Feed aggregator

Stoliner Rebbe to Spend Shabbos in Detroit for First Time in 15 Years

Matzav -

The Rebbe of Karlin-Stolin will spend the upcoming Shabbos, Tazria-Metzora, in Detroit, Michigan. The visit marks a rare and significant occasion, as the Rebbe will not only visit the kever of his great-uncle, the tzaddik Rav Yaakov Chaim of Stolin zt”l, whose resting place is in Detroit, but will also remain in the city for Shabbos.

While the Rebbe traditionally travels to Detroit annually for the yahrtzeit of Rav Yaakov Chaim, this year’s visit is different: he will be spending the entire Shabbos with his chassidim in the city—something he last did fifteen years ago.

The visit is expected to draw hundreds of Karlin-Stolin chassidim from around the world, and preparations on the ground are already underway. A team of community organizers is working tirelessly to erect large tents that will serve as temporary batei midrash for tefillos and tishen, while lodging accommodations are being secured to house the influx of visitors.

On Sunday, the Rebbe is scheduled to visit the kever of Rav Yaakov Chaim, joined by many chassidim, to daven for yeshuos for both individuals and the broader klal.

The baal haHillula, Rav Yaakov Chaim of Stolin zt”l, was the third son of Rav Yisroel Perlow of Stolin, known as the “Yanuka.” He married Rebbetzin Chanah Chaya a”h, daughter of Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heshel Twersky. The couple was not blessed with children.

After his father’s passing in 1922, Rav Yaakov Chaim immigrated to the United States in 1924, leading the Karlin chassidim primarily in New York. He established additional shuls in Williamsburg, and—together with the Karlin-Kobrin faction—in Chicago and Detroit.

At the time, the Karlin-Stolin presence in America numbered in the hundreds. Rav Yaakov Chaim devoted himself to kiruv, reaching out to unaffiliated Jewish youth and students during a time when many were drifting from Yiddishkeit. He founded Torah institutions and held inspiring tishen in his home every Shabbos, attracting large crowds.

On the 6th of Iyar in 1946, while visiting his community in Detroit, Rav Yaakov Chaim suddenly collapsed and passed away. He was buried in Detroit and came to be known affectionately among his chassidim as “the Detroiter.”

Two years after his passing, his brother, the rebbe Rav Yochanan, arrived in America and settled in Williamsburg, where he opened a yeshiva and built new institutions. Later in life, he relocated the center of Karlin-Stolin chassidus to Boro Park.

{Matzav.com}

Matzav Inbox: A New Approach to Shidduchim

Matzav -

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Why do we allow the shidduch process to consume us? Anyone in the parshah—whether for themselves or for their children—knows the crushing anxiety that accompanies the research phase of a potential match. How are we expected to determine compatibility from a resume? Is he like this or like that? Will her personality align with our expectations?

With every new profile, our minds race through endless possibilities—and anxiety, ever the pessimist, convinces us to assume the worst. Maybe they have this issue… Maybe they won’t understand that part of me… The doubts pile up, and all too often, we talk ourselves out of even considering the shidduch.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

I recently adopted a new approach—one that has been nothing short of transformative. I recognized a pattern in myself: when all I have is a piece of paper, my imagination takes over. Anxiety flourishes in the unknown, creating obstacles that may not even exist. But once I speak to the person? Everything changes. That abstract profile becomes a real, dynamic, multifaceted human being. The fears that loomed so large? Often unfounded. The concerns? Frequently irrelevant. The clarity? Remarkable.

So here’s what I do now: If a suggestion seems even remotely plausible, I ask the shadchan to arrange a brief phone call—right away. No commitments, no pressure to continue—just a short, informal conversation. The goal? To replace the paper with a person.

The difference is night and day.

Deciding whether to move forward becomes infinitely easier—and far less stressful—when I’m interacting with a real human being instead of dissecting a checklist of traits. People are always better than papers.

Granted, some shadchanim are hesitant (though the truly helpful ones are usually open to it). Sometimes the other side needs reassurance. But honestly—what do you have to lose? Every single person who’s tried this approach has told me it changed the way they view the process. One parent even reached out to thank me, saying it gave their child renewed hope. For them, shidduchim no longer felt like a burdensome ordeal.

The idea is simple: Turn the paper into a person.

A short, pressure-free conversation resets the dynamic entirely. And afterward, you’re exactly where you started—free to say, “Thanks, I’ll let you know if I’m interested.” But now, you’re making that decision based on a real interaction, not just speculation.

If you’re in the parshah—or guiding someone who is—try this once. Just once. You may feel the weight begin to lift, and the dread replaced by a new sense of hope and clarity.

Wishing you tremendous siyatta diShmaya. May Hashem guide you quickly and peacefully to your zivug hagun.

Hatzlacha,
A Friend 

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.

The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

{Matzav.com}

Herzog Leads Memorial Day Ceremony at Kosel

Matzav -

Israeli President Isaac Herzog opened the country’s Memorial Day events on Tuesday evening with a somber state ceremony at the Kosel in Yerushalayim, honoring fallen Israel Defense Forces soldiers and victims of terrorism.

Speaking alongside Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and bereaved families, Herzog issued a passionate call for national unity and demanded the return of all hostages still held in Gaza.

“This year, more than ever, the siren’s sound is also a true alarm,” said Herzog. “It rises like a terrible cry … for the kidnapped, the wounded, the murdered. We will not rest and we will not be still—until all of you come home. Every single one.”

The president warned against internal division, urging Israelis to reject hatred and polarization. “Enough division! Enough polarization! Enough hatred!” he said. “We must not, by our own hands, bring about the destruction of our national home.”

Later in the evening, Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog attended the “Songs in Their Memory” event at the Knesset in tribute to Israel’s fallen.

According to Defense Ministry figures released ahead of the day of remembrance, 319 Israeli soldiers have fallen since last Memorial Day—most during fighting in Gaza, Lebanon and Judea and Samaria. An additional 61 disabled veterans succumbed to wounds sustained in earlier service, bringing the total number of Israel’s fallen security personnel to 25,420 since 1860.

Seventy-nine names were also added to the list of terrorism victims in the past year, raising the total to 5,229 since 1851, according to Israel’s National Insurance Institute.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Philadelphia Educator Heather Mizrachi Sues School District For Harassment After Oct. 7

Matzav -

Philadelphia educator Heather Mizrachi walked into her city school district office following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, only to be greeted by a poster with the slogan, “Free Palestine.”

For Mizrachi, who is Jewish and the daughter of an Israeli, the image was jarring, to say the least. She continued to see the poster daily in her job in the central office as a curriculum specialist for middle-school students. Her complaints were ignored, she said.

“Each of those encounters left me in tears, in complete despair, and left me feeling dehumanized and undermined because of my religion and shared national origin,” the New Jersey resident told JNS via Microsoft Teams.

She added that there had always been a few postings from a few people, but after Oct. 7, “it was a flooding of the gates kind of situation.”

Citing the poster and other acts of harassment post-Oct. 7, including social-media posts from fellow school district employees. Mizrachi, who had worked for the Philadelphia city school system since 2017, went to court.

Her lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Pennsylvania, says she “has been forced to endure conditions that, by any objective measure, are grossly offensive, severe, and pervasive, including, among many other things, being forced to look at images that advocate for the violent destruction of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”

“It made it nearly impossible not to pursue this path,” she said about the lawsuit. She said she felt that her colleagues had a “sense of permission to post these kinds of things. That’s been very troubling for me.”

The school district had no comment. It does not comment on pending litigation,” spokeswoman Christina Clark told JNS in a statement.

The aforementioned poster also included a Palestinian flag and the slogan, “From the river to the sea,” which the Anti-Defamation League says has been used by supporters of Hamas and other terrorist organizations and “is an antisemitic charge denying the Jewish right to self-determination, including through the removal of Jews from their ancestral homeland.”

In addition, her lawsuit said, those social-media accounts called for Israel’s destruction, accused the country of being a “terrorist state” and cheered on Hamas.

The U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights earlier had investigated the school system over allegations of antisemitic harassment after Oct. 7.

That case was resolved when the school district agreed to take several steps, including distributing an anti-harassment statement; providing annual training to administrations, faculty and staff; describing actions to be taken to respond to harassment, and giving age-appropriate information to students about discrimination based on race, color and national origin.

But the harassment didn’t stop, Mizrachi said.

“It’s like saying you’re trying to wrap your head around how this is OK—and it’s not,” she said. In many cases, it’s that sort of wishing it away, hoping it will pass.”

This latest case has just begun, with the school district not having to respond until late next month.

“I just feel like sometimes people are apprehensive to come forward,” she said. “I know I’m not the only one who has been enduring this. I want people to know they are not alone.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

ARRESTS MADE: Arab Caught Red-Handed Starting Fire In J-m Amid Hamas Calls To Commit Arson [PHOTOS]

Yeshiva World News -

Sources at the police fire command center suspect that some of the fires currently raging in Israel were caused by arson. Three suspects have been arrested and are currently being questioned. One of the suspects was caught red-handed trying to set a fire in southern Jerusalem. Following a report about a person trying to set fire to vegetation in the area, police officers were called to the scene and located the suspect, who tried to escape and was arrested after a chase. A lighter, cotton wool and other flammable materials were found in his possession. The suspect, a resident of east Jerusalem in his 50s, was transferred for questioning at the Oz station. Concern is growing in light of the wave of fires that have broken out, the most significant of which is still raging in the Jerusalem hills area. In addition to the fires in the Jerusalem hills and near Beit Shemesh, which are relatively common for the season, fires are also raging in a series of additional locations, such as Beit She’an and Afula in the north of the country, and in other areas, including in southern Israel. Hamas posted a message on Telegram on Wednesday urging Palestinains to set fire to “fields, forests, and settlers’ homes.” Yisrael Ganz, the head of the Yesha and Binyamin Councils, held a situational assessment and ordered a high alert in the area to prevent any arson attempts. Ganz is currently overseeing the evacuation of Mevo Choron, which is on the line of fire in the Jerusalem Hills. The fire that broke out a week ago near Beit Shemesh is believed to be the result of arson. Fire chief Eyal Caspi said on Wednesday evening that the fires are expected to last for at least another day. The Meteorological Service said on Wednesday evening that the severe weather is expected to continue in the coming hours, and the risk of the spread of fires continues to be very high, especially in the center of the country, with an emphasis on the Judean Plains and the Jerusalem Hills – where strong gusts of wind of 60-70 km/h are expected from west to east. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Wildfires Halt Torch Ceremony as Blazes Sweep Judean Hills

Matzav -

Multiple wildfires broke out on Wednesday across the Judean Hills amid soaring temperatures and fierce winds, forcing evacuations, road closures and the cancellation of Israel’s state Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony.

The most severe blaze ignited in the Eshtaol Forest near Mesilat Zion and Neve Shalom, prompting immediate evacuations. Flames spread rapidly through the parched terrain, intensified by dry weather and gusty conditions.

Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced the cancellation of the annual torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl in Yerushalayim, citing public safety concerns. “I’ve just concluded a situational assessment with emergency officials,” said Regev. “There is a real danger to human life. I will not take any risks.”

Authorities declared a “Red Torch” emergency level, the highest fire-alert classification, activating national firefighting reserves, aerial reinforcements and logistical support.

Major highways, including sections of Route 1 between Tel Aviv and Yerushalayim, were shut down as flames advanced toward the road. Videos posted online showed drivers abandoning their vehicles and fleeing on foot, with fire on both sides of the highway.

Meanwhile, a new fire erupted near Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet, threatening residential areas as responders raced to contain additional hotspots across the Yerushalayim hills.

According to Magen David Adom, 12 people had been treated for smoke-related injuries. No fatalities were reported as of Wednesday afternoon, but emergency officials remained on high alert.

In a significant development, the Israel Defense Forces received a directive to assist in efforts to extinguish the fires, with military personnel and resources deployed to support civilian firefighting crews on the ground.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also requested that military helicopters support the evacuation of civilians trapped in threatened areas.

The Fire and Rescue Authority confirmed that preparations were underway to receive international firefighting assistance.

Greece and Cyprus have committed to sending aircraft to support Israel’s efforts, with Italy, Croatia and Bulgaria also expected to contribute in response to Israel’s formal request for help.

The latest fires come on the heels of two recent incidents: a blaze in the Ein Prat Nature Reserve earlier this week, which required a complex air evacuation of some 100 frum teenagers on a school trip, and a fire near Moshav Ta’oz last week, which consumed nearly 2,500 acres before being brought under control after a 20-hour battle.

Officials are urging the public to avoid forested areas and to follow safety instructions as the spring heatwave persists. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

Abbas: “According to Quran, Jewish Temple Stood in Yemen”

Matzav -

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas claims that in the Quran, the “Jewish Temple” is described as being in Yemen.

“In the Noble Quran—and I believe that also in other divine books—it says that the [First and Second] Temples were in Yemen,” said Abbas in a televised speech during the 32nd PLO Central Council meeting in Ramallah.

He made the remarks in the context of his claim that Israeli authorities were targeting the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is built on the Har Habayis.

“The Jews say, ‘This is ours, that was ours….’ No. That’s not what the Quran says,” said Abbas, according to a translation of his Arabic-language speech by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI.)

Scholars, including Nadav Shragai in his 2020 book “Al-Aqsa Terror: From Libel to Blood,” have identified false claims about the Quran’s localization of the Bais Hamikdosh as a trend in a recent attempt at historical revision by Palestinian nationalists to deny Jewish ties to the place and strengthen Muslim or Arab ones.

“The attempts by Palestinian leaders like Yasser Arafat or Saeb Erekat to cast doubt on the Temple’s existence on the Mount or to distance it from that location by claiming that there was indeed a Temple, but in Nablus or Yemen, stem from one sole motive,” wrote Shragai: “The desire to expunge from the Temple Mount a competing Jewish historical narrative and a competing historical and religious awareness, since these could becloud their own historical and religious narrative on the Mount.”

Abbas’s predecessor, Yasser Arafat, also repeated this theory. On Sept. 25, 2003, Arafat told Arab leaders from northern Israel that no Bais Hamikdosh existed in the Land of Israel, but rather in Yemen. Arafat told his listeners that he had visited Yemen and seen with his own eyes the site upon which Shlomo Hamelech’s Bais Hamikdosh once stood.

The previous year, another top PLO figure, Haj Zaki al-Ghul, stated that Shlomo had ruled over the Arabian Peninsula, and that it was there, not in Yerushalayim, that he built the Bais Hamikdosh .

Professor Yitzchok Reiter of the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, in a 2011 essay in The American Interest, traces the Yemen canard to Kamal Salibi, professor emeritus at the American University of Beirut and subsequently director of the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies in Amman. In a 1985 book, Salibi claimed that biblical Yerushalayim was located in the Arabian Nimas highlands, halfway from Mecca to Yemen.

The Quran does not name Yerushalayim, but for centuries, Muslim scholars have acknowledged that the Bais Hamikdosh stood there, including in the writings of Abu Jafar Muhammad bin Jarir al-Tabari, Muhammad al-Idrisi, who visited Jerusalem in the 12th century, theologian Taki ad-Din Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328) and 14th-century historian Abd al-Rahman ibn Khaldun, according to Shragai.

The current Muslim denial of this history, particularly since 1967, is a relatively recent political fabrication aimed at delegitimizing Jewish claims and justifying incitement and violence under the false claim that “Al-Aqsa is in danger,” he wrote.

In the same speech, Abbas also used sharp-worded language against Hamas, urging it to free the Israeli hostages it is holding.

“[Hamas says:] ‘We won’t release the American hostage.’ You sons of dogs, release the [hostages] and spare us this! Strip the [Israelis] of their excuses,” he exclaimed.

That part of his speech grabbed headlines worldwide, with some commentators presenting the statement as evidence that Abbas is a pragmatist working to de-escalate the war in Gaza. Others interpreted Abbas’s criticism of Hamas as posturing for Western audiences, meant to serve the Palestinian Authority’s agenda of taking over Gaza from its arch-rival Hamas under Israeli and Western auspices. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

Cities Across Israel Cancel Yom Ha’atzmaut Ceremonies As Fires Continue To Spread

Yeshiva World News -

The majority of cities across Israel have canceled their Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremonies scheduled for Wednesday evening as the wildfires that broke out earlier in the day continue to spread amid powerful winds and hot and dry weather conditions. Fires have started spreading toward southern Israel. The government announced on Wednesday morning [before the fire spread] that the main ceremony at Har Herzl was canceled due to the dangerous weather conditions. Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services said that they will not have the resources to protect any ceremonies. As of 4 p.m., after a situational assessment held by the chairman of the Local Government, Chaim Bibas, following numerous warnings about the extreme weather conditions and the raging fire in the Jerusalem Hills area and Highway 1, it was decided that each authority will make a decision regarding Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremonies according to the expected forecasts in its area, the recommendation of the authority’s safety advisor, and the instructions of the security and emergency bodies. The Center for Local Government issued a recommendation to the authorities to postpone the celebrations to tomorrow evening. “The decision was made with the intention of maintaining public safety and allowing the security and rescue forces to concentrate their efforts around the emergency events.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Pages

Subscribe to NativUSA Portal aggregator