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Reb Menachem Klugman, one of the longest-serving and most prominent writers and commentators at the Hamodia newspaper and a distinguished Gerer chossid, passed away Monday at the age of 90.

Reb Menachem fainted Monday morning at his home on Rechov HaRav Shach in Bnei Brak, prompting emergency responders to rush to the residence. Several hours later, he passed away.

The levayah was held this evening, departing from his home at 58 Rechov Rav Shach in Bnei Brak and proceeding via the Gerer shtiebel on Strasser Street to the Kiryat Shaul Cemetery, where he was to be laid to rest.

Reb Menachem was born on 22 Kislev 5696 to his father, Reb Yitzchok Avigdor Klugman, and his mother, Elke. His parents raised him with a strong commitment to Torah and refined middos.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Reb Yehuda Aryeh Leib Halevi “Leibel” Ehrenstein.

Reb Menachem became one of the defining figures of an earlier era of Chareidi journalism. For decades, he served as a leading writer at Hamodia, where much of his writing appeared under the pen name M. Navon.

His sharp writing and strong hashkafic perspective helped shape Chareidi public opinion on some of the most contentious issues involving religion and state. Remarkably, his final column appeared in Hamodia just this past Friday, Erev Shabbos, on the newspaper’s opinion pages under the headline, “The Left Is Convinced of Its Victory.”

Friends and acquaintances recalled his extraordinary dedication to his writing and to conveying a Torah outlook. In recent years, his physical condition weakened considerably and he completely lost his eyesight. Yet he refused to put down his proverbial pen. He continued formulating his articles with the same depth and regularly dictated them to his son, Reb Ben Tzion Klugman.

Reb Menachem was also an accomplished talmid chochom with outstanding middos who possessed an extensive command of Shas. Alongside his decades of journalism and commentary, he devoted himself diligently to Torah learning. He was a respected figure in Bnei Brak and one of the leading members of the Gerer Strasser shtiebel in the city. Known for his pleasant demeanor and warm countenance, he treated everyone graciously. Whenever he spoke publicly, his words were listened to with seriousness and close attention, reflecting the great respect accorded to his perceptive and Torah-based outlook.

A prominent Gerer chossid, Reb Menachem enjoyed a deep and close relationship with the Gerer Rebbes over the generations and with the current Gerer Rebbe. His work at Hamodia and throughout his years of communal involvement was characterized by complete loyalty and deference to the directives of the Gedolei Yisroel and the leaders of the community.

He became particularly renowned for his legendary Hamodia opinion column, “Ipcha Mistabra.” Through the column, Reb Menachem articulated the Chareidi position on contemporary issues with clarity, wit and conviction, consistently defending what he regarded as the authentic Torah perspective.

His contributions extended well beyond journalism. For many years, Reb Menachem served as deputy chairman of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Religious Council as a representative of Agudas Yisroel. In that capacity, he worked extensively to strengthen religious observance in the city, particularly in matters involving Shabbos, mikvaos and kashrus.

Reb Menachem was also the patriarch of a family of respected Chareidi writers and journalists. His son, Reb Ben Tzion Klugman, is a noted Chareidi author and researcher who wrote the Torah-historical series Ohr Zarua LaTzaddik, chronicling the history of the Gerer Rebbes.

Reb Menachem leaves behind an extensive legacy and generations of descendants, including sons, a daughter, grandchildren and further descendants who are devoted to Torah and mitzvos and continue in the path of Torah and Chassidus.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah this evening of the Sanzer Rebbe of Boro Park, Rav Boruch Halberstam zt”l, who was renowned for decades of extraordinary chesed and hachnosas orchim. He was 70 years old.

A descendant of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, the Rebbe was particularly known for opening his heart and home to Yidden from throughout the community. His dedication to hachnosas orchim became one of the defining features of his life.

The Rebbe was the oldest son of the previous Sanzer Rebbe of Boro Park zt”l, continuing the distinguished lineage of the Sanz dynasty. He was the son-in-law of Rav Yechiel Michel Rottenberg zt”l of Kosson-Kozova.

For many years, Rav Boruch worked at his father’s side while devoting himself extensively to communal needs. He earned a reputation as one of Boro Park’s great addresses for hachnosas orchim, arranging places for thousands of visitors to stay over the years. Whether guests were accommodated in private homes or other designated facilities, the Rebbe worked to ensure that their needs were properly addressed.

Following his father’s petirah, Rav Boruch, as the eldest son, succeeded him and assumed responsibility for carrying forward the Sanzer legacy in Boro Park. He led the Sanzer Bais Medrash on 48th Street near 16th Avenue, becoming a source of guidance, encouragement and assistance for mispallelim and members of the broader community.

Several years ago, the Rebbe became seriously ill, beginning a lengthy and painful period marked by considerable suffering and repeated hospitalizations.

In recent days, the Rebbe’s condition took a significant turn for the worse. Earlier today, the name Simcha was added as a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Sadly, tonight, the Rebbe was niftar.

The Rebbe leaves behind a distinguished family of children following in his ways.

The levayah is taking place now at the Sanzer Bais Medrash at 16th Avenue and 48th Street in Boro Park.

Yehi zichro baruch.

A delegation of leading Gedolei Yisroel arrived in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon following a nearly 20-hour journey, launching a major fundraising mission on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah that has already included an emergency gathering, meetings with prominent Torah supporters, a wedding appearance and a dramatic $1 million commitment inspired by a historic letter from Rav Yerucham Levovitz of Mir.

The special mission began on Motzoei Shabbos, when Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Shimon Galai, Rav Yehoshua Eichenstein and Rav Yosef Chevroni departed for Mexico. They were joined from the United States by Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Rav Malkiel Kotler and by Tiferes Avigdor Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yisroel Brog.

The delegation landed in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon after close to 20 hours of travel. Distinguished members and representatives of the local Jewish community were waiting at the airport to greet the Gedolei Yisroel, where a special reception was held. The commander of the Mexico City police also participated in the welcoming ceremony.

After leaving the airport, the Gedolei Yisroel traveled in a motorcade to a series of gatherings scheduled throughout Mexico City. Police vehicles accompanied the convoy as part of the security arrangements and special honors accorded to the delegation.

Later in the day, an emergency meeting and inaugural gathering was held at the home of philanthropist Rabbi Daniel Salvador, president of the Monte Sinai community, which represents Jews of Syrian and Damascus origin in Mexico. Local rabbanim and numerous supporters of Torah from the region attended the gathering at his home in the Bosques neighborhood.

The meeting served as a launching point for the emergency fundraising campaign in the region, with the Gedolei Yisroel speaking about the urgency of the current situation and the responsibility to come to the aid of the Torah world. One particularly emotional moment came when Rav Shimon Galai danced with the philanthropists to the words, “Tov li Toras picha mei’alfei zahav vachesef” — “The Torah of Your mouth is better for me than thousands in gold and silver.”

The Gedolei Yisroel subsequently visited the home of philanthropist Rabbi Isser Rabinowitz, where another special gathering was held. They urged members of the community to continue the historic partnership between Jewish philanthropists and the Torah world, emphasizing the particular importance of that support during the current period.

Rav Yisroel Avigdor, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Avigdor, told those assembled that supporting Keren Olam HaTorah represents an investment unlike any other. He compared it to investing in the finest possible real estate, “even in the Empire State Building.”

Rav Yosef Chevroni likewise spoke about the unique opportunity of the moment, declaring, “The moment Moshiach arrives, there will no longer be an opportunity to give money. Grab this opportunity now.”

During the evening, the delegation attended the major wedding celebration joining two families that support Keren Olam HaTorah. The chosson, a son of philanthropist Rabbi Yosef Sanado, married the daughter of philanthropist Rabbi Yitzchok Ashkenazi. The wedding was held at the Beit Yosef synagogue in the Tecamachalco neighborhood, where members of the community welcomed the Gedolei Yisroel with great honor.

A special dinner was held afterward at the home of philanthropist Rabbi Adolf Matzliach, who welcomed the Gedolei Yisroel and the other guests attending the gathering.

Rav Eichenstein spoke about the importance of unity and identifying oneself as part of the broader Jewish community, saying, “An important thing that we must work on during the days of Elul is to be part of the community, to be one body with all of Klal Yisroel.”

One of the most moving moments of the dinner came when Miami philanthropist Rabbi Tzvi Bogomilsky related a remarkable story involving a letter written by Rav Yerucham Levovitz of Mir. Rabbi Bogomilsky said he discovered the letter before hosting a dinner at his home, and the message he found in it ultimately inspired him to contribute $1 million to Keren Olam HaTorah.

Addressing those assembled, Rabbi Bogomilsky spoke about the language shared by Jews everywhere—the love of Torah and the Jewish heart.

“I don’t speak English or Spanish, but there is one thing we all speak: the language of the heart. Travel anywhere in the world, everyone learns the same Torah, and therefore we will all contribute to Keren Olam HaTorah.”

The Mexico mission is continuing with additional gatherings and meetings as the Gedolei Yisroel seek to strengthen financial support for the Torah world and deepen the partnership between Mexican Jewish philanthropists and the yeshivos and kollelim whose continued existence Keren Olam HaTorah was established to support.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is preparing to revoke business and tourist visas held by as many as 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States, a sweeping initiative that would amount to the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history.

The State Department, working together with the Department of Homeland Security, is expected to announce that B1 and B2 visas issued since 2016 will be revoked for affected individuals, according to two U.S. officials and State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press.

“We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told The Hill.

Pigott would not confirm how many people will ultimately lose their visas, emphasizing that the total could change as officials continue reviewing cases.

The “number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis.”

Officials told the AP that losing a B1 or B2 visa would not automatically lead to an individual’s immediate deportation. Those with pending asylum applications would instead have their status changed to reflect that they are no longer in the country as business or tourist visitors.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the initiative Monday, arguing that the asylum process has been exploited by people who entered the United States after representing themselves as temporary visitors.

“People in the U.S. and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” Landau wrote on social media Monday. “Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration laws; rather, it’s supposed to provide a narrow safe harbor for persons persecuted because of their ‘race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.’”

Landau said the large number of questionable applications has overwhelmed the asylum system, creating years-long delays while applicants remain in the country.

He added that the asylum system “has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims, meaning that it takes years to adjudicate whether applicants are actually entitled to asylum—during which time they can typically work, have children, and otherwise put down roots in our country.”

Applicants currently seeking B1 or B2 visas are required to affirm that they do not intend to seek asylum once they arrive in the United States and must demonstrate that they plan to return to their home countries.

President Trump has moved aggressively to tighten visa and asylum policies since returning to the White House last year. The State Department has since revoked approximately 175,000 visas belonging to people convicted of or accused of various crimes, as well as individuals who have publicly opposed U.S. policies in the Middle East.

The administration took another step last month by restricting asylum seekers’ access to interviews in which their claims would ordinarily be evaluated. Under the new approach, immigration officers can instead direct migrants into immigration court and deportation proceedings.

That change allows migrants to be moved rapidly into the immigration court system without first receiving an opportunity to present their asylum claims to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

{Matzav.com}

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Monday that the Trump administration is keeping military action against Iran firmly on the table, making clear that Washington’s newly launched campaign of intense economic pressure does not preclude additional strikes against Tehran.

“By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran,” Hegseth told reporters.

Hegseth also argued that Iran is incapable of withstanding the mounting economic pressure being imposed by the United States.

His remarks came just hours after US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast,” an expansive new American effort designed to economically isolate Iran and choke off revenue streams that support the Iranian regime.

Bessent compared the new campaign to the Allied offensive launched in the aftermath of D-Day during World War II, portraying the economic measures as a broad assault on Iran’s international financial connections.

“Today, in that same spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections around the globe.”

“Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” he added.

The Treasury Secretary also put governments, businesses and other entities around the world on notice that continued economic dealings with Iran could carry consequences. He specifically cited Iranian petroleum purchases and transportation, exchange houses, free-trade zones, aviation, shipping, banking and fuel transfers as areas under scrutiny.

“The President is making phone calls to world leaders with specific requests to cease their interactions with the regime,” Bessent said, adding that US officials were already seeing results,” said Bessent.

“Those who stand with the United States will reap the rewards of our partnership. Those who tether themselves to the Iranian regime should expect to share in the isolation of a withering regime,” he stated.

The announcement by Bessent came several days after President Trump unveiled the broader economic offensive against Iran. Writing on Truth Social last Wednesday, Trump characterized the initiative as “an economic D-Day” and warned governments continuing to provide Tehran with economic assistance that they could face repercussions.

“These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” he wrote.

{Matzav.com}

Yanis Yushvaev, a notorious Israeli underworld figure described by authorities as one of the country’s most dangerous organized-crime bosses, was shot and killed at close range Sunday at a gas station in Caesarea, a decade after surviving an earlier attempt on his life.

Yushvaev, identified as the leader of the Caucasian Mafia, was walking out of the gas station with two other men when an assassin followed closely behind them and opened fire, according to disturbing surveillance footage of the attack.

Video of the killing shows the gunman, dressed in a gray hoodie and baseball cap, trailing Yushvaev and his companions as they left the station. As the group reached the steps outside, the attacker pulled out a handgun and shot Yushvaev at point-blank range.

Authorities are still searching for the killer, who may have used a silicone mask as part of a disguise to conceal his identity and make it more difficult for investigators to track him down.

Yushvaev, whom police have described as the head of a “criminal gang involved in blood feuds,” fell to the ground after being struck. The two men accompanying him appeared terrified as the shooting unfolded, apparently not realizing until it was too late that the attacker had been directly behind them.

Emergency medical personnel who arrived at the scene found Yushvaev critically wounded and were unable to save him.

Yushvaev had “no pulse and was not breathing, and was suffering from significant injuries,” medics said before pronouncing him dead.

Despite his reputation with law enforcement, Yushvaev maintained that he was a legitimate businessman rather than an organized-crime leader. He described himself as a “very-well established” businessman and said he owned a restaurant.

Police, however, had arrested Yushvaev repeatedly over the years on suspicion of involvement in serious violent crimes, including shootings, grenade attacks and the torching of vehicles. Despite those investigations, authorities repeatedly failed to secure convictions against him.

His killing came only six months after police arrested him at Ben Gurion Airport as he returned to Israel from Moscow.

According to reports, investigators had received intelligence suggesting Yushvaev was preparing to target criminal rivals. Despite those suspicions, authorities ultimately did not charge him in that case.

Yushvaev had also been detained in recent years in connection with investigations into shootings and arson attacks, but those cases similarly ended without charges being filed against him.

In 2021, however, prosecutors indicted Yushvaev after he allegedly threatened to shoot a businessman unless the man handed over $1.1 million.

Yushvaev was arrested again in June 2025 over allegations that he was involved in shootings targeting homes and businesses in Or Akiva. He was subsequently released without being charged.

Within Israel’s criminal underworld, Yushvaev was reportedly known for demanding “complete loyalty” from those working beneath him and for taking extensive precautions to prevent authorities from gathering evidence against him. He “almost never [talked] on the phone” because of concerns that investigators could be listening to his conversations.

Those methods reportedly made building successful criminal cases against him exceptionally difficult despite years of police scrutiny.

“It’s hard to convict him, and that’s frustrating,” an Israeli police source told Channel 12 last October.

{Matzav.com}