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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.
The Trump administration announced Tuesday it has paused all immigration applications, including green cards and US citizenship processing, for immigrants from 19 non-European countries, citing national security and public safety concerns, Reuters reported.
The pause applies to countries already subjected to partial travel bans in June, further tightening restrictions on immigration, a central feature of President Donald Trump’s political platform. The list includes Afghanistan and Somalia.
An official memorandum cited last week’s attack on US National Guard members in Washington, in which an Afghan man was arrested as a suspect. One Guard member was killed and another critically wounded.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has prioritized immigra...
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Yeshivas Ohr Yechezkel, WITS, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a student population of nearly 100 Talmidim in its Mesivta and Yeshiva Gedola, is committed to providing aspiring Talmidim with an excellent Yeshiva education combined with a high caliber General Studies program, set in a warm, nurturing, and supportive environment.Parents and Talmidim alike recognize the Yeshiva’s focus on * Cultivating a Talmid’s passion for Limud HaTorah* Developing the total Mensch* Appreciating the individuality of each Talmid* Creating successful and happy TalmidimThe Yeshiva attracts Talmidim from across the country, including 12 current Baltimore talmidim.Parents who are interested in finding out more about the Yeshiva are encouraged to attend the Open House at the home of Mr. and ...
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Gerald Barr, z’l, father of Paul Barr, Louis Barr, Avi Barr and Beverly Weisbrot. Paul is currently sitting in Baltimore.Details for the other avelim is forthcoming.Click here to watch the livestreamed levayah on Har Menucht, Yerushalayim at 8:00AM (Baltimore)
Shiva will be observed at 5904 Simmonds Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215
Minyanim:
Sunday morning - Shacharis at 8:00 a.m.
Shacharis - Sunday 8:00am / 6:30 a.m.
Mincha/Maariv - 4:30 p.m.
The family respectfully requests no visitors between the hours of 12:00 - 1:00 p.m 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 26, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Dr. Sam Zygler, z’l, husband of Ruthie Zygler, and father of Lloyd (Rachel) Zygler, and Jeff (Leah) ZyglerShiva will be observed through Thursday morning at 2524 Farringdon Road, Baltimore, MD 21209 beginning at 1:00pm Sunday. Minyanim: Shacharis: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AMMincha/Maariv: Sunday-Wednesday 4:30 PM The family requests no visitors from 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm or after 9:00 pm. .בלע המוות לנצח
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Dr. Abba Spero, z’l, husband of Mrs. Sara Spero, father of Mr. Chaim (Rebecca) Spero, Rabbi Yechiel (Chumi) Spero, Mr. Moshe (Gila) Spero, Mrs. Chavi (Reb Chezky) Schneider, and Mr. Yehuda (Tova) Spero an brother of Rabbi Ephraim Spero.
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Sunday, November 30, at 1:30 pm at Sol Levinson. Click here to watch Leayah recording Shiva will be observed through Friday afternoon at 5901 Key Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215The family respectfully requests no visitors between 12:30-130pm and 530-630pm or after 10pm.Minyanim: Shacharis: Monday-Friday: 8:00 amMincha/Maariv: Monday-Thursday: 4:30 pmMincha Friday: 1:00 pm
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 30, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rebbetzin Hadassah Poliakoff, a’h, wife of the late Rabbi Manuel M. Poliakoff, z"l, mother of Mr. Abba David (Laura) Poliakoff, Mrs. Aviva (Rabbi Eliezer z"l) Cohen, Mrs. Rena (Rabbi Avi) Schochet, and Rabbi Ephraim (Channa) Poliakoff.
The levaya will take place Monday, December 1, at 1:00 pm at Sol Levinson.For those in the New York area, there will be an opportunity to give kavod ha’acharon as the aron begins its journey to Eretz Yisroel. This will take place on Monday evening (12/1) at 7:30 PM at:JFK Airport – Building 75North Hangar RoadJamaica, NY 11430
The Levaya in Eretz Yisrael is called for 7:30pm on Tuesday, December 2, at the Beit Levayot at Har Hamenuchos. (Pleas...
Malcolm Hoenlein, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations in the United States, expressed deep concern at the Israel Hayom Conference in New York over the demographic shift working against the Jewish people and the American Jewish community.
Hoenlein, 81, whose involvement in American politics began in the 1950s when he joined the presidential campaign of Adlai Stevenson, has witnessed many incidents of antisemitism throughout his life and in recent years warned that what happened in Europe could also happen in the United States. “Unfortunately,” he said, “this prophecy has come true.”
“For the past twenty years I have been warning about the phenomenon,” Hoenlein said, “but even today people do no...
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Republicans will hold onto a GOP-controlled vacant congressional seat in ruby-red Tennessee after winning a hotly contested special election that grabbed plenty of national attention.
Republican nominee Matt Van Epps on Tuesday defeated Democratic rival Aftyn Behn, according to the Associated Press, in the high-stakes race to succeed former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who resigned from office in June to take a private sector job.
"This race was bigger than just one campaign,"Van Epps said in a statement after declaring victory. "It represented a defining moment for Tennessee and for the direction of the country." With the GOP clinging to a razor-thin majority in the House, the special election was seen as a must-win for Republicans.
President&n...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 2, 2025 - The Edible Arrangements store located at 100 N. Charles Street in downtown Baltimore has chosen to discontinue its kosher certification. The Pikesville store, located at 3765 Old Court Road, remains Kosher certified.
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 2, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira Mr. Barry Ziman, z’l, brother of Mr. Benyamin Ziman.
Kevurah will take place in Westbrook, Connecticut. Date and time TBA.
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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 2, 2025 – HaRav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, Rosh HaYeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG) in Lakewood, paid a special visit to TA today. Throughout his visit, the Rosh HaYeshiva met and greeted talmidim from across the yeshiva — from the elementary divisions through the yungeleit of TA’s new Kollel — offering warm divrei bracha and chizuk.
After davening Mincha with the TA Mesivta, HaRav Kotler, shlita, delivered a more formal address to the Mesivta talmidim and then continued on to meet with the TA Kollel yungeleit, further uplifting all who had the zechus to hear from him.
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Etta Vogel, a’h, mother of Aron Moshe (Shelley, a'h) Vogel, (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Vogel, z'l), Dovid Tzvi (Elissa) Vogel, Daniel Usher (Florence) Vogel; and Rabbi Gershon L. (Chaya) Vogel and sister of Bettye A. Soffer.
The Levaya will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday 12/3 at Levinson’s.Kevurah will take place at Adath Yeshurun Cemetery, 6700 Bowleys Lane, Rosedale, MD 21237. Shiva will be observed at 413 Brewers Bridge Road, Jackson, NJ 08527.בלע המות לנצח
The Trump administration has fired eight immigration judges in New York City, sharply cutting staff at one of the country’s busiest immigration courts as President Donald Trump vows to speed up deportations, The New York Times reported late Monday.
The judges, including an assistant chief immigration judge who supervised colleagues at the court inside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, were told their jobs were over as part of a nationwide shake-up of the immigration bench, the paper said, citing union and Justice Department officials.
The New York firings are part of a broader wave: Roughly 90 immigration judges have been dismissed across the United States this year, with only 36 replaced, according to the Times. That represents a sizable churn in a...
So much confusion in the air regarding the recent news about beer. Is it kosher? Does it need a hechsher? Is this relevant to everyone? Do I need to stock up on beer before January 1st, 2026? We interviewed Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, to find out exactly what is going on with the beer. Let's listen in to this insightful conversation.
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Louis Kaplan, z"l, husband of Helen Kaplan and father of Yossi (Rebecca) Kaplan, Tzvi (Miriam) Kaplan, Breindy (Yaakov) Davidson and brother of Seymour Kaplan.Click here to watch Levayah livestream today, Dec. 2, in Eretz Yisrael at Gezer Regional Cemetery at 1:30pm (Baltimore).
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Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan, have pledged $6.25 billion to support a new federal savings program created for America’s children, known as "Trump accounts."The program, tucked into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, provides every child born between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2028 with a one-time $1,000 government deposit at birth. Families can open an account once the child has a Social Security number, and funds cannot be withdrawn until the child turns 18.
These investment accounts are simple, secure, and structured to grow in value through market returns over time. At age 18, these young Americans can have a financial foundation for continued education, job training, home own...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2025 – (BJL) Rebbe Avraham Dov of Avritch–Tzfas, the mechabeir of the Bas Ayin, was niftar on 12 Kislev, 5601 (November 24, 1840). His yahrzeit, observed tonight — 12 Kislev — is being commemorated with a yahrzeit seudah and kumzitz at The New Shul (Basement, 6209 Greenspring Ave), with the participation of Rabbi Shimon Barkin (The New Shul), Rabbi Menachem Goldberger (Tiferes Yisroel), Rabbi Amrom Jungreis (Khal Chasidim), Rabbi Nesanel Kostelitz (Machzikei/Aish Kodesh), Rabbi Y. Zvi Weiss (Bais Haknesses Ohr Hachaim), and others participating in this meaningful event.
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2025 – (BJL) Winter Weather Advisories are now in effect for the northern part of the region — including portions of Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, and Washington Counties in Maryland.
Because of the forecast, Baltimore County Public Schools will open 2 hours late tomorrow (Tuesday, December 2).
Since earlier in the day, models have shifted the rain–snow line about 20 miles northwest. That means lower snow totals for most areas, though some light snow and a bit of ice are still possible depending on exactly when the clouds and precipitation move in.
Bottom line: expect a brief wintry mix around sunrise, with the most accumulation (1–3”) and up to 1/10” of ice only in the far western parts of the region.
Pl...
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