Matzav

By Shaul Berlowitz

Over the past week, a series of meaningful meetings took place at the home of Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah. These gatherings brought together rabbonim from kehillos across Lakewood in preparation for the upcoming fourth Ma’amad Adirei HaTorah. The meetings reflected the community’s unified commitment to supporting Torah learning, with participation from rabbonim representing all segments of Lakewood’s Torah world.

Unlike previous years, which featured one central asifas rabbonim, this year’s meetings adopted a more focused format. Smaller, more intimate settings allowed for practical discussions about advancing the Adirei HaTorah initiative throughout the community. What was particularly noteworthy was the sense of shared purpose that permeated these gatherings, as rabbonim from different backgrounds came together with a single goal: strengthening support for Torah learning in Lakewood.

“These asifos demonstrated how our community—though we may differ in nusach or havara—is fundamentally united in our commitment to Torah,” noted one participating rov. “In Lakewood, we’re fortunate that our differences are nuanced—we’re really variations of the same commitment to Torah and lomdei Torah.”

Another rov added, “Whether a family davens in a Litvishe shul, a Chassidishe shtiebel, or a Sephardic minyan, we all share the same fundamental values. Adirei HaTorah gives expression to this unity of purpose.”

A central theme of these meetings was the recognition that Adirei HaTorah represents more than just an organization. It embodies the deep connection between the families of greater Lakewood and the bnei Torah learning in the yeshiva. This connection is guided by the community’s rabbonim, who understand both the challenges faced by baalei batim and the needs of those dedicated to full-time learning.

“A rov today serves as an important bridge,” explained one of the rabbonim present. “He understands the baalei batim’s concerns about balancing parnassah and time for learning, while also appreciating the dedication of kollel families who make the greatest sacrifices to devote their lives to limud haTorah.”

This perspective enables rabbonim to foster authentic connections between these two vital parts of the community. Under their guidance, baalei batim and kollel yungeleit increasingly recognize their shared mission and mutual support in building Lakewood as a makom Torah.

Rav Kotler spoke about the positive impact Adirei HaTorah has had on respect for Torah learning throughout Lakewood. What began primarily as a financial support initiative has evolved into something far more significant—an elevation of Torah’s place in the community’s consciousness.

“When a person who isn’t sitting and learning in yeshiva develops a kesher with lomdei Torah through supporting them, something remarkable happens,” Rav Kotler explained. “The entire family begins to view Torah learning differently. Children see their parents’ respect for Torah and talmidei chachomim. The home atmosphere changes. Family conversations revolve around Torah. The wife and children respect their father’s commitment to Torah and hachzokas haTorah. This is the true achievement that Adirei HaTorah has brought to the world.”

Many rabbonim shared inspiring stories from their kehillos, accounts of families who, through their connection to Adirei HaTorah, discovered new depths in their own learning and a greater appreciation for Torah. Homes where discussions about yeshiva learning have become commonplace. Children aspiring to greater heights in their own Torah studies after seeing their parents’ enthusiasm for supporting talmidei chachomim.

“We’re witnessing an increased respect for Torah that goes well beyond financial support,” noted one rov. “People mamish gained a renewed connection to Torah. They feel part of it. They see themselves as partners with the Adirei HaTorah, the yungeleit sitting and learning. This, in turn, makes them seek ways to be more connected with Torah in their own lives.”

The upcoming fourth Ma’amad Adirei HaTorah, scheduled for Sunday, the 16th of Sivan, at Wells Fargo Arena, promises to be a powerful demonstration of community-wide unity and commitment. This gathering will showcase how Lakewood’s kehillos, with their shared values and dedication to Torah, come together in support of Torah learning.

“What makes Adirei HaTorah special is that it’s not simply about fundraising,” explained one of the organizers. “It’s about raising awareness. It’s about reinforcing how we view our collective responsibility for supporting Torah study. When our various kehillos come together for this purpose, we demonstrate that Torah truly is what unifies us. And the conduit is through supporting lomdei Torah, those who dedicate their lives to learning.”

The Ma’amad will feature inspiring words from rabbonim representing different parts of the community, highlighting how the partnership between working families and yungeleit has strengthened the entire kehillah. Special emphasis will be placed on how this partnership has enhanced family life, chinuch habonim, and the overall ruach of Lakewood’s kehillos.

As the meetings concluded, Rav Kotler emphasized that the upcoming Ma’amad represents more than just an organizational milestone. It embodies a kiddush Hashem that reinforces the very foundations of our community.

Rav Kotler shared how the Adirei HaTorah initiative has begun to resonate far beyond Lakewood, spreading to frum communities worldwide. “What began here in Lakewood has become a model for communities across the globe,” he explained. “Just last month, I was invited to address an event in Mexico City called Amudei HaOlam, which was directly inspired by our Ma’amad Adirei HaTorah.”

He recounted how several members of the Mexican kehillah had attended last year’s Ma’amad at Wells Fargo and were so deeply inspired that they decided to create a similar framework in their own community. “They told me how seeing the partnership between baalei batim and kollel yungeleit in Lakewood opened their eyes to what was possible in their own kehillah,” Rav Kotler said. “They were particularly moved by how the Adirei HaTorah event conveyed the powerful message that lomdei Torah truly uphold the world. After witnessing this, they created their own event, Amudei HaOlam, specifically to honor their yungeleit and express this.”

Rav Kotler explained how the Mexican community recognized the importance of publicly expressing this message and the profound impact it has on everyone involved. “They understood that such an event benefits their entire community—the baalei batim who gain appreciation for the Torah being learned, the yungeleit who feel valued for their dedication, and perhaps most importantly, the children who see this respect demonstrated in such a tangible way.”

As preparations continue in the coming weeks, rabbonim will encourage their kehillos to participate in this important event. The fourth Ma’amad Adirei HaTorah aims to further elevate Torah learning in Lakewood, strengthening the partnership between the community and the yeshiva that continues to be its spiritual center.

In the words of one participating rov, shared as the final meeting concluded, “When our community unites around Torah, there is no limit to what we can achieve together. This Ma’amad is about ensuring that Torah remains central to our lives and to the lives of future generations.”

{Matzav.com}

France and Saudi Arabia are reportedly drafting a joint initiative aimed at stripping Hamas of its weapons, a move seen as the first step toward dismantling the group’s military capabilities, according to Bloomberg, which cited individuals with direct knowledge of the matter.

As part of this initiative, Saudi representatives are said to have established a channel of communication with Hamas leaders. While it remains uncertain whether France has also engaged directly with Hamas—given the European Union’s official designation of the group as a terrorist organization—Saudi involvement has been confirmed by the sources.

Insiders suggest that discussions are centered around the idea of Hamas giving up its arms in exchange for retaining a level of political influence. The overarching goal is reportedly to recast Hamas as a strictly political player that could still participate in future Palestinian leadership structures.

Tensions have reportedly been escalating between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron, largely due to France’s push to broaden international recognition of a Palestinian state.

France and Saudi Arabia are co-chairing a United Nations summit in New York, where formal steps toward such recognition are expected to take place, further straining diplomatic relations with Israel.

On Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot criticized Israel’s limited steps to increase aid into Gaza, saying, “totally insufficient… Immediate and massive aid is needed.”

A joint statement on Monday from the leaders of Britain, France, and Canada expressed firm opposition to Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, warning that countermeasures could be on the table.

Hamas reacted positively to the message, declaring it a repudiation of “the policy of siege and starvation pursued by the occupation government against our people in the Gaza Strip, and the Zionist plans aimed at genocide and displacement.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the IDF uncovered Hamas records suggesting that the October 7 massacre orchestrated by the group was deliberately designed to sabotage the progress of normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, Macron lambasted Netanyahu’s strategy in Gaza, where he claimed half a million residents are at risk of starvation, calling it disgraceful and urging European nations to consider expanding sanctions.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump held up a printed screenshot of a Reuters video during a tense meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, claiming it showed the funerals of white farmers in South Africa—when in reality, the footage was filmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“These are all white farmers that are being buried,” Trump declared, referring to the image, which was actually taken from a February 3 Reuters video that captured the aftermath of violence in the Congolese city of Goma. That video, authenticated by Reuters’ fact-checking team, depicted humanitarian workers handling body bags following clashes with M23 rebels backed by Rwanda.

The image Trump referenced was originally published in a blog post by American Thinker, a right-leaning website. The post discussed racial unrest in both South Africa and Congo, but it did not label the image or identify it as being from South Africa. Instead, it was described simply as a “YouTube screen grab,” linking to a YouTube video report about the conflict in Congo, which properly credited Reuters.

The White House offered no comment when asked to clarify the president’s use of the image. However, American Thinker managing editor Andrea Widburg, who authored the article Trump held up, responded to Reuters by acknowledging that Trump had “misidentified the image.”

Despite the mistake, Widburg stood by the article’s content, stating that it aimed to highlight the “increasing pressure placed on white South Africans” and criticizing what she described as Ramaphosa’s “dysfunctional, race-obsessed Marxist government.”

The video from which the still was taken was captured by Reuters journalist Djaffar Al Katanty. It shows mass burials in Goma following an M23 offensive. “That day, it was extremely difficult for journalists to get in … I had to negotiate directly with M23 and coordinate with the ICRC to be allowed to film,” Al Katanty explained. “Only Reuters has video.”

Al Katanty said he was stunned to learn that Trump had used his footage out of context. “In view of all the world, President Trump used my image, used what I filmed in DRC to try to convince President Ramaphosa that in his country, white people are being killed by Black people,” he said.

President Ramaphosa traveled to Washington in an effort to restore relations with the United States following ongoing criticism from Trump regarding South Africa’s land policies, international alignment, and accusations of discrimination against the white population—allegations the South African government strongly denies.

During their meeting, which was being broadcast, Trump paused the conversation to show a video he claimed supported allegations of widespread killings of white farmers in South Africa. This narrative, long promoted in far-right circles, has been repeatedly debunked.

Trump also presented a series of printed articles, flipping through them as he referenced violent incidents. “Death, death, death, horrible death,” he said, emphasizing what he claimed was a pattern of attacks.

{Matzav.com}

Elias Rodriguez, accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, reportedly confessed to officers shortly after the attack, saying, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” according to federal court filings.

As law enforcement led him out of the museum where the shooting occurred, Rodriguez shouted, “Free Palestine,” according to an affidavit submitted by FBI agents.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators revealed that Rodriguez initially walked past the victims outside the Capital Jewish Museum. He then turned back, drew a handgun from his waistband, and opened fire, shooting both victims in the back, the affidavit states.

The court documents say that after both victims collapsed, Rodriguez approached and continued firing. One of the victims, Sarah Milgrim, was seen on video trying to crawl away before briefly sitting up. As Rodriguez reloaded, he shot her again, according to what the footage showed.

Authorities recovered 21 shell casings from the scene along with a 9mm pistol. Investigators later confirmed the weapon matched one that Rodriguez had legally purchased in Illinois in 2020. He transported the gun in his checked luggage on a flight from Chicago to Virginia, according to the affidavit.

During his subsequent questioning, Rodriguez told authorities he looked up to Aaron Bushnell, an anti-Israel protester who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in 2024. He referred to Bushnell as a “martyr.” Rodriguez also mentioned that he had purchased a ticket to the museum event about three hours before it began.

{Matzav.com}

Following the deadly shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, New York City officials took swift action to bolster protection at sites associated with the Jewish community.

The NYPD released a statement announcing stepped-up safety efforts in response to the attack. “While there is no known nexus to NYC, in response to last night’s horrific attack in DC targeting Jews and Israelis, the NYPD is increasing its presence at religious sites and cultural institutions with high visibility patrols, heavy weapons teams, and counterterrorism officers.”

Mayor Eric Adams addressed the tragedy on X, expressing deep sorrow over the incident. “We’re keeping the victims in our prayers and have directed the NYPD to increase security at sensitive locations for the Jewish community here in NYC,” the mayor wrote.

He condemned the nature of the assault, stating: “This act of hateful violence is exactly what it means to globalize the intifada. Let me be clear — antisemitic violence has no place in our country.”

The victims, Yaron Lischinsky from Israel and Sarah Milgrim, an American citizen, were a young couple planning to become engaged, according to Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter.

Authorities from the Metropolitan Police Department said the pair was leaving a diplomatic event hosted at the Capital Jewish Museum when the suspect approached a group of four and began shooting.

After opening fire, the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, reportedly entered the museum. He was stopped by event security and began shouting, “Free, free Palestine,” according to law enforcement.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino commented on the investigation via social media, writing that “early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence.”

{Matzav.com}

Elias Rodriguez, the man accused of fatally shooting two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, was officially indicted on Thursday. Authorities charged him with two counts of first-degree murder, among several other serious federal offenses.

According to a sworn statement cited by Fox News, Rodriguez faces multiple charges, including the murder of foreign officials, use of a firearm resulting in death, and firing a weapon during a violent crime.

The affidavit states: “During an interview with MPD detectives, after having been advised of his Miranda rights and after waiving them, Rodriguez expressed admiration for the actions of an individual who self-immolated in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., on February 25, 2024, as a form of protest intended to draw attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

It further recounts: “Rodriguez described this person’s actions as courageous and labeled him a ‘martyr.’ Rodriguez also stated that he had purchased a ticket to the event at the Museum approximately three hours prior to its commencement.”

Authorities have confirmed the identities of the two people killed in the attack as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.

On Thursday, Sky News revealed that Rodriguez had ties to an extremist leftist group and was frequently engaged in spreading anti-Israel propaganda.

According to the same report, Rodriguez had scheduled a social media message to go live an hour after carrying out the shooting, in which he leveled harsh accusations against Israel, alleging it had committed “atrocities” against Palestinians.

In his post, Rodriguez wrote, “The atrocities committed by Israelis against Palestine go beyond what words can describe.” He added, “public opinion has turned against the apartheid state committing genocide,” and expressed dismay over what he described as the U.S. government’s failure to act.

Investigators have concluded that Lischinsky and Milgrim were exiting an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when Rodriguez approached a small group and opened fire.

Video footage that circulated online showed police apprehending Rodriguez. As he was being taken into custody, he was heard shouting, “Free Palestine.”

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio leveled harsh criticism at what he termed the entrenched “foreign aid industrial complex” during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee session, expressing frustration over what he described as a deeply flawed system in which USAID fails to effectively deliver assistance to those most in need.

Rubio took aim squarely at the agency, asserting that it’s long overdue for a complete overhaul from the ground up.

“At USAID, 12 cents of every dollar was reaching the recipient. That means that in order for us to get aid to somebody, we had to spend all this other money supporting this foreign aid industrial complex,” Rubio said.

He outlined plans for a dramatic shift in how foreign aid is distributed, emphasizing a model that focuses on greater efficiency, regional expertise, and programs with measurable impact.

“We’re going to find more efficient ways to deliver aid to people directly. It’s going to be directed by our regional bureaus. It’s going to sponsor programs that make a difference. And it’s going to be part of a holistic approach to our foreign policy.”

While he made it clear that U.S. assistance would continue, Rubio insisted that the bloated systems managing the aid must be restructured.

“We still will provide more foreign aid, more humanitarian support, than the next 10 countries combined… and far more than China,” he said, pushing back against critics who claim these changes would weaken America’s global influence. “China doesn’t do humanitarian aid. China does predatory lending.”

Rubio also credited long-serving staffers within the department for helping to drive reform and admitted that the State Department had lost its primary role in shaping American foreign relations.

“Many of the reforms we’ve made were driven by people inside the building—many of whom have worked there for 20 or 30 years,” he said. “The State Department had to change. I’m telling you—it was no longer at the center of American foreign policy. It had often been replaced by the National Security Council or by some other agency of government.”

{Matzav.com}

For the first time in 17 years, a new Sefer Torah will be brought into the main beis medrash of Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. The event, scheduled for Tuesday, Isru Chag Shavuos, marks a poignant milestone and is expected to draw thousands from across the country.

The Sefer Torah is being dedicated l’ilui nishmas the Rosh HaYeshiva,HaRav Gershon Edelstein zt”l.

The Sefer Torah, meticulously written over the past year with the highest levels of hiddur, is being funded entirely through donations from Rav Edelstein’s talmidim.

The first letter was penned by Rosh HaYeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky on Motzaei Simchas Torah last year in front of thousands of talmidim.

The hachnosas Sefer Torah will be held just hours after the conclusion of Shavuos, on the evening before Rav Edelstein’s yahrtzeit. It will be led by Rav Berel Povarsky and Yeshiva nosi Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, and will culminate with the placement of the Sefer Torah in the aron kodesh of the yeshiva.

The occasion will honor the memory of the Rosh Yeshiva, who taught Torah in Ponovezh for 80 years, right up until his final day.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered a powerful statement on Thursday night in response to the tragic murder of Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington, DC.

“Last night in Washington, something horrific happened,” Netanyahu began. “A brutal terrorist shot in cold blood a young beautiful couple – Yaron Lischinsky and Sara Milgrim. Yaron had just bought an engagement ring for Sarah. He was planning to give it to her in Jerusalem next week. They were planning to start a new and happy life together. Well, that tragically did not happen.”

Netanyahu emphasized that this was not a case of random violence. “The terrorist who cruelly gunned them down did so for one reason and one reason alone – he wanted to kill Jews. And as he was taken away, he chanted, ‘Free Palestine!’”

The prime minister connected this slogan to the atrocities committed in Israel on October 7. “This is exactly the same chant we heard on October 7th,” he said. “On that day, thousands of terrorists stormed into Israel from Gaza. They beheaded men. They raped women. They burned babies alive. They butchered 1,200 innocent people and took 251 innocent people hostage to the dungeons of Gaza.”

Recalling a visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre, Netanyahu said, “A short time afterwards, Chancellor Scholz of Germany visited Israel. And after he saw the horrors, he said to me, ‘These Hamas terrorists are exactly like the Nazis.’”

Netanyahu agreed with that assessment. “He was right. And if they could get away with it, these Hamas terrorists would have slaughtered every last Jew on earth. For these neo-Nazis, ‘Free Palestine’ is just today’s version of ‘Heil Hitler.’”

He continued by highlighting the deeper aim behind Hamas’s ideology. “They don’t want a Palestinian state. They want to destroy the Jewish state. They want to annihilate the Jewish people, who have been in the Land of Israel for 3,500 years.”

Frustrated by international responses, Netanyahu asked, “I could never understand how this simple truth evades the leaders of France, Britain, Canada, and others. They are now proposing to establish a Palestinian state and reward these murderers with the ultimate prize.”

Netanyahu referenced the history of Gaza under Palestinian control as a cautionary example. “Well, for 18 years, we had a de facto Palestinian state. It’s called Gaza. And what did we get? Peace? No. We got the most savage slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.”

He then pointed to recent political statements that, in his view, embolden Hamas. “You won’t be surprised to learn that Hamas thanked President Macron and Prime Ministers Starmer and Carney for demanding that Israel end its war in Gaza immediately,” he said. “Hamas was right to thank them.”

Criticizing these leaders, Netanyahu said, “Because by issuing their demand – replete with a threat of sanctions against Israel, against Israel, not Hamas – these three leaders effectively said they want Hamas to remain in power. They want Israel to stand down and accept that Hamas’s army of mass murderers will survive, rebuild and repeat the October 7th massacre again and again and again because that’s what Hamas has vowed to do.”

Speaking directly to those leaders, he declared, “I say to President Macron, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer: When mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice. You’re on the wrong side of humanity and you’re on the wrong side of history.”

Netanyahu argued that these international leaders were not moving the world closer to peace. “These leaders may think that they’re advancing peace. They’re not. They’re emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever,” he asserted. “And they give them hope to establish a second Palestinian state from which Hamas will again seek to destroy the Jewish state.”

He dismissed the notion of a stable Palestinian state. “And mind you, it’s not going to be a state free of Hamas,” Netanyahu added. “When you establish a Palestinian state, we’ve seen it, the radicals take over. Iran sends them in and they take over. So don’t give us this talk, ‘It’ll be a peaceful Palestinian state’. It won’t be.”

The prime minister then turned his attention to accusations about humanitarian conditions in Gaza. “The hypocrisy doesn’t stop there,” he said. “These and other leaders have bought into Hamas’s propaganda that says Israel is starving Palestinian children.”

He criticized the role of international voices in spreading misinformation. “And not only is Hamas putting out this lie,” he continued. “A few days ago, a top UN official said that 14,000 Palestinian babies would die in 48 hours. You see many international institutions are complicit in spreading this lie.”

Netanyahu blamed the cycle of misinformation for inspiring further violence. “The press repeats it. The mob believed it. And a young couple is then brutally gunned down in Washington,” he concluded.

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu spoke by phone with President Donald Trump, who conveyed “deep sorrow over the shocking murder in Washington of two Israeli Embassy employees: Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, of blessed memory.”

The prime minister expressed his appreciation to President Trump “for the efforts he and his administration are making against displays of antisemitism in the US.”

They also spoke about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Trump reaffirming his commitment to “the objectives set by Prime Minister Netanyahu for releasing the hostages, bringing about the elimination of Hamas and advancing the Trump plan.”

The two leaders agreed that one critical priority must remain unchanged: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Less than a day after two Israeli embassy staff members were slain in a horrific terror attack in Washington, the Algerian government submitted a proposed resolution targeting Israel to the United Nations Security Council. The vote on the measure is expected to take place this coming Wednesday, May 28.

The proposed resolution calls for Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza, demands that all restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid into the territory be lifted, and insists on the release of prisoners. Notably, the document omits any reference to Hamas or the barbaric assaults carried out against Israel on October 7, 2023.

Reacting strongly to the proposal, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, issued a scathing condemnation: “While the blood of Israeli representatives is not yet dry on the sidewalk in Washington – the Security Council is meeting to condemn Israel. This is a moral disgrace. Instead of condemning terrorism – it has become a tool serving those who carry it out.”

The Trump Administration has taken a dramatic step in its ongoing clash with Harvard University, blocking the school from admitting international students, according to a report from the Associated Press. This latest action stems from Harvard’s alleged unwillingness to confront growing antisemitism on its campus, fueling the intensifying legal standoff between the government and the Ivy League institution.

As a result of this decision, current international students enrolled at Harvard are being forced to either transfer to another academic institution or leave the United States altogether.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a letter to the university outlining the move: “I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked.”

This follows an earlier move by the Trump Administration, which withdrew $2.2 billion in federal funds from Harvard. Officials explained that the cut was prompted by the university’s failure to adequately respond to antisemitic behavior and alleged racial discrimination occurring on its campus.

In a broader push, President Donald Trump has also called for stripping Harvard of its tax-exempt status, adding to the growing list of punitive measures.

In an effort to fight back, Harvard recently filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the federal funding freeze. The university claims it is temporarily covering the budget shortfall using its $53.2 billion endowment but cautions that this is not a sustainable solution. “Without the federal funding at issue, Harvard would need to operate at a significantly reduced level,” the lawsuit states.

A few weeks earlier, Harvard released two internal assessments examining bias on campus, focusing on incidents involving Jewish, Muslim, and Arab students during last year’s protest activity. The findings revealed that certain students felt silenced or sidelined for expressing their political beliefs.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

In the shadow of heartbreak, a flicker of hope has emerged.

Just days after the horrific attack that claimed the life of Tzeela Gez (z”l), her family has announced the name of the child she never got to hold: Ravid Chaim.

His name carries a world of meaning — and a nation’s prayers.

“Ravid”, a name that Tzeela herself cherished, – a fitting tribute to the soul who gave so much light to the world.
“Chaim”, meaning life, was added as a prayer — a cry from the depths of grief that this baby, born into sorrow, should live, grow, and thrive.

Ravid Chaim never saw his mother’s face, never felt the warmth of her embrace. But through his name, he carries her essence. And through our actions, he will carry her legacy.

Donate Now

The Gez family chose this name. It’s not just a memory, but a mission — a plea to Am Yisrael to continue davening, to continue giving, to continue holding this family close as they rebuild their world from the rubble of tragedy.

Let the name Ravid Chaim echo in our tefillos.
Let it move our hearts to action.
Let it be a symbol of what we stand for — that life is sacred, and no Jewish child should ever walk alone.

We cannot bring Tzeela back.
But we can bring her children security.
We can bring her husband strength.
We can bring light back to a home that was shattered in an instant.

📍 Partner with the Gez family. Help build a future for Ravid Chaim and his siblings.

Because Am Yisrael does not forget.
Am Yisrael does not abandon.
And Tzeela’s light will shine — through Ravid Chaim. Through us.

charidy.com/Gezfamilyfund

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu revealed his selection for the new head of the Israel Security Agency, naming Major General David Zini as the individual chosen to lead the Shin Bet.

Zini brings with him an extensive military background, having held numerous high-level roles within the Israel Defense Forces. His experience includes serving as a commando in the prestigious Sayeret Matkal unit, leading the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade, commanding the Egoz reconnaissance unit, overseeing the Alexandroni Brigade, establishing and heading the IDF’s Commando Brigade, running the Education and Training Division, and directing the General Staff Corps.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also notified IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir of his decision to appoint Zini to this critical security post.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump is deeply “saddened and outraged” following the tragic killing of two Israeli Embassy employees, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night, according to a statement made Thursday by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt shared emotional details about the victims, saying, “Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were a beautiful young couple. In fact, we’ve learned that Yaron was planning to propose to Sarah next week in Jerusalem.”

She relayed the heartbreak expressed by Yaron’s father, Daniel, who recalled how close the couple had been. “They were in love, the Embassy told us they were like a star couple at the Embassy. I never expected something like this, he had his whole life before him,” he said.

Leavitt reflected on the pain in Daniel’s words, remarking, “These words, especially every parent knows, are heartwrenching. The evil of antisemitism must be eradicated from our society.”

She further noted that she had spoken with the Attorney General earlier in the day and affirmed that “the Department of Justice will prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law.”

She closed her remarks with a firm condemnation of hatred and a message of solidarity: “Hatred has no place in the United States of America under President Donald Trump. Everyone at the White House is praying for the victims’ friends and families during this unimaginable time.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States Mint will stop producing pennies next year, phasing out a coin that has been in circulation for over two centuries, the Wall Street Journal reports. The move is part of a long-running, bipartisan campaign to axe the lowest-denomination currency, which is rarely spent and costs the government around $85 million each year to produce. Of the 3 billion pennies produced each year, up to $68 million worth are either lost or thrown away, with the Federal Reserve estimating that around 60 percent of all actively circulating pennies, totaling around $14 billion, sit indefinitely in coin jars and change purses.

The final batch of new pennies was ordered earlier this month, and although Americans will still be able to use the coins for transactions, they will gradually be phased out of circulation. Businesses will be required to round their prices up and down to the nearest five cents in order to adjust to the changes, the Treasury announced in a statement.

President Donald Trump has long been critical of penny production, as was his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. The move marks rare bipartisan agreement between Democrats and Republicans and follows in the footsteps of Canada, which stopped producing pennies in 2012. Read more at The Wall Street Journal.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sat down for an exclusive conversation with Arutz Sheva–Israel National News, sharing reflections on his hectic first weeks in the position. “I have not come up for air since I’ve come off the airplane,” he remarked, highlighting the whirlwind pace of his new role.

Recalling the moment President Donald Trump appointed him to the post, Huckabee described how it came as a surprise. “I didn’t ask him for the job, I never lobbied for it, I never had a conversation with him about it until the day he called me a few days after the election. President Trump doesn’t ask you, he tells you. He called and said: ‘Mike, you’re going to be Ambassador to Israel, you’re going to be great.'”

Responding to speculation that the President is unhappy with how the Israeli leadership is conducting the campaign in Gaza, Huckabee explained that the ongoing conflict is due to Hamas refusing to accept the terms laid out by Trump. “The reason it’s keeps going is that Hamas won’t come to the conclusion that the President laid out for them – you’re not having a future here, you’re not going to govern and rule here, you’re not going to be militarized here. That’s what President Trump made very clear.”

Addressing claims that Trump wants the conflict to end at all costs, Huckabee pushed back. “That defies what he has said repeatedly. The fact that he would like the war to end, so would I, and so would you. There’s no one but Hamas that wants to keep this going. But it can’t end with a Hamas victory.”

He also expressed empathy for families of hostages still held in Gaza. “If someone would abduct my child, I would just want them to come home as quickly as possible. I probably wouldn’t care what it took to get them home.” He stressed that the continued captivity is solely because of Hamas, not the Israeli government. “When I hear people say that the Israelis don’t want this war to end, that isn’t true. Or specifically, that the Prime Minister wants to keep the war going for political purposes – that’s not true.”

Humorously, Huckabee described how much time he’s spent with Prime Minister Netanyahu since arriving in Israel. “I told him the other day that if I spent any more time with him, he’s going to have to put me on his family health insurance plan as a dependant.”

The ambassador characterized the relationship between the U.S. and Israel as one of deep mutual benefit. “It is not a one-way street where Israel benefits greatly from America and America gets nothing in return; America gets a lot in return, and it’s a true partnership.”

Reacting to the recent condemnations of Israel by countries like the UK, Canada, and France, Huckabee voiced strong disapproval. “It’s such an outrage that what should be educated, thoughtful European nations, would come out and blame Israel for what’s happening in Gaza rather than blaming Hamas and putting pressure on them. They’re the ones who won’t come to any significant agreement to get the hostages out.”

He questioned whether Europeans had forgotten the hard truths of their own history. “Do the people in France and the UK not remember their history in World War II? How did the war end? Did it end with Churchill saying ‘You know what, this has gone on too long, let’s just call it a draw?’ They bombed the heck out of Germany. Had it not been for that, maybe the war wouldn’t have ended.”

Continuing, he criticized European efforts to pressure Israel. “I just don’t think the Brits have any business telling Israel how to prosecute a war that they’re fighting not only to avenge the slaughter of their own people, but a war that stops Hamas from staying there because Hamas has vowed even a recently as two weeks ago that if they have the opportunity they will do it again.”

When asked why President Trump skipped visiting Israel during his latest regional trip, Huckabee clarified the reasoning. “His trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE was an economic development trip. It’s not a snub to Israel. He goes to a lot of places, as President, this was his focus. His focus in the States is business development.”

He added that the purpose of the visit was to lay the groundwork for more countries joining the Abraham Accords.

Touching on the “America First” policy, Huckabee explained that it doesn’t imply isolationism. “It doesn’t mean America only. If it did, then he wouldn’t have visited these countries. America first means that our primary objectives are to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. To do that, it doesn’t mean that America is America only, that we live without understanding that we live in a world and that we benefit from trade, tourism, normalization, and recognition of other countries.”

He described President Trump’s foreign policy as one that respects national sovereignty. “One of the biggest things the President did on this trip was that he went to governments that are totalitarian, and told them: ‘We’re not here to try to change your governing style or try to impose our governing style on you.'”

Dismissing fears that the U.S. would pressure Israel into accepting a Palestinian state in exchange for normalization deals, Huckabee said there’s no truth to that notion. “I don’t hear anything on our side even intimating something like that. This is not trying to force Israel to do something, we already have a partnership with Israel. Israel is not just a friend or ally – it is a partner. What is the difference? A partner is more like a marriage. We’re in this for the long haul. We’re never going to get a divorce because neither side can afford to pay the alimony. We are that entrenched with each other.”

He went on to describe the connection between the two nations in spiritual as well as strategic terms. “It’s not just a geopolitical relationship and an economic relationship, it’s a spiritual relationship. We are both living on the same foundation of a Judeo-Christian understanding of Western civilization, we can not escape that.”

On the question of U.S. involvement in creating a Palestinian state, Huckabee was unequivocal. “It’s not our business. Israel is a sovereign nation. It would be like Israel passing a resolution in the Knesset demanding that America give Texas back to the Mexicans.”

Turning to the topic of Iran and its nuclear ambitions, Huckabee reiterated the administration’s red lines. “They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. They’ve got to agree to total dismantlement and complete loss of capability. They’re not going to have enriched uranium, centrifuges, and reactors. You don’t get any clearer than that. If the Iranians think they can gain Donald Trump, they’ve never dealt with him.”

He also insisted that Israel retains full freedom to act in its own defense. “America is not telling Israel how to defend itself against the existential threat that Iran has posed to them for forty-something years. The Iranians haven’t changed their message, they still chant ‘death to Israel’ and ‘death to America.’ I want Americans to remember that their aspiration doesn’t end at the Mediterranean.”

Asked why the U.S. even negotiates with a regime that wants to destroy it, Huckabee responded that diplomacy is about giving others a chance to show the world they can behave responsibly. “You have to give it a chance. You have to show the world that you have given the Iranians an opportunity to act like civilized people, to show that they want to be real neighbors in the world.”

Addressing concerns that the U.S. would stop pushing for the release of hostages now that Edan Alexander—the last living American captive—has been freed, Huckabee gave reassurance. He stated that Trump “has not given any indication that he is wiping his hands of what’s going on in Gaza with the hostages. He’s also the one who said, let’s get them some humanitarian aid as long as it doesn’t reach the hands of the Hamas monsters.”

He criticized media distortion of Trump’s stance. “He’s been consistent. If people would listen to what the President says, not what some ‘unnamed source’ in the Washington Compost, I think people would relax a lot more.”

{Matzav.com}

IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a message on Thursday directed at the population of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, cautioning them about Hamas operations being carried out in civilian areas of their city.

Adraee’s post included the statement: “This is a warning about Hamas elements hiding among you!” Alongside his warning, he shared an aerial photo highlighting specific sites that the IDF says are being used by Hamas fighters.

He stated that the image illustrates the way Hamas operatives embed themselves in densely populated civilian areas, relying on infrastructure meant for public use while conducting terrorist activities.

The image pointed to four particular locations—a university, a mosque, a hospital, and the Deir al-Balah municipal building—where, according to Israeli military intelligence, high-ranking Hamas leaders are currently stationed, including a commander linked to the Nukhba force.

Adraee emphasized that Hamas is taking advantage of local infrastructure and the resources of ordinary residents to support its terror campaigns. “We call upon you to expel the terrorist elements from among you and to stay away from the Hamas structures that are near you.”

The grieving father of a young woman who was murdered along with her partner outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, revealed that his daughter had devoted herself to fostering Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and expanding humanitarian efforts to Gaza — only to be slain by a man who allegedly shouted “Free, free Palestine” after opening fire.

Robert Milgrim, 73, expressed outrage over what he described as the deeply antisemitic nature of the attack carried out by suspect Elias Rodriguez, calling it especially disturbing given that his daughter, Sarah Milgrim, 26, was committed to easing the plight of Palestinians.

“Last night, she was attending an affair to figure out how to get more aid into Gaza,” Milgrim told The Post. “The night she was killed, she was trying to help the situation – that’s the irony.”

Authorities are now investigating the possibility that Rodriguez authored an anti-Israel diatribe online shortly before carrying out the deadly shooting that claimed the lives of Sarah and her fiancé, 28-year-old Yaron Lischinsky.

According to her father, Sarah was deeply invested in her work at the Israeli embassy and had previously spent several summers in Israel, participating in programs aimed at reconciliation and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.

Her professional background includes a role in the embassy’s Department of Public Diplomacy, where she coordinated trips and initiatives promoting understanding of Israeli society, as outlined in her LinkedIn profile.

Sarah held two advanced degrees — one in international affairs from American University and another in natural resources and sustainable development from the University for Peace.

Before joining the embassy, she worked at Tech2Peace in Tel Aviv, contributing to research focused on joint peace-building efforts between the two peoples.

“My passion lies at the intersection of peacebuilding, religious engagement, and environmental work,” Milgrim wrote on LinkedIn.

The double homicide has left Sarah’s family devastated, Milgrim said, and the heartbreak was compounded by the discovery that Lischinsky had planned to propose in the coming days.

“We didn’t even know about it. She was leaving on Sunday to Israel to meet his family. They were going together,” Milgrim said.

“She was happier now than she ever was in her life. She was truly in love with Yaron and vice versa,” he added.

Rodriguez, originally from Chicago, is accused of ambushing the couple outside the Capital Jewish Museum just as they were leaving a diplomatic event.

The attack occurred during a period of sharply rising antisemitic incidents, following the brutal Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.

{Matzav.com}

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spotlighted four major contributors to the dramatic rise in chronic illnesses among children in a striking new report issued Thursday — the first major policy move under President Trump’s initiative to address what the administration calls a growing public health emergency affecting nearly 40% of the country’s youth.

According to the report, a combination of harmful food habits, exposure to industrial toxins, insufficient physical activity, and excessive reliance on pharmaceuticals are fueling a surge in long-term health conditions — such as obesity, autism spectrum disorders, cancers, psychological disorders, and allergic reactions. “The health of American children is in crisis,” the commission warned.

Unhealthy Eating Habits

The commission highlighted “ultra processed foods” as a major factor in this widespread health decline. While such foods may have been developed with good intentions, they now dominate the diets of American youth. In fact, 70% of what children in the U.S. consume is made up of these high-calorie, nutrient-deficient items.

The foods in question typically include refined grains, sugars, and industrial fats — ingredients that were not present in traditional diets a century ago. The report notes that these processed products now constitute half of the American diet, in contrast to countries like Portugal, Italy, and France, where they only account for 10% to 31% of daily consumption.

Toxic Exposures

Another contributing factor, the report explains, is the presence of hazardous substances in the environment — with children particularly vulnerable, even beginning from the prenatal stage.

The document points to toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, synthetic compounds found in cleaning agents and beauty products, as well as microplastics. Additionally, the report raises red flags about electromagnetic fields from devices such as smartphones and laptops, citing potential health risks.

Reduced Physical Activity

The shift toward a screen-heavy, indoor lifestyle is also identified as a threat to children’s well-being. Kids today are spending more time sitting and less time moving, which the commission believes is adding to the chronic disease burden.

Instead of engaging in outdoor play, walking or biking to school, or participating in physical games, many children are glued to digital devices. Nearly half of American teens admit to being online nearly all the time, a trend the report links to not just physical health issues but also emotional challenges like sleep disorders, chronic anxiety, and increased isolation.

Excessive Medical Intervention

The report also raises concerns about the number of American children routinely taking prescription medications. Currently, one in five children in the United States is on pharmaceutical drugs, including stimulants for ADHD, antidepressants, antibiotics, and more.

Although the long-term impacts of this widespread medical treatment have not been thoroughly researched, the commission suggests it may play a role in the chronic health issues now seen in today’s youth.

This comprehensive analysis was issued by the Make America Healthy Again Commission, a panel created through a February executive order signed by President Trump to explore root causes of childhood chronic disease and advise on federal health policy.

Kennedy leads the commission, which includes Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, OMB Director Russell Vought, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, and NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, among others.

{Matzav.com}

All are asked to daven for Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva of Philadelphia, zekan roshei yeshivos of the United States, and senior member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel of America, who was hospitalized overnight.

Boruch Hashem, the rosh yeshiva is in stable condition, but he is in need of a refuah. 

All are asked to daven for Shmuel ben Itta Ettil.

{Matzav.com}