The woodsy community of Wolcott, Connecticut, doesn’t see a lot of crime. But when the police chief heard about an opportunity to distribute doorbell cameras to some homes, he didn’t hesitate. The police who keep watch over the town of 16,000 raffled off free cameras in a partnership with the camera manufacturer. So far, the devices have encountered more bears than criminals, but Chief Ed Stephens is still a fan. “Anything that helps keep the town safe, I’m going to do it,” he said. But as more police agencies join with the company known as Ring, the partnerships are raising privacy concerns. Critics complain that the systems turn neighborhoods into places of constant surveillance and create suspicion that falls heavier on minorities. Police say the cameras ...
Chazzan Yaakov Motzei performs this incredible special melody composed by Meir Martin Widerker. This song, Ritzei, is featured from the upcoming 4th album in the series of Shabbos songs. The rhythmic melody expresses the atmosphere of Shabbos Menuacha interpreted in his unique and inspirational way. About the Lyrics: The way in which a Yid is able to have Menucha, and Kadusha, is by connecting to Hakadsh Baruch Hu. How do we connect? Through His Mitzvos. The word Mitzvah doesn’t mean simply a commandment, as it’s commonly thought, it means a connection. When we do a Mitzvah, it allows to tap into our Chelek Elokei. Though this action, we allow our soul to reach Simcha! How do we reach that level of Simcha? Vetahar Libeinu, Leavdecha Bemes. By serving Hashem with true hon...
Iran says it seized British tanker for "violating international regulations" Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it seized the British-flagged oil tanker "Stena Impero" in the Strait of Hormuz for "violating international regulations," according to Iran's state-run Press TV. Meanwhile, the UK said it is “urgently seeking further information” about an incident involving a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The Latest on developments related to tensions between the U.S and Iran (all times local): 9:50 p.m. President Donald Trump says there is “no doubt about it” that a U.S. warship destroyed an Iranian drone, despite Iranian denials that it lost an unmanned aircraft. Trump is speaking from the Oval Office Friday about the incident Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz. His comments come a day after announcing that the USS Boxer took defensive action after an Iranian drone came within 1,000 yards (915 meters) of the warship and ignored multiple calls to stand down. He says: “No doubt about it. We shot it down.” Neither Trump nor the Pentagon spelled out how the Boxer destroyed the drone or provided any video or other evidence from the incident....
Tensions between Iran and the west have deepened after Tehran denied a US warship had brought down one of its drones and a Gibraltar court extended the detention of an Iranian ship seized by Royal Marines following a breakdown in talks. The drone incident was first revealed by Donald Trump, who said that USS Boxer took defensive action after the unmanned vehicle came within 1,000 yards of the warship and ignored multiple calls to stand down. “This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran against vessels operating in international waters,” Trump said. “The United States reserves the right to defend our personnel, facilities and interests, and calls upon all nations to condemn Iran’s attempts to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce....
When the clock strikes midnight on Saturday, July 20, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make history as the State of Israel’s longest-serving premier, surpassing the previous record-holder, David Ben-Gurion. Serving from June 18, 1996, to July 6, 1999, and again from March 31, 2009, until the present, Netanyahu will have served 4,876 days as Israel’s leader. Ben-Gurion, who led from May 14, 1948, until January 26, 1954, and again from Nov. 3, 1955, until June 26, 1963, led for 13-and-a-half years—a total of 4,875 days. Netanyahu ranks 16th among longest-reigning leaders in OECD nations since the end of World War II, according to the Israel Democracy Institute, and is currently the third longest-leading national head among OECD nations, after Turkey’s Recep T...
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Thursday blasted Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s life sentence as “inhumane” — echoing comments made by the convicted druglord himself. “A sentence for life in a hostile jail” would be “hard” and not worth living, said López Obrador at a morning press conference, according to Reuters. But López Obrador also told reporters on Thursday that he hoped Guzman’s sentence — while harsh — would lead to less violence in Mexico. “We think that bit by bit the number of criminal incidents will decline,” he said. “We will continue to create a better society, supported by values, that is not based on accumulating material wealth, mone...
Pro-Israel groups denounced U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) for comparing the anti-Israel BDS movement to previous boycotts of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. On Thursday, Omar announced a resolution supporting the right to boycott Israel. Her resolution seeks to push back against U.S. laws that ban the boycott of Israel, while affirming the right of Americans to organize boycotts of foreign countries. “Americans of conscience have a proud history of participating in boycotts to advocate for human rights abroad including … boycotting Nazi Germany from March 1933 to October 1941 in response to the dehumanization of the Jewish people in the lead-up to the Holocaust,” said Omar in the pro-BDS resolution, co-sponsored by Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and John Lewis (D-Ga...
Baltimore, MD – July 19, 2019 - It is with sadness that BaltimoreJewishLife.com informs the community of the petirah of Rebbetzin Jaffa Munk, a'h, mother of Mrs. Ayala Weinberg, Rabbi Gavriel Munk, Rabbi Yitzchak Munk.and Sara Elikan. The levayah will take place Sunday, July 21, at 8:30 AM at Levinson’s The kevurah will be Monday, July 22, on Har HaMenuchos in Eretz Yisrael Shiva details to follow Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
Parshas Balak /Baltimore Zmanim / Eruv is UP!   Baltimore, MD – July 19, 2019 Parshas: Balak 16 Tammuz Chatzos: 1:13 PM Hadlakas Nairos: 8:12 PM Shkiah:                   8:30:26 PM Tzais HaKochavim:  9:21 PM Shiva Asar B’Tammuz (Nidche): Sunday, July 21, 2019 - Baltimore: Fast begins: 4:18AM Fast Ends: 9:14PM
 Question #1: Bushy presenter “My company sent me out of town to meet a new client, and I forgot to have my hair cut before Shiva Asar BeTamuz. May I have the bushier parts trimmed? Does it make a difference if I use a non-Jewish barber? May I shave?” Question #2: Mixed shavers “My son wrote me that in his yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel, the Sefardic bochurim shave during the Three Weeks. Is this permitted?” Question #3: Celebrating a bris!! “Thank G-d, we will be celebrating the bris of a grandson during the Three Weeks, and I do not want to look disheveled for the bris photos. May I shave in honor of the occasion?” Question #4: Tichel tattling “My hair is sticking out beyond my tichel. May I trim it?” The three-week period between Sh...
Cartoons employing anti-Semitic tropes became a thing again last week. The memory of the New York Times International Edition’s offering of a Portuguese cartoonist’s depiction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a dog, magen Davidaround his neck, held on a leash by a blind, be-yarmulked President Trump – had barely begun to fade. Enter Ben Garrison. Mr. Garrison’s oeuvre is decidedly anti-establishment, always provocative and often offensive. His favorite targets, in no particular order, have included former President Obama (depicted as a snake), Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve, George Soros (a vulture) Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer (also snakes), international bankers and Hillary Clinton (a mere groundhog – and a k...
Jerusalem, Israel - July 19, 2019 - It is with sadness that BaltimoreJewishLife.com informs the community of the petirah of Rebbetzin Bayla Gold, A"H, wife of Rabbi Shalom Gold, The shiva is taking place at 16 Agassi #9, Har Nof, Israel.Rabbi Gold can be reached 026518319. Shiva concludes on Wednesday, July 24th.
An excessive heat warning takes effect Friday, and the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch for Saturday and Sunday. Keep Hatzalah's phone # handy: 410.358.0000 Baltimore County, MD — Temperatures are expected to be dangerously hot in Baltimore County Friday, hitting 106 degrees on the heat index. People should take precautions like wearing lightweight clothing, drinking water and staying in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible, health officials advise. Relief from the heat is available at Baltimore County Public Library branches, which are open as cooling centers. An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 19. It applies to most of Maryland, including Baltimore County. When weather officials issue an ...
In Parshas Balak, the Torah describes for us in graphic detail, one of the most colorful stories in the Chamishei Chumshei Torah, that of Bilham and his donkey traveling on their way to curse Bnei Yisroel.  The Psukim inform us of the various Nissim which Hashem caused in order to place road blocks in Bilham’s way.  A simple reading of the Psukim reveals three clear Nissim which transpired.  First, we are told “Vatereh HaAson es Malach Hashem” -  Hashem allows the donkey to see the Malach standing in its path and causes the donkey to turn off the road.  A few Psukim later, the Torah tells us “Vayiftach Hashem es Pi HaAson – Hashem opened up the mouth of the donkey and allowed it to speak to Bilham.  The final Nais, “Vayigal ...
This week, the U.S. Department of Justice convened a “Summit on Combatting anti-Semitism,” which included Attorney General William Barr, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, FBI Director Christopher Wray, as well as law enforcement officials, scholars and advocates. Rabbi Abba Cohen, VP of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of America offers introductory remarks to the panel on Prosecuting Hate Crimes. Also speaking was Special Envoy on Anti-Semitism Elan Carr. Purpose was to analyze and discuss the nature of AS, increase in AS incidents, addressing hate crimes, etc..Click here to watch Rabbi Abba Cohen, VP of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of America offer introductory remarks to the panel on Prosecuting Hate Crimes.
Mixed martial arts fighter Aaron Rajman’s presence in the ring was unmistakable in South Florida. As an Orthodox Jew who wore a yarmulke during his fights, he was nicknamed “The Matzoh Brawler.” But Rajman, 25, met a violent end in 2017 but not in a MMA cage. He was shot to death in his bedroom in West Boca. It was a drug robbery gone wrong, court records show. Two people took responsibility Monday for the killing and received 10-year prison sentences. The prosecution continues against a third person alleged as the shooter in the case. Summer Church, 18, of West Boca, and Jace Swinton, 20, of Margate, each pleaded guilty to reduced charges of second-degree murder. Two counts of armed home-invasion robbery with a firearm were dropp...
Baltimore, MD - July 17, 2019 - You know that we distribute food packages before Shabbos to community members in need. But do you know about the other services we provide?Noson (Nunny) Weisbord asked a few Jewish Baltimore community members this question. Watch and find out all the ways Ahavas Yisrael supports our community...then support us on July 23rd at Baltimore at its Best: Ahavas Yisrael Charidy Campaign 2019!
New York - Authorities have identified the remains of another 9/11 victim found at the World Trade Center. The New York City medical examiners’ office on Thursday said the woman is the 1,644th person to be identified nearly 18 years after hijackers crashed airplanes into the trade center’s twin towers in 2001. The victim’s name, which is being withheld, was confirmed through DNA testing of remains recovered in 2002. It’s the second new identification of a World Trade Center victim in 2019. The medical examiner says about 40% of the 2,753 people reported missing remain unidentified.
Tel Aviv - Some 200 Olim, immigrants arrived in Israel on Wednesday from France, Russia, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela aboard special flights organized by The Jewish Agency for Israel. The two biggest groups of Olim came from France and Russia, 100 from France and 80 from Russia. The newcomers, including 70 children who will enter the Israeli education system when school starts after summer vacation, were greeted at Ben Gurion Airport with a festive reception titled “Choosing Israel” hosted by The Jewish Agency, the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal. The reception also featured 200 young adults, aged 18-35, who recently moved to Israel from 27 countries and are participating in special programs for new immigrants sponsored by...
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