|
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.
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 6, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Simi Franco, a'h, wife of Sammy Franco, mother of Nathan (Jessie) Franco, Abie Franco, Luna Perez, Michael Franco and Jessica Franco, daughter of Janet (Melvin, z'l) Rottenberg, and sister of Mindy (Shmuel)Tolchinsky and Jerry Rottenberg.Shiva through Wednesday, April 15, begins fiday morning with Shacharit at 7:30AM at 11525 Monticello Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902.The family respectfully requests no visitors:
Between 12 PM and 1 PM
Between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM
After 10 PM
On Friday, April 10, shiva will conclude at 5 PM. Minyan Times:Please note there will be NO shiva minyan on either Motzaei Chag or Motzaei Shabbos but visiting is until 10P...
PINNED Scroll for more news 
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 5, 2026:
Q: There is a bracha which is recited once a year upon seeing a newly flowering fruit-bearing tree. I have a number of questions regarding Birchas Ha’ilonos:
When is the optimal time to say this bracha? Does the bracha have to be said during the month of Nisan?
What rules apply concerning the location of the person when saying the bracha? How far away can you be from the tree when saying the bracha? Can you be inside a house or other structure? Can you be in a car? Is it necessary to be at a site where there is more than one tree?
What limitations are there regarding the type of tree over which this bracha may be recited? Does the tree need to be fruit bearing? How old should the tree ...
PINNED Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 30, 2026:Baltimore Pesach Zmanim 2026 - Eruvs are UP!
Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable color versionClick here for a black-and-white version
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 7, 2026 - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We are crushing the terrorist regime in Iran. But we are doing so with even greater vigor, and with increasing force. Yesterday, we destroyed transport planes and dozens of helicopters. Today, we attacked the train tracks and bridges used by the Revolutionary Guards.”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 7 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:"I tell you constantly that we are crushing the terrorist regime in Iran. But we are doing so with even greater vigor, and with increasing force.Yesterday, our pilots destroyed transport planes and dozens of helicopters at an Iranian Air Force base. Today, they attacked the train tracks and bridges used by the Revolutionary Guards. They use these to transpo...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 7, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Bayla Bracha Jacobson, a’h, daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Jacobson of Los Angeles, sister of Chananya (Mindy) Jacobson of Baltimore, Nechemya (Chaya) Jacobson of Detroit, Elchonon (Hadas) Jacobson of Passaic, Sora (Shlomo) Selkin and Laya (Shalom) Shulman of Lakewood, and Elisheva (Aharon) Zuckerberg of Queens.
The levaya will take place at noon today, Tuesday, April 7, at King Solomon Cemetery in Clifton, NJ.
Shiva details (in Lakewood) to follow.
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 7, 2026 – (BJL) Heavy fire activity reported at 11 Slade Ave, with numerous fire trucks responding from multiple directions. Expect significant delays in the area.
Baltimore, MD — Apr. 7, 2026 — 9:10 AM (BJL) — A Freeze Warning has been issued for the Baltimore area, effective from midnight tonight through 9:00 AM Wednesday, April 8.
After a relatively mild day, temperatures are expected to drop sharply overnight into the upper 20s and low 30s. Prepare for a winter-like chill by tomorrow morning.
Conditions are expected to remain dry, but the cold will be biting until mid-morning Wednesday.
US President Donald Trump warned that a civilization will "die tonight" if Iran does not accede to his ultimatum to reach an agreement to end the current war.
"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform this afternoon. "I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will."
"However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!" he said.
Yesterday, the President gave a speech in whi...
On the 7th day of Pesach, we commemorate the Greatest Nes done in the presence of man. 600,000 people witnessed the Splitting of the Sea and all of the other associated miracles. Indeed, the Nes was of such a magnitude that Moshe Rabbeinu and all of the men busrt out into Shira – song to commemorate, admire and appreciate what Hashem had just done for them. Then, the Torah diverts to tell us that Miriam Haniviya took drums and all the women sang Shira with her. In telling us that Miriam also sang Shira, the Torah repeats one Pasuk and one Pasuk only, in alluding to her having sung the whole Shira. The Pasuk says “Sus Verochvo Rama Vayam” – That the horse and its rider were drowned in the sea.
Why was this Pasuk chosen and associated wi...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 6, 2026 – 5:45PM (BJL) - An accident on 795 south by Owings Mills Exit 4 has the right lane and shoulder closed.h/t: BMore Traffic
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 6, 2026 - Please note these 2 important items not listed on the update below:1. Do not visit Dunkin' until after 9:30PM on Thursday evening becasue of the issue of כדי שיעשו2. Safeway is not listed as one of the stores recommended for purchasing chometz immediately after Pesach. Non-chometz items may be purchased. Please see the list below to determine which items are chametz and which are not. Purchases of chometz should take place only four weeks after Pesach, May 8, 2026.
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 6, 2026 - A crash on Interstate 695 in Baltimore County near Exit 12B at Maryland 372 (Wilkens Avenue) is causing major lane closures on both the Inner Loop and Outer Loop, affecting multiple travel lanes and shoulders, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration.
Officials say on the Inner Loop, two of four lanes are closed, including the two left traffic lanes and the shoulder.
On the Outer Loop, three of five lanes are closed, including the two left traffic lanes, the right traffic lane, and both shoulders.
At this time, its unclear how many vehicles were involved or if anyone was injured in the crash.
Baltimore, MD — Apr. 6, 2026 — 12:20 PM (BJL) — A multi-car accident at the intersection of Park Heights Avenue and Hooks Lane is causing significant traffic delays. We suggest seeking an alternate route at this time.h/t: BMore Traffic
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 6, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rebbetzin Doris Fine, a"h, sister of Judy Garfinkel/Scheuer.
Shiva will begin Motzaei Pesach, Thursday, April 9, at 6113 Berkeley Ave, #A2 Baltimore, MD 21209.
Visting times:
Thursday, April 9, Motzaei Yom Tov 9pm-10pm
Friday, April 10, 9am-2pm
Motzaei Shabbos, April 11, 9pm-10pm
Sunday, April 12, 9am-11am
Shiva will be completed in Scranton on Wednesday morning, Apr. 15
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 6, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Aaron and Naomi Tendler on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Hillel Tendler and Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo Spetner
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 5, 2026 - The community-wide transition for this year’s Biyur Chometz to the Reisterstown Road Plaza was a resounding success, with every logistical detail handled flawlessly. This small sampling of photos reflects just how smoothly the morning unfolded, a testament to the massive coordination that made the move from Pimlico seamless.BJL thanks B. Ansbacher Photography and Yosef Weil w/ Yocha Visuals for their photos
Annapolis, MD - Apr. 5, 2026 - Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is facing one of the most politically difficult stretches of his administration after newly released University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) polls show his approval rating dropping below 50% for the first time during his time in office, while concerns are piling up about his honesty, leadership and the state’s economic outlook.
The UMBC poll found 48% of surveyed Marylanders approve of the job Moore is doing, while 42% disapprove and 9% remain undecided. The numbers mark the governor’s lowest public rating since taking office in 2023 and continue a downward trend from 54% in October 2024 and 52% in October 2025.
Well, it ain’t good,” said Todd Eberly, a political science professor...
Jerusalem, Israel – Apr. 5, 2026 – This year’s Chol Hamoeid Birkat Kohanim at the Kotel, which typically draws tens of thousands of people, was significantly scaled back. Due to ongoing security concerns and the threat of missile attacks, the Home Front Command, police, and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation limited access to the minyan held inside at Wilson’s Arch, located at the northeast corner of the Kotel Plaza.
Birkas Kohanim begin at the 56:42 mark.
Haifa Area, Israel – Apr. 5, 2026 – In the Haifa area, MDA EMTs and paramedics are providing medical treatment at the scene to four casualties, including an approximately 82-year-old man in serious condition who was injured by a heavy object, and three casualties in mild condition with shrapnel and blast injuries. Additional teams are providing medical treatment to four people suffering from anxiety symptoms.
When emergency teams arrived at the street, they saw a multi-story building that had been hit, with extensive destruction at the scene. Residents reported that there were casualties trapped under the rubble on the lower floors. Responders managed to move large pieces of concrete by hand and rescued an 82-year-old man from the debris who was in serious condition but consci...
More articles
|
Fri 7:22 pm
Fri 7:22 pm
