Under the direction of Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka in Bnei Brak, preparations are underway for a major public tefillah rally this coming Sunday, in response to the recent arrests of several yeshiva bochurim by Israeli authorities.
Rav Landau, who is currently in Los Angeles as part of the Keren Olam HaTorah campaign, received a detailed briefing this morning on the developing situation.
Upon hearing of the detentions, he immediately placed a call to Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, to discuss an appropriate communal response.
During their conversation, the two gedolim spoke at length about the deep pain felt throughout the olam haTorah and the growing concern over the government’s continued targeting of bnei yeshivos who are dedicated solely to learning Torah. They explored possible courses of action and agreed that the time has come for a united outcry and an outpouring of tefillah on behalf of the detained bochurim and the entire tzibbur haTorani.
Sources close to Rav Landau report that the rosh yeshiva expressed anguish over the current state of affairs, emphasizing that these arrests strike at the very heart of Torah life in Eretz Yisroel.
The arrests, which have taken place over the past several days, have sent shockwaves through the yeshiva community.
In yeshivos, roshei yeshiva have spoken out passionately, urging talmidim to strengthen their limud haTorah and tefillah, while expressing deep tzaar over the government’s increasing pressure on those who dedicate their lives to Torah learning.
The upcoming asifah—expected to draw thousands from across Eretz Yisroel—will serve as both a public demonstration of solidarity with the detained bochurim and a heartfelt cry to Shamayim that the gezeirah be annulled. Details regarding the exact time and location of the tefillah rally are expected to be finalized in the coming days.
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{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump voiced alarm Tuesday over the state of the New York City mayoral race, saying he fears the city could soon find itself led by a “communist.” He added that, given the current lineup of candidates, he might even prefer a mainstream Democrat over a far-left radical in charge of City Hall.
When asked at the White House whether he thought Republican contender Curtis Sliwa should bow out, Trump declined to back anyone outright but said the polls painted a troubling picture. “Well, I looked at the polls and looks like we’re going to have a communist as the mayor of New York,” he said. “It’ll be very interesting. But here’s the good news. He’s got to go through the White House, everything goes through the White House. At least this White House, it does.”
Trump seemed to imply that Sliwa’s withdrawal might help Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, but doubted it would be enough to stop Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani from winning. “If he [Sliwa] dropped out, he’s not going to win. And not looking too good for Cuomo either,” Trump said. “Maybe if he dropped out, Cuomo would have a little bit of a chance. But not much. Because it looks like the lead is—it’s not a great lead, but it’s big enough that he should be able to win.”
Asked if he would sit down with Mamdani should the left-wing assemblyman win, Trump didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, I’ll speak to him,” the president replied. “I think I have an obligation to speak to him.”
The president went on to express sadness at what he described as New York’s rapid decline since his own departure. “I love New York. I’ve always loved New York. I just can’t believe a thing like this is happening,” he said. “I left New York, and we had a mayor, [Bill] de Blasio, who was a disaster… New York was a hot city. And now it’s — it’s sad to see what’s happening, frankly.”
He also warned that far-left economic experiments have always failed. “With the communist in charge… look, you just go back a thousand years. I mean, it’s been done many times, a thousand years. It’s never worked once. So it’s not going to work now.”
Mamdani, a state assemblyman affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, has openly championed policies such as legalizing prostitution and sharply taxing the wealthy. His campaign has been embraced by figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, both prominent voices in the progressive movement.
The city’s mayoral election will take place on November 4. Representatives for Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa did not respond to requests for comment.
{Matzav.com}
In a powerful and emotional statement following his shiur klali at Prison 10 near Beit Lid, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch addressed the ongoing protests against yeshiva bochurim being drafted into the army. Rav Hirsch warned that if the government continues to arrest yeshiva students for avoiding army service, “if there’s no choice, the entire public will join. They must understand that they can’t just arrest bochurim who are learning Torah.”
Rav Hirsch delivered the shiur klali on Perek Chezkas HaBatim after a long and difficult trip, delayed by the widespread demonstrations that had paralyzed roads throughout central Israel.
The Rosh Yeshiva reportedly prepared the entire shiur spontaneously during the drive to the prison, where yeshiva bochurim have been staging around-the-clock learning vigils and protests outside the gates in support of Ariel Shamai, a yeshiva bochur recently detained for draft refusal.
Speaking to the assembled bochurim at the prison gates, Rav Hirsch described his encounter with the protests en route. “On my way here, I passed the demonstrations of the other groups,” he said. “I very much hope we won’t have to reach that point ourselves. They need to understand that it cannot be that bochurim who are learning Torah are arrested. I hope those in the government will come to understand that.”
Earlier in the day, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo Rav Chaim Feinstein gave a dramatic address, expressing anguish over the arrest of his student. “Ariel, you have tasted the sweetness of Torah, and that is why the yetzer hara chases you—it finds it difficult. Ariel, if you can hear us, we are all with you,” Rav Feinstein declared passionately.
Rav Hirsch speaking at the prison:
Dancing at the prison:
Rav Moshe Hillel leaving his home to go to the prison:
Protests obstructing the car carrying Rav Hirsch:
Rav Hirsch arriving at the prison:
{Matzav.com}
Podcast host Ben Shapiro joined ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss his analysis of the state of the Israel-Hamas peace deal and what he’s hearing about the emotional reunions of former hostages.
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{Matzav.com}
Authorities in New Jersey have filed multiple serious charges against a Colorado man accused of causing the horrific October 19 crash on the New Jersey Turnpike that claimed the lives of four bochurim on Sunday.
Prosecutors announced that 41-year-old Christopher Neff, of Westminster, Colorado, now faces counts of vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter, and weapons-related charges after allegedly driving the wrong way on the Turnpike in the early morning hours of that Sunday. Officials said Neff was also found with hollow-point ammunition at the time of the collision.
The deadly crash took place in Carneys Point Township and resulted in the petiros of four beloved bochurim, 19-year-old Yaakov Kilberg, who was behind the wheel, and his passengers, 18-year-olds Aharon Lebovits and Shlomo Cohen of Lakewood, New Jersey, along with 18-year-old Shlomo Chaim Grossman of South Fallsburg, New York.
Police reports allege that Neff was under the influence of alcohol when he drove his Dodge pickup northbound in the southbound lanes, striking the SUV carrying the four young men. The impact pushed their vehicle into the path of a Freightliner tractor-trailer, killing all four bochurim nstantly. Investigators said the probe into the crash is still ongoing.
According to court filings, witnesses and emergency responders detected “a strong odor of an alcohol beverage emanating from Mr. Neff’s breath” immediately after the crash. Testing later revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was more than double the legal limit of .08%.
Surveillance footage obtained by police reportedly shows Neff drinking several alcoholic beverages at a nearby Carneys Point bar shortly before leaving, less than thirty minutes before the crash. Authorities said he remains hospitalized with multiple fractures, including broken legs and an arm, as well as other serious injuries.
{Matzav.com}
The Melbourne Chabad community is mourning the passing of Rabbi Nosson Dovid Greenwald z”l, who left this world early this morning, Rosh Chodesh, at the age of 74.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 9, 1951 (3 Iyar 5711), to Avraham (Arthur) and Lasha (Lillian) Greenwald, Nosson grew up in a home infused with strong Yiddishkeit. His maternal grandfather, Yehuda Hochman—affectionately known to all as “Tatte”—lived with the family and played a central role in shaping Nosson’s lifelong connection to emunah and mitzvos.
Nosson’s early years in Oak Park, Michigan, were marked by steady spiritual growth. He gradually increased his observance and became an active participant in the local Chabad community.
In 1979, he married his eishes chayil, Bela. Four years later, the couple and their children moved across the globe to Australia, where they built their home and became integral members of the Melbourne Chabad community.
Though professionally trained as a mathematician and educator, Nosson’s career path was as diverse as it was fascinating. He taught university students, worked in the scrap metal industry, and even served as an air traffic controller in Detroit earlier in life.
But it wasn’t his résumé that defined him. It was his heart. Friends and neighbors remember Nosson for his warmth, humility, and genuine love for every Jew. His home was a haven of hospitality, with open invitations for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals extended to anyone he met, whether an acquaintance, a stranger, or even a traffic warden he encountered on the street. One friend summed it up perfectly: “Nosson pursued mitzvahs like most people pursued money.”
Life brought its share of challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of two of his children. Yet even amid personal pain, he radiated simcha and gratitude. Known for his ever-present expression, “Baruch Hashem,” he shared this spirit of faith with everyone around him—so much so that the non-Jewish nurses at his aged care facility learned not only its meaning but began saying it themselves.
Those privileged to know R’ Nosson speak of him as a beacon of sincerity, generosity, and unwavering optimism—a man who inspired others simply by the way he lived.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Bela, and their children Rochel Leah, Chaim, Chana, Shalom Ber, Brocha, and Miriam, along with numerous grandchildren who carry forward his legacy. He is also survived by his sisters, Rivkah Nachlas and Chaya Wiener of Detroit, and by nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his children Yehuda Leib a”h and Hadassa a”h.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
A man who violently attacked a Chabad bochur in Crown Heights last year while yelling “Free Palestine” has been sentenced to five years in prison.
According to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Vincent Sumpter, who admitted to attempted murder, received his sentence on October 8 following a plea deal.
Initially, Sumpter faced eight felony counts, including assault as a hate crime, as outlined in the original arrest documents.
The violent episode occurred on a Friday night in August 2024, when Sumpter—then 22 years old—stabbed Yechiel Dabrowskin, a Chabad bochur studying at the 770 Yeshiva. The attack took place within a short distance of the iconic Chabad Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway.
Investigators say the encounter began when Sumpter emerged from the subway and started walking up Kingston Avenue toward Union Street. As he passed a group of bochurim, he began shouting “Free Palestine!” and other anti-Semitic remarks in an effort to provoke them.
Though the students chose to ignore his taunts, witnesses said Sumpter lingered nearby, apparently waiting for another opportunity to lash out.
Moments later, he reportedly turned his aggression on other pedestrians, threatening a group while shouting, “Do you want to die?” In the ensuing confrontation, Sumpter pulled out a knife, stabbing one bochur and attempting to strike another before fleeing the scene.
{Matzav.com}