Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2024 Note from Teach MD Community Leaders
Dear Friends,We'd like to inform you of an exciting first step in the fight for nonpublic school transportation funding in Maryland, one of Teach MD's priorities this year. We're thrilled to congratulate and thank legislative champions Delegate Dalya Attar and Senator Shelly Hettleman - who fought for a new pilot program which provides funding for Baltimore and Montgomery Counties, and recently secured half a million dollars for this program! This pilot is a starting point from which we can build towards great impact for day school and yeshiva families. It is a great foot in the door and a major accomplishment! We'd like to thank fellow community members and volunteers who came with Teach ...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2024 - The Mishna Berura in O”C 226:2 says that in order to make a Bracha on tree during the month of Nissan, it must be a fruit bearing tree. As such, only trees that bear edible fruit are eligible. Trees that produce inedible fruit, are not eligible to make Birchas Ilanos. Most Cherry Blossom trees (such as the famous Cherry Blossom trees in DC) do not produce any fruit and if they do, it is inedible fruit and therefore, one should not make Birchas Ilanos on Cherry Blossom trees. For further details on this special borcho, please see the following article:
Bracha On a Newly Flowering Tree – Birchas Ha'Ilanos Guidelines | STAR-K Kosher Certification
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday and reiterated US support for Israel’s security.
In a statement following the call, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that Blinken made clear to Gallant “that the US will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran and its proxies.”
“Secretary Blinken and Minister Gallant also discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all hostages through an agreement for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” said the statement.
“Secretary Blinken welcomed Israel's recent announcements of urgent steps to facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and to improve humanitarian deconfliction and coordination, reiterating that incidents such ...
The Hamas terror group has expressed uncertainty as to whether it could gather 40 civilian hostages for release in a prisoner swap deal with Israel, officials familiar with the negotiations said.
The terror group's uncertainty complicates talks for a deal which would include a six-week ceasefire, the return of Gazans to northern Gaza, and the release of hundreds of convicted terrorists in exchange for less than a third of the hostages currently held in Gaza.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), a Hamas official said that the terror organization would not commit to releasing 40 living hostages, but would commit to 40 hostages in total.
Hamas took approximately 240 Israelis hostage on October 7, and approximately 100 were freed in a November 2023 prisoner s...
The IDF announced on Thursday that the IDF and ISA eliminated the terrorist Nasser Yakob Jabber Nasser. As a part of his activities in Hamas' military wing, he was responsible for funding a significant part of Hamas' military activities in Rafah.
Last December, he transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to Hamas for its military activities.
In addition, over the past few days, IDF troops conducted precise operational activities in the area of Shejaiya in the northern Gaza Strip. The troops eliminated terrorists and struck terrorist infrastructure. In one of the activities, the troops conducted a targeted raid on a Hamas post used for training exercises.
Following the raid, an IAF aircraft struck and destroyed the post.
On Wednesday, the IDF confirmed that IAF aircraft,...
U.S. consumer prices increased more than expected in March as Americans continued to pay more for gasoline and rental housing, leading financial markets to anticipate that the Federal Reserve would delay cutting interest rates until September.
The third straight month of strong consumer price readings reported by the Labor Department on Wednesday also suggested that the pick up in inflation in January and February could not be solely attributed to businesses raising prices at the start of the year as economists had argued.
The report followed news last week that job growth accelerated in March, with the unemployment rate slipping to 3.8% from 3.9% in February. The stubbornly higher cost of living looms large over the Nov. 5 presidential election. Still, there were some silv...
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 11, 2024 - The Pesach travel season has begun. Thousands of travelers from around the world will make their way to Israel to spend the upcoming holiday in the Holy Land. At the same time, many residents of Israel will be traveling to destinations abroad. These will include many students and their families traveling to their home countries for the holiday. Chaim V’Chessed underscores the critical importance of obtaining suitable travelers insurance. This insurance provides essential coverage for any medical emergencies that may arise during your journey.
Traveling from Israel
Residents leaving Israel must ensure that they are covered by a comprehensive medical insurance plan. Standard kupat cholim coverage does not extend outside Is...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2024 - A storm system is expected to move into Maryland on Thursday afternoon, bringing rain, thunderstorms, damaging winds and a chance for an isolated tornado.
The region is under a hazardous weather outlook, according to the National Weather Service. The alert affects areas including the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and the I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
According to the latest forecast, showers will likely start around 3 p.m. Thursday. Thunderstorms are possible overnight into Friday, and winds at times are predicted to reach 30 mph.
As the storms move through the region, an isolated tornado is possible Thursday night while heavy rainfall from thunderstorms may lead to isolated...
Immediately after Monday’s solar eclipse, the number of people searching Google for eye-related injuries jumped while one doctor in New York City says she treated a surge of patients with eye pain.
"I had several patients come in panicking saying ‘I don't want to go blind,’" Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a New York City-based double board-certified doctor tells Fox News Digital. "I couldn't believe it, people actually looked at the eclipse without protection."
Doctors and eye specialists had been warning the public for days not to look directly at the sun, but apparently, some did not heed the advice.
Looking at the sun without protective equipment such as solar eclipse glasses can harm vision and can lead to serious and permanent damage. Nesheiwat sa...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2024 - A political expert says Baltimore City's race for city council president will be competitive, but one candidate might have an early edge.
New campaign finance reports show Councilman Zeke Cohen holds the lead in fundraising.
University of Maryland Baltimore County political science professor Ian Anson said he sees the Democratic primary for Baltimore City mayor as a race between two early leaders, but the City Council president race has Cohen with a few things going in his favor.
Cohen has nearly $481,000 in cash on hand.
Former councilwoman Shannon Sneed has about $237,000 on hand.
Incumbent City Council President Nick Mosby has $230,000 on hand, but told 11 News there were errors in the report filed Tuesday night and that an amended report w...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2024 - Most Maryland utility customers will temporarily see increased charges on their bills for utility-run energy programs, according to the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC).
The increase will happen as the State transitions to a new way of recovering costs that ultimately will save customers tens of millions of dollars, the OPC said.
The changes are the result of decisions by the Public Service Commission related to EmPOWER, the State program to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that’s funded through utility rates.
“For years, customers have been paying too much for EmPOWER by paying outsized profits to the utilities—much like a credit card company profits from consumers that carry credit card...
Towson, MD - Apr. 11, 2024 — Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today submitted a $5 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 that provides billions for public education, historic investments in recreation and parks, and continued funding for key priorities that will move Baltimore County forward, including public safety, housing and community development, sustainability, public works and transportation, libraries, and beyond. “Building a better Baltimore County requires sustained dedication, innovation, and integrity – all qualities that are reflected in our FY25 budget,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “We are proud to continue making record investments in education, public safety, and recreation and parks while sustainin...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2024 - According to the newest poll by Goucher, Brandon Scott is in the lead for the Baltimore City mayoral race, if it was held today.
Brandon Scott has 40% of voters, followed by Sheila Dixon with 32%, Thiru Vignarajah at 11%, Bob Wallace at 3%, with the rest voting for some other candidate, or remaining unsure.
Crime stood out as an issue among voters, with 88% of those polled saying "Crime and public safety" is a major issue. Affordable housing, litter, and the local tax rate were also majority major issues among voters.
When polled about the cause of the overall crime rate for Baltimore City, 83% of voters labeled "Drugs and substance abuse" as a major factor, and 77% labeled "Underfunded schools and a lack of educational opportunities for young resid...
This year due to the late Rosh Chodesh Nisan, it is advisable to recite Birkas Ilanos as early as possible.
Ths sign is on the lawn where one can make a bracha on a pear and apple tree on the corner of West Strathmore & Berkeley (2806 W Strathmore Ave).Baltimore, MD - Apr. 10, 2024 - Reposted upon request:Q: There is a brocha which is recited once a year upon seeing a newly flowering tree. I have a number of questions regarding Birchas Hailonos:
(i) When is the optimal time to say this brocha? Does the brocha have to be said during the month of Nissan?
(ii) What rules apply concerning the location of the person when saying the brocha? How far away can you be from the tree when saying the brocha?&n...
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 11, 2024 - The October 7th attack and the ongoing war have significantly impacted the personal sense of security among Israeli civilians throughout the country. In addition to conflicts at Israel's borders, recent terrorist attacks within cities have heightened concerns about personal security and expanded the need for civil defense initiatives. The Charedi community in Israel has responded actively. Hashomer HaChadash and the "Brothers for the Home Front" forum have jointly established the "People's Guard" project, aiming to train Charedi individuals interested in contributing to security tasks within their communities and enhancing the sense of personal security. Hashomer HaChadash provides training for the volunteers, drawing on its 15 years of e...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 10, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Toby Turner a”h, mother of Reb Moshe Turner.
Shiva in Baltimore will be observed through Tuesday morning beginning Thursday, Apr. 11, at 5:30 p.m. at 4002 Brookhill Road.
Minyanim
Shachris – 6:30 a.m. (Fr, Mo, Tu)
Shachris on Sunday – 8:00 a.m.
Mincha – 7:20 p.m. (Th, Su, Mo)
Maariv – 8:40 p.m. (Th, Su, Mo)
Mincha on Erev Shabbos – 4:00 pm.
Shiva Hours
After Shachris until 10:30 a.m.
2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Motzai Shabbos until 10:00 p.m.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
This Pesach YOU can also bring HOPE to Rav David and his family by helping to support a father battling with ALS!
R' Dovid is the personification of HOPE to the world.
This Pesach please help Rabbi David Frid to receive the life-giving care he needs at home surrounded by his loving family.Due to extra medical expenses your generous support is urgently needed!
Chag Kasher V'Sameach from The Frid Family
They thank you in advance for your very kind and generous donation!
Click to watch the video. Access the donation page here.
Third-party 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. strongly criticized incumbent President Joe Biden's response to the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization.
Kennedy said in an interview with the New York Sun that Biden has “allowed the Democratic Party to drift away from 80 years of support for Israel" in recent weeks. He further stated that the administration's recent rhetoric has “driven the rising tide of antisemitism nationally."
He stated that Biden's "most disappointing deficiency" has been his failure to make the moral case for Israel's need to destroy Hamas after the terrorist organization committed the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust on October 7.
Kennedy blamed Biden's "tentati...
