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Advisers cautioned Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign that his immigration agenda could unleash serious instability at the southern border, but the recommendations were brushed aside, according to a newly surfaced internal memo. The New York Times reported that Biden received the document while running against President Donald Trump, and it laid out a stark assessment of what his proposed approach was likely to trigger.

“A potential surge could create chaos and a humanitarian crisis, overwhelm processing capacities and imperil the agenda of the new administration,” his advisers wrote, flagging the risks months before Biden took office. The memo said a major spike was plausible due to the policy shifts Biden was championing, the backlog left from the Trump years, and economic stresses tied to COVID.

The campaign team proposed several ways to counter the risk of spiraling illegal crossings, including streamlining the rejection of meritless claims, keeping asylum seekers in “reception centers” until their hearings, and relocating some migrants to additional countries while their cases were processed. Despite the detailed warnings and specific tactical options, Biden opted not to adopt the recommendations.

Once inaugurated, Biden’s policy specialists continued to press the administration to strengthen border enforcement and aggressively address the uptick in crossings. Those suggestions were sidelined again, as senior aides contended that tougher enforcement would alienate progressives and argued that immigration was not a dominant issue among voters outside border communities.

In Biden’s first quarter in office, illegal border entries surged to levels that exceeded any recorded under President Trump. Advisers also floated an idea to help overburdened border towns by having federal authorities assist in transporting migrants to their intended destinations within the United States. That proposal — which resembled the later busing campaign run by Texas Governor Greg Abbott — was dismissed by Biden’s aides, who claimed it would incentivize additional asylum seekers to come.

According to former members of the Biden administration, the missteps and refusal to act on early counsel played a central role in Biden’s 2024 election defeat. Biden has pointed the finger elsewhere, saying Republicans blocked his efforts to implement a workable immigration agenda.

He ultimately used executive authority to close the border without Congress’s involvement near the end of the 2024 campaign. “When it became clear Congress wouldn’t act, Biden took decisive action on his own,” a spokesperson for Biden told the Times in a statement.

{Matzav.com}

A number of mezuzahs were torn from the doorways of Jewish seniors’ homes in an apartment building in North York, Toronto, Canada on Shabbos.

Toronto police’s Hate Crime Unit launched an investigation into the matter, according to CTVNews.

No leads about the culprits were communicated to the public.

Toronto City Councilor James Pasternak tweeted that the vandalism was “an act of hate directed at Jewish residents—seniors who deserve safety, stability, and dignity in their own homes. There is no excuse for targeting people because they are Jewish.”

He added: “Toronto cannot look the other way while seniors are intimidated in their hallways. We will continue working with residents, Toronto Seniors Housing, and police until safety is restored.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the incident “outrageous and [a] vile act of antisemitism.

“Jewish Torontonians deserve to live in peace and safety. Thank you Councillor Pasternak for connecting residents to the police who are investigating,” she wrote on X.

Speaking to channel CP24 later on Sunday night, Pasternak said that the Jewish elders in the residential building “were shocked and dismayed that this kind of antisemitism and hate would be in our city.”

They “always felt that their building was welcoming and safe. They chose that building because of its community,” Pasternak remarked.

He moreover noted that the Jewish tenants attend a small shul within the building on a daily basis, and have “always lived their lives openly, celebrated their religion, and their history. And so, this is a major shock that someone would go through the night ripping off or tearing off these mezuzahs, and they were fixed very strongly so it’s not an easy task to pry off.”

B’nai Brith Canada responded to the incident, stating on X that the Jewish organization has “engaged municipal leaders and the Toronto Police after being made aware” of the vandalism.

The historic NGO said that the act “is yet another example of the consequences of the antisemitic environment that has been allowed to fester.”

It further charged the city’s “permissive” response to the rising levels of incitement against the Jewish community, describing the “inability” to protect Jewish seniors as a “sign of the further decay of our society.”

B’nai Brith added that it will arrange this week an event for mezuzah donations for the seniors in the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation building on 6250 Bathurst Street.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs association in Canada remarked, “We’ve seen hateful conduct go from shouting in the streets to targeting Jews outside our homes to now in the hallways of our own buildings.”

CIJA urged Canadian leaders “at all levels” to take action that will protect the Jewish community.

{Matzav.com}

A menorah was installed at the Kosel in Yerushalayim’s Old City on Sunday ahead of Chanukah, which begins on the evening of Dec. 14.

The bronze menorah, which measures some 6.5 by 6.5 feet, will be lit every evening during the eight-day Yom Tov, the Western Wall Foundation said.

Every evening, a candle-lighting ceremony will be held in the presence of Hamas captivity survivors, public figures, injured Israeli soldiers, bereaved families, rabbonim and others.

The events, which will be accompanied by an orchestra, will take place every day at 4:30 p.m., except for Friday, Dec. 19, and Motzoei Shabbos, Dec. 20, when the chanukiyah will be lit at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. JNS

{Matzav.com}

A Chinese virologist who became the face of the COVID-19 lab-origin theory is now living in hiding in the United States, convinced Beijing is trying to lure her back to China to silence her permanently, according to a new New York Times report. Dr. Li-Meng Yan, once a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hong […]

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China’s exports rebounded in November after an unexpected contraction the previous month, pushing its trade surplus past $1 trillion for the first time, according to data released Monday. Exports climbed 5.9% from a year earlier in November while imports rose just under 2%. The customs data released on Monday also showed that shipments to the […]

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Netanyahu: More than two billion shekels have been transferred to the Foreign Ministry to fight “antisemitism propaganda” worldwide.

Netanyahu blasted the opposition for claiming Israel’s international standing is collapsing under his leadership. “You’re making things up. I won’t even dwell on this nonsense. What a disconnect from reality, a cycle of hollow slogans,” he said. Netanyahu added that “Israel today is stronger than ever — the strongest power in the Middle East”.

Netanyahu In The Knesset: “I add that we have continuous contacts with another global power, Russia”. I speak with President Putin on a regular basis, and this personal connection over the decades serves our vital interests, including now.

Military parades were organized in various Syrian cities to mark the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s fall, as people in Aleppo, Damascus and Latakia gathered to watch the shows.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has put an end to speculation over where he will live once he takes office.

President Donald Trump used the spotlight outside the Kennedy Center Honors to chide Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not yet reviewing Washington’s newest proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. While praising Zelenskyy’s advisers and suggesting that Moscow had shown acceptance of the framework, he said he was “a little bit disappointed” that Zelenskyy himself still had not gone through the plan several hours before the event.

Trump said that Ukraine’s senior officials “love it,” and that “Russia is fine with it,” but expressed frustration that the Ukrainian leader hadn’t examined the details personally. “We’ve been speaking to President [Vladimir] Putin, and we’ve been speaking to Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelenskyy, and I have to say that I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn’t yet read the proposal – that was as of a few hours ago,” he remarked while pausing on the red carpet. “His people love it, but he has it. Russia’s fine with it. I’m not sure that Zelenskyy is fine with it. His people love it. But he hasn’t read it, so someday you’ll explain that one to me.”

The president’s critique came amid a rapid-fire exchange with reporters that veered between policy, arts, and global tensions. Trump wove comments about negotiations with Russia and Ukraine into reflections about the challenges of a war he described as “very tough, very nasty,” noting the ongoing toll measured in heavy casualties each month.

At the same time, he highlighted cultural achievements connected to the evening’s festivities. Trump — the first president ever to host the Kennedy Center Honors — repeatedly spoke about the center’s restoration, saying his administration “saved” the project by helping raise more than $100 million. He stressed that continued improvements would make the institution “better than it was from day one,” and praised its acoustics and history.

Trump also addressed domestic policy, defending his use of tariff authority as a crucial tool for national security in advance of a pending Supreme Court decision. In lighter moments, he joked about taking a Johnny Carson–style approach to hosting duties and praised honorees, including Sylvester Stallone and the rock band Kiss, adding that “you have to be yourself.” The crowd lining the red carpet, he said, was “bigger than it’s ever been,” attributing the enthusiasm to renewed national pride: “We have a country that’s the talk of the world again.”

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy commented separately on the state of diplomatic efforts. He said over the weekend that he had held a “substantive phone call” with American and Ukrainian officials involved in ongoing discussions in Florida. “Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” he wrote, saying he’d been briefed on the latest developments.

Russia publicly signaled approval of Washington’s updated national security strategy the same day, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling TASS that the document aligns with Moscow’s preference for reduced confrontation. “There are statements there against confrontation and in favor of dialogue and building good relations,” he said, expressing hope that this would lead to “further constructive cooperation with Washington on the Ukrainian settlement.” The White House strategy paper, released Friday, said the U.S. considers ending the war essential to “reestablish strategic stability with Russia.”

Trump’s outgoing Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday, said the peace talks were nearing a conclusion. He described efforts as being in “the last 10 meters,” identifying two unresolved issues: “terrain, primarily the Donbas,” and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russia currently holds most of Donbas — which it claims as its name for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions — along with two additional southern territories it annexed illegally three years ago. The Zaporizhzhia facility, seized early in the invasion, has been offline and relies on steady power to cool reactors and spent fuel to avert disaster. Kellogg, who will step down in January, is not participating in the Florida talks.

Diplomatic activity is poised to intensify further as officials confirmed that the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are set to meet Zelenskyy in London on Monday.

As the political maneuvers unfolded, Russia escalated strikes across Ukraine. Overnight missile, drone, and artillery attacks killed at least four people. Local authorities reported that a man died in a drone strike in the Chernihiv region on Saturday night. In Kremenchuk, a combined attack on infrastructure knocked out power and water systems in a city known for one of Ukraine’s major oil refineries. Kyiv and Western governments say the Kremlin is trying to degrade Ukraine’s energy network to leave civilians without basic utilities through a fourth winter, a campaign Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponizing” the cold.

On Sunday, shelling in the Kharkiv region killed three more people and injured 10 others, according to the regional prosecutor’s office, adding another grim chapter to a conflict still raging even as diplomatic channels attempt to resolve it.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Jails Commanders After Soldier Is Accidentally Left Behind The IDF says a “grave incident” occurred during an operation in the town of Qabatiya, in northern Samaria. A Maglan commando team moved between buildings and accidentally left behind a soldier who had fallen asleep. The soldier was alone for about 40 minutes before managing to […]

President Trump is proposing a $12 billion aid package for U.S. farmers hit hard by the trade war with China, according to a White House official. The plan is aimed at helping farmers who have been struggling under the tariffs and trade disruptions.  

One year into the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, some residents who have returned to the border town of Metula say they are still struggling to get back to their daily routines.

The IDF says it struck in Al-Masassi and Deir al-Balah a short while ago, targeting a Hamas terrorist who was planning an imminent attack on troops.

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TODAY! marks a pivotal moment for Telshe Yeshiva as we embark on our annual Shutfim Rally! This isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s an invitation for our cherished Talmidim and Yedidim to become integral partners in a mission that has spanned a century and a half.

In the hallowed batei medrash of Telshe, the “Kol Torah” rings strong, day in and day out. It is here that young men grow in Torah and Yirah, shaping their futures and enriching the Jewish world. When you join as “shutfim” (partners), you become a true shareholder in their profound success, a direct participant in every word of Torah learned and every spiritual height achieved. 

This year has been extraordinary, marking 150 years since the venerable establishment of Telshe Yeshiva. We recently celebrated this monumental milestone with a historic dinner in Cleveland and a heartwarming homecoming for our talmidim, events that beautifully showcased the deep, enduring bond so many of us feel with Telshe.

Now, as the 2025 calendar year draws to a close, we have a crucial 36-hour window – beginning today, Monday, December 8th, and concluding Tuesday, December 9th – to ensure a resounding success for the Yeshiva. This is your chance to stand with us, to reinforce the foundations of Torah, and to propel us forward in our timeless mission: “להגדיל תורה ולהאדירה” – to magnify Torah and glorify it.

Donate Today!

Visit: CHARIDY.COM/TELSHE  or Call: 440-574-0400

Reb Avraham Shalom Ben Zion Aryeh Rabinowitz, one of the veteran and distinguished chassidim of Belz in Yerushalayim, has passed away at the age of 88.

Rabbi Rabinowitz, son of Rav Menachem Rabinowitz, was among the early residents of Kiryas Belz and was widely respected as one of its elder chassidim.

Known for his extraordinary precision in the nuances of Tefillah, he was privileged to teach the Belzer Rebbe fine points of Hebrew grammar and exact wording in the tefillos.

He had traveled to the United States to attend the wedding of his granddaughter, which took place last week. During the wedding festivities he began to feel unwell and was hospitalized on Friday night. He passed away on Shabbos morning in the midst of the family’s sheva brachos.

His levayah in the United States was held at the Belz beis medrash on 43rd Street in Boro Park, after which his aron was flown to Israel. The levayah in Eretz Yisroel took place at the Sanhedria Funeral Home. The procession then passed the main Belzer beis medrash in Kiryas Belz on its way to the Kahal Machzikei HaDas section of Har HaMenuchos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

YWN regrets to share the peitrah of Rav Yitzchok Layosh zt”l, a towering marbitz Torah and mechanech who inspired generations of talmidim across Yerushalayim, Budapest, and New York. Rav Layosh zt”l was an extraordinary talmid chocham with a penetrating mind and a warm, gentle heart. Over the years, he influenced and uplifted thousands of Yidden, […]