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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.
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Baltimore, MD – July 29, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Margot Brilliant, a’h, mother of Avi (Nechami) Brilliant and Malkie (Larry) Frank and step-mother of Eileen (Matthew) Margolese.
The Levaya will be held at Levinson’s on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 2:30PM.
The kevurah will take place at Ohel Yakov (Beth Israel) Cemetery - 6700 Bowleys Lane
Shiva will be observed at 6309 Wirt Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.
Details to follow
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD - July 30, 2026 - Good News! Baltimore has a car Gemach.
The Background
As an accountant I would often see clients trading in cars for rather small amounts of money. I would lament that I was sure that an Orthodox family would have gladly paid the same amount for that car. However, I realized that a person getting rid of a car has no way to know who in Baltimore might want that car. Therefore, I came up with the idea of a car Gemach.
The Details
If someone is getting rid of a car then the goal would be to find an Orthodox family that wants it.
Often the seller has a trade-in offer from a dealer and that becomes the purchase price.
In other cases the seller has come up with the price on their own.
If you need a car, or are going to be getting rid of a...
Baltimore, MD – July 30, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shragy Rothstein (Lakewood) and Chaya Bracha Goldman (Baltimore) on their engagement
Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Sruly Rothstein and Rabbi & Mrs. Eden Goldman
Mazel Tov to grandparents Dr. & Mrs. Emanuel Goldman and Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Sauer
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – July 30, 2026 – 8:00AM – (BJL) Avoid the intersection of Park Heights Avenue and Slade Avenue due to a serious accident.
Baltimore, MD – July 30, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Meth on the birth of a daughter
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Reuven Meth
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
New York, NY - July 29, 2026:Statement from Rabbi Moshe Elefant, CEO of OU Kosher, regarding the situation:
“As you may have heard, this week the OU Kosher-certified AgriStar facility in Postville, Iowa suffered a devastating fire. The damaged plant is responsible for a significant portion of kosher beef and chicken schechted and sold in the US. The loss is significant enough that we want to alert the tzibbur that they will likely feel the impact in the coming weeks, including reduced supermarket availability. We are working actively with AgriStar and other OU Kosher-certified shechita plants to ramp up production and minimize the impact on our community.
We have also provided clear guidance to our mashgichim in the field on exercising extra zahirus at this time. Unfort...
There are currently multiple trees down on Park Heights Ave on the way to Atres Elka
Baltimore, MD – July 28, 2026 - During periods of inclement weather, some usual routes may be impacted by closures or hazardous conditions. Below is a recommended route to help drivers reach Ateres Elka as safely and smoothly as possible.
Take 795 to Owings Mills Blvd.
Turn Right at Gwynbrook Ave.
Turn Left into Owings Mills JCC and then make an immediate right onto Associated Way.
Straight onto Walnut until Ateres Elka.
Pro tip: You can set your GPS to Ateres Elka with a stop at OM JCC
Baltimore, MD - July 28, 2026 - 6:07PM -(BJL) A tree is down on Slade in the right lane when heading from Park Heights to Reisterstown, taking out the right lane.
Batimore, MD - July 28, 2026 - A Tornado Watch and Flash Flood Warning have been issued for the Baltimore area until 10:00 PM this evening v
Baltimore, MD – July 28, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Moshe Nesanel Lauer (Baltimore) and Aidel Scharf (Brooklyn) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Yirmiyahu and Dorie Lauer and Mr. Noach and Aviah Scharf
Mazel Tov to grandparents Grandparents Mrs. Sherri Zaslow Mr. Aharon Newman Mr. and Mrs. Ezra and Rochelle Lauer Mr. and Mrs. Rita and Lenard Small
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – July 28, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yossi Mushell and Shevi Burr on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Mrs. Avrohom Dov Mushell and Rabbi and Mrs. Yonah Burr
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – July 28, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Tracy Winters, a’h, sister of Todd Heller.
The levayah will be held on Wednesday, July 29th at 1:00PM in Paramus, NJ.
Todd will return to Baltimore on Thursday to observe shiva through Tuesday morning at 2922 West Strathmore Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209
Minyanim:
Shacharit 8:00 AM
Mincha/Maariv 6:40PM
Mincha Erev Shabbat – 4:00PM
Maariv Motzei Shabbat – 8:55PM
The family respectfully requests no visitors between 5-6 PM.
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – July 27, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Daniel Hess and Meira Bracha Szendro on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Yehoshua & Naava Hess and Chanina & Natanya Szendro
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – July 27, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Uriel Schwartz and Chani Meiselman on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Daniel & Sarena Schwartz and Shmuel & Rivka Meiselman
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
The Lost Boy and the Man Who Found Him
My most recent guest at the weekly Mitchadshot workshop was Noam Simchi, the man who last Friday afternoon, found Yuval Kogan, the four-year-old who had gone missing last Thursday in the dunes near Ashkelon. Did you see the footage of him crying out, “Abba, thank You!” as he held Yuval in his arms?
We had the pleasure of getting to know him a little better. He is 27 years old and discovered the Breslov Hassidic movement at the age of 14. From the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov he learned that we are all brothers, and so when he heard that Yuval was missing, he felt as though his own little brother had disappeared.
Noam owns a horse farm called “Ahavat Hashem”(Love of God). He and his friends joined the search. After h...
Baltimore, MD - July 27, 2027 - Throughout the school year, Jewish Educational Services regularly convenes Early Childhood Directors from across the community, creating opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving, and shared learning. This summer, they built on those connections by hosting their very first Early Childhood Directors' Retreat, a special day designed to recognize and celebrate the incredible work these professionals do every day.
The retreat brought together 22 participants representing 15 early childhood programs, nearly every Jewish early childhood program in our community. While each school has its own culture, philosophy, and unique needs, the day revealed just how much these leaders have in common.
To facilitate the retreat, JES partnered with Miri...
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