Baltimore, MD – Jan. 19, 2025 - 12:03AM - Active situation in the Boxford area: Multiple police and Shomrim units are on the scene following reports of two confirmed gunshots at a party hosted in an Airbnb rental. The gathering involves dozens of juveniles. Please avoid the area.If you see anything suspicious make sure to report it right away to 911 and Shomrim at 410-358-9999.
In just a few hours, the first three hostages will return to Israel, on Sunday, and be transferred to the designated "Returnees Wing" at the hospital. There, they will reunite with their families and begin a prolonged process of medical evaluations, recovery, and rehabilitation—closely accompanied by psychological support.
'Trauma leaves deep scars'
Dr. Einat Yehene, a clinical neuropsychologist and rehabilitation psychologist leading the rehabilitation team at the Hostage Families Headquarters, has supported numerous families over the past year.
“These hostages come from a reality of extreme violence, constant fear, and dire conditions—exposure to violent scenes, nutritional deprivation, sleep deprivation, and threats,” Yehene explained....
Howard County Public Schools was told of at least 28 incidents of antisemitism, at 16 schools, since 2022 - but failed to consider whether the incidents created a hostile environment for students.
That's according to a report from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, which just reached an agreement with the school system regarding how it deals with antisemitic harassment.
The school system also didn't tell the Office of Civil Rights the extent of a complaint from a community group that reported incidents like "a Jewish student being told by a friend that a classmate didn’t want to 'sit next to a Hebrew,' and that the classmate did a Nazi salute; TikTok posts directed by classmates to a Jewish student saying 'Hitler was right,...
While there "are no good deals," Israel is "right to proceed with this deal," Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar reportedly said in a cabinet meeting on Friday night, N12 revealed on Saturday.
Bar told ministers to approve the deal during the deliberation meeting on Friday, which culminated in Israel choosing to accept.
"Hamas is a terror organization that has suffered severe blows and is in shambles," Bar said, adding that "Israel is a strong state."
"Personally, as someone who heads a counterintelligence organization, we are well used to arresting and thwarting terrorists," Bar said, adding that some of the Palestinian prisoners being exchanged for hostages starting Sunday he arrested himself.
"We have a very difficult time releasing terrorists and murderers," he continued....
TikTok went dark for users across the U.S. late Saturday as the app notified users of a ban that went into effect just days before President-elect Trump's inauguration.
Users who tried to utilize the app on Saturday night received the following message: "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now."
The app gave a shout-out to Trump, saying: "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!"
Hours earlier, the app notified users that the law banning TikTok would take effect on Sunday.
Leadership noted the ban will "force" the company to make its...
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 18, 2025 - Both JCCs will open at 7:00am on Sunday, Jan. 19, but will close at noon due to impending snowstorm. All afternoon and evening activities are cancelled.
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 18, 2025 - Expect a mix of rain, snow, and sleet early in the morning, transitioning to heavy snow by late morning. Temperatures will reach a high of 34°F, with winds from the north at 7–13 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. Total snow and sleet accumulation could be between 3 to 5 inches.
By Sunday night, there’s a chance of snow before 10 PM, followed by clearing skies and colder conditions.
Baltimore, MD – Jan. 17, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira in Israel of Denise Cohen, a’h sister of Avigayil (Ira) Hisler.
The levayah was Thursday. Mrs. Hisler is sitting shiva in Israel and can be reached by WhatsApp at 443 418 3369. (Israel is 7 hours ahead of Baltimore.)
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
The Prime Minister's Office stated this morning (Friday) that under the hostage deal, the first hostages are expected to be released as soon as this coming Sunday, January 19.
"Pending approval by the Security Cabinet and the Government, and the agreement taking effect, the release of the hostages will be implemented according to the planned framework in which the hostages are expected to be released on Sunday," the PMO stated.
The statement was made after Opposition Leader Yair Lapid criticized the religious parties on the grounds that they are preventing the government from convening on Shabbat to approve the agreement - which, according to him, will lead to a delay in the release of the hostages.
The haredi and religious parties stated that they have no objection to convening th...
The Israel Prison Service is preparing to release security prisoners per the decision of the political echelon and the deal to return the hostages.
Per the instructions of the IPS commissioner, the Red Cross will not conduct part of the escort to ensure that the terrorists do not deviate from the strict security guidelines and to prevent any expression of joy in Israeli territory.
IPS Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, held a meeting with many participants, in cooperation with the other security bodies, to approve the operational plan ahead of the release of the security prisoners as part of the hostage deal under what is being called "Operation Way of the Land."
The Ofir and Shikma detention facilities have begun preparations to receive terrorists who are expected to be released following the ...
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 17, 2025 - A winter storm is predicted to develop along an incoming Arctic cold front this weekend, increasing Maryland's chances of seeing accumulating snow.
Estimates by the National Weather Service on Friday called for snowfall amounts of 4 inches in Westminster; 3 inches in Bel Air, Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick and suburbs close to Washington, D.C.; with 2 inches of snow expected in Hagerstown and areas further west.
Skies will gradually clear on Friday, giving Baltimore area residents a mild day of sunshine and temperatures in the lower to mid-40s before conditions change on Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service's latest forecast, there's a chance of snow Shabbos before 10 a.m. Snow is expected to transition to rain sho...
As I write this essay the entire Jewish world is gripped with multiple emotions.
Anticipation for the release of the hostages. Silent joy for the hoped for reunion of the hostages with their most loved ones. Fear over how many of those hostages will return home alive. Anger and horror over the inequity of the exchange of innocent hostages for murderous terrorists. Worry over whether the promises of our enemies will be kept. Deep pain over the many hundreds who valiantly gave their lives to achieve peace and the eradication of our enemies, and the frustrating doubt if indeed we will accomplish that goal. Anxiety over what the future holds in store for us with this compromised deal.
How will things turn out? How do we distill all these conflicting and tortuous emotions until such time as i...
Senior officials clarified that since Israel is dealing with the Hamas terrorist organization, nothing is certain and Hamas may try to torpedo the deal at various stages.
Jerusalem, Israel - Jan. 17, 2025 - The list of the names of the hostages who are expected to be released in the first phase of the hostage deal has been published.
The hostages who are expected to be released include Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Ohad Ben Ami, the four members of the Bibas family, Yarden, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, Agam Berger, and Romi Gonen.
In addition, Daniella Gilboa, Emily Damari, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Yair Horn, Omer Wenkert, Alexander Troufanov, Arbel Yehud, Ohad Yahalomi, Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, Naama Levy, Oded Lifshitz, Gadi Moshe Mozes, Avera Mengistu, Shlomo Mansour, Keith Samuel Siegel, Tsahi Ida...
The Israeli Security Cabinet is currently meeting in Jerusalem to ratify the hostage and ceasefire deal with Hamas. As part of the deal, over a thousand terrorists, some with blood on their hands, will be released.
Arutz Sheva-Israel National News has learned that some of the terrorists who will be released will be sent to Judea and Samaria, as well as eastern Jerusalem, contrary to the promises that were made earlier to the ministers. The decision is expected to cause widespread public criticism and additional arguments within the government.
Additional details are expected to be published following the meeting and the ratification of the agreement. The General Cabinet is expected to meet at 3:00 p.m. local time at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, approximately an hour bef...
Jerusalem, Israel - Jan. 16, 2025 - Representatives of Israel, Hamas, the US, and Qatar have officially signed the hostage deal and Gaza ceasefire in Doha, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed in a statement Friday morning.
According to the statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been informed of the agreement and instructed to convene the Political-security cabinet, followed by a government meeting to approve the plan.
Currently, the government plenum is set to vote on the measure on Saturday, which would delay the release of the first three hostages until Monday, rather than Sunday as initially planned.
The government cited last-minute disagreements with Hamas as the reason for the delay in voting on the matter.
Opposition is expected
The vot...
Now the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one who was named Shifrah, and the second, who was named Puah. And he said, “When you deliver the Hebrew women, and you see on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall put him to death, but if it is a daughter, she may live.” (Exodus 1:15-16)
Rashi comments as to the true identity of these two women.
Shifrah. This was Yocheved, [called Shifrah] because she beautified [מְשַׁפֶּרֶת] the newborn infant. Puah. This was Miriam, [called Puah] because she cried (פּוֹעָה) and talked and cooed to the newborn infant in the manner of women who soothe a crying infant.
These were no ordinary women. These brave and heroic women defied Pharoah and saved the Jewish children knowing full well ...
