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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 - Apr. 30, 2026 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.Click on the graphic below:
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 30, 2026 - Mazel Tov to the Zidichover Rebbe Shlit"a and the entire Eichenstein mishpacha on the engagement of Chani to Yosef Tzvi Unsdorfer, son of Harav Yitzchok Unsdorfer Shlit"a, Rav of Shvili Dovid of Lakewood.
Baltimore, MD, April 30, 2026 | 13 Iyar 5786 — STAR-K Kosher Certification is proud to announce a dynamic new educational initiative designed to bring Maseches Chullin to life for Daf Yomi participants, yeshivos, kollelim and community learning groups worldwide.
This unique program offers live shechita demonstrations that provide participants with a clear, practical understanding of the halachic principles discussed in the Gemara. By combining hands-on visuals with expert instruction, attendees gain a deeper appreciation of complex topics that are often difficult to fully grasp through text alone.
The demonstrations cover a wide range of essential subjects, including:
Shechita – Proper techniques and halachic requirements
Treifos &nda...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 30, 2026 - Rabbi Duvi Rubin, Rav of Baltimore's Kehillas Ohr Yisrael, addressed the middle school talmidim of Yeshivas Toras Simcha today, sharing a timely message as we approach Shavuos. He asked the boys to reflect on why Rabbi Akiva’s talmidim passed away during this period, suggesting that these days leading up to Matan Torah highlight the teaching of Chazal, “ derech eretz kadma laTorah .”Rabbi Rubin encouraged the talmidim to strengthen their respect and sensitivity toward one another, emphasizing that even small acts—such as holding the door open for a friend—demonstrate humility and kindness. These everyday moments of proper conduct help prepare us to receive the Torah in the most meaningful way.
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 30, 2026 - Kehilas Bnei Yeshiva of Baltimore (Rabbi Akiva Meister), recently became a partner with Kollel Zichron Eliyahu, embracing the Adopt-A-Kollel vision of connecting a kehila to support a kollel in Eretz Yisroel. The relationship was marked by deep respect and genuine connection. Rabbi Yeshaya Stroh the Rosh Kollel would visit and deliver shiurim, and the kehila took great pride in their role as partners in the kollel’s mission.
A few weeks ago, the shul ran a fundraising raffle of 360 tickets, each with a randomly assigned value between $1 and $360. The prize was a Rolex watch or its $16,000 cash equivalent. Wanting to show appreciation to his partners, Rabbi Stroh purchased a ticket, deciding in advance that if the amount was high, he would ask the koll...
Congress took a major step toward ending the record-breaking Department of Homeland Security shutdown on Thursday as the White House warned hundreds of thousands of federal employees were on the verge of missing paychecks amid the 75-day funding lapse.
The House of Representatives unanimously approved a Senate-passed spending measure covering most of the department’s appropriations through September.
The vote came after the DHS funding measure had stalled in the lower chamber for more than a month as House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to put the bill on the floor over objections to language he said defunded law enforcement. The speaker's opposition reflected the views of many in his conference, who viewed the bill as a dead letter when the Senate passed it...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 30, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rabbi Yehuda Fleischmann, z’l, father of Ayala (Don) Greenberg, Dovid (Chava Zehava) Fleischmann, Batya (Yisroel) Luwish, Michoel (Essie) Fleischmann, and Bracha (Levi) Mark
The Levayah will be held on Friday morning (May 1) 10:00 am at Levinson's. Kevurah will take place at Shearith Israel Cemetery - Bowleys Lane.
Shiva will be observed at 2535 Smith Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209.Details to followבלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD - April 30, 2026 - The following letter was sent yesterday to the Bais Yaakov parent body:
Dear Parents, As the school year draws to a close, we take this opportunity to be thankful for the past and look to the future. We have immense hakaras hatov to Rabbi Yechezkel Zweig for leading our High School for close to four decades and guiding it through this current transition year. His mark on our students and our school cannot be overstated, and we will be forever grateful to him. Our High School is widely recognized as producing the highest quality Bnos Yisroel, and that is very much to his credit. There will, IY"H, be upcoming opportunities for each of us to express our personal hakaras hatov to Rabbi Zweig. We are grateful that Rabbi Zweig has agreed to be av...
Discovering an Overlooked Quality of Successful Leadership
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 29, 2026 - Leadership touches everyone. Even if we don’t hold a formal position, opportunities to lead arise in everyday roles—for example, every teacher and parent is a leader. Leadership may be assigned in specific scenarios—school, yeshiva, shul, or the workplace. Much has been said and written about what makes a good leader. Here, I want to share one invaluable insight about leadership that, in my experience, is not well understood: A successful leader conveys a message that people can receive.
I recently read biographies about two tremendous talmidei chachamim. Each one was a leader. One succeeded, while the other failed. Both men were great in their own right and much above our level. ...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 29, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Aharon and Rachelli Stern on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Ephraim & Sarah Stern and Asher & Dena Sondhelm.
Mazel Tov great-grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Uri & Aviva Sondhelm and Rabbi & Mrs. Eli &Renee Singer
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 29, 2026 - 4:23 PM (BJL) - Police are blocking the right northbound lane on Reisterstown Road just before the Pikesville Library. Expect delays in the areah/t: BMore Traffic
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 29, 2026 - A Maryland Supreme Court decision vacating a $152 million opioid verdict is not expected to change Baltimore’s immediate budget plans, city officials said Monday, even as the ruling removes a potential source of future funding for overdose response efforts.
The court last week vacated the judgment against drug distributors McKesson and Cencora, eliminating money the city had anticipated but had not yet received for its Opioid Restitution Fund as officials prepare upcoming spending decisions.
A representative with the Mayor’s Office said the city’s upcoming budget should not be affected and that the plan to reduce overdose deaths, using the Opioid Restitution Fund and city agencies, is still on track.
“While the verdict limits local...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 29, 2026 - Republican candidate for Maryland Governor, Ed Hale, said he hopes to remove a statewide vehicle emissions program that he argues is too expensive.
Hale, in a news conference on Monday in Hyattsville, specifically addressed the fees surrounding the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP). Last year the fee increased from $14 to $30.
He argued that "95%" of emissions were corrected in newer car models, and said the program should be completely eliminated. He argued the fees are outdated and should be removed to relieve families' pockets.
The state program which was established to help protect the environment, has been in place since 1979, and generates more than $50 million for Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund. State ...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 28, 2026 - As fewer Marylanders qualify for federal tax breaks that used to keep health care costs down, state officials report that higher monthly premiums have led thousands to opt for lower-coverage healthcare plans than in previous years.
Approximately 8,000 Marylanders who previously selected gold plan coverage opted to take on a bronze plan this year, according to healthcare officials. That’s higher than the previous estimate initially reported to lawmakers in January of roughly 5,000 people downgrading their plans.
That said, overall enrollment since last year has not greatly changed, showing that people are willing to take on higher-risk plans if it means they can stay covered, said Johanna Fabian-Marks, deputy executive director for Maryland Health Ben...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 28, 2026 – (BJL) A beautiful scene unfolded today at The Club when Nesanel Danziger celebrated completing Meseches Succah, which he finished over bein hazmanim, surrounded by four friends.When Yaacov Orlievsky, Star-K mashgiach at The Club, learned of the siyum, he wanted to make sure it was done in the most appropriate way, including reciting the special siyum Kaddish. He went out into the parking lot and found others, bringing them into the eatery to quickly help gather a minyan so Nesanel could make the siyum with a minyan.What followed was a heartwarming kiddush Hashem in broad daylight — with singing and genuine simcha. A simple gathering became a powerful reminder of the beauty of Torah, of the Baltimore community, and the achdus of Klal Yisroel...
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