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A federal judge in Massachusetts has ruled that the Trump administration’s decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for tens of millions of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown likely violates federal law — though she declined to compel the administration to immediately reinstate the benefits.

In a detailed 15-page opinion issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston instructed the Department of Agriculture to clarify by Monday whether it could “authorize only reduced SNAP benefits” using disaster-response funds or instead “authorize full SNAP benefits” through both those funds and “additional available funds.” Her order left open the question of whether emergency reserves could be tapped to continue providing aid to families in need.

The lawsuit that led to Talwani’s ruling was filed earlier in the week by a coalition of 25 Democrat-led states and the District of Columbia. Their attorneys argued that the administration’s suspension of the program — which supports over 42 million Americans — directly contradicts the Food and Nutrition Act’s clear directive that “assistance under this program shall be furnished to all eligible households.” According to the complaint, the USDA had warned that “the well has run dry” and that funding could no longer be maintained during the shutdown.

If the payments lapse, it would mark the first time in six decades that SNAP funding has been interrupted, a situation the suing states said would harm vulnerable families who depend on the program for basic nutrition.

Earlier Friday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters that the department’s contingency funds couldn’t be used to bridge the gap — even if officials wanted to. “There is a contingency fund at USDA, but that contingency fund, by the way, doesn’t even cover, I think half of the $9.2 billion that would be required for November SNAP,” Rollins explained. “It is only allowed to flow if the underlying program is funded. If Hurricane Melissa or one of the hurricanes hits, that’s the contingency fund that we would use to send more money into the vulnerable communities that are harmed by a specific event, like a hurricane — but it is a contingency fund that can only flow if the underlying appropriation is approved.”

With the shutdown dragging on and federal food assistance hanging in the balance, the court’s order stops short of mandating relief but places mounting legal and political pressure on the administration to find a way to keep SNAP benefits flowing.

{Matzav.com}

Speaker Mike Johnson has doubled down on his standoff with Senate Democrats, keeping the House out of session for a sixth straight week as the government shutdown creeps toward historic length. With the current impasse on track to surpass the record set by the 2018–2019 shutdown, pressure is mounting on both parties to strike a deal before critical programs lose funding.

The Senate once again adjourned without passing a funding bill, leaving Washington gridlocked and millions of Americans facing potential hardship. Democrats in the chamber have rejected the GOP’s stopgap funding proposal 13 times, with both sides showing little indication of softening their positions despite minor hints of back-channel discussions.

By the weekend, federal aid relied on by tens of millions could start to vanish. Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expected to dry up Saturday, threatening food assistance for 42 million Americans. Support for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program — which provides aid for mothers and young children — is also at risk, even after the Trump administration earlier this month redirected funds to extend it temporarily.

The Head Start program, which offers childcare to low-income families, is also nearing exhaustion. Without new funding, it will likely halt operations this weekend.

At the heart of the impasse is a seven-week continuing resolution (CR) pushed by House Republicans that maintains current spending levels and adds $88 million for security enhancements benefiting Congress, the White House, and the judiciary — a provision that has drawn bipartisan nods. But Democrats are fuming over being shut out of negotiations and have accused GOP leadership of cutting them from the process entirely.

Democratic lawmakers have insisted on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies first expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those benefits are set to expire at the end of 2025 without congressional intervention. Republicans, while open to discussing potential reforms, have refused to tie the healthcare issue to the short-term funding bill.

With open enrollment beginning Saturday, Democrats had hoped that looming public pressure would push the GOP toward compromise. Instead, Johnson has kept the House out of session since the chamber passed its funding package on September 19. Democrats have lambasted him for “keeping Republicans on vacation” while vital government functions remain frozen.

Johnson, however, has defended the decision, arguing that “the House cannot resume its work until Democrats end the shutdown.” He’s instructed members of his caucus to stay in their districts, assist constituents affected by the closure, and emphasize that Democrats are to blame for prolonging it.

For weeks, Republicans have largely rallied around the Speaker’s approach, but as the shutdown continues, discontent is slowly surfacing within the ranks. During a private GOP conference call Tuesday, several members voiced frustration over the drawn-out strategy.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Kevin Kiley of California reiterated their opposition to Johnson’s plan — criticism they’ve aired publicly for weeks. Joining them was Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, who for the first time questioned whether the tactic is working.

“I’m no longer convinced that staying out of session has benefits that outweigh the costs,” Crenshaw said, according to Fox News Digital.

{Matzav.com}

Israel Police have completed extensive preparations ahead of the yahrtzeit of Rochel Imeinu 5786, which will take place at Kever Rochel beginning Motzoei Shabbos through Sunday (November 2).

Hundreds of police officers and Border Police troops will be deployed around the site, together with ushers, to maintain public order, direct traffic, and ensure the safety of the many visitors expected to arrive. Authorities emphasized that special attention has been given to minimizing disruption to daily life in the area while facilitating a smooth and secure pilgrimage for all.

Public Transportation and Access

Parking for the public will be available at Teddy Stadium, from which paid shuttle buses will run directly to Kever Rochel. Beginning Motzoei Shabbos at 8:00 p.m. until Sunday evening, access to the site will be exclusively via bus lines 663 and 664, operating frequently from the western Teddy parking lot.

Private parking will be available only in the eastern (Arena) lot. Teddy Stadium can also be reached via the following bus lines: 5, 6, 9, 12, 14, 17, 18, 31, 33, 35, 77, 504, 506, 509, 516, 531, and 540. During nighttime hours, line 6א will run directly from Binyanei HaUma to Teddy.

It should be noted that lines 163 and 238 will not operate at all, and stops at the Chevron Road/Rosemarin intersection will be canceled — there will be no access to or from Kever Rochel from that area.

Shuttle and Access Guidelines

Private buses will be directed to park at Teddy, where passengers will transfer to the public shuttle service. Entry to the Kever Rochel complex will be permitted only for pre-arranged organized groups and for individuals with disabilities who require wheelchair access. Pedestrian movement along the bus route between the Rosemarin junction and the site will not be allowed.

Traffic Arrangements and Expected Delays

Due to heavy traffic anticipated in the area, motorists heading to Gilo are advised to approach via Route 50 (Begin South). The Chevron–Rosemarin intersection will be closed, and drivers heading to Har Choma should use Hebron Road. Vehicle access from the Rosemarin junction toward Kever Rochel will be blocked.

Parking on Rosemarin Street and Chevron Road will be strictly prohibited. Police will carry out intensified enforcement, including ticketing and towing of illegally parked vehicles. The Rosemarin, Tunnel, and Tantour junctions will be intermittently closed depending on traffic volume.

Police Advisory

Police urge the public to follow instructions from officers and ushers, avoid standing or walking along traffic lanes, and note that flying drones in or around the Kever Rochel compound is strictly forbidden.

Israel Police emphasized that every effort will be made to ensure that visitors can reach Kever Rochel safely and securely, while maintaining public order and steady traffic flow for all.

{Matzav.com}

Federal investigators are examining whether the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation misled donors who contributed millions during the nationwide protests that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Sources familiar with the matter told the AP that the Justice Department has issued subpoenas and executed at least one search warrant as part of its investigation into the organization that became the central force behind the wave of demonstrations that swept across the United States in the summer of 2020. Some of those protests later devolved into violence, arson, and widespread looting.

The Associated Press noted that “it was not clear if the investigation would result in criminal charges, but its mere existence invites fresh scrutiny to a movement that in recent years has faced criticism about its public accounting of donations it has received.” The report added that the new round of federal activity comes “at a time when civil rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential for the Trump administration to target a variety of progressive and left-leaning groups that have been critical of him, including those affiliated with BLM, the transgender rights movement and anti-ICE protesters.”

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to offer any comment on the report released Thursday.

Although the probe has gained renewed focus during the Trump administration, one of the AP’s sources said it actually originated under the Biden administration.

Following Floyd’s death—captured on a viral video showing him pinned beneath a white Minneapolis police officer’s knee—the Black Lives Matter foundation reported receiving over $90 million in donations. The incident ignited outrage and became a catalyst for one of the largest protest movements in modern American history.

In the years since, BLM’s leadership has faced persistent criticism regarding its financial transparency. In 2022, public outrage intensified after it was revealed that roughly $6 million in donor funds were used to purchase a luxury home in Los Angeles that boasted six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a pool.

As previously reported by Breitbart News, co-founder Patrisse Cullors admitted that she had used the property for personal gatherings. Cullors stepped down from her leadership role in 2023 amid mounting controversy.

According to the Associated Press, earlier reviews of the foundation’s financial practices failed to uncover definitive evidence of wrongdoing. The organization’s most recent IRS filing showed $28 million in assets as of the fiscal year ending June 2024.

The current inquiry is being overseen by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, based in Los Angeles.

In a statement provided to the Associated Press, the foundation insisted that it “is not a target of any federal criminal investigation.” It added, “We remain committed to full transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of resources dedicated to building a better future for Black communities.”

The Black Lives Matter slogan first surfaced in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida under the state’s “stand your ground” law. The phrase gained national traction a year later, following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, when the 18-year-old was shot while charging a police officer—an event that sparked mass protests and cemented “Black Lives Matter” as a global social justice movement.

{Matzav.com}

A pediatric resident at the Dana Children’s Hospital, part of the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv, has been diagnosed with measles after exposure to an unvaccinated infant.

According to the hospital, the doctor had been fully vaccinated against measles but nonetheless contracted the illness. Fortunately, her symptoms are described as mild.

Following the diagnosis, Ichilov immediately contacted all parents whose children may have been exposed. Several of the children who came into contact with the doctor before the illness was identified are now receiving preventive treatment.

Hospital officials stated that all necessary steps have been taken to prevent further infection:

“All measures were implemented to isolate those exposed and prevent additional cases. The details of non-hospitalized children were transferred to the Ministry of Health, and they too are receiving preventive care.”

Ichilov reiterated the importance of vaccination, warning that avoiding the measles vaccine endangers not only unvaccinated children themselves but also others around them — including those who are vaccinated but may still be at risk.

Dr. Ronen Ben Ami, Director of Infectious Diseases at Ichilov, explained: “The phenomenon of contracting the illness despite vaccination is known. Fully vaccinated individuals can sometimes develop the disease, though it is generally mild. It’s important to emphasize that vaccination remains highly effective, preventing about 95% of cases. During outbreaks, when many people are exposed, occasional infections among vaccinated individuals can occur — but they are much rarer and far less severe.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Rafael Yehuda Berdugo zt”l.

Rav Berdugo was a beloved marbitz Torah and rov who served for many years as the spiritual guide of his community in the city of Migdal HaEmek. In recent years, he resided in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he continued to radiate his light and inspiration.

Rav Berdugo’s petirah marks the loss of one of the last remaining links to the illustrious sages of Morocco’s Knesses HaGedolah.

He was born in Morocco to his father, Rav Avraham Berdugo, and was a grandson of Rav Chaim Berdugo, rosh yeshiva of Etz Chaim in Meknes.

From his youth, Rav Rafael Yehuda was deeply attached to the great rabbonim of Meknes, among them Rav Yosef Messas and Rav Rafael Baruch Toledano. He also served as a mashgiach in the Chabad Yeshiva of Meknes, where he inspired generations of young talmidim.

After making aliyah to Eretz Yisroel, Rav Berdugo settled in Migdal HaEmek, where he devoted his life to spreading Torah and nurturing talmidim. He founded the city’s first shiurim and Torah programs, served as rov to several kehillos hakodesh, and dedicated himself with self-sacrifice to the spiritual growth and guidance of his talmidim and community members.

In his later years, he moved to the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he continued to share his wisdom and warmth with all who crossed his path.

Rav Berdugo leaves behind sons and sons-in-law who are distinguished talmidei chachamim, along with a remarkable family that carries on his noble legacy and the proud traditions of the distinguished Berdugo rabbinic dynasty.

The levayah took place at Yeshivas Bris Yaakov in Bayit Vegan, headed by his son-in-law, Rav Shimon Toledano, and continued to the Ponovezh Cemetery in Bnei Brak, where he was laid to rest.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

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To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

DON’T MISS OUT! Join the Matzav Status by CLICKING HERE. Join the Matzav WhatsApp Groups by CLICKING HERE.

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NYC Mayor Adams leaving the funeral of NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass, and greeting community leaders, including Josh Mehlman from the FJCC and members of Flatbush Shomrim.

A major development has shaken Israel’s military justice system after Chief Military Prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi admitted to authorizing the release of classified materials to the media and subsequently tendered her resignation. In her letter to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi’s successor, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Tomer-Yerushalmi stated that her actions were intended “to repel false propaganda against law enforcement officials in the IDF,” and acknowledged, “I bear full responsibility.”

The resignation came amid allegations that Tomer-Yerushalmi and her staff were involved in leaking investigation materials and a sensitive video related to the abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military base. Following her admission, she is expected to be questioned by police in the coming week.

During a conversation with Chief of Staff Zamir, the prosecutor took full responsibility for the leak, explaining that her intention had been to counter “a campaign of lies and delegitimization directed at the military justice system.” Zamir accepted her resignation, which took immediate effect.

In her letter, Tomer-Yerushalmi wrote, “Over the past two years, I was required to defend the Military Advocate General’s Corps and its members from a false and illegitimate campaign of delegitimization. Officers and prosecutors found themselves the targets of personal attacks, severe insults, and even threats—all because we stood guard over the rule of law in the IDF, alongside our commanders.”

She continued, “This destructive campaign reached its peak following the decision to investigate the Sde Teiman affair. The verbal assaults against law enforcement officials in the army were accompanied by unprecedented acts, including mass intrusions into the Sde Teiman base and the compound of the military court. The incitement accused us of favoring terrorists over our own soldiers. This campaign continues to this day, gravely damaging the IDF, its reputation, and the morale of its soldiers and commanders.”

Tomer-Yerushalmi further admitted, “As head of the Military Advocate General’s Office, and out of a deep sense of responsibility for the IDF, my unit, and my subordinates, I authorized the release of certain materials to the media in an effort to counter the false propaganda directed against law enforcement authorities in the army. I bear full responsibility for every piece of material that left the unit for the media. From this responsibility also comes my decision to end my tenure as Chief Military Prosecutor.”

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz released a statement earlier on Friday emphasizing that she would not be reinstated, declaring, “I will ensure that justice is done with anyone who took part in the blood libel against IDF soldiers in the Sde Teiman affair,” noting the gravity of the allegations and the sensitivity of her position as the top legal authority responsible for upholding the rule of law throughout the military.

According to legal sources, responses submitted to the High Court regarding efforts to identify the source of the leak were allegedly false, with officials claiming it was impossible to locate the leaker.

Sources familiar with the case suggest that the leak itself may be less serious than the subsequent attempts to conceal it. While Tomer-Yerushalmi may not have directly executed the leak, the central concern now is whether she was complicit in the cover-up and in providing misleading information to the High Court and the Knesset.

{Matzav.com}

The coffin carrying NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass has just been removed from the East Midwood Jewish Center on Ocean Ave and Ave L as around 1,000 police officer salute him for his nearly 60 years of service.

[COMMUNICATED]

Eden Gardens, FL – A new chapter of Torah growth and community development is unfolding in Eden Gardens with the official establishment of the Eden Gardens Kollel and a vibrant celebration marking this milestone.

The newly founded Kollel, led by Rabbi Yisroel Meir Shalom, has brought with it six dedicated families—five Kollel families and the Rosh Kollel’s own—who have settled in Eden Gardens to learn, teach, and strengthen the growing community. These families have arrived from Yerushalayim, Bayswater (Far Rockaway), Flatbush, Lakewood, and Detroit, each bringing their own warmth and commitment to Torah life.
 They are: the Bondi, Braun, Levovitz, Tucker, and Winegard families.

Rabbi Shalom, formerly of the Kollel at Yeshivas Bais Yehudah in Detroit, is a gifted young talmid chacham whose leadership and scholarship are already leaving a deep impression. The Kollel learns daily in a brand-new, beautifully refurbished Beis Medrash adjacent to the Eden Gardens Shul, complete with a full seforim library and three daily sedarim. A community Night Seder program offers full- and part-time residents the chance to learn with the Kollel through chavrusa study, shiurim, and special programming.

In addition to his role as leader of the Kollel, Rabbi Shalom will be guiding the community in halachic matters and will oversee the Eden Gardens Mikvah and Eden Gardens Eruv.

The Kollel’s establishment was made possible through the vision and support of Joseph Saka, Eli Steinhardt and family, and Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz alongside a group of passionate Eden Gardens homeowners eager to see the neighborhood flourish as a true Makom Torah.

With the arrival of the Kollel and additional new families, Eden Gardens now boasts close to 20 full-time year-round families and a steady daily minyan, transforming the area into one of Orlando’s most promising centers of Jewish life.

The celebration event drew the entire Eden Gardens community, along with guests from neighboring Orlando communities and beyond. Distinguished rabbanim in attendance included Rabbi Yom Tov Goldberger (Rosh Kollel of the Orlando Community Kollel), Rabbi Menachem Zev Kramer (Rav of the Orlando Torah Center), and Rabbi Yisroel Meir Shalom, who each shared inspiring words about the exponential growth of Torah in the region.

Guests enjoyed a lavish fleishig buffet catered by Eatin’ Gardens—the neighborhood’s own food truck, operated by Shimon Shushan and family—followed by a spirited kumzitz led by Avraham Shmuel Weinschneider and Eliezer Kanner. The Roshei Yeshiva of Orlando Torah Academy—Rabbis Chaim Kazan, Yehuda Schepansky, and Avraham Wachsman—along with Rabbi Naftali Kassorla, Executive Director of the Orlando Community Kollel, also joined in the festivities.

Speakers highlighted how Eden Gardens is “seeding the ground with ruchniyus,” creating a foundation for Torah, family life, and spiritual growth in the heart of Florida.

What began as a dream is now taking root, a real Torah community in the heart of Orlando. With a kosher grocery on premises, and with plans underway for a dedicated 5,000-square-foot shul, men’s and women’s gyms, and a water park currently out for permitting, Eden Gardens continues to evolve as a premier destination for frum family life.

The soon-to-open Eden Gardens Mikvah, which will serve Eden Gardens, Encore, Reunion, Solterra, and the surrounding vacation communities, marks another milestone in this growth. With a strong pipeline of new families preparing to move in, the momentum toward Torah, community, and shared vision continues to build, accelerating the establishment of the Kollel and solidifying Eden Gardens as a thriving Makom Torah in Central Florida.

To learn more about Eden Gardens visit EdenGardensOrlando.com

Newly released bodycam footage shows an illegal alien driving a massive semi-truck who cannot speak English, with officers asking, “You don’t understand English!? What company do you work for?” and the driver responding, “California.”

BREAKING: The Trump Administration has decided to strike military installations in Venezuela, with attacks possible at any moment. -Miami Herald.

While Hezbollah’s leader was speaking, the IDF struck Choukine in southern Lebanon, killing a terrorist on a motorcycle—the second terrorist killed in separate strikes this morning.

Thirty bodies of Palestinians were handed over to Gaza on Friday under the terms of the ongoing ceasefire arrangement brokered by the United States, according to officials at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. The hospital confirmed to AFP that “the bodies of 30 Palestinian prisoners were received from the Israeli side as part of the exchange deal.”

As in prior exchanges, the Red Cross served as the intermediary, transporting the bodies from Israeli authorities to the hospital in southern Gaza for identification and burial preparations.

The latest handover followed Hamas’s return of the remains of two Israeli hostages—84-year-old Amiram Cooper and 25-year-old Sahar Baruch—marking the first time in more than a week that the terror group had released the bodies of captives.

Under the terms of the truce, Israel agreed to transfer the remains of fifteen Palestinians for each deceased Israeli hostage returned by Hamas terrorists. With Friday’s delivery, the total number of Palestinian bodies repatriated to Gaza has now reached 225.

So far, Hamas has returned twenty living hostages who were abducted during its brutal October 7, 2023 massacre in southern Israel—a day when terrorists murdered roughly 1,200 people and dragged 251 others into Gaza.

In addition to living captives, Hamas has begun handing over the bodies of 28 hostages confirmed dead, though the process has been slow and erratic, prompting anger from Israeli officials.

Israel has accused Hamas of intentionally obstructing the deal, alleging that the group already “knows the location of the vast majority, or even all, of the remaining bodies of hostages, and is purposely stalling and staging fake discoveries of bodies.”

Earlier this week, tensions escalated when the IDF carried out a wave of strikes across Gaza after a soldier was killed in Rafah and Hamas publicized a video of what Israel described as a staged recovery of the remains of Ofir Tzarfati, whose body had actually been retrieved months earlier.

Health authorities in Gaza reported that more than 100 people were killed in the Israeli strikes. By Wednesday morning, Israel announced that the ceasefire had been reinstated.

According to Israeli assessments, ten of the October 7 hostages’ bodies are still believed to be held in Gaza, along with one individual missing since 2014. Of those, all but two—one Tanzanian and one Thai national—are Israeli citizens.

To date, Hamas has handed over fifteen bodies identified as Israeli hostages, as well as two foreign nationals, one from Thailand and one from Nepal, who were also seized during the October 7 rampage.

While Israeli officials continue to accuse Hamas of breaching the ceasefire terms, families of the remaining hostages have been pressing the government to take firmer action to compel compliance.

Hamas has publicly claimed it remains committed to the truce but says the extensive destruction from two years of Israeli bombardment has made locating the remaining bodies extremely difficult.

Meanwhile, Egyptian recovery teams equipped with heavy machinery have joined efforts to search for additional remains amid the devastation across Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

DHS arrested Emilio Ramirez Cortez and his son Edgar Ramirez Diaz at the Laredo Port of Entry for smuggling over 500 guns and 31,000 rounds of ammo to Mexico, hidden behind false walls in two trailers.

NEW: LA firefighters were told to leave a smoldering blaze that later reignited as the deadly Palisades fire, destroying thousands of homes and killing 12 people, federal authorities say.

A high-speed train slammed into a truck stuck on a level crossing in Meteren, with CCTV showing the truck jerking as the barriers dropped before the train plowed through, sending debris flying; five people were injured, all minor, according to rail operator ProRail.

Speaker Johnson defended President Trump’s push for Senate Republicans to nuke the filibuster, allowing the shutdown to end.