In an interview with Israel’s N12, recently released hostage Yarden Bibas – whose wife, Shiri, and two sons, Ariel and Kfir hy”d, were murdered in captivity – opened up about the harrowing months he spent in Hamas captivity — and the unbreakable bond he shared with his best friend, David Cunio, who remains a hostage in Gaza to this day. Bibas revealed that during his time in captivity, he came face to face with Yahya Sinwar, the now-dead Hamas leader who orchestrated the October 7 massacre. “Sinwar asked me what he could do for me,” Bibas recounted. “I told him I wanted to stay with David, my best friend. He promised it would be done.” But that promise was short-lived. Just two to three weeks later, the two were forcibly separated. “David didn’t understand why, and neither did I,” Bibas said. The two managed only fleeting encounters in the tunnels after that—just long enough for “a quick and strong hug before continuing.” Their bond dates back to first grade. And even in captivity, that connection offered a rare source of strength. Bibas recalled one painful yet profound moment when he briefly saw David again—the day David’s wife, Sharon, was released. “He passed by me in the tunnel. When he saw me, it was like he saw a ghost. We embraced before they took him away.” For Bibas, that day was one of unbearable grief. He had just been told of the deaths of his wife Shiri and their two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. Devastated, he made only one request to his captors: to remain near David. “I was terrified at the thought of changing places,” he admitted. “But after that terrible news, I knew I had to be with him.” The two men shared a mattress in the darkness of the tunnels. “David constantly thought of his daughters, of Sharon, and worried about his twin brother Eitan,” Bibas said. In a quiet act of kindness, David once arranged for a pillow to be brought to Bibas — a small but powerful gesture in a place devoid of comfort. Now free, Bibas struggles with the contrast between his reality and that of his friend. “It seems unfair to have a large bed, hot water, and three meals a day while my best friend doesn’t have that,” he said. “I just want him to stay strong,” Yarden said. “His daughters Emma and Yuli need their father to heal and rebuild. We’re all waiting for him.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
An inspiring Lag BaOmer parade took place on the grounds of the Jewish Museum in Moscow and in neighboring educational institutions, with hundreds of children participating under the leadership of Rabbi Berel Lazar, Head Shliach and Chief Rabbi of Russia. Despite Lag BaOmer falling on a Friday this year, a dedicated group of Shluchim, led by Rabbi Eliyahu Dikshtein, initiated a special campaign to organize a large parade—an event typically held on Sunday. Their efforts paid off, drawing an overwhelming number of participants, so much so that organizers had to bring in extra chairs to accommodate everyone. Many children took part, helping to demonstrate a remarkable Kiddush Hashem in line with the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s call to hold “holy processions” on this day and to ignite the flame of Yiddishkeit across the world. During the event, the children recited the twelve psukim and learned about the significance of Lag BaOmer from Rabbi Lazar. An upshernish ceremony was also held for one of the Shluchim’s children in Moscow. A touching highlight was when a Jewish student from Morocco, studying nearby, happened to pass by and put on Tefillin for the very first time—an emotional moment that resonated deeply with all in attendance. The event concluded with a festive rally, featuring a raffle with special prizes for all participants. Every boy and girl received a goodie bag to commemorate this meaningful day. Photography: Levi Nazarov (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
The 8th grade boys of Torah Academy of Minneapolis recently visited Lakewood as part of an East Coast trip designed to give them a glimpse into the broader Torah world they are part of — and their first stop left a powerful impression. The students, hailing from a city without a local Hatzolah organization, were brought to Hatzolah of Central Jersey to experience firsthand how a major volunteer emergency medical service operates. From the moment they entered the dispatch center — where calls are answered in seconds and responders are tracked in real time — the boys were visibly inspired. For many, it was the first time stepping into an ambulance, learning how lifesaving equipment is used, and understanding how a coordinated network of volunteers responds to emergencies around the clock. But beyond the technical and logistical marvels, what struck them most was the warmth and dedication of the people. “They didn’t make us feel like we were bothering them,” one student remarked to his rebbi, R’ Sender Breiner, after the visit. “Everyone was so nice. The fact that they’re all volunteers made the biggest impression on me.” The visit gave students a broader perspective of what it means to be part of Klal Yisroel — bound not only by Yiddishkeit, but by responsibility and chesed. In addition to their Hatzolah visit, the boys had the opportunity to meet with various chesed organizations, roshei yeshiva, rabbanim, and local frum politicians — each one contributing to the deep sense of pride and inspiration the students felt throughout their trip. The exposure to so many facets of a thriving Torah community left them motivated to strive for greatness and to one day take an active role in the chesed and leadership that define Lakewood. “Lakewood doesn’t just run on Torah — it runs on caring for others. Our students saw that with their own eyes,” Rabbi Breiner remarked. The 8th grade girls’ class from Torah Academy is also planning a similar trip to the East Coast in the coming weeks. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
OpenAI has recruited Jony Ive, the designer behind Apple’s iPhone, to lead a new hardware project for the artificial intelligence company that makes ChatGPT. OpenAI said it is acquiring io, a product and engineering company co-founded by Ive, in a deal valued at nearly $6.5 billion. Ive became renowned for a meticulous design aesthetic that shaped the cultural zeitgeist during a 27-year career at Apple, which he left in 2019. He did his most influential work after Apple co-founder Steve Jobs returned to run the company in 1997, where the two forged a partnership that would hatch a succession of game-changing products like the iPhone. The new OpenAI deal now thrusts Ive at the vanguard of AI — a technology driving the biggest industry shift since the iPhone’s arrival. The company hasn’t said exactly what product they will be making but it will likely be some kind of “physical AI embodiments” that bring generative AI chatbot technology out of computer screens into another form, such as through a car or a humanoid robot, said Gartner analyst Chirag Dekate, adding that it is too early to know for sure. OpenAI said its CEO Sam Altman had been “quietly” collaborating since 2023 with Ive and his design firm, LoveFrom. In a joint letter posted on OpenAI’s website Wednesday, Ive and Altman said it “became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company.” That’s when Ive co-founded io with three others about a year ago. OpenAI said it already owns a 23% stake in io from a prior collaborative agreement signed late last year. It says it will now pay $5 billion in equity for the acquisition. OpenAI said Ive will not become an OpenAI employee and LoveFrom will remain independent but “will assume deep design and creative responsibilities across OpenAI and io.” Both OpenAI and Ive’s design firm are based in San Francisco. Leading the new io division for OpenAI will be longtime executive Peter Welinder, who led robotics research in the startup’s early years and more recently has been vice president of its “new product explorations” team that delves into hardware, robotics and other early stage research. Altman, 40, can only hope his still-blossoming partnership with the 58-year-old designer, works out as well as the mind-meld between Jobs and Ive. When he started his own firm, Ive derived the LoveFrom name from a Jobs’ observation that one way to hail humanity is by “making something with a great deal of care and love.” Ive also chose to base LoveForm located in a historic part of San Francisco, located just near bars and cafes that were once frequented by such Beat Generation luminaries as “On The Road” author Jack Kerouac and “Howl” author Allen Ginsberg. OpenAI is headquartered about two miles away. Founded nearly a decade ago as a nonprofit research laboratory dedicated to safely building better-than-human AI for humanity’s benefit, it remains controlled by a nonprofit board of directors even as Altman, its co-founder, has increasingly pushed it toward commercializing ChatGPT and its other inventions. It’s not clear if Altman’s collaboration with Ive began before or after Altman’s short-lived ouster in November 2023. Altman earlier this month said OpenAI was abandoning plans to drop its nonprofit governance structure but is […]
In a landmark decision that redefines the future of kosher finance in America, Newrez—one of the largest and most prominent mortgage companies in the United States—has officially adopted a Heter Iska, granting borrowers across the country access to Halachically compliant financing. This breakthrough not only places Newrez on the growing list of kosher-certified lenders but also signals a massive leap forward in aligning the U.S. financial system with Torah values—making it easier than ever for observant Jews to pursue business opportunities and homeownership without compromising on Halacha. The announcement follows months of confidential coordination between Newrez’s senior leadership and the KFI, coupled with a widely supported petition that called on Jewish-owned banks and mortgage companies to step up and implement Heter Iska. “This marks a watershed moment for the Jewish community,” said a senior KFI spokesperson. “After years of advocacy, we are seeing our vision come to life: that a Heter Iska becomes the standard, not the exception. With a powerhouse like Newrez leading the way, the path is now open for others to follow.” The Heter Iska now adopted by Newrez is more than just Halachically valid—it meets the highest standards, built to withstand both spiritual scrutiny and commercial rigor. In an industry historically seen as inflexible and resistant to accommodation, this move sets a bold precedent. For frum borrowers, entrepreneurs, and investors, this signals a new era: one where meaningful financial opportunities and uncompromised religious observance can truly go hand in hand. As the kosher finance revolution gains momentum, the KFI reports that additional lenders are already in discussions to follow suit. Stay tuned. The future of Torah-aligned banking is here. Heter Iska K-751 must be signed by all parties, in accordance with the provided instructions, and returned to BrigadeSupport@Newrez.com. To obtain a copy of the Heter Iska, please visit: www.newrezwholesale.com/heter-iska/. Visit the Kosher Bank Directory for more info.
In an unusual move, a private individual, a former IDF soldier, filed a libel suit on Wednesday against Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan over his outrageous statements he made on Tuesday, including that “a sane country does not kill babies as a hobby,” Yisrael Hayom reported on Wednesday. The man behind the lawsuit is Roni Golan, a resident of Tel Mond, a former paratrooper and a father of IDF soldiers. “As a father of soldiers, I didn’t sleep all night, especially since one of my soldiers was hit by three RPGs and survived by a neis,” he explained. “I decided to prepare a statement of claim and submit it myself, without involving, chalilah, any political or legal factor.” Golan is suing the former major general for 38,900 shekels in the Kfar Saba small claims court. “The lawsuit is filed in good faith and out of immense pain,” he wrote. “The plaintiff is an ordinary citizen, a reserve paratroops soldier and commander, and serves as a voice and platform for all those who cannot make their voices openly heard.” Golan clarified that the purpose of the lawsuit is “first and foremost” to urge the Attorney General and the State Attorney’s Office to open a criminal investigation and file an indictment against Yair Golan. “All IDF soldiers and security forces heroes are at risk of being arrested anywhere in the world on malicious allegations of war crimes, and the defendant, as a major general in the IDF, contributes to false evidence and to helping our enemies and those who seek our harm to file an indictment for war crimes for no wrong done.” “The defendant endangered and endangers all the soldiers and war heroes, and the only risk that the defendant took was a calculated risk in order to strengthen himself and his political power, and to speak to his base and nothing more, and all this, as mentioned, on the wounded and bleeding back of the State of Israel, on its brave soldiers.” He noted that Golan did not bring a shred of evidence for his claims, “and slandered all the IDF soldiers and the State of Israel in particular.” Golan wrote that he is filing the lawsuit on behalf of “the security forces who cannot defend themselves, their uniforms, and their good names. This lawsuit is also filed on behalf of the fallen heroic IDF soldiers, who gave their lives for the security and defense of the homeland, and cannot defend themselves and protect their good names, and on behalf of all the dear bereaved families of the war’s fallen, who sacrificed what was most precious to them.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A former New York state trooper pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges that he shot himself then falsely claimed he was wounded by an unknown gunman on a Long Island highway, prompting a regionwide search. Thomas Mascia agreed to serve six months in jail, followed by five years probation and continued mental health treatment as he formally changed his not guilty plea during a court appearance in Nassau County court in Mineola. He also agreed, as part of his plea deal, to pay $289,000 in restitution for the overtime costs for officers during the three-day search for a nonexistent suspect. The 27-year-old West Hempstead resident had been charged with official misconduct, tampering with evidence and falsifying documents. He became a trooper in 2019 and resigned in January after being suspended without pay while state police launched a criminal investigation into the shooting. Mascia’s parents, Dorothy and Thomas, also pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing an illegal firearm, which was found during a search of the family’s home. Mascia claimed he was shot in the leg on Oct. 30 by a driver parked on the shoulder of the Southern State Parkway, about a mile from his home. Instead, prosecutors say, he staged the scene of the alleged shooting by scattering shell casings, then shot himself at a park, stashed the .22-caliber rifle, drove back to the highway and called for backup. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said after Wednesday’s hearing that “one of the most disturbing parts” of the case was that he intentionally set in motion a potentially dangerous search. Mascia described the fictitious driver as a “dark-skinned” man wearing a balaclava that exposed only his eyes. He also claimed the suspect fled in a car bearing temporary New Jersey plates heading toward New York City. “If someone had been stopped that fit the description? Who knows what would have happened?” the district attorney said. “It’s just a frightening thought.” Donnelly said the ruse was an apparent bid to gain sympathy from a former girlfriend and that state police are also looking into an accident Mascia was involved in while serving as a trooper upstate. During Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecutors asked the former trooper a series of questions confirming the sequence of events. “You knew this was a lie and chose to do it anyway?” Jared Rosenblatt of the district attorney’s office asked at the end of the questions. “Yes,” Mascia replied in a low voice. The former trooper and his parents didn’t respond to reporters as they left the courthouse with their lawyers. They’re scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 20. The family had appeared in court earlier this month to change their pleas, but the judge at the time halted the proceedings after Mascia said he did not feel well mentally. Jeffrey Lichtman, Mascia’s lawyer, said after the hearing that his client was suffering from an undiagnosed mental health problem at the time of the shooting and is now being treated. “While this is a dark day for him, he is happy to put this in the past and move forward with his life,” he said. “He apologizes to anyone affected by his lapse in judgment and hopes his community will forgive him.” (AP)
Former New York State Trooper Thomas Mascia admitted Wednesday to shooting himself and falsely claiming he was attacked on a Long Island highway in October. He’ll serve six months in jail, five years of probation, and continue mental health treatment.
Israel Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi on Wednesday ordered that the Palestinian who spat on an IDF officer on a Ramat Gan bus on Sunday be designated as a security prisoner. The move is unusual as the charges against him are criminal. The video below shows the suspect, a 24-year-old resident of the town of Huwara, a notorious hotbed of terrorism in the northern Shomron, being transferred to an unnamed security prison. The suspect was transferred to Israel Police overnight Sunday after he surrendered himself to the IDF’s Civil Administration on Sunday evening. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The Lakewood Vaad has released a public endorsement urging Orthodox Jewish voters to participate in the upcoming June 10 primary elections — and to do so decisively. While the Vaad typically refrains from engaging in primary contests, a newly released letter declares that this year is “different,” calling the outcome of the governor’s race “CRUCIAL” to the future of the kehilla. Read the full story on Lakewood Alerts.
A Hezbollah operative was killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon’s Aitaroun earlier today, the IDF says. This is the third member of the terror group killed by Israel in Lebanon today.
Hamas leader Mohamed Sinwar, whose elimination was confirmed by the IDF on Wednesday, was considered a top target by the Shin Bet and IDF due to his involvement in planning dozens of attacks against Israel and the IDF, his senior role in planning and executing the October 7 massacre, his hawkish stance in the war against Israel, and his staunch refusal to advance hostage release deals, Maariv reported on Wednesday. Sinwar, like other senior Hamas figures, resided in compounds where hostages were being held, using them as human shields. More and more released hostages have testified that they were held near senior Hamas officials, primarily the brothers, Mohamed and Yahya Sinwar. In the weeks before the elimination, Sinwar hardened his position, vehemently opposing the advancement of negotiations, leading to a crisis with other senior figures in the organization. At the same time, Trump administration officials began to act “over Sinwar’s head,” holding talks with senior Hamas figures abroad, who ordered Sinwar and his men to release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander. According to sources in Gaza, this order unnerved Sinwar, and he was furious that he was forced to carry out the order. According to the report, that’s when he made the mistake that may have cost him his life, a mistake that also appears to have led to the collapse of Hamas’s military wing. Sinwar requested to hold a secret meeting with all senior officials. The meeting took place in a tunnel under the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, parts of which housed the headquarters of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade. No hostages were being held in the vicinity, and Israel identified a window of opportunity for action. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz quickly acted to approve an attack plan, which included aerial bombardment using dozens of munitions on the tunnel entrances, ending the life of the arch-terrorist and other senior terrorists. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The Army on Wednesday started loading up some of the tanks that will take to the streets of the nation’s capital during the 250th anniversary celebration of the service next month, which will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. The event has grown extensively in scope and size since Army planners started working on a festival two years ago to mark the day and have now added a military parade — which President Donald Trump had unsuccessfully tried to do during his first term. The Army’s anniversary celebration is set for June 14, which also happens to be Trump’s birthday. It will include concerts, fireworks, NFL players, fitness competitions and displays all over the National Mall for daylong festivities. The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend and that putting on the celebration will cost an estimated $25 million to $45 million. Here’s what to expect during the all-day festival and 6 p.m. parade: The tanks and armored vehicles The Army was putting 28 M1 Abrams main battle tanks onto rail cars at Fort Cavazos in Texas on Wednesday. The tanks weigh more than 60 tons apiece and will take about nine or 10 days to travel by rail to Maryland, where they will be loaded onto trucks to be driven into Washington, D.C. and offloaded at a staging area near the Lincoln Memorial. On the day of the parade, those tanks as well as 28 tracked Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 28 wheeled Stryker combat vehicles, four tracked M-109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and other towed artillery will maneuver to the start of the parade route just off the National Mall. They will travel toward the White House, driving over thick metal plating to protect the streets at some parade points where the vehicles make a sharp turn. The Army said it’s also planning some additional asphalt work and putting new rubber padding on the tanks’ metal tracks to try to minimize street damage. The influx of soldiers More than 6,700 soldiers will travel from bases around the country to participate in the parade and festival and spend June 11-15 housed in two nearby federal buildings, sleeping on cots and having packaged military meals ready-to-eat, or MREs, for breakfast and lunch. They will get a hot meal for dinner and a $69 per diem to buy additional food as they want, Army spokesman Steve Warren said. They will be forming units that represent each of the nation’s major conflicts, starting with the Revolutionary War. For each conflict, 60 soldiers will wear period uniforms supplied by an event company representing that war and be followed by 400 soldiers from their same base in present-day uniforms. Not all of the soldiers participating will be in the parade — or even on the ground. For instance, Col. Anne McClain, an Army astronaut currently serving on the International Space Station, will participate. At the end of the parade, the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team will jump over the White House, landing near Trump to present him with a folded flag, and 250 new recruits or reenlisting service members will be sworn in to the Army by Trump. The aircraft and helicopters buzzing overhead More than 50 helicopters and aircraft representing different wars will fly over the city — pairing […]
Rachel Hanan, the 2025 valedictorian of Touro University’s Lander College for Women (LCW) in Manhattan, has always been drawn to science and medicine. Growing up in Great Neck, Long Island, she was fascinated by anatomy diagrams in medical textbooks, and how the human body works in synchrony. Her early passion evolved into a clear sense of purpose during her years at LCW, where she majored in biology as part of the Medical Honors Pathway program, and emerged as a leader inside and out of the classroom. Rachel chose LCW because of its distinctive blend of rigorous academics, personal support, and values-based education. “I wanted a school where I could pursue my passion for science while staying connected to my Jewish values and traditions,” she said. Having taken part in Touro’s Medical Honors Pathway, which provides a direct pathway to medical education for highly qualified students out of high school, Rachel will begin her next chapter in July as a medical student at New York Medical College. She credits both her academic studies and her hands-on experiences at Touro with preparing her for this step. As an intern in a Mount Sinai research lab, Rachel explored how modified mRNA—the same technology used in COVID-19 vaccines—could be applied to treat other conditions, such as heart disease. She also had the opportunity to work at a Columbia University research lab where she looked at ways a virus called HPIV3 evolves, transmits and infects cells—research that was published in a microbiology journal that named her as one of the authors. But one of the most transformative experiences of her college career came through volunteer work at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where Rachel discovered how powerful human connection can be in a clinical setting. “I developed essential skills, such as communication and teamwork, by collaborating with nurses, patient care advisors, and fellow volunteers,” she said. “The most impactful aspect of my volunteering, however, was the meaningful conversations I had with patients. I recall spending over half of one shift with a single patient who shared the highlights of her life, from her hometown to her career as a correctional officer. This experience deepened my understanding of patient care and reinforced my commitment to supporting those in need.” In five years, Rachel envisions herself as a resident physician in a field where she can make a meaningful impact. She hopes to continue combining patient care with research and global health perspectives, a doctor, she said, who treats “the whole person, not just the condition.” Her time at LCW included a memorable bioethics trip to Thailand with fellow students and faculty. Led by a professor of biology, the group visited hospitals, laboratories, and the Ministry of Health, where they explored how cultural values influence healthcare policy. “Religious ideals heavily influence healthcare laws in Thailand,” Rachel said. “This experience showed the nuanced relationship between culture, ethics, and healthcare.” “Rachel is highly intelligent, articulate and she blends commitment to Torah values with high academic aspirations. She is a role model for all of us. I look forward to her future successes and to learning about the many contributions she will make to her future patients and the Jewish community,” said Dr. Marian Stoltz-Loike, Dean, Lander College for Women. Outside the classroom, Rachel has embraced campus life with enthusiasm. A […]
Despite sending call-up orders to over 24,000 Charedi men since last summer, the IDF has seen only a small fraction – 5% – begin the enlistment process. In a tense session of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s Subcommittee for IDF Human Resources, Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb revealed that just 1,212 Charedi men have begun the initial stages of enlistment, despite thousands receiving formal draft notices. Of the 2,399 who were sent immediate call-up orders, 545 failed to appear by their mandatory reporting date. Military protocol deems any individual who ignores three draft notices a “draft evader,” triggering an automatic arrest warrant. While such warrants are rarely enforced, the individual becomes subject to a tzav 12 — a legal status barring them from leaving the country and exposing them to arrest at any police encounter. Already, 964 Charedim from the first wave of draft notices have been declared draft evaders, and 1,366 have warrants issued against them. Tayeb noted that among those receiving notices, about half were under the age of 20, 40% were aged 20 to 23, and the remaining 10% were over 23. So far, 411 men have been delayed at Ben Gurion Airport due to enlistment status issues, with 43 physically barred from leaving the country. “The security situation requires very significant manpower,” Tayeb told the committee. “We are carrying out enforcement actions… there was a policy of increasing punishment.” Still, committee members accused the military of stalling on enforcement. “The army is dragging its feet to the point where it does not want to recruit Charedim,” charged former IDF deputy chief of staff Dan Harel. MK Elazar Stern, a former IDF manpower chief and now committee chair, added, “There is no progress on the issue of recruiting Charedim.” The IDF recently launched a Military Police operation aimed at locating and detaining individuals who ignored draft orders, though no Charedi arrests were made. That operation provoked outrage among Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Charedi coalition partners, who have warned that continued pressure on the yeshiva world could topple the government. Tayeb maintained that the IDF is constrained by limited resources and competing wartime priorities, but acknowledged the need for more targeted sanctions if the state is serious about Charedi conscription. “The sanctions that exist today are very sparse,” he said. “If the state is willing, it can deny certain government services to those who do not serve.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
R’ Emanuel Yechiya Meshulam, z”l, a beloved mohel and tzaddik known throughout Israel for his decades of mesirus nefesh in performing brissim purely l’shem Shamayim was tragically niftar as he prepared to perform another one. He was 88. The niftar collapsed suddenly in the middle of a bris milah on Wednesday afternoon at a simcha held in Bilu Junction, central Israel. Shocked onlookers watched as the joyous moment turned tragic in an instant. Emergency medical personnel were immediately called to the scene. The call was received by his very own grandson, Kfir Meshulam — a volunteer with Magen David Adom. Kfir rushed over, only to discover that the patient was his beloved grandfather. Despite his frantic efforts and rushing R’ Emanuel to Kaplan Medical Center, doctors were tragically forced to declare his petirah shortly after arrival. Footage of the mohel’s collapse and petirah has been shared across social media. As a matter of basic respect and sensitivity, YWN will not be doing so. For over four decades, R’ Emanuel Meshulam performed tens of thousands of brissim throughout Eretz Yisrael and beyond, never once accepting payment. “I do it all l’shem shamayim,” he would often say. Any funds offered to him were redirected to support a beis knesses he built l’ilui nishmas his father. His life’s mission was not only in milah but in avodas hakodesh and community service. A Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) in the IDF’s Military Police, he once served alongside Ariel Sharon. After his military service, he managed a branch of Bank Leumi in the Sh’arayim neighborhood of Rechovot, all while continuing his avodas hakodesh as a mohel. Just this morning — in what now shows itself as open hashgachah pratis — R’ Emanuel officially certified a talmid who had trained under him for four years. After his petirah mid-bris, that very talmid stepped forward and completed the milah — his first, in place of his rebbi. Yehi Zichro Baruch. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
