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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 - May 13, 2026 - Led by Rabbi Dovid Turk, and joined by local Mechanchim and Rabbonim, the Yeshiva will be geared towards bochurim returning from Eretz Yisroel looking for a serious Bais Medrash as they integrate back into our community.
For more information or to apply please visit our website www.YeshivasOrchosChaim.com or reach out directly to Rabbi Turk at dturk@yeshivasorchoschaim.com
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Baltimore, MD - May 14, 2026 - There are certain people whose presence continues to shape a city long after they are gone. Rabbi Yehuda Naftali Mandelbaum, zt”l, was one of those people. This past week marked his 31st yahrtzeit, yet for so many in Baltimore, his memory still feels remarkably alive. To many, he was a legendary rebbe, mechanech, mentor, and community leader. But to those of us who knew him personally, he was something even greater. He was the living example of what a ben Torah could look like when Torah fully penetrates a person’s heart, personality, and home. I grew up spending countless hours in the Mandelbaum home together with his son, my friend Osher Zelig. What I remember most was not grandeur or intensity, but happiness. The home was simple, warm, alive, a...
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Baltimore, MD – May 9, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Abigail Goldman, a’h, daughter of Herschel and Judy Goldman, z’l and, yl’t, beloved sister of Mrs. Beth (Nathan) Adler.Shiva will be be observed at 3315 Bonnie Road Baltimore, MD 21208Hours of shiva:Sunday, until 9:30 pm. Break for dinner from 6-7pmMonday - Friday, from 10am with breaks for lunch from 1-2pm and dinner from 5-6pm and until 9:30PM. Friday ending at 1pmבלע המות לנצח
DPW Urges Residents and Businesses Across the City and Baltimore, Harford, Howard, and Carroll Counties to Conserve Water to Protect the Regional Water Supply
Baltimore, MD - May 14, 2026 - As the Baltimore region heads into the summer months, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW), in coordination with Baltimore, Harford, Howard, and Carroll counties, is issuing voluntary water restrictions due to low water levels in the City’s three reservoirs, which supply drinking water to 1.8 million people across Baltimore City and surrounding region. Residents and other water customers who use public water in the Baltimore region are urged to limit non-essential water use.
Rainfall levels across the region remain significantly below seasonal averages, and much of Maryland ...
Baltimore, MD – May 14, 2026 – (BJL) Today is Yom Kippur Koton, a special opportunity to daven on behalf of Achainu B'nei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and worldwide.
Please note the following Yom Kippur Koton/Mincha Minyanim in town:
(If you know of any others, please let us know so we may add them to this list.)
Khal Ahavas Yisrael Tzemach Tzedek (KAYTT) Rabbi Dovid Heber –1:40 PM
The Ezras Noshim will be open for women. ArtScroll Yom Kippur Koton booklets will be available.
Community Kollel - 2:45PM
Agudah of Park Heights - Rabbi Moshe Heinemann – 7:15 PM (Upstairs 3rd floor)
Darchei Tzedek - Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz – 7:15 PM (Downstairs Beis Medrash) Confirm attendance to ensure a minyan - text Jan Meisler at 410-733...
After ordering from the Kosher Dunkin or Playa Bowls and receiving the delivery from non-kosher locations, concerned community members asked us to repost....
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 6, 2026 - Some topics need to be revisited as technology evolves. Food delivery service apps such as Door-dash and Uber-eats definitely fall in that category. So even though we already covered the basics last year, let’s find out what’s new in this field with Rabbi Sholom Tendler a Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K.See here for an article by STAR-K about the use of the apps https://www.star-k.org/articles/kashrus-kurrents/6947/delivery-and-ride-apps/
Baltimore, MD - May 14, 2026 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.Click on the graphic below:
Jerusalem, Israel - May 13, 2026 - On May 13, 2026, President Isaac Herzog convened the President’s Conference for a Shared Israeli Future at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, Israel. The conference featured speakers, panels, and dialogue forums that addressed President Herzog’s vision for rebuilding Israeli society and moving from crisis to repair ahead of Israel’s 80th anniversary.
The conference opened with an address by President Herzog, followed by remarks from Becky Caspi, Director-General of the Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office, a partner of the conference.
During the conference, addressing the rise of antisemitism faced by Jewish communities around the world, President Herzog said: “We must als...
Baltimore, MD – May 13, 2026 – (BJL) Shomrei Emunah’s additional Mincha minyan will begin at 7:00 PM starting this coming Sunday and will take place Sunday through Thursday in the Beis Medrash.
Prime Minister's Office Statement
Jerusalem, Israel - May 13, 2026 - The Prime Minister’s Office, this evening (Wednesday, 13 May 2026):
In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE.
Democrat-led states are refusing to issue vehicle registrations to ICE officers working undercover, the Justice Department said Wednesday, accusing the states of putting criminals ahead of agents’ safety.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate fired off letters to the governors of Oregon and Massachusetts and the attorneys general in Washington and Maine, demanding they find ways to revoke the policies.
“It’s dangerous, shameful and unconstitutional. It needs to stop now,” Mr. Shumate said on social media as he released the letters publicly.
The registrations are standard in law enforcement work, allowing agents and officers to blend in with regular traffic and conduct operations with less visibility.
Mr. Shumate said Oregon refuses to license all federal law ...
Baltimore, MD - May 13, 2026 - The Baltimore Jewish community is blessed with exceptional schools, staffed by compassionate and inspiring educators who bring deep dedication both to their students and to their own professional growth. At Jewish Educational Services (JES), we are honored to support the educators who enrich our schools, and are proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions at our annual Educator Awards Ceremony, held on May 11.
While nine outstanding educators and one exceptional student were formally honored, the evening was designed to celebrate all educators across Baltimore’s Jewish day schools, preschools, and congregational schools. Close to 200 community members, including many students of awardees, gathered to express their gratitude and support for the...
Baltimore, MD - May 12, 2026 - Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) customers are expected to see some relief on their natural gas bills after the utility helped secure nearly $500,000 in savings through a federal rate case settlement.
The savings stem from a multi-year dispute over proposed increases in interstate natural gas transportation costs—expenses that directly affect the supply portion of customer bills.
BGE, along with its parent company Exelon and sister utilities Delmarva Power and PECO, intervened in the case, ultimately helping to reduce costs and prevent additional charges.
In total, across three natural gas utilities, Exelon will return more than $13 million to customers through refunds and lower long-term rates.
The companies also say their efforts helped avoi...
Jerusalem, Israel - May 12, 2026 - An extraordinary exhibition highlighting a century of faith-based diplomacy between Israel and the United States and 250 Years of the US was inaugurated at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Israel, placing the legacy and influence of Israel’s Chief Rabbis at the forefront of the story.Launched by the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy (JCAP) with President Isaac Herzog, the exhibit traces a remarkable, a largely untold diplomatic continuum led by Israel’s rabbinic leadership. At its heart are three landmark visits by Chief Rabbis to the White House: Abraham Isaac Kook in 1924, Isaac Halevi Herzog in 1941 and 1949, and Avraham Shapira in 1992.The exhibition underscores how these rabbinic figures did far more than provide...
Baltimore, MD - May 12, 2026 - Construction is officially underway on Torah Institute’s expansion, bringing renewed excitement and momentum to the Invest in Torah campaign.To contribute, please visit: InvestInTorah.com
Baltimore, MD - May 12, 2026 - Maryland has finalized a $2.25 billion settlement with the owner and operator of the cargo ship M/V Dali over the vessel’s March 26, 2024, allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Attorney General Anthony Brown announced Tuesday.
The settlement with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. resolves the state’s claims tied to the bridge collapse and its impacts, including claims pursued by the Office of the Attorney General’s Civil Litigation Division on behalf of the state and its agencies.
Those agencies include the Maryland Transportation Authority, the Maryland Port Administration and the Maryland Department of the Environment.
The attorney general’s office said it worked in coordination with outside couns...
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