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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. 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...
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Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Rachel Arel Mishory, a’h, wife of Dr. Mordechai Mishory, mother of Eliezer (Dassi) Mishory, and sister of Patricia, David, and Sue (Kevin).
The levaya will be held at Levinson’s at 2:30PM today.
Kevurah will take place at Shearith Israel Cemetery 6700 Bowleys Lane, Baltimore, MD 21237
Shiva will be observed at 3211 Bancroft Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – (BJL) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Hyundai issued an urgent stop-sale and recall in mid-March 2026 for approximately 69,000 vehicles in North America. This graphic explains the issue in detail.Please note that this applies only to the newly redesigned 2026 Palisade models.
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – 11:23 AM (BJL) - Be aware of an accident on Reisterstown Road near Pomona Square that is blocking traffic.
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – 11:10 AM (BJL) An accident at the intersection of Park Heights Ave & Old Court Rd. is currently being cleared, but traffic remains heavily backed up. For the next hour or so, it would be prudent to use an alternate route.
We are living through challenging days here in Isreal. The Home Front Command issues specific instructions how to ensure our physical safety. But our souls need to be protected too. How do we build a Mamad (safe room) for our souls?
I would like to share an inspiring idea I heard over Shabbat. We can think of the word Mamad as an acronym for the words: machshava (thought), maaseh (action), and dibbur (speech).
Our sages teach us that our souls find expression in three ways: in our thoughts, deeds, and speech. It is our responsibility to control these three areas and channel them in positive directions. If the news around us is overwhelming, then it’s important to enter the Mamad of the soul by strengthening ourselves and those around us with positive thoughts, actions, ...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – 9:07 AM (BJL) A tanker truck is stalled in the center lane at the traffic light at the intersection of Park Heights Ave & Old Court Rd. Traffic on Park Heights is extremely slow, as drivers must maneuver around the truck to pass through the intersection.
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 23, 2026 - BJL Traffic Alert: 8:58AM- (BJL) The Traffic Light at Reisterstown & Old Court is now operational
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – 8:30AM (BJL) An accident at the intersection of Park Heights & Rogers Ave is delaying traffic in the area
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – 8:17AM (BJL) The traffic light is out at the intersection of Reisterstown Rd and Old Court Rd, and a police officer is on scene directing traffic
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2026 – 7:24AM (BJL) Be aware of flashing traffic lights at the intersection of Reisterstown Rd & Slade Ave.
An Air Canada Express regional jet struck a Port Authority vehicle on the ground after landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, killing two people and forcing the airport to close.
The CRJ-900 plane, which was arriving from Montreal, struck the vehicle at about 24 miles per hour shortly before midnight, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.
Two pilots were killed in the incident, Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said at a news briefing. More than 40 passengers, crew members and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) officers were transported to the hospital, she said.
"At this time, we understand that 32 have been released, but there are also serious injuries," Garcia said. "Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 22, 2026 - We’ve just finished Purim, and now it’s time to start thinking about Pesach. One of the main parts of preparing for Pesach is kashering the kitchen.
I’m not a kashering professional—I don’t really know how to do it—but I’d like to learn. So today, I have Rabbi Tendler from Star-K here to show me how to kasher like a pro.
Jerusalem, Israel - Mar. 22, 2026 - This past Shabbos and Motzei Shabbos, ballistic missiles fired by Iran exploded directly within residential areas in both Dimona and Arad. The devastation is immense, with nearly a hundred Yidden injured. Many are seriously wounded and in a state of sakanas nefashos (danger to life). May Hashem send them a Refuah Shlama. Beyond the physical injuries, many are hospitalized for shock, suffering varying degrees of mental and physical trauma. The sheer force of the blasts has been horrific beyond human comprehension. This is compounded by the total destruction of homes and property; families have been left homeless, without clothes or the basic necessities of life.At the same time, the miracles we have witnessed are beyond understanding. That these ball...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 22, 2026 - Star-K and Hatzalah Baltimore offer these critical safety tips when kashering.
Go to Star-K.org/passover for more kashering information
Wishing Klal Yisroel a safe and healthy Chag Kasher Vsameach
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 22, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to David Reese and Rivka Trout on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Alan Reese, Grace Reese and Akiva & Miriam Trout
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 22, 2026 - BJL just received this voice note from one of our myriad readers:
"My husband is traveling today, so with everything going on at airports nowadays, we decided to check online to see what the wait times were.
He kept checking the online info for TSA at BWI, which said the wait times were not bad - about 10 minutes. We literally scheduled our drive based on that.
I dropped him off, and when he got there, the line was about 3/4 of a mile long. He said the wait is at least an hour, and all of the online information and the boards at the airport are totally wrong.
So I just want to put it out there that if people are traveling, it may not be best to rely on that system, because they will miss their flights – he will most likely miss his."
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