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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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Jerusalem, Israel - June 8, 2026 - As growing numbers of frum families explore the possibility of building their futures in Eretz Yisroel, a distinguished delegation of Rabbanim from Baltimore embarked this past week on a four-day leadership mission to Eretz Yisroel organized by Naava Kodesh.The Baltimore delegation included Rabbis Daniel Rose, Duvi Rubin, and Binyamin Marwick. They were joined by Baltimore community baalei batim Yaakov Berkowitz and Dovid Paige.
Leaving behind families, kehillos, and many daily responsibilities, the Rabbanim traveled to Eretz Yisroel to see firsthand and gain a better understanding of the realities, new opportunities, and solutions to successfully deal with the challenges facing families considering Aliyah and settling long-term in Eretz Yisroel....
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Baltimore, MD - June 8, 2026 - This past Sunday, four of the leading roshei yeshiva of Eretz Yisroel walked into Baltimore. Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Yosef Chevroni, and Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband left their yeshivos and traveled across the world because the Torah of Eretz Yisroel is fighting for its very survival, and they came to ask us to help carry it.
We watched a Rosh Yeshiva break down in tears as he described his fear for the bochurim who learn under constant threat, and another explain the contrast that in Eretz Yisroel the lomdei Torah are pursued and disgraced, yet here in Baltimore they are embraced.
From visits in private homes through the packed asifa at Shomrei Emunah, one message was repeated again and again: ish nidcheh, v'ein hatzibbur nidche...
Baltimore, MD – June 9, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yosef Kimelfeld (Baltimore) and Chavi Tyberg (Ramat Beit Shemesh) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to grandmother Amira Cohen Elling
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Tuesday night that its forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at the direction of US President Donald Trump.
CENTCOM said in a statement that the strikes were in response to Monday’s downing of a US Army Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression," it stated.
The announcement came shortly after Iranian media outlets reported at least four explosions near Sirik Port in the Bandar Abbas district of the country. Explosions were also reported on Qeshm Island.
The Aerospace Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) responded to the US strikes and threatened it would deliver a “heavy response" to what it described as &...
Baltimore, MD – June 9, 2026 – 4:06PM (BJL) A stalled bus in the turning lane on Park Heights at Old Court is causing a traffic backup toward the Beltway.
h/t: Bmore Traffic
Baltimore, MD - June 9, 2026 - BJL just received this notice from a community member:
"I wanted to add to the warnings posted about the missionaries targeting our community. We just received a curious handwritten letter addressed to us by name. It's so rare to get handwritten mail these days. It was a handwritten letter from a ".... Witness" and included one of their pamphlets. While we can choose to keep our doors shut to solicitors, these letters bypass that boundary to get directly into our homes.The Tactic: They use highly convincing, handwritten envelopes addressed to you by name that seem to be a personal letter until you open it and begin reading.
US President Donald Trump revealed that Iran shot down an American Apache helicopter this morning (Tuesday) and that the US would respond to that attack.
"I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the President wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The Apache helicopter crashed during operational activity near the Strait of Hormuz earlier today.
The New York Times, citing two officials briefed on the incident, reported that the two cre...
The Bas Melech Gymnastics Team traveled to Athletic Edge Gymnastics in Staten Island last month to compete against some of the top orthodox gymnastics programs in the region. With more than 100 gymnasts from across the country competing in nine gyms, the competition was fierce. As usual, Bas Melech soared to the challenge.
The highlight of the day came when our Level 3 team was crowned All-Around Team Champions, bringing home a magnificent championship trophy and earning Bas Melech's place at the top of the podium.
Throughout the competition, our gymnasts demonstrated skill, composure, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that have become hallmarks of our team. From the first event to the final awards ceremony, the girls cheered one another on and represented our commun...
Baltimore, MD - June 9, 2026 - Please note that ALL cheeses used are Cholov Stam.
With recent reports of kosher consumers accidentally receiving food from non-kosher establishments, awareness of proper food-delivery procedures has never been more important. Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger speaks with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus Administrator at the cRc and Executive Director of AKO, about the halachos of chasimos, delivery services, and protecting the integrity of kosher food from restaurant to doorstep. Whether you order through an app or pick up takeout yourself, this episode contains practical guidance every consumer should know.
What Is Your Mission?
Moriah Chen from the Hidabroot website published the following questionnaire for anyone who wants to gain a clearer picture of themselves and of their mission in the world:
1. What would you do for free? Think about the activities you do without noticing the passage of time. What makes you forget to eat or sleep? What subject can you talk about for hours without stopping? Sometimes your profession or direction in life is hidden in the things you would do even without being paid.
2. In what areas do people turn to you for help? In what field do your friends and family already see you as an expert? Sometimes our natural talent is already obvious to others, even when we don’t notice it ourselves.
3. Ask people close to you what they find unique abou...
Israel has once again entered a nationwide emergency status following renewed hostilities with Iran and missile attacks targeting Israel.
Schools across the country were closed on Monday, June 8. Education Minister Yoav Kisch has announced that schools will remain closed on Tuesday, June 9, as well.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has informed Chaim V’Chessed that it is closed today, Monday, and will also remain closed on Tuesday.
Government services are operating on a limited basis. Some government offices remain open while others have suspended operations. In Jerusalem, the main Misrad HaPnim branch on Shlomzion Street was closed on Monday, while the Har Choma and Mevaseret Zion branches remained open. Officials have informed Chaim V’Chessed that the Shlomzion branch will be...
The Israeli Air Force struck military targets belonging to the Iranian terror regime in western and central Iran early Monday morning, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said.
Iranian media reported explosions that were heard in several areas of the country, including the capital Tehran and Isfahan.
The strikes occurred several hours after Iran launched several barrages of missiles toward Israel.
Baltimore, MD - June 7, 2026 - At Beis Kenesses Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore, Rav Yaakov Hopfer shlit”a, Nasi of the Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore, spoke about the open nissim Klal Yisroel has witnessed over the past two years. “There have been many wars, and by natural calculations, thousands more should have been killed. Yet we have seen tremendous nissim, because Klal Yisroel has stood behind Torah. Torah is meigin u’matzil, and the support of Torah is what protects Klal Yisroel.”
Jerusalem, Israel - June 7, 2026 - Sirens sounded across northern Israel on Sunday evening after Iran launched several missile barrages at Israel.
During the first barrage, four missiles were launched at the north. All were intercepted.
A short time earlier, the IDF stated that following the strike in Beirut and upon the conclusion of a situational assessment, it is preparing for potential fire toward the territory of the State of Israel in the coming hours.
The IDF noted that it has reinforced its defensive posture and remains on high alert and prepared for a range of defensive and offensive scenarios. The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, and senior IDF commanders are currently conducting situational assessments and closely monitoring developments.
At the...
Baltimore, MD - June 7, 2026 - Breakfast at the home of philanthropist Paul Volosov in Baltimore this morning benefiting Keren Olam HaTorah.
VIDEO below: Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, said:“The bachurim themselves are not afraid, but we, the Roshei Yeshiva, are afraid for them.”
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