Baltimore, MD – October 7, 2026 – BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Ruchama Hoffman on his daughter's engagement to Yisroel Meir Munk (Lakewood).
Mazel Tov to the parents HaRav Dovid and Chaya Hoffman.
!יה”ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
Days after surviving the terrifying incident aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, a group of passengers visited Kever Rochel to offer thanks to Hashem for their rescue. Among them was Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist from Holon who helped save the captain’s life and played a role in stabilizing the situation during the emergency.
“I know this is a place of tefillah and requests for yeshuos, but this time I chose to come here to say thank you,” Musayev said upon arriving. “After everything we went through, there are moments when a person simply needs to stop and thank HaKadosh Baruch Hu.”
The survivors first spent time davening at the tzion of Rochel Imeinu before joining yungeleit from the Kever Rochel institutions’ network of kollelim. Toget...
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was booed and called a “traitor” and “sellout” Wednesday night as pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted an October 7 memorial vigil in Manhattan’s Union Square. The vigil was organized by Israelis for Peace to remember victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack while also honoring Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza. Around 200 protesters arrived at the event, according to amNewYork, outnumbering the organizers and prompting police to place barricades between the groups.
The protesters shouted over speakers and chanted “Long Live Hamas,” while some carried Palestinian flags and chanted “Normalize the intifada.” Mamdani was also targeted by the protesters, who accused him of betraying the Pales...
FAMILY OPENS BEDROOM LOCKED SINCE MASSACRE AS ZAKA VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE FINAL SACRED WORK FOR ELITZUR HAJBI, Z”L
YAKHINI, Israel – Three years after the October 7 massacre, the final victim killed in the attack at Moshav Yakhini has been brought to rest after his family opened a bedroom that had remained locked since the morning he was murdered.
Elitzur Hajbi, z”l, was killed in the Hamas attack on Yakhini on October 7, 2023. His family was unable to access the room where he was killed. While the rest of the home was cleaned and restored, the room remained sealed for three years.
In recent days, ahead of the third anniversary of October 7, the family finally gathered the strength to open the door. They found remains inside and contacted ZAKA Search & Rescue fo...
Baltimore, MD - October 8, 2026 - BeMore Giving is pleased to announce that Rabbi Elie Meyer has been appointed as its new Executive Director.
BeMore Giving is a unique charitable organization dedicated to providing financial support to institutions and organizations throughout the greater Baltimore Jewish community. For years, BeMore Giving has helped facilitate financial support for dozens of local organizations through a model designed to make giving both simple and consistent.
Rather than relying solely on occasional large donations, BeMore Giving focuses on building a steady group of constituents who give small amounts of tzedakah to a nominated organization on a daily basis. The model benefits the organizations receiving the funds while also encouraging individuals to make tzed...
New York, NY – October 7, 2026 - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew criticism from Israeli officials and Jewish leaders Wednesday after releasing a statement commemorating the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre that devoted substantial attention to accusations against Israel (see X post below).
While Mamdani acknowledged the atrocities committed by Hamas, including the murder of more than 1,100 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages, he quickly shifted his focus to Israel's military campaign in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of genocide, apartheid, and war crimes.
“This day is profoundly painful for so many New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote, expressing sympathy for those who continue to mourn the victims of the October 7 attack.
However, m...
Baltimore, MD – October 7, 2026 - There is nothing quite like the sweet sound of Torah learning filling the halls of a yeshiva.
That beautiful sound returned to Yeshivas Toras Simcha on Tuesday as the talmidim came back from Yom Tov refreshed, enthusiastic, and excited to reunite with their Rebbeim, moros, and friends. Smiles and warm greetings filled the hallways as friends eagerly shared their Yom Tov experiences with one another.
Before long, however, the familiar and cherished sound of kol Torah once again reverberated throughout the building. Chumashim and Gemaras were opened, voices filled the classrooms, and the Yeshiva was once again alive with the energy of Torah learning.
And what a special way to begin! While Parshas Bereishis often seems to pass by much too quickly, th...
On Isru Chag, following a brief illness, my Aunt Judy Hoffman, a”h, was nifteres. Tante Judy was born in Baltimore, the daughter of Max and Shirley Rosen. Her father, a founder of Chofetz Chaim-Adath B'nei Israel Congregation (The Adas), took tremendous pride in his daughter marrying a yeshiva bochur, my dear Uncle Leiby Hoffman. Together, they were a power couple: my uncle, tall and handsome with a larger-than-life personality, and Tante Judy beside him like a queen, every step of the way. Their home on Yeshiva Lane was open to bochurim and people from all walks of life. There was always someone coming through the door, always a conversation, always something happening, always song and laughter.
It was in that home that they raised a beautiful family, children who shared the...
Baltimore, MD – October 7, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of R’ Dovid Katz, a”h, husband of Chani Katz and father of Chavie (Menashe) Minkin, Brochie (Yitzchok) Gutterman, Dvorah (Dovid) Markowitz, Yitzy (Adina) Katz, and Michal (Simcha) Razckowski.
The levaya will take place Thursday, October 8, at 9:00 AM at Sol Levinson & Bros., 8900 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21208.
Kevura will take place in Lakewood, NJ around 1-1:30pm.
Shiva will be observed until Wednesday morning, October 14th at 3109 Shelburne Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 beginning on Friday morning. MinyanimShacharis: 7:45amMincha: 6:20pmMincha-Friday: 2:00pmMaariv: Follows Mincha
The family requests no visitors from 12:30–1:30 PM, 5:00–6:00 PM, or after...
More than 60 million American children under age 18 have been automatically enrolled in Trump Accounts, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. The accounts, also known as 530A accounts, are designed to help children begin building savings and investments for the future.
The program officially launched July 4 and is available to U.S. children under 18 who have a Social Security number. Until now, parents or guardians had to take steps to enroll their children. The new system automatically creates the account for eligible children, but parents or guardians must claim it before they can manage the account or allow others to contribute.
They can claim the account through the Trump Accounts app by verifying their identity and relationship to the child and accepting the account terms. ...
Scroll down for photosBaltimore, MD – October 7, 2026 -From Motzei Yom Kippur through Hoshana Rabbah, Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah was alive with Torah, Tefillah, and the simcha of Yom Tov, with a full schedule of learning, special programs, and cherished minhagim.
The Yom Tov season began with the Mafsik Tish on Motzei Yom Kippur, followed by preparations for Sukkos at Mercaz Arba Minim, where the Zidichover Rebbe personally checked lulavim and esrogim.
Throughout Chol Hamoed, the Beis Medrash remained filled with kol Torah through Avos Ubanim and special Bein Hazmanim learning. The younger boys enjoyed a special Neilas HaChag program with Rebbe Hill, while Hoshana Rabbah included Mishneh Torah leining with Izzy Hyatt.
On Leil Hoshana Rabbah, bochurim gathered at 11:15 PM for a ...
Jewish schools around the world are seeing increased enrollment since October 7, as more families choose Jewish education and seek stronger connections to Jewish identity and community. The trend comes as Jewish families also face growing concerns about antisemitism and safety.
In both the United Kingdom and France, educators report that enrollment has increased, with many new students coming from families who previously sent their children to secular schools. In France, there are more than 90,000 Jewish children of school age, but Jewish schools currently have space for only about 35,000 students. Some schools are expanding their facilities to accommodate the growing demand. One French educator described the situation by saying, “We need to extend and expand our capacity.&rdquo...
Scroll for photo essayBaltimore, MD – October 6, 2026 - It was a morning that will not soon be forgotten at Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim - Talmudical Academy of Baltimore.
Approximately 250 alumni returned to TA on Tuesday, October 6, for the Yeshiva’s inaugural Alumni Yarchei Kallah, filling the campus with an extraordinary combination of Torah, kavod haTorah, friendship, and a genuine sense of coming home.
The theme of the event was “Back to TA - Where It All Began,” and from the moment the first alumni began arriving, that feeling was unmistakable.
In fact, dozens came well before the scheduled start time. They helped themselves to refreshments, caught up with old friends and Rebbeim, and filled the lobby with conversation and laughter, almost as if they had n...
Israel is preparing for a possible increase in Jewish immigration from France as unrest continues across the country. Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer told the cabinet that Israel should prepare a plan to help absorb a potential wave of French Jewish immigrants, including those who may have fewer financial resources.
The call comes as student protests and clashes with police have spread across France. Protests began last week at hundreds of schools, with demonstrators blocking school entrances and roads, setting garbage bins on fire and clashing with police.
Israel has already seen a record number of Jewish immigrants from France this year. Nearly 4,000 French Jews have made aliyah, about 40% more than last year. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said funding should be provided...
Baltimore is adding a new ingredient to its drinking water: the Susquehanna River. With drought conditions continuing to strain the city’s reservoirs, Baltimore has turned to the river as a backup water source.
About 30 million gallons of Susquehanna River water a day will travel approximately 39 miles to the Montebello Filtration Plants. There, it will be blended with water from the Prettyboy and Loch Raven reservoirs before being treated and tested.
The change affects customers served by the Montebello plants in East Baltimore and Baltimore County. Some residents may notice a slight difference in the taste, odor or color of their water, although most people are not expected to notice much of a change.
The blended supply is expected to contain between 20% and 40% Susquehanna Rive...
Free long-term residential recovery community for Jewish men will openits doors October 12BALTIMORE, MD — After a decade of operating in Israel, AZ House willopen its first U.S. location in Baltimore on October 12, bringing itsfree, long-term residential recovery model to the American Jewishcommunity.The eight-bed Baltimore home will provide Jewish men struggling withaddiction a safe, kosher, structured environment in which to buildlasting recovery and rebuild their lives. As with AZ House in Israel,there is no charge to residents or their families.Founded in Jerusalem in 2016 by Eric Levitz, AZ House marks its tenthanniversary this year with hundreds of alumni and more than 250cumulative years of recovery within its community."AZ House was built around a very simple idea," said Levi...
Baltimore, MD – October 6, 2026 – President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point Tuesday afternoon to announce a major expansion of U.S. submarine production, including a planned $3.7 billion Anduril Industries shipyard expected to create 3,100 permanent jobs.
The new facility, known as Arsenal-2, will cover more than 2 million square feet and manufacture components and large assemblies for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. Anduril says the project will support more than 11,000 additional jobs and generate an estimated $2 billion in annual economic output in Maryland.
The company plans to begin with critical components, including torpedo tubes, before eventually producing larger submarine sections. The completed submarines w...
The Lessons We Cannot Afford to Miss
Our Sages teach us not to be indifferent. Not to let things simply pass us by. Not to treat everything as a random occurrence, a meaningless coincidence. Not to look at reality as nothing more than a collection of news stories that have nothing to say to us.
Let’s look for a moment at the rescue of the Flydubai plane last week. Naturally, we are always looking for the “hero” of the story. But this week, there wasn’t just one hero. There was an extraordinary chain of rescue, made up of many small pieces that came together — many pieces of a puzzle.
There was the woman who heard a noise and realized that something was wrong; the pilot who had been stabbed and apparently managed to open the door; the heroes who overpowere...
