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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 - Mar. 30, 2026:Baltimore Pesach Zmanim 2026
Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable color versionClick here for a black-and-white version
Tel Aviva, Israel - Mar. 31, 2026 - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 31 March 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:"My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, on the eve of this Festival of Freedom, Israel is stronger than ever. The entire world hears our lion’s roar in our struggle against the evil regime in Iran, a struggle in which we have achieved immense, enormous accomplishments.But at the same time, there are painful costs. Only yesterday, we lost four of our best sons. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, and on behalf of myself and my wife Sara, I send our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen. We all embrace with love the families who lost what is most precious to them, and we all embrace with love our heroic wounded, wounded in body and soul...
US President Donald Trump said today (Tuesday) that the war against the Iranian regime will not "last much longer" and said that the US is "obliterating" Iran's forces.
“We’re not going to be there too much longer. We’re obliterating the s-t out of them right now, it’s a total obliteration," Trump told the New York Post. “But we won’t have to be there much longer - but we have more work to do in terms of killing their offensive, whatever offensive capability they have left."
When asked about the Strait of Hormuz, Trump stated that he expects the shipping lane "automatically reopen" with the end of the war and that "the countries that are using the strait, let them go and open it."
He said that the Strait of Hormuz is a secondary con...
Baltimore, MD – Mar.31, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Mina Krumbein, a’h, nother of Mrs. Aviva (Rabbi Arthur) Marks and Mrs. Chana Esther (Avraham) Goldman
Kevura is in Eretz Yisroel
Shiva will be observed at 3113 Taney Road, Baltimore, Md 21215 Visiting Times:
Tuesday between Noon - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday (Erev Pesach) 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Mrs. Aviva Marks: 667-273-1438 Mrs. Chana Esther Goldman: 443-660-9278
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JCN & Tikva House Thank Star-K’s Kashering Team; Our Dedicated “Chametz Busters Crew”Baltimore, MD – March 31, 2026 - The Jewish Caring Network (JCN) and the Rabbi Ephraim & Etti Rubin Tikva House extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Avrom Pollak and the entire Star-K kashering team, with special appreciation to Rabbi Sholom Tendler, for their incredible work and simcha in preparing Tikva House for Pesach.This remarkable crew kashered nine sinks, nine countertops, five hot water urns, two microwaves, and seven hospitality rooms, ensuring the home is fully prepared for Yom Tov.Tikva House is now at or near full capacity for Pesach and is ready to welcome families in a warm, uplifting environment. All meals—including Yom Tov and Seder provisions—are thou...
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit cleared for publication on Tuesday morning that four IDF soldiers fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Captain Noam Madmoni, aged 22, from Sderot, a team commander in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion (934th), Nahal Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen, aged 21, from Lehavim, a soldier in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion (934th), Nahal Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, aged 21, from Bat Yam, a soldier in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion (934th), Nahal Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Staff Sergeant Gilad Harel, aged 21, from Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut, a fighter in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit (934) of the Nahal B...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 30, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to David and Elana Bondy on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 30, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Binyamin Heinemann on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel tov to grandparents Yissocher & Malkie Heinemann and Shlomo & Mindy Spetner
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 30, 2026 - Bikur Cholim of Baltimore would like to thank Dr. Avrom Pollak and the entire Star-K kashering team, especially Rabbi Sholom Tendler, for working overnight and kashering the Bikur Cholim Kosher Hospitality Rooms at John’s Hopkins, Sinai, GBMC and Union Memorial Hospitals which will all be fully stocked and ready for Pesach. Wishing the community a Chag Kosher V’Sameach!
The Torah assigns the night of Pesach a striking name: Leil shimurim. On the simplest level, it describes the condition on the night of Yetziat Mitzrayim itself. After centuries of vulnerability, exposure, and fear, our people finally experienced a night of safety. While death raged through Egypt, the Jewish people sat inside their homes, protected and alive. It was the first Leil shimurim our nation had known in centuries.
A LAYERED NIGHT
In truth, this night had already served as a night of protection long before Yetziat Mitzrayim. This evening appears earlier in the life of Avraham Avinu. When he went to war against the four kings who had swept through the region, Avraham pursued them at night and defeated them. The Torah describes his strategy with the phrase “וַיֵּחָל...
Baltimore, MD – Mar.30, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mr. Elilyahu Ilya Muratov, z’l, father of Leah Mikeladze.
Shiva in Baltimore will be observed on Tuesday only at 2704 Maurleen Court, Baltimore, Md 21209
Visiting: 9:00AM -1:00PM, 2:00 - 6:00PM, 7:00 - 9:00PM
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Baltimore, MD - Mar. 30, 2026 - Average gas prices in Baltimore have risen 15.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.98 a gallon today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 663 stations in Baltimore.
Prices in Baltimore are 104.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 81.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in Baltimore was priced at $3.67 a gallon yesterday, while the most expensive was $4.39 a gallon, a difference of 72.0 cents per gallon.
Across Maryland, the lowest price yesterday was $3.59 a gallon and the highest was $5.09 a gallon, a difference of $1.50 a gallon.
Nationally, the average price of gas has risen 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.95 a gallon today, according to GasBu...
Ma'ale Adummim, Isrqel - Mar. 29, 2026 - I've been writing for days that I'm tired. Today, perhaps for the first time in my life, I realize that I'm not tired. Because tired is the wrong word. You are tired when you've had a long day, when you work hard to accomplish some physical task and yes, when you haven't slept enough (which most of Israel has not. But in truth, we aren't tired. We are weary.
Yemen has joined the war against Israel. How do you fight Israel? No, not on the battlefield - say the cowards of Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen...and Yemen. You shoot ballistic missiles at their civilians and hope to catch them out in the open. Not "man to man" or "soldier to soldier" - say the cowards in Russia who support by sending drones and military ...
Baltimore, MD – March 26, 2026 - Hagalas Keilim 5786/2026 Sunday, March 29, 2026Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion: 8:30AM -11:00AMShearith Israel: 9:00am – 1:00pm Agudah Park Heights: Limited to 10 items or less - 9:30AM -10:30AM Any number of items:1030AM-12NoonSuburban Orthodox:8-10PM in the back hall of the shul, kitchen #2. Please enter from the kitchen area in the back of the building
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 29, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mr. Larry Barak, z’l, brother of Mrs. Tammy Hilsenrad.
Shiva will be observed at 3102 W Strathmore Avenue, Baltimore, Md 21215 through erev Pesach, Wed., Apr. 1, 2026 at chatzos, 1:11PM.
Visiting hours. 10am - 12pm. 2pm - 5pm Wednesday until chatzos: 1:11PMNo evening hours.
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