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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.
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Baltimore, MD - July 2, 2026 - The Baltimore community recently marked the shloshim of Karen Cohn, יוכבד רבקה בת מאיר ע״ה - a milestone of grief and reflection for a woman whose impact radiated far beyond her immediate family. To the countless close friends who made up her massive, lifelong circle, she was a fiercely loyal confidante. To hundreds of young singles over the years, she became an “Aunt” - a surrogate mother, an advocate, and a living example of selfless devotion.
Her passing on the 9th of Sivan has left an unimaginable void. For over 51 years, Karen and her husband, Jeff, built a beautiful, vibrant life together. Their home was a place of endless warmth, laughter, and a beautiful legacy of children, grandchildren, and great-grandch...
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Dor Holech VeDor Ba
When I was born 80 years ago, my parents had three teenage children. All have now passed away, my sister at the age of 96½. This marks the end of that era.
Many of you know that we come from Montgomery, Alabama, the Heart of Dixie. I was fortunate to go away to yeshiva, but what was it like in those years—the 1940s, before I was born? In short, what type of Jewish environment did my big sister have growing up?
One year ago, my daughter Shani decided the two of us should go visit Elsie. She said, "Let's go while she is alert and able to appreciate our visit." She bought the tickets and made all the arrangements.
I want to share with you what my sister told me about growing up in the Oberstein home long ago.
First of all, the grandparents lived in t...
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Baltimore, MD – July 2, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Lawrence Niemen, z"l, husband Dr. Linda Niemen, and father of Danielle Sarah (Frank) Storch and Aaron Niemen.
The Levayah will be held at Levinson's on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 2:30 PMKevurah will take palce at Beth Tfiloh cemetery.
Shiva will be observed at 3209 Fallstaff Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 (Ari Fuld Building in rear of house)Parking available in the back of the houseMinyanim:Shacharis - N/AMincha/Maariv: 8:20PMMincha: Erev Shabbos: 4:30PMVisiting Times:Mon – Thurs: 10 am – 12:30 pm and 6-9:30 pmFriday: 10 am – 12:30 pm and 3-5 pm
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Your year to grow.
Your year to ask.
Your year to connect.
Your year to make it all your own.
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Comfortable Dormitory In the heart of Flatbush.
Trips, Shabbatons & Mo...
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, that US forces were likely to strike Iran again tonight.
"They are behaving very badly, as they have for 47 years," Trump said about the regime, noting that the US "hit them hard" after they launched drones and a missile at ships.
"We'll probably hit them again tonight. I'll give them a little warning; we're going to hit them hard tonight," he added and stressed his dissatisfaction with the regime.
According to the President, "It's not even a war; it's the denuclearization of Iran. It's not about regime change. Even though I think it's regime change when you knock out the first group, the second group, I think ...
Baltimore, MD – July 8, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Eli and Ahuva Englander on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Dovid & Chaya Fink
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – July 7, 2026 – (BJL) Despite a power outage affecting part of the Agudah Park Heights neighborhood, life at Agudah continued without missing a beat. The photos capture the resilience and determination of the community, as the boys remained focused on their learning in the dark and Maariv proceeded as scheduled. Even without electricity, the commitment to Torah and tefillah never flickers.
MIDTOWN EAST, Manhattan (WABC) -- The effort to stabilize an under-construction high-rise in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday is expected to last "into the night," keeping streets shut down and buildings evacuated, officials said.
A city official said a team that was sent in late Tuesday afternoon has completed their initial assessment and contractors can now move forward with the installation of temporary shoring to stabilize the building.
It all started when a structural column buckled on the 21st floor, and additional structural issues were subsequently discovered, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.
"The building remains unstable," Mamdani said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon, as there had been additional movement in one of the columns since city officials arrived. "This i...
Baltimore, MD - July 7, 2026 - Just months after Maryland lawmakers approved a utility relief package aimed at lowering energy costs, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is seeking another increase that would raise the average residential customer's bill by about $8 a month.
The utility has asked the Maryland Public Service Commission to approve the increase as part of its latest rate case, saying the additional revenue is needed "to sustain a safe and reliable system," not to fund new programs or services.
If approved, the increase would cost the average customer about $96 a year, offsetting a significant portion of the estimated annual savings many customers are expected to receive under Maryland's recently passed Utility Relief Act.
The request comes as many Marylander...
Baltimore, MD – July 5, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Sidie Weiskopf, a’h, mother of Rabbi Mordechai Weiskopf.Shiva is being observed at 9 Melaney Dr., Monsey NY 10952 (right side of the house) through Friday.
Minyanim
Shacharis - 8:00 am
Mincha/Maariv - 8:20 pm
Visiting Hours
The family requests no visitors between 12:30 to 2:00 pm and after 11:00 pm. Rabbi Weiskopf can be reached on his phone at 443-540-1626.
בלע המות לנצח
The United States decided on Tuesday to revoke the general license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil after several Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior administration official called Iran's actions in the Strait "wholly unacceptable" and said they will be met with consequences.
The official reiterated, "As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior."
Earlier, three tankers reported being hit by Iranian missile fire in the Strait of Hormuz and a nearby area. One of the vessels struck by Iranian missiles was a Qatari-owned liquefied natural gas tanker. In response, Qatar summoned the Iranian ambassador for a formal reprima...
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday morning that its forces launched a series of powerful strikes against Iran.
The official statement was published minutes after Iran reported intense explosions in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and the port city of Sirik.
CENTCOM said the purpose of the strikes was "to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway."
It added, "The US strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."
The US strikes followed the Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz earl...
Baltimore, MD – July 7, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dani Samet (Baltimore) and Gitty Schneider (Ramat Beit Shemesh) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Ronnie & Aliza Samet and Ari & Leba Schneider
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - July 7, 2026 - Bonnie Road is Closed Between Labyrinth and Szold
Baltimore, MD - July 7, 2026 - With the recent extreme heat subsiding, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will resume normal solid waste operations effective Tuesday, July 7. Residents should place their trash and recycling out according to their regular collection schedules.
In addition, Residential Recycling Drop-Off Centers, the Quarantine Road Landfill, and the Northwest Transfer Station have returned to their normal operating hours.
Solid Waste crews will continue to complete any remaining delayed collections as quickly as possible.
We appreciate residents' patience and understanding while crews worked safely during the period of excessive heat.
Summer Collection Hours Remain in Effect
DPW's summer sanitation collection schedule remains in effect. ...
Baltimore, MD – July 6, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Elsie Blum, a''h, sister of Rabbi Elchonon Oberstein.
The levaya and kevura will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. Shiva will be observed at 3002 W. Strathmore Avenue, from Wednesday morning through Monday morning. Minyanim:
Shacharis: 8:30 am Mincha/Maariv: 6:50 pm The family respectfully requests no visitors from 12:30-1:30 pm, 5:30-6:30 pm and after 10:00 pm.
בלע המות לנצח
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