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You may have heard that the New York State Education Department recently published proposed Regulations about “substantial equivalency of instruction” required for students attending nonpublic schools. This can have severe ramifications for yeshivos and day schools across the board in NYS, so we wanted to provide some answers to common questions we are receiving about this serious development. Q: How might the proposed regulations affect my child’s yeshiva? A: The Regulations, on their face, may require schools to make major adjustments to their limudei kodesh and secular programming. For example, the proposed regulations specify 1) the number of required hours – as many as 4-5 hours per day, depending on grade level; 2) more than 12 required subjects, including, at the lower elementary level, consumer and family science, visual arts, theater, media arts, career development, occupational studies, etc.; 3) assessment of teachers to an undefined standard. Results, grades, competencies, graduation rates, or other factors regarding equivalency to public schools are not taken into account for these purposes. To view the proposed Regulation click here. Q: Didn’t the court already strike down the SED Guidelines 3 months ago? A: Yes, those Guidelines were thrown out by the NY State Supreme Court in response to lawsuits brought by Agudath Israel, PEARLS, Torah Umesorah, and other groups. However, the court struck down the Guidelines because the State Education Department failed to comply with the technical requirements for new rulemaking. By publishing its “proposed Regulations” in the NYS Register, SED has now started an “official” process in compliance with those requirements. Q: How do the new proposed Regulations differ from the previous Guidelines?? A: The new Regulations are substantially identical to the previous Guidelines. Q: What happens now? A: There is a sixty day public comment period (until September 2) when individuals can voice their concerns regarding these proposed regulations. At the conclusion of the process, the Regulations come before the Board of Regents for a vote, expected this fall. Q: I heard that State Education Commissioner Elia resigned earlier this week. Does that mean this is over? A: No. The impact of Commissioner's Elia's resignation on this issue is still to be determined, but the proposed Regulations have already been published and the comment period is in place. Q: What is being done to fight for parents who choose, and sacrifice dearly, for their children to attend yeshivos? A: The Agudah has been working with organizations in the community - PEARLS and Torah Umesorah, among others - to oppose the newest incarnation of the state's attempt to control yeshivos. It should be noted that the Catholic and NYSAIS independent schools (which, together with Jewish schools, form the majority of nonpublic schools in NYS) also strongly oppose these regulations. Q: Is there anything I can do? A: Yes! SED is required, by law, to read comments submitted. While many have previously signed petitions, which is important, these comments are required to be read by law. We have set up a system, where, with just a few clicks, you can voice your opinion on this critical matter. Q: I live in Chicago, but the overreach of these regulations concerns me. May I register my comment? A: The regulations do not restrict comments to NYS residents.
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 4, 2026 - This past weekend, Torah Institute celebrated several Leibidig Purim Mesibos for all grades filled with simcha, music, and geshmak dancing. Talmidim enjoyed delicious treats and raffles to really get into the ruach of Purim!
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Baltimore, MD – Feb, 2026 - Are you nervous about Kashering for Pesach; unsure you will get it done properly? Are you afraid the water will ruin your cabinets and create a mess in your kitchen? Are you moving into a new house and need the kitchen kashered; stress-free? Click here: https://t.ly/UknmP For the last seven years, The Kashering Konnection, has been servicing the Baltimore and DC communities. Coordinated through Star-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler, experienced, professional Mashgichim are available to come to your home and ensure an easy, mess-free and 100% properly-done Kashering of your kitchen and appliances. From ovens to stoves, counters to sinks, The Kashering Konnection can help you prepare for Pesach in an easy and affordable w...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 4, 2026 - Allowing grocery stores in Maryland to sell beer and wine could increase economic activity, generate millions in state revenue and have no lasting negative impact on independent alcohol retailers, according to a new analysis from the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore.
The study was released as supporters of expanding alcohol sales rallied on Lawyers Mall in Annapolis, urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would permit grocery stores to sell beer and wine.
Maryland is one of only four states that currently prohibit any alcohol sales in grocery stores.
Allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores has the potential to increase retail wine and beer sales in Maryland, thereby generating jobs and tax revenues for Mar...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 4, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Dr. Orah Yutel Weiss, a’h, mother of Esta (Chaim) Sitrin.
Shiva will be observed at 3415 Clarks Lane, Apt: D1 Baltimore, MD 21215
Visiting times:
Wednesday March 4th: 7pm-10pm Thursday March 5th: 10am-10pm Friday March 6th : 10am-3pm Motzei Shabbos March 7th: One hour after Shabbos until 11pm Sunday March 8th: 9am -Noon
Shiva will be completed in California
בלע המות לנצח
Senior Iranian Shiite Muslim cleric Naser Makarem Shirazi published a religious ruling calling on Muslims to launch a Jihad (struggle) following the elimination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an Israeli airstrike.
In the ruling, Shirazi notes that "the lowest of the enemies of humanity and the most evil infidels" managed to kill the "leader of the Islamic revolution," Ali Khamenei, who "fulfilled his dream to be a martyr."
According to Shirazi, in the history of Islam, death in the path of Allah was always the price of independence and honor, and preparation for the coming of the Mahadi, the Islamic messiah.
The cleric emphasized that the Islamic Revolution does not depend on one man and will never fail Allah's will, and therefore, the Assembly of Experts for Leadership ...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 4, 2026 - My Shalach Manos are packed. Mostly. My house is a jumble of cellophane, ribbon and an assortment of nosh and soda cans, with labels waiting to be affixed on packages.
Purim is just about here, but really Purim is already here. Haman is dead. The world awaits the changing of the guard, if there will even be one in the ensuing chaos of what was once the ancient land of Persia, today known as Iran.
I have been flitting in and out of erev Purim errands along with reading the latest news that’s out there while saying Tehillim. Yes, the talk is all about the might of the military and how many bombs in how many seconds destroyed how many targets. Might of the military or might of G-d? We as Jews know the truth...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 4, 2026 - Maryland drivers are facing a significant spike at the pump today, March 4, 2026, as global geopolitical tensions drive energy costs to their highest levels in over a year.
According to the latest data from AAA Mid-Atlantic, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Maryland has climbed to $3.10. This represents a sharp 15-cent increase since the beginning of the week, with a 4-cent jump recorded just since yesterday.
Drivers of the Current Spike
The primary catalyst for the sudden increase is the ongoing military conflict involving the U.S. and Iran. The instability has severely disrupted oil infrastructure in the Middle East, specifically affecting tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Cr...
The Israeli Air Force, precisely guided by IDF intelligence, completed a wide-scale strike on Wednesday afternoon targeting a large Iranian terror regime military compound in eastern Tehran.
The compound contained the headquarters of all of the Iranian security organizations. In addition, activity by Iranian operatives was identified in the compound.
Struck command centers in the compound include:
* The IRGC headquarters
* The Intelligence Directorate headquarters
* The ‘Basij’ headquarters
* The 'Quds Force' headquarters
* The Internal Security forces headquarters
* Cyber Warfare headquarters
* The headquarters of the unit in Internal Security responsible for suppressing protests
According to the IDF, Iranian operatives who are responsible for managing the ...
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday afternoon that NATO air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Turkish airspace.
The interception took place over the eastern Mediterranean, marking the first time NATO has acted operationally and directly against an Iranian missile threat targeting one of its member states.
The ministry stressed that there were no casualties in the incident and that Turkey reserves the right to respond. It added, “We warn all parties to refrain from any action that could escalate conflicts in the region.
Israel has eliminated Rahman Makadam, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Special Operations Department, according to a report by Channel 12.
Makadam was reportedly responsible for the assassination attempt on Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The report added that Trump was informed in recent hours by Israeli officials of Makadam’s killing.
In 2024, the US Justice Department charged an Iranian man in connection with an alleged plot ordered by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps to assassinate Trump, then US president-elect.
US Seceratry of War Pete Hegseth commented on the elimination, stating: "The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed. Iran tried to kill Pres...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 3, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Ori and ArielleStrum on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel tov to grandparents Naftali & Michelle Strum and Jeffrey & Renee Reches
Mazel Tov to great-grandparents Rabbi George Strum and Mrs. Susan (Reches) Landesman
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 3, 2026 - Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to pressure Maryland residents into handing over money, from phone calls impersonating family members to text messages posing as official court notices.
Warnings from the Better Business Bureau have long included the so-called grandparent scam, which targeted three residents in Baltimore County not long ago. In that scheme, a caller claims to be a grandchild who needs $10,000 for bail money.
Baltimore County police previously warned residents that some versions of the scam go beyond asking for money to be mailed or sent online. “The thing that is most unnerving about these cases is that most of the time people want money sent through the mail or sent through the internet. But in these cases, they...
Jerusalem, Israel - Mar. 3, 2026 - Chaim V’Chessed continues to serve the public during this challenging time and is receiving a wide variety of inquiries. Here are a number of updates on different fronts:
Visa ExtensionsMany foreign citizens in Israel hold visas that are crucial for access to Bituach Leumi and other benefits, and for being officially recognized as residents. With the Interior Ministry currently closed, it has not been to extend these visas. In response, the Interior Ministry has announced a sweeping visa extension: any visas that expired between February 26th and March 31st will automatically be extended by three months. This applies to all A-class visas, (temporary resident and student visas) as well as B1 and B2 visas (tourist visas).Chaim V’Chessed h...
The Israeli Air Force, acting on precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate, on Monday evening initiated additional strikes toward targets belonging to the Iranian terrorist regime, said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Shortly before midnight on Monday evening, the Israeli Air Force struck and dismantled the Iranian terrorist regime's communications center.
The IDF statement said that the center was also recently used by the Iranian regime's forces to advance military activities under the guise of civilian activity and assets, in addition to the propaganda activities that emanate from the communications center.It further pointed out that the activities taking place at the center were carried out and directed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.It further po...
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