Towson, MD - April 22, 2025 - Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes detectives arrested and charged 44-year-old Lesvin Dominguez-Bolivar with attempted first-degree murder in connection with a shooting that occurred on April 20, 2025. At approximately 10:55 a.m., officers responded to the 4300 block of Crest Heights Rd., 21215, for an assault in progress.
When officers arrived, they located a 62-year-old female who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was later transported to an area hospital.
Dominguez-Bolivar is currently held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center
Focusing on the Gifts We Receive on Pesach
A not-so-young single woman sent me the following note after Pesach. Her powerful message can give strength to anyone, regardless of their situation:
“Shalom, Sivan. I had a pretty lousy holiday, but on the seventh day of Pesach I remembered an idea I once heard that on every holiday we receive a gift–we are replenished with faith and holiness. We receive this gift without even realizing it. If we participated in a Seder, drank four cups of wine, read the Haggadah and ate matzah, this gift is ours.
“While it’s true that the more we invested in the Seder, the more obvious the gift, even if we were anxious, sad, bitter, ashamed, and envious of our married sister sitting there surrounded by her children, and the...
Baltimore, MD - April 22, 2025 - The automated traffic violation enforcement system in Baltimore City is only catching a small number of motorists who break the law, and many of these drivers don’t bother paying the fines, according to a report by Bikemore, a local advocacy group.
The goal of the automated system is to catch those who violate red lights, truck route restrictions and speed limits. Bikemore’s report from last week, called “Baltimore’s Super Speeders in 2024,” calls out “super speeders” who have repeat speeding violations at cameras in Baltimore City.
“Studies show speed cameras reduce injury and fatal crashes both at the camera locations and in the broader geography surrounding their placement,” said Jed Weeks, Bi...
Baltimore, MD – April 14, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Sheina (Rabbi Boruch, z’l) Kestenbaum, a’h, mother of Reb Yaakov (Chana Baila) Kestenbaum, Rabbi Shmuel (Chaya Leah) Kestenbaum, Reb Yehuda (Rivky) Kestenbam, Reb Yechezkel (Esty) Kestenbaum, Mrs. Malky (Rabbi Michel) Levitansky and Miriam Kestenbaum
Shiva will be observed at 2511 Willow Glen Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209.
The family requests no visitors between 6:00 - 7:00 PM.
Minyanim:
Shachris (Wednesday, April 23rd thru Friday, April 25th) - 7:00 am
Mincha/Maariv (Tuesday, April 22nd thru Thursday, April 24th) - 7:35 pm
Mincha Erev Shabbos (Friday, April 25th) - 2:00 pm
If possible, commit to attend any minyanim that you ...
Baltimore, MD - April 21, 2025 - Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott delivered his State of the City address Monday night, in which he highlighted significant progress in reducing violent crime and outlined future plans for the city’s growth and development.
Scott acknowledged the drop in homicides and celebrated the success of Baltimore’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan.
“There were 335 homicides in 2020. There were 201 in 2024,” Scott said. “That’s down 40%. Shootings were down 43% over that time.”
Scott also shared improvements in other areas, including a 23% reduction in robberies, a 19% decrease in carjackings, and a 40% drop in auto thefts. He proudly stated, “Baltimore isn’t on the list” of the 25 most dangerous c...
Baltimore, MD – April 21, 2025 – 6:30PM - Due to a traffic accident and ongoing police activity, Park Heights Avenue is closed southbound at Brooks Robinson Drive. H/T: Bmore Traffic ------------------------------------------------------------------
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Baltimore, MD - April 21, 2025 - Change is coming to the Inner Harbor in more ways than one.
In addition to an ongoing revitalization project greenlit by voters last fall, Baltimore's Department of Transportation announced upgrades to the portion of Pratt Street that runs along the Harbor.
The goal: to make the bustling area more bike and pedestrian friendly.
"Because it has a high volume of crashes, especially with pedestrians, any safety improvements we can make are good," executive director of Bikemore Jed Weeks said.
The project, expected to begin in mid-May and last nine months, promises high visibility crosswalks, ADA accessibility upgrades and more signage at three key intersections: Light, Calvert and President Streets.
"That's excellent to give peopl...
Harvard University said it has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing it has violated the university’s constitutional rights by freezing billions of dollars in federal funding, illegally imperiling its academic independence.
“The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting,” Harvard President Alan Garber said in a community message announcing the lawsuit. Research at risk by the funding cuts, Garber said, includes work into child cancer, infectious disease outbreaks, and easing the pain of soldiers wounded in battle.
Harvard argues in the lawsuit that the government has cut off funds “as part of its pressure campaign” to force the university “to submit to the government&r...
The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace than expected at the beginning of 2024 as consumers continued to open their wallets despite ongoing inflation and high interest rates.
Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of goods and services produced across the economy, grew by 2.8% on an annualized basis in the three-month period from April through June, the Commerce Department said in its first reading of the data on Thursday.
That is much higher than the 2% increase forecast by LSEG economists and the 1.4% pace seen during the first quarter.
"The U.S. economy is much stronger than people realize and to the extent that markets were worried about a growth slowdown, they should breathe a sigh of relief after this morning’s GDP number," said Chris Zaccarelli, c...
Baltimore County, MD - April 21, 2025 - The police chief was the Baltimore County government’s highest-paid employee in 2024, according to compensation data analyzed by The Baltimore Sun.
Chief of Police Robert McCullough earned $285,900 in gross pay last year, within a couple of hundred dollars of his annual salary, according to payroll data obtained through a public information request. Behind him were a lieutenant and captain within the police department. Overall, the county paid over $680 million to 9,129 employees, up 7% over 2023.
McCullough was nominated for the position in April 2023 by then-County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. He was sworn in shortly after, becoming the county’s first Black police chief.
McCullough, a 37-year veteran, rejoined the department follow...
Baltimore, MD – April 21, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yitzchok Fine & Chani Feldman on their engagement!
Mazel Tov to Menachem & Nomi Fine and Rabbi & Rebetzin Akiva and Yehudis Feldman
Mazel Tov grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan & Judi Feldman and geat-grandparetns Rabbi & Mrs. Emanuel Feldman
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - April 21, 2025 - There will be no more court oversight for certain areas within the Baltimore City Police Department for the first time in eight years.
Last week, a judge found it had sustained compliance for two areas for more than a year: transportation of persons in custody and officer assistance and support under its agreement with the DOJ, after both parties made a motion last month to make it official.
The decision came down almost a decade to the day since Freddie Gray died, most notably due to the injuries he sustained while being transported.
The department overhauled its policies, implemented extensive training and upgraded its vehicle equipment maintenance as part of the Consent Decree.
"The Baltimore Police Department has improved tremendousl...
1. On Tuesday, April 22nd, a global "Day of Rage" in support of the Palestinians is expected to take place. Being led by pro-Palestinian groups, many calls have been identified online to hold protest events, demonstrations and carry out disruptions in a number of countries around the world.
2. These protests and demonstrations have the potential to develop into violent incidents against Israelis. There is concern that independent terrorists and/or their supporters may attempt to join protests in order to carry out an attack.
3. Please note that in recent years, and especially following the Swords of Iron War, we see an increase in the activity of extremists around the world calling for protests and disruptions, and in some cases, calls of a violent nature.
4. Here are the NSC reco...
Baltimore, MD – April 21, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Tovah (bas Kaylah) Hendon, a”h, mother Kenny (Aliza) Hendon
Shiva will be observed - through Monday, April 28 - in Baltimore from Wednesday afternoon at 6602 Wickfield, Baltimore, MD 21209.
Minyanim:
Mincha/Maariv (starting Wednesday) 7:35pm
Shacharis 7:00AM
Erev Shabbos Mincha: 2:00PM
Motzaei Shabbos Maariv: 8:40
Visiting hours:
9am-12, 2pm-4, 7pm-9
Fri: 9am-12
Motzaei Shabbos: 8:40-10pm
Jerusalem, Israel - April 21, 2025 - 23 Nisan 5785 - President Isaac Herzog received the Diplomatic Credentials of seven new Ambassadors to Israel, including U.S. Ambassador Michael Dale Huckabee at Beit Hanasi in Jerusalem, Israel.
President Herzog and Ambassador Huckabee delivered statements to the media. A section of the Ambassador's remarks is shared here:
President Herzog to new U.S. Ambassador Huckabee: “We share our heartbreak and our absolute resolve to see every last hostage freed from the Hamas dungeons and returned to their loved ones. Immediately. Every last one. I thank you for this allegiance of heart, and, no less, for your commitment to action. Nothing is more urgent.”
U.S. Ambassador Huckabee: “We care deeply, Mr. President, ab...
ANNAPOLIS, MD — April 21, 2025 - The Chesapeake Bay Bridge doesn't meet the risk threshold for ship collisions for new bridges, officials announced Monday. The operator of the Bay Bridge outlined plans to reduce the risk of a vessel crash in the wake of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
The National Transportation Safety Board last month ordered a risk of collapse evaluation on the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge near Annapolis. The Bay Bridge was among 68 bridges nationwide that received NTSB orders for a second look.
Though the Bay Bridge falls short of requirements for new bridges, it still meets the criteria of its federal permit and does not legally require remediation. The bridge was built to the appropriate standards when t...
Baltimore, MD – April 21, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira Mrs. Zaman Khaver, a’h, mother of Nissan Khaver
Shiva is being observed at 2508 Shelleydale Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209 through Friday afternoon Mincha. He can be reached at 410-301-9238.
Minyanim: [Davening will be Nusach Edit HaMizrach]
Shacharit: 7:00 am
Mincha/Maariv 7:35 pm
Friday Mincha: 2:30 pm
The family requests no visitors 12:00 -2:00 pm, 5:00–6:00 pm and after 9:30 pm.Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
Baltimore, MD – April 20, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Tova (Matthew, z’l) Rosenblatt, a’h, mother of Eddie (Ita) Rosenblatt, Andy (Melissa) Rosenblatt, and Shmuel Rosenblatt, and sister of Howard Slote.
The levayah will be held today, Monday, April 21, 2025 at 10:30AM at Levinson's.Kevurah will take place in Cedar Park, NJShiva will be observed at 6625 Chippewa Dr., Baltimore, MD 21209The family requests no visitors each day from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm - 6:00 pmMinyanim:Maariv: Tonight, Monday, April 21, 10:00PMShacharis: 7:00AMMincha/Maariv: 7:40PM Mincha Erev Shabbos: 5:00PMMaariv Motzaei Shabbos: 8:45PM
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
Baltimore, MD - April 16, 2025 - Please note the following updates to the Post-Pesach store info below. This info only applies to chometz items (see chart, below). Non-chometz items may be purchased anywhere.
Shoprite: Chometz may be purchased ONLY from the Shoprite store located at 37 Aylesbury Rd. Timonium, Maryland. We cannot confirm the chometz status of other Shoprite stores in the Baltimore area.
Target: It is commendable NOT to buy any Chometz at local Target stores until Monday May 19th.
At first glance, there is nothing unusual about the bulky bulldozer turning up soil at a testing site in central Israel, but as it pulled closer it became clear: the driver’s cabin is eerily empty.
This is the Robdozer, a fortified engineering vehicle manned remotely, and in this case operated from a military expo halfway across the globe in Alabama.
Army engineers and military experts say that the Robdozer — the robotic version of Caterpillar’s D9 bulldozer — is the future of automated combat.
The Israeli military has used D9 for years to carry out frontline tasks like troweling roads for advancing troops, removing rubble and flattening terrain, but since war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, and later in Lebanon, the Israeli military has increasingly deployed ...
