Mincha with a minyan. Then it occurred to him—his son’s yeshiva, nestled just beyond the town's edge, held a later Mincha. Fifteen minutes away. The timing was perfect. Not only could he daven, but he could also pop in to give his son a warm yom tov bracha
A small,...
Baltimore, MD – June 1, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Isaac Weiss, z'’l, father of Mrs. Malky Ray and brother of Esta Sitrin.
The Levaya will take place this morning in Miami.
Mrs. Ray will observe shiva today from 5-7 pm at 6314 Ivymount Road, Baltimore, Md 21209Mrs. Sitrin will observe shiva from 10:00AM-3:00PM at 3415 Clarks Lane Apt D1
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach
Baltimore, MD – May 31, 2025 – Spotlight 2025 was more than a celebration… it was a tribute to nearly five decades of extraordinary vision, unwavering commitment, and transformative leadership from Dr. Zipora Schorr.
Held in the Dahan Sanctuary on the Beth Tfiloh campus, the evening featured heartfelt remarks from Rabbi Chai Posner, Head Rabbi of Beth Tfiloh Congregation; Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg, Rabbi-in-Residence; event co-chairs Hudi Schorr ’01 and Yanky Schorr; and Dr. Schorr herself. Known for her humility and deeply private nature, Dr. Schorr offered a rare glimpse into the values that matter most to her. She spoke about her upbringing, the strength and influence of her mother, the centrality of family, and the guiding force of a Torah lifestyle. Her reflect...
United Airlines has announced that it will resume its flights from Newark Airport in New York to Tel Aviv earlier than originally planned.
According to the company’s statement, flights will resume on June 5. The first United flight from Newark to Tel Aviv is scheduled to depart this coming Thursday.
The airline emphasized that the decision to resume operations was made following a comprehensive operational assessment, in close coordination with pilot and crew unions.
AirBaltic also announced Saturday that it will resume its flights to Israel on June 6. In addition, Air France resumed flights to Ben Gurion Airport this past Tuesday. Delta Air Lines has also announced that they will resume flights.
Airlines that have not yet resumed flights to Israel include Lufthansa, which is not...
Four sites connected to the Jewish community were vandalized Friday night in the Marais district of central Paris, French media outlet RTL reported, citing police sources.
The sites included a Holocaust memorial, the Tournelles Synagogue, the "Chez Marianne" restaurant, and the Agoudath HaKehilot Synagogue; all were defaced with green paint.
The incident was discovered by a police patrol at around 5:15 a.m. The Tournelles Synagogue is an Orthodox Ashkenazi and Sephardi synagogue located in the Marais neighborhood.
Ariel Weil, Mayor of Central Paris, posted on X: “After the red paint, comes the green paint. This time, the gesture is more precise: a Holocaust memorial, synagogues, and a 'Jewish' restaurant. After all, it's just heritage. And it's sure t...
US envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday rejected Hamas' response to the newest ceasefire proposal, slamming it as "totally unacceptable" and stressing that it "only takes us backward."
A senior official familiar with the details of the negotiations revealed that a thorough analysis of Hamas' response shows that the terror group's proposal is far from aligning with Israel’s offer.
Among Hamas’ demands: a ceasefire lasting up to seven years, a full IDF withdrawal from all areas captured since March, cancellation of the new humanitarian aid distribution model led by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and a return to the previous distribution system. “This isn’t a response — it’s a slammed door,” the official stated.
The Prime Min...
Baltimore, MD – May 31, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi & Gavriella Snitzer on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov grandparents Shirley & David Snitzer and Michael & Rachel Lebowitz
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - May 30, 2025 - Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable black & white version
Baltimore, MD – May 30, 2025 – With excitement and heartfelt mazal tovs across the community, Bais Dovid (Bais Medrash of Summit Park) Rabbi Shlomo Weiss has officially been announced the winner of the ArtScroll Shul Set-A-Thon, a national campaign offering full seforim libraries to selected shuls.
As part of the campaign, which ran from May 12–27, participants were encouraged to purchase ArtScroll sets and register their shul of choice. The more entries submitted on behalf of a shul, the higher the chance of winning. The campaign culminated in a drawing where Bais Dovid was selected, as confirmed in a visual announcement showing the wheel of entries landing on “Bais Dovid (Bais Medrash of Summit Park) – 6800 Sylvale Ct, Baltimore, MD.”
The simcha didn...
US President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday that a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza is close, speculating that an official announcement could come on Friday or Saturday.
Trump also said that he believes a deal with Iran on its nuclear program is close as well.
“They’re very close to an agreement on Gaza, and we’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow, and I think we have a chance of making a deal with Iran. They don’t want to be blown up, they would rather make a deal, and I think that could happen in the not too distant future,” he said.
“We want them to be safe. We want them to have a very, very successful nation. Let it be a great nation, but we can't have that. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. I...
Baltimore, MD - May 30, 2025 - A Tornado Watch is now in effect for Baltimore City and County through midnight.
Baltimore, MD - May 30, 2025 - Eight Maryland counties and Baltimore City are classified as “Sanctuary jurisdictions,” according to the Trump administration.
A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as, “cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities,” according to the Department of Homeland Security’s website.
Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties each made the list, in addition to 10 cities across the state.
The website said the jurisdictions were determined by several factors, such as compliance with federal law enforcement and, “legal protections for ill...
The Supreme Court will allow the government to begin removing temporary immigration protections from a group of about 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
The unsigned order on Friday halts, for now, a lower court injunction that stopped the government from ending the program while the case continues. It is the second time in recent weeks the Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to end temporary immigration protections while those moves are being challenged in court.
The Biden administration granted temporary parole to large groups of immigrants from the four countries who met certain criteria, allowing them to seek work authorization and other legal protections. In March, the Department of Homeland Security canceled the mass parole approval,...
Baltimore, MD – May 30, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yisroel Wein (Baltimore) and Tzipi Schwed (Lakewood) on their engagement!
Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Rebetzin Simcha & Aliza Wein and Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Pinchas and Chaya Schwed
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Helaine Bondar, Rabbi Moishe & Leah Esther Elefant and Mr. & Mrs.Yankie & Tamara Schwed and great-grandfather Reb Shia Brisk
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
