Feed aggregator

During a recent closed forum attended by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior military leaders, a high-ranking reserve officer revealed that when war erupted on October 7, Israel’s Southern Command had no relevant operational plans in place, Ynet reports. Officers were left scrambling to draft entirely new strategies in the chaotic weeks that followed the Hamas onslaught.

The shocking admission comes just ahead of the anticipated publication of the Turgeman Committee’s findings, which reviewed the army’s internal probes into the lapses that allowed Hamas to carry out its devastating attack on southern Israel.

The reservist, a brigadier general currently serving in the Southern Command’s firepower division, said bluntly that the command “opened the war unprepared” and was forced to “create plans from scratch” during the first three weeks of the conflict, before Israel’s ground invasion commenced.

A veteran combat soldier, the officer had personally fought off terrorists in his Gaza-border community as a civilian before reporting for duty. In his address, he described a command hollowed by years of complacency and bureaucratic neglect. Despite multiple internal reviews calling for improved readiness, he said, successive commanders failed to act, leaving the division effectively blind when war erupted.

He took particular aim at Maj. Gen. Eliezer Toledano’s tenure from March 2021 to July 2023, calling it a time of “severe neglect and a lack of operational planning.” Speaking before hundreds of fellow officers, he mocked the irony of a slogan Toledano had hung across headquarters reading “Victory loves preparation,” remarking that “the opposite happened.”

Other participants at the event acknowledged that contingency plans that did exist—such as Operation Damocles, which envisioned massive strikes on Hamas’ tunnel network—proved useless once the fighting began and reality diverged from the models on paper.

“I ask for a full, transparent and honest war investigation so we can truly learn,” the brigadier general urged Lt. Gen. Zamir, while adding that both Zamir and current Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor had instituted “the best changes the command has seen in a year.”

Led by retired Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman, the committee’s report is expected to expose grave deficiencies within the IDF’s self-assessments, particularly in Military Intelligence and the Operations Directorate, and to criticize Israel’s long-standing policy of containment toward Hamas rather than its elimination.

The IDF, asked about the officer’s remarks, refused to address them directly. “The army holds learning conferences that enable open, critical and professional dialogue,” it said in a statement, adding that it does not comment on “discussions held in closed operational forums.”

{Matzav.com}

The longest U.S. government shutdown on record is doing more than grind activities to a halt at home; an ocean away in Europe, local workers at U.S. military bases have started to feel the pain. Thousands of people working at overseas bases in Europe have had their salaries interrupted since the shutdown began almost six […]

The Washington Post editorial board issued a blistering critique of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, declaring that “a new era of class warfare has begun” following his landslide victory last week. The paper accused him of revealing his “true colors” in a bitter and divisive victory speech that sharply contrasted with the cheerful tone of his campaign.

In an editorial published Saturday titled “Zohran Mamdani Drops the Mask,” the board charged that Mamdani “abandoned his cool disposition” during what it called a “seething” 23-minute address. According to the piece, the speech unveiled a worldview rooted not in unity or growth, but in resentment and ideological combat.

“Across 23 angry minutes laced with identity politics and seething with resentment, Mamdani abandoned his cool disposition and made clear that his view of politics isn’t about unity. It isn’t about letting people build better lives for themselves. It is about identifying class enemies — from landlords who take advantage of tenants to ‘the bosses’ who exploit workers — and then crushing them,” the editorial board wrote. “His goal is not to increase wealth but to dole it out to favored groups. The word ‘growth’ didn’t appear in the speech, but President Donald Trump garnered eight mentions.”

The Post accused Mamdani of running a misleadingly positive campaign that masked what it called a “long history of divisive and demagogic statements.” For casual observers, the board said, it would have been easy to believe that Mamdani’s goal was simply to make the city more affordable and unified. “That interpretation became much harder,” it added, after Tuesday’s fiery speech.

Fox News Digital contacted representatives of Mamdani for comment but received no immediate response.

The editorial took particular issue with Mamdani’s vision of an all-powerful government as the solution to every societal problem. It cited one of his remarks as proof: “We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve, and no concern too small for it to care about.” The Post responded sharply: “The crowd cheered, of course, but a thinking person might wonder whether it’s good for the institution that has a monopoly on violence to insist that nothing is beyond its purview.”

The board also targeted Mamdani’s plan to freeze rents on two million housing units, warning that the proposal would “inevitably lead to less investment, driving up costs in the long run.”

Since his victory, the Post said, the mayor-elect has become fond of using the word “mandate.” “He won decisively and now wants to pursue his agenda, from the rent freeze to ‘free’ child care and buses. Yet as mayor of New York, his control over taxes and transportation is limited. He needs approval from the state to raise taxes,” the paper noted. It added that his transition team is a mix of experienced political hands and “diehard ideologues such as Lina Khan, the former Federal Trade Commission chair.”

Drawing a historical comparison, the Post likened Mamdani’s electoral triumph to that of John Lindsay, the last candidate to surpass one million votes in a New York City mayoral race. But it warned that the same state-imposed financial restrictions that followed Lindsay’s troubled tenure would likely constrain Mamdani’s ambitions.

“One reason [Mamdani] will be so constrained is that Lindsay’s mayoralty was such a disaster for the city’s finances that the state imposed these financial controls to make sure it wouldn’t happen again,” the editorial explained.

Turning to public safety and education, the board questioned how Mamdani would apply his “class struggle” approach to areas where his power is greatest. “[Mamdani] says he wants to keep Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, who is respected by officers and competent at fighting crime. Will he give her deference? Will he order that prostitution laws stop being enforced, as he has suggested? Will subway stations become dangerous social experiments where vagrants are welcomed in to receive services?”

On education, the Post charged that Mamdani “has done nothing to suggest he’ll take the side of children over union bosses when their interests conflict,” pointing to his stated desire to phase out the city’s gifted education programs.

In closing, the editorial warned that New Yorkers don’t need advanced degrees to understand what Mamdani’s leadership might bring — just a memory of the city’s past. “Exit polls showed that the New Yorkers most skeptical of these utopian promises are those who were born in the city and don’t have college degrees. Mamdani fared best among newcomers and people with advanced degrees. Apparently, living in New York for decades — and witnessing what does and doesn’t work when it comes to running a city — offers more wisdom than grad school,” the piece concluded.

{Matzav.com}

A Russian drone slammed into an apartment building in eastern Ukraine early Saturday while many were sleeping, killing three people and wounding 12 others, Ukrainian authorities reported. The attack in Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, was part of a large Russian missile and drone barrage across the country that targeted power infrastructure. It also killed a […]

A heated feud has erupted within conservative media circles after Ben Shapiro accused Candace Owens of suggesting that Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, was behind his assassination — a charge Owens angrily denies.

In a scathing post on X, Owens wrote, “He said that I accused Erika Kirk of murdering Charlie Kirk. This quite literally is made up out of thin air.” She went on to say that she was looking forward to hearing Shapiro’s response on her own show, adding later, “He tried to pressure Megyn Kelly to make a statement about me by lying through his teeth and EXPLICITLY stating that I accused Erika Kirk of killing her husband. And then saying it was an evil that Megyn had to condemn. He is completely deranged.”

Owens’ frustration followed Shapiro’s remarks on The Megyn Kelly Show, where he criticized her conduct and urged Kelly to denounce it. “I think you and I differ on our angle with regard to, for example, Candace Owens. I think that what Candace Owens is doing right now is evil. It is evil what she is doing right now, OK? And I say that, again,” Shapiro said. He then added, “…if this were on the left and somebody were accusing Charlie Kirk of his wife having murdered him, I assume that you would be talking about it.”

Owens, a onetime member of Turning Point USA, fired back that Shapiro “lied through his teeth” during his appearance with Kelly. She also appeared to endorse a supporter’s claim that Shapiro’s only talent was to “smear and misrepresent” people’s reputations, saying his actions went far beyond that.

Although Owens never directly accused Erika Kirk of involvement in her husband’s murder, she fueled controversy by promoting multiple conspiracy theories following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. She hinted that Turning Point USA had engaged in a cover-up and suggested Israeli involvement — claims for which she offered no evidence.

Meanwhile, Erika Kirk, who now serves as CEO of Turning Point USA, addressed the growing storm during an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News. Speaking publicly for the first time since the killing, she urged people to act with compassion online, saying, “Please pray and consider and think about whatever you put online, because it’ll impact their kids in the future.” She added softly, “Some grace would be nice.”

Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while attending an event at Utah Valley University on September 10. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah, charging him with murder. Prosecutors have indicated that if convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing, on Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayeira, of the elderly Tosher chossid, Reb Tzvi Aryeh (Hersh Leib) Weinberger z”l. He was 102 years old.

Reb Hersh Leib was among the last living individuals to have merited putting on tefillin from the holy hands of the Minchas Elazar of Munkatch zt”l. He received his tefillin during the final year of the Minchas Elazar’s life, the week of Parshas Vayeira — the same year the Rebbe ceased the practice of placing tefillin on children after Parshas Mikeitz.

In his youth, Reb Hersh Leib studied at Yeshivas Darkei Teshuvah, under the leadership of the Munkatcher Rebbe, Rav Boruch’l.

He later settled in Canada, where he became one of the founders of Chalav Mehadrin in Montreal, at a time when obtaining strictly kosher milk was difficult. Throughout his long life, he remained deeply devoted to the Tosher rebbeim, serving as a baal tefillah during the Yamim Nora’im in the Tosher beis medrash.

His levayah took place on Friday in Kiryas Tosh, where he was laid to rest before Shabbos.

Reb Hersh Leib is survived by a distinguished family of bnei Torah and bnos chayil, including five daughters: the wife of Reb Chaim Pinchas Zweibel of Kiryas Tosh, the wife of Reb Avrohom Yosef Drummer of Montreal, the wife of Reb Aharon Krois of Kiryas Tosh, the wife of Reb Leib Marmelstein of Kiryas Tosh, and the wife of Reb Ephraim Fishel Felberbaum of Kiryas Tosh.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

A Senate showdown could come as soon as tomorrow, with a procedural vote expected on a reworked Republican measure aimed at reopening the government and keeping key agencies funded for the remainder of the fiscal year.

The finalized text, anticipated tonight or early tomorrow, is expected to keep the government running through late January while securing full-year appropriations for the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, military construction projects, and Congress through September 30, 2026.

Sources say that once the bill text drops, momentum will build quickly. The proposal is described as a straightforward spending package, notably excluding any renewal of Obamacare subsidies.

To move forward, the test vote will require 60 senators to vote yes—meaning at least some Democratic support is essential. Fox reports that several Senate Democrats and independents aligned with them are being closely watched to see if they will help Republicans overcome a filibuster. Among them: Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Gary Peters of Michigan, Angus King of Maine, and Patty Murray of Washington. Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, reportedly secured favorable provisions in the delicate bipartisan deal.

But the coalition is tenuous. Any wavering could collapse the effort before it reaches the floor. Should the filibuster be broken, however, the path toward reopening the government becomes significantly easier, and a final vote could happen as early as Sunday night—provided senators can strike a time agreement.

Once debate formally begins, Senate rules allow for extensive discussion. Progressive Democrats, frustrated that no healthcare-related provisions were included and feeling sidelined by their leadership, may try to prolong the process. That could push a final vote to Tuesday or later. Still, with SNAP benefits frozen during the shutdown, some Democrats may ultimately agree to speed up proceedings to restore aid.

Across the Capitol, the House has been placed on 48-hour notice to reconvene. It could return midweek, though leadership might summon members back earlier if the Senate acts quickly. The bill’s fate in the House remains uncertain, though most Republicans are expected to back it.

Moderate Democrats may also be key to its passage. Representatives Tom Suozzi of New York, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, and Jared Golden of Maine—who previously supported a GOP spending bill in September—are seen as potential yes votes if Republican support slips. Golden, who has since announced his retirement, is again being watched closely.

Another potential complication involves Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona. Lawmakers are questioning whether she will be sworn in before or after the House vote, with Democrats likely to protest if Speaker Johnson delays the oath.

Once seated, Grijalva would bring the House count to 433 members, leaving two vacancies. That would give Republicans a narrow 219-214 edge—meaning they can afford to lose only two votes without needing Democratic help.

Behind the scenes, Democrats are bracing for internal conflict. Should some of their members vote with Republicans to break the filibuster, tensions are expected to flare between progressives demanding Obamacare subsidies and moderates eager to end the shutdown.

In the end, the biggest divide may not be between parties, but within the Democratic ranks themselves—particularly between the House and Senate wings. And as one insider put it, the ultimate irony may be that a group of Senate Democrats ends up “throwing their colleagues under the bus” to reopen the government, walking away from the standoff empty-handed on healthcare funding despite the political risk.

{Matzav.com}

Senators are working through the weekend for the first time since the government shutdown began more than a month ago, hoping to find a bipartisan resolution that has eluded them as federal workers have gone unpaid, airlines have been forced to cancel flights and SNAP benefits have been delayed for millions of Americans. As Saturday’s […]

As Israel awaits the possible return of the body of IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, Hy”d, which has been held by Hamas since 2014, a senior American official suggested that such a move could help break the deadlock surrounding Hamas operatives trapped in Rafah.

According to the official, if Hamas agrees to return Goldin’s remains, it would “give Netanyahu more political room to end the crisis with the 200 Hamas members in the Rafah tunnels.” The official told Israel’s N12 that public opinion would likely shift in Netanyahu’s favor if the soldier’s body were returned, giving him greater flexibility to reach an agreement.

Currently, around 200 Hamas terrorists remain entrenched in tunnels in southern Gaza, and Israel has yet to decide whether to allow them to leave alive. The American source said that under the U.S. proposal, Hamas would first return Goldin’s body, after which the terrorists in Rafah would surrender and lay down their weapons. They would then either be transferred safely to Hamas-controlled territory or deported to a third country.

However, the official acknowledged that no country has yet agreed to take in the terrorists. Once they are removed, the tunnels where they were hiding would be destroyed, the source added. “This way, we can present a model for disarming Hamas peacefully,” the senior American official emphasized.

For Israel, the potential recovery of Goldin’s body carries both deep emotional significance and strategic implications. His family has long called for his return, and any progress on that front could have wide-reaching political consequences.

{Matzav.com}

At the conclusion of a high-level meeting on Motzaei Shabbos, the heads of Israel’s opposition parties — Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan — announced a unified front ahead of the upcoming elections, vowing to combat the Giyus (draft) law and the government’s judicial reform efforts both in the Knesset and through public protest.

In a joint statement, the opposition leaders emphasized their commitment to “unity of action and striving for victory in the coming elections.” They said the meeting focused on shaping a joint electoral strategy and on advancing efforts to secure the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.

The statement read: “We welcome progress in the efforts to bring all the hostages home, but stress that we must not stop until every last hostage returns.”

Turning to the issue of the Giyus law, the leaders pledged, “We will fight against the draft-dodging law on all fronts — in the Knesset, in the streets, and in the courts.” They added, “In light of the heavy burden placed on soldiers and reservists, we demand that the IDF act according to the law and increase efforts to enlist chareidim. The overwhelming majority of the people of Israel want equal service for all, and we will fight to make that happen.”

They also warned against renewed attempts to undermine Israel’s judicial system and free press, saying, “The continued efforts to damage the judiciary and media laws represent a full return to the regime coup and an attempt to interfere in the election process during an election year. We will not allow this and will fight it with all our strength.”

The leaders concluded that their main goal remains forcing early elections. “We will continue to act with all our might to bring about elections as soon as possible,” the statement said, “out of the firm belief that restoring trust and establishing a national commission of inquiry are the only ways to rebuild confidence between the citizens of Israel and its institutions.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

170 Israeli mothers and children who lost loved ones in the war are coming to America for a historic healing journey-and you can meet them Deal, NJ.

This week marks a historic moment in Jewish solidarity: approximately 170 bereaved Israeli mothers and their children – survivors of the ongoing war – are arriving in the United States for an extraordinary healing mission unlike any before it.

Led by Rabbi Mendy Kenig, founder of the organization Menucha V’Yeshua, this represents the single largest gathering of Israeli war-bereaved families ever to travel together for such an extensive program of comfort and community.

These are the mothers, widows, and children of soldiers and civilians who gave their lives defending the Jewish State. Their sacrifice is permanent. Their pain doesn’t end when the news cycle moves on. And their greatest fear, as Rabbi Kenig puts it, is simple but profound: “Being forgotten.”

A Journey of Healing Across America

The families’ itinerary spans multiple cities and includes a healing weekend in Orlando, community visits throughout the region, and a centerpiece event: a special Shabbaton in Deal, New Jersey, featuring renowned speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson, journalist Sivan Rahav-Meir, a ceremony to dedicate a new Torah scroll, and a bar mitzvah celebration – all in honor of these bereaved families.

“My only goal,” Rabbi Kenig says, “is to give them – the widows, children, mothers, fathers – a hug and to feel loved. That’s it.”

From Personal Pain to National Mission

Rabbi Kenig, a Breslov Chassid from Modiin Illit and father of five, knows trauma intimately. Six years ago, when his wife was severely injured, he faced the overwhelming challenge of managing a medical crisis while caring for special needs children. That experience revealed his calling: helping families in crisis find moments of peace.

Since October 7th, Menucha V’Yeshua has pivoted to focus almost exclusively on bereaved families, hosting multiple Shabbatonim and creating bonds of understanding during their darkest hours.

At his events, Rabbi Kenig breaks down barriers by sharing his own story first. “People see me in my black-and-white garb with a fur hat and assume I’m here to make them religious,” he explains with characteristic warmth. “The message is simple: All I care about is listening and offering support. Nothing more, nothing less.”

You’re Invited: An Exclusive Shabbos Experience

This Shabbos in Deal, New Jersey, donors and supporters have a rare opportunity to meet these heroic families face-to-face to hear their stories of courage, to offer tangible comfort, and to demonstrate that Am Yisrael truly stands with its heroes.

The Shabbaton features:

• Rabbi YY Jacobson – Renowned speaker and Torah educator

• Sivan Rahav – Meir – Acclaimed journalist and inspirational voice

• Hachnosas Sefer Torah – A deeply moving ceremony

• Bar Mitzvah celebration – Sharing in simcha as one community

This isn’t simply a fundraising event. It’s a chance to be part of Jewish history – to look these mothers in the eye and tell them: You are not forgotten.

REGISTER FOR THE SHABBATON IN DEAL, NJ

Why This Matters Now

These 170 families represent the living legacy of Israel’s defense. They carry a burden the rest of us cannot fully understand – and they deserve to know that their sacrifice is recognized, honored, and forever etched in our collective memory.

As Rabbi Kenig puts it: “You are not alone. You are not forgotten. Am Yisrael embraces you.”

Your support makes this mission possible. Every contribution helps fund programming, Shabbatonim, and moments of respite for families who have given everything.

How to Get Involved

• Join the Shabbaton – Meet the families personally in Deal, NJ

• Support the Mission – Contribute to continued programming for bereaved families

• Spread the Word – Share this story and amplify their voices

• Contact Rabbi Mendy Kenig directly: +972 52 – 715 – 1169

Am Yisrael Chai. We Remember. We Stand Together.

As told by Arutz Sheva

The Syrian Interior Ministry announced tonight that its security forces, working in coordination with the country’s General Intelligence Directorate, carried out a large-scale counterterrorism operation targeting ISIS-affiliated terror cells in several provinces.

According to the ministry’s statement, the operation was launched based on “precise intelligence information and close surveillance of these elements over the past several weeks.”

“This operation,” the ministry said, “comes as part of ongoing national efforts to combat terrorism and thwart plots aimed at undermining the security of the homeland and the safety of its citizens.”

Authorities reported that the campaign resulted in the dismantling of multiple ISIS cells, the arrest of numerous wanted suspects, and the seizure of materials and evidence linking them to terrorist activity. These findings, the statement said, are currently under examination, and investigations are being completed by the relevant authorities.

The ministry further noted that “this operation reflects the high level of coordination between the various security services and their effectiveness in proactively addressing threats, thereby reinforcing the firm commitment to safeguarding the nation’s security and stability.”

ISIS, which once controlled large swaths of Syria and Iraq in 2014, suffered a major defeat by 2017, with its military capabilities sharply diminished. However, remnants of the group remain active in parts of the Syrian desert and certain remote regions of Iraq.

{Matzav.com}

Peace talks in Istanbul between Pakistan and Afghanistan were at a deadlock on Friday, a day after both sides accused each other of mounting border clashes that risked breaching a ceasefire brokered by Qatar. The update on the talks by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar came after an Afghan official said four Afghan civilians were […]

In his first interview since being removed from his position as chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Likud MK Yuli Edelstein revealed behind-the-scenes conversations he had with chareidi politicians, offering a candid look at his failed efforts to broker a compromise on the controversial Giyus (draft) law.

Edelstein said that while he had hoped to reach a workable agreement with Degel HaTorah and Shas, senior Agudas Yisroel figure Moti Babchik cautioned him not to be naïve.

“I thought a compromise could be reached,” Edelstein said. “But a well-known figure in the Gerer chassidus, Moti Babchik, always warned me that they’re stringing you along — and when the moment of truth comes, even the things they claim they’ll get approval for from the rabbonim won’t happen, won’t pass, and they won’t agree to anything.”

Edelstein admitted that Babchik’s warning proved true. “I always told him, ‘You know me. We’ll reach understandings and find common ground.’ But I know how to admit when I’m wrong — and in the end, he was right.”

Turning his focus to the broader political picture, Edelstein declared, “There will never be a draft law as long as the chareidim are in the coalition.” He added, “I kept quiet because I wanted to see what would happen. Maybe I was mistaken, too.”

Edelstein further contended that “people thought that once I’m gone, everything will be solved. But the problem is objective — the askanim of the chareidi community don’t truly want to enlist. Reservists still thank me today for preventing the passage of a draft-dodging law.”

He didn’t spare criticism of his own party and leadership, either. “In the Likud today, anyone who dares to speak up is pushed aside. There was only one such case so far — mine. It’s a terrible change in the balance between the Knesset and the government. The Knesset exists to provide oversight,” he said.

Edelstein added that he was not surprised by his ouster. “I always knew there was a chance they’d say I’m the obstacle. The move didn’t shock me. In the current Likud faction, no one makes a move without Netanyahu’s approval. If the chareidim agree to a law, it will be a law of draft evasion.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of R’ Yaakov Dovid Brim z”l, a beloved photographer whose warmth, humility, and dedication to Torah touched countless lives.

He was niftar today at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer at just 47 years old.

Tragedy struck when R’ Yaakov Dovid suffered a sudden stroke while traveling to photograph a chasunah in the Boyaner court. The shocking news spread quickly, leaving friends and colleagues reeling from the loss of someone known not only for his artistic eye but for his gentle spirit.

Renowned across many batei chassidus for his professionalism and respect toward every subject he captured, R’ Yaakov Dovid’s work was marked by sincerity and yiras Shamayim. Friends remember him as a man of quiet strength, whose lens reflected not only people’s faces but their souls.

“Despite the difficulties he faced, he was always calm and composed, always had a kind word,” one acquaintance recalled. “He helped others in any way he could.”

Those who knew him say that between weddings and tishen, he could often be found bent over a sefer, using every spare moment for limud haTorah. His presence at simchos added a sense of simchah shel mitzvah, a balance of artistry and heart that endeared him to rebbes and chassidim alike.

R’ Yaakov Dovid leaves behind his wife, Sari, and seven children, three of whom are married. The levayah will take place in Elad.

{Matzav.com}

Nancy Pelosi, 85, is preparing to bow out of Congress with a fortune that few lawmakers could ever dream of — at least $130 million in stock market gains amassed over nearly four decades in office. The stunning return, calculated at 16,930%, has reignited scrutiny over how the California power couple’s investments so consistently outperformed the market.

Pelosi announced this week that she will step away from public life when her term ends in January 2027, closing the chapter on a career that made her both a historic figure and a lightning rod for controversy. The San Francisco representative was celebrated as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, but also became infamous for stock trades that routinely eclipsed Wall Street’s best.

Back in 1987, when Pelosi first entered Congress, she and her husband Paul — a venture capitalist — declared between $610,000 and $785,000 in stock holdings on her “hand delivered” disclosure form. The couple, then in their 40s, owned a modest portfolio of a dozen companies, including CitiBank and several now-defunct firms.

According to the analytics firm Quiver Quantitative, that once-small portfolio has exploded to a staggering $133.7 million. Compared to the Dow Jones’ 2,300% growth over the same period, the Pelosi fortune’s 16,930% rise dwarfs the broader market’s performance. Even allowing for compounding, their annual return averaged 14.5% — far beyond the typical 7% to 9% earned by major indexes.

Last year alone, the couple reportedly reaped an estimated 54% return — more than double the S&P 500’s 25% gain and higher than every major hedge fund in Bloomberg’s end-of-year comparison. Pelosi’s 2024 financial disclosure form lists holdings in roughly two dozen companies, including massive stakes in Apple (valued between $25 and $50 million), NVIDIA, Netflix, Palo Alto Networks, and Salesforce.

Their total net worth today is estimated at $280 million — a staggering leap from the roughly $3 million the Pelosis were worth when she took office. Beyond stocks, their assets include a Napa Valley winery valued between $5 and $25 million, a San Francisco Italian restaurant, a consulting firm, and several commercial properties. They also own an $8.7 million Pacific Heights home and a Georgetown townhouse purchased in 1999 for $650,000.

But Pelosi’s wealth accumulation comes as a growing number of lawmakers — including those in her own party — are pushing to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks. Critics say such access to privileged information creates unfair advantages. The latest version of the proposed ban was introduced in September, with some earlier bills even nicknamed after Pelosi herself.

The fascination with her trades has even inspired exchange-traded funds designed to mimic her investment moves. “I think what I’ll miss most is how she trades,” said Dan Weiskopf, portfolio manager of the congressional-tracking ETF NANC. “It’s so high conviction and aggressive. . . . The only reason why you make such trades is if you’ve got a process that gives you confidence, and as far as I know, they’re not buying off technicals. So, they must be doing it because of information around the companies themselves.”

Weiskopf said the secret to Pelosi’s approach is her extensive use of options. “You only do that because you want leverage and you only really want leverage on that kind of trading if you have a lot of convictions,” he explained. “She’s buying deep in the money and putting up a lot of money in doing it. . . . and we’re not seeing her panic. We don’t see a lot of flip flopping on her trading activity.”

Among her most lucrative plays, Weiskopf noted, was a December call option from late 2023 that cost roughly $1.8 million in premiums. It allowed the Pelosis to purchase 50,000 shares of NVIDIA at just $12 each — less than one-tenth of its current market price. Their $2.4 million investment has since ballooned to more than $7.2 million on paper.

“When you’re supposed to be called an honorable member of Congress, maybe you should look yourself in the mirror and say, I want to do the right thing,” Weiskopf remarked pointedly.

Republicans were far less restrained in their criticism. “Nancy Pelosi’s true legacy is becoming the most successful insider trader in American history,” said Kiersten Pels, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee. “If anyone else had turned $785,000 into $133.7 million with better returns than Warren Buffett, they’d be retiring behind bars.”

{Matzav.com}

Joe Biden, sporting a fresh bandage on the left side of his head, delivered an emotional and fiery speech at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Ben Nelson Gala on Friday night, using the platform to lash out at President Trump and reflect on his late son, Beau.

“Folks, I know what cancer research means,” Biden told the audience, invoking Beau’s 2015 death from brain cancer. “Cancer hits every family. It’s hit my family hard.” He accused Trump of “cutting government funding for cancer research” after his own administration had made it a “priority.”

“When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware – who should’ve been the president, not me – volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didn’t have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died,” Biden said, his voice softening as he shared the deeply personal memory.

The 46th president, who was diagnosed earlier this year with stage four prostate cancer, also opened up about his ongoing treatment and recovery. “But when you get that research, research, they’re, they’re doing, when they diagnose it – in my case, I just had prostate cancer – so, and, I, uh, when you finish that round of treatment, you get to ring that bell at the end of each treatment,” he said. “Well, thank God for the doctors and nurses and incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research.”

He then turned his focus back to Trump, accusing him and congressional Republicans of undermining medical care and raising costs. “Now, Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it more expensive,” Biden declared.

Observers at the event noticed Biden’s new bandage, though the White House has not provided an explanation. In August, he underwent Mohs surgery to treat skin cancer, and he appeared publicly afterward with a large bandage and then a visible scar in a different location.

As his speech intensified, Biden’s anger grew over what he described as misplaced Republican priorities. “Why in God’s name are they doing this?” he shouted, claiming Trump’s budget cuts were designed to “cut taxes for the wealthiest people in America.”

He also erupted over the length of the ongoing government shutdown, placing full responsibility on Trump. The president, he said, “better get the damn government open.” Biden accused the administration of worsening food insecurity by letting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lapse. “We have a president who is deliberately making hunger worse for Americans,” he charged. “In the United States of America, 1 in 5 children, 1 in 5 children, go to bed hungry every night!”

When the crowd erupted in boos, Biden shot back, “No, no, it’s more than ‘boo’ … it’s a disgrace!”

Trump and Republican lawmakers, for their part, have blamed Senate Democrats for repeatedly rejecting measures to extend government funding at existing levels, saying their obstruction caused the shutdown to drag on.

Biden closed on a triumphant note, celebrating recent Democratic victories in statewide elections. “The Democratic Party is back – not hyperbole,” he told the crowd. “The fact is that we had a great night in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, New York City, Georgia, Mississippi, – even in Mississippi,” he said, insisting that voters had sent a clear message: “They’re sending a message to Trump and to his crowd.”

{Matzav.com}

The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to a staggering $900 million after Friday night’s drawing failed to produce a single grand prize winner — extending what has now become the game’s longest-ever streak without a jackpot hit.

The winning numbers for the $843 million draw were 16, 21, 23, 48, 70, with the Mega Ball 5. Not only did no one claim the top prize, but no ticket managed to match all five white balls either — the combination that would have delivered a massive secondary payout.

Had anyone clinched the jackpot, the winner could have opted for a $391.7 million lump sum cash option rather than the full annuity. Instead, the pot now swells to $900 million, making Tuesday night’s drawing one of the richest in Mega Millions history.

This marks the 39th consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner since the last major prize was claimed. The odds of hitting all six numbers under the game’s current setup remain daunting — a near-impossible 1 in 290,472,336 chance.

The current Mega Millions format, introduced in April, doubled the ticket price from $2 to $5 while boosting prize amounts for non-jackpot tiers. The changes have generated both larger payouts and longer jackpot rollovers — as the mounting total now demonstrates.

The most recent jackpot winner came from Burgess, Virginia, where one anonymous player scored $348 million on June 27. That lucky ticket holder chose the one-time cash payout of $155.6 million instead of receiving the full prize spread across three decades — and told officials they planned to celebrate in style with a new zero-radius riding lawn mower.

{Matzav.com}

London may have held onto its crown for the 11th year running, but New Yorkers are not taking second place quietly. The 2026 World’s Best Cities Report by Resonance Consultancy placed New York City just behind the British capital — and locals immediately took to social media to argue that the ranking got it wrong.

The study praised New York as “the perpetual heartbeat of America,” crediting the city’s “refusal to play by anyone’s script” as “its greatest asset.” Resonance highlighted the city’s creative energy, cultural resilience, and relentless reinvention as defining traits that continue to capture global fascination.

According to the report, New York’s success stems from “ongoing investment in its cultural economy, massive urban infrastructure projects and global infatuation despite current politics.” From Broadway and museums to billion-dollar transit projects, the city’s ability to adapt and expand remains its edge.

Tourism continues to be one of New York’s biggest economic engines. In 2024, nearly 65 million people visited the five boroughs, generating over $70 billion in revenue. The city anticipates 64.1 million visitors in 2025, with growing interest in outer-borough destinations like Brooklyn and the Bronx drawing domestic travelers beyond Manhattan’s traditional hotspots.

Next year’s global events are expected to bring even bigger crowds. With the FIFA World Cup final set for MetLife Stadium and the Sail4th 250 celebration marking America’s 250th birthday, officials predict a record-breaking influx of tourists.

New York’s connectivity also played a role in its high ranking. The city’s airport network now ranks second globally, bolstered by major upgrades at JFK, where the $19 billion New Terminal One project will partially open in mid-2026 with 14 new gates.

Back on the ground, the rollout of congestion pricing in early 2025 dramatically reduced vehicle traffic below 60th Street, improving bus speeds and helping fund the MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan — a historic investment in public transit modernization.

The skyline continues to evolve at a dizzying pace. JP Morgan Chase’s new 1,388-foot headquarters now dominates Park Avenue, while Two Manhattan West completes Brookfield’s massive West Side campus. Meanwhile, developers are turning outdated office towers into homes — including the former Pfizer headquarters, which is being redeveloped into a mixed-use complex with 1,602 units, and 5 Times Square, which will soon house up to 1,250 mixed-income apartments.

Hudson Yards, once considered for a casino expansion, has shifted its next phase toward residential and park development, reflecting the city’s pivot toward livability over luxury.

Culturally, the report noted that New York “has rarely been hotter.” The city ranked second in the Theaters & Concerts category and placed among the Top 5 for Museums. The findings reaffirm New York’s position as a powerhouse of art, performance, and creativity.

Julie Coker, president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, welcomed the recognition. “We are pleased that New York City is included on Resonance’s 2025 World’s Best Cities list,” she said. “This recognition is a testament to NYC’s unmatched energy, cultural vibrancy and world-class experiences across the five boroughs that keep us firmly positioned as a must-visit global destination.”

Still, plenty of New Yorkers weren’t satisfied with being second-best. “Moved to London from NYC four months ago … can confirm NYC is still #1,” one person wrote on Secret NYC’s Instagram post. Another scoffed, “London in #1? Did I read that right? No offense, but there is no way!!!”

Others chimed in with the signature New York attitude. “London is not better than NYC, sorry,” one user declared, while another added with humor only a New Yorker could pull off: “Rats in NYC are cooler.”

{Matzav.com}

More than 2,000 Jewish college students gathered in Crown Heights this weekend for the Chabad on Campus International Pegisha Shabbaton, the largest annual Jewish student event in the world. Tonight, they joined together for Havdalah led by Joey Newcomb.