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What began as a simple at-home DNA test has turned into a life-altering legal battle after two North Dakota men discovered they were accidentally switched at birth 38 years ago. Their families are now suing the hospital where they were born, claiming they were deprived of the lives—and families—they were meant to have.

The astonishing discovery began when Kyle Bylin received a home DNA test during a Christmas gift exchange and decided to take it on a whim. The results led him to a woman identified as his biological aunt through a genealogy website. That connection prompted her nephew, Jeremy Morrison, to submit his own DNA sample, and the findings left no room for doubt.

“That’s when my mind was just completely blown,” Bylin said. “We could have never imagined that it was an actual birth switch that occurred.”

Morrison said he immediately suspected the truth after seeing a photograph of Bylin’s brother, whose appearance closely resembled his own.

According to a lawsuit filed in North Dakota state court last week, Bylin and Morrison were the only two babies born on Jan. 26, 1988, at Unity Medical Center in Grafton. Yet, despite being born just hours apart, each infant was allegedly sent home with the other’s family.

Unity Medical Center has denied that there is evidence its employees were responsible for the mix-up.

However, Bylin—who says he was actually born as Jeremy Morrison—still possesses the hospital identification bracelet that incorrectly identified him as Kyle Bylin.

The search for answers has been complicated by the passage of time. Hospital officials say the relevant medical records have long since been destroyed, making it impossible to determine exactly how the switch occurred.

It has now been two years since the DNA results overturned everything both families believed about their identities. Since then, they have faced emotional reunions, difficult conversations, and painful questions about what their lives might have been.

“Kyle is still my son – that is never going to change,” Evelyn Newton, who raised him as her own, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday. “But I feel robbed of the life I should have had with my biological son. You can’t go back and replace 35 years. First steps, driving a car, getting married – how do you make up for that?”

While the hospital acknowledges that the babies were switched at some point, it maintains that no evidence has been found showing that hospital administrators or staff caused the mistake.

“We recognize the profound impact this discovery has had on them and their families,” Unity Medical’s statement says. “Unfortunately, because of the passage of nearly four decades, the medical and staffing records that might have provided additional clarity no longer exist, and no members of the delivery team from that time are still employed by the hospital.”

For Morrison, learning the truth has not changed how he views the parents who raised him, Elizabeth O’Toole and Terry Morrison. He continues to consider them his parents and says he looks back fondly on his upbringing despite the challenges, including his parents’ divorce when he was seven.

“I was loved. I played sports. I did well in school,” Morrison said. “A DNA test is not going to take away 38 years of memories.”

Today, Morrison lives in Colorado City, Colorado, where he works as a welding inspector for a wind energy company. He often wonders how different his life might have been had the switch never happened. He believes he likely would have remained in North Dakota, working alongside his biological father and brother on the family grain farm where Bylin grew up.

Evelyn Newton said she never suspected that Kyle was not her biological son. Although he had dark hair while the rest of the immediate family was fair-haired, there seemed to be a reasonable explanation. Her late husband had relatives with dark hair, and because Newton herself had been adopted, she had little knowledge of her own biological family’s traits.

For Bylin, the revelation has reshaped the way he thinks about the long-running debate over nature versus nurture. After leaving North Dakota to pursue an academic career, he often wondered why he seemed so different from the family with whom he had grown up.

“You’re just kind of shaking your fist, like, how can this be my family? How am I so different from them?” Bylin said. “It turns out that we’re just totally different people, period.”

Both men have since met their biological parents. They described the reunions as heartfelt but understandably awkward. Although they have not yet met one another in person, they have spoken by phone.

“We’ve tried to unite as a group and just recognize that no matter what, there’s different ways that this can be socially messy,” Bylin said. “Everyone’s getting to know people that they didn’t know before.”

Although such cases remain uncommon, the growing popularity of consumer DNA testing has led to a number of similar discoveries around the world. In 2024, two women sued the Norwegian government after learning they had been switched at birth. Two West Virginia men filed suit in 2020 after concluding they had been switched as infants in 1942. DNA testing in Pennsylvania revealed in 2018 that two girls had been switched approximately 75 years earlier, and in 2016 Canadian authorities launched an investigation after evidence showed two Indigenous men in northern Manitoba had been switched at birth in 1975.

Medical experts say mistakes of this kind are now extraordinarily unlikely because of modern technology.

Dr. Jonathan Marron, a pediatric oncologist who also teaches at Harvard Medical School’s Center for Bioethics, said such errors should happen “pretty close to never” today.

“As often as all clinicians, doctors, nurses, social workers, everybody else, gripe about the electronic health records,” the digital backstop is a clear benefit, Marron said.

Attorney Tim O’Keefe said he spent roughly a year attempting to negotiate a financial settlement with the hospital before filing a lawsuit alleging negligence, medical malpractice, and emotional distress. Meanwhile, both families continue trying to adjust to a reality they never expected.

“I know the truth now, but we’re still working to build relationships,” Morrison said. “I mean, it’s not like I can go back in time and rebuild what’s already lost. It’s a work in progress, just like me.”

{Matzav.com}

A new Channel 12 poll paints a bleak picture of public confidence in Israel’s political leadership, with overwhelming majorities expressing dissatisfaction with the outgoing Knesset, opposing key legislation passed this week, and believing that most members of Knesset are motivated by personal interests rather than the public good.

The survey, conducted ahead of the upcoming election campaign, examined not only voting intentions but also public trust in elected officials and state institutions. Its findings suggest widespread frustration with the performance of the outgoing Knesset.

When asked about their voting preferences, 49% of respondents said they currently support parties aligned with the anti-Netanyahu bloc, compared with 36% who back parties in the pro-Netanyahu coalition. Another 12% said they remain undecided, while 3% indicated they plan to vote for parties outside either of the two main political camps.

Public dissatisfaction with the Knesset was especially pronounced. Overall, 64% rated the outgoing legislature’s performance as poor, while just 33% described it as good. Three percent said they were unsure.

The partisan breakdown reflected predictable political divisions. Among opposition voters, 92% said the Knesset performed poorly, as did 62% of voters from Arab parties. Coalition voters, however, viewed the legislature far more favorably, with 73% saying it had performed well.

The poll also found a striking lack of trust in lawmakers’ motivations. Fully 74% of respondents said they believe most MKs primarily look out for their own interests, while only 17% said lawmakers are working for the benefit of the public. Nine percent said they were uncertain.

Among opposition supporters, skepticism reached 94%, while 70% of Arab-party voters shared that view. Coalition voters were more divided: 49% said MKs mainly serve themselves, while 38% believe they are working on behalf of the public.

The findings also reflected strong opposition to the Knesset’s recent legislative blitz. Respondents were asked about two major measures approved this week—the Basic Law: Torah Study and the law freezing the arrests of bnei yeshiva draft evaders. A total of 67% said they oppose the legislation.

Only 21% voiced support for the two laws, while 12% said they had no opinion. Opposition voters overwhelmingly rejected the legislation, with 93% opposed, while 73% of Arab-party voters also objected. Even within the coalition camp, opinion was sharply divided, with 45% supporting the measures and 41% opposing them.

The survey also examined public views of Shin Bet Director David Zini, whose name returned to the headlines this week after recommending lifetime security protection for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara—a recommendation later approved by the ministerial committee.

Israelis were nearly evenly split in their assessment of Zini’s performance. Thirty-nine percent rated his work negatively, while 37% gave him positive marks. A significant 24% said they were unable to express an opinion.

Political affiliation again played a major role. Among opposition voters, 61% viewed Zini’s performance negatively, as did 62% of Arab-party voters. By contrast, 67% of coalition supporters said he has performed well.

The poll also explored whether another Netanyahu election victory would prompt Israelis to consider leaving the country. Overall, 68% said they would not contemplate emigrating, while 23% acknowledged they would consider such a move. Nine percent were undecided.

Among coalition voters, 90% rejected the idea of leaving Israel. Opposition supporters were more divided: although 49% said they would remain in the country, 39% said they would consider emigrating if Netanyahu wins another term. Among Arab-party voters, only 19% said they would consider leaving.

Participants were also asked to place Israel’s leading political figures on an ideological scale ranging from 1 (far right) to 7 (far left). The results closely mirrored public perceptions of each leader’s political orientation.

Democrats Party leader Yair Golan was viewed as the furthest to the left, receiving a score of 6.0. He was followed by Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid at 5.2. Benny Gantz (4.4) and Yisr! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot (4.2) were both seen as occupying the political center with a slight lean to the left.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett marked the beginning of the right side of the spectrum with a score of 3.8, followed by Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman at 3.3. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was placed firmly on the right with a score of 2.5, while Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich received a 1.7. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was viewed as the most right-wing political leader in the survey, earning a score of 1.3.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Shulamis Schiff a”h, who was niftar at the age of 98.

Rebbetzin Schiff was the devoted wife of Rav Sheya Schiff zt”l, longtime rosh yeshiva of Mesivta Bais Shraga in Monsey, New York.

She was born into one of the most illustrious families of American Torah Jewry as the daughter of Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz zt”l, the legendary menahel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and the foremost architect of postwar Torah life in the United States. Rav Shraga Feivel dedicated every ounce of his strength to rebuilding Yiddishkeit and establishing institutions that would shape generations to come. Through his visionary leadership, mesirus nefesh, and boundless ahavas haTorah, he helped lay the foundation for the flourishing Olam HaTorah in America.

Her husband, Rav Sheya, was himself an outsanding talmid chochom and marbitz Torah. He was a son of the noted baal habayis, R’ Tzvi Shalom (Harry) Schiff zt”l, who merited to establish a remarkable family whose members became among the leading gedolei Torah and marbitzei Torah of their generation. Rav Sheya was a talmid muvhak of Rav Shlomo Heiman zt”l and Rav Reuven Grozovsky zt”l, absorbing the greatness of the Torah Vodaas tradition before founding and leading Mesivta Bais Shraga for decades. Rav Sheya’s brother is Rav Yankel Schiff, son-in-law of the Brisker Rov, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik zt”l. His sisters married Rav Shmuel Faivelson zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash L’Torah in Monsey, and Rav Meir Hershkowitz zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Binyomin in Stamford, Connecticut.

Those who knew Rebbetzin Schiff remember a woman of exceptional refinement, dignity, and strength. With warmth, grace, and genuine concern for others, she stood steadfastly at her husband’s side throughout decades of harbotzas haTorah, opening her home to talmidim and supporting the yeshiva with total devotion. Her humility, kindness, and deep commitment to avodas Hashem left a lasting impression on all who merited to know her.

She is survived by her sons, Rav Emanuel Schiff and Rav Shraga Schiff; her daughters, Mrs. Yehudis Berlin, wife of Rav Meir Berlin zt”l, and Mrs. Toby Berlin, wife of Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Berlin; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who continue her family’s legacy of Torah, yiras Shomayim, and avodas Hashem.

The levayah will take place today at 11:00 a.m. at Mesivta Bais Shraga, located at 28 Saddle River Road in Monsey, New York.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

Two Orthodox shuls in Queens, Young Israel of Holliswood and Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, were vandalized overnight Thursday into Friday after an individual allegedly hurled bags containing motor oil and feces at the buildings in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.

New York State Assemblymember Nily Rozic, who represents part of eastern Queens and is American-Israeli, condemned the attacks, describing them as “another outrageous example of the sustained hate faced by our community.”

The NYPD confirmed that a suspect “threw a bag of motor oil” at the exterior of a building housing an Orthodox shul in Queens.

According to police, officers were notified of the incident Thursday afternoon. The NYPD said its Hate Crimes Task Force has launched an investigation into the vandalism.

An NYPD spokesperson said no additional information is currently available as the investigation continues.

Police officials noted that reports from individual precincts sometimes take time to be transmitted to NYPD headquarters, which can delay the release of additional details.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli authorities are increasingly alarmed by what they describe as a growing Iranian effort to recruit members of the chareidi community for espionage and sabotage missions, prompting an unusual response: enlisting prominent rabbanim and influential chareidi public figures to warn their communities about the threat, according to a report published by The New York Times.

The report says Israel’s police, prosecutors, and security agencies—including the Shin Bet—have launched a targeted public awareness campaign aimed at preventing additional recruitment attempts. Rather than relying solely on law enforcement, officials have turned to respected rabbanim and community leaders to deliver direct warnings to their followers about the dangers of contact with Iranian operatives.

According to the report, Israeli authorities have filed more than 60 indictments against Israeli citizens accused of spying for Iran or assisting the Islamic Republic. Those charged come from across Israeli society, including active-duty soldiers, civilians, Jews and Arabs, secular and religious Israelis, chareidim, and even recent immigrants. The assignments allegedly ranged from photographing military installations and spray-painting graffiti to carrying out far more serious operations, including planning assassinations of senior officials.

One particularly striking statistic highlighted in the report is that nine of those espionage cases involved members of the chareidi community. According to investigators, Iranian intelligence casts a wide net through social media, searching for individuals in financial distress regardless of their religious background. Operatives allegedly pose as businesspeople, journalists, or other seemingly innocent contacts before attempting to recruit targets.

The newspaper reports that to combat the trend, Israel’s police, prosecution, and security agencies “decided to take the unusual step of recruiting rabbis and influential Haredi public figures to directly warn their followers and audiences.”

Rav Yigal Cohen, a member of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council and head of the Yabia Omer institutions, was described by the newspaper as having “enormous influence on social media.” In a video message cited by the report, Rav Cohen pleaded emotionally with his followers, saying, “I beg you, there is no greater chilul Hashem than to see a Torah-observant Jew betray his people.” He warned that any involvement with Iranian agents would destroy their lives.

The report also quotes Kol Barama radio commentator Yisrael Cohen, whom the newspaper described as a leading chareidi analyst and influencer. He told the Times that the chareidi public “was initially in complete shock when it learned that members of its own community had cooperated with Iran, but very quickly understood the necessity of the warnings and is working to stop the spread of the phenomenon.” According to the report, Cohen also helped connect security officials with rabbanim and other influential figures within the chareidi community.

The awareness campaign has even extended to specific languages spoken within the community. The report notes that Yiddish-language warning videos have been produced by chareidi journalists and influencers, including Mendel Ungar, in an effort to reach more conservative and insulated audiences.

Police and Shin Bet investigators quoted in the report said that ideology is rarely the driving force behind these cases. Instead, Iranian operatives typically exploit financial hardship, debt, or a desire for quick money, offering payment for assignments that initially appear harmless but gradually evolve into increasingly sensitive security-related missions.

According to The New York Times, Israeli officials now view the campaign as a coordinated effort to halt what they describe as an epidemic of Iranian recruitment attempts by leveraging the moral authority and influence of trusted rabbanim within the chareidi community.

{Matzav.com}