Baltimore, MD - Feb. 19, 2026 - Maryland sheriffs who previously participated in the federal 287(g) program say they plan to keep working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in other ways, even after the governor signed a ban on formal 287(g) agreements.
Although the new law eliminates formal memorandums of understanding (MOU) with ICE, it does not end all cooperation with the agency.
Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees said, “So I created a policy.”
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said, “So we go forward still in partnership. Even if it’s not formal, even if the MOUs are banned.”
Gahler said Harford County will continue sharing information with ICE about people arrested in the county.
“We're going to provi...
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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 16, 2026 - As part of Kesser Torah’s current Mesikus HaTorah campaign, the yeshiva has released a song titled Mesikus HaTorah. Composed by Mrs. Ruchie Torgow and sung by the KT bochurim, the song gives powerful expression to the campaign’s theme. Its words are adapted from the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh.
In Parshas Ki Savo (Devarim 26:11), the Torah states:
ושמחת בכל הטוב אשר נתן לך ה' אלקיך ולביתך…
And you will be b’simcha with all the tov that Hashem has given you and your home…
On these words, the Ohr HaChaim explains that if a person genuinely grasped the sweetness of Torah, he would be so overwhelmed by its goodness that nothing else would hold any appeal. Torah would eclipse every other pursuit.
...
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Milcha is only 2 months old and is fighting a severe liver disease that is threatening her life.
Doctors have told her parents that her only chance to survive is urgent, advanced treatment abroad. The costs are overwhelming, and her family cannot do this alone.
Her mother, Feiga Tehila, is begging for help to save her baby girl.
Every donation helps give Milcha another chance to live.
Even sharing this message can help reach someone who can save her.
Please don’t ignore this. A baby’s life is at stake. 💔
👉 Donate and help save Milcha:
https://go.aloviakids.org/bn688nx1?utm_source=jbl16.2at
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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 16, 2026 - On Sunday, February 15 (28 Shevat), the JUSA House was filled with the energy of Ahavas Yisrael as the Jewish Uniformed Services Association of Maryland (JUSA-Chabad) and the Maryland Free State Post 167 of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) held their annual Mishloach Manos packing event.Led by Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, Director of JUSA-Chabad, and JWV Post 167 Commander Dan Berkovitz, a dedicated group of veterans and community members gathered to assemble over 150 festive packages. These gifts are destined for Jewish veterans across Maryland - many of whom are homebound or in care facilities - to ensure they can fulfill the mitzvah and feel the joy of the upcoming Purim celebrations.
"It is truly a Kiddush Hashem to see our veterans coming toge...
Naftuli Moster had grown up chassidish but had left the fold, and for years he made it his mission to challenge the world he came from.
He believed he had been shortchanged by the education he received. He felt unprepared for secular life and frustrated that he could not blend easily into American society.
So he turned outward, becoming one of the most prominent critics of the charedi community. Through advocacy groups, media projects, and public campaigns, he exposed what he saw as systemic flaws. He highlighted weak secular education and dependence on government assistance.
His activism triggered investigations, lawsuits, government hearings, and intense public scrutiny, and in the process intensified antisemitism. Yeshivos and community organizations felt that their core values and e...
President Donald Trump announced during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace on Thursday that nine members agreed to pledge $7 billion toward a Gaza relief package just days after $5 billion was pledged for reconstruction.
The president identified the countries contributing as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait. However, it is only a fraction of the estimated $70 billion needed to rebuild the Palestinian territory devastated during the two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
"Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of new and harmonious (region),” Trump said.
Trump added the U.S. was pledging $10 billion for the Board of Peace, but did not specify what it would be used for.U.S. Amb...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 15, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Louis Safier, z’l, brother of Mrs. Laura Ann (Rabbi Mordechai) Glazer.
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at 1:30PM at the Baron Hirsch cemetery in Memphis, TN.
Shiva in Baltimore will be observed by Mrs. Glazer at 3904 Fallstaff Road, Baltimore, MD 21215 on Friday from 10:00AM-3:00PM and on Motzaei Shabbos 7:30- 10:00PM.
Details to follow
בלע המות לנצח
Jeruaalem, Israel - Feb. 19, 2026 - The launch event for the 15th International Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon was held on Tuesday morning at the Givat Ram Stadium in Jerusalem, Israel. The marathon is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, featuring various race categories for professional runners, amateurs, and families, plus popular 5Km and 10Km races. Tens of thousands of runners and supporters participate each year.
The launch event marks the beginning of preparations for the marathon, which in recent years has become one of Israel’s largest social sporting events, continuing to highlight the connection between sport, community, and the Jerusalem spirit. Various US non-profit organizations participate each year, raising large sums for their wort...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 19, 2026 – (BJL) As Purim approaches, like many communities, we in Baltimore prepare for a season of unparalleled giving. While the halachic principle of Kol HaPoshait Yad encourages giving to “all who extend a hand,” the community is nonetheless urged to remain vigilant and exercise caution.
As most know from past years, each year “collectors” - including those from outside the Jewish community - may try to capitalize on the Purim spirit to solicit funds for unverified causes. The females present themselves in tznius attire in an apparent effort to blend in and not arouse suspicion.
The first incident reported to BJL this season involved individuals approaching shoppers -in several cases, including a woman carrying a baby or...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 18, 2026 - This past Motzei Shabbos, dozens of families from across the Baltimore community attended a Naava Kodesh Melava Malka to hear and engage in a meaningful discussion about living in Eretz Yisrael.
The event took place in Ohel Moshe’s new hall and was co-hosted by three local kehillos: Congregations Ohel Moshe, Shomrei Emunah, and Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion (BJSZ).
The evening was made possible through the generous sponsorship of The Dream Raffle, whose partnership enables Naava Kodesh to bring vital resources and open conversations to the Baltimore community about living in Eretz Yisrael.
The program offered both inspiration and a practical discussion focused on keeping Eretz Yisrael at the forefront of people’s minds and, ultimately, on meriting t...
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is fighting back against President Donald Trump's accusations that the governor is to blame for the massive sewage leak in the Potomac Interceptor pipe.
Moore addressed the President's comments at the start of a Board of Public Works meeting on Wednesday.
RELATED | Trump says FEMA will handle Potomac River sewage spill cleanup
"Before we get started, I know that everybody has seen the President’s tweet about the sewage pipe spill. It is typically unhinged. It is riddled with insults—but it's also riddled with massive inaccuracies, " Moore said.
Moore is referring to a Truth Social post Trump put online Monday."There is a massive Ecological Disaster unfolding in the Potomac River as a result of t...
Top national security officials have informed US President Donald Trump that the United States military is prepared for potential strikes against Iran as early as this Saturday, CBS News reported on Wednesday.
However, sources familiar with the high level discussions told CBS News that the timeline for any potential action is likely to extend beyond this coming weekend.
President Trump has not yet reached a final decision regarding whether to move forward with the strikes, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters of national security. The ongoing conversations were described as fluid, with the White House carefully weighing the risks of escalation against the political and military consequences of restraint.
In preparati...
Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 18, 2026 - Following a run of six highly successful performances in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, David the Servant King has received overwhelming acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Audience feedback was unanimously enthusiastic—an across-the-board “two thumbs up”—with many women returning for repeat viewings and bringing along family and friends.
Featuring music and lyrics by composer Shlomit Koffler Weinreb (formerly known as Shalomis Weinreb) and a compelling script co-written by Avital Macales and Weinreb, the by-women, for-women musical was hailed as a true masterpiece. Praise poured in for its professional-level script, powerful acting, soaring music, brilliant directing, choreography, costumes, and exquisite vocal performances a...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 18, 2026 - Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rav Mordechai Frankel will be joined by Rabbi Avrohom Kaufman to discuss the halachos of a kosher haircut. Topics to be discussed will include:What to watch out for when going to a barberWhat to be careful about when giving a haircut at homeDiagrams and photos to demonstrate what is permittedYOUR questions!Click here to registerRabbi Avrohom Kaufman has 15 years of experience as a barber and is a kollel member of Ohr Halacha. He recently translated a sefer on this topic into English, which he entitled A Kosher Haircut. The sefer includes detailed laws and diagrams. He is a Baltimore native who now makes his home in Kiryat Sefer, Israel.To submit questions:Email us prior to the program at webinar@star-k.orgAsk questions via chat d...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 18, 2026 -The fifth annual Family First Lecture brought together Rabbi Yisroel Motzen, Dr. Tammy Mintz, and Dr. Zipora Schorr for a candid, thoughtful conversation to an audience that included parents and school leaders on how to raise emotionally healthy, resilient Jewish children today. Many attendees described the evening, hosted by Jewish Educational Services, as “refreshing,” noting how well the panelists complemented one another and how “relaxed, informative, and enjoyable” the conversation felt. Moderated by Rabbi Aaron Levitt, Executive Director of Jewish Educational Services, the program also honored the memory and enduring impact of Rebbetzin Dr. Aviva Weisbord, whose warmth, authenticity, and unwavering belief in people continue to gu...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 18, 2026 – 11:15AM (BJL) Due to a power surge, the main TA phone line is not currently operational. Parents should email the relevant division office if they need to reach the school. TA’s IT team is actively working on the issue and hopes to have it resolved soon.
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 17, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yair Greiniman (Denver) and Rivka Gourdji (Baltimore) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim & Devorah Leah Gourdji
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 17, 2026 - Crews are working to fix potholes across the city, with several visible potholes Tuesday morning being repaired by the afternoon.
Still, drivers said they never know when a new one is going to pop up, so they’ve been taking it slow to prevent damage to their cars.
“It’s like a bump. You can hurt yourself. And if a woman is pregnant, she can have her baby before her time,” one woman said.
The 2026 pothole season has proven to be unforgiving, offering drivers with a variety of sizes to try to avoid on the road.
The dreaded car damagers can be seen across the city, including one on Interstate 83 North that’s down to the rebar.
There’s also the bare crater, which comes in all sizes and clusters.
“It’s like ri...
