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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
Baltimore, MD - May 14, 2026 - (BJL) Darchei Tzedek will not be having a Yom Kippur Koton Mincha today.
Jerusalem, Israel - May 14, 2026 - Yom Yerushalyim, Jerusalem Day, is an Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem following the Six-Day War in 1967.
Yom Yerushalyim began on Thursday evening and will conclude at sundown on May 15, before Shabbos.
The annual Flag March was held on Thursday afternoon, ending at the Kotel for Maariv with the participation of tens of thousands of people.
Families, people of all ages, arrive by the busload from all parts of the country to celebrate, sing, dance, and walk through the streets. The scene at Damascus Gate each year is intense as the huge crowd tries to enter the narrow space.
The official celebrations in Yerushalayim begin in the morning, with the Prime Minister and President speaki...
Jerusalem, Israel - May 14, 2026 - Multi-talented Katia Bolotin is a pianist, songwriter, and composer of contemporary classical music. As an educator and writer, she strives to inspire Jews of all backgrounds. She has written and spoken for Aish HaTorah and Chabad.
"Timeless Torah Wisdom: Making it Relevant for an Ever-Changing World" was published by Mosaica Press in 2025. Bolotin provided me with a hardcover copy of the book for review.
When reviewing a book, I usually read it from cover to cover. I do not recommend that approach for this book. It is organized as a collection of short chapters for each weekly parshah, beginning with Bereishis and continuing through V'zos Haberachah.
Bolotin selects one topic from each parshah and develops it for contemporary readers, seeki...
"Wherever I go, I am on my way to Yerushalayim."
This oft-quoted sentiment is famously attributed to Rebbi Nachman of Breslov.
This remarkable notion of living every moment of our lives inspired by the quest for the holiness, enthusiasm, and joy of all that Yerushalayim embodies, has a much earlier precedent in Jewish history.
As the nation begins their trek towards the promised land, the twelve tribes are directed to travel within four encampments, consisting of three tribes within each division, encircling the Sanctuary that was the focal point of all their journeys.
Each tribe brought their distinct role and qualities to this joint effort, signified by the דגלים — flags each with its unique insignia reflecting the blessings conferred by Yaakov and Moshe on each of the tri...
Multi-Agency Launch of Comprehensive Plan to Protect Residents from Dangerous Heat Through Summer
Baltimore, MD - May 14, 2026 — Today, City Administrator Faith Leach, joined by the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD), Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Department of Planning (DOP), Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP), and the Enoch Pratt Free Library, announced the official start of the Code Red Extreme Heat season, a coordinated, multi-agency effort to protect residents from the dangers of extreme heat.
Effective May 15 through September 15, city agencies and partners are working together to ensure residents have access to cooling resources, critical information, and...
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 ...
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