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In a major boost for Chareidi education, the Knesset Finance Committee on Tuesday approved sweeping budget transfers totaling nearly NIS 250 million, with the funds designated for a wide range of educational and family support programs. The package includes long-awaited salary parity for Chareidi kindergarten teachers, transportation funding for major school networks, after-school program subsidies, assistance for at-risk youth, and expanded teacher training initiatives.

The broad funding package is designed to strengthen the Chareidi educational system at every level while addressing longstanding disparities in funding for schools, educators, and student support services. Many of the approved measures have been the subject of extensive debate in the Knesset over recent legislative sessions.

One of the most significant provisions provides, for the first time since the establishment of the State of Israel, full recognition of seniority for all Chareidi kindergarten teachers. Under the new funding, their salaries will fully reflect their years of professional experience, bringing them into line with the pay scale of kindergarten teachers in the general public education system and ending a decades-long disparity.

The approved budget also includes substantial funding for student transportation in the Chinuch Atzmai and Bnei Yosef school networks. Transportation has long presented financial and logistical challenges for both parents and school administrators, and the additional funding is expected to ensure safe and reliable transportation for thousands of students.

Additional allocations were approved to subsidize after-school programs in Chareidi schools operating under the exempt and recognized-but-unofficial educational frameworks. The funding is intended to expand access to these programs while reducing the financial burden on families.

Another portion of the budget will strengthen social and educational services, including programs supporting at-risk youth and students who have left the traditional educational framework. Funding was also approved for Jewish cultural programming and for expanding teacher training programs in Chareidi seminaries to help prepare the next generation of educators.

The budget initiative was led by Finance Committee Chairman and Degel HaTorah leader MK Moshe Gafni, who has long championed increased government support for Chareidi education in negotiations with the Finance Ministry and other government agencies.

Commenting on the approval, Gafni said, “Even during these challenging times, when the world of Torah and education is facing significant challenges, it is our duty to continue caring for the children of Israel and for the Chareidi educational system. The budgets approved today are important news for kindergarten teachers, male and female educators, students, and educational institutions, and they will help correct longstanding inequities and close funding gaps that have existed for years.

“I thank everyone who helped advance this initiative. With Hashem’s help, we will continue working tirelessly on behalf of the world of Torah and education, and we will not rest until the Chareidi educational system receives the full rights and resources it deserves.”

{Matzav.com}

Two 17-year-old Jewish teenagers who were arrested in Greece after sheltering Israeli tourists fleeing an anti-Israel mob have been released and allowed to return home. However, despite their release, Greek authorities have ordered them to return to Greece in November as legal proceedings against them continue, according to a report by Mako.

The two teenagers, identified as Liam and Yonatan, were vacationing in the resort town of Malia about two weeks ago when violence erupted after a group of Israelis left a local nightclub and became involved in a confrontation with individuals who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” at them. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants chased the Israelis and followed them into their hotel.

As the chaos unfolded, Liam and Yonatan were awakened by Israeli tourists calling for help in the hallway. They opened the door to their hotel room and allowed the fleeing Israelis inside. The attackers then allegedly attempted to force their way into the room and threw objects at the door but were unable to break in. During the incident, cries of “They’re killing us, help us” could be heard, while a lone security guard was unable to bring the situation under control. Local police reportedly arrived only after a delay.

The following morning, the two teenagers were arrested after a hotel housekeeper discovered an axe inside their room. The teens maintain that one of the Israelis they had sheltered brought the axe into the room after taking it from the hotel corridor, intending to use it for self-defense if necessary.

Attorney Nir Yasselovich, who specializes in criminal and international law, later appealed to Israel’s Foreign Ministry to intervene in the case. He argued that continuing the prosecution of the two teenagers could embolden those responsible for the attack and encourage further violence against Israelis and Jews.

According to the attorney, the teenagers were questioned without a translator despite requesting Hebrew interpretation and were required to sign a document written entirely in Greek. In addition, Yonatan reportedly complained during questioning that he was feeling unwell and requested medical treatment, but said his request was ignored.

The teenagers were ultimately released after investigators found no fingerprints belonging to either of them on the axe, concluding that they had no direct or indirect connection to the weapon. Nevertheless, Greek authorities have instructed them to return to the country in November for the next stage of the legal proceedings.

{Matzav.com}

In a ruling expected to significantly reshape election-day campaigning in Israel, Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Solberg ruled Tuesday that party representatives and observers stationed at polling places may no longer report, in real time, which voters have already cast their ballots. The decision is expected to have the greatest impact on the Chareidi parties, which have long relied on such updates to identify supporters who have not yet voted and encourage them to head to the polls.

Justice Solberg ruled that transmitting information about whether a person has voted—as well as details surrounding the vote, such as the time it was cast or the type of polling station involved, including hospital polling stations or those designated for voters with limited mobility—constitutes a violation of personal privacy under Israel’s Privacy Protection Law.

He further determined that while party representatives are permitted to observe the voting process as part of their official duties, Israel’s election laws do not authorize them to relay that information to their political parties for campaign purposes. In the absence of explicit legal authorization, he ruled, such reporting is prohibited.

The decision came in response to a petition filed by attorney Shachar Ben Meir, which was supported by the Privacy Protection Clinic at Tel Aviv University. The petition argued that the widespread practice of party representatives using smartphone apps to instantly report which voters had already cast ballots enabled parties to identify those who had not yet voted and target them with election-day turnout efforts, violating both voters’ privacy and the principle of ballot secrecy.

As part of the proceedings, the Knesset factions were invited to present their positions. Likud, Shas, and United Torah Judaism argued that the longstanding practice did not violate the law, while the Religious Zionism Party joined Likud’s position. The remaining parties did not take a substantive position on the legal question.

In his written decision, Solberg emphasized that information regarding whether someone has voted is private information. He noted that party representatives gain access to that information solely because of their official role at polling stations and may not use it for unrelated political purposes, such as locating supporters who have yet to vote and mobilizing them to the polls. Doing so, he ruled, is inconsistent with the purpose for which the information is made available and therefore violates Israel’s privacy laws.

Justice Solberg stressed that his ruling reflects the current state of Israeli law and should not be viewed as an opinion on what the law ought to be in the future. He also called for a broader legislative review of the relationship between election law and privacy protections, particularly in light of rapid technological advances in recent years.

The ruling does not prevent political parties from using voter information they legally receive from the official voter registry to contact eligible voters. However, that registry does not contain information about whether a person has actually voted on Election Day, meaning parties will no longer be able to rely on live updates from polling stations to identify and contact supporters who have yet to cast their ballots.

{Matzav.com}

While much of the yeshivah world remains in the midst of bein hazemanim, the Sanzer yeshivos in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, and Haifa have already ushered in Zeman Elul. Hundreds of bochurim returned to their sedorim in an atmosphere of hisorerus and his’alus, beginning the new zeman in temporary batei medrash as extensive renovations continue at the main yeshivah building.

The bochurim, inspired by the legacy of the founder of the yeshivah, the Shefa Chaim of Sanz, zt”l, and under the constant guidance of the Sanz Rebbe, arrived with renewed enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose. They began the special seder halimud filled with fresh chizuk and anticipation for the holy zeman ahead.

This year’s opening marks a period of renewal for the yeshivah. Because of the ongoing renovations to the central Mesivta building, the bochurim have temporarily relocated to the spacious Rosenberg Hall. They entered the new bais medrash with great excitement, while eagerly awaiting the completion of the renovations, which are expected, b’ezras Hashem, within the coming days, when they will return to their permanent home.

For decades, the batei medrash of the Sanz yeshivos in Kiryat Sanz have been a beacon of Torah and hasmadah. Although the outside world remains in vacation mode, the familiar sound of vibrant kol Torah has already returned to the halls of the yeshivah. For the Sanz bochurim, the arrival of a new zeman is far more than a date on the calendar—it is the beginning of another period of spiritual growth. Many expressed a deep longing to once again immerse themselves in the sugyos, surrounded by the unmistakable sight and atmosphere of open Gemaros filling the bais medrash.

The decision to begin Zeman Elul ahead of most other yeshivos, in order to maximize every precious moment of avodas Hashem, reflects the long-standing Sanz tradition of placing Torah above all else. For the bochurim, the transition from bein hazemanim back to the structured routine of yeshivah life represents a personal recommitment to hasmadah and ameilus baTorah, following the path established by the Rabbeim of previous generations.

After settling into their dormitories and reviewing the yeshivah regulations, which emphasize the tried-and-true path to success in Torah and Yiras Shamayim, the bochurim gathered for a special opening seder, as the halls of the yeshivah once again resonated with the powerful sound of uninterrupted Torah learning.

The centerpiece of the opening was the address delivered by the Rosh HaYeshivah Rav Yosef Moshe Dov Halberstam, Rosh Yeshivos Sanz and Av Beis Din of Sanz-USA.

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{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is distancing itself from earlier comments suggesting shoppers at the city’s proposed taxpayer-funded grocery stores might need a card resembling identification, following a wave of criticism from Republicans and other opponents.

The controversy began during a July 27 news conference, when Mamdani unveiled plans for five city-subsidized grocery stores that would offer a “core basket of goods” at prices 30% below standard retail rates. Asked how the city would prevent customers from exploiting the discounted prices by purchasing goods for resale, Mamdani turned the question over to New York City Economic Development Corporation President Jeanny Pak.

Pak replied, “We are looking to make sure that we target New Yorkers, whether it be sort of a library card-esque, and also we manage who’s buying and that is focused on everyday New Yorkers.”

Her remarks quickly drew criticism, particularly because Mamdani has supported progressive positions opposing voter ID laws, which many Democrats argue can create barriers to voting.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue Monday after being asked in the Oval Office about the proposed grocery card and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act. The legislation would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot.

“I heard about it. Yeah, well, I wish they’d have an ID to access the voting booth,” Trump said in comments that aired live on Newsmax and the free Newsmax2 streaming platform.

“You know, they don’t want to access the voting booth with any identification. We want voter ID, and we want proof of citizenship.”

Other supporters of the SAVE America Act and Republican officials also criticized the proposal on X.

Elon Musk wrote, “Oh, the irony is too much …”

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida posted: “@NYCMayor Mamdani’s going to require an ID check for his grocery stores, but thinks it’s racist to require one for federal elections?!? We HAVE to pass the SAVE America Act to end this corruption!”

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also mocked the apparent contradiction, writing: “Racist Commie Mamdani is going to make you show ID in his markets. You want your government-subsidized arugula? Show your papers! Ask for ID to vote? BIGOT!!! Are you starting to realize what disingenuous lying buffoons these commies are?”

As criticism mounted, the administration sought to clarify its position. According to the New York Post, the city’s request-for-proposals documents state that any savings card program must be “made easily available to any individual requesting” one and would not require proof of residency.

A spokesperson for the administration told the newspaper that the program would function like a supermarket loyalty card administered by the private company operating the store. The purpose, the spokesperson said, would be to help monitor inventory and discourage customers from purchasing discounted products in bulk for resale.

“NYC Grocery stores will be open to everyone,” the spokesperson said. “There will be no system to verify identity, residency, or income, and no one will be asked to show ID to shop.”

An investigation by the Yerushalayim District Fire and Rescue Service has concluded that children playing with an open flame accidentally started the fire that tore through a supermarket in Ramat Beit Shemesh last month. Investigators also found that the business was operating without required fire safety approvals or fire protection systems that could have limited the damage.

According to the findings, the July 19 blaze began inside one of the supermarket’s rooms while the store was open and conducting business as usual. Investigators determined that children playing with fire inside the building ignited the blaze.

The supermarket was located on the ground level of an eight-story residential building. Firefighters succeeded in bringing the fire under control before it spread into the apartments above, preventing what could have become a far more serious tragedy. No injuries were reported.

The investigation further determined that the supermarket was operating without a permit from the Israeli Fire and Rescue Service. Officials also found that the building lacked fire detection and fire suppression systems, which they said could have contained the flames, prevented the fire from spreading, and significantly reduced the damage.

Fire officials said the incident highlights the ongoing problem of businesses and buildings that fail to comply with mandatory fire safety regulations, stressing that meeting those standards is essential to safeguarding both lives and property.

The Fire and Rescue Service also urged parents to educate their children about the dangers of playing with fire and to ensure that matches, lighters, and other ignition sources are kept out of their reach. Officials warned that the combination of children playing with fire and inadequate safety measures can easily lead to catastrophic consequences.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is simultaneously pursuing a long-term agreement to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program while also working on a separate, short-term arrangement aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe for international shipping.

Speaking about the ongoing negotiations, Rubio emphasized that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains the administration’s overriding objective.

“I think there’s two things to talk about when there’s a deal,” Rubio said. “There’s the big deal, which is the one that has to do with their nuclear ambitions.”

Rubio reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s position that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

“They can never have a nuclear weapon. The President’s been clear about that. So the denuclearization of Iran is the ultimate deal,” Rubio stated.

At the same time, he explained that the administration is giving immediate attention to protecting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways for global energy shipments.

“I think the immediate deal, the one that you see a lot of focus on, is the Straits,” he said. “There are ships moving through the Straits. There’s oil moving right now through the Straits, and the Straits are open.”

Rubio said the United States is participating in discussions involving Oman and Iran that are intended to improve the security of commercial vessels passing through the strait while negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program continue.

“I think that there’s a conversation and a negotiation that we are involved in between Oman and Iran on how more ships can be able to go through there safely in the short term as we move towards these longer-term talks about denuclearization,” he said.

While cautioning that no agreement has been finalized, Rubio said the negotiations have moved in a positive direction.

“There’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet. We’re hoping that will happen very shortly.”

{Matzav.com}