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Nissim Saal has released his stirring rendition of Meloich, the timeless composition originally written and recorded by the legendary Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, ז״ל. The recording is dedicated in memory of Shia Mendelowitz, ז״ל, who just months before his passing encouraged the team to bring this moving nusach composition to life. May his נשמה have an aliyah. Production Credits: Produced by: Yochi Briskman Composed by: Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point Wednesday and projected it would do so twice more this year as concern grows at the central bank about the health of the nation’s labor market. The move is the Fed’s first cut since December and lowered its short-term rate to about 4.1%, down from 4.3%. Fed officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, had kept their rate unchanged this year as they evaluated the impact of tariffs, tighter immigration enforcement, and other Trump administration policies on inflation and the economy. Yet the central bank’s focus has shifted quickly from inflation, which remains modestly above its 2% target, to jobs, as hiring has grounded nearly to a halt in recent months and the unemployment rate has ticked higher. Lower interest rates could reduce borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans, and business loans, and boost growth and hiring. “Downside risks to employment have risen,” the Fed said in a statement after its two-day meeting. Fed officials also signaled that they expect to reduce their key rate twice more this year, but just once in 2026, which may disappoint Wall Street. Before the meeting, investors had projected five cuts for the rest of this year and next. Just one Fed policymaker dissented from the decision: Stephen Miran, who President Donald Trump appointed and was confirmed by the Senate in a rushed vote late Monday just hours before the meeting began. Many economists forecast additional dissents, and the outcome suggests that Powell was able to patch together a show of unity from a committee that includes Miran and two other Trump appointees from his first term. (AP)

BREAKING: The Federal Reserve just delivered its first rate cut of 2025, lowering interest rates by 25 basis points. This move ends a streak of five consecutive meetings with no policy changes.

Utah Valley University students returning to campus Wednesday clustered silently, staring down at the still-barricaded courtyard where an assassin struck down conservative activist Charlie Kirk in an attack that upended the nation. Care stations offering stuffed animals, candy and connections to counseling dotted the campus on the first of classes since the shooting more than a week ago. On Tuesday, prosecutors charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with capital murder and announced they will seek the death penalty, saying he confessed in a text with his romantic partner. Prosecutors revealed a series of incriminating messages, a hidden note and DNA evidence that they say connects Robinson to the killing of Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and confidant of President Donald Trump. Since the shooting, the Republican president has threatened to crack down on what he calls the “radical left” and classifying some groups as domestic terrorists. Former Democratic President Barack Obama said this week that Trump has further divided the country rather than work to bring people together. On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee called on the chief executives of Discord, Steam, Twitch and Reddit to testify on how they are regulating their platforms to prevent violence. “Congress has a duty to oversee the online platforms that radicals have used to advance political violence,” said GOP Rep. James Comer, the committee chair, signaling a shift for congressional Republicans, who had previously scrutinized online platforms for policing free speech. Hidden note in suspect’s apartment Investigators say that sometime after Robinson fired a single fatal shot from the rooftop of a campus building overlooking where Kirk was speaking to about 3,000 people on Sept. 10, he texted his partner and said to look under a keyboard. There was a note, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” according to court documents. After expressing shock, his partner who lived with Robinson in southwestern Utah, asked Robinson if he was the shooter. Robinson responded, “I am, I’m sorry.” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said DNA on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk on the campus in Orem, south of Salt Lake City, matched Robinson. He faced his first hearing in the case Tuesday, appearing on video from jail as a judge read the charges and said he would appoint an attorney to represent him. A message was left Wednesday with the county’s public defender office. Robinson’s family has declined to comment to The Associated Press since his arrest. Investigators looking at whether Robinson had help Law enforcement officials say they are looking at whether others knew about Robinson’s plans or helped. They have not said if his partner is among those being investigated but have expressed appreciation for the partner sharing information. The partner apparently never went to law enforcement after receiving the texts. Robinson remained on the run for more than a day until his parents recognized him in a photo released by authorities. Also getting a closer look is security the day of the attack. Utah Valley is conducting a review, university President Astrid S. Tuminez said Wednesday. Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox met with students and campus leaders near the shooting scene, saying he understands they might still be haunted and angry over what happened. “What you do with that anger, that’s what determines where we go from here,” he said. Was Charlie Kirk targeted over anti-transgender views? Authorities have not revealed a […]

The wave of arrests of chareidi yungeleit accused of draft evasion reached new intensity today. Rabbi Eliyahu Nachum, an avreich from central Israel, was stopped by traffic police and, upon identification, was transferred to military police custody after being classified as a deserter for over two years. Authorities said he had failed to report to the draft office, in line with instructions from leading gedolim not to cooperate with enlistment procedures.

In a separate development, drama unfolded at Ben Gurion Airport over the past two days, as roughly 25 additional chareidi men were detained while attempting to travel abroad, many en route to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. They were taken to Tel Hashomer, where they now face military hearings.

In total, more than 70 young chareidim are currently being held in military prison. Unless released, they are expected to spend the upcoming Yamim Noraim behind bars.

The Vaad LeHatzolas Olam HaTorah announced that an urgent gathering of rabbonim will take place in the coming hours at various roshei yeshiva’s homes.

This follows several similar arrests in recent days. Last week, a 23-year-old yeshiva student from Chut Shel Chessed was stopped at the airport on his way to Uman and jailed as a deserter. A day earlier, a Lubavitcher chossid attempting to travel to New York for Tishrei was also taken into custody and sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The FBI says it has arrested Donald Henson, accused of ramming the main gate at its Pittsburgh Field Office on Wednesday. Officials say Henson then threw an American flag over the fence before fleeing, calling it a “targeted attack on the FBI.”

A delivery robot in Los Angeles appears to have a panic attack as a firetruck tries to get to an emergency.

Israel’s new high-powered laser defense system, Iron Beam, has officially completed testing and been declared operational. The Defense Ministry says the system successfully intercepted rockets, mortars, and drones, and will be delivered to the IDF by year’s end.

Former New York Governor and current NYC mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo paid a visit to the Ohel on Monday morning in honor of the upcoming New Year. Cuomo was accompanied by Rabbi Yaacov Behrman and community activist Stephanie Knepper Basman during the visit.

Late Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden’s administration of attempting to shut down conservative activist Charlie Kirk and his group, Turning Point USA, by using an expansive election investigation directed by special counsel Jack Smith.

Trump’s remarks, posted on Truth Social, came after Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, disclosed that Kirk’s organization was among the Republican-affiliated entities swept into the FBI probe known as Arctic Frost, which originated from Smith’s case regarding Trump’s electors.

“Why was the wonderful Turning Point under INVESTIGATION by ‘Deranged’ Jack Smith and the Corrupt & Incompetent Biden Administration?” Trump wrote. “They tried to force Charlie, and many other people and movements, out of business. They Weaponized the Justice Department against Sleepy Joe Biden’s Political Opponents, including ME!”

Trump went on to allege that “they allowed the daughter of a Judge, on one of the corrupt trials against me, to become the biggest fund raiser for Biden and [former Vice President] Kamala [Harris], making many Millions of Dollars for herself and her family, but with her father, the Judge, not only refusing to RECUSE himself, but putting a gag order on me, not allowing ANY talk about their family corruption and unprecedented conflict of interest. Every leading legal analyst and pundit said this trial was wrong and should not have been allowed to go forward. But it did because of a Corrupt Judge who will hopefully pay a very big price for his illegal actions, someday!”

When Grassley opened Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on FBI oversight, he began by offering a prayer for Kirk and commending FBI Director Kash Patel for his leadership, while Patel faced questioning from lawmakers.

The Iowa senator then charged that the FBI had been “infected with politics” under Biden and argued that Arctic Frost went far beyond a routine election matter.

He asserted the operation had become “a vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends and improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus.”

Trump has consistently argued that both Smith and the Biden administration used the Justice Department as a political weapon against him and those in his orbit.

Arctic Frost, launched in 2022 under FBI Director Christopher Wray, served as the foundation for Smith to file criminal charges against Trump.

“Some examples of the groups the Wray FBI sought to place under political investigation included the Republican National Committee, Republican Attorneys General Association, and Trump political groups,” Grassley said Tuesday. “On that political list was one of Charlie Kirk’s groups, Turning Point USA. In other words, Arctic Frost wasn’t just a case to politically investigate Trump.”

{Matzav.com}

School is back in session, bringing new routines — and new milestones for students. For some, this is the year they are allowed to go home to an empty house instead of an after-school program or day care. It’s a decision faced by many parents whose work or other obligations keep them from coming home until long past school release time. With after-school care often expensive and hard to find, parents have reason to encourage independence. But how can they be sure their child is ready to navigate home on their own, even if only for an hour or two? A handful of states have set age minimums. Maryland law, for example, makes it a crime to leave a child younger than 8 years old unattended. But most states leave it up to parents and guardians. Experts say between 11 and 13 years old can be a good starting point, but stress there’s more to the equation than age. And they say what’s right for one child may not be for another, even within a family. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all ordeal. And you really have to take it and understand the bigger picture,” said Jaesha Quarrels, director of child care services at Oklahoma Human Services. “Inadequate supervision is a key factor in many preventable childhood injuries and neglect cases.” Here’s what experts say to consider when deciding whether a child is ready to be home alone: Consider maturity and skills in addition to age The American Academy of Pediatrics says most children are not ready to handle emergencies until about age 11 or 12, so the organization generally recommends structured supervision until then. But it’s not that simple. Parents often want a specific answer on how old their kids have to be, but age is only one of the factors to consider, said Brian Tessmer, director of treatment and operations at Family Resources, a nonprofit agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “We really strongly encourage parents to look at many other factors because kids, obviously mature at different rates.” At minimum, children should be able to recite their full name, home address, phone number and the name of a parent, guardian or other emergency contact. They should also know how to reach that person, experts advise. Other things to consider are whether a child can follow rules, handle routines and keep themselves occupied with homework, toys or electronic devices. Can they dial the phone? Fix themselves a snack? Do they know where the bandages are if they need one? What if there’s a tornado warning, if they smell something burning or if a carbon monoxide detector goes off? Do they know how and when to dial 911? They can do it. Do they want to? Even having all that knowledge doesn’t mean a child is ready to get off the school bus at an unoccupied house, experts said. At a time of high anxiety for American children, there is also emotional readiness to consider. “Oftentimes as parents, because it’s convenient — we’re busy, we have things that we have to do — we just kind of leave them alone,” Quarrels said. “But we need to consider how the child feels. Are they confident? Can they handle loneliness, fear or boredom?” Communication is key, Tessmer said. “It’s a great opportunity to explain to the child that this […]

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As upstanding, committed Shomrei Torah Umitzvos, our life is all about observing the dictates of Torah and halacha to the utmost of our abilities. Obviously, we each have our shortcomings in different areas, and for this reason the Torah gives us the opportunity of Teshuva – to come clean and make good on our failings. There is one area though, for which the ordinary process of Teshuva, do not suffice to clear us of our misdeeds – that is the real of bein odom l’chaveiro – sins between man and fellow man. When it’s simply a question of a personal offense – one has to ask for forgiveness. If it’s a monetary obligation the debt must be paid up.

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But what happens when we don’t even know to whom we owe whom to pay?

This is indeed a dilemma!

Are our hands completely clean?

Is there anything in our hands or in our possession that’s not 100% our own?

Perhaps, we don’t know who the owner is, but does that make it ours?

The thought is frightening!

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Can we stand before Hashem pleading for mercy; asking for brachos for ourselves and our loved ones, when our hands are sullied by money that’s not ours?
The Gemara (Beitza 29a, Bava Kamma 94b) discusses the issue of returning unknown debt. Click here for halachic overview

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Starmer intends to officially recognize a Palestinian state this weekend, shortly after Donald Trump’s return to the U.S.

Reports indicate that French President Macron is set to recognize a Palestinian state in a speech at the UN General Assembly on Monday.

Former New York Governor and current NYC mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo paid a visit to the Ohel on Monday morning in honor of the upcoming New Year. Cuomo was accompanied by Rabbi Yaacov Behrman and community activist Stephanie Knepper Basman during the visit.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem harshly criticized her predecessor during a sit-down with “Pod Force One,” released Wednesday, accusing Alejandro Mayorkas of having left the southern border wide open to drug cartels and human traffickers.

“I don’t know how he slept at night,” Noem told The NY Post’s Miranda Devine, claiming that Mayorkas was following “direction” from the Biden White House, where Vice President Kamala Harris was designated as the “border czar.”

“I don’t know how he slept at night knowing the vulnerabilities he was creating for this country and the people he was letting in and allowing to undo us,” the 53-year-old added.

During President Joe Biden’s administration, border encounters reached historic highs, with more than 8 million migrants entering the country — among them criminals, gang members, and individuals flagged on terrorism watchlists.

“I think one of the biggest disservices they did to the country was not fulfill the mission of what the department was established for; it literally is to secure the homeland,” Noem said.

“And he opened the doors and said, ‘Come on in. If you are from an evil foreign government or a terrorist organization or a gang, you’re more than welcome, and we’re going to ignore our laws and treat you better than we do the American citizens.’”

In February 2024, House Republicans impeached Mayorkas, charging that he had willfully failed to uphold federal immigration laws and misled Congress when he described the border as “secure.”

“They didn’t even try to close the border,” Noem remarked on the podcast.

“That’s what I think. Knowing you were doing nothing and watching, if you watched, the inhumanity of what was happening at the border.”

The Democrat-majority Senate later declined to hold a trial, effectively acquitting Mayorkas and shielding Biden’s DHS chief from removal.

Since President Trump’s return to the White House, more than 300,000 illegal entrants have been deported, with most believed to have criminal histories.

Inside the country, authorities estimate another 2 million migrants with criminal records remain at large.

Meanwhile, under the Biden administration, more than 320,000 minors who crossed the border alone became unaccounted for after being transferred from government-funded housing organizations to private sponsors — some of whom were not vetted and were linked to crime and gangs.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, which coordinated with DHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, at least 7,300 cases of trafficked migrant children were never investigated.

“We knew children were going missing,” Noem said.

“We knew they were raping our girls at the border and trafficking our little boys. And they knew all that was going on and watched.”

“[They] watched the same child cross the border over and over again with a different group of adults and they just went to bed at night,” she continued.

“And as a mom and a grandma, that’s the stuff that I don’t know how they did that. I don’t know how they sat there and facilitated that.”

The Trump administration has since rescued 13,000 minors, while HHS continues to investigate thousands of cases tied to trafficking, fraudulent sponsorships, and other alleged exploitation.

In another part of the interview, Noem spoke about time she spent with Border Patrol agents who were “demonized” after Biden, Mayorkas, and Harris falsely accused them in 2021 of whipping migrants with their horses’ reins in Texas.

“I went down there and rode horse with them for a day, because, well, obviously I like to ride horses, but I went right away as soon as I was sworn in to go spend time with them, because they were so demonized,” she explained.

“And their leadership did that to them.”

Although Mayorkas had been briefed by an aide that there was no evidence agents had whipped Haitian migrants — even after a photographer present at the scene confirmed as much — he did not retract his claims, nor did Biden or Harris.

“Our nation saw horrifying images that do not reflect who we are,” Mayorkas said at the time, while Harris claimed the episode reminded her of “times of slavery.”

Noem told “Pod Force One” she “just wanted them to know that their previous leadership had ridden over them, but I was going to ride with them, and I was going to be a part of helping them do their jobs again.”

{Matzav.com}

We’ve been working on this one for A WHILE, and I am excited to finally share it with you! Benny and Friends. Live in NJ. Sunday, October 12 at Newark Symphony Hall. All I’ll say for now is we have so much up our sleeves that you do not want to miss! Tickets are now live at https://t.ly/sing.ywn #WheeWantToSingWithYou

A passenger jet was chewed out for flying too close to Air Force One and taking too long to adjust course as it passed over Long Island with President Trump on board. Pilots flying Spirit Airlines Flight 1300, traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, were scolded by an air traffic controller Tuesday after they tried warning them they were rapidly closing in on the president’s plane altitude and flight path as it was en route to the United Kingdom. Audibly frustrated, the controller delivered one final tongue-lashing: “Pay attention! Get off the iPad.”

A bomb squad is investigating a suspicious package at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Many of us go to work every day to support our families, but for me, it’s different.

Every time Yom Tov comes around, I feel the pressure. 
While everyone else is putting in overtime, I’m asking for another day off. 
I try to explain, “This is my faith. It’s not optional.”

But last week, my boss told me straight, “If you can’t be here on our busiest days, management just won’t let me keep you on.”

At that moment, my world crumbled. How will I pay my mortgage? My children’s tuition? How will I feed my family?

And then I got the call. “Stay tuned,” the voice from Aguda said. “We’re with you.” Aguda listened. They fought for my rights. Ultimately, they saved my job and my peace of mind.

Aguda is there when our backs are against the wall, demanding justice so that we can live proudly without compromise.

This is what we do. When others say it’s over, we stay tuned.

Agudah is there, attuned to the heartbeat of Klal Yisroel.

And we ask you to Stay Tuned — to stay connected, to remain engaged, to partner with Agudah as we continue this vital mission. When you stay tuned, you see how every effort, every initiative, and every victory is powered by the unity of Klal Yisroel standing together.

This campaign is more than fundraising. It’s about standing together with the organization that stands with you — in every battle, in every challenge, and in every triumph.

CLICK HERE TO HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!