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Although the 2026 tax season has ended, a number of Americans are still waiting for their federal tax refunds. For many of those taxpayers, however, their money could arrive in the coming weeks.

Federal officials projected that average refunds for the 2025 tax year would exceed $3,400, representing an increase of roughly 11 percent compared to the previous year. While that marked a notable rise, it fell short of claims by some administration officials that refunds would increase by as much as $1,000.

The timing of a refund depends largely on when a taxpayer submitted a return and whether it was filed electronically or on paper.

According to the IRS, most taxpayers who submit returns electronically receive refunds within approximately 21 days. Those who mail paper returns often face longer processing times, and any errors, corrections, or amended filings can further extend the wait.

As a result, taxpayers who filed by the standard April 15 deadline generally should have received their refunds already.

There are exceptions, however, and some groups of taxpayers remain in the processing pipeline.

Among those most likely to receive refunds in June are filers who submitted returns in May, either because they obtained filing extensions or because the IRS granted additional time in areas affected by natural disasters.

The IRS routinely extends tax deadlines for communities impacted by severe weather and other emergencies. For example, residents affected by storms, flooding, and the “remnants of Typhoon Halong” in parts of Alaska last October were given until May 1, 2026, to file returns and make certain payments that had originally been due before October 8, 2025.

Additional May 1 extensions applied to taxpayers affected by storms and flooding in Montana, as well as those impacted by “severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides” in parts of Washington state. Similar relief deadlines continue to affect certain taxpayers in Mississippi, Hawaii, and Georgia.

Another category of taxpayers who may finally see refunds arrive this month includes those whose payments were delayed because they failed to provide required banking information.

Earlier this year, Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee disclosed that thousands of taxpayers had received notices informing them that their refunds were being held up. In some cases, the delays lasted “more than 2 months” because the IRS lacked the necessary banking details needed to issue payments electronically.

The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service previously cautioned taxpayers that refunds could be placed on hold if direct-deposit information was missing. Those refunds generally remain frozen until taxpayers either provide the required information or choose to receive a paper check instead.

Many affected individuals have already received IRS notices directing them to update or verify their banking information through the agency’s website. Others may simply be issued paper refund checks after a waiting period of approximately six weeks.

Lawmakers have warned that taxpayers relying on mailed checks could face significantly longer delays.

In a letter earlier this year, Reps. Danny K. Davis of Illinois and Terri A. Sewell of Alabama noted that taxpayers receiving paper checks “could face more than a 10-week delay (over 2 1/2 months).”

For taxpayers who filed closer to the April deadline and later encountered processing issues, those extended timelines could mean that their long-awaited refunds may not arrive until sometime this month.

Your tax return will still be processed, even if you did not include banking information, the IRS said. You can find more details, including how to receive assistance by phone, here.

You can track your refund’s status with the IRS’s Where’s My Refund? Tool. If you filed electronically, your refund status is available within 24 hours. If you filed a paper return, it takes four weeks for your status to appear.

{Matzav.com}

The Social Security Administration announced Tuesday that it plans to finish phasing out paper benefit checks during 2026, advancing a government-wide effort to shift federal payments entirely to electronic methods.

Officials are urging beneficiaries who still receive checks through the mail to switch immediately to either direct deposit or a government-backed prepaid debit card to prevent any interruption in future payments.

The initiative is part of a broader federal modernization effort launched through Executive Order 14247, titled “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” which President Donald Trump signed on March 25, 2025.

Under the order, the Treasury Department was instructed to end the use of paper checks for nearly all federal payments by September 30, 2025. The directive applies to programs including Social Security benefits, Veterans Affairs payments, and federal tax refunds issued by the IRS.

Administration officials have argued that eliminating paper checks will reduce fraud, lower administrative expenses, and decrease problems associated with lost or undeliverable mail.

Although the September 2025 deadline formally ended routine issuance of federal paper checks, Social Security has continued serving a small group of recipients who have not yet transitioned to electronic payment methods while encouraging them to make the change.

According to agency data released last year, fewer than one percent of the approximately 70 million people receiving Social Security benefits were still being paid by paper check.

In a blog post published Tuesday, the agency cited Treasury Department statistics showing that producing and mailing a paper check costs an average of $3.07, approximately twenty times the cost of sending an electronic payment. The agency also noted that paper checks are sixteen times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered, or returned than digital transactions.

Federal officials have estimated that maintaining the infrastructure required to support paper payments cost taxpayers more than $657 million during fiscal year 2024.

Recipients who wish to enroll in direct deposit can do so through their online my Social Security account or by providing their banking information directly to the agency.

Individuals without traditional bank accounts can instead receive benefits through the Treasury Department’s Direct Express program by calling 1-800-967-6857 or visiting GoDirect.gov.

The government said exemptions remain available for certain beneficiaries who face significant barriers to electronic banking. Those living in remote locations, lacking banking access, or experiencing documented hardships may seek a waiver through the U.S. Treasury by calling 1-877-874-6347.

As of Tuesday, Social Security had not announced the exact date when the final paper benefit check will be issued, stating only that it expects all remaining beneficiaries to complete the transition sometime during 2026.

The move mirrors similar efforts across the federal government. In recent months, agencies including the Labor Department, Justice Department, and Internal Revenue Service have issued their own guidance outlining how they will comply with the Treasury’s mandate to eliminate paper payments.

{Matzav.com}

A potentially deadly arson attack was narrowly averted early Tuesday when a suspect allegedly set a fire inside a residential building housing young Jewish families in London’s Golders Green neighborhood before fleeing the scene.

According to a statement issued by Shomrim, residents were jolted awake in the early morning hours by the sound of a fire alarm echoing throughout the apartment complex.

Witnesses reported that an individual intentionally ignited a fire in a shared stairwell within the building. After being spotted and challenged by residents, the suspect reportedly ran from the area before authorities arrived.

A quick-thinking resident acted immediately upon discovering the flames and succeeded in putting out the fire before it could spread through the building. Despite the danger, no injuries were reported.

Shomrim volunteers arrived promptly and began assisting with the response. During their investigation, they recovered items believed to have been left behind by the suspect, evidence that may prove valuable to law enforcement. Volunteers are also working alongside police as officers review surveillance footage from nearby security cameras and CCTV systems.

Investigators have not yet determined a motive, and authorities continue to piece together exactly what occurred. The incident, however, comes during a period of growing concern within Britain’s Jewish community following a series of attacks and security incidents targeting Jewish institutions and individuals.

Police and Shomrim are asking members of the public who may have witnessed suspicious activity or who possess dashcam or surveillance footage from the area to contact investigators as soon as possible.

The attempted arson follows another disturbing incident in Golders Green less than a month ago, when two Orthodox Jewish men were stabbed.

That attack led British authorities to elevate the country’s terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe,” marking the first such increase in more than four years.

In a separate incident just weeks earlier, a Jewish resident was reportedly assaulted in Golders Green after being heard speaking Hebrew.

The neighborhood was also shaken in late March when four emergency vehicles belonging to Hatzolah were deliberately set ablaze. Authorities have arrested nine suspects in connection with that case as the investigation continues.

{Matzav.com}

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As the Knesset moves forward with legislation to dissolve itself and trigger new elections, United Torah Judaism is demanding that the process be accelerated, citing the government’s failure to resolve the status of yeshiva students and what it describes as an ongoing campaign against the Torah world.

Speaking during a heated Knesset plenary session on Tuesday, UTJ faction chairman MK Uri Maklev delivered a sharp rebuke of the coalition, arguing that the government had failed to fulfill one of its most fundamental commitments to the chareidi parties.

Maklev said the Knesset was heading toward dissolution because the coalition “did not meet its goals and did not fulfill its commitment to regulate the status of Torah learners in Eretz Yisroel.”

The UTJ lawmaker painted a bleak picture of the current situation facing yeshiva students, accusing authorities of targeting bnei Torah through arrests, public attacks, and economic pressure.

“During this government’s watch, Torah learners have been subjected to incitement, vilification, arrests, persecution, and inhumane economic strangulation,” Maklev said. He added that a significant portion of what he described as the campaign against the Torah community was being carried out by members of the coalition itself.

Maklev argued that the government’s actions represented a betrayal of what UTJ viewed as a foundational understanding of the coalition agreement and its obligations to the Torah world.

According to Maklev, coalition partners have turned their backs on what was understood to be a basic principle underpinning the government. He emphasized the role of Torah learners as a spiritual shield for the Jewish people, particularly at a time when Israel faces threats from multiple enemies.

The UTJ chairman also condemned the arrests of yeshiva students and called on government ministers to halt what he described as the persecution of those engaged in Torah study.

“On your watch, cruel and detached arrests are being carried out against Torah learners,” he declared.

Maklev further criticized coalition lawmakers who declined to support the daycare subsidy bill earlier this week, arguing that the measure was intended to assist families whose livelihoods have been affected by the ongoing dispute over the draft law.

He expressed particular concern for mothers seeking childcare assistance, saying they were being denied support solely because their husbands devote themselves to Torah study.

“There is an entire faction in the coalition that has turned its back on a mother and her young children who simply wants to support her family and obtain proper arrangements for her children. Even that is being denied because the father of those children studies Torah in Eretz Yisroel,” Maklev said.

Concluding his remarks, Maklev insisted that the coalition move quickly to complete the legislative process dissolving the Knesset and setting new elections.

“The Land of Israel is acquired through suffering, and so too is the Torah of Israel,” he said. He added that the government’s obligation now is to bring the dissolution bill to its second and third readings immediately, warning, “We will not let this drag on for very long.”

Maklev ended with a message of confidence that the Torah world would ultimately prevail in the ideological struggle now unfolding.

“In a battle of values, ideology, obligations, and a heritage passed from generation to generation, against evil, wickedness, and cruelty, it is the side of values and ideology that will prevail,” he said.

The Knesset approved the dissolution bill in a preliminary vote Monday night by a margin of 106-0. Under the proposal, elections for the 26th Knesset would be held sometime between September 8, 2026, and October 20, 2026. Knesset officials currently expect the election to take place during the month of Cheshvan rather than in Elul or during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, as Shas and UTJ had initially preferred.

A political dispute is brewing in Alaska after Sen. Dan Sullivan’s reelection campaign accused Democrats and one of his rivals of backing a second candidate with the exact same first and last name in an effort to confuse voters ahead of next year’s election.

The allegations were made Tuesday by Sullivan campaign spokesman Nate Adams, who claimed that Democratic operatives and former congresswoman Mary Peltola were behind the entry of another Dan Sullivan into the Senate race.

“Mary Peltola and D.C. Democrats know they can’t win this race on the issues, so they’ve resorted to dirty, dishonest tactics — recruiting a sham candidate with the sole purpose of deceiving voters and manipulating Alaska’s election system,” Nate Adams, the senator’s campaign spokesman, said in a statement Tuesday.

Peltola, who represented Alaska in the U.S. House from 2023 until 2025, is widely viewed as the leading Democrat seeking the Senate seat currently held by Sullivan, who is running for a third term.

Adams argued that the presence of another candidate with the same name could undermine the integrity of the election and create confusion among voters.

“This blatant attempt to confuse and disenfranchise Alaskans undermines confidence in our elections, and if allowed to stand, will deny voters the honest choice they deserve,” Adams added.

The campaign also signaled that it may pursue legal or other remedies in response to the situation.

He also warned, “We are reviewing all of our options and aren’t ruling anything out.”

The newly announced challenger entered the race last week. The second Dan Sullivan has described himself as a cancer survivor and elementary school teacher and has criticized the incumbent’s record in office.

According to the challenger, the senator sharing his name “has failed to put Alaska first.”

State election records indicate that the challenger is also registered as a Republican. Observers have noted similarities between the branding of the two campaigns, with both using logos featuring stars and a color scheme built around navy blue, white, and yellow.

The unusual situation has created confusion because there is also a third well-known Alaska political figure named Dan Sullivan — the mayor of Anchorage. The most obvious distinction between the two Senate candidates is their middle initials: the incumbent is Dan S. Sullivan, while the challenger is Dan J. Sullivan.

Alaska’s election system allows all candidates to compete in a single primary, with the top four finishers advancing to the general election regardless of party affiliation. Voters are scheduled to cast ballots in the primary on August 18.

Peltola’s campaign swiftly rejected any suggestion that it played a role in recruiting or encouraging the second Sullivan to run.

A spokesperson for Peltola’s campaign, Harry Child, denied that the campaign is involved “with either Sullivan campaign.”

Neither the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee nor the campaign of Dan J. Sullivan immediately provided responses to requests for comment regarding the allegations.

Newly disclosed comments attributed to Shas chairman Aryeh Deri have shed light on deep frustrations within the chareidi political camp, with Deri reportedly blaming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for the latest coalition crisis and expressing concerns about the future political direction of United Torah Judaism.

According to a report aired Tuesday on Channel 13 News, Deri privately faulted Netanyahu for mishandling the highly sensitive draft-law issue and for contributing to the growing rift between the government and leading rabbinic figures.

The reported remarks reveal unusually blunt criticism from Deri, who allegedly argued that Netanyahu’s own statements were responsible for escalating tensions and triggering the strongly worded letter from Rav Dov Landau issued against the right-wing bloc.

“The prime minister is responsible for the incident with Rav Landau and for the harsh letter against the bloc. He made a mistake with all the talk that he does not have a majority for the draft law.”

Deri also reportedly voiced concern that United Torah Judaism could ultimately join a coalition opposed to Netanyahu if such an opportunity emerges after the next election.

“They will enter a left-wing government if one is formed after the elections.”

At the same time, Deri emphasized that Shas would not participate in such a move under any circumstances.

“We will never enter a left-wing government. We already know what the left is and what they will do here.”

The Shas leader reportedly went even further, identifying individuals whom he believes are encouraging United Torah Judaism to move away from Netanyahu and the right-wing camp.

According to the report, Deri specifically targeted Motty Babchik, a senior and influential figure within Agudas Yisroel, accusing him of working behind the scenes to bring about a left-wing coalition.

“He is doing everything to establish a left-wing government.”

The reported comments underscore the growing tensions within Israel’s chareidi parties as disputes over the draft law and the future of the coalition continue to intensify. With the prospect of elections drawing closer, the remarks offer a rare glimpse into the disagreements and political calculations taking place behind closed doors among some of the most powerful figures in the right-wing bloc.

{Matzav.com}

More than three years after the current coalition came to power, the Knesset on Tuesday evening approved in a preliminary reading legislation that would reverse the controversial kashrus reform enacted under former Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana.

The bill passed its first reading by a vote of 49-34 and now heads to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee for further deliberations. Despite clearing its first hurdle, it remains unclear whether supporters will be able to complete the legislative process before the Knesset dissolves and Israel heads to elections.

The proposal has become a source of frustration among some figures in the chareidi parties, who questioned why the legislation was not advanced earlier during the coalition’s tenure.

“We failed not only in passing the draft law and regulating the status of yeshiva students; we failed on many religion-and-state laws that were critical to us,” senior sources in the chareidi factions said in recent days. “What is the explanation for the fact that this law was not brought to a vote three years ago, two years ago, or even one year ago? Why wait until the last minute, when there may not be enough time to complete the legislation? It is a failure.”

The bill seeks to dismantle key components of Kahana’s reform, which opened the kashrus market to private certification bodies. Under the new proposal, authority to issue kashrus certificates would once again be concentrated in the hands of the Chief Rabbinate Council, authorized local rabbanim, and the Military Rabbinate, where applicable.

In addition to restoring the previous framework, the legislation would establish updated regulations governing kashrus standards, the operation of agencies involved in kashrus supervision, and oversight of the certification system.

During the Knesset debate, Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni emphasized the need for professionalism and public confidence in kashrus supervision.

“On the issue of kashrus, there must be professionalism,” Gafni said. “This matter needs to be corrected in an orderly manner. There are things that need fixing. We are asking for a professional discussion so that when a product carries a kashrus certification, the kashrus should be genuine.”

The explanatory notes accompanying the bill argue that Kahana’s reform effectively privatized the kashrus system by allowing private certification organizations to provide supervision and issue certificates based on standards established, in part, by rabbanim who are not public employees.

According to the bill’s sponsors, the Chief Rabbinate Council and the chief rabbis who led it strongly opposed the reform because they believed the unique nature of kashrus supervision requires it to remain a public service rather than a private enterprise.

The explanatory notes state that maintaining public control over kashrus helps preserve transparency, objectivity, and accountability. Supporters of the repeal argue that removing certification from direct public oversight could expose the system to significant economic pressures from the food industry, potentially creating conflicts of interest and allowing outside considerations to influence kashrus standards and enforcement.

Whether the legislation ultimately becomes law may depend on the political calendar, with supporters racing against the possibility of early elections before the bill can complete its remaining readings in the Knesset.

President Donald Trump has agreed to appear at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner later this summer, embracing the decision to move forward with the event after an assassination attempt disrupted the original gathering earlier this year.

Announcing his participation, Trump praised organizers for refusing to allow violence to dictate public life or alter longstanding traditions. He described the decision to proceed with the annual dinner as a demonstration of resilience in the wake of the attack.

“This announcement is a very good thing in that we cannot allow Lunatics to change our way of life, or even its scheduling,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president said he accepted the invitation after being approached by White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang and hinted that his remarks at the event could once again attract attention.

“I was asked to be there, and speak, by Weijia Jiang, President of The White House Correspondents’ Association, and have accepted,” he continued. “I don’t know whether or not I will give the same rather nasty statements, at least as it concerns certain people, but we will soon find out.”

Trump also highlighted the venue selected for the rescheduled event, noting its connection to his own business history.

“In any event,” the president added, “it will be a ‘HOT’ ticket! Interestingly, the location will be The Waldorf Astoria, on Pennsylvania Avenue, a Building and Ballroom that I built.”

The dinner is now set for July 24 and will take place in the Presidential Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. The property originally operated as a Trump-branded hotel before changing ownership in 2022. Event organizers have indicated that those who purchased tickets for the original dinner will not be required to pay again.

Because the ballroom accommodates approximately 1,300 guests, attendance will be significantly smaller than the original event planned for the Washington Hilton, where organizers expected roughly 2,500 attendees.

The annual dinner had originally been scheduled for April 25. Those plans were derailed after authorities say Cole Tomas Allen stormed a security checkpoint carrying a rifle and opened fire, striking a Secret Service agent who was protected by a bulletproof vest.

Investigators allege that Allen later confessed in a manifesto that his goal was to assassinate Trump and kill as many Cabinet officials as possible. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

In a message sent to members of the White House Correspondents’ Association, Jiang said the organization was determined not to allow the attack to define the event or overshadow its purpose.

“The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has served as a celebration of a free press and the vital role of journalism in our democracy for over a century,” Jiang wrote, according to the New York Post.

She said the shooting reinforced the organization’s commitment to defending constitutional freedoms and protecting the role of a free press.

“When gunfire interrupted this year’s event, it further clarified the WHCA’s mission to advocate for the freedoms that are protected in the First Amendment,” she said. “We will not allow an act of violence to have the last word, especially during a year when we are reflecting on the 250th anniversary of America and everything we stand for.”

Jiang noted that this year’s dinner will be scaled down compared to previous years and will feature additional security precautions.

The rescheduled event will be “a more intimate gathering” and will feature “significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.”

In addition to the traditional dinner and presidential remarks, the evening is expected to include scholarship presentations and awards recognizing excellence in journalism.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. secured the Republican nomination in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, advancing to the general election without opposition even as his prolonged absence from public life continues to draw scrutiny.

The 57-year-old congressman has remained largely out of sight for nearly three months while dealing with an undisclosed medical condition. Although he has acknowledged the health issue, Kean has not yet revealed the nature of his illness and has continued conducting what he describes as “virtual work” rather than returning to public appearances.

Hours before polls closed, Kean released a statement indicating that his return to normal duties is approaching but that doctors have advised him to continue recovering before resuming in-person activities.

“Right now I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals, I will transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks,” the congresswoman said in a statement, hours before polls closed in the Garden State.

“At that time I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition,” he teased.

Kean also sought to reassure constituents that he intends to fully explain the circumstances surrounding his absence once he is able to do so.

Kean said he understands “the need for transparency on this matter and I look forward to sharing my experience with the public.”

His extended absence has fueled concerns about his ability to perform the duties of office. The Republican lawmaker has not cast a vote in Congress since March 5, a fact that has intensified questions from political observers and constituents alike.

Speaking to the New Jersey Globe last month in what was reportedly his first public interview since stepping away from public view, Kean expressed confidence that his recovery is progressing well.

“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” Kean told the New Jersey Globe late last month, in his first known interview since his disappearance. “I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents.

“I anticipate that in the next couple of weeks, I’ll return to voting and to the campaign trail,” he added.

Kean, the son of former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, is seeking a third term in one of the nation’s most closely watched congressional battlegrounds. Political analysts continue to classify the district as highly competitive heading into the fall campaign.

The district, home to President Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, narrowly backed Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election by roughly two percentage points. In contrast, voters there supported Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill over Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a similar margin in the state’s gubernatorial race.

Kean first won the seat in 2022 when he unseated Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski. Two years later, he successfully defended the district, defeating Democrat Susan Altman by a wider margin.

President Trump has remained a strong supporter of Kean. During last year’s campaign, Trump praised the congressman for his work on key Republican priorities and highlighted his record on issues ranging from border security to economic policy.

Trump endorsed Kean as a “tremendous advocate of our America First Agenda” who is “working tirelessly to Secure the Border, Stop Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Champion Small Business, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

The president reaffirmed that endorsement Monday night in a Truth Social post, once again backing Kean’s reelection bid.

Behind the scenes, however, some Republicans have expressed frustration with how Kean’s team has managed public communication regarding his condition and absence.

“Everybody I’m talking to is just shocked at how poorly this is being handled by the Kean operation,” a New Jersey-based GOP consultant vented to The Post last month. “It’s created an air of mystery that’s fueled the story, or frankly, created the story.”

The consultant argued that a simple public appearance or video message could have gone a long way toward addressing concerns and reassuring voters.

“The general consensus from the people I’m talking to is that something is prohibiting him from looking at an iPhone and doing a proof of life video … saying, ‘I’m here, I’m going through something, but I’ll be back.’”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is expected to travel to New York next month to attend the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS), one of the world’s largest international gatherings focused on law enforcement and security cooperation.

The conference, held periodically at UN headquarters, brings together police commissioners, law enforcement leaders, and senior security officials from more than 100 countries to discuss policing, public safety, and international security challenges.

While the event traditionally draws police chiefs and professional law enforcement personnel, participation by government ministers is relatively uncommon. For that reason, Ben Gvir’s planned attendance is already attracting attention.

The visit is expected to take place just months before Israelis head to the polls, adding a political dimension to the trip. Observers have noted that the timing is particularly noteworthy, with the conference scheduled to occur roughly two months before the national elections.

Ben Gvir’s participation will place him alongside senior police and security officials from around the world at a forum that serves as a major venue for discussing international law enforcement cooperation and emerging security threats.

No further details about Ben Gvir’s expected meetings or schedule during the visit have yet been released.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Hershel Lieberman zt”l, a talmid chochom whose life spanned nearly a century and whose formative years were spent in the shadow of some of the greatest Torah leaders of the previous generation.

Rav Lieberman, who was privileged to forge close relationships with the Brisker Rov, the Chazon Ish, Rav Yitzchok Hutner, Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav Chatzkel Levenstein, and other luminaries of the Torah world, was niftar at the age of 95.

His passing comes just weeks after the petirah of his brother, Rav Yosef Lieberman zt”l.

Born in prewar Europe, Rav Hershel’s childhood was shattered by the horrors of World War II. Together with his brother Rav Yosef and their sister, he survived the war years in Vichy France, escaping the murderous machinery that claimed the lives of millions of European Jews. Like so many members of that generation, the experiences of his youth left an indelible mark upon him. Yet, rather than allowing tragedy to define him, he emerged with an unquenchable thirst for Torah and a determination to rebuild what had been destroyed.

After arriving in the United States, the young Hershel gravitated toward the great centers of Torah learning that were beginning to flourish on American soil. His extraordinary diligence and refinement earned him a special place in the home of Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l, the legendary rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin. He became a ben bayis, spending countless hours in close proximity to one of the most profound Torah thinkers of the generation.

Those who knew him would later recall that Rav Lieberman often spoke with deep appreciation about the privilege of witnessing Rav Hutner’s greatness firsthand, not only during public shmuessen, but in the private moments that revealed the depth of the rosh yeshiva’s character, wisdom, and devotion to Torah.

From there, Rav Lieberman continued his growth in the hallowed halls of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, where he became a talmid of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l. In those formative years, he absorbed the fiery devotion to Torah and relentless pursuit of truth that characterized Rav Aharon and the pioneering generation that built the American Torah world.

It was in Eretz Yisroel that Rav Lieberman would forge some of the relationships that would define the rest of his life.

He learned in Yeshivas Mir during a period when the yeshiva was emerging as one of the foremost citadels of Torah learning in the world. There, surrounded by giants of Torah and fellow seekers of greatness, he immersed himself in learning with extraordinary dedication.

He later entered Yeshivas Brisk, where he became one of the cherished talmidim of the Brisker Rov, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik zt”l. Rav Lieberman maintained a uniquely close relationship with the Rov and often spoke of the awe he felt in the presence of the gaon whose every word and action reflected uncompromising fidelity to Torah.

Those who heard Rav Lieberman recount memories of the Brisker Rov described the stories as windows into another world, a world of unyielding dedication to Torah, exacting precision in learning, and complete devotion to emes. The lessons he absorbed during those years remained with him for the rest of his life.

At the same time, Rav Lieberman developed a close bond with the Chazon Ish. He was among those privileged to converse regularly with the Chazon Ish in learning, discussing complex Torah concepts and benefiting from the sage guidance of the gadol hador. The relationship was one that Rav Lieberman treasured deeply. Those interactions became a source of inspiration that sustained him for decades.

Rav Lieberman also enjoyed close ties with other gedolei hador, including Rav Chatzkel Levenstein zt”l, the famed mashgiach of Mir, whose penetrating mussar teachings left a lasting impression. Through these relationships, Rav Lieberman became a living link to a generation of Torah giants whose influence continues to shape the Torah world today.

Although he carried within him memories of some of the greatest figures of the previous century, those who knew Rav Lieberman describe him not as someone who lived in the past, but as someone who carried its lessons into the present. He was known for his humility, warmth, and unwavering devotion to Torah.

In an era when firsthand witnesses to the prewar European Torah world and the rebuilding generation have become increasingly rare, Rav Hershel represented a precious bridge to that world. He embodied the resilience of Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives through Torah, the dedication of the pioneering bnei Torah who helped establish great yeshivos in America and Eretz Yisroel, and the profound reverence for Torah that characterized the giants among whom he grew.

With his passing, another treasured link to a remarkable generation has been lost.

The levayah will take place on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Shomrei Hadas Chapels, located at 3803 14th Avenue in Boro Park, Brooklyn.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the heartbreaking ietirah of 8-year-old Shaindy Herzberg a”h, daughter of Yudi and Chumie Herzberg.

Shaindy was riding her bicycle on Tiffin Lane in Pomona, NY, when she was struck by a vehicle, leaving her critically injured.

Rockland Hatzolah volunteers, paramedics, and other emergency responders rushed to the scene and employed extensive lifesaving measures in an effort to stabilize her condition. She was transported to Nyack Hospital in critical condition for emergency treatment.

Despite the determined efforts of medical personnel, Shaindy succumbed to her injuries.

The levayah is scheduled to take place Wednesday morning. Additional details regarding the exact time and location are being finalized. The kevurah will take place at the Monsey Bais Hachaim.

Umacha Hashem dimah me’al kol ponim.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s exporters are feeling the impact of the weakening U.S. dollar, with new figures showing that despite growth in export sales measured in dollars, the sharp rise of the shekel has erased those gains and translated them into significant losses across major sectors of the economy.

An analysis by the Manufacturers Association of Israel, based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics and reported by Channel 12 News, found that export growth recorded during the first four months of 2026 turned into a substantial decline when revenues were converted into shekels. Since the start of the year, the dollar has lost roughly 12% of its value against the shekel, and about 20% over the past year.

According to the report, industrial exports excluding diamonds increased by 5% in dollar terms between January and April, rising from $17.5 billion to $18.3 billion. However, when those earnings were calculated in shekels, export revenues fell sharply. Total exports dropped from NIS 63.4 billion during the same period last year to NIS 56.7 billion this year—a decline of approximately 10%.

The Manufacturers Association said the downturn was evident across much of the industrial sector. High-tech industries, which account for about 42% of Israel’s exports, posted a 4.6% increase in dollar-denominated sales. Yet after currency conversion, those gains became an 11% decline, representing an estimated loss of roughly NIS 3 billion.

Traditional manufacturing suffered even more severe damage. A 4.3% decline in exports measured in dollars translated into an 18.3% drop in shekel terms, amounting to losses of approximately NIS 904 million.

The data showed that 21 of Israel’s 27 industrial sectors experienced declines when export earnings were measured in local currency.

In the high-tech and electronics industries, a 5% increase in exports in dollar terms became an 11% decline after conversion to shekels, wiping out about NIS 2.4 billion in revenue. The chemicals sector saw a 2% rise in dollar-based exports turn into a 13% decline in shekel terms, resulting in losses estimated at NIS 1.7 billion.

The pharmaceutical industry was also hit hard. A 6% drop in exports measured in dollars deepened to nearly 20% when calculated in shekels, reducing revenues by roughly NIS 477 million. The rubber and plastics sector experienced a similar trend, with a 4% decline in dollar exports becoming an 18% decline in local currency, equal to losses of about NIS 490 million.

Netanel Hyman, head of the Economics Division at the Manufacturers Association, warned that the continued strengthening of the shekel is inflicting serious damage on key sectors of the Israeli economy. He said the erosion of Israeli competitiveness in global markets can no longer be ignored and cautioned that failure to address the issue could result in lost investment, factory closures, and job cuts.

Hyman called on the Bank of Israel, government officials, and regulators to take coordinated and immediate action to address the growing problem before the economic consequences become even more severe.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli authorities have denied entry to prominent anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour following a recommendation by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, in accordance with the policy of Minister Amichai Chikli.

The ministry said it acted after receiving information from the Population and Immigration Authority and other sources indicating that Sarsour was expected to arrive in Israel. Following a review, Ministry Director-General Avi Cohen-Scali recommended that she be denied entry under Amendment 40 to Israel’s Entry Law and pursuant to existing interagency procedures governing such cases. The recommendation was accepted, and Sarsour was barred from entering the country.

According to the ministry, Sarsour has been a prominent supporter of the BDS movement, which advocates boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. Officials said she has participated in and encouraged anti-Israel activism in the United States and has been involved in campaigns promoting sanctions against Israel.

The ministry also accused Sarsour of supporting anti-Israel demonstrations on American college campuses and cited her involvement with organizations including Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP).

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli said: “I instructed my ministry’s director-general, Avi Cohen-Scali, to prevent the entry into Israel of Linda Sarsour, one of the most prominent figures behind anti-Israel boycott activity in the United States and one of the leaders of the violent protests supporting Hamas after October 7. In doing so, we continue to implement without compromise the policy I established at the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism: Anyone who incites and supports boycotts against the State of Israel will bear the consequences and will themselves be boycotted.”

Avi Cohen-Scali, director-general of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, said: “Those who incite and fuel hatred against the State of Israel will not set foot in it. We will continue to act to prevent hostile and antisemitic elements from entering the territory of the State of Israel.”

The decision is the latest step by Israeli authorities to enforce laws restricting entry for foreign nationals who actively promote boycotts against Israel or engage in activities viewed as hostile to the state.

Israel’s Shin Bet security service has reportedly launched an internal investigation following an unusual incident involving Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, outside the Prime Minister’s official residence on Gaza Street in Yerushalayim.

According to a report by journalist Uri Misgav, the incident occurred after Netanyahu was left waiting outside due to a delay in the arrival of her official government vehicle. Witnesses who were present at the scene reportedly said that she appeared visibly upset and was heard raising her voice during a phone conversation while waiting on the street.

As the delay continued, Netanyahu allegedly attempted to hail a passing taxi in order to continue to her destination. However, members of the Shin Bet’s VIP protection unit intervened and prevented her from entering the vehicle.

According to the report, the security personnel physically blocked the taxi from approaching because security regulations prohibit the prime minister’s wife from traveling in an unapproved and unsecured vehicle. The standoff reportedly led to several minutes of heated exchanges before the official driver eventually arrived, allowing Netanyahu to continue her journey.

Following the incident, and at Sara Netanyahu’s request, the Prime Minister’s Office reportedly filed a formal complaint with the Shin Bet, demanding an immediate review of the circumstances surrounding the episode.

The complaint characterized the incident as a serious security failure, arguing that the delay left the prime minister’s wife exposed to potential danger in the heart of Yerushalayim. In response to the allegations, the Shin Bet has begun examining the events and the conduct of those involved.

Neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the Shin Bet issued an official response to the report.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio forcefully rejected criticism from Sen. Cory Booker during a tense Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday, dismissing claims that the Trump administration is seeking to return to the type of nuclear agreement with Iran that it previously condemned.

The exchange unfolded as lawmakers debated the administration’s strategy toward Tehran and ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

Booker argued that the United States had gained little leverage despite its pressure campaign against Iran and accused the administration of pursuing negotiations similar to the 2015 nuclear accord that President Donald Trump withdrew from during his first term.

“We are the strongest nation on the planet Earth and we’re in a stalemate with Iran. And now we’re begging to get back into a deal that you all trashed in the first place,” Booker said during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

Rubio quickly pushed back, insisting that Iran—not the United States—is under pressure and entering negotiations from a position of significant weakness.

“There’s no begging,” Rubio responded.

The secretary pointed to Iran’s worsening economic conditions, arguing that severe financial problems have left the regime increasingly desperate.

“The Iranians were begging because their economy is losing hundreds of millions of dollars a day. They have hyperinflation, their currency is completely devalued, and they’re struggling to make payroll for their government workers. Iran is in a very serious situation.”

Rubio also disputed any suggestion that Iran has emerged stronger despite months of regional conflict and economic sanctions, contending that the country’s military infrastructure has suffered major setbacks.

“I don’t know where you’re getting this perception that Iran is stronger. Iran has no navy left. They’ve lost a substantial percentage of their defense industrial base and a substantial percentage of their missile launchers, and their economy is far worse today than it was six to nine months ago.”

The sharp exchange highlighted the growing debate in Washington over the administration’s approach to Iran, with critics questioning whether renewed negotiations will produce meaningful results and administration officials maintaining that Tehran is negotiating under mounting economic and military pressure.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has directed federal health officials to conduct a new review of the nation’s childhood vaccination schedule, a move that could lead to additional changes in the vaccines routinely recommended for American children and teenagers.

The executive order, signed Friday, builds on a scientific evaluation issued earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That report highlighted that the United States recommends a larger number of childhood vaccines than other developed nations and administers significantly more doses than some countries in Europe.

Following the release of that assessment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its childhood immunization guidance in January, reducing the number of routinely recommended vaccinations from 17 to 11. The decision drew strong opposition from many medical organizations and public health experts.

Under the updated CDC recommendations, vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue fever, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcal B are generally recommended only for children considered to be at elevated risk.

The agency maintained its existing recommendations for protection against 11 illnesses, including measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumonia, polio, human papillomavirus (HPV), and chickenpox.

Trump’s executive order instructs the CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to reexamine both the January HHS report and the most recent clinical research. The review is intended to determine whether further revisions should be made to the national vaccine schedule for children and adolescents.

In a fact sheet released alongside the order, the White House said: “President Trump is reaffirming his commitment to gold-standard science, ensuring Americans receive the best possible medical advice, and empowering patients and doctors with maximum flexibility.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics took a different approach after the January CDC changes, issuing its own immunization guidelines that continue to recommend routine protection against 18 diseases. Those recommendations include vaccines for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, influenza, and meningococcal disease.

AAP officials have argued that comparisons between the United States and other countries can be misleading because vaccine recommendations are based on each nation’s unique public health conditions and healthcare infrastructure.

“We don’t follow Denmark’s vaccine recommendations because we don’t live in Denmark,” Dr. Jose Romero, a member of AAP’s committee on infectious diseases, said in a statement last year. “Children in the United States are at risk of different diseases than children in other countries. We also have a completely different health system.”

The American College of Physicians also voiced concern over the administration’s latest action, warning against replacing longstanding U.S. guidance with policies modeled after those of other countries.

“This is the second time the administration has attempted to unilaterally substitute vaccine guidance from other countries to replace the U.S. vaccine schedule which was developed for the specific needs of the U.S. population,” ACP President Dr. Jan Carney said in a statement. “The U.S. childhood vaccine schedule was designed through years of transparent, scientific review focused on preventing serious illness, outbreaks and deaths among our country’s large, diverse population with uneven access to health care services.

“The evidence is clear: vaccines are safe and effective at preventing deaths, hospitalizations and the spread of disease,” she added. “The changes that this executive order directs cannot be allowed to move forward.”

{Matzav.com}