Matzav

NYPD Chief of Department John Chell warned during an interview on Newsmax that New York City is already struggling with crime tied to repeat offenders, and he cautioned that the situation would worsen if Democrat mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani is elected and cuts funding for law enforcement. “Our staffing is already down tremendously, and we got to fund our police officers,” Chell said Monday on Wake Up America. “We have to pay them, we have to make sure the quality of life in their precincts are proper. We cannot go backwards. We really can’t. We’ve worked so hard post 2020 to get to a little light, if you will, to turn this thing around, to go backwards is not an option.”

Chell stressed that funding is essential not just for maintaining staff levels but also for recruiting. “If you don’t fund us, then people aren’t going to join the police department,” he said. “If you don’t give them a good contract, people are not going to join, and we’re going to have issues. But, at the end of the day, the cops in New York City, like everywhere else, took an oath. We will do our job to the best of our ability. We just need the tools to do it to keep the city safe.”

He pointed to a particularly brutal case in Queens last week, where an elderly couple was allegedly tortured, murdered, and their home set on fire by a repeat offender. According to Chell, the suspect had recently finished a 16-year prison sentence for robbery and sexual assault and was still on parole when the killings occurred. “The problem we spoke about for years now is repeat offenders and consequences for those people,” Chell explained. “In terms of this brutal murder in Queens last Monday, this person just got jailed for doing 16 years for robbery and sexual assault and was also on parole last Monday. So we know where they are, we know how to apprehend them — we just need to keep them in jail.”

Chell underscored that the issue revolves around a relatively small group of criminals who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of violence. “And we’re talking about a small minority. We’re not talking about everybody here. We all know the repeat offenders that affect crime in New York City and nationwide,” he said.

When asked about the morale of officers who see suspects released shortly after being arrested, Chell acknowledged the frustration. “When we talk about repeat offenders, the crimes they commit, we often talk numbers, but these are people, these are victims,” he said. “These are our families. So when the cops do a good job in making a good arrest for a really bad person, they don’t want to see him on the street the next day. They figure, ‘What’s the point here?’ But we’re professionals, and we’ll keep doing it until someone fixes the issue.”

{Matzav.com}

Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk, said Friday evening that her husband’s murder has “ignited” a flame in countless Americans to stand against political violence—and the impact is being felt nationwide.

Turning Point USA has seen an unprecedented wave of interest since the assassination, with more than 32,000 new requests for chapters, according to CNN’s Brian Stelter. At the same time, Kirk’s soon-to-be-released book has soared to the top spot in pre-orders.

The book, Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life, will be published on December 9. Its meteoric rise in pre-sales, surpassing titles by Kamala Harris and others, reflects both outrage over Kirk’s killing and a broader call for renewed faith across America.

Kirk’s reach in the digital space has also expanded dramatically. CNN’s Yashar Ali reported that Turning Point USA and Kirk-affiliated accounts have drawn more than 20 million new followers on social media platforms in the days since the tragedy.

The description of the book highlights its message: “‘Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life’ will help you discover how observing the Sabbath isn’t a rejection of modern life but a rebellion against busyness and a pathway to genuine connection, peace, and presence. Through ‘Stop in the Name of God,’ bestselling author Charlie Kirk guides you on how to unplug, recharge, and reconnect with God, family, and yourself in a way that nurtures your soul. In a world dominated by screens and constant noise, ‘Stop in the Name of God’ presents the Sabbath as a radical act of resistance. Packed with practical insights and spiritual wisdom, Charlie Kirk demonstrates how honoring the Sabbath restores balance, reduces anxiety, and nourishes your soul. It’s not just a day of rest – it’s a lifeline to reclaiming what truly matters.”

Kirk’s book is not the only title drawing attention. Pastor Lucas Miles’ Pagan Threat: Confronting America’s Godless Uprising has also experienced a sharp rise in sales. It features a foreword written by Kirk, his final published words: “Because in today’s America, the Christian faithful are faced with a terrifying and broad array of dangers and threats. We are menaced not by new false gods, but by the return of demons from long ago. In the Pagan world, the individual human life was of no importance.”

A memorial service honoring Kirk will be held on Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

In a moving national address broadcast Friday night, Erika Kirk delivered an emotional vow: “You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die. It won’t. I refuse to let that happen. It will not die. All of us will refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband’s name, and I will make sure of it. It will become stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever. My husband’s mission will not end. Not even for a moment.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

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On Monday night, billionaire investor Bill Ackman issued a lengthy statement on his X account in response to accusations that he tried to pressure Charlie Kirk on his views about Israel. The claims had been circulated by conservative commentators, most notably Candace Owens. Ackman explained that he preferred not to amplify Owens by engaging directly with her but felt obligated to set the record straight publicly.

At the heart of the dispute is a private retreat Ackman hosted on August 4–5, 2024, in Bridgehampton, New York. The gathering brought together about 35 conservative social media personalities whose combined reach exceeds 100 million followers. Ackman said the purpose of the event was to hear directly from younger conservatives about their perspectives on economics, culture, foreign affairs, and leadership challenges.

While Ackman himself led the session devoted to economic issues, he said he was absent from the conversation on Israel because of a scheduling conflict with a board meeting. Those who were present reported that the Israel discussion featured differing perspectives—some critical of Israeli policies and others voicing support. Ackman insisted that he never attempted to sway or control Kirk’s stance.

“The event was about understanding viewpoints, not directing them,” Ackman wrote on X. He noted that Kirk had initially contacted him in May 2024, leading to a Zoom call on June 11, during which the idea for the Hamptons event first came up. Ackman added that after the gathering, Kirk went on to identify possible new Turning Point USA campus ambassadors, and the two of them stayed in touch afterward on unrelated matters until Kirk’s death.

Ackman also voiced his dismay that some have seized on Kirk’s passing to spread, in his words, “false allegations.” He emphasized that his sole aim was to create an educational forum, not to pursue political agendas.

{Matzav.com}

A major change in the way travelers cross European borders is set to take effect soon, as 29 countries prepare to implement a biometric and fully digital border control system.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, passports will remain valid as the official travel document, but traditional entry and exit stamps will no longer be issued. Instead, passports will be scanned by machines capable of identifying the traveler’s photo and facial features, similar to systems already operating at Ben Gurion Airport. After the scan, the traveler will either pass through an automated gate or receive an instant clearance slip.

The shift to digital verification places greater importance on the quality of the passport photo, since identification will be carried out by machines rather than human border agents. David Alwadey, founder and CEO of ItsEasy.com Passport & Visa Services, stressed that improper photos can cause difficulties in digital recognition. “A white background is required, but wearing a white shirt may blur the outline of the face and create problems for the system,” he cautioned.

Travel consultant Laura Asilis echoed that advice, recommending that travelers choose clothing in contrasting colors to ensure clear differentiation between the subject and the background. She further advised against patterned or heavily printed shirts, which can also interfere with automated recognition technology.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed a report published by Axios that claimed Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had told him in advance that Israel was preparing to target Hamas officials in Qatar. The article alleged that Netanyahu spoke to Trump early Tuesday morning, right before the strike occurred.

When asked directly by a reporter whether Netanyahu had personally called to warn him about the operation, Trump answered, “No he didn’t.”

The reporter then pressed Trump on how he first became aware of the Israeli attack. He replied simply, “Same way you did.”

Later in the exchange, Trump made clear that Netanyahu “won’t be hitting Qatar again.”

On Sunday, Trump praised Qatar as a “great ally” and cautioned that Israel should “be careful” in the aftermath of the Doha strike aimed at Hamas leadership.

When questioned about what message he wished to convey to Netanyahu after the attack in Qatar, Trump said, “They have to be very, very careful. They have to do something about Hamas, but Qatar has been a great ally to the United States. A lot of people don’t know that.”

Trump continued, “I told the Emir, who I think is a wonderful person, actually, I said, ‘You need better public relations because you don’t really get the public relations.’”

He went on to explain, “People talk of [Qatar] so badly, and they shouldn’t be. Qatar has been a very great ally. So Israel and everybody else, we have to be careful. When we attack people, we have to be careful.”

Speaking to reporters the same day as the strike, Trump remarked that he was “not thrilled” about Israel’s action, though he also underscored that the ongoing mission to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza must remain a top priority.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance, together with another senior member of President Donald Trump’s team, said Monday that honoring Charlie Kirk’s memory requires taking action against progressive organizations they accuse of working to weaken the country.

Vance, who stepped in to host Kirk’s livestream program after the conservative leader’s assassination last week during an appearance before college students, echoed demands from the right for a broad campaign against left-wing groups.

Appearing as a guest on the broadcast, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller recalled that Kirk’s final message to him urged an organized strategy to confront such groups, which he accused of spreading violence. Miller vowed that the administration would mobilize the federal government fully in that mission.

“With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and destroy these networks and make America safe again for the American people,” he said. “It will happen, and we will do it in Charlie’s name.”

Later, in a press briefing, Miller indicated that the administration was considering prosecutions against what he described as a web of nonprofit groups allegedly tied to organizing assaults on police, publishing personal information, and providing supplies for riots. He offered no concrete proof to support those claims.

The comments from Vance and Miller marked the strongest signal yet of what measures the White House may take in the wake of Kirk’s killing. For days, critics have warned that Trump could exploit the tragedy to move against his political opponents under the guise of public safety.

Authorities still do not have a clear motive for the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, who fatally shot Kirk last Wednesday. Police reported finding four bullet casings etched with cryptic references to memes and gaming culture, though specialists stressed they did not point to any political ideology.

Many conservative groups have pressed the administration to pursue more than just criminal charges against Robinson.

During his two-hour stint hosting The Charlie Kirk Show, Vance singled out two well-known philanthropic organizations: the Open Society Foundations, funded by George Soros, and the Ford Foundation. He accused them of underwriting an article in The Nation magazine critical of Kirk, though both foundations denied current financial ties to the outlet.

“I read a story in The Nation magazine about my dear friend Charlie Kirk,” Vance said during the podcast. “George Soros’ Open Society Foundation funds this magazine, as does the Ford Foundation and many other wealthy titans of the American progressive movement.”

Elizabeth Spiers, author of the article titled Charlie Kirk’s Legacy Deserves No Mourning, responded that her piece had clearly rejected any notion of violence, writing that “no one should ever be killed for their views.” She suggested Vance had either misunderstood her article or had deliberately twisted her words to inflame tensions and target her personally.

In the article, Spiers had described Kirk as “an unrepentant racist, transphobe, homophobe, and misogynist who often wrapped his bigotry in Bible verses because there was no other way to pretend that it was morally correct.”

Kirk’s record has long divided opinion. Civil rights advocates have pointed to numerous remarks he made about Black people, immigrants, Muslims, women, and LGBT individuals, which they denounced as offensive and discriminatory. Admirers, by contrast, hailed him as a passionate Christian leader who fearlessly tackled controversial topics, and they credit him with mobilizing large numbers of younger voters in support of Trump.

In response to Vance’s accusations, a spokesperson for the Open Society Foundations called them “disgraceful,” emphasizing that the group’s activities are “entirely peaceful and lawful.” The Ford Foundation also issued a statement clarifying that it awarded The Nation a single grant back in 2019 and does not presently support the publication.

For its part, The Nation defended Spiers’ essay and its broader editorial stance. “In our 160 years of publication, we’ve long believed that dissent is the highest form of patriotism and we are proud of our journalistic legacy in pursuit of a more equal and just world,” the magazine said.

{Matzav.com}

The unveiling of the full Pilgrimage Road in Yerushalayim has brought to light a historic treasure unseen for 2,000 years, uniting ancient Jewish heritage with modern significance.

This ancient roadway, stretching from the Pool of Shiloach to the base of the Har HaBayis, was inaugurated on Monday in a landmark event. Among those present were Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and other international representatives, underscoring both the archaeological and political weight of the moment.

The attendance of Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee was especially meaningful as the ceremony coincided with America’s 250th year of independence. Organizers highlighted how the values born in ancient Yerushalayim later influenced the principles that shaped the American nation.

Back in October 2020, the United States officially designated the City of David as an American Heritage Site, declaring that the ideals of liberty, justice, and recognition of the Divine that emerged from this place are essential to the character of both America and Israel, and to the bond that connects the two countries.

That decision has since motivated others, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei announcing in June 2025 that the City of David would also be honored as an Argentinian Heritage Site. His move reinforced the timeless and universal nature of the values embedded in the City of David.

By joining the event, Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee also reinforced America’s stance on Yerushalayim as Israel’s eternal capital and recognized the City of David as a key foundation of the moral and spiritual ideals linking the two nations.

Rubio reflected during the ceremony, “The United States was founded on a powerful idea, defined not by geography, ethnicity, or anything else. It was founded on the very powerful principle that the rights of mankind come from their creator.”

He continued, “It was here that God fulfilled his promise to his people. It was here that the lessons that formed the base rock and the foundations of our laws, of the principles upon which we decide what is right and what is wrong, was built upon. If you think about the things that today we, in civilized societies, use as rules to govern us, these things did not come because good people wrote them. They came because they were rooted in ancient teachings. For deep inside of us, we all know that we were created for a purpose and for a reason, that our dignity comes from our creator.”

Rubio added, “To stand here today on the very road, where not 2,000 years ago, so many from everywhere ventured to fulfill that desire to be closer to the creator, is a humbling and honoring experience. As you go through the layers of history, you realize that all the civilizations that conquered this city, all the ones who tore it down and built on top, are all gone. The Roman Empire is no more, nor any of the others that sought to conquer and rule this land. But one people remain. They have returned. For God’s promise is eternal, and it is perfect, and his word is always true. And I’m honored to be a part of its fulfillment here with you tonight.”

Ambassador Huckabee invoked the famous words, “If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, may my right hand forget its skill,” before declaring, “The Jewish people never forgot that this was their land, their home, their undivided, indisputable indigenous capital from eternity. Tonight the stones are crying out. The crowds may say it, but the stones absolutely and 100% validate that the Jewish people not only belong here now, but they have belonged here for 4,000 years since the time God said to Abraham, ‘This is yours.’”

He continued, “And it is shouting from the top of the mountain that this is indeed the eternal home of the Jewish people, the Jewish state, and the people who rightly belong here. Tonight the rest of the world comes to say, ‘Welcome home, and may no one ever, ever attempt to take your home from you. It is yours.’”

Huckabee also said, “And those of us who are not Jewish, we thank you for giving all of us a foundation of morality and decency and civilization upon which our own faith is built, for without yours, we don’t have one.”

Netanyahu, recalling the age-old prayer, stated, “Next year in Yerushalayim, next year in Yerushalayim, it didn’t matter if you were in the ghetto in Toledo or the ghetto in Warsaw, that’s what Jews prayed for. Next year in Yerushalayim. Well, we’re here.”

Directing his remarks at Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Netanyahu declared, “This is our city, Mr. Erdogan, it’s not your city, it’s our city. It will always be our city. It will not be divided again. And that’s why I so much appreciate the leadership of President Trump in this area as well. When he declared Yerushalayim our capital, something that should have been acknowledged by every leader in the world, but he did it, and then moved the American embassy here, he called me up before he did it. He asked, ‘What do you think? Would there be riots? Would there be bloodshed?’ I said, ‘I don’t think so, but if there will be, it’ll be primarily directed at us, and we are definitely ready.’ So he just did it. And I welcome today the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who understands that this is the foundation of our common Judeo-Christian heritage. It is being challenged today.”

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu said, “This is our city. It is forever our city. It will never be divided again. Am Yisrael Chai, and Yerushalayim lives in our hearts. Thank you.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Spain has officially scrapped a major arms deal with Israel, marking another escalation in the rift between Madrid and Jerusalem, AFP reports.

The contract, worth close to 700 million euros, was removed from Spain’s public procurement platform on September 9, one day before Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a decree to “consolidate in law” a ban on the trade of military equipment with Israel, according to the news agency.

The deal would have supplied Spain with 12 SILAM rocket launcher systems, a localized version of the PULS model built by Israel’s Elbit Systems. The International Institute for Strategic Studies confirmed the details in its publication, Military Balance.

This cancellation is part of a broader policy shift by Spain to cut military cooperation with Israel. Reports also indicate that Spain annulled a separate contract worth €287 million for 168 anti-tank missile launchers that were to be produced under Israeli licensing.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia noted that the government is carrying out a comprehensive review of its defense procurement, with the goal of phasing out all Israeli-made weapons and systems from its military.

The development comes against the backdrop of worsening diplomatic tensions. Sanchez has become one of Europe’s sharpest critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which he and his administration have described as “the genocide in Gaza.”

Back in November 2023, Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned Spain’s ambassador after Sanchez accused Israel of “violating international law and carrying out indiscriminate killings in Gaza.”

In April, Sanchez again went on the offensive, describing Israel’s military actions as a “disproportionate response” to the Gaza conflict, warning that it threatened to “destabilize the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world.”

By May, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares was openly calling for international sanctions against Israel, citing its continued fighting with Hamas.

Last week, the dispute deepened further when Spain called in Israel’s acting ambassador in Madrid, Dana Erlich, following accusations leveled by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The exchange was triggered after Sanchez delivered a televised address on Monday, in which he pledged new steps to pressure Israel to halt the war in Gaza. “Spain, as you know, doesn’t have nuclear bombs, nor aircraft carriers or large oil reserves. We alone can’t stop the Israeli offensive,” he said.

Netanyahu’s office shot back on Thursday with a post on X, claiming Sanchez had issued a “blatant genocidal threat.”

On Sunday, Sanchez voiced support for demonstrators who disrupted and forced the cancellation of the Vuelta a España cycling race, saying he was “filled with pride” by their actions.

In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply condemned the Spanish leader, declaring, “Sanchez and his government – a disgrace to Spain!”

{Matzav.com}

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​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld

During the Aseres Yemei Teshuva we add special requests in the first and last brachos of Shmoneh Esrei (zochreinu, mi chamocha, etc.). We add more tefillos on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur to the bracha of Ata Kadosh; i.e., we add u’vchein tein pachdecha.

We find a machlokes in the Tur (584) on this topic. Some of the geonim felt one should not add zochreinu and mi chamocha because a person is not supposed to ask for bakashos during the first three brachos of Shmoneh Esrei. Rav Hai Gaon argued with this position and clarified that a person cannot ask for private bakashos; however, if one is asking bakashos for the tzibbur, then it is allowed.

In Meseches Sofrim it is brought down that we only add zochreinu and mi chamocha on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, but not during the rest of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. The reason is that since they are bakashos, the chachamim only allowed them to be said on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which are yemei hadin. The Tur concludes that we say it during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. The Tur then wonders why we don’t add the bracha of Ata Kadosh also during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. He concludes that there are places where u’vchein tein pachdecha was added during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva.

To summarize, we have three opinions here. The first is Meseches Sofrim, where we only add to our tefillos on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The second opinion, which is the Tur, says that we add zochreinu and u’vchein tein pachdecha during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva. The third opinion is that we add zochreinu during all of Aseres Yemei Teshuva, whereas we add u’vchein tein pachdecha only on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

We can explain all opinions as follows. The shitta of Meseches Sofrim, which states that we only add during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, could be because the gemara in Rosh Hashana says that we are judged on Rosh Hashana, but the beinonim have the Aseres Yemei Teshuva to correct their ways and ultimately are judged on Yom Kippur. We see from this that Aseres Yemei Teshuva are not judgment days.

If we say that we add u’vchein tein pachdecha for all Aseres Yemei Teshuva, then we would be saying that all ten days are an extension of the judgment, and therefore we add both zochreinu and u’vchein tein pachdecha. We just need to explain our minhag that we add only zochreinu and not u’vchein tein pachdecha.

We could say that the pesukim of u’vchein tein pachdecha are a lashon of gilui malchus, bringing out the kingdom of Hashem, and that we only do on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are the days when Hashem is on His throne judging us, whereas the bakashos of zochreinu, which prepare us for Yom Kippur, we need to say during all the days of Aseres Yemei Teshuva prior to the day of judgment.

May we all be zocheh badin.

{Matzav.com}

The FBI’s second-in-command said on Monday that he suspects Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, may not have acted alone, hinting that an “extended network” could have played a role and pointing to “multiple warning signs” before the assassination.

According to a report in The NY Post on Sunday, investigators had already begun examining whether groups online and others close to Robinson might have had advance knowledge of his deadly plans.

Among the groups under review are communities active on the gaming site Steam, as well as Armed Queers SLC, which deactivated its Instagram account after Kirk was gunned down.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has now indicated that the bureau is broadening the scope of its probe, checking whether anyone present at the event — including the TikTok personality who questioned Kirk just moments before the attack — might have had prior awareness of the plot.

Speaking on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” with host Bill Hemmer, Bongino explained that agents are “looking into” whether the murder of Kirk — a 31-year-old conservative leader, husband, father of two, and founder of Turning Point USA — “was part of a larger effort” that could have included financial support or others who “knew the specifics of it and failed to report that.”

“We’ll also be dropping a lot of paper, a lot of subpoenas out there, to take a look to see if there was any extended network,” Bongino said.

Kirk was slain by a single shot to the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University last Wednesday. Robinson was arrested 33 hours afterward.

When pressed about whether the timing of the shot was connected to Kirk addressing a question about mass shootings carried out by trans individuals, Bongino said, “We’re investigating that.”

“I don’t want to say conclusively right now if there was a connection or not,” Bongino said. “It’s not terribly uncommon for [Kirk] to get questions like that. However, we are looking into that.”

Hemmer also asked Bongino about a discussion Robinson had at a family gathering in which he and a relative expressed their dislike for Kirk.

“There appear to have been multiple warning signs” about Robinson’s state of mind, Bongino said. “You just laid out some of them. There were people in his network, friends and family who had stated that he had become more political.”

Authorities are still piecing together how Robinson became radicalized. Markings discovered on unused bullets from the gun that killed Kirk suggested connections to pro-trans and anti-fascist beliefs.

A relative of Robinson’s roommate, who is cooperating with investigators and is not accused of wrongdoing, said they believe the suspect’s politics may have been shaped by that relationship.

“I think Tyler got a whole lot worse in the year they have been dating. They are big gamers, and obviously they have that group that influences them as well as others. But my gut tells me [the roommate] did more of the influencing,” the relative told Fox Digital.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox commented Friday that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” though he was not registered with any party. Officials have said Robinson “didn’t like” Kirk or his “viewpoints.”

The NY Post also noted that Robinson’s partner, who lives with him, is transitioning from male to female, though it remains unclear if that relationship influenced Robinson’s political leanings.

Investigators have so far avoided publicly stating what finally drove Robinson to target Kirk, though Bongino said the suspect appeared to have “some obsession” with him, based on his “digital footprints,” describing the assassination as “an ideologically motivated attack.”

FBI Director Patel told Fox on Monday that Robinson “had a text message exchange with another individual in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk — and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for.”

According to Patel, a handwritten note with the same threats was later “destroyed,” but investigators were able to preserve proof of its contents. The director explained that the note included Robinson “saying, ‘I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.’”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

This is not just another video.
It is three minutes worth setting aside.

What you will see is a story told through time, spanning from the 1980s until today.

A vision cast by Rabbi Moshe Sherer, Zichrono L’vracha, brought to life decades later with school choice victories. Communities cross-country. Shuls and schools stamped for approval. Buses on the road, laws rewritten, and security grants delivered — alongside the many other ways the Agudah serves Klal Yisroel, including its vast Torah projects.

The video’s artistic treatment brings these decades together in a seamless timeline, a visual time-lapse of small acorns growing into towering oaks. A glimpse of what happens when visionaries plant and invest, fully knowing they may never sit in the shade of the trees they nurture.

This is the Agudah story. 

A timeline of doing. And a reminder of what your support makes possible.

Take a few moments to watch. You will see the impact of the Agudah, and the impact on you.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN CAMPAIGN!

In 1987, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, Zichrono L’vracha, set a vision for school aid that he knew might only come in his grandchildren’s time. That time is now.

Fifty-three years later, a federal scholarship tax credit unlocks billions for tuition support. A so-called “overnight victory,” but fifty-three years in the making. Real shtadlanus takes akshanus: planting trees knowing you might never enjoy their shade. That is the Agudah.

When you see thriving communities in Linden, Jackson, Blooming Grove, or New City… when you see shuls, mikvaos, and schools under construction… chances are the Agudah was involved.

When zoning issues hit home, you know who to call. Because cranes don’t do the heavy lifting. Doers do.

As antisemitism surges globally, threats strike our streets, shuls, schools, and campuses. From slurs and bricks hurled, to shots fired and harassment. We are there — in councils, in courts, in Congress — securing millions in grants, defending yachidim in the workplace, and holding hate to task.

The child tax credit. Special education. Security for our schools. Rewriting the substantial equivalency law. Taking on the New York Times. Nothing escapes their forensic eyes.

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Asei L’maancha V’hoshienu.
Caring for Klal Yisroel. Doing for Klal Yisroel.

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Please join us. Do what you can, and enable us to do so much more on your behalf.

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Israelis will be banned from one of Britain’s most prestigious defense academies over the fallout from the nearly two-year-old war against Hamas in Gaza, British media reported.

The Royal College of Defence Studies will not accept students from Israel from next year, the British Government confirmed to the Telegraph.

The move is the first such ban on Israelis by the defense academy since its establishment nearly a century ago.

The director general of Israel’s defense ministry, Amir Baram, who along with Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin studied at the college, was quoted in the British daily as calling the decision “a profoundly dishonourable act of disloyalty to an ally at war.”

The move was a “disgraceful break with Britain’s proud tradition of tolerance—and plain decency,” said Baram, noting that Israel was “defending international shipping from Houthi aggression, preventing nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of an Islamist regime that chants ‘Death to England,’ and fighting to bring home 48 hostages from Hamas captivity.”

A U.K. Defense Ministry spokesman told the Telegraph that while British defense programs were open to personnel from a “wide range of countries, with all UK military courses emphasizing compliance with international humanitarian law… the Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong.”

The spokesman added that “there must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages, and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”

Relations between the United Kingdom and Israel have plunged over the ongoing war which was triggered by the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which left more than 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians and saw 251 others abducted to Gaza in the single worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

The United Kingdom was among five countries who sanctioned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in June for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinians.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer subsequently announced in July that the United Kingdom would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly this month, following the lead of other European nations including France, unless the Israeli government took substantive steps to end the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The move was strongly condemned by both the United States and Israel.

Earlier this month, the British leader met Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas to advance the P.A.’s bilateral relations with London and coordinate ahead of the U.N. General Assembly meeting.

On Sept. 10, Starmer held a tense meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at 10 Downing Street in London, with Herzog firmly opposing the U.K. government’s stance on Israel and Starmer criticizing the Jewish state over the war against Hamas in Gaza and the Sept. 9 strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar.

The meeting itself was only announced on the second day of the president’s visit to London at the invitation of the Jewish community. JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a stern warning after reading reports that Hamas has brought hostages out of tunnels and placed them above ground in Gaza City. He condemned the tactic as a “human atrocity” and cautioned the terror group about the consequences.

“I have just read a News Report that Hamas has moved the hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground offensive,” Trump writes on his social media network, Truth Social.

“I hope the Leaders of Hamas know what they’re getting into if they do such a thing. This is a human atrocity, the likes of which few people have ever seen before. Don’t let this happen or, ALL ‘BETS’ ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!” he adds.

While the president has made several strong declarations toward Hamas, it remains uncertain what exact steps he might take in response if the terror group does not comply.

Adding to the urgency of the matter, the mother of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal said last night that she was informed her son had been moved above ground in Gaza City and was being used by Hamas as a human shield.

{Matzav.com}

The Los Angeles Torah community continues to daven fervently for the recovery of Rav Eliezer Gross, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles, who remains hospitalized in critical condition.

A week ago, Rav Gross was admitted to the ICU and his family was told that his situation was critical. Today, boruch Hashem, the doctors were cautiously optimistic, but Rav Gross is still in the ICU.

Rav Gross remains in need of rachamei Shomayim and all are urged to continue davening for Rav Eliezer Yitzchok ben Yocheved.

{Matzav.com}

What was a Chabad shliach doing at North America’s most famous ski site? As it turns out, he wasn’t there for the slopes, but to establish a Jewish center at the heart of one of the busiest tourist destinations on the continent.

Recently, Chabad announced that Rabbi Shneur and Bina Druk have moved with their young children, Musia and Mendel, to Whistler, British Columbia — home to Canada’s most prestigious ski resort. Their mission: to serve the thousands of Jewish visitors and residents who pass through the area each year.

Whistler, located about an hour and a half north of Vancouver in the Coast Mountains, has long been a crown jewel in Canada’s tourism industry. The picturesque town is surrounded by towering peaks, crystal lakes, and dense evergreen forests.

In the winter months, Whistler draws hundreds of thousands of ski enthusiasts who come to experience its legendary slopes, lively alpine village, and Olympic-class facilities. The resort is regularly ranked as the number one ski destination in North America.

But Whistler isn’t only a winter wonderland. During the summer, the region attracts hikers, mountain bikers, and families seeking relaxation by its pristine lakes. The combination of natural beauty and massive investment in infrastructure has turned Whistler into a year-round hub of culture, sports, and global tourism, hosting major festivals, sporting events, and millions of international visitors annually.

According to estimates, Whistler welcomes close to five million tourists each year, and a significant number of them are Jewish. Until now, they had limited access to kosher food and Jewish resources. With the arrival of the new shluchim, that is changing.

Rabbi and Mrs. Druk are establishing a Jewish center that will provide kosher meals, Shabbos gatherings, Torah classes, a mikvah, and even educational programs for children. “We’re already beginning to organize Shabbos meals, shiurim, and home visits,” the shluchim shared.

The new Chabad presence is expected to become a vital resource for Jews who come to enjoy Whistler’s breathtaking surroundings while staying connected to Yiddishkeit.

{Matzav.com}

A historic moment took place in Tiveria, where the legendary Ma’ayan Mei Dekalim mentioned in Shas was re-identified. The well-known mekubal of Tiveria, Rav Dov Kook, drank from the waters of Ein Yamka, and his close talmid, Rav Yizhar Yosef Gati, mechaber of Zocher HaNishkachos, was zocheh to make the rare brocha of “Borei Mei Refuos.” This is a brocha that had not been heard for nearly two thousand years.

Chazal’s Description of the Spring

The Mishnah in Maseches Shabbos tells us: “Kol ha’ochelin ochel adam l’refuah b’Shabbos, v’chol ha’mashkin shoseh, chutz mi’Mei Dekalim.” The Gemara explains that it refers to a unique spring flowing between two dekalim in Eretz Yisroel, whose waters were a refuah for intestinal machalos. The Yerushalmi adds that the one who drinks from these waters says a special brocha: “Baruch shebara mei refuos.”

Gedolei Yisroel through the generations identified Tiveria as the place of this ma’ayan. The Aruch already in the 11th century wrote about “waters that purge” in Tiveria. Rav Shmuel Sirilio of Tzefas in the 1500s stated clearly that it was the spring between the dekalim of Tiveria. Even Yosef ben Mattisyahu (Josephus) described the “Har Barzel” near Tiveria with its palms and medicinal springs.

In more recent times, talmidei chachomim pointed to Ein Yamka, on the banks of the Kinneret, as the likely location — its waters warm, slightly salty, and long known to the locals for their healing properties.

Rav Kook’s Reaction

When the research was presented to Rav Dov Kook, who himself suffers from digestive problems, he responded with great excitement: “Zeh malei Torah! Tzarich lehavi mei ha’mayim ha’eilu!” He sent people more than once to draw water for him, instructing that they should be drunk on an empty stomach in the morning.

On one occasion, despite being in the middle of a taanis, Rav Kook tasted from the waters. At that moment, his talmid, Rav Gati, recited the ancient brocha “Borei Mei Refuos.” The moving moment was recorded and publicized.

Rav Rafael, a son-in-law of Rav Kook, testified: “Ani yachol lomar she’zeh oseh pe’ulah ba’me’ayim. The water isn’t as salty as Chamei Tiveria, but it’s saltier than the Kinneret — and fit to drink.” Another family member related that he personally saw that the waters behaved exactly as the Gemara described.

Tests of the nearby springs showed salinity levels several times higher than the regular Kinneret, which matches perfectly the description of Chazal regarding Mei Dekalim.

Rav Kook praised the sefer HaMekomos HaNedarim, which documents the rediscovery, saying: “Zeh mitzvah gedolah lechaber Yehudim l’Eretz Yisroel. V’haGaon miVilna omer, kol inyan shel Eretz Yisroel, ha’gevulos v’hamekomos, zeh gufei Torah.”

In fact, Tiveria fishermen once opposed desalination of the Kinneret because blocking Ein Yamka would harm what they themselves called the “refuah clinic for fish,” where sick fish came to heal — another eerie echo of Chazal’s words.

Researcher Yisroel Shapira, who worked on the project, expressed: “It is a zechus not only to identify an ancient ma’ayan, but to bring back to life a forgotten brocha that disappeared in galus and now has returned b’chasdei Hashem.”

Gedolei Yisroel of the previous generation also addressed this brocha. The Minchas Elazar of Munkatch held that the brocha of Borei Mei Refuos should indeed be said on healing waters. Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook zt”l likewise wrote that even though the poskim did not mention it, “Birchas ha’refuah la’olam ra’ui levarech.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Just hours before thousands of Breslover chassidim are set to fly to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, a formal complaint was submitted on Monday evening to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, challenging Transportation Minister Miri Regev’s decision to temporarily lift the night flight ban at Ben Gurion Airport in order to accommodate the surge of passengers.

The complaint stated: “We hereby approach you regarding the decision of the Transportation Minister, Miri Regev, to cancel the night curfew at Ben Gurion Airport in order to allow numerous overnight flights to connecting destinations for the chareidi public traveling to Uman.”

The petitioners argued that the night curfew had long been established under administrative regulations “to protect the quality of life of residents of the Ono Valley area and reduce noise pollution.” They claimed that “under public administrative law, any deviation from established arrangements requires professional and objective discretion, strict adherence to equality, and avoidance of granting preference to any particular sector.”

The letter further charged that granting such an exemption “to a defined group—in this case, chareidi passengers heading to Uman—deviates from the goals of the regulation and raises concerns of authority being used for ulterior purposes.” The complainants insisted that “even if the minister has the authority to issue specific exemptions, this decision fails the tests of proportionality, reasonableness, and equality, since it provides an unprecedented sectoral benefit at the expense of the general public and local residents.”

The petition concluded with a request that the Attorney General “examine the legality of the decision to cancel the night curfew, annul the decision if it exceeds authority or lacks reasonableness, and clarify that any change in night flight policy must be made through proper legal regulations rather than a ministerial decision targeting a specific sector.”

In response, officials in the Transportation Ministry dismissed the complaint as another act of hostility toward the religious public. They explained: “The Transportation Minister’s decision to allow overnight flights to Uman was intended to ease congestion at the airport, given that over 100,000 passengers are departing within a span of 24–48 hours, in addition to the regular travel volume.”

The ministry sources added: “We are confident that the Attorney General will not intervene in the minister’s decision, which was made lawfully and fully within her authority.”

{Matzav.com Israel}