A former FDA commissioner is blaming the current nationwide baby formula shortage on the U.S. government. Stores are having a difficult time keeping baby formula in stock since Abbott Nutrition, a major supplier of baby formula, shut down its Michigan factory in February over bacterial contamination concerns. According to Datasembly, the out-of-stock rate for formula is 43% nationwide and slightly higher in Maryland at about 47%. The former head of the FDA said that should have prompted more aggressive action from the FDA to do something. Parents across the country are struggling to find formula to feed their babies. While the national out-of-stock rate averages about 43%, eight states and Washington D.C. are at least 50 percent out-of-stock of baby formula. Those out-of-stock nu...
"Shalom Sivan, My name Is Nechama Spielman from Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi. I think it's important to publish the following story:Neta Eiger, an 11th grader from the kibbutz, traveled abroad to participate in the International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad. (By the way, Neta is a descendant of Rabbi Akiva Eiger, who was famous for his genius as a Torah scholar.)Israel sent its six best young chemists to the competition, and Neta was one of them. He excelled in the first two stages of the competition but, unfortunately, the third and most important stage, a laboratory examination, was held last Shabbat.Despite earlier promises to allow him to take the exam on Friday or Saturday night, he was ultimately not allowed to do this. In our view, Israel should have insisted upon allowing this as a matt...
U.S. baby-food shortages are driving some Americans to try to make baby formula themselves. With store shelves emptying, some desperate parents are turning to the internet for do-it-yourself recipes. But these homemade versions come with serious health risks, medical professionals and health officials say. “Do not make your own formula at home,” said Florida pediatrician Mona Amin. “As tempting as it can be, there’s no safeguards that’s safe, that it’s nutritious.” Formula shortages have been a problem for parents since last year because of supply-chain disruptions, but stockpiles were further squeezed after Abbott Laboratories’ nutrition unit recalled some of its products earlier this year, including top-selling brand Similac. The scarci...
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland Democrat, announced Sunday evening that he had suffered a minor stroke “this weekend.” In a statement posted to Twitter, Mr. Van Hollen said he had gone to George Washington University Hospital after feeling lightheaded and suffering “acute neck pain” while giving a speech in western Maryland.
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2022 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Joanna and Joe Rombro on the birth of a daughter. Mazel to grandparents Dr. Aaron & Debbie Rapoport and great-grandparents Dr. Mort and Rosalie Rapoport. יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
A Charedi man spent Shabbos  in jail, after he tried to immerse himself in a spring near the city of Beitar Illit, south of Jerusalem. Israeli police arrested the man Friday afternoon outside of the predominantly haredi city of Beitar Illit, after he and a friend – both residents of the city – went hiking towards a nearby spring, intended to use the spring as a mikva, or ritual bath. Security forces deployed to the area spotted the two approaching Palestinian Authority-controlled territory, and notified police, who dispatched officers to arrest the young men. While one man managed to evade police, the other was arrested and accused of damaging a local security fence and crossing into Palestinian Authority-controlled territory without authorization. The man was int...
Two people were arrested after violent clashes broke out between Jewish and Arab workers in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem Sunday evening. In addition, two people were injured during the fighting. The two victims are listed in light condition. Police were dispatched to the open-air market after fighting broke out between workers, apparently all employed at the same business. The two groups of workers hurled chairs and tables at each other. Officers separated the two groups and arrested two of the participants. Police are investigating the circumstances behind the incident. Tali Friedman, head of the union of Mahane Yehuda businesses, condemned the brawl.
The President of the State of Israel landed in Abu Dhabi and expressed his condolences to the President of the Emirates on the death of his brother, late president of the United Arab EmiratesSunday 15 May 2022 / 14 Iyar 5782.President Isaac Herzog landed in Abu Dhabi and met with new President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.The President expressed his condolences to the Sheikh, to his family and the Emirati people, on the passing of the previous President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.The President was joined on his flight by representatives the Government of Israel, Regional Cooperation Minister Issawi Frej and Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel.Upon landing in Abu Dhabi, the President expressed his support for Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and the ...
Thousands of people were at a flea market in northern Houston on Sunday afternoon when a gunfight broke out between two groups of people, leaving two dead and at least three others wounded, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.  "For now, it appears the wounded were all likely participants in the altercation," Gonzalez said. "No innocent bystanders injured as far as we know." At least two pistols were recovered from the scene. The three wounded individuals were transported to a local hospital in unknown conditions.  It's unclear if any suspects were apprehended at the scene.
Accused Buffalo shooter Payton Gendron was hospitalized and underwent a mental health evaluation in 2021 after making a "generalized threat," according to police officials.  Gendron, an 18-year-old from Conklin, New York, was hospitalized for a mental health evaluation for one-and-a-half days in June 2021, after he made the general threat in his hometown, according to Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia. A spokesperson for the New York State Police said troopers responded to Susquehanna High School in Conklin, N.Y., "to investigate a report that a 17-year-old student had made a threatening statement." The spokesperson did not identify the subject by name, but said there was no target associated with the threat.  "The state police responded," Gramaglia s...
Police in California are responding to reports of a shooting at a Laguna Woods church on Sunday afternoon where they say multiple people have been shot. The Orange County Sheriff's Department said that one person has been detained, and they have recovered a weapon that may have been involved in the incident. Police later said that four people have been critically wounded in the shooting, with one person dead. The shooting took place at Geneva Presbyterian Church. The sheriff...
UPDATED - May 15, 2022 - Please complete this updated survey form even if you filled out the survey last week. We need updated information as we work to remedy the situation. We are asking for ALL mothers who feed their babies formula to fill out this survey. By having this information we as a community know how much formula to bring in.***Balimore, MD - May 13, 2022 - Due to the nationwide baby formula shortage, we are asking mothers with babies to please fill out the survey below, so that Ahavas Yisrael and Bikur Cholim of Baltimore can see what we can do to help the community. Important: Please make sure that this survey is only filled out by one member of the family so that we do not receive multiple responses from each family.Please complete this very brief survey by clicking h...
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2022 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Helen Furman, a’h, beloved wife of Ed Furman, mother of Yosef Jessica) Furman, Rachel (Aharon) Lewkowicz, and Phyllis Meyer and sister of Gloria (Mel) Feldschnieder and Laura Berman.   The levayah will take place at Levinson’s, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 9:30AM. Shiva will be observed at 2702 Waco Court, Baltimore, MD, 21209 The family respectfully requests no visitors from 6-7:30 pm and after 10 pm Minyanim: Shacharis: 7:00AM Mincha/Maariv: 8:00PM Mincha Erev Shabbos: 6:00PM Maariv Motzaei Shabbos: 9:00PM Bila HaMaves LaNetzach
State Department set to scrap terrorist designation for Rabbi Meir Kahane's radical Jewish organization The United States is set to remove five extremist groups from its foreign terrorist blacklist including radical Jewish movement Kahane Chai (Kach), the Associated Press reports. The State Department notified Congress on Friday of the moves. In separate notices to lawmakers, the State Department said that the groups will be formally removed from the list of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) published in the Public Register. The late Rabbi Meir Kahane founded the Israeli Kach political party in 1971. After his assassination in 1990, the party split, with Kahane Chai breaking away from the main Kach faction. Kach and Kahane Chai were both banned in 1994 and are con...
Baltimore, MD – May 12, 2022 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Carl Werner z’l,  beloved husband of Judy Werner and father of Lisa (Pacy) Kadin and Rabbi Asher Werner.Shiva will be observed at 7615 Carla Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 Phone: 410.484.2648 candj1965@yahoo.comAsher Werner will be sitting shiva in Baltimore through Shacharis on Wednesday morning. Minyanim:Shacharis: 7:30 AM Friday Mincha: time TBDVisiting Hours: Motzai Shabbos until 11:30 PM Sunday-Tuesday: 10-12 PM, 1-5 PM, 6-10 PM  Chava Cohen is coordinating meals: 608.957.1497    Bila HaMaves LaNetzach
Last week, Israel’s Health Ministry announced that mandatory PCR tests upon arrival in Ben Gurion Airport will be canceled, beginning May 20. Now, Chaim V’Chessed has learned that, from May 20, pre-flight Covid tests will no longer be required, either. For some while, Israeli citizens and visa holders have been exempt from this requirement; it will now apply to all passengers. The pre-flight Health Declaration will continue to be mandatory for all travelers. Furthermore, Israel will continue to require masks on all flights to and from the country.
A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for much of Maryland on Sunday, with the National Weather Service forecast calling for severe thunderstorms that could bring winds or large hail, along with flooding. Areas included in the outlook are: Cecil, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Mary's, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties. The hazardous weather outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia. "Isolated severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts or large hail is possible late this afternoon and evening," the weather service said. "An isolated instance of flooding is also possible during this...
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