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The Twelve-Hour Wedding: Lelov–Sanz Chasunah in Bnei Brak

Matzav -

Bnei Brak was filled with music, dancing, and celebration as a magnificent wedding brought together two distinguished chasidic dynasties — Lelov and Sanz — in a simcha that lasted an astounding twelve hours, continuing until the mitzvah tantz.

The chasunah celebrated the marriage of the grandson of Rav Ephraim Fishel Motzen, Gaavad of Kiryas HaBaal Shem and son-in-law of the Shefa Chaim of Sanz, Rav Shalom Oberlander’s son, with the granddaughter of the Lelover Rebbe of the United States, daughter of his eldest son, Rav Aharon Biderman.

From the emotional chuppah through the spirited mitzvah tantz, the night was filled with simcha, niggunim, and heartfelt dancing that united chasidim and admirers from both courts. Leading rabbonim and dayanim attended to share in the joy and to honor the illustrious families.

The unforgettable moments — from the chuppah to the concluding mitzvah tantz — were beautifully captured by photographer Moshe Goldstein.

{Matzav.com}

DINNER DONE 2 IS HERE! The Cookbook Everyone’s Been Waiting For Finally Arrived!

Matzav -

When Dinner Done first hit the shelves, it became more than a cookbook — it was a lifesaver for busy home cooks. With over 100,000 copies sold, it transformed dinnertime in kosher homes everywhere. Now, the Between Carpools team — the women who understand real life in the kitchen — are back with Dinner Done 2, the sequel fans have been waiting for. The beauty of Dinner Done 2 lies in its simplicity. Every recipe uses ingredients you already have, such as chicken cutlets, pasta, vegetables, pantry staples, and turns them into dinners your family will actually love. No complicated steps. No specialty shopping. Just smart, practical recipes that work every single time. These are dishes that come together easily, taste incredible, and look beautiful because great food doesn’t have to be hard. The first Dinner Done made 9×13-pan dinners a staple in kosher kitchens. Dinner Done 2 takes it even further, with more one-pan wonders that save time and cleanup while delivering big flavor. With over 140 new recipesDinner Done 2 is packed with fresh, family-friendly ideas for every taste — even the picky ones. Each recipe is tested and reliable, bringing confidence back to your kitchen and smiles to your table. In their heartfelt introduction, the Between Carpools team shares that Dinner Done 2 is their way of saying thank you to the thousands of cooks who embraced the first book. “We wanted to make dinner easier,” they write, “but we realized it became much more — it gave people joy and connection.” And that’s what Dinner Done 2 delivers again — practical, delicious recipes that make cooking feel achievable and meaningful, every single night. Dinner Done 2 — Easy prep. No stress. Dinner Done. Available now at ArtScroll.com and wherever ArtScroll books are sold. {Matzav.com}

Help Aryeh Leib Get Lifesaving Treatment

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[COMMUNICATED]

 

Baby Aryeh Leib is fighting for his life after being diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare any aggressive liver cancer. 💔

The specialized treatment he needs is extremely expensive and goes far beyond what his family can manage alone.

Every donation makes a difference. Contributing helps cover the essential costs of treatment, hospital care, and medication, giving Aryeh Leib a real chance at recovery.

With collective support, Aryeh Leib can look forward to a happy, healthy future – free from illness and pain.

Please consider giving whatever you can. 🙏🏻

Every bit of help brings him and his family closer to healing and hope.

Donate now

The “Golden Intel” That Broke Hamas: How Hadar Goldin Was Found in Rafah

Matzav -

After eleven long years, the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of fallen IDF officer Hadar Goldin, Hy”d, has finally come to an end — thanks to what security sources are calling “the golden piece of intelligence” that shattered Hamas’s resistance and forced the terror organization to return his remains to Israel.

According to a report that aired overnight on Channel 12 News, Israeli intelligence services succeeded in reaching an individual who knew the precise location of Goldin’s burial site in Rafah. This breakthrough, achieved after a lengthy and complex intelligence-gathering operation combined with on-the-ground efforts by IDF combat units, left Hamas with no room to maneuver. Realizing that Israel had pinpointed the site, Hamas understood it could no longer conceal the truth or delay his return.

Hadar Goldin had been held deep within a network of tunnels in Rafah, known to the IDF as the “White Sparrow” system. For months, Division 162, under the command of Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, fought intense battles in the area. Soldiers operated just a few dozen meters from the spot where Goldin was hidden, drilling and digging through tunnels filled with armed terrorists. Despite their relentless efforts, they were unable to find him at the time. Brig. Gen. Cohen, who had once personally commanded Hadar, finally saw the mission come full circle with the discovery and repatriation of his soldier’s remains.

Channel 12 further reported that the final stages of the recovery were marked by intense diplomatic pressure. Turkish officials had urged Hamas not to yield to Israeli demands and to refuse the transfer until the safe evacuation of Hamas operatives trapped in Rafah’s tunnels could be guaranteed. However, the United States exerted counterpressure on Hamas, insisting on the return of the fallen Israeli officer. Ultimately, American influence prevailed, and under the weight of both diplomatic and military circumstances, Hamas relented.

Yesterday, Hadar Goldin’s comrades stood solemnly as his remains crossed back into Israeli territory, bringing closure to a national saga that had spanned more than a decade. What began as a tragedy in the tunnels of Rafah has now concluded with his long-awaited return to a Jewish burial — a moment of bittersweet vindication for his family, comrades, and an entire nation that never stopped searching.

{Matzav.com}

NJ’s New Gov.: GOP Has Become a ‘Party of One,’ Everything Is for Trump

Matzav -

During an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation Sunday, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill accused the Republican Party of serving the interests of only one person—President Donald Trump—saying that all of their current actions center on him rather than the American public.

“When you have the Republicans that have the presidency, they have the majority in the Senate, they have the majority in the House. They’ve even, many would say— including myself, taken over the court system. Then they have a responsibility to open up this government,” Sherrill said.

She argued that the Republican-led government continues to harm ordinary Americans through a series of misguided policies. “We see again and again these Republican attacks on everything from health care. Look, if if they don’t fund the Affordable Care Act, costs are going to go up by 175% for people here in New Jersey, at already high levels. That is going to kick so many people off health care that’s on top of the huge Medicare cuts that we’re seeing in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ on top of the tariff cuts that are raising grocery prices everywhere, on top of the fight he’s in now, which is raising gas prices. So again and again, we’re seeing the Trump administration punishing people, and these Republicans have got to come to the table, and they’ve got to start really working for the American people.”

Sherrill said that during her campaign, she heard frustration from voters who are desperate for relief from rising costs and political gridlock. “As I was talking to people across the state, thousands of people, they wanted to see an agenda to get their costs down, and something that was going to take place quickly.”

She also pointed to specific infrastructure and health initiatives as examples of how GOP policies have hurt her state. “They know that the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is going to take away their health care. They know that attacks on the Gateway Tunnel Project are going to raise costs here and really cut into job opportunities. So they want to know that whoever is governing is going to be focused on governing for them, not a party of one like Donald Trump.”

{Matzav.com}

States Face Chaos Over SNAP Benefits Amid Court Battle and Government Shutdown

Yeshiva World News -

States administering a federal food aid program serving about 42 million Americans faced uncertainty Monday over whether they can — and should — provide full monthly benefits during an ongoing legal battle involving the U.S. government shutdown. President Donald Trump’s administration over the weekend demanded that states “undo” full benefits that were paid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance […]

Rep. Stefanik Blasts NY Gov. Hochul for Backing “Raging Antisemite” Mamdani While Accepting Pro-Israel Award

Yeshiva World News -

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. Elise Stefanik tore into Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday night, accusing her of “endorsing a raging antisemite” while simultaneously accepting an award from a prominent Jewish organization. Speaking at the Zionist Organization of America’s annual gala in Manhattan, Stefanik said Hochul’s support for newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani […]

Ex-Jihadist Syrian President Due at White House for Landmark Talks

Matzav -

In a dramatic diplomatic turnaround, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday — just days after Washington officially struck his name from its terrorism blacklist. The meeting marks a watershed moment, as Sharaa becomes the first Syrian head of state to visit the White House since the nation gained independence in 1946.

Sharaa’s rise to power followed the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year by rebel factions. His movement, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), had been linked to Al-Qaeda and was only delisted by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization in July. The group’s rapid political rehabilitation has stunned analysts who only recently viewed it as one of the region’s most radical militant forces.

Since assuming office, Sharaa has embarked on an aggressive campaign to recast Syria’s global image, striving to distance his government from its insurgent past and to present a message of moderation and reconstruction. “These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad and more than 50 years of repression under the Assad regime,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

Michael Hanna, U.S. program director at the International Crisis Group, called the visit “a hugely symbolic moment for the country’s new leader, who thus marks another step in his astonishing transformation from militant leader to global statesman.” The White House meeting, Hanna said, signals a fundamental shift in Washington’s engagement with Syria after more than a decade of war and international isolation.

The State Department’s decision to remove Sharaa from the terrorism list was expected, coming after months of cooperation between Damascus and Washington. U.S. officials cited Syria’s efforts to locate missing Americans and dismantle chemical weapons stockpiles as key factors. “These actions,” Pigott emphasized, “are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership.”

Ahead of his White House visit, Sharaa spent the weekend in meetings with key financial and diplomatic figures, including IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, to discuss reconstruction aid for Syria’s devastated economy. He also convened with Syrian-American organizations and advocacy groups in Washington, signaling his interest in building a new partnership with the Syrian diaspora.

A U.S. diplomatic source told AFP that the administration is preparing to open a joint military coordination base near Damascus “to coordinate humanitarian aid and observe developments between Syria and Israel.” The move would represent a major milestone in the normalization of U.S.-Syrian ties and an unprecedented security collaboration between the two nations.

Tom Barrack, Washington’s envoy to Syria, revealed earlier this month that Sharaa could sign an agreement to join the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State. That alliance, which Trump has continued to strengthen, has been key in dismantling IS’s remaining networks across the Middle East.

Inside Syria, the new government has been eager to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating extremism. On Saturday, the Syrian interior ministry announced that it had conducted 61 operations, resulting in 71 arrests, in what it called a “proactive campaign to neutralize the threat” of IS sleeper cells. According to the official SANA news agency, the raids spanned Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Damascus.

Sharaa’s visit to Washington follows his historic appearance before the United Nations General Assembly in September — the first time in decades a Syrian leader has addressed the forum. His speech was met with cautious optimism among Western diplomats, many of whom noted his rhetoric of reconciliation and reform.

Just last week, the United States spearheaded a successful vote at the UN Security Council to lift remaining sanctions against Sharaa, paving the way for international financial institutions to re-engage with Damascus. The move was seen as part of a broader U.S. strategy to stabilize post-war Syria and limit Iran’s regional influence.

Rebuilding the nation, however, will be an immense task. Syria faces colossal economic and infrastructural damage after 13 years of civil war. The World Bank, in an October assessment, placed the “conservative best estimate” of reconstruction costs at $216 billion — a figure that underscores the staggering scale of the recovery ahead.

For Sharaa, who met Trump once before during the president’s regional tour in Saudi Arabia in May, the upcoming White House visit is a defining test of his legitimacy. It will determine whether the world now sees him as a credible reformer — or merely a militant-turned-politician navigating a fragile new era for Syria.

{Matzav.com}

Houthis Threaten Renewed Strikes on Israel if Gaza Ceasefire Fails

Matzav -

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia has warned that it will relaunch drone and missile assaults on Israel should the fragile ceasefire in Gaza fall apart, according to a report from the Xinhua news agency. The warning was delivered through a letter addressed to Hamas and broadcast on the Houthi-controlled al-Masirah TV network.

In the message, written by the Houthis’ newly appointed chief of staff, Yousif al-Madani, the group reiterated its loyalty to Hamas, declaring, “We remain steadfast in our pledge and promise to stand with you, no matter the sacrifices.” The communication underscored the Houthis’ continuing alliance with the Gaza-based terrorist organization.

Al-Madani’s appointment followed the death of his predecessor, Mohammed Abdulkarim Al-Ghamari, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes on a building in Sanaa in August, alongside several top-ranking Houthi officials. Al-Ghamari had initially survived the strike but later died from his injuries, prompting a reshuffle within the group’s military leadership.

The Houthis have been one of the most active Iran-aligned factions involved in the broader regional escalation since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023. They have fired hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel, nearly all of which were intercepted, while also attacking Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea — successfully sinking four.

In recent days, the group has intensified its military preparations. It declared a general mobilization, enlisting hundreds of tribal fighters, increasing internal checkpoints, and arresting more United Nations employees on allegations of espionage for Israel. Additional Houthi reinforcements were reportedly dispatched to frontlines near Marib, a vital oil-producing region contested by Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi announced last week that his movement is anticipating another round of hostilities. Speaking during “Shaheed Day,” he proclaimed that his forces are strengthening their arsenal and readiness “in order to be ready for the next round of confrontation with the enemy and those connected to it.”

He added that renewed military action against Israel was “certain,” signaling that the group is preparing for escalation if the current truce in Gaza disintegrates.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Nears Deal to End Longest Government Shutdown, but Health Care Fight Looms

Yeshiva World News -

A legislative package to end the government shutdown appears on track Monday after a handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to break the impasse in what has become a deepening disruption of federal programs and services, the longest in history. What’s in and out of the bipartisan deal drew sharp criticism and leaves few senators fully satisfied. The legislation provides funding […]

Typhoon Fung-wong Kills at Least 8, Displaces 1.4 Million in the Philippines

Yeshiva World News -

Typhoon Fung-wong blew out of the northwestern Philippines on Monday after setting off floods and landslides, knocking out power to entire provinces, killing at least eight people and displacing more than 1.4 million others. The typhoon was forecast to head northwest toward Taiwan. Fung-wong lashed the northern Philippines while the country was still dealing with […]

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