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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 - Dec. 30, 2025 - When I walked into the STAR-K conference room on Wednesday, December 24, it resembled more of a party than a shiur. An array of colorful cans of soda and candy was scattered on the conference table. The 45 girls from Mexico and Panama, who happily chatted in Spanish while awaiting their customized presentation by STAR-K Kashrus Administrators Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rabbi Tzvi Rosen, are campers at the Yeshivas Ner Yisroel-based kiruv camp, Or Haner. It was founded in 1986 by Moshe Filler, z”l, a Ner Yisroel talmid and native of Mexico; today, the camp run by Rabbi Isaac Neuman.
The girls, together with their counselors, were very engaged in the interactive shiur, as Rabbi Goldberg showed a video of how STAR-K-certified Paskesz Sour Punch Twists are ma...
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Dear Friends,
Rav Dovid, Z”L lived with extraordinary courage and unwavering Emunah for nearly 15 years, facing ALS. Now, his devoted widow Rochel is left with overwhelming debt and no financial safety net after giving everything to care for him. Thanks to the generosity of kind supporters, some of the burden has already been lifted — but much remains. We humbly ask you to help Rav Dovid's widow regain stability and dignity. Surely this is a fulfillment of Rav Dovid's final will. Please click to fulfill Rav Dovid’s FINAL REQUEST by making a lifesaving donation: 👉 https://thechesedfund.com/rachelfrid0/rav-dovid-s-z-l-final-request for END OF YEAR - Tax-deductible giving: https://kupat.org/Project/355 Every contribution brings...
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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 24, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Deborah (Gerald, z'l) Naiman, a’h, mother of Rabbi Abba Zvi Naiman, Irvin Naiman, Rabbi Shlomo Naiman, and Rabbi Dovid Naiman, sister of Ada Sperling and Shmuel Dovid Siegel, z’l
The Levaya will be held at Levinson’s on Thursday, December 25th, 2025, at 10:00 am.
Kevurah will take place at Chofetz Chaim Cemetery
Shiva will be observed through Wednesday morning at 6107 Gist Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215 (Up the ramp to the side door)Rabbi Abba Zvi Naiman is available until 9pm except from 1-3PMIrvin Naiman is available until 9pmMinyanim:
Minchah/Maariv -Thurs, Sun-Mon 4:30PM Mincha/Maariv Tuesday, Asara B'Teves: 4:20PMShacharis (Fri,...
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 30, 2025 - The Eruv of Baltimore has launched a centralized online hub at eruvofbaltimore.org. Community members can now check the Eruv status, support the organization through donations, and manage their listings in one place. To ensure you stay informed, the site also offers sign-ups for weekly Erev Shabbos alerts via email, text, or phone.
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 30, 2025 - Asara B'Teves (the fast of the 10th month, צום העשירי) is one of the most stringent fasts of the Jewish calendrical year. It is the only fast that we observe on a Friday, and like Yom Kippur, we would observe this fast if, in theory, it were to fall on Shabbos! But why? Why is Asara B'Teves so serious? Because it marks the "beginning of the churban" – the beginning of the end. On Asara B'Teves of the year 3336 (425 BCE), Nevuchadnezar, the king of Bavel, surrounded Jerusalem, laying siege to our holy city. This was a dark moment in Jewish history, a moment that marked the beginning of the chain of events which ultimately led to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash on the 9th of Av (in 3338).But something else al...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 30, 2025 –11:45AM (BJL) A major accident has just occurred on Reisterstown Road in front of The Knish Shop.Avoid the area
Annapolis, MD – Dec. 30, 2025 — (Baltimore Sun) Maryland is holding more than $2.7 billion in unclaimed property, and state officials say many residents may be entitled to money they’ve forgotten about.
The Unclaimed Property Division of the Maryland Comptroller’s Office serves as a statewide lost-and-found for dormant assets turned over by banks, insurers, employers, and other institutions. These include old bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, dividends, stocks, bonds, and valuables from safe deposit boxes. Residents and businesses can search by name at: https://www.unclaimed-property.marylandcomptroller.gov/
In the last fiscal year alone, the state returned $121 million to rightful owners — more than double the prior year — appr...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 30, 2025 – 8:14AM (BJL) A large tree branch is down on Smith Avenue between Kenway and Dixon, blocking one lane and causing delays in the area.This is along the Mount Washington stretch of Smith Avenue, between Bais Yaakov and Greeley Road.
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 29, 2025 - For the very first time, a Chanukah menorah was placed at the Warfield Air National Guard Base, home of the 175th wing of the Maryland National Guard.
This historic moment was made possible through the efforts of Baltimore Shliach Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum and the Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland-Chabad (JUSA), bringing the light of Chanukah to those who serve our country.
Over 1,500 soldiers and employees on the base got to experience the warmth of the Menorah's light throughout Chanukah.
This was one of 10 JUSA events and Public Menorah’s that JUSA coordinated over Chanukah for the brave men and women in uniform.
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 29, 2025 - Parking in downtown Baltimore can be challenging. To make the experience easier for everyone, consider coordinating a shared ride or splitting an Uber with others from the community.
This new tool allows you to enter your assigned jury date. When others register for the same date, participants will receive each other’s contact information to help coordinate transportation.
🔗 www.knafayim.com/jury-duty
For questions, please refer to the email address listed on the form.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this afternoon (Monday) for his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Trump stated that he wanted to move to Phase 2 of the Gaza peace plan "as quickly as possible," but stressed that "there must be a disarming" of the Hamas terrorist organization.
Trump also praised Prime Minister Netanyahu. "He's a war-time prime minister, he's done a phenomenal job. He's taken Israel through a very dangerous period of trauma. Israel, with other people, might not exist right now."
"If you had the wrong prime minister, Israel right now would not exist," he added. "We worked together and we were extremely victorious."
The US President also addressed the Irani...
The Song Matan Chose
“I’m not worried,” attorney Phil Rosen told me in recent days. Rosen, who has just been appointed head of the American division of the World Jewish Congress, knows Israel well and knows the United States well, and precisely because of that, he is optimistic about our future.
“I’m not worried,” he explained, “because Israel has the best young people in the world. To understand the future, you have to look at the next generation. So, let’s look at the role models of Western youth, Greta Thunberg, for example. A young woman with a confused value system who became a symbol without truly understanding much of anything, neither climate science nor terrorism. A supporter of Hamas, offering arguments that are, frankly, embarras...
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday announced that Jews will be allowed to visit Joseph's Tomb in Shechem (Nablus) during daylight hours, for the first time in 25 years.
The decision marks a dramatic change in the policies governing the site: Since the Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva at Joseph's Tomb was evacuated in the year 2000, there have been no organized visits by Jews during daylight hours.
During the next visit to the site, the Jewish visitors will be allowed to remain at the compound until 8:00 a.m., instead of being required to leave by 4:00 a.m. The change will also allow the Shacharit (morning) prayers to be held at the site.
Later, the option of allowing Jews to remain at the site for additional hours will also be examined.
All Jewish visitors to the site are currently ...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 28, 2025 – 9:48 PM – (BJL) An accident at the intersection of Park Heights Avenue and Old Court Road has the area closed, with a heavy police presence on scene.Old Court Road is currently not passable, and drivers coming up Park Heights from the highway cannot cross over Old Court. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes if possible.
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