Maryland Governor allocates additional $5M for nonpublic school scholarships
By: BJLife/Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, Mid-Atlantic Region Director, Agudath Israel of America
The 2016 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly commenced last week, and on Wednesday, Governor Larry Hogan released his state budget for the upcoming year. Agudath Israel and its allies in the nonpublic school community, were excited to discover that in addition to the level funding of the Nonpublic Textbook Technology program ($6 million) and the Aging Schools Grant program ($3.5 million), the governor allocated an additional $5 million for nonpublic school scholarships. Those funds will work in tandem with the BOAST/Maryland Education Credit bill that will be reintroduced later on in the session.
MD Governor Larry Hogan with Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, director Agudath Israel Mid-Atlantic region
The 2016 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly commenced last week, and on Wednesday, Governor Larry Hogan released his state budget for the upcoming year. Agudath Israel and its allies in the nonpublic school community, were excited to discover that in addition to the level funding of the Nonpublic Textbook Technology program ($6 million) and the Aging Schools Grant program ($3.5 million), the governor allocated an additional $5 million for nonpublic school scholarships. Those funds will work in tandem with the BOAST/Maryland Education Credit bill that will be reintroduced later on in the session.
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 4, 2023 - This year, we begin vesein tal umotor livracha in the bracha of Baraych Aleinu in Shmoneh Esray at Maariv of Tuesday, December 5th. Usually, we begin this on Dec. 4th however, when the upcoming February has 29 days we begin on December 5th. Since December 2023 precedes February 29, 2024, this year vesein tal umotor begins on December 5th. For a detailed explanation of this, listen to this shiur by Rabbi Dovid Heber delivered last week.
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 2023 - Our hearts go out to Acheinu Bnei Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael and to anyone suffering, wherever they may be. Each of us, in our own capacity are doing the best we can to come together to help and support each other, during this challenging time.
Our dear friend Goli, is a local Choleh, who has been suffering profoundly for many years due to her severely compromised state. Her physical pain and limitations are exacerbated by unfathomable levels of profound isolation.
We appeal to you, our caring Baltimore community, to please do whatever you can, to provide her with an aide, to relieve some of her suffering.Endorsed by Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer and Rabbi Moshe Hauer. Please see letter below.
May we hear Besuros Tovos for all of Klal Yisrael very soon.&...
PINNED
Scroll for more news
GRAND WIG SALE U DONT WANT TO MISS, Sun., Dec. 3!!!!!
FIRST TIME EVER RAIZY KLEIN COMING TO BALTIMORE
$500 OFF ALL WIGS
SARYS STARTING AT $1450
RINAS AT $2050
IRENE LACE TOPS AT $2050 WE WILL BE ACCEPTING CASH, CC, AND ZELLE!!
CUT AT STYLE INCLUDED!!
718-232-1212
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Robert Birnbaum, z’l, father of Zvi Birnbaum
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 11AM November 30 at 11:00 in Montreal.
Zvi Birnbaum (443.683.9387 )will sit shiva in Montreal through Wednesday morning and can be reached at 443-683-9387.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Register here
Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rabbi Dovid Heber will discuss the halachic ramifications of keeping kosher on a gluten-free diet. The discussion will cover a range of topics, including:
How do you eat meals without bread? (e.g., Shabbos meals, kiddushim, Purim seuda, seudah hamafsekes, first two nights of Sukkos)
Continuing shalosh seudos past shkiya if you didn't wash
Status of oat flour challah and gluten-free wheat
Matza on Pesach
Minimum shiurim
How to decide if you are "allergic" enough to avoid grains?
YOUR questions!
We will also have a timely discussion about why this year we begin Tal U'Matar on December 5 and not on the 4th, as is usually the case.
Rabbi Dovid Heber is a Kashrus Administrator at STAR-K and Rav of Khal Ahavas Yisroel...
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 28, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Helen Broder, a’h, mother of Mrs. Robin (Jay) Schwarz, Mr. Glenn Broder and Mrs. Joy (Steven) Graber.
The levayah will be held at Levinson's on Wednesday, November 29th, 10:30 am. Shiva will be observed through Tuesday morning at 2600 Steele Road Baltimore MD 21209.Visiting Motzaei Shabbos: 6:30PM-10:00PMNo visitors please: 12:30 -1:30, 6 -7 and after 10 Shacharis at 7:00 AM,(Sunday:7:30AM)Mincha/Maariv 4:25 PM. [Erev Shabbos: 2:00PM]The family is asking for any stories of Mrs. Bubby Broder to be sent to mrsbrodermemories@gmail.com
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
Three objectives are the goal of the Israeli Government using precision targeting to avoid civilian deaths, spokesperson Eylon Levy told a Government Press Office media conference from Tel Aviv, on Monday, December 4, 2023. First a total demilitarization of Hamas, sustainable reconstruction, and deradicalization in Gaza. "The next generation has to know Israel is here to stay," Levy added.
The sole emphasis on the return of the hostages taken from Israel on October 7 and on defeating the military capacities of Hamas has finally been expanded to mention PA governance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in another media conference about the Palestinian Authority, "that it also educates its children to hate Jews."
Specifics on education are ext...
Visberg on Twitter: A soldier in Gaza sent a message to yeshiva bochurim
To the esteemed Yeshiva bochurim toiling in Torah
(I miss you so much)
Regrettably I am in Aza, and you are on the real front lines.
Your prayers and Torah study is protecting me every minute.
So, please. Do not stop learning and davening.
Be happy that you are privileged to learn Torah in calm and tranquility.
And accept upon yourselves to not talk during davening
Loving you so much -
Moshe Chaim ben Chava
For the first time since its establishment in 2005 - the Kfir Brigade is operating in the Gaza Strip: Kfir forces located over 30 tunnel shafts and destroyed them, the IDF Spokesperson announced.
"The Brigade soldiers are fighting in close-quarters with Hamas terrorists and are locating Hamas underground tunnels and destroying them," the IDF stated.
The Kfir Brigade is cooperating with engineering, armor and artillery forces, which are operating in the northern Gaza Strip to defeat Hamas forces and to carry out additional tasks aimed at enabling the IDF to continue its operation in the Gaza Strip.
As part of the brigade's activity in the Gaza Strip, soldiers uncovered more than 30 tunnel shafts. In addition, the soldiers directed dozens of airstrikes and about 100 artillery strikes...
After a day and a half with London’s Jewish community, the following are some of the memories I will take with me:* On the way there, Efrat the El Al flight attendant told me that this was her first flight since the outbreak of war with no family members of the hostages on board. “They are going all over the world to speak. They are amazing people with whom it is a privilege to fly.”* Girls in the Hasmonean High School in London tell me they conceal their star of David necklaces. Yet they also tell me that they have never been so proud and happy to be Jews.* How uplifting it was to enter the Ner Yisrael Synagogue to welcome Shabbat and to discover the congregants reading psalms — many with tears in their eyes — on behalf of Israel. A fund raising project...
Glen Burnie, MD - Dec. 4, 2023 - Maryland transportation and safety officials are urging all travelers in the state to rededicate themselves to safety on our roadway as preliminary data for 2023 shows a deadly trend for the year. In November, according to preliminary data, 38 people died in Maryland as a result of motor vehicle crashes.
So far in 2023, there have been 554 fatalities, including 135 pedestrians and 15 bicyclists. The overall fatalities reflect an 7.6% increase compared to the same time in 2022. At the current rate, Maryland is projected to record more than 600 motor vehicle crash fatalities this year – the first time that number has been seen since 2007.
Officials are reminding all Marylanders that crashes, fatalities and serious injuries are preven...
Hamas terrorists interrogated Israelis taken captive on their past service in the IDF, female hostages freed last week said following their return from captivity, Army Radio reported Monday morning.
The Israelis, taken hostage during the October 7 massacres and mass infiltration by Hamas, told this to Shin Bet officials upon their return from the Gaza Strip as part of the seven-day truce agreement.
Hamas terrorists used excessive force in interrogations
According to the freed hostages, Hamas terrorists often used excessive physical force as part of their interrogations of Israeli hostages, Army Radio reported.
In addition, the hostages reported that Hamas used several interrogation tricks during the long questioning periods.
As per Army Radio, the terrori...
The threat level has been raised in 80 countries for Israelis as a result of the Gaza war, according to a new list published by the National Security Council.
There are increased efforts by Iran and its proxies, such as Hamas, as well as by the elements of global jihad, to attack Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, the National Security Council said.
“This coincides with a continuous and significant increase in incitement, attempted attacks, and widespread manifestations of antisemitism in many countries,” it stated.
“We can’t say don’t go, what we can say is that Israelis should weigh where they go,” an NSC official said.
There is an unprecedented level of potential violence either due to terror attempts or rising antisemitism&nbs...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 4, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yossi & Tova Lurman on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov grandparents Ofer & Marcie Lurman and Jeffrey & Renee Reches and great-grandparents Rabbi Avraham & Susan Landesman
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
A senior security official, in a confidential briefing, shared insights on the escalated efforts to locate Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas. The official revealed, "There is a significant intelligence effort underway to track down Sinwar," emphasizing his misjudgment of the IDF's strength and his shock at recent military actions in Shifa.
Security forces are now focusing on the southern Gaza Strip, with an expectation that operations in areas like Khan Yunis and Rafah will be more effective than previous combat in northern Gaza. These actions, targeting the control centers of Hamas, are aimed at fulfilling the war's objectives and dismantling the organization's governmental and military capabilities.
In a separate high-ranking security discussion, it was cl...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 4, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Moshe Gerchikov & Rivka Slotchiver on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Mordechai & Helen Gerchikov and Rabbi Ezra & Gila Slotchiver
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 3, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Adina Speedone, a’h, mother of Asher Wollner and Yardena Wollner and sister of Miriam Goliger, Gilah Speedone, Amalia Goodfriend, Chana Speedone, and Daniel Speedone.
The levayah will be held at Levinson’s on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at 9:00AM.
Kevurah will take place at Beth Jacob Anshe Veshear Cemetery, 6700 Hamiltoin Ave, rosedale, MD, 21237
Shiva will be observed at 6011 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21209Shiva hours:M, Tue, Wed, Thu:9-12:302-5:307pm to 9pmFriday:9-12:30Motzaei Shabbos: 6pm-9pm
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...