The Power of Blessings and Good Wishes
Aluma Ha’itan is the sister of Amichai Vanino, who fell in a heroic battle defending Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Simchat Torah. She wrote to me that I write a lot about blessings and good wishes, and that she wanted to share with me the impact that those things had on her life.
“When my brother Amichai was killed, I was still single. During the shiva, a friend of my mother came to console us. Before leaving, she gave the traditional parting blessing and then said: ‘Let’s meet on happier occasions.’ My friend’s mother had a son, Meir, who was also single, and so my mother replied: ‘Let’s meet at the wedding of Meir and of Aluma.’ My mother meant the wedding of each of them, but when Meir&rsquo...
Jerusalem, Israel - Nov. 4, 2024 - Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, announced today, Monday, the award of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor to eight Jewish and non-Jewish leaders from around the world, in recognition of their long-standing contributions to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Against the background of the ongoing conflict, the President chose these leaders for their unwavering commitment to Israel and their exceptional support of the Jewish people over decades of endeavours, particularly since the atrocities of October 7.The Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor is awarded by the President of the State of Israel to those who through their talents, service, or any other means, have made an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity. This ...
An Iranian Jew sentenced to death for killing a Muslim has been executed in Iran.
Arvin Ghahremani, z'l, now 20, was convicted of murder after he acted in self-defense. In 2022, Ghahremani was ambushed by seven men in the city of Kermanshah. One of the attackers, a 40-year-old Muslim man who allegedly owed him money, stabbed Ghahremani, who fought back and used the same knife to fatally stab his attacker.
Ghahremani was arrested and convicted of murder for killing a Muslim man, despite the fact that he acted in self-defense and was not the attacker in the case.
He had been set to be executed earlier this year, but international pressure, as well as pressure by human rights organizations to cancel the sentence, caused Iran to delay the execution.
The Jewish community...
Two days before the US elections, the dean of the Kisse Rahamim Yeshiva, Rabbi Meir Mazuz, called on his followers to pray for former President Donald Trump to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race.
"We must pray that Trump wins these elections. Even though Trump is from Germany, he has good attributes and he loves Israel," Rabbi Mazuz said during his weekly lecture.
The rabbi mentioned Trump's family ties to Judaism: "He has a grandson or granddaughter who's Jewish. And there's a picture of him taking his grandson on the Sabbath to the synagogue before the afternoon prayer, and he encourages and blesses him."
Regarding the current administration, Rabbi Mazuz stated: "Trump during the last time wasn't like that. But after that, they said bad th...
In defiance of US warnings against retaliatory strikes on Israel after its attacks on Iran last week, Iran is signaling plans for a complex response with more advanced weaponry, Iranian and Arab officials with knowledge of the strategy told The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.
Iran has informed Arab diplomats that its conventional military will be involved in the response because four soldiers and a civilian were lost in Israel’s attack, according to Iranian and Arab officials.
While this does not necessarily mean direct troop deployment, the regular army’s involvement suggests the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may not act alone.
An Egyptian official reported that Iran privately warned of a “strong and complex” response.
“Our military lo...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 3, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mr. Scott Baskin, z’l, father of Josh Baskin The Levayah will be Monday at 2 PMGraveside at Gan Shalom Cemetery, Tampa, Florida
Shiva in Baltimore:Starting Tuesday morning, Nov. 5 at 2303 Pomander Rd., Baltimore, MD , 21209
Shiva Schedule (Tuesday - Friday):
Shacharis: 6:50 AM
Mincha: 1 PM
Maariv: 7:15 PM
Motzei Shabbos Visiting Hours:7:30 - 10 PM
Sunday:
Shacharis: 8:15 AM (getting up afterward)
No visitors please:
8 - 9 AM
12 - 12:45 PM
4:30 - 6:30 PM
After 8:30 PM
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 3, 2024 – 2:06 PM - A multi-vehicle accident has just occurred at the intersection of Park Heights and Slade.
Please avoid the area.
A self-described "Hamas operative" accused of vandalizing Jewish buildings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and purchasing explosive materials, reportedly had donated to "Squad" Democrats critical of Israel.
A criminal complaint unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania charges Mohamad Hamad and Talya Lubit with one count each of defacing and damaging religious real property and one count of conspiracy.
Hamad is a dual citizen of the United States and Lebanon who resides in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
Hamad was a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, assigned to the 171st Maintenance Squadron stationed in Moon Township, Pa., near the Pittsburgh International Airport, until Sept. 13, 2024, "when he was barred from the facility," court documents say....
The IDF revealed on Sunday that during an intelligence-based, special operation in Syrian territory that took place in recent months, soldiers of the Egoz Unit together with field interrogators from Unit 504, led by the 210th Division, detained an Iranian terror network operative in Syria.
Ali Soleiman al-Assi is a Syrian citizen who lives in the area of Saida in southern Syria. His activities included gathering intelligence on IDF troops in the border area for future terror activity of the network. Ali Soleiman al-Assi has been under IDF surveillance and was detained and transferred for interrogation in Israel.
The operation by IDF troops to detain al-Assi prevented a future attack and led to the exposure of the operational methods of Iranian terror networks located near the Golan Heigh...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 3, 2024 - Students of Cheder Chabad are constantly taught about the need to care for another Yid. Be it their classmate or someone they have never met, students are taught to find ways to provide another Jew the opportunity to grow in his or her connection to Hashem. The very first Mitzvah campaign launched by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Ob"m, was the Lulav Campaign in 1953. The goal was to encourage Jews to participate in this Mitzva. Students at Cheder Chabad were given the opportunity to purchase a 4 minim set at a discounted rate provided they committed to use it to shake them with other Jews as well. Over Sukkos, many students provided the opportunity to friends, neighbors, or even people they encountered for the first time to shake the 4 minim. Over 2000 J...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 3, 2024 - There will be no trash or recycling collection in Baltimore City on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will close all offices and sanitation yards. Trash and recycling collection makeup day is, Shabbos, November 9. Be sure to place your containers at the curb before Shabbos.
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 3, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Steve Goloskov & Jordana Hirschel on their engagement.
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 3, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Aron & Chana Faiga Kamarow on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Avraham Shmuel & Elisheva Shnidman and Hirsh & Yehudis Kamarow.
Mazel Tov to great grandparents Daniel & Miriam Shnidman and Mrs. Loretta Sadwin
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
A number of controversial changes to Maryland’s new juvenile justice reform law took effect Friday.
Retired U.S. District Court Judge Andre Davis chairs the newly established Juvenile Justice System Oversight Commission, which is composed of 26 members who will oversee the entire juvenile justice system. He told 11 News Investigates that the new reforms aren’t solely about punishment, but rather, rehabilitation.
“We are not concerned with punishment. We are concerned with rehabilitating young people who have been traumatized in a number of ways, who have suffered themselves from failures in various systems,” Davis told 11 News Investigates.
The reforms are intended to address increasing instances of juvenile crime.
Beverly Brooks, of Highlandtown, described...
Over the past week or so Baltimore city has seen over a dozen juveniles arrested for various crimes, including assault and armed carjackings--one the suspects 12-years-old.Now, there's more talk of holding parents accountable--in some cases--when children commit the crimes.
The concern stirred up this week after police say a 13-year-old squeegee kid--someone who washes car windshields for money-- assaulted a 51-year-old man in his vehicle in west Baltimore Tuesday morning--a school day.
"He should have been in school and his parents need to be held accountable, blame the parent. Because my 10-year-old, if he's not in school I know his whereabouts.I know where he is at all times," said Theresa Jones, a concerned motorist.
And just the day before the alleged incident, Balt...
Iran has a “crushing response” against Israel and the United States as the Pentagon pledged over the weekend to increase its military forces in the Middle East.
“Today, the Zionist regime is committing the most atrocious crimes in West Asia,” Iran’s Supreme leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei wrote on X/Twitter on Saturday.
“Instead of supporting the people of #Palestine [and] #Lebanon, some countries are providing economic [and] military aid to the malicious, cruel, bloodthirsty enemy,” he wrote.
“The United States of America and the Zionist regime will definitely receive a crushing response for what they do against #Iran and the #Resistance Front,” he stressed.
He spoke as Israel remains braced for an Iranian response to its...
The Biden administration recently cautioned Iran against launching another attack on Israel, emphasizing that it could not restrain an Israeli response if provoked again, Walla reported on Saturday evening.
The warning follows Iran’s October 1 attack on Israel, which retaliated against Israeli targeted operations. Israel's response included strikes on military targets but excluded strategic sites like nuclear and oil facilities. These facilities could be potential targets should Iran initiate further attacks.
A senior US official disclosed to Walla that Washington informed Tehran it would not be able to prevent Israel from reacting or ensure that any response would remain as limited and precise as before. This communication marked a rar...
The Biden administration is putting maximum pressure on Israel, threatening to suspend military aid if Israel does not fully implement its demands before November 13, Axios reported.
Biden has thus far avoided suspending military aid, but the move is "gaining more support inside the State Department," the site reported, quoting a US official.
The threat follows an October 13 letter sent by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to their Israeli counterparts, warning that if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not significantly improve within 30 days, it would affect the weapons the US supplies to Israel.
Over half of all humanitarian aid to enter Gaza is taken over by the Hamas terror group, and used to fund its continued terror operation...
Lebanese reports on Saturday said that an Israeli military force raided an area near the coastal city of Batroun, and took a senior Hezbollah official captive.
An Israeli security source confirmed to Sky News Arabic that "a special operation was carried out, in which a person was taken captive in northern Lebanon."
Arab news outlets reported that a large naval force, suspected to be Israeli, arrived at the Batroun coast in northern Lebanon and captured a Hezbollah operative staying in a hut in the area, around 140 kilometers from the Israeli border. According to the reports, the operation included over 25 fighters, and was coordinated with the UNIFIL forces stationed in Lebanon.
Al Hadath has named the individual as Imad Amhaz, an officer in the Lebanese Navy.
However, L...
