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It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rebbetzin Leah Lederman a”h, the beloved wife of Rav Moshe Meir Lederman and a revered mechaneches who devoted her life to chinuch habanos. She was 61 years old.

The rebbetzin became ill only a short time ago after developing a serious lung infection. Despite hopes and heartfelt tefillos for her recovery, complications arose during her hospitalization and she was niftar.

Born to Reb Tzvi Shimon and Hadassah Beila Sussholtz, the rebbetzin was raised in a home steeped in Torah, yiras Shomayim, and devotion to avodas Hashem. Those values shaped the course of her entire life and were reflected in every aspect of her remarkable personality.

She married Rav Moshe Meir Lederman, one of the outstanding talmidim of Rav Shmuel Berenbaum zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Flatbush. Throughout the years, she stood steadfastly at her husband’s side, serving as his devoted partner in his lifelong mission of Torah, harbotzas haTorah, and guiding countless talmidim. Her quiet strength, wisdom, and encouragement played an indispensable role in everything Rav Lederman accomplished.

For decades, Rebbetzin Lederman served as principal of Beis Yaakov D’Gur, a position she regarded not merely as a profession but as a sacred responsibility. Generations of talmidos benefited from her exceptional leadership, warmth, and profound understanding of education. She viewed every student as an individual deserving of personal attention, guidance, and love, leaving an indelible mark on thousands of young bnos Yisroel who passed through the school’s doors.

She was a true tzadeikes whose devotion to every single talmidah knew no bounds. Her concern extended far beyond academics, as she invested herself wholeheartedly in the spiritual and emotional well-being of each girl entrusted to her care.

Those who knew her speak of an extraordinary combination of brilliance, wisdom, warmth, and exceptional middos tovos. She possessed a keen intellect and remarkable insight, yet carried herself with humility, kindness, and genuine concern for every individual she encountered.

One longtime yungerman in the Gerer yeshiva described Rebbetzin Lederman as a mother figure to the women of the kehillah. “She was a maternal figure to the nshei of the kehillah… Mamash like a mother. She was greatly beloved and admired by all who knew her.”

Her home was one of warmth, dignity, and generosity, where countless people found encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear. Whether offering advice, extending hospitality, or simply providing comfort during difficult times, Rebbetzin Lederman gave of herself selflessly and without seeking recognition.

Just this past spring, she successfully concluded another year at the helm of Beis Yaakov D’Gur, continuing the educational mission that had defined so much of her life. Shortly afterward, she was hospitalized, and although every effort was made on her behalf, her condition deteriorated in the weeks that followed.

The levayah will take place Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Yazlovitzer Beis Medrash, located at 1515 45th Street in Boro Park, Brooklyn.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu pushed back Sunday against reports suggesting Israel is retreating on multiple fronts, insisting the country remains firmly committed to defending its security interests. He also reaffirmed that, under his leadership, Israel will not permit the creation of a Palestinian state in either Gaza or Judea and Samaria and vowed that Iran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Opening the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu argued that Tehran has deliberately avoided launching direct attacks against Israel because it understands the severe consequences it would face.

“You have surely noticed an interesting point: Iran attacks all the countries in the region, and even outside the region, but there is one country it does not attack – the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“It has not attacked thus far; it might attack, but why have long weeks passed and it has not attacked us? Because it knows the massive blow we will inflict upon it if it does so.”

The prime minister said his remarks were intended to counter what he described as “a wave of rumors about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawals on all fronts.”

Addressing the Iranian threat, Netanyahu expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and highlighted the close strategic cooperation between Washington and Israel in confronting Iran’s nuclear program.

“I greatly appreciate President Trump. He is the greatest of our friends in the White House,” Netanyahu said.

“I greatly appreciate the historical partnership with the US against Iran’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.”

“With or without an agreement, as long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” he added. “Because the existence of our precious country, the country of all of us, the existence of Israel, is not up for negotiation.”

Turning to the northern front, Netanyahu said Israel has continued carrying out military operations in Lebanon against terrorist targets, including recent activity along the Ali Taher Ridge.

“In recent days, Israel has acted with force in Lebanon, eliminating terrorists, including on the Ali Taher ridge,” he said. “We are in the midst of a very important operation.”

He added that Israel is proceeding “prudently and wisely-with both determination and wisdom,” while working in coordination with the IDF to eliminate threats before they can endanger Israeli citizens.

Netanyahu also reiterated his longstanding opposition to Palestinian statehood, making clear that such an outcome will not occur while he remains in office.

“As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria,” he said. “Neither ‘Fatahstan’ nor ‘Hamastan’.”

The prime minister also addressed the recently released 15-point framework proposed by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza, emphasizing that Israel has not accepted the plan.

“Israel does not accept the 15-point document,” he stated.

“I have heard people saying: ‘You didn’t say it.’ So here I am saying it again: Israel does not accept the 15-point document.”

He stressed that Israel will not agree to any military withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas has been completely stripped of its weapons.

“The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed,” Netanyahu said. “And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry.”

“We are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament,” he added.

Netanyahu said discussions with the United States on the matter are continuing, noting that while Israel agrees with some American proposals, it firmly rejects others.

“They have ideas, some of which are acceptable to us and some of which are unacceptable, and we know how to stand firm against these things,” he said.

“The IDF will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens,” Netanyahu added.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu underscored that Israel will not compromise on issues affecting its national security or survival.

“The existence of Israel and the security of all Israeli citizens are not up for negotiation,” he said. “We stand firm on these interests.”

“We do not do this in advertising agencies; we actually do it on the ground,” Netanyahu continued, citing Israel’s operations in Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, Lebanon, and Iran.

“Unlike all those who lecture us, we do what needs to be done for Israel’s security, and we can and know how to stand our ground, even against our best friends when necessary.”

{Matzav.com}

A wave of grief has swept through the Chabad community in Lod following the tragic passing of 5-year-old Betzalel Dovid Giller z”l, who died after being inadvertently left inside his family’s vehicle for approximately two hours. Despite desperate resuscitation efforts by emergency responders, the young boy could not be saved.

Betzalel Dovid was the son of R’ Menashe Giller, a member of the Chabad community in Lod, and Mrs. Chaya Mushka Sultana.

The family had returned home from a trip, during which the young boy had fallen asleep in his car seat. After arriving home, the family exited the vehicle without realizing that Betzalel Dovid had remained asleep inside.

Approximately two hours later, his father noticed that his son was not in the house. Alarmed, he rushed to the family vehicle parked outside and discovered the child unconscious, suffering from severe heatstroke after being trapped inside the car.

The father immediately called emergency services. Magen David Adom teams arrived quickly and carried out prolonged and intensive resuscitation efforts, but despite their attempts, medical personnel were forced to pronounce the child dead.

The devastating tragedy has left the Chabad community in Lod, along with the family’s relatives and friends, in profound shock and mourning as they struggle to come to terms with the sudden loss.

The levayah is scheduled to take place this evening at 6:00 p.m. at the municipal cemetery in Lod, where Betzalel Dovid will be laid to rest in the children’s section.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}