Yeshiva World News

I am writing to express my profound outrage and disgust regarding an article titled “Pre-Date Meditations” by Eli Hoffmann, published in the Family First section of Mishpacha magazine, dated June 4, 2025. The piece, appearing in a publication aimed at women, is an insensitive and narcissistic rant that shamelessly trivializes the experiences of countless girls and women navigating the dating world, particularly within the context of shidduchim. Hoffmann’s self-absorbed narrative—detailing his routine of dates with a detached, almost mocking tone—reveals a staggering lack of empathy. His casual dismissal of the emotional labor involved in dating, coupled with his apparent pride in his own indifference, paints a portrait of a man who sees women as mere inconveniences rather than individuals with feelings and hopes. To publish such a piece in a women’s magazine is not only tone-deaf but deeply insulting to the thousands of girls and women who have endured the pressures and vulnerabilities of this process. At one point, Hoffmann describes dating as “just another day at the office.” Really? As a girl in shidduchim myself, do you know how insulting that is? Do you know how many hours go into preparing for a date, how many butterflies we push through as we step into a complete stranger’s car, how much emotional energy is spent hoping and davening that maybe, just maybe, this one will finally be the one? And this is how you view it? Like a fly on your shoulder you’re getting ready to brush off? It’s outrageous. No wonder you’re not married yet. And I feel for the girl who does marry you—because if this is your mindset, you’ll see her as a commodity, a disposable item that can be swapped out for the next “more exciting” version. That is not how a ben Torah should think, and it’s certainly not how a frum publication should allow women to be portrayed. Couple this with his view on shidduchim as a whole. He essentially says: Who cares if this girl works out or not? I’ll get married anyway, right? At least I’m not a girl, right? Is this man a sociopath? That kind of glib dismissal is chilling. To see himself as the inevitable winner, while the girl is just another face in the queue he can afford to discard—it’s repugnant. This isn’t “honesty” or “transparency”; it’s cruelty disguised as cleverness. The audacity to frame this as a “view from the other side of the mechitzah” while reducing women to stereotypes and sidelining their perspectives is beyond comprehension. Hoffmann’s self-centered musings—complaining about the “monotony” of dating while showing no regard for the impact on those he dates—scream narcissism. I can only pray that “Eli Hoffmann” is not his real name, for the sake of any woman unfortunate enough to marry such a self-absorbed individual. Mishpacha magazine owes a public apology to the countless women and girls smeared and insulted by this article. The Family First section should uplift and respect its readership, not demean them with such callous content. Sincerely, C.S – A real girl with real feelings struggling with Shidduchim The view expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

NYC MAYORAL ELECTION UPDATE: The “Aronim” faction of Satmar has thrown their support behind Andrew Cumo in the Democratic primary for NYC Mayor. Just two days ago, Rabbi Moshe Indig of Satmar (Aronim) publicly stated “In November, you’ll see .. with God’s help. We will come out and show our great support for our great mayor and brother, Eric Adams.”

BREAKING: Mikie Sherrill is projected to have won the Democratic primary for governor. With 24% of votes counted, she is currently leading with 33.8% of the vote.

BREAKING: Jack Ciattarelli has won the Republican primary to become the party’s gubernatorial nominee. Ciattarelli, who was already heavily favored after being endorsed by President Trump, got a huge push from local askanim, particularly Rabbi Yaakov Wenger, seen in this photo with Ciattarelli in downtown Lakewood this past Friday.

BREAKING: Toms River askan Shmuel (Sam) Ellenbogen has won the Republican primary to become an Ocean County Commissioner. If elected in November, he will make history as the first-ever frum Commissioner in the county’s history.

BREAKING: Incumbent Assemblyman Avi Schnall has won his Democratic primary to be the Assembly nominee for New Jersey’s 30th District. He ran unopposed in the primary and is favored to win against Republican challenger, Ned Thomson, who he unseated in the last election for the seat.

With the New York City Democratic mayoral primary just two weeks away on June 24, 2025, the race is in full swing, and the Jewish community—particularly the frum (Orthodox) segment—is emerging as a key player. Early voting begins June 14, and with Jews, including liberal Jews, comprising approximately 16% of eligible voters in this Democrat-only primary, according to a recent poll, community organizations are making their voices heard on who should lead the city next. The Candidates in Focus Here’s a look at the key contenders and the concerns surrounding them: NOTE: Many people do not realize that this is just the PRIMARY. Mayor Eric Adams is not running in this election, as he is running as an Independent in the general election. Andrew Cuomo: The former New York governor (2011–2021) resigned amid harassment allegations and has a controversial record. Critics point to his inaction during attacks on yeshiva education, a crisis that began under his watch and persists today, though he now pledges to fight for it. His handling of COVID-19 is also under scrutiny, with over 12,000 nursing home deaths attributed to his policies, followed by an alleged cover-up. Additionally, Cuomo has faced accusations of antisemitic remarks and targeting the Orthodox Jewish community during the pandemic, fanning the flames of antisemitism. Zohran Mamdani: A 33-year-old state assemblymember from Queens, Mamdani was relatively unknown before entering the race. A self-proclaimed “anti-Zionist,” he has protested alongside anti-Israel activists who have supported terrorist groups. On October 8, 2023, hours after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel, Mamdani criticized Israel instead of condemning the attack. His Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) party backed a widely condemned Times Square rally celebrating the violence. He has vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu if he visits New York, despite the international court’s arrest warrant lacking U.S. jurisdiction. Brad Lander: The current NYC Comptroller, Lander, a self-identified liberal Jew, has aligned with vocal critics of Israel, including Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Rashida Tlaib, pro-Palestinian activist Linda Sarsour, and former councilmember Shahana Hanif, all of whom support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. He is also seen as anti-police, pro-LGBTQ, and opposed to yeshiva education. Adrienne Adams: As the current Speaker of the New York City Council, Adams’ stance on Israel raises questions. In May 2024, she ordered the removal of all political signs from legislators’ desks, including pro-Israel posters and flyers about Hamas-held hostages, claiming it would reduce tensions over the Israel-Hamas war. Critics called this an attack on free speech. Other Democrats running (who are polling very low) include Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Michael Blake, Whitney Tilson. Endorsements from the Frum Community Jewish organizations, especially in Orthodox strongholds, are weighing in: Crown Jewish United and the Crown Heights PAC: Cuomo. Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance: Cuomo. Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition: Cuomo. Boro Park Mosdos: #1 Adrienne Adams and #2 NYS Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie, notably diverging from the Cuomo trend. Satmar Zalonim: #1- Cuomo. #2- Adrienne Adams #3- Zellnor Myrie. Satmar Aronim: Cuomo, though Mamdani claims Rabbi Moshe Indig met with him and may add him to their slate. Indig reportedly called Mamdani “a very nice guy, very humble… not an antisemite” and said he’d work with the entire city. However, Indig publicly told Mayor Eric Adams this week, “In November, you’ll […]

Argentine President Javier Milei, an ohev yisroel and staunch supporter of the State of Israel, presented Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with a deeply meaningful gift: a painting of the Prime Minister together with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The gift, delivered during the leaders’ meeting in Jerusalem, resonated personally with Netanyahu. The Prime Minister recalled a powerful moment from his time as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations when he received guidance from the Rebbe. “‘You will be serving in a house of lies,’ the Rebbe told me,” Netanyahu shared. “‘And you will have to battle against 119.’ We have 120 members in the Knesset – he didn’t even leave me one,” Netanyahu added with a smile. President Milei’s connection to the Jewish people and Israel has become a hallmark of his presidency. Upon his arrival in Israel on Monday night, Milei headed directly to the Kosel, continuing the practice he began during his previous visit to Israel, when the Kosel was also the first stop on his itinerary. The president was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included his sister and Presidential Secretary Karina Milei, Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, and Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish and his wife. At the Kosel, President Milei was warmly welcomed by the Rav of the Kosel and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and the Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mordechai (Suli) Eliav. During the visit, the visibly emotional Milei joined Rabbi Rabinowitz in reciting Tehillim and offered a heartfelt prayer for the safe return of the Israeli hostages still held captive. Later, during a meeting with Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog, the Rebbe’s teachings again took center stage. “The great Rebbe of Lubavitch said that the small actions we do daily turn ‘you and me’ into ‘us’,” Herzog said. President Milei is expected to conclude his official visit with a return to the Kosel on Thursday evening, accompanied once again by Prime Minister Netanyahu. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

PRESIDENT TRUMP: “When you watch these agitators break up concrete and hand it out to people, and stood in line to get it, these have to be PAID troublemakers.”

Rabbi Kanner is battling stage 4 cancer. The treatment he urgently needs is not covered by insurance. The family is without income. Even food has become a struggle.

TRUMP: The Department of Justice is investigating the funding of the LA riots: “Armor and face shields.. The best money can buy. Somebody’s financing it. We’re gonna find out through Pam Bondi and Department of Justice. They are on it.”

POTUS: “Within the span of a few decades, Los Angeles has gone from being one of the cleanest, safest and most beautiful cities on earth, to being a trash heap with entire neighborhoods under the control of transnational gangs… As the entire world can now see, uncontrolled migration leads to chaos, dysfunction, and disorder… Very simply, we will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean, and safe again.”

POTUS: “People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year … we’re working with some of your senators….”

TRUMP: “We’re the ones that won the war. Without us, you’d all be speaking German right now, maybe a little Japanese thrown in.”

Despite heavy riots, ICE agents continue to operate in the greater Los Angeles area.