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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.
Baltimore, MD - June 30, 2026 - Maryland drivers will pay slightly more at the pump beginning Tuesday as the state's annual gas tax adjustment takes effect.
The increase raises Maryland's gas tax by 0.6 cents per gallon, bringing it to 46.6 cents per gallon. The adjustment is automatic under state law and is tied to inflation.
For most drivers, the increase will have only a modest impact on a single fill-up:
10 gallons: About 6 cents more
15 gallons: About 9 cents more
20 gallons: About 12 cents more
Still, many drivers told FOX45 the issue isn't the size of the increase—it's that it comes as families continue to face higher costs across the board.
"It's just one more thing," one driver said.
Another added, "It just feels like it's not t...
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Baltimore, MD – June 30, 2026 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Dr. Joseph H. Miller, z’l, husband of Ellen Miller, father of Ed (Iris) Miller and Leslie (Adam) Rosen.
The levaya will be held tomorrow morning at 9:00am at Levinson’s
The kevura will take place at the Beth Tfiloh Cemetery, 5800 Windsor Mill Road, Woodlawn, MD 21207.
Shiva will be observed at 3503 Southvale Road, Baltimore, MD 21208.Minyanim:Shacharis:Thursday 7:00am Friday and Sunday 8:00am Monday & Tuesday 7:00amMincha/Maariv will be at Plag: 6:55pmMincha Erev Shabbos: 3:00pm
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Your year to ask.
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Experience real life, not just another year of school, through warm, amazing teachers and thoughtful conversations. Learn about yourself beyond the curriculum, develop a meaningful relationship with Hashem, and connect learning and life in a way that feels personal, relevant and truly yours.
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Outstanding Hashkafa-Based Program Designed to answer the questions of the mainstream Bais Yaakov graduate.
Half-Day Shana Aleph
Advanced Shana Beis options
Comfortable Dormitory In the heart of Flatbush.
Trips, Shabbatons & Mo...
Baltimore, MD - June 30, 2026 -Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Matthew Garbark reminds residents that DPW administrative offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. Because the holiday falls on Shabbos this year, the City will observe it on Friday, July 3.Pickup will be on Shabbos, July 4th. Please be sure to put your receptacles out before Shabbos
In response to the extreme heat emergency, DPW is temporarily suspending residential recycling collections beginning Wednesday, July 1, through the remainder of the week. This temporary adjustment reduces crews' exposure to dangerous heat while allowing sanitation workers to prioritize trash collection.
Residential Recycling Centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the remain...
Baltimore, MD - June 30, 2026 - This past Sunday, Bikur Cholim of Baltimore hosted it's annual cycling event now known as Tour de Kindness. The event brought riders together from Baltimore and all over North America to ride the scenic roads of Maryland while raising funds for Baltimore Bikur Cholim. Many records were broken this year! We had 30 riders from out of town! We had 17 riders ride 130 miles all the way up into the Cantocin mountains and the Sunday before which was TDKJr brought 98 riders cycling around our community. We thank the riders for helping raise money and we thank the many volunteers who helped make this such a success!
Six months after 4,000 donors bought a building, the hard hats have arrived — and the goal is in sight: after-school programming for Baltimore’s children, beginning this coming school year.
Baltimore, MD - June 30, 2026 - If you drove past 201 Milford Mill Road this month, you saw something that didn’t exist a year ago: a crane, a work crew, and a building mid-transformation. The hum of a generator where there used to be an empty lot of waiting. After months of paperwork, permits, and quiet preparation, Miriam’s Library and Learning Center has reached the milestone the community has been waiting for — construction has begun, with one clear target ahead: opening the doors to after-school programming for the coming school year.
It is a long way from where...
Baltimore, MD - June 30, 2026 - Firefighters are responding to a fire that broke at Pulaski Tire Service in Rosedale in Baltimore County. According to preliminary information, when crews arrived at the scene near the 7800 block of Pulaski Highway, they found multiple trailers containing tires on fire. The fire department said no buildings are affected as of 3:08 p.m.
Pictures sent by eyewitnesses to WBAL-TV 11 News and SKY 11 video shows a black cloud of smoke emerging in the area.
Due to the fire and the emergency response, Pulaski Highway is closed on both directions at Chesaco Avenue.
It is unclear what caused the fire.
State-of-the-Art Outpatient Facility Brings Together Multidisciplinary Cancer Services, Improving Access, Convenience and Care Coordination for Patients; Modern Space Provides Views of Cylburn Arboretum, Art Therapy Room,
Survivorship Programs, “Infusionarium” for Pediatric Patients and More
Baltimore, MD - June 30, 2026 — The Mandy & Dennis Weinman Cancer Building on the campus of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore is expanding access to comprehensive outpatient oncology services for patients of all ages in one centralized, state-of-the-art facility.
The three-story, 125,000-square-foot building will house outpatient adult and pediatric cancer services, bringing together specialized physicians, cutting-edge technology, infusion treatment, radiation therapy, re...
Baltimore, MD – June 30, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Saadiah and Ruthie Angster on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - June 29, 2026 - Local forecasters are warning Maryland residents to prepare for a severe and prolonged summer heat wave. While Tuesday will provide a brief break with highs near 90 degrees, an intense ridge of high pressure will send temperatures and humidity soaring by midweek, with dangerous conditions expected to continue through the holiday weekend.
Triple-Digit Heat Expected
The real heat arrives on Wednesday, when temperatures climb into the upper 90s. By Thursday—the 4th of July—and continuing through at least Saturday, highs are expected to reach the low 100s.
Adding to the danger, dew points will remain in the muggy 70s, making it difficult for the body to cool itself. As a result, the heat index—or "feels-like" temperature—will be well a...
The neurosurgery waiting room at Shaare Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem is not a place that generally invites equanimity. For most people who sit in those chairs, the mind does what it cannot help but do: it runs ahead of itself, down corridors it would rather not enter, rehearsing outcomes it is not prepared to face. The weight of a diagnosis and the enormity of what is about to happen in that operating room have a way of filling every available moment of silence. Rabbi Simcha Yitzchak Lauer, however, was not most people. While sitting together with his wife, Mrs. Rena Lauer, waiting for his first brain surgery, Reb Simcha was calmly learning daf yomi, in the same fashion as always. She asked him, moments before the surgery was to begin, whether he was afraid. Si...
Annapolis, MD - June 29, 2026 - On Mar. 1, 2006, just days before the headquarters of the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, completed its deployment to Afghanistan, Capt. Wes Moore stood in formation at Forward Operating Base Salerno for an end-of-tour awards ceremony.
The brigade’s commander, then-Col. Patrick J. Donahue, trooped the line, presenting military medals and badges to soldiers and officers. Each award citation was read aloud by an announcer.
When Donahue stopped in front of Moore, the award presented to him was not a Bronze Star Medal.
It was an Army Commendation Medal, or ARCOM.
A photograph provided to Spotlight on Maryland by retired Army Lt. Col. James “Jamie” Gottschling, Moore’s first-line supervisor during the deployment, shows Moore sta...
Baltimore, MD – June 28, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Baruch Eidelman (Lakewood) and Yehudis Sauer (Baltimore) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Mrs. Toby Sauer
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Sauer
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Continuous Right Lane and Right Auxiliary Lane Closure Until Tuesday, June 30
Baltimore, MD - June 27, 2026 - The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will upgrade sections of guardrail and resurface pavement on the right side of westbound (outer loop) of I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between MD 140 (Reisterstown Road) and I-795 (Northwest Expressway) in Pikesville beginning 7 p.m. Sunday, June 28. This will be a continuous right lane and right auxiliary lane closure through 9 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, weather permitting.
Beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday, crews will begin the lane closures that will be in effect for 34 hours and open by 9 a.m. Tuesday. Drivers should build additional commuting times and consider alternate routes.
The g...
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