Hamas announced on Monday that it plans to transfer the body of an Israeli hostage it murdered back to Israel later in the evening. The handover is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., according to the terror group’s statement.
Israeli authorities are preparing to receive the remains once the casket arrives. Teams will be on site to perform identification procedures and confirm the hostage’s identity following the return.
{Matzav.com}
To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com
DON’T MISS OUT! Join the Matzav Status by CLICKING HERE. Join the Matzav WhatsApp Groups by CLICKING HERE.
The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.
Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is brushing aside doubts about whether NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch would align herself with his sweeping criminal-justice overhaul, declaring that as mayor, “everyone will follow” his direction.
During an appearance on the Hell Gate podcast, the 34-year-old left-wing lawmaker was pressed by host Christopher Robbins about his promise to retain Tisch, despite her history of resisting the kind of reforms Mamdani and his Democratic Socialist supporters have long championed. Robbins noted, “Lots of people who support your candidacy care about criminal-justice reform and reforming the NYPD, and for the past year, she has stood to thwart that.” He asked why Mamdani would keep her on board if elected.
Mamdani pushed back, arguing that Tisch had already demonstrated progress toward some of his goals, pointing to her involvement in preliminary discussions about a new Department of Public Safety — one of his central campaign proposals.
Even so, skepticism lingered. Robbins reminded Mamdani that Tisch has been outspoken in opposing major reform measures, including those passed under ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom she recently blamed for a surge in crime following his criminal-justice changes.
Tisch has also maintained strong support for the city’s contentious gang database, backed crackdowns on so-called minor offenses, and resisted bail and judicial-discovery reforms — stances that seem far removed from Mamdani’s vision of policing. “So she’s going to reverse her position on all those things?” Robbins asked pointedly. “She’s going to follow your lead in City Hall?”
“I think everyone will follow my lead,” Mamdani responded confidently. “I’ll be the mayor.”
The candidate dismissed fears of a repeat of the tense dynamic between former Mayor Bill de Blasio and ex-Commissioner Bill Bratton, whose disagreements over policing philosophies ended in Bratton’s resignation. Mamdani said his relationship with Tisch would be one of unity and cooperation rather than conflict.
Still, Mamdani conceded that he has not yet spoken to Tisch directly about whether she would remain in her post under his administration. “I haven’t had a private conversation with her on that,” he acknowledged in an interview with CNN on Sunday, noting that the two have not spoken one-on-one since July.
For her part, Tisch has stayed silent throughout the mayoral campaign, avoiding public remarks about any candidate.
{Matzav.com}
WATCH:
As the winter zeman begins, Yeshiva Ateres Yisroel has unveiled a remarkable restoration: the yeshiva’s centuries-old Aron Kodesh, originally crafted in Italy more than 200 years ago, has been meticulously refurbished and magnificently refinished.
The Aron Kodesh, estimated to be around 250 years old, was built in Galicia by a Jewish artisan named Cohen. Just before the outbreak of World War II, it was transferred to the United States, where it served a Jewish congregation that later became Reform. Eventually, the Aron found its way into a local church, until, years later, the priest of the church discarded it.
At that very moment, a Jewish woman happened to see the discarded Aron and rescued it from the trash. She safeguarded the dismantled structure for decades, preserving each piece with care. About ten years ago, the late rosh yeshiva, Rav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi zt”l, had the Aron brought to Eretz Yisroel. Skilled craftsmen from the Israel Museum dedicated half a year to restoring it, reviving its splendor before it was installed in the yeshiva’s bais medrash in Bayit Vegan.
When the yeshiva relocated to Modiin Illit about seven years ago, the antique Aron was moved as well. Now, for the winter zeman, the Aron Kodesh has once again undergone a careful renovation, preserving its historical charm while renewing its beauty for the next generation of bnei Torah.
{Matzav.com}
An Israeli citizen has been arrested in Hong Kong on suspicion of involvement in a large-scale drug smuggling operation worth an estimated 90 million Hong Kong dollars — roughly $11.5 million USD, or about 38 million shekels.
According to reports from Hong Kong and Ynet, the 45-year-old suspect was apprehended by the Hong Kong Police Narcotics Bureau in the Hung Hom area of Kowloon, part of the city’s Special Administrative Region.
Police said the man, who entered Hong Kong in mid-October on a tourist visa, drew the attention of officers after behaving suspiciously outside an industrial building. A search of a nearby storage facility uncovered eight large cardboard boxes containing a substantial quantity of illegal drugs.
Authorities placed the man under arrest, and he is currently being held in custody. He is expected to appear before the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Court, where prosecutors are set to file two counts of “trafficking in dangerous drugs.”
Under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, a conviction for drug trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to 5 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately 2.1 million shekels).
{Matzav.com}
The Hamas terror organization has reportedly told international mediators that it can recover the remains of seven to nine hostages buried beneath Gaza’s rubble, according to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat.
Israeli intelligence has assessed that Hamas knows exactly where at least eight deceased hostages are located and could easily retrieve them. However, there may be challenges in locating as many as five others whose bodies are believed to be trapped under collapsed structures.
The statement from Hamas came after President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to the group, demanding swift action. “Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action,” Trump said, setting a 48-hour deadline.
He added, “Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not.” Trump made clear that patience was running thin, emphasizing that Hamas would be judged by its response. “Perhaps it has to do with their disarming, but when I said, ‘Both sides would be treated fairly,’ that only applies if they comply with their obligations. Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely.”
Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya told Al Jazeera that the group had “told the mediators months ago that there are problems in searching for them because Israel has changed the landscape in the Gaza Strip, even in areas where the dead were buried. In some cases, it is no longer known where they were buried. There is American understanding of this issue, and we have made it clear.”
He claimed Hamas was conducting intensive efforts to find the bodies. “Over the past week and the week before, after the release of the live hostages, there has been intensive and unusual work. Israel is monitoring these efforts,” he said.
Al-Hayya accused Israel of exploiting the situation for political purposes, asserting that the controversy over the bodies was being used as “a pretext.” “The problem today is not a real problem, but an excuse on Israel’s part,” he alleged. “Our brothers are working in broad daylight, digging with outdated and very weak equipment, and continuing to dig more than 20 meters underground. Even US President Donald Trump himself understands this and is asking for more time.”
While Hamas continues to claim it is unable to reach some of the sites, Israeli defense and intelligence officials maintain that the terror group is withholding the bodies intentionally. On Thursday morning, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and senior officials from the IDF Intelligence Directorate briefed US Vice President JD Vance at the Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv on the latest intelligence.
According to Kan 11 News, the Israeli delegation informed the Vice President that Hamas possesses the capability to recover at least ten of the thirteen bodies of hostages currently held in Gaza — and could do so without any foreign assistance if it chose to act.
{Matzav.com}
President Trump delivered a stark message to Vladimir Putin on Monday, responding to the Russian leader’s boast about testing a so-called “invincible” nuclear missile. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One before departing for Japan, Trump declared, “They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shore.”
Putin had proudly announced over the weekend that Russia had completed a successful 8,700-mile, 15-hour test flight of its latest nuclear-powered missile—a weapon Moscow has dubbed a “flying Chernobyl” for its unlimited range and potential to strike anywhere, including the United States.
Trump made clear that he viewed Putin’s remarks as reckless and provocative. “They’re not playing games with us. We’re not playing games with them either,” he said, emphasizing his demand that Russia immediately bring its war in Ukraine to a close.
“I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying. By the way, he ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its, soon, fourth year. That’s what he ought to do instead of testing missiles,” Trump added, criticizing the Kremlin’s fixation on weapons demonstrations while the conflict continues to devastate Ukraine.
As tensions mount, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his pleas for Washington to send long-range missiles, arguing that only greater military pressure can compel Moscow to negotiate peace.
Zelensky welcomed Trump’s new round of sanctions on Russia, expressing hope that the measures would have a real impact. “President Trump is concerned about escalation. But I think that if there are no negotiations, there will be an escalation anyway. I think that if Putin doesn’t stop, we need something to stop him. Sanctions is one such weapon, but we also need long-range missiles,” he told Axios on Sunday.
{Matzav.com}
The Hamas terror organization asserts that it is still struggling to locate the remains of deceased hostages, even though Israeli intelligence holds that the group is aware of nearly all burial locations.
Senior Hamas figure Khalil al-Hayya told Al Jazeera on Sunday night that the organization had already informed mediators months ago of the difficulties they were facing in finding the bodies. “We told the mediators months ago that there are problems in searching for them because Israel has changed the landscape in the Gaza Strip, even in areas where the dead were buried. In some cases, it is no longer known where they were buried. There is American understanding of this issue, and we have made it clear,” he said.
He added that on-the-ground work to recover the remains has been ramped up: “Over the past week and the week before, after the release of the live hostages, there has been intensive and unusual work. Israel is monitoring these efforts.”
Al-Hayya also charged Israel with misusing the burial retrieval issue as a bargaining chip in cease-fire negotiations. “The problem today is not a real problem, but an excuse on Israel’s part,” he contended. “Our brothers are working in broad daylight, digging with outdated and very weak equipment, and continuing to dig more than 20 meters underground. Even US President Donald Trump himself understands this and is asking for more time.”
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official declared last week that it is in fact Hamas that is deceiving Israel, the mediators, and the United States. The official asserted that Hamas is capable of returning at least eight more bodies, but is deliberately postponing to gain leverage. In recent days, the group conveyed that it would deliver more remains, then repeatedly failed to follow through.
{Matzav.com}President Trump made it clear Monday that he won’t consider joining Vice President JD Vance’s ticket as a running mate in an effort to bypass the Constitution’s two-term presidential limit. However, he left no doubt that his political ambitions are still alive—hinting at a possible return to the campaign trail in 2028, where he mused about facing off against New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The question arose aboard Air Force One, where a reporter asked about comments made by Steve Bannon suggesting a covert strategy to challenge the 22nd Amendment’s restrictions. Trump laughed off the idea but admitted his continued enthusiasm for politics. “I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever, it’s very terrible, I have my best numbers,” he remarked while en route to Tokyo for meetings with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
With his approval rating hovering around 45.1% according to RealClearPolitics, Trump has repeatedly toyed with talk of another run. He’s even distributed “Trump 2028” hats to visitors, blending humor with a clear message that his influence within the Republican Party remains strong.
Meanwhile, Bannon, Trump’s onetime chief strategist, fanned speculation with bold predictions. In an interview with The Economist, Bannon claimed, “he’s going to get a third term… at the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is. But there’s a plan.”
Trump, however, rejected the notion of skirting the Constitution by running as Vance’s vice president and later stepping in as president through resignation. “I think the people wouldn’t like that. It’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right,” he told reporters.
He went on to praise potential future Republican leaders, saying he could envision a ticket featuring Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling them “unstoppable.” Still, Trump kept the spotlight partially on himself, taking aim at prominent Democrats. “All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they don’t. They have [Texas Rep.] Jasmine Crockett, a low IQ person. They have AOC who is low IQ. You give her an IQ test, have her pass the exams that I decided to take when I was at Walter Reed, I took very hard,” he said.
“Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he added confidently.
Although Trump told CNBC in August that he would “probably not” pursue a third term, his March interview with NBC told a different story, when he stated he was “not joking” about running again.
During the same flight, Trump also mentioned undergoing an MRI scan as part of his annual medical checkup, assuring reporters that “it was perfect.” If he does make another bid for the White House, he would be 82 at the conclusion of his current term and 86 at the end of a third term in 2033.
{Matzav.com}
Documents exposed by Kan News have revealed that Israel was fully aware that much of the Qatari money funneled into Gaza ultimately ended up in Hamas’s hands. Despite this, Israeli officials continued to maintain and even deepen their cooperation with Qatari intermediaries responsible for transferring the funds.
One of the central figures in these dealings was Maj. Gen. (res.) Kamil Abu Rukun, who at the time served as the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). Abu Rukun reportedly held regular meetings with senior Qatari officials in coordination with the cash transfers to Gaza.
The first document revealed by Kan was a 2020 letter signed by Ronen Levy — known by his nickname, Ma’oz — who then held a senior position within Israel’s National Security Council and previously served in the Shin Bet. Levy, appointed by then–Foreign Minister Eli Cohen as Director General of the Foreign Ministry, was described as the key liaison managing the flow of Qatari funds.
In his flattering letter to Doha, Levy praised Qatar’s efforts:
“Qatar is tirelessly working to assist in the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip by providing economic support to its residents and leading civilian projects in electricity, infrastructure, healthcare, and general humanitarian aid.”
He further wrote:
“Humanitarian assistance continued throughout the coronavirus crisis. It was essential and improved the humanitarian situation in Gaza during that difficult period.”
That statement, Kan News noted, encapsulates the policy framework adopted by the Israeli cabinet in 2018 when it approved the transfer of cash suitcases into Gaza — a move strongly defended at the time by then-Prime Minister Netanyahu.
In addition to Levy, Abu Rukun played a critical role in maintaining contact with Qatari envoys. According to the report, a second document obtained by Kan 11 shows that Qatari officials even issued Abu Rukun a type of “invoice” totaling six million dollars.
“The document serves as proof that the Qatari Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza completed all the procedures according to the agreements,” wrote senior Qatari official Mohammed al-Emadi, who invited Israeli representatives to contact him directly with any further inquiries.
{Matzav.com}
President Trump renewed his warnings Sunday against the use of Tylenol by pregnant women and young children, urging Americans to avoid the common pain reliever “unless absolutely necessary” and to space out certain childhood vaccines across separate medical visits.
“Pregnant Women, DON’T USE TYLENOL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, DON’T GIVE TYLENOL TO YOUR YOUNG CHILD FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON, BREAK UP THE MMR SHOT INTO THREE TOTALLY SEPARATE SHOTS (NOT MIXED!), TAKE CHICKEN P SHOT SEPARATELY, TAKE HEPATITAS B SHOT AT 12 YEARS OLD, OR OLDER, AND, IMPORTANTLY, TAKE VACCINE IN 5 SEPARATE MEDICAL VISITS! President DJT,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post linking to a Daily Caller article accusing the FDA of ignoring warnings about the medication’s risks.
Trump’s latest post follows remarks made a month earlier in which he and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, could be tied to a heightened risk of autism. They announced that the FDA would begin revising the drug’s label and alerting doctors about what they called “a very increased risk of autism.” The claim, however, has not been supported by new scientific evidence.
Medical experts have long considered acetaminophen the safest over-the-counter option for pregnant women to manage pain. That reputation has been reinforced by groups including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, both of which have stated the medication remains appropriate for use under medical guidance.
In contrast to mainstream medical opinion, Trump and his health chief have continued to question its safety. Jim O’Neill, the acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, publicly backed Trump’s recommendation to divide the MMR vaccine into separate doses—despite a lack of data supporting such a practice.
The World Health Organization and European Union both swiftly dismissed the claim that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism or ADHD. The FDA, while acknowledging it continues to monitor the issue, reaffirmed that “a causal relationship has not been established.”
Kenvue, the manufacturer of Tylenol, recently urged the FDA to reject any new warning label. The current packaging already advises pregnant or breastfeeding women to “ask a health professional before use.” In a statement responding to a citizen petition filed by the Informed Consent Action Network—an anti-vaccine group linked to Kennedy—the company said the “expansive scientific evidence developed over many years” does not show a connection between acetaminophen and developmental disorders.
“Acetaminophen is one of the most studied medicines in history, and scientific evidence regarding acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes has been continuously evaluated by FDA and industry for more than a decade,” Kenvue said. The company added that adding new restrictions would be “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.”
Kenvue also revealed that it had met with Kennedy and other HHS officials in early September after Kennedy requested discussions about an alleged Tylenol–autism link. During that meeting, Kenvue said it emphasized that existing research does not support any causal relationship—either for prenatal or postnatal acetaminophen exposure—with autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
{Matzav.com}
With the government shutdown dragging on, millions of Americans were at risk of losing access to vital nutrition assistance programs, leaving families anxious about how to put food on the table in the coming weeks. More than 40 million recipients of SNAP benefits stood on the brink of missing payments as November approached, while millions more receiving aid through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — known as WIC — faced the same threat if the stalemate continued.
WIC, managed federally by the Department of Agriculture but operated by individual states, serves as a safety net for low-income mothers, expectant women, and children under five. Eligibility typically applies to women who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are nursing, as well as caregivers of young children. Nearly 7 million Americans currently rely on it, according to the National WIC Association (NWA).
At the onset of the shutdown, the NWA warned that funds were limited, estimating that benefits could continue for only one to two weeks. The USDA’s contingency plan permitted the use of leftover grant money from the prior fiscal year, but that measure was only a short-term fix. On October 7, the White House provided temporary relief by directing $300 million from President Trump’s tariff revenue into WIC to sustain operations through the end of the month.
That financial cushion was now nearly gone. “The National WIC Association is grateful for the emergency funds that kept WIC running this month. However, without additional support, State WIC Agencies face another looming crisis,” said NWA President and CEO Georgia Machell in a press release. She warned that many states could exhaust their reserves by November 1 and “may need to start making contingency plans” immediately.
“NWA is calling on the White House to make additional emergency funds available to avoid a short-term crisis for the millions of American families who count on WIC while Congress negotiates full-year funding for FY 2026,” Machell added. Her remarks came as pressure mounted on the administration to prevent interruptions in aid.
By Friday, 44 national organizations had joined the NWA in sending a joint letter to the White House urging swift intervention. The letter emphasized the need for action “to avoid major disruptions to WIC” when the new month began. Without emergency funding, Machell cautioned, state offices “may be forced to take drastic measures that prevent families from accessing the services they need, such as halting food benefits.”
Several states were scrambling to fill the gap. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that his state would draw from reserve funds to keep WIC operational. In North Carolina, officials said the Department of Health and Human Services had enough money “at least through November 15th.” Kansas health leaders said their WIC program could likely continue into November but noted that formula distribution at clinics had been paused due to the shutdown.
California’s Department of Public Health told participants to continue using their benefits “unless your local WIC office tells you otherwise,” noting that the state expected to stay “fully operational through November 30, assuming no unexpected changes at the federal government level.” WIC programs in Utah and Minnesota also confirmed continued service into November.
Meanwhile, officials in New York and Michigan said their programs remained unaffected, and both states continued operations as normal. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said WIC access in his state was extended, with the program reporting it could “continue through at least October 2025.”
For those unsure about their benefits, officials advised contacting local WIC agencies directly to verify whether services would continue uninterrupted. Without quick action in Washington, however, millions of families nationwide could soon face empty shelves and dwindling options.
{Matzav.com}LISTEN:
https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bitachon4Life-Shiur-1614-Chikuy-Part-14-Thank.mp3For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.
The former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, delivered a sharp public rebuke against Rav Tamir Granot, rosh yeshiva of Orot Shaul in Tel Aviv, following remarks Rav Granot made in support of universal army enlistment.
In an audio clip released by Radio Kol Chai, Rav Yosef expressed outrage over Rav Granot’s statements and questioned his standing as a Torah authority. “Some roshei yeshiva attacked me. There’s one rabbi, I don’t know if he’s really a rabbi – Granot, the dean of a Hesder yeshiva. The way he spoke out against us on television. Are you not afraid of disrespecting a talmid chochom?” he asked.
Rav Yosef drew upon a passage in the Gemara to highlight the severity of such rhetoric. “The Talmud says: ‘What is a heretic? Those who say, ‘What do Torah scholars do for us?’” he quoted. “He says – ‘Everyone to the military.’ What do you mean, ‘Everyone to the military’? The same way there is the Air Force, there is the G-d Force, which sits and studies Torah and defends the entire people of Israel.”
The Rishon LeTzion went even further, making a bold statement about certain figures within the religious Zionist world who, he said, have crossed a red line. “I think there are a few of them (religious Zionist rabbis) who, if they come to join a minyan, you can’t count them toward the minyan. They are classified as heretics.”
{Matzav.com}In a political shift, longtime community leader Dov Hikind — once one of Curtis Sliwa’s loudest backers — has announced he’s throwing his support behind Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, saying only Cuomo stands a chance of defeating Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, the NY Post reports.
“I have nothing but good things to say about Curtis. But at the end of the day it’s very clear that Curtis can’t win,” Hikind told The Post, explaining why he’s turning away from Sliwa, the red-bereted founder of the Guardian Angels.
The former Brooklyn Assemblyman, who represented the Orthodox neighborhoods of Borough Park and Midwood from 1983 until 2018 and later founded Americans Against Antisemitism, said his decision came down to a simple calculation — stopping Mamdani, whom he called a dangerous extremist. “I don’t want New York to disappear. Mamdani is a threat to the well-being of every New Yorker. He will destroy New York.”
Hikind has long accused Mamdani of antisemitism, citing the candidate’s vocal support for the BDS movement and his pledge to have Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu arrested as a “war criminal.” Those positions, Hikind said, have deeply shaken Jewish New Yorkers. “The Jews I know are in an absolute panic,” he said.
Despite years of clashing with Andrew Cuomo and publicly calling him “not a good guy,” Hikind said the choice this time is painfully clear. “Cuomo is not a good guy but he’s the only one who can stop Mamdani. If it’s Mamdani or Cuomo, it has to be Cuomo,” he declared, warning fellow voters not to sit this election out. “Wake up New York!”
Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in June’s ranked-choice primary, has been campaigning as the only viable alternative to the Democratic socialist. Hikind’s endorsement gives him an influential ally in the Orthodox community, where fears of Mamdani’s rise have intensified.
Recent surveys show Mamdani maintaining a solid double-digit lead over Cuomo, with Sliwa lagging in third. Pollsters suggest that in a head-to-head matchup, the race would tighten significantly — but for now, Mamdani continues to benefit from Cuomo and Sliwa dividing the anti-Mamdani vote.
{Matzav.com}Zohran Mamdani brushed off growing calls from Republican lawmakers to revoke his U.S. citizenship, defiantly declaring that he remains “a proud democratic socialist.” The 34-year-old mayoral candidate said the accusations against him are politically motivated and rooted in distortion, not fact.
“No matter how many times these Republican Congress members or the president of this country calls me a communist, it doesn’t make it true,” Mamdani told The NY Post on Sunday, accusing his critics of focusing on him instead of solving the ongoing government shutdown. “I think it is telling that in a moment where their Republican Party has shut down the federal government out of an attempt to throw four million Americans off their healthcare, a moment when active duty military families are forced to line up at food banks, they would rather focus on my citizenship.”
The controversy centers on allegations that Mamdani failed to disclose his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) when filing his 2018 naturalization paperwork. Opponents say that omission amounts to lying on official documents and could invalidate his citizenship. Mamdani has repeatedly denied those claims, insisting he has never been a communist. “I’m proud to be a democratic socialist,” he said, rejecting the idea that belonging to the DSA should raise legal questions.
The push to challenge Mamdani’s citizenship gained traction after Rep. Randy Fine of Florida reignited the issue last week, joining Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee in urging federal authorities to investigate and possibly strip him of citizenship. Both Republicans argue that because some DSA members identify as communists, the organization falls under a “totalitarian” umbrella that should disqualify members from becoming U.S. citizens.
Legal experts note that this argument is tenuous at best. The DSA is not an officially designated communist party, and membership in it has not previously been treated as grounds for disqualification under U.S. immigration law. Still, the controversy has provided fodder for political opponents eager to cast Mamdani as radical and un-American.
Born in Uganda, Mamdani immigrated to New York at age seven when his father joined Columbia University’s faculty. After two decades in the U.S., he became a naturalized citizen in 2018 and soon after joined the DSA, which he describes as a progressive organization fighting for economic and social justice.
Republicans’ attacks on Mamdani’s political associations are not new. In June, Ogles sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi asking the Justice Department to investigate Mamdani’s citizenship based on lyrics from an old rap song in which he allegedly voiced sympathy for Hamas terrorists. The campaign quickly dismissed that episode as another baseless smear designed to stir outrage.
Despite the onslaught, Mamdani continues to lead the mayoral race, polling ahead of Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa just days before the November 4 election. His supporters say the latest wave of accusations only proves that Washington Republicans see him as a threat — and that, far from weakening his campaign, the controversy has strengthened his appeal among progressive voters.
{Matzav.com}
The Sea Gate and Coney Island communities were enveloped in grief with the passing of Rabbi Mayer Chaim Brikman zt”l, who was niftar today. He was 58.
For more than three decades, Rabbi Brikman dedicated his life to serving as the Rov of Congregation Kneses Israel – Chabad of Sea Gate, where his leadership and compassion shaped the spiritual life of countless families. Since beginning his shlichus in 1991, he became a central figure in the Sea Gate and Coney Island neighborhoods, known for his unwavering commitment to Torah, chesed, and the welfare of every Jew he encountered.
Those who knew him remembered his gentle nature and quiet strength. His warmth drew people in, his guidance gave comfort, and his empathy uplifted those in pain. Despite facing his own significant challenges, Rabbi Brikman radiated simcha and bitachon, becoming a living lesson in faith and perseverance for all who met him.
In addition to his rabbinic and communal roles, he gave selflessly of his time as a member of both Hatzalah and the Chevra Kadisha, always the first to respond when someone was in need. Acts of kindness and compassion defined his daily life.
In recent years, Rabbi Brikman fought a difficult illness with remarkable courage and dignity, never allowing his condition to dim his optimism or his dedication to others.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Rivkah Brikman (née Marozov), and their children: Leibel Brikman of Montreal, Rochel Chana Ceitlin of Sea Gate, and Isser Brikman of Sea Gate. He also leaves behind his parents, Boruch and Chaya Brikman of Crown Heights; his siblings, Sara Chana Posner, Mendel Brikman, and Yosef Brikman; and his in-laws, Shneur Zalman and Chaya Sara Marozov of Montreal.
The levayah and kevurah took place today at Old Montefiore Cemetery.
Shivah is being observed at the Brikman home, 3844 Lyme Avenue, Sea Gate, NY 11224, from Monday through Friday.
Shacharis – 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Mincha – 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Maariv – 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
The city of Rosh HaAyin has chosen a new rav — and in a beautiful continuation of legacy, it is the son of the city’s previous rav.
Rav Yechiel Bassis was officially elected today as Chief Rabbi of Rosh HaAyin, winning a decisive majority of 29 votes in the official selection process conducted by the Ministry of Religious Services in cooperation with the municipality and the local religious council.
The announcement marks a moment of nachas for the family and for many in the olam haTorah, as Rav Yechiel follows directly in the footsteps of his illustrious father, the late Rav Azarya Bassis zt”l, who served as the city’s rav for decades and authored the renowned Beis HaEzri series of seforim.
Present at the announcement were outgoing Minister of Religious Services Michael Malchieli, ministry director-general Yehuda Avidan, and several senior Shas officials who played a key role in advancing Rav Bassis’s appointment to the same post once held by his father zt”l.
The vote tally was as follows: Rav Yechiel Bassis — 29 votes; Rav Dovid Uzani — 5 votes; Rav Zohar Okashi — 4 votes.
Rav Bassis currently serves as rosh kollel of Ohel Moed in Bnei Brak and is one of the rabbanim of the Meoros organization, where he also serves as a rav umoreh tzedek in its beis horaah. In addition, he edited and published the collected writings of his father zt”l, ensuring his Torah legacy continues to enlighten lomdei Torah.
The Rosh HaAyin municipality issued a statement congratulating the newly elected rav, expressing hope that “he will succeed in strengthening the city’s spiritual life, deepening its Jewish identity, and leading the community forward in unity, mutual respect, and ruchniyus growth.”
{Matzav.com}