Two people were seriously injured in a shooting attack near the Old City of Jerusalem. According to initial reports, two terrorists apparently fired at a bus and fled the scene. According to MDA, the incident took place in two different location - on the HaShalom street near the Old City of Jerusalem, and at the entrance to the King David's Tomb parking lot. MDA medics and paramedics provided medical treatment to 7 gunshot victims, 6 men and a woman. 2 in serious condition, 5 in moderate and light condition. Local residents are reporting seeing security forces searching for the terrorists in the East Jerusalem Silwan neighborhood. Police are blocking the exits from the Western Wall plaza and the crowd is unable to leave the area. MDA Senior EMT Nehemia Katz and MDA Paramedic Dav...
A belated mazal tov to my niece Rochel Leah (née Shonek) and her husband Shua Greenwald on the birth of daughter, Yenta Rivkah (Rikki – and on their 6th wedding anniversary, while I'm at it.) Mazal tov to the extended Shonek, Bulka and Greenwald families. Today, the 15th of Av, marks the 13th yahrtzeit of my Opa, Mr. George Jakobovits. This week's shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmaso, Tovia Yehudah ben Yoel, a"h. Although the yearly Torah reading cycle has not always followed its current pattern, it has a tendency to have the parshah of the week correspond quite neatly with the calendar. For example, we read Moshe Rabbeinu's exclamation of "Eichah!" in Parshas Devarim (1:12) which always falls on the Shabbos before Tish'ah B'...
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Everyone knows that today is Tu B'Av (15th of Av), the Jewish holiday of love, but what happened in history that makes this day so special?1. After the sin of the spies, God decreed that the Children of Israel should wander forty years in the desert, where a portion of the nation died each Tishav B'Av (9th of Av).  But on the 15th of Av, in the year prior to entering the Land, the people realized the dying had stopped. This was a day of rejoicing since it marked the end of God's decree; the people could now prepare to enter the Land.2. Long after entering the Land and settling it, on the 15th of Av, the sages permitted intermarriage between memebers of different tribes. And so ended a painful division that had caused tension and discord among the tribes of Israel.3. Aft...
I was sitting in my office, talking to a tenant, a male probably in his 70’s.   He was wearing a t-shirt with an inspirational quote from Nelson Mandela. It read, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Inspiring, I know. But what happened next was not-so-inspiring.  He glanced at my desk which had a book on it (it was a Chumash, opened up to Parshas Va’eschanan!). Upon noticing the unique text, he asked me, “Is that Hebrew?!” I nodded in the affirmative.  “I wish I knew Hebrew! I learned Greek and Latin when I was younger, but I should’ve learned Hebrew!” he said. I told him that it’s never too late and he can try learning Hebrew even now, but he shrugged his shoulders and walked out looking a bit de...
Netanya, Israel - Aug. 12, 2022 - Laniado Hospital of Netanya, Israel welcomed Etz Chaim’s J-Care Young Professionals of Baltimore, MD, on their Israel summer trip. The visit was coordinated by Laniado’s Mid-Atlantic Director Rabbi Chanan Daniel Skurnik and J-Care leaders Dr. Dan and Chana Grove.  The goal was learning about Laniado’s mission of genuine chesed and compassionate healthcare.  After landing in Ben-Gurion Airport, the group headed directly to Laniado for a BBQ Lunch & Learn. They heard from a panel of nurses about Laniado’s diversity and its uncompromising compassion to all in need. They also heard from hospital leadership about Laniado’s history and future plans. Following this session, the J-Care group had the opportunity to visit...
Baltimore, MD – Aug. 12, 2022 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Ari Abramovitz on the birth of a son. יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
FBI agents who searched former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home Monday removed 11 sets of classified documents, including some marked as top secret and meant to be only available in special government facilities, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. The Federal Bureau of Investigation agents took around 20 boxes of items, binders of photos, a handwritten note and the executive grant of clemency for Mr. Trump’s ally Roger Stone, a list of items removed from the property shows. Also included in the list was information about the “President of France,” according to the three-page list. The list is contained in a seven-page document that also includes the warrant to search the premises which was granted by a ...
Baltimore, MD - Aug, 12, 2022 -  TA looks forward to serving you on Sunday!As a reminder, please approach the food line via Milford Mill Road to Scotts level Road ONLY.Do not attempt to join the line at the corner of Scotts level Road and Old Court, Road.Thank you!Click on the form for a larger, printable copy
We are poised to celebrate a Shabbos of נחמה— comfort. We quickly transition from three weeks of mourning to warm hope of a better future. Already on Tisha B’Av, after chatzos, we pray Mincha and insert a special addition to the blessing of Rebuilding Jerusalem, the Nachem prayer, an appeal for G-d to comfort us. It begins with calling out to G-d to console the mourners Zion and... Jerusalem, going on to painfully describe how bereft and bitter we are. It concludes with the sentiment, For You Hashem, with fire You consumed her, ובאש — and with fire You will rebuild her, as it is said ‘I will be for her her, , the words of Hashem, a wall of fire, and I will be glorious in her midst.’ The prayer ends with the closing blessing, Blessed are You, Hashem...
Baltimore, MD – Aug. 8, 2022 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Melech Givre & Aviva Beck on their engagement. Mazel Tov parents Charles and Sheva Givre and Hadassah and Shmuel Beck יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
A replica firearm found during screening of carry-on bags was taken into a secure area of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport early Friday morning, officials said. Transportation Security Administration officials told 11 News that TSA sounded an alarm around 4:40 a.m. when a carry-on bag was identified for additional inspection but was picked up and taken into the terminal. "When the bag came out of the scanner, the passenger retrieved the bag, which contained a prohibited item, and continued to his gate," TSA representative Sonny Lorrius told 11 News in an e-mail. TSA said officers found the passenger and confirmed the prohibited item was a replica firearm. TSA said authorities detained the passenger for additional questioning. The TSA and people on Twitter s...
Baltimore, MD - Aug. 12, 2022, 2020 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Levi and Malka Liebes  on the birth of a son. Mazel Tov grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Faivel Liebes and Mr. & Mrs. Fishel Gross and  great-grandmothers Mrs. Esther Liebes and Mrs.Raiselle Snow and Mrs. Beverly Gross יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Bruce Reinhart, the federal judge in Florida who signed the warrant allowing the FBI to raid former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property on Tuesday, has been hit with a wave of antisemitic threats online.  The outburst has appeared on right-wing social media platforms and message boards, where users have published the judge’s name, address and personal information. Threats have been directed at his children and supposed family members as well.  Reinhart, who appears to be a member of the board of Temple Beth David in Palm Beach Gardens, has been a magistrate judge for the Southern District of Florida since 2018.  The Mar-a-Lago raid concerned confidential documents that Trump allegedly removed from the White House when he left in 20...
Senator John Neely Kennedy (R-LA) claimed on Thursday that the recent economic bill passed by the Senate would double the size of the IRS and that it will have "more agents, or soldiers, than the entire Israeli army." The claim was made in a live television interview with Fox News.  According to a 2021 assessment by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the IDF has approximately 169,500 active personnel. The IRS currently has about 80,000 employees according to the Associated Press. This includes much more than just enforcement officers; there are clerical workers, customer service representatives and others. The AP further cited Natasha Sarin, the Treasury Department's counselor for tax policy and implementation, explaining that the Inflation Reduct...
Dr, Anthony Fauci tried to crack a joke mocking his critics, as the White House chief medical adviser said he was the one who developed the ancestral strain of the Chinese coronavirus. Fauci made the remarks during an appearance at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle this week to receive the Hutch Award, which is typically reserved for “an active MLB player who ‘best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire'” of former MLB pitcher Fred Hutchinson, who died of lung cancer, according to MLB. During the discussion, Dr. Larry Corey, former president of Fred Hutch, remarked, “We’re at the epicenter of the initial outbreak, WA1 – Washington 1 is considered the ancestral model strain.” “No, I developed the ...
Israel is worried about possible interference by Russia in the upcoming national elections. According to a report by Ben Caspit in Maariv, Israel has asked Russia to refrain from any form of interference in the election cycle. The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), by order of Prime Minister Yair Lapid, contacted its Russian counterpart with the appeal. Three years ago the former chief of the Shin Bet, Nadav Argaman, warned of potential foreign interference in elections, mainly through cyberspace.
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