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Israel’s Regional Labor Court on Sunday night ordered Superbus drivers in Yerushalayim to immediately end their strike and return to work, ruling that the work stoppage had been launched without the legally required notice despite the serious assault on one of the company’s drivers.

The decision came after Superbus petitioned the court in response to the workers’ union’s announcement that minibus service to the Old City would be suspended in protest over the violent attack on one of its drivers.

In a statement, Superbus said it “views with the utmost severity every act of violence against public transportation employees,” describing such attacks as “a nationwide national problem.” The company said senior management had been at the injured driver’s home since Sunday morning, supporting him and his family while pledging to remain by his side throughout his recovery.

The company also said it has activated its chief security officer and is maintaining ongoing coordination with the Transportation Ministry, Israel Police, and other law enforcement agencies in an effort to strengthen protections for drivers and ensure that those responsible for such attacks are brought to justice.

At the same time, Superbus stressed that while it is committed to protecting its employees, it cannot allow essential transportation services to be disrupted at the public’s expense. “The company cannot accept harm to the traveling public and the continuity of service in Jerusalem, and therefore, out of responsibility to the public, the company turned to the Labor Court,” the statement said.

According to Superbus, the court accepted the company’s arguments and issued a temporary injunction requiring the strike to end immediately and directing drivers to resume work without delay. The company said the court determined that the strike notice—issued less than two hours before the work stoppage—was invalid and did not comply with collective bargaining agreements or previous rulings of the National Labor Court.

Superbus welcomed the ruling, saying it would prevent widespread disruptions for thousands of Yerushalayim residents and restore regular bus service throughout the city.

Earlier Sunday, the company had announced that minibus routes serving the Old City would be suspended between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. following the assault on one of its drivers. According to the driver’s account, a group of teenagers attacked him, breaking four of his teeth and inflicting significant facial injuries.

Leaders in Degel HaTorah are refusing to respond publicly to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s latest criticism of the proposed arrest freeze law, arguing that engaging in the dispute would only amplify what they view as a political miscalculation by Likud.

During a meeting of the Degel HaTorah faction on Sunday evening, MKs reportedly agreed that the messaging coming from Netanyahu’s inner circle was an election-season mistake that has only revived public debate over the draft issue and the Chareidi community—ultimately hurting Netanyahu and Likud rather than benefiting them.

“This is what they cooked up for themselves,” members of the faction said, explaining that responding to the briefing would only give it additional publicity.

Unlike Degel HaTorah, United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf chose to respond directly to the reports, criticizing the prime minister over the apparent shift in position.

According to Goldknopf, “The report by Amit Segal, according to which the prime minister admitted that the arrest law ‘did not succeed,’ only confirms what was clear to us from the very beginning. The prime minister never intended to regulate the status of yeshiva students and never planned to bring a draft law, and therefore we left the government.”

The criticism was not limited to Chareidi political circles. Commentators on Channel 14’s program The Patriots also questioned the wisdom of Netanyahu’s camp publicly distancing itself from the arrest freeze proposal.

Yinon Magal said, “I think this statement from Netanyahu’s circle was unnecessary. It’s a mistake. Why are you reigniting the whole issue?”

Yotam Zimri added, “I believe in the arrest freeze law because I think Torah learners should not be arrested. Why are you now coming out with a statement saying it was an attempt that failed?”

Channel 14 political editor Moti Kastel also criticized the move, saying, “Another resounding public relations failure by the prime minister’s advisers.”

Kastel pointed out that Netanyahu had defended the arrest freeze legislation as recently as July, saying at the time that “this law causes no harm.” He questioned why the prime minister’s team is now backing away from that position and placing the issue back at the center of the national conversation. In Kastel’s words, “This is already becoming a recurring pattern. Knee-jerk decisions followed by U-turns after the fact. It seems someone is determined to sabotage Netanyahu’s campaign. The operation is not being managed, and it shows.”

As previously reported, Netanyahu’s associates argued in a recent briefing that the arrest freeze bill was intended to reduce tensions surrounding the draft issue and encourage greater enlistment from the Chareidi community. They maintained, however, that because “the move did not succeed,” such legislation would not be pursued by the next government.

Speaking during a closed-door meeting, Netanyahu reportedly said that after the next election he intends to form a broad national government that will pass “a full draft law that will meet the IDF’s needs,” adding, “Anyone who is not learning Torah will either enlist or go to prison.”

[COMMUNICATED]

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A senior figure in United Torah Judaism reportedly proposed orchestrating a public confrontation with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in an effort to benefit both the Chareidi parties and Likud politically, according to political analyst Amit Segal.

Speaking Sunday following Netanyahu’s unusual remarks on the draft law, Segal revealed that an extraordinary conversation took place several weeks ago between high-ranking officials from United Torah Judaism and Likud.

According to Segal, “A few weeks ago, a very, very senior figure in United Torah Judaism approached a very, very senior figure in Likud and told him, ‘Let’s fight. It will help you, (it’s obvious why), but it will help us too.'”

Segal said the proposal stemmed from growing dissatisfaction within the Chareidi public over the political performance of its elected representatives. He argued that this frustration is one of the main reasons many recent polls show Chareidi parties losing support ahead of the next Knesset election.

Referring to the political mood in the Chareidi community, Segal said, “Among the Chareidim, one of the reasons you see in most polls that their representation is declining ahead of the next Knesset is because many people in the Chareidi street are convinced that their members of Knesset have disappointed them.”

He said that disappointment has been fueled by government policies affecting municipal property taxes, daycare funding, and housing, adding, “Therefore, such a war is also good for United Torah Judaism.”

Segal concluded by noting that he does not know how Likud responded to the proposal but suggested that recent developments may indicate a shift in strategy. “I don’t know what Likud’s response was, but today you can already see Netanyahu changing direction and saying there will not be a second law freezing arrests.”

Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz said Sunday that Dr. Anthony Fauci was legally entitled to invoke the Fifth Amendment during last week’s Senate hearing despite having received a presidential pardon, arguing that Congress can still obtain his testimony by first granting him immunity from prosecution.

Appearing on Newsmax’s “Sunday Agenda,” Dershowitz said Fauci’s attorneys handled the situation properly and gave him the advice any competent lawyer would have offered.

“I would have advised him exactly the way he was advised,” Dershowitz said. “He was still vulnerable for being prosecuted for anything that he did or said after the pardon came into effect. So he had years of exposure, and his lawyer gave him the right advice to take the Fifth, and his lawyer gave him the right advice to take the Fifth 111 times.”

Dershowitz also explained that a witness cannot choose to answer some questions on a particular subject while refusing others by invoking the Fifth Amendment midway through the testimony.

“You can’t take the Fifth once and then answer questions — turn the spigot on and turn the spigot off,” he said. “The Supreme Court has held over and over again that once you start answering questions on a subject, you can’t suddenly invoke the Fifth.”

Although he acknowledged that Fauci’s refusal to testify may have carried political consequences, Dershowitz maintained that the decision was legally sound.

“Any good lawyer — Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal — would have given him the same advice and would have told him that he’s going to come off looking terribly,” Dershowitz said.

Rather than attempting to pursue contempt proceedings against Fauci, Dershowitz argued that lawmakers should instead focus on obtaining the information they seek by removing any legal risk through immunity.

“Give him immunity,” Dershowitz said. “We should be more interested in getting at the truth and transparency than we should in pointing fingers of blame. So give him immunity and then he won’t have any Fifth Amendment right.”

He added that Congress possesses the authority to immunize Fauci from federal prosecution and could also attempt to extend those protections to state-level cases.

“If Congress wants the information, there’s a way of doing it,” Dershowitz said. “But I think they want the show as much as they want the information.”

Dershowitz also addressed Sen. Rand Paul’s attempt to limit questioning to the period covered by President Joe Biden’s pardon, suggesting that the argument for holding Fauci in contempt is stronger under those circumstances.

“That’s a stronger case for contempt when he refused to answer those questions,” Dershowitz said. “But under the Supreme Court’s decision, probably the courts will say that he had a Fifth Amendment right not to answer even those questions, lest he waive his rights as to other questions.”

Dershowitz concluded that Congress has a straightforward legal avenue if lawmakers genuinely want Fauci’s testimony rather than a political spectacle.

“Congress has a way of getting around it,” he said. “Just give him immunity. That’s the only way we are ever going to find out the full truth.”

The Shas party has declared that it will not join any future governing coalition unless a permanent arrangement protecting the status of bnei yeshivah is enacted, with party leaders insisting that temporary legislative fixes are no longer acceptable after the next election.

Speaking Sunday evening, Shas parliamentary faction chairman MK Yinon Azoulay outlined the party’s conditions for entering the next government, while also criticizing the judiciary and rejecting the possibility of partnering with certain opposition factions.

Azoulay began by addressing the collapse of the temporary legislation designed to halt the arrest of yeshivah students over the draft issue. He stressed that Shas has no intention of accepting another short-term compromise.

“We are stating this as clearly as possible: there will be no temporary, band-aid bill-period,” Azoulay declared in an interview with Radio Kol Chai. “We are not looking for temporary fixes. We intend to permanently regulate the status of Torah scholars once and for all, immediately following the elections.

“This is an absolute condition for any coalition we join. For anyone sitting and studying Torah, our duty is to ensure they can dedicate themselves to their studies without harassment. We will take the IDF’s needs into account as appropriate, but temporary workarounds are completely off the table for us.”

Azoulay added that Shas intends to begin the next Knesset term with lessons learned from previous legislative battles, including efforts to prevent the High Court from overturning future laws dealing with the draft issue.

“This time, we are entering the start of the term having learned from past mistakes. We will pass the override clause and all necessary legislation to prevent the Supreme Court from summarily striking down these laws. The public speaks at the ballot box, and it is our obligation to carry out their will rather than surrender to the courts.”

The Shas lawmaker also ruled out the possibility of cooperating with Gadi Eisenkot’s political faction, arguing that members of the party have repeatedly expressed hostility toward the chareidi community.

“How can anyone talk about allying with parties like Eisenkot’s when his slate includes Elazar Stern, who consistently speaks out harshly against the chareidi public? We’ve seen outrageous statements from him just recently.”

{Matzav.com}

Hundreds of demonstrators protesting the military draft clashed with police Sunday in Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh, as major roads were blocked, the light rail was forced to suspend service, and confrontations between protesters and security forces escalated into violent street battles.

Sunday evening, Rechov Shivtei Yisrael in Yerushalayim became the focal point of the unrest as large numbers of demonstrators gathered for an anti-draft protest that quickly deteriorated into fierce confrontations with police and YASAM riot officers. Protesters blocked key traffic arteries, bringing the city’s light rail system to a complete halt and causing widespread transportation disruptions.

According to an initial report by the Yerushalayim Center news site, what began as a demonstration in the Shivtei Yisrael area rapidly escalated into a large-scale public disturbance. Protesters occupied the roadway, prompting the Kfir light rail company, under instructions from Israel Police, to immediately suspend service between Givat HaMivtar and City Hall stations.

Large contingents of Yerushalayim District police officers, Border Police personnel, and YASAM forces were deployed to the scene. A police commander repeatedly called on demonstrators over loudspeakers to clear the roads, but after those appeals were ignored, officers moved in to disperse the crowd and reopen the blocked streets.

Earlier in the day, another heated anti-draft demonstration took place in Beit Shemesh, where protesters blocked Route 10 near the city as well as the Rasdo traffic circle. The road closures caused severe traffic congestion and required a significant police deployment before order was eventually restored.

The recurring draft protests have continued to disrupt travel throughout Israel in recent months. In one notable case, a Tel Aviv Small Claims Court rejected a compensation lawsuit filed by a customer whose washing machine delivery was delayed by four hours because of protest-related roadblocks. The court ruled that, under the circumstances, delivery companies that make reasonable efforts to complete deliveries despite such disruptions should not be held liable.

The anti-draft demonstrations have become an increasingly common occurrence in recent months as opponents of the proposed draft law continue taking to the streets. Sunday’s unrest in Yerushalayim marked the latest in a series of similar protests that have taken place across the country in recent weeks.

{Matzav.com}

A new Kan News poll shows Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud and Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party locked in a tie at 23 Knesset seats each, while Naftali Bennett’s Beyachad party and Yair Golan’s Democrats continue to lose support. The survey also indicates that the opposition bloc maintains an advantage over Netanyahu’s coalition.

According to the poll released Sunday evening, Likud gained one seat compared to last week’s survey, reaching 23 mandates, while Eisenkot’s Yashar climbed by two seats to match Likud at 23.

At the same time, Bennett’s Beyachad party slipped by one seat to 13, while the Democrats dropped two seats to just eight. Hadash-Ta’al, meanwhile, picked up one seat and now stands at six mandates.

Elsewhere in the poll, Otzma Yehudit remained unchanged at nine seats, as did Yisrael Beiteinu with nine. Shas and United Torah Judaism also held steady with eight seats each. Religious Zionism, however, fell by one seat and now stands at just four mandates. In addition, the joint party led by Yoaz Hendel and Chili Tropper cleared the electoral threshold with four seats.

The broader bloc picture showed little movement. Netanyahu’s coalition bloc remained at 52 seats, while the opposition led by Eisenkot stood at 57. Arab parties collectively held 11 mandates.

The poll also tested a scenario in which two new right-wing parties entered the race—one headed by Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein, and another led by Ofer Winter. In that scenario, neither party crossed the electoral threshold. The Democrats gained one seat to reach nine mandates, while Otzma Yehudit fell from nine to eight.

Another scenario examined the impact of MK Yoav Segalovich joining Mansour Abbas’ Ra’am party. Even with Segalovich on its slate, Ra’am remained at five seats, and the overall balance between the political blocs did not change.

On the question of who is best suited to serve as prime minister, Netanyahu outperformed Bennett by a comfortable margin. Forty percent of respondents said Netanyahu was best suited for the job, compared with 31% who chose the Beyachad leader.

Netanyahu also led Eisenkot in the head-to-head matchup, although by a much narrower margin. The survey found 40% viewed Netanyahu as the better choice for prime minister, while 36% favored Eisenkot.

When respondents were asked to choose between Bennett and Eisenkot, the Yashar leader held a commanding advantage, receiving 37% support compared to just 15% for Bennett.

The poll also asked Israelis about a potential agreement with Hamas regarding Gaza. Forty-five percent of respondents said Israel should oppose such a deal, while 27% said Israel should support it. Another 27% said they were unsure.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration has launched a tougher immigration enforcement effort by revoking visas issued to foreign nationals arrested for driving under the influence, with State Department officials saying the policy is aimed at protecting Americans from dangerous offenders.

“The Trump Administration is keeping reckless foreign drivers off our streets by revoking visas and denying further travel to the United States,” officials wrote in a statement. “The State Department is keeping our streets safe from foreign nationals who drive impaired, disregard laws, and endanger Americans.”

Among the individuals who recently lost their visas was a foreign national arrested on multiple charges, including drunk driving, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, and domestic violence.

“Outrageous and dangerous behavior that endangers American communities will never be tolerated,” officials wrote. “Visa revoked.”

The State Department also highlighted several additional cases involving foreign nationals whose visas have been canceled.

One individual was arrested for aggravated DUI after allegedly registering a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit while a minor was riding in the vehicle. Officials emphasized that conduct placing a child’s life in danger on American roads would not be tolerated. Visa revoked.

Another foreign national was arrested after authorities determined the driver’s blood alcohol level exceeded three times the legal limit. Officials said the same individual later appeared intoxicated at a court-ordered DUI program. The department said there would be no additional opportunities for foreign visitors who jeopardize American lives. Visa revoked.

In another case, a foreign national was taken into custody for driving under the influence after allegedly causing injuries to another person. Officials said individuals who endanger Americans have no place in the United States. Visa revoked.

The State Department also revoked the visa of a foreign national arrested while allegedly driving with heroin and recording a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. Officials said such conduct represented a blatant abuse of the privilege of entering the United States. Visa revoked.

“Under President Trump, the State Department will continue to revoke the visas of foreigners who endanger our citizens and will always put the safety of Americans first,” officials wrote.

The latest enforcement action follows another initiative led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, under which the State Department has also begun canceling visas issued to foreign nationals who have been arrested or convicted on fraud-related charges.

{Matzav.com}

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It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Aharon Elazar Turner zt”l, a distinguished talmid chacham, author, and familiar figure in Bnei Brak, who was niftar at the age of 80.

A devoted student of the teachings of the Ramchal and among the earliest participants in Mifal HaShas, Rav Turner dedicated his life to Torah scholarship, publishing, and avodas Hashem.

His levayah was held Sunday evening in Bnei Brak, with burial in Elad.

Rav Turner, the son of Reb Zelig Turner z”l, was born in the United States before making aliyah to Eretz Yisroel. He became one of Bnei Brak’s respected Torah personalities, part of the generation of American Jewry that left behind the challenges of the era to devote itself entirely to a life of Torah.

For many years, Rav Turner was a regular mispallel at the famed Lederman shul. He developed a profound attachment to the Torah of the Ramchal, which became the central focus of his lifelong learning. His scholarship resulted in the publication of the seforim Yisron HaOr and Yodei Shemecha, both devoted to the teachings of the Ramchal. He also merited to prepare for publication Pardes Nissim, the work of the noted mekubal Rav Nissim Peretz zt”l.

Rav Turner was an exceptional talmid chacham and oved Hashem, who embodied the ideal of shayif ayil v’shayif nafik v’lo machzik tivusa l’nafshei—conducting himself with extraordinary humility and never seeking recognition. He devoted his life to Torah, avodah, and chesed, serving Hashem quietly, sincerely, and with remarkable simplicity.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all continuing in the path of Torah and mitzvos.

The levayah departed from his home at 49 Harav Shach Street in Bnei Brak. It proceeded via Beis Hashem shul on Alharizi Street before continuing to the cemetery in Elad, where he was laid to rest.

The family is sitting shivah at 49 Harav Shach Street in Bnei Brak.

Yehi zichro baruch.

The Torah world is mourning the petirah of Rav Rafael Hillel Porush zt”l, a distinguished talmid chacham and one of the prominent residents of Yerushalayim’s Givat Shaul neighborhood, who was niftar at the age of 89.

His levayah took place on Har Hamenuchos, where he was laid to rest.

Rav Porush was born on the 22nd of Tammuz, 5697 (1937), to his father, Rav Mordechai Lieber Porush zt”l, and his mother, Mrs. Mina a”h.

He married the daughter of Rav Yisroel Glazer zt”l, the longtime rov of Ramla.

Renowned as an exceptional talmid chacham, Rav Porush devoted his life to the in-depth study of Torah and painstaking research into the writings of the Rishonim. He invested countless hours in clarifying the texts of early Torah authorities, examining variant versions of the Gemara and other classic Torah works. Among his many scholarly accomplishments, he published the Torah writings of Rabbeinu Peretz and the Ri of Lunel, making these important works more accessible to the Torah world.

Throughout his life, Rav Porush was known for his integrity, humility, and simplicity. Despite enduring significant personal hardship and suffering, he welcomed others into his home with warmth and generosity. Those who knew him recall that he accepted every challenge with remarkable humility and a pleasant countenance, never allowing difficulties to interrupt his steadfast commitment to his daily sedorim of Torah and tefillah.

The family is sitting shivah at the family’s home, located at 17A Rechov Givat Shaul in Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Senate Democrats highlighted one notable omission from the stopgap spending package: the White House’s proposal to allocate $1 billion for the construction of so-called “Trump-class” battleships was left out of the legislation.

They also pointed to another significant change from the version previously approved by the House, saying negotiators successfully added language preventing the administration from shifting money from other government programs to the Border Patrol.

Congress is taking the unusual step of advancing a temporary government funding measure well before the fiscal year expires on Sept. 30. Lawmakers typically wait until the final days—or even the final hours—before a funding deadline to pass short-term extensions, making this late-summer action an uncommon move.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said avoiding another government shutdown was his chief objective before senators departed for the August recess. He warned that Americans have already endured two record-setting shutdowns within the past 10 months.

“We need to ensure that they do not face a third,” Thune said.

Lawmakers are pursuing the temporary funding measure because Congress has once again fallen behind on completing all 12 annual appropriations bills before the Sept. 30 deadline. Passing a stopgap bill now would give negotiators additional time to settle disputes over full-year government funding.

Reaching a final agreement remains difficult, however. Republicans are pressing for a major increase in military spending while seeking reductions in domestic programs. President Donald Trump has proposed trimming overall non-defense spending by 10% while calling for approximately a 44% increase in defense funding.

Both parties are eager to avoid another government shutdown so close to Election Day after polling following last autumn’s record 43-day shutdown showed that voters blamed both Republicans and Democrats for the impasse.

Democrats had pushed to renew a health insurance tax credit that is set to expire and resisted supporting a temporary spending measure that failed to include the extension. Republicans countered that the tax credit should be debated separately rather than folded into the stopgap bill.

Another prolonged funding standoff centered on the Department of Homeland Security stretched for 76 days after Democrats refused to approve money for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol unless operational changes were included.

Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Democratic lawmakers in opposing a proposed Trump administration rule governing federal grant awards. The regulation would require senior political appointees at each agency to review grant applications using standards that include “ensuring that discretionary awards advance the President’s policy priorities.”

Collins and Sen. Patty Murray, the committee’s top Democrat, said the proposed regulation would be prevented from taking effect while the temporary funding bill remains in place. Collins said she pressed for substantial revisions to the proposal, “citing its potential to politicize grants and harm small, rural communities, families, and biomedical research.”

Democrats, however, want the proposal scrapped entirely. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer condemned it as a “disgraceful” effort that would “further politicize all federal grants.”

“While Republicans rejected killing the proposed rule outright, I’m going to keep fighting to put a stop to it once and for all, and I will keep pressing my Republican colleagues to do exactly that,” Murray said.

Democrats argue the administration’s proposal could allow Trump to use federal grant funding to reward political allies while penalizing critics, weakening Congress’ constitutional authority over federal spending. The White House Office of Management and Budget has defended the proposal, saying its purpose is to strengthen oversight and ensure taxpayer money is spent responsibly rather than wasted or abused.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump disclosed Sunday that he halted what he described as an enormous planned military strike against Iran after several key Middle Eastern allies urged him to delay the operation and give diplomatic negotiations another opportunity, saying they believed a comprehensive agreement was within reach.

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One during his return flight from Bedminster, New Jersey, to Joint Base Andrews, Trump said the operation he canceled would have been unprecedented in scale and devastating for the Islamic Republic.

“I was asked to by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, by Qatar, and by Iran to hold off strikes,” Trump said. “It would have been a massive attack.

“When the allies asked to call it off, you gotta say, Well, let’s see.”

Trump revealed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally encouraged him to pursue diplomacy rather than authorize military action.

“I asked the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, ‘What would you rather have us do?'” Trump said. “He said, ‘We would prefer a deal rather than an attack.'”

According to the president, leaders across the Gulf region believe negotiations are moving toward a broader agreement that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz as well as addressing Iran’s nuclear program.

“Allies think there is a deal,” Trump said. “There is a deal on Hormuz, and it will be a deal on the nuclear.”

Trump emphasized that his administration is willing to give diplomacy a chance before deciding whether military force will ultimately be required.

“We are just going to see whether or not we can make a deal,” he said.

When asked whether Iran has been given a deadline to reach an agreement, Trump declined to provide one.

“We will see,” he said. “I am not looking to kill people.”

The president also acknowledged that opinions remain divided over the proper U.S. response toward Iran, with some urging immediate military action and others favoring continued negotiations.

“There is a group of people who would love me to do it — just do it — and there is another group of people that does not want me to do it,” he said.

Trump concluded by announcing that direct talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume Monday afternoon, expressing optimism that renewed negotiations could prevent another military confrontation.

“We are talking to them. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” Trump said. “It would save a lot of lives.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Avraham Yaakov (A.J.) Levin zt”l, a pioneering figure in the world of kashrus education, founding editor of Kashrus Kurrents, longtime vice president of the Orthodox Jewish Council, and one of the visionaries who helped transform kosher consumer awareness.

For decades, Rabbi  evin devoted himself to strengthening kashrus standards and educating the public, quietly leaving an indelible mark on countless Jewish homes. Through his work with STAR-K Kosher Certification, he helped bridge the gap between complex halachic principles and everyday consumers, making reliable kashrus information accessible in a way that had never before been done on such a broad scale.

A talmid of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, Rabbi Levin was formed under the guidance of the yeshivah‘s legendary leaders. During his years there, he developed a close relationship with Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman zt”l, as well as with Rav Dovid Kronglass zt”l, Rav Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg zt”l, and Rav Naftoli Neuberger zt”l. The Torah, yiras Shamayim, and sense of responsibility for Klal Yisroel that he absorbed in those formative years remained evident throughout his life.

Perhaps his most enduring public contribution came through Kashrus Kurrents, the flagship publication of STAR-K, which he founded and edited. At a time when kosher consumer information was far less available than it is today, the publication became an indispensable resource for families, rabbanim, and mashgichim, presenting practical halachic guidance in a clear and engaging format.

He also played a leading role in developing some of the earliest consumer-empowerment initiatives in the field of kashrus. Recognizing that people often needed immediate answers to practical she’eilos, he helped establish specialized consumer guidance programs as well as STAR-K’s early kashrus telephone hotlines, giving the public direct access to reliable information long before the internet became commonplace.

Beyond his organizational accomplishments, Rabbi Levin was admired for his humility, warmth, and unwavering dedication to serving Klal Yisroel. Friends and colleagues recall someone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, preferring that the mission receive recognition rather than the individual carrying it out.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Rebbetzin Sorah Levin, and by a distinguished family continuing his legacy of Torah and avodas hakodesh.

The following family members are sitting shivah together in Yerushalayim at Panim Meiros 2, Apartment 10:

Rebbetzin Sorah Levin
Rav Dovid Binyamin Levin (through Monday; beginning Tuesday he will be sitting shivah in Miami Beach)
Rav Tsvi Yehuda Levin
Rav Ahron Gershon Levin
Rebbetzin Rochel Risha Goldberg

Visiting hours in Yerushalayim are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The family can be reached at 011-972-2-537-1911.

Rabbi Moishe Eliezer Levin is sitting shivah at 154 Williamsburg Lane, Coventry Square, Lakewood, N.J. Telephone: (732) 330-7132.

Minyanim in Lakewood are as follows: Shacharis, Monday through Friday at 7:15 a.m.; Mincha, 15 minutes before shkiah; Maariv at 7:55 p.m. following Mincha; and Friday Mincha at 1:45 p.m.

Rabbi Peretz Chaim Levin is sitting shivah at 902 Ditmas Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11218. Telephone: (917) 584-5722.

Minyanim in Brooklyn: Shacharis at 8:00 a.m.; Mincha and Maariv 15 minutes before shkiah.

Beginning Tuesday, Rabbi Dovid Binyamin Levin will be sitting shivah at 4000 Alton Road, Miami Beach, Fla. 33140. Telephone: (305) 409-4175.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli police are renewing their appeal to the public for assistance in locating 16-year-old Efrat Menachem, who has now been missing for ten days. Authorities say they remain deeply concerned for her safety as the search continues with no significant breakthrough.

The search is being led by officers from the Binyamin Police Station in the Judea and Samaria District, working together with additional security agencies in an ongoing effort to locate the missing teenager from Kochav Ya’akov.

According to police, Efrat was last seen on the morning of July 24 at approximately 8:00 a.m. near the community of Beit Elazari. Shortly afterward, all contact with her was lost, prompting authorities to launch an extensive search operation amid growing concern for her well-being.

Police describe Efrat as standing approximately 1.55 meters (5 feet, 1 inch) tall, with long dark hair, dark brown eyes, and glasses. She was last seen wearing a white denim skirt and a white top.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen Efrat Menachem or who has information that could help investigators locate her to immediately contact the Israel Police emergency hotline by dialing 100 or call the Binyamin Police Station at +972-2-9706444.

All are asked to daven for Rav Avrohom Pinchos Brody, who is in critical condition after suffering a heart attack. He is currently being treated at NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Center.

Rav Brody is the rov of Khal Zichron Meir on Spruce Street in Lakewood and the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Yaaros Devash.

Rav Brody previously served for many years as a maggid shiur at Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef in Edison, New Jersey.

Rav Brody’s late wife, Rebbetzin Dena Sarah Brody a”h, was a beloved mechaneches and longtime menaheles of Bais Rivka Rochel Girls Elementary School in Lakewood. She was the daughter of Reb Moshe Swerdloff zt”l, one of the pioneering bnei Torah of East New York, Brooklyn. Rebbetzin Brody was niftar in 2012.

In response to Rav Brody’s condition, a community-wide tefillah call has been organized for this evening at 10:15 p.m. Participants may join by calling 605-475-4700 and entering PIN 6739, when Tehillim will be recited on his behalf.

All are asked to daven for the complete recovery of Rav Avrohom Pinchos ben Chana.

A newly formed Italian-American organization is moving ahead with plans to erect a new Christopher Columbus statue in Brooklyn this October, deliberately placing it on private property to avoid potential interference from Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration and others who have sought to remove monuments honoring the famed Italian explorer.

The project is being spearheaded by the Preserving Italian Heritage Coalition, an organization organized by New York State Assemblyman Lester Chang (R-Brooklyn). Rather than pursuing a city-owned location, the coalition intends to install the monument at the John Hughes Club in Dyker Heights, ensuring it will remain beyond the reach of municipal officials.

“I’m Chinese, but this is my community, too,” said Chang, who was born on Eldridge Street in Manhattan and today represents Bensonhurst and Dyker Heights.

The coalition has launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of collecting $100,000 to pay for the statue’s installation and future upkeep.

Chang said the idea began taking shape after last November’s election and was further inspired by President Donald Trump’s Columbus Day proclamation, in which Trump pledged to reclaim the explorer’s legacy from “left-wing arsonists.” According to Chang, he personally wrote the coalition’s first donation before the organization even had a bank account.

The assemblyman also reflected on his family’s history, explaining that his father, who immigrated from China in 1924, struggled to find work before eventually being hired by an Italian restaurant in Liberty, New York.

Chang said the coalition intentionally selected private property because members anticipated opposition from the Mamdani administration if the statue were placed on public land.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, drew widespread attention in 2020 after posting a photograph of himself making a profane gesture toward a Christopher Columbus statue in Queens while calling for the monument’s removal during his tenure as a state assemblyman.

Chang initially explored placing the monument in a park along 18th Avenue but concluded the proposal would likely become entangled in an approval process lasting up to two years, only to face probable rejection at the end.

Stefano Forte, president of the New York Young Republican Club, whose organization has assisted with early fundraising efforts, said the project offers an opportunity to celebrate a figure whose monuments have increasingly come under attack.

“At a time when Italian American history and culture are being erased by Mayor Mamdani, our club is highlighting one of the giants of American and Italian history, Christopher Columbus,” Forte said.

Mamdani’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Coalition treasurer Gregory Lendino said Christopher Columbus had long served as a unifying figure within the Italian-American community, regardless of political affiliation.

“It didn’t matter if you were Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. He was just an icon that we rallied around.”

Committee member Lori Pedone said the effort carries deep personal meaning for her family.

“My grandparents would be ecstatic knowing that we’re trying to preserve history,” she said.

“My son was recently married. Maybe my grandchildren will one day be able to see that statue and be proud of it as well.”

Coalition leaders say this is only the beginning of a broader effort. They hope their organization can become a permanent home for Columbus monuments and other statues that are removed elsewhere in the country, arguing that placing them on private property avoids much of the governmental red tape involved with public installations.

Members have also discussed the possibility that the new monument could become a target for vandalism. To prepare for that possibility, the statue’s base is being designed wide enough to accommodate a protective enclosure if one becomes necessary.

Lendino said the coalition remains committed to moving forward regardless of any opposition.

“They came here and they built things,” Lendino said. “They didn’t tear things down.”

{Matzav.com}