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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 – 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...
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לְהַעֲלוֹת נֵר תָּמִיד
In the Mishkan, the charge was not merely to keep the lamp lit, but לְהַעֲלוֹת נֵר — to tend the flame so it would rise and shine with strength and clarity. A living light requires care and constancy.
Shearith Israel stands in that tradition. Built on Torah and sustained by devoted members, our light continues to grow through vibrant tefillah, limud haTorah, and communal dedication.
This year’s campaign honors those who embody that mission.
Rabbi and Mrs. Ben Zion Malin are recognized for years of devoted service, with Rabbi Malin faithfully ensuring that our minyanim ran seamlessly day after day.
Mr. and Mrs. Shmuel Leshnoff are honored for Shmuel’s outstanding young leadership on behalf of our community and ma...
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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 19, 2026 - Mazel tov Tiferes Yisroel, Rabbi Goldberger’s shul, on reaching 40 years! Your focus this year is on transformation. Can you tell us about that? Rebbetzin Goldberger: My pleasure! Transformation is inherent in the number forty. An embryo is considered viable on the 40 th day. There are 40 days between Rosh Chodesh Elul and Yom Kippur. Klal Yisroel journeyed for 40 years in the desert, transforming into a nation worthy of entry into Eretz Yisroel. Rebbe Akiva, at 40, began to learn Torah. 613: Do the graphics in your campaign of waterfalls over rocks have something to do with this transformation? Rebbetzin Goldberger: I’m happy you noticed that. It certainly does. The Gemara tells us Rebbe A...
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Baltimore, MD – Feb. 23, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Dorothy Hettleman, a’h, wife of the late Eugene Hettleman, z’l, mother of Stuart Hettleman, Bruce Hettleman, Leslie Silverberg, Karen Katz, and the late Mark Hettleman, z’l.The Levayah will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, 2026 at Levinson'sThe Kevurah will take United Hebrew Cemetery, 3901 Washington Blvd, Halethorpe, MD 21227.
Shiva will be observed at 6300 Red Cedar Place, Apt 209, Baltimore, MD 21209. (Heather Ridge Apartments) Code for complex is 1234, code for front door of building is 209111. Please park in Visitor Spots ONLYMinyanim: Shacharis: Wednesday through Monday: 8:00am Mincha/Maariv: 5:40pm Mincha Erev Shabbos: 3:...
Washington, D.C. - Feb. 25, 2026 - President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed the first year of his presidency as a “turnaround for the ages,” touting his policies and assailing Democrats in the longest State of the Union speech by any president.
Trump sought to use the address to project a sense of a strong and growing country, bashing President Joe Biden and saying the country is “bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before.”
But in a sign of extraordinary partisan tensions, many Democratic lawmakers, including both of Maryland’s senators and several members of its House delegation, boycotted the speech in protest of Trump’s policies. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-6th) attended an alternative rally on the Nation...
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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 22, 2026 - Every single day at Tashbar begins with a smile and a child who feels he belongs. With over 60 boys in our school, in small, warm classes, our boys daven, learn, build, create, and lead. Every day brings a breakthrough. Every day builds confidence. Every day reveals new strengths. They feel capable. Trusted. Connected — to Torah, to their teachers, and to themselves. This is what happens when education is personal and joyful. Your partnership helps ensure that the smiles, breakthroughs, and meaningful moments that define Tashbar continue—again and again, Every Single Day.
Donate here
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 25, 2026 - Rabbi Yoni Sonnenblick of Congregation Ohel Torah Leads the Invocation at Monday Night’s Baltimore City Council Meeting
In memory of my beloved mother, whose yahrtzeit is 8 Adar. May her neshama have an aliyah
The parshiyos we are reading now and in the coming few weeks are sometimes difficult to relate to. What does the clothing of the kohein gadol in this parshah, or the details of the mishkan and korbonos in the other parshiyos, have to do with our situation? What should we learn from them? Rabbi Mordechai Miller in his Sabbath Shiurim has a beautiful dvar Torah on this parsha, which deals with our own lives and with Purim as well. Rabbi Miller’s prose is beautiful, and I have included some of it here, so it is not all mine.
A main subject of the parsha is the ceremonial garments of the kohein gadol, which were royal in their splendor (l’chavod u’l’...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2026 - This morning, I met with the Director of Baltimore City Department of Transportation regarding the alarming number of traffic signals currently out across Baltimore City.
DOT operates with a $236 million budget and more than 1,000 employees, yet maintains only a skeleton crew dedicated to traffic signal maintenance. At a time when the agency prioritized hiring additional ticketing and enforcement personnel, it is clear that resources were misallocated.
What we urgently need is more maintenance staff focused on keeping our infrastructure operational.
The frequency and prolonged duration of traffic light outages across our city are not inconveniences; they are public safety emergencies. When signals are down at major intersect...
How to Lead When Hashem Is Silent
Throughout Tanach, Hashem uses prophecy to guide Jewish leaders. Hashem’s clear guidance meant that leadership generally consisted of merely transmitting His directives to the people and inspiring them to follow.
Today, without prophecy, we lack this clarity. This reality demands a different kind of leadership. Without Hashem’s explicit guidance, leaders must discern His will from the signs He leaves us in the Torah, history, and current events.
Megillat Esther, a book that lacks prophecy (and even the mention of G-d’s name), presents models of such leadership. Though left to their own devices to determine a course of action, Mordechai and Esther succeed in saving the Jewish people from annihilation. They offer powerful models of...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 24, 2026 - 6:07PM (BJL) Two left lanes on the inner loop of 695 are closed past Security Boulevard (Exit 17). Major delays reported.
New educational tagging program helps residents recycle correctly and keeps contamination out of the recycling stream
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2026 - The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is launching its new OOPS Tag Recycling Initiative, a citywide program designed to reduce contamination in recycling bins, improve recycling efficiency, and strengthen Baltimore’s environmental sustainability efforts.
Baltimore residents care deeply about their neighborhoods and the environment. However, confusion about what can and cannot be recycled has led to increased contamination in the City’s recycling stream. When non-recyclable items or food residue are placed in recycling bins, entire truckloads of materials may become unusable, increasing processing costs and re...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2026 - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Police Commissioner Richard J. Worley issued the following statement on Maryland State Trooper shot at in Baltimore City:
"The Baltimore Police Department is working closely with the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore County Police Department to identify and apprehend the suspect involved in the incident this morning where a Maryland State Trooper was shot at during a routine traffic stop in Baltimore.
"We are committed to using every available resource to help bring this individual into custody alongside our partners. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or the vehicle shown in these images, a silver or gray Infiniti with front-end damage, broken headlights, and darkly tinted windows, is urged to come f...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2026 - Maryland State Police are searching for a gunman who shot a trooper during a traffic stop in Baltimore City early Tuesday morning. The officer, whose name has not been released, is being treated at a shock trauma center for injuries.
The suspect is the driver of a silver or gray passenger vehicle, believed to be an Infiniti displaying partial license plates, according to a news release. Police said the vehicle has dark-tinted windows along with front end damage and broken headlights.
Shortly before 3:30 a.m., a trooper from the Golden Ring Barrack attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a gray Infiniti at the intersection of Belle Avenue and Milford Avenue in Baltimore. As the trooper approached the driver side of the vehicle, the door opened sl...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 24, 2026 – 9:01 AM (BJL) An accident has just been reported at the intersection of Park Heights Avenue and Clarks Lane, presumably due to the ongoing flashing traffic light issue.Please avoid the area.
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