Baltimore City's Jewish Councilman Zeke Cohen Shares Some Thoughts on the Horrible Situation in Israel
By: BJLife Newsroom
Baltimore, MD - Oct. 11, 2023 - On Sunday my cousins were called to fight against Hamas. They are reservists in the Israeli Military. They are sweet, gentle, loving people. Everyone in Israel knows someone who has been murdered or kidnapped in the last few days. It’s a small country. After centuries of being exterminated at every turn, Israel has been a place of refuge. Our existence as a people has always been fragile.
I believe that the vast majority of Jews and Palestinians simply want peace and Justice. The craven, despicable acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas deserve the world’s full condemnation. Wantonly murdering children and elders and innocent people at a concert. Capturing and tormenting civilians on camera. These are not the noble acts of freedom fighters but terrorists seeking to foment war and conflagration. Imagine having your babies stolen from you in the night. Disappeared. Imagine seeing your grandmother shot dead in the street. These scenes are a dark reminder of an overpowering trauma we faced not long ago. They are firmly imbedded in our collective conscious like a terrifying dream you can’t ever wake up from.
I pray for Israel and the Jewish state. I pray for my family and all of the families caught up in the cruelty and violence. I pray for peace for all people in the Middle East. And I pray for the innocent civilians in Gaza who have been impacted by this madness. There will be many conversations and lessons learned in the days to come. My voice and efforts will be directed toward supporting humanitarian aid.
The craven, despicable acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas deserve the world’s full condemnation.
Baltimore, MD - Oct. 11, 2023 - On Sunday my cousins were called to fight against Hamas. They are reservists in the Israeli Military. They are sweet, gentle, loving people. Everyone in Israel knows someone who has been murdered or kidnapped in the last few days. It’s a small country. After centuries of being exterminated at every turn, Israel has been a place of refuge. Our existence as a people has always been fragile.
I believe that the vast majority of Jews and Palestinians simply want peace and Justice. The craven, despicable acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas deserve the world’s full condemnation. Wantonly murdering children and elders and innocent people at a concert. Capturing and tormenting civilians on camera. These are not the noble acts of freedom fighters but terrorists seeking to foment war and conflagration. Imagine having your babies stolen from you in the night. Disappeared. Imagine seeing your grandmother shot dead in the street. These scenes are a dark reminder of an overpowering trauma we faced not long ago. They are firmly imbedded in our collective conscious like a terrifying dream you can’t ever wake up from.
I pray for Israel and the Jewish state. I pray for my family and all of the families caught up in the cruelty and violence. I pray for peace for all people in the Middle East. And I pray for the innocent civilians in Gaza who have been impacted by this madness. There will be many conversations and lessons learned in the days to come. My voice and efforts will be directed toward supporting humanitarian aid.
Shalom.
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Baltimore, MD - Oct. 16, 2025:BDE: Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ZTV’L – Updated DetailsWatch the full recording from this morning’s Baltimore levayah below Baltimore Shiva:
Mrs. Batsheva Neuberger and Mrs. Chana Schneeweiss will begin Shiva in Baltimore today at 6707 Western Run Drive, 21215, until 9pm and tomorrow until 3pm. Motzoei Shabbos until 10:30pm. Beyond that TBD.The family respectfully requests no visitors between 6:30pm - 7:30pmNew York:
Kavod Acharon for Rav Moshe Hauer, ZTV’L, will be held at
JFK Airport at approx. 1:30 pm. This afternoon, Thursday, Oct. 16
75 North Hangar Rd.,
Jamaica Queens
***** Eretz Yisrael: The levaya for Rav Moshe Hauer zt"l in EY will be Friday 25 Tishrei, Oct. 17 at 1:30pm from Beis HaHespeidim Kehillos Yerushalayim a...
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Baltimore, MD - Oct. 16, 2025 - On Wednesday, October 15, the Baltimore City Health Department Animal Control unit was notified that a raccoon captured from Fallstaff Elementary Middle School tested positive for rabies.
According to Baltimore City School officials, on October 14, a raccoon was seen outside during dismissal, prior to making its way inside the school through an open door. Once spotted inside, school staff safely contained the raccoon under lockers using trash cans – until Animal Control Officers arrived. Once on scene and inside, Animal Control Officers were able to safely capture the raccoon from the school. At this time, no students or staff members have been reportedly bitten or injured.
“We take any potential rabies exposure seriously, especially...
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Baltimore, MD - Oct. 16, 2025 - On Shemini Atzeres night, my wife and I were blessed with a newborn son. Little did I realize that on that same night, my Rebbi – one of the most impactful people in my life – would be taken from us without warning. I am in complete shock and cannot find the words at this moment to eulogize him in any way. But in truth, I don’t know if I ever will. Rabbi Hauer’s influence on me runs much deeper than words. As I sit here at my desk at 1:00 am with my shirt torn, the few words of eulogy - which we read just this morning - written by Hashem Himself over the death of his most trusted servant, Moshe - will have to suffice: וימת משה עבד ה'.Moshe Rabbeinu’s life was summed up in those two words, Eved Hashem. ...
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Baltimore, MD - Oct. 5, 2025 - Mizmor L’Dovid – Help Finish His Sefer Torah
Dovid Steingroot saved for a Sefer Torah - now we can complete it his memory
Reb Dovid — oh, how we miss you.
Your warmth, your sincerity, your constant growth in Torah and avodas Hashem — they left an indelible mark on everyone who knew you. You were a true example of someone who lived with purpose, always striving to fulfill your mission in this world.
Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, decided your mission was complete. Though it’s hard to accept, we know you accomplished more in your years than many do in a lifetime.
One of your dreams was to fulfill the words, “וְעַתָּה כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת־הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת” — &ld...
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 16, 2025 - The email address Rabbihauermemories@gmail.com has been established to allow the community, near and far, to send memories, letters of tanchumin, and stories to be shared directly with the family of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ZTV”L.
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 16, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Zalmy and Ori Lavi on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 16, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Akiva and Malka Lerer on the birth a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mordechai & Marni Lerer and Rabbi & Rebetzin Shmuel & Aviva Silber.
Mazel tov to the great-grandparents Mr. Barry & Judy Silber and Dr. Gabriel & Florence Gurell.
Watch the Levayah at JFK Airport
The Houthis have confirmed that their Military Chief of Staff, Muhammad Abd Al-Karim al-Ghamari, who was wounded in an Israeli airstrike, succumbed to his wounds.
The IDF confirmed the elimination, stating: "Following an IDF strike targeting senior members of the Houthi terror regime on August 28th, 2025, it is now confirmed that the Houthi Chief of the General Staff, Muhammad al-Ghamari, was eliminated."
Al-Ghamari was appointed Chief of Staff in 2016 after holding a series of senior positions in the Houthi terror regime. Over the years, he played a key role in building the military capabilities of the Houthi terror regime, particularly in establishing its missile systems and weapons-production infrastructure.
As part of his role, al-Ghamari received training by terrorists from the Hez...
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 16, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Arthur M. Rosen, z’l, father of Tova Jussim.
The levayah will take place at Workmen's Circle Cemetery, 6842 German Hill Road, Baltimore, Maryland, 21222, on Friday, October 17th, 2025, at 12pm.
The family will be in mourning at 707 Maiden Choice Lane, #9208, Catonsville, MD 21228 and 3414 Bancroft Road, Baltimore, MD 21215.
Details to follow
בלע המוות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 16, 2025 – BJL deeply regrets to inform the community of the sudden and heartbreaking petirah of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, ZTV’L, husband of Rebetzin Mindi Hauer, father of Yissachar (Suri) Hauer, Shlomo (Aliza) Hauer, Devorah (Binyamin) Walfish, Batsheva (Yisroel) Neuberger, Chana (Moshe) Schneiweiss, Yehuda Leib (Bracha) Hauer, Rachel Hauer, son of Rabanit Miriam (Rabbi Benyamin, zt'l) Hauer, and brother of Gittit Pollack, Adina Erman, and Leah Farber.
The levayah will be held this morning, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 at 8:45 am at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion 6602 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215.Livestream will be available here beginning at approximately 8:30AM
Please note: The parking lot will be closed to vehicles except ...
נפלה עטרת ראשנו With a heart full of unspeakable sorrow, it is my terrible duty to share that Moreinu V'rabeinu, our teacher, our light and leader, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, has passed away. Rabbi Hauer זצוק"ל passed away suddenly on Shemini Atzeres night. It was the family's wish not to share this news on yom tov so that all the relatives could be properly informed. Instead of mourning on yom tov, we did together what made Rabbi Hauer happiest of all: we danced together, we sang together, we experienced yom tov as the kehillah hakedoshah that he so lovingly and painstakingly fashioned. I can only imagine what nachas he had from watching us be the shul that he wanted us to be. And now, we will mourn. The levaya and funeral details are still being arrang...
With tears in our eyes and hearts breaking, we share the devastating news of the loss of our beloved brother, rabbi, partner, friend, and Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l. Rabbi Hauer was a true talmid chacham, a master teacher and communicator, the voice of Torah to the Orthodox community and the voice of Orthodoxy to the world. He personified what it means to be a Torah Jew and took nothing more seriously than his role of sharing the joy of Jewish life with our community and beyond. Rabbi Hauer’s leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, deep compassion, and a vision rooted in faith in Hashem, integrity, and love for Klal Yisrael. Whether through his inspiring words, thoughtful counsel, powerful advocacy, or quiet acts of kindness, Rabbi Hauer up...
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 15, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Cheski and Tziporah Loewenthal on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel tov to the grandparents: Abe & Michele Loewenthal and Eliyahu & Yocheved Eskenazi
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
“This is the first time in my life that I can actually say Chag Sameach.”
Jerusalem, October 14, 2025 - On the eve of Simchat Torah, exactly two years after the darkest day in recent Israeli history, hundreds of Nova Festival survivors gathered in Jerusalem for a profoundly healing and hopeful holiday culminating in the joyous Hachnasat Sefer Torah procession through the streets and into the Great Synagogue.
Kesher Yehudi planned to host the Nova survivors for the complicated Yom Tov for a second year in a row, “in the merit of our hostages returning home.” No one imagined they would be celebrating the return home of all of Israel’s living hostages earlier that very day.
The beautiful Yom Tov event was held at the Olive Tree Hotel. It included s...
Jerusalem, Israel - Oct,. 15, 2025 -Prime Minister’s Office Announcement The Prime Minister’s Office, this evening (Wednesday, 15 October 2025) [translated from Hebrew]:Israel has received, via the Red Cross, two coffins containing the remains of fallen hostages, which were handed over to an IDF and ISA force inside the Gaza Strip.From there, the remains will be transferred to Israel, where they will be received in a military ceremony led by the IDF Chief Rabbi.They will then be transferred to the Health Ministry National Center of Forensic Medicine.Upon completion of the identification process, formal notification will be delivered to the families.All of the hostages' families have been updated accordingly, and our hearts are with them in this difficult hour. The eff...
Hours after releasing the living hostages it had been holding since October 7, 2023, the murderous terrorist organization Hamas on Monday evening executed several individuals in Gaza suspected of collaborating with Israel or being involved in the internal conflict between the terror organization and clans or militias in the Strip.
According to a report in Ynet, the executions were carried out in front of a cheering crowd, some of whom also filmed the executions.
Palestinian Arab sources stated that this was a targeted operation against operatives suspected of "treason" or connections with foreign entities.
Several weeks ago, social media pages affiliated with Hamas published chilling footage showing the public execution of three Gazans in Gaza City. Hamas accused the thre...