Tens of thousands of Jews in Paris celebrated Purim with Megillah readings and the distribution of 70,000 Mishloach Manot packages, organized by Chabad under Rabbi M.M. Azimov’s leadership. Events spanned Beis Chaya Mushka, local Chabad houses, and a grand reading in Neuilly-sur-Marne, documented by photographer Mordechai Lubetsky, for YWN:
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will investigate Columbia University after two janitors accused the school of retaliating against them after they accused protestors of antisemitism, the New York Post reported. Lester Wilson and Mario Torres accused the school of retaliatory harassment for “reporting antisemitic and racist conduct” during the pro-Palestinian protests by students last year. “We welcome the EEOC’s decision to open an investigation into Mario’s and Lester’s charges of discrimination,” former Attorney General Bill Barr, whose law firm is representing Wilson and Torres, told the Post in a statement. “Columbia has a legal and moral obligation to protect the civil rights of its students and employees. It must be held accountable when it fails to do so,” he added. The complaint claims that shortly after the protests, Wilson saw swastikas drawn on Hamilton Hall, where the protests took place, and “found the images deeply distressing. He reported them to his supervisors, who instructed him to erase the graffiti.” Wilson and Torres claim that they were made to erase dozens of swastikas but were told by campus security that “the trespassers and vandals were exercising their First Amendment rights” and that “nothing could be done.” “They were so offensive, and Columbia’s inaction was so frustrating, that he eventually began throwing away chalk that had been left in the classrooms so vandals would not have anything to write with,” the complaint states, adding that “Torres was reprimanded by his supervisor for doing so.” Columbia University declined to comment on the complaint or the probe by the EEOC, a federal agency that enforces civil rights laws in the workplace. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
There has been a lot of talk about how hard it is for so many of us and our families to afford the therapy we so badly need. I’d like to share two ideas with you – one that could help right away to make therapy more affordable, and one that’s more of a long-term dream. Many of us find therapists through a referral source – maybe a referral agency, a rav, or an askan. This is wonderful because it helps make sure the therapist is right for what we need help with. But here’s something important to know – many referral sources won’t automatically tell you about therapists who take insurance. When speaking with any referral source, be sure to ask these two critical questions: Question #1: “Do you know any good therapists who take insurance who could help with this?” They often do know qualified therapists in clinics who take insurance, but won’t mention them unless you specifically ask. This simple question can save you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Question #2: “If only a private-pay therapist will work for me, can you refer me to a service that helps with single case agreements?” These services can help prove to your insurance company that there aren’t suitable in-network therapists, which can get the insurance company to pay most of a private therapist’s bill. Just asking these two questions and making a phone call could save you so much money. A few more things that might help: Many clinics that take insurance now have excellent, well-trained therapists who can really help you. This has gotten much better in recent years. If you’re worried about privacy at a clinic, know that most clinics are set up to give you complete privacy. And if you’re still concerned, telehealth might be a good option. If you do need to see a private-pay therapist and have out-of-network benefits, you can get money back by submitting a “superbill.” You can easily do this yourself, but if you want someone to do this for you, services like Thrizer, Reimbursify, and Mentaya can help with this. They can help verify your benefits and even front the money for a fee. If you can’t afford a therapist’s fees, there’s nothing wrong with simply telling them and asking if they have a sliding scale. They might say no, but it’s worth asking. With the economy weak, many therapists have open slots and would rather help someone at a lower rate than have a empty slot. Remember that a therapist who charges a lot isn’t necessarily better qualified to help you. Higher rates often just mean they’re better at marketing themselves. Many more reasonably priced therapists can help you just as much. Some therapists mainly focus on helping people while supporting their families, while others try to make as much money as possible – which isn’t wrong, but we need to realize the difference. We have several excellent referral agencies in our community, and I want to say that we owe them so much Hakaras Hatov for the amazing work they do. They need and deserve all the support – financial and otherwise – that we can give them. That said, I believe we need a new kind of referral agency that focuses specifically on therapists who […]
The Middle East stands on a knife’s edge as a cascade of developments suggests the United States may be poised to imminently join Israel in a dramatic military strike against Iran’s nuclear program. From fiery rhetoric out of Washington to Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and an unprecedented American military buildup in the region, the pieces of a volatile puzzle are falling into place with breathtaking speed. The question reverberating through diplomatic corridors and military command centers alike: Is this the moment the long-simmering standoff with Tehran erupts into all-out war? The spark came early Monday morning when President Trump, in a characteristically blunt statement, declared that “further attacks or retaliation by the Houthis would be considered an attack by Iran” and promised “dire consequences” for Tehran. Delivered via his Truth Social platform, Trump’s words were a clear escalation, tying the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen directly to the Islamic Republic’s leadership. His administration has long viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat, and this latest pronouncement appeared to set a tripwire: any move by Iran’s proxies could unleash a disproportionate American response. Hours later, that tripwire seemed to snap. The Houthis, undeterred by Trump’s warning, launched a brazen assault on the USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. aircraft carrier stationed in the Red Sea. According to Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, the attack involved 11 drones and a ballistic missile—an audacious bid to challenge American naval supremacy. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that none of the projectiles struck their targets, with U.S. fighter jets and ship defenses neutralizing the threat. Yet the symbolism was unmistakable: a direct strike on a U.S. vessel, mere hours after Trump’s ultimatum, has thrust the region into uncharted territory. The Pentagon’s response was swift and ominous. By midday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that three American aircraft carriers—the USS Harry S. Truman, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and USS Abraham Lincoln—are now en route to the Middle East. This represents an extraordinary concentration of naval power, unmatched in recent years, and a clear signal of intent. Carriers don’t reposition on a whim; their deployment suggests the U.S. is preparing for a major operation, one that could extend far beyond Yemen’s shores to Iran itself. Adding fuel to the fire, reports emerged today of an American MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone circling for hours near Bushehr, Iran—a coastal city home to one of Iran’s key nuclear installations. The Bushehr facility, a cornerstone of Tehran’s nuclear energy program, has long been suspected by Western intelligence of serving as a cover for weapons development. The Triton, a high-altitude UAV designed for long-endurance reconnaissance, was tracked by aviation monitors hovering perilously close to Iranian airspace—a provocative move that Tehran is unlikely to ignore. Is this a final intelligence sweep before a strike? These developments come against a backdrop of growing U.S.-Israel coordination. Israeli officials have repeatedly vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb, and recent intelligence suggests Jerusalem is gearing up for action. U.S. military support has been pivotal in defending Israel against Iranian attacks during the Gaza war, and whispers in Washington indicate that Israel has sought American backing for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. With Trump’s administration re-designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization and imposing fresh sanctions on Iran, the […]
Lawyers for convicted baby killer Lucy Letby and former executives at the hospital where she worked have asked to halt an inquiry into the deaths after a panel of medical experts found no evidence of a crime, a judge said Monday. Justice Kathryn Thirlwall announced the requests before hearing closing statements in the inquiry that began in September seeking accountability for staff and management for the harm to babies at Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England. The inquiry was predicated on Letby’s guilt, and Thirlwall had said she would not review the convictions after an appeals court upheld them. But lawyers for Letby said that if the convictions are overturned, the inquiry might reach the wrong conclusions, and 10 million pounds ($13 million) spent so far will have been a waste of taxpayer funds. “In short, it will defeat the purpose of a public inquiry, to fully and fearlessly understand the circumstances in which the babies died or became unwell,” attorney Louise Mortimer wrote in a letter to Thirlwall. Thirlwall is expected to publish a final report in the fall. Letby, 35, is serving multiple life sentences with no chance of release after being convicted of seven counts of murder and attempting to murder seven other infants while working as a neonatal nurse at the hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. Prosecutors said Letby left little or no trace when she harmed babies: injecting air into their bloodstreams, administering air or milk into their stomachs via nasogastric tubes, interfering with breathing tubes or poisoning them with insulin. They said she was the only employee on duty in the neonatal unit when the children collapsed or died. But a group of 16 international medical experts in pediatrics and neonatology who reviewed the medical evidence concluded that natural causes or bad medical care led to the death or collapse of each newborn, Dr. Shoo Lee, a retired neonatologist from Canada, said last month. The panel also questioned the premise that there was an unexplained spike in deaths at the hospital. It said evidence of schedules that showed Letby was present during all the deaths was “incomplete, selective and, therefore, meaningless.” Letby’s convictions are being examined by the Criminal Case Review Commission, which looks at potential miscarriages of justice. It could refer its findings to the Court of Appeal. Former executives at the hospital — chief executive Tony Chambers, medical director Ian Harvey, director of nursing Alison Kelly and human resources director Sue Hodkinson — asked for the public inquiry to be halted after the medical panel released its findings. The Crown Prosecution Service has said two juries convicted Letby and three appellate judges had rejected her arguments that the prosecution expert evidence was flawed. Several related investigations remain active. Cheshire police announced last week that its investigation into corporate manslaughter at the hospital had been expanded and was now looking at individual suspects for gross negligence manslaughter. Letby’s lawyer criticized that decision, based on the medical panel’s findings. “We now have substantial and significant expert evidence which completely demolishes the prosecution case against Lucy Letby and points the finger in a very different direction to that which the police are currently looking,” Mark McDonald said. “It is time they take a step back and ask themselves whether have they made […]
In a bizarre development, Israeli law enforcement officials suspect that smugglers have been using heavy-duty drones to transport exotic animals—including monkeys and lion cubs—into Israel from Egypt and Jordan, a police spokesperson confirmed Sunday. The revelation comes as authorities intensify a weeks-long investigation into a sophisticated animal trafficking ring, which has already led to the rescue of 10 monkeys and four lion cubs across the country. The police probe began after a viral video surfaced showing individuals driving in the Negev with a monkey chained to a car dashboard and a lion cub casually seated in a passenger’s lap. The footage sparked widespread outrage and led authorities to track down the source of the illegally smuggled animals. Days later, law enforcement rescued the lion cub from the Bedouin town of Bir Hadaj, along with two monkeys from nearby Tel Sheva. A second lion cub was later discovered in central Israel. As police conducted raids in Bir Hadaj, they uncovered high-powered drones in nearly every home they searched, leading them to believe the smugglers are using aerial transport to fly exotic animals into Israel. According to a Channel 12 report, these sophisticated drones—each worth hundreds of thousands of shekels—are capable of carrying up to 70 kilograms (154 lbs.), making them powerful enough to transport young animals. Authorities suspect the same criminal networks smuggling drugs and contraband into Gaza have now turned to the illegal wildlife trade, exploiting Israel’s borders for high-profit trafficking operations. The investigation has led to a series of rescues across Israel, including the recovery of a lion cub found wandering near Kafr Qasim and another discovered in central Israel. On Sunday, police rescued two illegally held monkeys, one locked inside a Ramat Gan apartment and another found near a farm in Daburiyya. In Ramat Gan, officers discovered a monkey crammed into a tiny cage on a living room floor, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect, who was also in possession of marijuana. Meanwhile, a third lion cub was found abandoned in an open area near Kafr Qasim, with authorities believing the smugglers dumped the animal after it became too difficult to handle. Rescued animals have been transferred to wildlife shelters under the care of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, where they are undergoing medical examinations and rehabilitation. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
It’s lights out for the first private lunar lander to pull off a fully successful moon mission. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander fell silent over the weekend, wrapping up two weeks of science experiments for NASA. The end came as the sun set at the moon, no longer providing energy for the lander’s solar panels. “Mission is completed,” Firefly CEO Jason Kim said via X late Sunday night. “But the Ghost still lives on in our hearts and minds for the journey it’s taken us on!” The lander operated five hours into the lunar night as planned before it died Sunday evening. Photos of the lunar sunset and glow will be released on Tuesday, Kim said. Blue Ghost launched from Cape Canaveral in January as part of NASA’s commercial lunar delivery program. It landed at the moon’s far northeastern edge on March 2. It carried a drill, vacuum and other science and tech instruments for NASA. Firefly confirmed Monday that all 10 experiments worked. Late last week, Blue Ghost observed a total solar eclipse from the moon — a total lunar eclipse as seen from Earth. The Texas-based Firefly became the first private company to land on the moon without falling or crashing after a string of failed missions by other companies over the past few years. Only five countries — the United States, Russia, China, India and Japan — have achieved a successful landing. A Japanese company’s lunar lander shared the SpaceX rocket ride, but took an even longer route to get to the moon. That lander from ispace is targeting an early June touchdown. Another Texas company, Intuitive Machines, ended up sideways in a crater near the moon’s south pole earlier this month, dooming the mission. It was the second incomplete mission for Intuitive Machines. Its first lander put the U.S. back on the moon last year for the first time since the Apollo era after a less-than-perfect landing that hampered communications. Firefly is already working on its next lunar lander and striving for one moon landing a year. (AP)
The joyous Yom Tov of Purim was marked with profound spirituality and devotion in the sacred halls of Yeshivas Rashbi, under the leadership of the revered Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman. The day was filled with the fulfillment of Purim mitzvos, heartfelt interactions, and moments of inspiration that left an indelible mark on all who participated. On the night and day of Purim, Rav Bergman, read the Megillah in the Beis Midrash of the yeshiva, captivating the hearts of those present with his holy presence. Following Shacharis on Purim morning, hundreds of people lined up for over an hour to receive a personal Bracha from Rav Bergman. With boundless warmth, the Rosh Yeshiva extended his brachos to every individual who approached him, ensuring that no one left empty-handed. Afterward, Rav Bergman meticulously fulfilled the mitzvos of matanos l’evyonim and mishloach manos. He also conducted a special Tefillah for those who support Torah, uplifting the spirits of his students and followers. The day was further elevated by a meaningful exchange with the Belzer Rebbe. A Shliach arrived from the Belzer Rebbe with mishloach manos for Rav Bergman. In a reciprocal act of honor, Rav Bergman sent back mishloach manos, accompanied by a personal “kvittel” – a gesture of deep respect and spiritual connection between these towering Torah luminaries. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President Trump attends his first meeting as Chair of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees: We’re going to spend a lot of effort fixing up Washington, D.C. — and the Kennedy Center is a big part of the fabric of our capital city.
As Oklahomans assessed the devastation from wildfires that whipped across the state, damaging or destroying hundreds of homes, officials in both Oklahoma and Texas warned Sunday of an increased risk of fire danger in the coming week. “We’re going to be back into a critical area,” Oklahoma Forestry Services spokesperson Keith Merckx said Sunday. Wildfires fueled by high winds swept across the state on Friday. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said Sunday evening that over 400 homes were damaged statewide Officials said Sunday that at least four people had died because of the severe weather in Oklahoma. Jeremy Cook was among the residents in Stillwater, a city of about 50,000 located about 65 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma City, who returned home Saturday morning to find that his house was gone. Cook told The Oklahoman that when his family fled Friday, they loaded up three cars with photographs, pets, books and paintings. After returning to find his home burned to the foundation, he said he was going back and forth “between laughing and crying.” At least 74 homes in and around Stillwater were destroyed by wildfires, Mayor Will Joyce said Sunday night on Facebook. Fire Chief Terry Essary said at a news conference Saturday that the fires spread rapidly and crews had difficulty containing each one because of the high winds and low humidity. He said they quickly became overwhelmed. “Nobody has enough resources to fight fires when the wind is blowing 70 mph,” Essary said. “It’s an insurmountable task.” The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said on Sunday evening that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had confirmed four fatalities related to the fires or high winds across the state. There was one death each in Lincoln, Garfield, Haskell and Pawnee counties. Details were not given on the deaths in Haskell and Pawnee counties. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Keli Cain said the person in Garfield County was killed in a vehicle accident due to poor visibility due to dust or smoke and that a man died in Lincoln County. Deborah Ferguson told News 9 that her husband, Allen Ferguson, was killed in Lincoln County. She said that her husband and her 15-year-old son had been fighting a wildfire in a pasture on Friday and as they fled on a four-wheeler, it crashed into a tree amid heavy smoke. She said her son was badly burned and is hospitalized. Erin O’Connor, a spokesperson with the Texas A&M Forest Service, said the region on Friday had the “perfect recipe for wildfires” with high winds, dry conditions and above normal temperatures. She said that less wind on Sunday had helped crews get a handle on the fires but that more fire activity was expected this coming week. One of the largest fires in Texas currently had burned about 14 square miles (36 square kilometers) near Fredericksburg, west of Austin, but was 40% contained by Sunday, she said. The winds that swept across Texas and Oklahoma were so strong that they turned over several tractor-trailers. Authorities have said three people were killed in car crashes during a dust storm caused by high winds in the Texas Panhandle on Friday. After touring the damage in Stillwater and Mannford, a city of about 3,000 located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) […]
Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell: “The Houthis could stop this tomorrow if they said we’re going to stop shooting at your people. But they clearly have chosen not to do that so this campaign will be relentless to degrade their capability and open up shipping lanes.”
Trump adviser Stephen Miller: “In the coming days, you will see the full suit of presidential authorities used to extricate this gang, this terrorist organization from our soil.”
The Justice Department on Monday announced the creation of a task force to investigate Hamas for its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel as well as potential civil rights violations and acts of antisemitism by anyone supporting the terrorist group. Agents and prosecutors participating in Joint Task Force October 7, or JTF 10-7, will investigate and look to bring charges against Hamas terrorists directly responsible for the rampage in southern Israel, the department said. “The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win — and there will be consequences,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement announcing the task force. The attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and Hamas took 251 hostages. It touched off an Israeli counteroffensive that has destroyed vast areas of Gaza. The Biden administration’s Justice Department unsealed charges last September against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior terrorists in connection with the attack on Israel. The impact of the case is mostly symbolic given that Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces weeks later and several other defendants are believed now to be dead. The new task force will take over those pending charges, the department said. The announcement of the task force comes as President Donald Trump has issued what he has called a “last warning” to Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza. His administration has targeted universities over a perceived failure to squelch antisemitism on campus as well as foreigners who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Justice Department announced this month that it was investigating whether Columbia University concealed “illegal aliens” on its campus, and federal immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate student. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he revoked Khalil’s permission to be in the U.S. because of his role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, saying they had riled up “anti-Jewish” sentiment and amounted to support for Hamas. Khalil’s lawyers have challenged his detention in court. Monday’s announcement said the task force, made up of prosecutors and FBI officials, also will investigate civil rights violations and potential acts of terrorism by anyone providing support or financing to Hamas. It did not define what sort of support would be illegal, though federal law makes it a crime to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations such as Hamas. The Justice Department said FBI agents will be embedded with Israel’s National Bureau of Counter Terror Finance. (AP)
The Vishnitzer Rebbe from Bnei Brak is battling a serious illness, and is undergoing a major surgery today (Monday). There is a Yom Tefillah in Vishnitz. The attached photos are from the reciting of Tehillim, and Limud Hatorah. Please say Tehillim for Yisroel ben Leah Esther. PHOTOS BELOW BY SHUKI LERER FOR YWN
