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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 – Feb, 2026 - Are you nervous about Kashering for Pesach; unsure you will get it done properly? Are you afraid the water will ruin your cabinets and create a mess in your kitchen? Are you moving into a new house and need the kitchen kashered; stress-free? Click here: https://t.ly/UknmP For the last seven years, The Kashering Konnection, has been servicing the Baltimore and DC communities. Coordinated through Star-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler, experienced, professional Mashgichim are available to come to your home and ensure an easy, mess-free and 100% properly-done Kashering of your kitchen and appliances. From ovens to stoves, counters to sinks, The Kashering Konnection can help you prepare for Pesach in an easy and affordable w...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 6, 2026 – Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour as Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday at 2:00 a.m.
The change means sunrise and sunset will occur later, bringing longer daylight hours in the evening. Sunday, Mar. 8, 2026:Neitz: 7:29AMChatzos 1:18PM Shkiah: 7:06PMTzais: 7:57PM
Safety Reminder: Fire officials recommend using the time change as an opportunity to check and replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.
The IDF on Saturday evening launched an attack on Iran’s national oil sites, for the first time since the start of the war.
The strike targeted 30 oil storage tanks.
A source in Iran’s Oil Ministry said: "Israeli fighter jets attacked three oil depots this evening - in Kohak, Shahran, and Karaj."
The IDF confirmed: "The Israeli Air Force, with the guidance of IDF intelligence, struck a number of fuel storage facilities in Tehran a short while ago."
"The military forces of the Iranian terrorist regime make direct and frequent use of these fuel tanks to operate military infrastructure. Through them, the Iranian terrorist regime distributes fuel to various consumers, including military entities in Iran.
"This is a significant strike that constitutes an additional step in deep...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Saturday, 7 March 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:"My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel.We are in a fateful campaign for our very existence. A week has passed since the start of Operation Roaring Lion and I want to salute our heroic pilots, the ground crews that are working around the clock, and our courageous fighters in Lebanon and on all fronts.I wish to express my deepest appreciation to you, the citizens of Israel, for your steadfastness, for the way you are conducting yourselves in this emergency, understanding the gravity of the hour and following Home Front Command instructions which truly save lives.In the secure rooms and protected spaces, you are demonstrating a powerful spirit. You tell me, the Government, and our heroic so...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 6, 2026 - Please be advised that STAR-K is certifying only these three Rita’s locations in Maryland for the 2026 season:
224 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville
9103 Reisterstown Road in the Valley Village Shopping Center (near Yeshiva Lane) in Owings Mills
13621 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring
The Groffs Mill Drive location in New Town Village in Owings Mills is no longer certified.
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 6, 2026 - Last night the Baltimore community commemorated the yahrzeit of Sar HaTorah, HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky, ZTL, at Shomrei Emunah. In a show of our special community, over 20 shuls joined in sponsoring this event.The crowd was privileged to hear divrei chizuk and bracha from Harav Daniel Glatstein, noted Rav and renowned author and speaker. He spoke about Rav Kanievsky’s unique hasmada, humility, and diligence, and infused the crowd with chizuk at a time of great uncertainty in the world. He also spoke about how the world certainly misses Rav Chaim's presence to help guide us during these times.
The oilam was also zoche to join in a siyum made by Reb Shlomo Shulman on Yerushalmi Maseches Beitza.
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 6, 2026 - Excitement is building at Torah Institute Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchak as visible preparations for the school’s new building project continue to move forward. Pink ribboned stakes and high-visibility fencing have been placed around the campus, clearly marking the areas where work will soon begin. In addition, several tractors and pieces of construction equipment have already arrived on site, signaling that the long-anticipated project is about to get underway.
These early steps are part of the preparation for grading the property and installing the necessary stormwater management systems, an important phase that ensures the site is properly prepared for the construction that will follow.
The official start of construction is scheduled for Mond...
Within forty days from the revelation at Mount Sinai, the Jews already falter and sin with the procuring of the Golden Calf.
G-d directs Moshe to go and descend — for 'your' people that you brought up from Egypt has become corrupt. סרו מהר — They have strayed quickly מן הדרך — from the path I have commanded them, to make a molten calf to worship it.
There seems to be a primary emphasis on their 'quickness' to sin and having strayed from the 'path', with the sinning in worshipping the calf secondary.
When G-d refers to 'your' people becoming corrupt, we are taught it relates to Moshe being rebuked for having advocated to accept the ערב רב — The Mixture of Multitudes, of other nations who sought to enter the...
We are reminded in many places that the Torah does not necessarily record events in precise chronological order. Sometimes there are specific lessons to be learned from the juxtapositions and other times the reason is more elusive. Virtually all commentaries agree that the events of the Eigel Hazahav are not in correct chronological order. Most agree that this event occurred close to the giving of the Aseres Hadibros in Parshas Yisro. Many varying explanations are offered for why the Torah records Parshiyos Mishpatim, Teruma and Tetzaveh before returning to this watershed moment.
It is interesting to note that the center pieces of these Parshiyos is the building of the Mishakan. Rashi points out (Pikudei 38:21) that the building of the Mishkan was...
Expect Ramp Closures 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. March 9–13
Baltimore, MD - March 5, 2026 – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will close and detour various ramps at the I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) / I-70 interchange overnight beginning Monday, March 9, in preparation for a bridge painting and cleaning project scheduled for this spring. The ramp work is expected to be completed by Friday, March 13, weather permitting.
Ramp detours will be in effect between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night, with detour routes posted. In the event of inclement weather, the schedule may change and overnight work with temporary lane closures and detours will take place on the next available weeknight (Sunday through Thursday).
Each night, contractor crews will ins...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 5, 2026 - Purim Around Baltimore with B. Ansbacher Photography
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 5, 2026 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.Click on the graphic below:
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 5, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dovid and Sara Leah Nissel on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Mordechai and Ducky Nissel and Avromi (Alf) & Riffy Klainberg
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
President Donald Trump said Thursday on social media he was pushing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem out of her position and would nominate Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her.
Noem, who was tapped by Trump to helm DHS at the start of his administration, has faced growing scrutiny over her conduct in the position, including her alleged romantic relationship with her chief adviser, distribution of the windfall of cash the department has received — particularly for an ad campaign that showcased her prominently — and her conflicting accounts over fatal incidents involving federal immigration agents.
Current and former Homeland Security officials have privately questioned how much longer the secretary would remain in the post following what they perceived as a se...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 5, 2026 - Amid a battle over federal immigration policy and implementation, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed an executive order aimed at "Protecting the Rights and Well-Being of Baltimore City Residents."
The move comes after reports that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is transferring supplies to a warehouse near Hagerstown, MD, just over an hour west of Baltimore.
“For months, our team has been closely monitoring aggressive, reckless, and violent federal immigration enforcement in cities and communities around the country,” Mayor Scott said. “This executive order is one of many actions we’re taking to protect public safety and our residents in Baltimore. Our immigrant neighbors are an integral part of Baltimore'...
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