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The battle for New Jersey’s governorship has become a razor-thin contest, with a new Emerson College/Pix 11/The Hill poll showing Democrat Mikie Sherrill holding 49% support compared to 48% for Republican Jack Ciattarelli. When undecided voters were asked which way they lean, Sherrill’s edge ticked up slightly to 50% against Ciattarelli’s 48%.

The results mark a stunning turnaround for Ciattarelli, who has managed to erase what was once a commanding 20-point lead for Sherrill earlier in the summer. With Election Day rapidly approaching, strategists on both sides say the race could hinge entirely on turnout.

Demographic divides continue to shape the race. Women favor Sherrill by a significant 18-point margin, while men back Ciattarelli by 16 points — a gap that has widened on both sides since September. “Since last month, Ciattarelli’s lead among men increased by four points, and Sherill’s lead among women grew by eight points,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

Economic concerns are dominating voter priorities in the Garden State. A majority — 52% — identified the economy as their top issue, reflecting frustration with New Jersey’s notoriously high taxes and cost of living. Just 14% said “threats to democracy” were their main concern, while 11% cited housing affordability. Only 5% of voters pointed to immigration policy or health care as their biggest issue.

Both candidates appear to be evenly matched not only in polling but also in likability. Sherrill earns a 47% favorable rating among voters, with an identical 47% viewing her unfavorably. Ciattarelli’s numbers are virtually the same, with 48% viewing him positively and 48% negatively.

The poll also painted a grim picture for outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, whose approval numbers have sunk as he completes his final term. Only 34% of voters approve of his performance, while half disapprove and 16% remain neutral.

President Donald Trump’s ratings in the state are somewhat higher but still underwater. The survey found that 45% of respondents approve of his job performance, while 53% disapprove.

Emerson College conducted the survey between October 25 and 28, polling 1,000 registered voters using text messages, automated calls, and a vetted online panel. The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.

Last month’s Emerson survey also placed the two contenders in a 43% tie, a result that initially stood out from other polls but has since been validated as the race tightened dramatically.

Overall polling averages now show Sherrill holding a slim 3.7-point advantage in the RealClearPolitics aggregate, down sharply from her 9.3-point lead at the start of September. Notably, the same polling averages underestimated Ciattarelli’s strength by roughly five points during his near-upset against Phil Murphy in 2021.

Still, there are warning signs for the GOP challenger. Early voting data compiled by Michael Pruser, Director of Data Science for Decision, indicates that 54% of ballots so far have come from registered Democrats, compared with 28% from Republicans — a turnout imbalance that could prove decisive in the final tally.

{Matzav.com}

BREAKING: Prince Andrew stripped of all royal titles and evicted from Windsor mansion, palace says.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on the government shutdown: “It’s putting stress on people, it’s not fair to those people, it’s also putting stress on the economy… it’s been 30 days… I also think it is time to pass a clean CR.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency to release $65 million in food assistance ahead of the federal food aid program’s expiration on November 1.

Kristi Noem: “We’re pushing sanctuary states to stop issuing driver’s licenses to people who are illegal aliens.”

President Trump: “These are rough winds in Asia, I must tell you, this is a rough flight. They’re gonna watch Trump and say, ‘he didn’t look too good, he’s got the shakes.'”

Under new Trump administration rules, 90,000 noncitizens in the United States will lose eligibility for SNAP food assistance.

Hundreds of thousands of Jews gathered in the streets of Yerushalayim on Thursday in a massive atzeres tefillah and outcry before the Ribono Shel Olam, pleading for the annulment of the government’s draft decree and protesting the continued imprisonment of bnei yeshiva who refuse to report to army enlistment offices.

Under the banner “Nikhalu haYehudim al gezeiras ha-giyus,” the event brought together gedolei Yisroel and rabbonim from every community, united in their call to defend the sanctity of Torah and the right of its learners to study without interference.

Massive Turnout and Spiritual Unity

Beginning late Wednesday night, throngs began streaming toward Yerushalayim despite transportation difficulties, eager to arrive early for the historic gathering. Yeshivos across the country organized special early-morning sedarim in nearby batei medrash before heading to the site of the atzeres.

By morning, prominent gedolim had taken their places on balconies and platforms across the capital. Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Berel Povarsky, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, the Admorim of Kretchnif and Modzitz, Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rav Yitzchok Ezrachi, Rav Dovid Cohen of Chevron, Rav Shraga Steinman, Rav Tzvi Drebkin, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, and many others were seen at the central balcony of the Yirmiyahu 33 hotel. Rav Dov Landau was seen on a balcony of one of the surrounding buildings.

Nearby, the Gerer Rebbe and Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman led tefillos from the Shmuel Hanavi–Yirmiyahu intersection, joined by the Admor of Sadigura. Other Admorim observed from various locations across the city: the Admor of Belz from the balcony of his grandson’s home on Shmager Street, the Admor of Vizhnitz—who came specially from his lodging in Ora—reciting Tehillim in the nusach of the Yamim Nora’im, the Admor of Slonim on Malchei Yisroel Street, the Admor of Boyan from his kloiz balcony, and the Admor of Sanz at  the Yirmiyahu Junction.

The Rosh Yeshiva of Mir, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, stood together with thousands of bochurim and rabbeim of the yeshiva, while gedolei Torah from across the Sephardic world gathered in the Bais Yisroel building under the leadership of Rishon LeTzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef and members of the Shas Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.

Tefillos, Tehillim, and Selichos

The gathering, characterized entirely by solemn tefillah rather than speeches or political addresses, opened with Minchah led by Rav Avishai Mandel. Tehillim was then recited following the Seder HaShlah, with the mashgiach, Rav Don Segal, leading one segment. Additional kapitlach were recited by Rav Shalom Baruch Prizand and Rav Mordechai Shepsel Eisenberger.

Selichos and the Yud-Gimmel Middos Harachamim followed, led by Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Eliyahu Man, and the mashpia Rav Elimelech Biderman. Rav Reuven Elbaz then led Kabalas Ol Malchus Shamayim, followed by Kaddish recited by the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades. The gathering concluded with Tekias Shofar, symbolizing a collective cry to Shomayim.

Gedolei Yisroel Declare: “The Torah Is Our Life”

At the close of the event, the official declaration of the atzeres—approved by the gedolei hador—was read aloud to the masses. Its central messages were:

1. “The Torah is our life and the source of our existence,” the declaration stated. “Our fathers sacrificed their lives for its study and preservation. We demand that every Jew who wishes to devote himself to Torah be allowed to do so freely and without limitation, as halachah dictates.”
2. The atzeres expressed “deep anguish over the terrible chillul Hashem caused by the shameful imprisonment of bnei Torah who dedicate their lives to learning. The chareidi community will never accept this intolerable situation.”
3. It condemned “the judicial and bureaucratic systems that act with arrogance against the Torah and its learners,” urging them to “retract their evil plans, for they will not succeed.” The statement also rebuked the government for “failing to prevent this disgrace.”
4. A heartfelt appeal was made “to all our brothers in Israel—especially those distant from Torah—how can it be that only in Eretz Yisroel are lomdei Torah persecuted, while in every other country one may learn freely?”
5. Finally, the declaration praised and blessed the bnei yeshivos and avreichim “who dedicate their days and nights to the holy Torah. Be strong and courageous, and may the blessings of all Klal Yisroel accompany you—continue learning with strength, for you are the pride and hope of the Jewish nation.”

As the sun set over Yerushalayim, the thunderous sound of Tehillim and cries of Shema Yisroel echoed through the city, a historic show of unity and spiritual defiance declaring that Am Yisroel will never relinquish its most sacred treasure—the eternal Torah.
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{Matzav.com}

China said Thursday it’s on track to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 as it introduced the next crew of astronauts who will head to its space station as part of the country’s ambitious plans to be a leader in space exploration. “Currently, each program of the research and development work of putting a […]

Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen said Israel should demand political returns from Western countries in exchange for lifesaving intelligence, arguing for a “give-and-take” approach, Yisrael Hayom reported on Wednesday. This is the first time a senior Israeli official has publicly proposed such a policy. Speaking at the second Shurat HaDin conference in New York on […]

Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman issued a scathing condemnation of the chareidi leadership following the tragic death of a young participant during a mass protest, accusing rabbinic and political figures of exploiting their followers for power.

“The rotten chareidi leadership is directly responsible for the painful death of a young boy in a despicable and unnecessary demonstration,” Liberman charged in a blistering statement. “He came out on the orders of that leadership to be a human shield for the power and influence of the chareidi activists.”

Lieberman, a longtime critic of Israel’s chareidi establishment, has frequently accused religious leaders of manipulating their followers for political gain.

Chareidi representatives have yet to respond directly to Lieberman’s statement, though sources within several factions described his remarks as “a new low” and “a cynical exploitation of tragedy for political purposes.”

{Matzav.com}

Residents of Flatbush are urged to plan ahead for significant traffic disruptions tomorrow, Friday, October 31, 2025, due to the funeral of NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Kass, taking place at the Midwood Jewish Center on Ocean Avenue between Avenue K and L. Authorities have announced extensive street closures and no-parking zones throughout the morning and […]

As New York City’s mayoral race enters its final stretch, new polling paints a mixed but largely favorable picture for Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who continues to lead Andrew Cuomo by varying margins across three major surveys — ranging from a narrow 10-point edge to a commanding 25-point advantage.

A new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday showed the race tightening, with Mamdani ahead of Cuomo 43% to 33%, while Republican Curtis Sliwa trailed at 14%. That marks a modest gain for Cuomo, who had trailed by 13 points earlier this month before Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement that he would not seek re-election.

“Zohran Mamdani has a 10-point lead over Andrew Cuomo with Curtis Sliwa a distant third, but one wildcard remains. The percentage of likely voters not weighing in has increased a bit since earlier this month, suggesting there’s room for movement in the final stretch,” said Quinnipiac assistant director Mary Snow.

While Quinnipiac points to a closer contest, an Emerson College/Pix11/The Hill poll released Thursday morning found a far different outcome. In that survey, Mamdani surged to a dominant 25-point lead — 50% to 25% — over Cuomo, who is running as an independent candidate.

In the Emerson poll, Sliwa claimed 21% of the vote, nearly splitting the anti-Mamdani bloc between himself and Cuomo. That number marked a significant increase from the prior Emerson survey last month, when Sliwa stood at 10%. Over that same period, Mamdani’s support rose from 43% to 50%, while Cuomo slipped slightly from 28% to 25%.

Among Black voters, Mamdani’s backing skyrocketed from 50% to 71% since his primary victory over Cuomo, consolidating a crucial voting bloc that has become central to his campaign’s strength.

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion released its own poll Thursday morning showing a middle ground between the other two surveys — placing Mamdani at 48% and Cuomo at 32%, with Sliwa earning 16%.

“It’s Mamdani’s race to lose. Mamdani is in a strong position,” said Marist pollster Lee Miringoff, noting that Cuomo’s relentless attacks have failed to dent Mamdani’s popularity with voters.

According to Marist’s data, a majority of likely voters — 57% — view Mamdani favorably, while 55% of city voters hold an unfavorable opinion of Cuomo. “Cuomo is upside down,” Miringoff remarked.

The data also highlights a key dynamic: Mamdani is benefiting from the anti-Mamdani vote being split between Cuomo and Sliwa. In a head-to-head matchup without Sliwa, Mamdani leads Cuomo by only 7 points, 51% to 44%, according to Marist. Without Cuomo in the race, Mamdani dominates Sliwa 59% to 33%.

Mamdani’s appeal is particularly strong among younger voters, leading Cuomo 64% to 21% among those under 45. Cuomo, meanwhile, performs slightly better among voters over 45, with 39% to Mamdani’s 38%.

Ideologically, Mamdani dominates among liberals, while Cuomo performs better among moderates. Sliwa commands the support of 45% of conservative voters — outpacing both Mamdani and Cuomo in that demographic.

Among Jewish voters, Cuomo leads with 55% support, while Mamdani — despite his harsh criticism of Israel — secures the backing of roughly a third, according to the Marist findings.

The Emerson poll further revealed that those who already cast ballots early favored Mamdani by a 33-point margin, 58% to 25%. Among those yet to vote, Mamdani still leads, 45% to 26%.

Emerson surveyed 640 likely voters between October 25 and 27, with a margin of error of ±3.8 percentage points. The Marist poll interviewed 792 likely voters from October 24 to 28 via phone, text, and online, with a margin of error of ±4.2 points. Quinnipiac’s survey covered 911 likely voters from October 23 to 27, with a ±4-point margin of error.

{Matzav.com}

With federal SNAP food assistance set to run dry this weekend amid the protracted U.S. government shutdown, Louisiana, New Mexico and Vermont became the latest states Wednesday to announce help for low-income households that rely on the funds to eat. They join states from New York to Nevada in scrambling to find ways to get food to people […]

A new J.L. Partners/Daily Mail survey paints a bleak picture of voter sentiment toward Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral bid, with nearly half of New Yorkers expressing fear that crime and violence will spiral if he takes office.

According to the poll released Thursday, 47% of respondents said they believe crime would worsen under Mamdani’s leadership, while 45% said they expect antisemitism to rise. Only 32% of those surveyed think New York would become a safer city if he wins.

Concerns about public safety weren’t limited to street crime. Roughly 39% of voters said they expect the risk of terrorism to climb if Mamdani becomes mayor, compared to just 18% who believe it would decline.

When participants were asked to sum up what they thought a Mamdani-led city would look like after four years, the most common single word was “disaster.”

Other colorful descriptions included “s–thole,” “hell,” and “chaos,” reflecting deep unease among many voters. The survey was conducted from October 23 to 26 among 500 registered voters.

Despite the grim perceptions revealed by the poll, Mamdani continues to hold a solid advantage in multiple surveys over Andrew Cuomo as the New York mayoral race nears its final days.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found Mamdani ahead of Cuomo by 10 percentage points — 43% to 33%.

An Emerson College/Pix11/The Hill poll released Thursday morning showed an even wider gap, giving Mamdani a 25-point lead over Cuomo, who is running as an independent, with results showing 50% to 25%.

Meanwhile, data from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion showed Mamdani ahead by 16 points, 48% to 32%, keeping the socialist frontrunner firmly in control of the race despite widespread voter anxiety over what his administration might bring.

{Matzav.com}

Egyptian officials evacuated more than 150 terrorists from a Cairo luxury hotel within hours of an investigation exposing their presence among British airline crews and Western tourists at the Renaissance Marriott facility, according to the U.K. newspaper the Daily Mail.

The terrorists were freed under President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace initiative. The five-star property markets itself as the “preferred air crew hub hotel in Cairo” due to airport proximity.

British flight personnel expressed shock upon discovering they had unknowingly shared breakfast facilities with convicted jihadist terrorists, with some incoming staff contemplating barricading their doors overnight for safety.

The situation was a demonstration of “moral absurdity,” said Moshe Saville, chief executive of Israeli charity OneFamily. “Murderers are pampered while families are left to face an unending loss every single day,” he said, telling the Daily Mail that “those who spilled the blood of innocent people“ should be held accountable, not rewarded.

The relocated terrorists have been transferred to an Egyptian-owned facility one hour from Cairo’s airport and city center, where security measures have been substantially enhanced with prohibitions on city excursions and strict visitor monitoring, the Mail reported.

Despite the move, the extremists continue to enjoy five-star luxury at the sprawling resort, which features outdoor pools, wellness centers with jacuzzis and saunas, fitness facilities, tennis courts and football pitches, with room rates ranging from $282 to $1,972.

Among the 154 terrorists deemed too threatening to return to Judea and Samaria or Gaza were Mahmoud Issa, 57, founder of the Hamas special forces unit specializing in kidnapping; ISIS affiliate Izz a-Din al-Hamamrah, 47, who recruited suicide bombers; and bus bombing architect Samir Abu Nima, 64, according to the Mail. Now-deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar initiated the Oct. 7 onslaught on Israel partially to capture hostages for the release of terrorists like Issa, imprisoned since 1993.

Intelligence suggests some terrorists may soon relocate to Qatar, Turkey or Tunisia. JNS

{Matzav.com}

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The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany on Wednesday settled with Germany’s Finance Ministry a $1.08 billion increase in home-care funding for Holocaust survivors for 2026, the largest budget for survivor home care in the organization’s history.

The supplemental payments will go to more than 127,000 Holocaust survivors around the world, according to the Claims Conference.

With the average age of survivors increasing from 86 in 2018 to 88.5 in 2024, the health needs of the survivors have become greater, with increased costs.

“This historic increase to home-care funding reflects the complex and growing needs of Holocaust survivors worldwide. While we are losing survivors at a rapid pace each year, those who remain are older, frailer and in greater need than ever before. This budget is critical in providing each of them the opportunity to age in place, a dignity that was stolen from them in their youth,” said Claims Conference President Gideon Taylor in a press release.

Special negotiator for the Claims Conference Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat remarked: “This funding increase is occurring against a backdrop of challenging fiscal policy. Germany is facing higher energy expenses and an enormous increase in military spending.

“Despite very real budgetary constraints, the German government remains steadfast in its support for Holocaust survivors and Holocaust education,” he added.

Additionally, the German government has extended its support for Holocaust education through 2029, for a total commitment of $205 million.

“It is imperative that we invest in the future of Holocaust education while we still have living witnesses who can share their first-hand testimonies of survival. Building strong curricula, forging new partnerships and employing cutting-edge technology to preserve and share survivor testimonies will ensure the lessons of the Shoah are not forgotten,” said Greg Schneider, executive VP of the Claims Conference.

The Claims Conference is a nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Israel, Germany and Austria. Founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organizations, it secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world.

It moreover seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust.

Since 1952, the German government has paid more than $95 billion in indemnification to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. JNS

{Matzav.com}

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Israeli authorities have rearrested a Palestinian terrorist released from prison a few months ago as part of a hostage deal with Hamas, the Israel Police Spokesperson’s Unit said on Thursday. He was taken into custody on suspicion of bomb-making.

Detectives from the Judea District Crime Fighting Unit and National Counterterrorism Unit officers from the Shai (Judea and Samaria) District raided his Bethlehem home on Wednesday night and detained him for questioning.

The terrorist was initially arrested about a year ago after being caught with 25 explosive devices that he had made and supplied to terror operatives, prompting a major criminal investigation, according to the statement.

Bomb-making parts seized by Israel Police during a raid on the Bethlehem home of a Palestinian suspect released from prison as part of a hostage deal, Oct. 29, 2025. Source: Israel Police.

In exchange for releasing hostages kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack on the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023, Jerusalem has let thousands of Palestinian security prisoners go free, including some convicted of mass-casualty terror attacks.

According to Palestinian Media Watch, an Israel-based media research institute, 160 of the 250 Palestinian terrorists released as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas that began Oct. 10 became millionaires during their incarceration via the Palestinian Authority’s “pay-for-slay” program. Total payments to the group by the P.A. amounted to at least 229.5 million shekels, excluding family stipends that likely raised the figure further, according to PMW.

Egyptian officials have evacuated from a Cairo luxury hotel more than 150 Palestinian terrorists freed under President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace initiative, following an investigation by The Daily Mail published on Oct. 25 exposing their presence among British airline crews and Western tourists at the Renaissance Marriott facility.

As part of the hostage deal, Jerusalem agreed to free 1,950 Palestinian security prisoners, including 1,700 Palestinians arrested since Oct. 7, 2023. Among them were 250 serving life sentences for deadly attacks.

David Mencer, a spokesman for Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, told the Daily Mail on Oct. 25: “These men are terrorists, convicted of bombing buses, murdering students and kidnapping teenagers. Israel freed them not to reward evil but because we value human life above all.”

“A bitter price, but one our people have paid across the ages to reclaim kin from the hands of Jew-haters,” the government spokesman added. JNS

{Matzav.com}