Matzav

Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota lashed out in an interview about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, mocking the idea that he was simply seeking polite political dialogue.
“There are a lot of people who are talking about him [Kirk] just wanting to have a civil debate,” Omar sneered to progressive outlet Zeteo. “These people are full of [garbage] and it’s important for us to call them out while we feel anger and sadness.”

She accused the Turning Point USA leader of minimizing George Floyd’s death and opposing Juneteenth, further dismissing any notion that his record had been misrepresented.
“There is nothing more [messed] up than to pretend that his words and actions haven’t been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so,” she said, alleging that Kirk’s social media presence was filled with “hateful rhetoric.”

Omar was not alone among Democrats in showing little sympathy for Kirk’s murder. Just hours after he was gunned down at Utah Valley University, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker turned his ire on President Trump.

“Political violence unfortunately has been ratcheting up in this country,” Pritzker told reporters, pointing to the recent killing of Minnesota’s Democratic House speaker.

“I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country — I think the president’s rhetoric often foments it,” Pritzker went on.

“We’ve seen the January 6th rioters who clearly have tripped a new era of political violence,” he added, ignoring the two failed assassination attempts against Trump himself.

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly also weighed in, faulting extreme speech from all political corners.

“Political violence is never the answer. It divides us. But also, I’ve got to say, political rhetoric, too, from both sides, often gets out of hand and it incites people to do things like this,” Kelly said during a CNN appearance.

He appealed to Americans to “think about … our words and the consequences of them, you know, from both sides of the political spectrum.”

Others took the opportunity to openly revel in Kirk’s death. Michael Kilbane, president of the Fairview Park, Ohio City Council, wrote a cruel Facebook post: “A lot of good people died today. Charlie Kirk wasn’t one of them.”

Even members of law enforcement joined in. Secret Service agent Anthony Pough used Facebook to mock those grieving.

“If you are Mourning this guy .. delete me. He spewed hate and racism on his show,” Pough wrote, as reported by RealClearPolitics.

“At the end of the day, you answer to GOD and speak things into existence. You can only circumvent karma, she doesnt [sic] leave,” he added.

The Secret Service issued a response to The NY Post, stressing that the agency “will not tolerate any behavior which violates our code of conduct.”

“We are aware of the employee’s social media post from today and the individual has been placed on administrative leave as we investigate the matter,” a spokesperson confirmed.

The fallout extended beyond the agency. A Marine recruiter lost his position after uploading an Instagram image of Kirk with the caption: “Another racist man popped.”

“The Marine in question has been relieved of his recruiting duties, and the matter is currently under investigation,” Capt. Austin Gallegos told Task & Purpose.

Meanwhile, a Toledo Fire Department battalion chief used Facebook to celebrate the killing, writing that the shooting was “totally preventable and avoidable if not for the policies and beliefs of people like” Kirk and “his uneducated hateful ilk.”

“Wish the guy was a better shot,” the post continued. “Charlie Kirk offers nothing but hate and division to society.”

“No one would miss him and discourse would be better without him.” The fire department is said to be reviewing the disturbing message.

The backlash even reached the classroom. AnneMarie Donahue, a teacher at Wachusett Regional High School in Massachusetts, was placed on leave after Libs of TikTok highlighted an Instagram post where she wrote: “We’re NOT offering sympathy.”

Her post came just minutes after Kirk was struck by the sniper’s bullet.

In Florida, Lee County School District Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas vowed accountability.

He announced plans to investigate “every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior” after FOX 4 reported on a district employee who wrote: “What’s that about the cost of the second amendment being ‘some gun deaths every year,’ Bye Charlie.”

{Matzav.com}

Images and video clips of the man authorities are seeking in the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk have been made public as investigators continue their pursuit for the second consecutive day.

On Thursday morning, the FBI distributed several pictures of a “college-aged” suspect they believe may be linked to the attack.

“We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” the FBI posted on X. The photos show a thin man covered in dark clothing from head to toe.

The suspect is shown with wraparound sunglasses, a dark cap, and a long-sleeved shirt that appears to feature an American flag.

TMZ reported that the same individual was caught on security cameras heading toward the Utah Valley University campus on the morning Kirk’s event was scheduled to begin.

Later that night, the Utah Department of Public Safety released four more images that provided a closer look. Although his gray hat partially conceals his face, the shirt displays both an eagle and an American flag, his gray Converse shoes are visible, and one shot shows his black backpack.

The low-quality footage reveals a tall, slim man entirely dressed in black, limping along a neighborhood street with a backpack just before noon as he made his way toward the university.

Officials suspect that he might have been hiding the bolt-action rifle later discovered by police not far from the crime scene.

Authorities further suggested that because of his attire, the man could have blended in with the fleeing crowd in the immediate aftermath of the gunfire.

Anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit details online.

Kirk, age 31, was struck by a single sniper’s bullet fired from the Losee Center building on campus, roughly 200 yards away from where he was addressing the audience at the opening stop of his American Comeback tour.

Two people who were initially detained in the wake of the incident were later cleared of involvement. One faces an obstruction charge, while the other was questioned by federal investigators and released.

Investigators recovered a .30-06 Mauser bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel in wooded terrain near Utah Valley University’s Orem campus. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the weapon is believed to have been used in the crime.

Preliminary accounts indicated that the rifle’s ammunition carried markings referencing “transgender and anti-fascist ideology.” However, a Justice Department official told The NY Post that the agency has not yet confirmed whether those inscriptions matched what was recovered at the site.

{Matzav.com}

Two days after Israel carried out its strike targeting senior Hamas figures in the heart of Qatar, Israeli defense officials are increasingly concerned that the mission did not meet its objectives. According to a Thursday report on Channel 12, assessments within the defense establishment now lean toward classifying the operation as a failure.

A senior Israeli source acknowledged that while there may have been limited success in eliminating a handful of senior operatives, the primary target was not achieved. “We are continuing to wait for the final intelligence picture and are hoping that perhaps some of the senior officials were killed,” the source said, adding, “as the hours go by, it seems that most of the operation’s goals were not accomplished.”

Updated assessments indicate that Hamas leaders were indeed inside the structure struck by the Israeli Air Force. However, reports suggest that either the munitions used were ill-suited for the designated target, or that the Hamas leaders managed to flee to another room at the moment of impact.

Channel 13 further reported that many Israeli security officials argued against the timing of the strike, describing it as “the most inconvenient moment imaginable.” They had urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone action in light of discussions surrounding President Trump’s proposed framework for a potential deal, stressing that “it would be better to give negotiations a chance.”

A senior Israeli official criticized Netanyahu directly: “The prime minister chose not to accept the position of 90% of the professional bodies who made clear the consequences—among them the IDF Chief of Staff, the head of the National Security Council, and the head of the Mossad.”

Kan News reported that in a cabinet meeting ahead of the strike, Mossad Director Dedi Barnea warned against targeting Hamas leaders during active negotiations. “When there are talks taking place, you don’t eliminate the people you are dealing with,” he cautioned.

Looking ahead, Netanyahu is expected to convene the security cabinet tomorrow to discuss the continuation of Israel’s campaign in Gaza and assess the broader implications of the strike in Qatar.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The State Department announced on Thursday that it is keeping watch on the online activity of foreign nationals who are “praising, rationalizing, or making light” of the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, 31, was gunned down on Wednesday while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University. Authorities are still searching for the shooter.

“In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote in a message posted on X.

“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the @StateDept can protect the American people.”

Shortly after Landau’s statement, X users began responding with examples of posts that they said matched his description.

“Hey @Microsoft is this your employee celebrating the murder of Charlie Kirk? Does this align with your company values?” one person asked.

Another user added, “A Somalian American X user celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”

{Matzav.com}

In a heartfelt conversation with Bamah magazine, HaGaon Rav Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger, one of the elder roshei yeshiva of our generation and rosh yeshiva of Kol Torah, reflected on the recent horrific terror attack at the Ramot Junction in Yerushalayim in which Reb Levi Yitzchok Pash, a devoted worker of the yeshiva, was murdered.

“I know what it means to feel the pain of loss,” Rav Schlesinger said. “I too had a son who was murdered, Hashem yikom damo. It is a pain that endures for years. People sometimes imagine that grief fades with time, but this is not true at all. In fact, the difficulty can even intensify as the years go on.”

Rav Schlesinger himself suffered the tragic murder of his son, Eliezer Schlesinger z”l, who was killed during the First Intifada in Sivan 5748 (1988). Eliezer was returning from Yeshivas Maalot HaTorah near Gan Sacher when he was attacked and murdered by a terrorist from Abu Ghosh. He was buried on Har HaZeisim.

Speaking with deep pain about the loss of Reb Levi Yitzchok Pash, the rosh yeshiva described him as “a unique individual, with remarkable character traits, who was deeply devoted to the bochurim of the yeshiva and constantly sought ways to benefit and assist them. We must learn from his path. I heard that whenever he had spare time, he would enter the beis medrash to sit and learn. Such behavior reveals a person who, despite being engaged in earning a livelihood, constantly sought growth in Torah and yiras Shamayim.”

In his wider remarks published in Bamah, Rav Schlesinger emphasized the importance of reflection and awareness in avodas Hashem. “This is something that obligates every individual. The value of our deeds is determined by the thought and intention we put into them. For us, bnei hayeshivos, whose lives revolve around Torah study and mitzvah observance, it is certainly incumbent upon us to examine our actions so that everything we do comes from an elevated place.”

He stressed that this message is especially relevant in these days leading up to the Yamim Nora’im. “We must arrive at the Days of Judgment with careful thought and reflection on the year that has passed, on everything that has befallen Klal Yisroel in this past year. By doing so, each person will be able to strengthen himself in the areas where he most needs chizuk.”

{Matzav.com}

In preparation for the upcoming Yamim Nora’im, important changes have been announced within the Gerrer chassidus: the appointment of a new baal tokei’a to blow the shofar in the main beis medrash, and a new permanent gabbai to oversee its operations.

The announcements come as the community braces for the solemn days ahead, following a period of difficulty due to the weakened health of the Gerrer Rebbe. For the first time, a special chamber has been built within the main beis medrash on Rechov Yirmiyahu in Yerushalayim, connecting the Rebbe’s private residence with his designated place of tefillah.

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Weinstein has been appointed as the new baal tokei’a, succeeding the legendary Rabbi Itche Rosmarin. Already during Rabbi Rosmarin’s lifetime, Rabbi Weinstein was chosen as his deputy and on several occasions blew the shofar in the main beis medrash. With Rabbi Rosmarin’s passing this past Sivan, Rabbi Weinstein has now officially assumed the sacred role.

Rabbi Weinstein is the son of Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Weinstein z”l, a Holocaust survivor who later settled in Yerushalayim and delivered shiurim in Zichron Moshe. Growing up in the Gerrer institutions, Reb Moshe Aryeh married the daughter of Rabbi Zalman Orzel and lived in Bnei Brak, near Rabbi Shlomo Zilberstein, one of the leading rabbanim of the chassidus. In recent years, he relocated to Ashdod.

A man of notable Torah scholarship, Rabbi Weinstein was among the founders of the Rashi shtiebel in Bnei Brak, where the Gerrer Rebbe himself would daven. He is also renowned as an expert sofer STa”M, with many of the greatest rabbanim requesting his exquisitely crafted tefillin. The waiting list for his work was famously long, with wealthy patrons often placing orders immediately upon the birth of a son. His integrity and precision became his hallmark, earning him the trust of the Gerrer leadership. At the outset of the current Rebbe’s leadership some three decades ago, Rabbi Weinstein was appointed to the management board of the Gerrer institutions and has since remained closely involved.

Gerrer chassidim recall that in earlier times, another baal tokei’a, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Shpernovitz—also a sofer STa”M—was affectionately known as “Simcha Bunim Sofer-Shofar,” a testament to the community’s tradition of combining scholarship, craftsmanship, and devotion in this pivotal role.

In addition to Rabbi Weinstein’s appointment, another major position has been filled: Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Schiff has been named the permanent chief gabbai of the great beis medrash.

Rabbi Schiff is the son of the revered longtime gabbai, Rabbi Chanina Schiff, with whom he served for many years. He is considered one of the Rebbe’s close confidants and is highly respected for his authority in overseeing all matters of the beis medrash. Beyond his new appointment, Rabbi Schiff also serves as the rov of a yishuv in Mateh Yehuda and is responsible for distributing the shmuessen of the Gerrer Rebbes.

This marks the second time in Gerrer history that the son of a gabbai has stepped into his father’s role. Following the passing of Rabbi Chanina Schiff in 2008, Rabbi Mendel Binka—son of the previous gabbai, Rabbi Yehoshua Noach Binka—was appointed. Throughout his tenure, Rabbi Yosef Schiff remained by his side, assisting with all aspects of the gabbai duties.

During the COVID-19 restrictions, the Rebbe’s aide, Rabbi Leibel Pazintchevsky, temporarily assumed the role of gabbai. Now, with this latest announcement, Rabbi Yosef Schiff has been formally confirmed as the permanent successor, continuing the legacy of his father.

{Matzav.com}

Large crowds from across the chassidic community gathered outside Prison 10 to protest the detention of yeshiva students who had been arrested due to unresolved draft status issues. The demonstration came in response to the imprisonment of Nesanel Maor Yitzchak and Yisroel Meir Taharani — the latter having completed his sheva brachos only the day before — and was framed as a wider objection to what organizers described as the government’s harassment of Torah learners in Eretz Yisroel.

The rally was arranged by the Action Committee established earlier this year at a meeting of prominent chassidic leaders in Ma’ale Hachamisha. At the forefront were representatives of the largest dynasties, including Gur, Vizhnitz, Sanz, Boyan, and Slonim.

The event opened with an address by Rav Moshe Bruner, mashgiach of Yeshivas Sfas Emes in Yerushalayim. Standing beside him was Rav Avraham Mordechai Alter, eldest son of the Gerrer Rebbe, lending the evening heightened significance. In a forceful statement directed at the government, Rav Bruner declared: “We are addressing the Prime Minister and the ministers as clearly as can be: no quotas and no targets! If you want the merit of supporting Torah, then arrange for Torah scholars to be legally registered, and you will gain the zechus haTorah. If not, salvation will come to the Jewish people from another place. We will come out ahead, and you will be the ones who lose — let that be clear!”

The Rebbe of Chug Chasam Sofer also spoke, lamenting what he described as ongoing persecution: “Shamefully, even in 5785, Torah learners in Eretz Yisroel are being targeted. It is not enough that they themselves cast off the yoke [of Torah], now they pursue those who dedicate their lives to it and send young bochurim to military prison. We will not allow it, and they will not succeed in breaking our spirit.”

A broad range of chassidic communities participated in the protest, including Gur–Beit Shemesh, Boyan–Modi’in Illit, Seret Vizhnitz, Sanz, Tchernobyl, and others. Among the prominent figures present were Rav Avraham Mordechai Alter, son of the Gerrer Rebbe; Rav Dovid Twersky, son of the Tchernobyler Rebbe of Beit Shemesh; the Chasam Sofer Rebbe; the Temeshvar Rebbe; Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel Breyer, son of the Boyaner Rebbe; Rav Fishel Hager, son-in-law of the Boyaner Rebbe; Rav Yechezkel Durbarmadiker, Boyaner Rav in Modi’in Illit; and Rav Shraga Feivel Weinberger, Rav of the Yeshuos Moshe Vizhnitz kehillah in Elad and member of the Vizhnitz beis din in Bnei Brak.

המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי המחאה בכלא 10צילום: קובי הר צבי {Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Eliyahu Greenzeig zt”l, one of Yerushalayim’s distinguished talmidei chachomim, who was niftar at the age of 84. In recent years, he endured prolonged suffering with great strength and emunah. His levayah was held at Shamgar, continuing to Har HaMenuchos for kevurah.

Rav Greenzeig was born in Tel Aviv in 1942 (5702) to his father Rav Chaim zt”l and his mother Mrs. Rachel Leah a”h. In his youth, he studied at the Yeshiva LeTzeirim of Or Yisroel in Petach Tikvah, where he was cherished by his rabbeim, including Roshei Yeshiva Rav Yaakov Neiman and Rav Yaakov Rozovsky.

He later advanced to Ponovezh Yeshiva, where he formed close bonds with its roshei yeshiva, particularly with Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman zt”l, the Ponovezher Rav, to whom his grandfather had also been deeply connected.

Following his marriage to the daughter of Rav Bentzion Prag zt”l, Av Beis Din of Agudas Yisroel and one of the gedolim of Yerushalayim, Rav Greenzeig was asked to serve as a maggid shiur at Yeshivas HaGra in Haifa.

Afterward, he settled in Yerushalayim, maintaining close ties with many of the city’s great Torah figures. During these years, he took on the role of editor of the renowned Otzar Meforshei HaTalmud project, republished the commentary of the Abudraham, and authored numerous seforim that earned him wide recognition, including Mikra Ha’eidah, Pekudei Ha’eidah, and Kruei Mo’ed.

He leaves behind a family that follows in his path: his sons, Rav Shimon, Rav Yaakov, and Rav Menachem, and his son-in-law Rav Shmuel Movshovitz.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A town in Westchester County has walked back its earlier rejection of a request by a Jewish group to hold Tashlich in a local park, The Forward reports. On Wednesday evening, the Mount Kisco Recreation Commission voted to grant Chabad of Bedford a permit for the Rosh Hashanah ritual at Leonard Park, easing tensions over whether religious practices could take place there.

The Forward reported that back in June, the Commission had turned down Chabad’s permit request, pointing to a deed restriction that supposedly prohibited religious functions. That position drew criticism after it emerged that the same park had hosted an Easter egg hunt this spring. Tashlich is a ceremony during Rosh Hashanah in which Jews symbolically cast away sins by tossing pieces of bread into flowing water.

“I’m glad that they reconsidered, that they realized that a mistake was made, and they were able to backtrack and do the right thing for the community and for their constituents,” said Rabbi Arik Wolf of Chabad of Bedford.

Mayor Michael Cindrich explained to The Examiner News that Leonard Park is covered by four different deeds, some of which date back nearly a century and contain contradictory provisions. After seeking legal advice, he said the town was told, “the recommendation was to move ahead with it and deal with other conflicts in the future.”

Attorney Lauren Israelovitch of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, who is representing Chabad, praised the town’s reversal but warned that the mayor’s remarks suggested more hurdles may lie ahead when it comes to similar applications.

“While the mayor has described the matter as ‘extremely complicated,’ citing various deeds and conveyances to be reviewed in the coming months so that park rules and restrictions can be clarified, the law is clear: blanket bans on religious activities in a park—without valid time, place, and manner restrictions—are unconstitutional,” she said in a statement given to the Forward.

“We trust the Village will ultimately do the right thing, and we will continue to monitor developments closely,” she added. “If necessary, we are prepared to go to court, though we sincerely hope it does not come to that.”

For now, Chabad has the go-ahead to conduct Tashlich at Leonard Park this year.

“I think it certainly will bring more people out this year who feel grateful that we’re able to exercise our rights,” Rabbi Wolf remarked.

{Matzav.com}

Yerushalayim is facing renewed uproar over the ongoing high school crisis. Despite assurances from the administration of the Old High School and the municipality that two new classes were being opened as an integral part of the institution to accommodate all girls left without placement, parents charge that, in practice, their daughters have been placed in a detached building far from the rest of the student body.

The plan was unveiled last week as a supposed solution to the crisis, with officials announcing that two new ninth-grade classes would be launched under the Seminar Hayoshon’s auspices. The goal, they said, was to provide every girl who remained without a school a proper placement.

But parents say the arrangement amounts to segregation. Instead of joining the high school’s established classes, the new students have been directed to an off-site facility, a move that has sparked intense anger and accusations of discrimination.

In a letter circulated by the high school administration, officials wrote: “Daas Torah has ruled that the Seminar Hayoshon should continue accepting excellent students from quality homes who remained outside for lack of space. At the same time, the current classes will be slightly reduced, and from them, two additional classes will be opened in a new building allocated to the high school by the municipality.”

The letter further stated that the additional classrooms are to function as a full and equal part of the high school: “There is nothing new under the Seminar Hayoshon. The students are an inseparable part of the high school as a whole, in every building, from ninth grade through the end of their studies.”

Parents, however, are unconvinced. They argue that their daughters have been relegated to what they call a “leper building,” isolated from the mainstream of the school. “After being badly hurt during the admissions process, they are now forced to begin their studies cut off from the regular classes, even though they are fine girls from exemplary chareidi homes,” parents said. “If the issue was only a matter of space, the twelfth-grade classes—already well integrated into the high school—could have been moved there. Instead, they are starting ninth grade in isolation.”

The Yerushalayim Municipality responded in a statement: “With the agreement of Mayor Moshe Leon and the Old High School’s leadership, it was decided to open additional classes to absorb the students left outside the system. Due to acute space constraints, the municipality located a nearby building and prepared it with new classrooms. All accepted girls are a full and integral part of the high school in every respect, from the unified educational staff to joint study days and extracurricular programs. Claims of racist discrimination are baseless and are categorically rejected.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Shai Calderon, who heads the Education Ministry’s Chareidi District, issued a stern message to principals of chareidi girls’ high schools in Beit Shemesh, making it clear that refusal to admit students assigned to their institutions would result in the loss of state funding.

According to the directive, school leaders are obligated to take in the students allocated to them by Sunday, September 14, 2025, no later than 6:00 p.m.

Just days earlier, the Education Ministry took the unprecedented step of cutting off funding to a chareidi girls’ school in Yerushalayim after it rejected students placed there through the official enrollment system.

This decisive move underscores a dramatic shift in the Ministry’s approach toward schools that resist compliance with its placement directives, signaling a new era of strict enforcement.

Meanwhile, Degel Hatorah MK Moshe Gafni, speaking at a Beit Shemesh school opening last week, called on Shas to take action: “Open new educational institutions, as would be expected for a quality community, so your daughters have a place to study pleasantly and comfortably, without needing to crowd into our institutions.”

Shas issued a swift reply, declaring: “The Shas movement’s life mission is to establish top-tier educational institutions for the Sephardic public, and that is what it has done, with great success, for decades.”

The party added pointedly: “Kudos to Rabbi Moshe Gafni for emphasizing how important it is that the Shas movement remain strong and independent.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump’s security detail has been reinforced in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to a Thursday report in the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal noted that the Pentagon’s annual September 11 memorial ceremony was relocated to a safer site as part of these enhanced measures.

The report further said that tighter protections will be implemented when Trump attends Thursday night’s matchup between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

According to the paper, discussions are already underway regarding long-term adjustments to ensure Trump’s security at future events beyond this week’s schedule.

The Wall Street Journal also revealed that the firearm recovered from the Kirk shooting contained bullets etched with slogans tied to pro-transgender themes and “anti-fascist” rhetoric. Authorities are now reviewing what role, if any, these markings play in the investigation and examining the suspect’s background.

The FBI has said it possesses sharp images of the shooter, believed to be of college age.

Investigators also located a powerful rifle abandoned in the wooded area where the gunman fled. Fingerprints discovered on the weapon are currently under review.

Footage from the attack shows a bullet striking Kirk in the neck as he clutched a microphone, followed by a collapse as blood flowed. He was immediately transported to the hospital in grave condition and rushed into surgery. Roughly two hours later, Trump announced to the American people that Kirk had died from his injuries.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu reflected Thursday in an interview with Fox News on his personal memories of Charlie Kirk, the conservative pro-Israel activist who was murdered the day before.

Netanyahu said that he, his wife, and their family are “heartbroken,” and mentioned that during Kirk’s trip to Israel in 2019, his son had the chance to share a meal with him.

“We’re shattered, first as human beings, because a great human being has been taken from us. He was an extraordinary friend,” the Prime Minister said.

He recalled that Kirk had sent him a letter this past May in which he wrote, “One of my greatest joys as a Christian is advocating for Israel and forming alliances to defend Judeo-Christian civilization.” Netanyahu added that “a few weeks before the tragedy yesterday, I called him and I invited him to Israel, and sadly that visit will not take place.”

Netanyahu praised Kirk as a “defender of our common Judeo-Christian civilization. He was unbelievably excited to walk in the footsteps of Jesus here; he valued the bond between America and Israel. He did so many things to defend free speech. He had his truth, he stood up for it, but he said, ‘You can come and debate me.’ He invited that debate; he certainly didn’t invite the violence that tried to silence him.”

Addressing the broader implications of the attack, Netanyahu said it reflects a “worldwide problem. The people on the extremes: the radical Islamists and their union with the ultra-progressives. They often speak about human rights, they speak about free speech, but they use violence to take down their enemies, whether it’s President Trump, who was almost assassinated twice, or they tried to kill me here too, but they got Charlie Kirk, and it’s just heartbreaking.”

Drawing a personal connection, Netanyahu likened Kirk to his own brother Yoni, who was killed at the same age while leading the rescue of hostages in Entebbe. “I’ve thought of my brother all my life, and I’ll be thinking of Charlie all my life. They’re gone, and maybe they’re once in a generation, but those generations live by their legacy.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has put his signature on a deal advancing the highly disputed E1 settlement initiative, a project that would carve through land the Palestinians claim as part of a future state.

“We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state, this place belongs to us,” Netanyahu declared while visiting the Ma’ale Adumim community in the West Bank, where the plans envision thousands of additional homes.

“We will safeguard our heritage, our land and our security… We are going to double the city’s population.” His office broadcast the remarks live as he spoke.

Just last month, the E1 blueprint received its final green light from planners, a step that would effectively sever the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem from it. Though today’s signing was mainly symbolic, it clears the way for authorities to proceed with actual building.

{Matzav.com}

Under the direction of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Israel’s parliament building was illuminated in red, white, and blue to commemorate the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was gunned down on Wednesday in Utah.

“Today, 24 years ago, the deadliest terrorist attack took place on the soil of the United States, our closest ally, when four planes carrying passengers were hijacked by Islamist terrorists and crashed in various locations, taking the lives of nearly 3,000 people and changing the skyline of New York,” Ohana declared in a statement.

“Tonight, one of the most prominent voices in the struggle against Islamist terror was murdered, one of the greatest and bravest freedom fighters of our time, Charlie Kirk,” he said.

“In memory of the victims then, and in memory of the victim today, the Knesset is illuminated in the colors of the American flag as a sign of friendship and brotherhood between the two peoples. May God bless the bereaved families and comfort them.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The upcoming New York City mayoral election will shape our yeshivos, shuls, and community life for decades. Every vote counts, including those of our sons and daughters studying in Israel. Thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Agudath Israel and the Igud Yeshivos Bnei Chul, students in Israel who are registered to vote in NYC will be able to receive absentee ballots at their parents’ NYC homes and return them securely for submission to the Board of Elections.

Here’s how it works:

1. 1. Registering – Make sure voter registration is complete. You can check voter registration by clicking here.
   2. Apply for an Absentee Ballot – The application for an absentee ballot can be found online by clicking here.
   3. Ballots Sent to Your NYC Home Address – Once the application has been submitted, the absentee ballots will be mailed to the voter’s home address in New York City. Parents can expect to receive them within a few days.
   4. Required Information – Each ballot must have a completed form (click here), which includes the following details:
      1. Student’s full name
      2. Yeshiva or seminary name
      3. Contact phone number in Israel
      4. Contact email (Israel or U.S.)
      5. Home address in New York City
   5. Drop-Off Locations – Parents will then bring the ballots, along with the completed form, to one of several designated drop-off sites throughout New York City. A full list of locations will be provided.
   6. Delivery to Israel – The collected ballots will be securely sent to the Igud Yeshivos office in Israel.
   7. Distribution to Students – Igud staff will personally deliver the ballots to each student in their yeshiva or seminary, where they can complete them.
   8. Return for Processing – Once filled out, the ballots will then be returned for submission to the NYC Board of Elections.

   This initiative ensures that the voices of our children, learning and growing in Eretz Yisroel, will still be counted in shaping the future of New York City. With your partnership and participation, together we can make a difference.

   Drop Off Locations

   Kew Gardens Hills: 73-20 136th Street Flushing, NY 11367 (Leave it in the mailbox)

   Far Rockaway: 792 Caffrey Ave Far Rockaway, NY 11691 (Leave it in the mailbox)

   Flatbush: TBA

   Marine Park: JCCMP Office- 3415 Quentin Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11234 (Leave in the mailbox)

   Boro Park: BPJCC HQ- 1310 46th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 (During regular business hours).

   If you would like to arrange a drop-off location in your community of if you have any questions, please reach out to egurell@agudah.org or call (212) 797-9000 extension 320.

{Matzav.com}

Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, the commander of the Israeli Air Force, disclosed on Wednesday that F-16 Barak fighter jets from the Barak Squadron carried out bombing runs in Iran during Operation Rising Lion without requiring midair refueling.

The achievement is striking given the age of the aircraft, which are three to four decades old and were originally designed for use in nearby arenas such as Lebanon and Gaza.

Bar shared these details at a ceremony where Colonel A. officially assumed command of the Ramat David Airbase. In his remarks, Bar highlighted that the older planes successfully traveled distances of 1,500 to 2,200 kilometers from Israel and completed their assignment.

Addressing the personnel, Bar said: “We can’t describe Operation Rising Lion as it was executed without your significant contribution to the Air Force’s capabilities… You were the X-factor, you were the decisive variable.”

He went on to note that the prevailing belief in the Air Force was that these older aircraft were not fit for a third wave of operations. However, the initiative and resolve of the unit’s leadership and pilots proved that assumption wrong.

According to Bar, “You sat, you thought, you calculated, and you called me for a visit, which proved the opposite: ‘We can get to Iran without refueling, we can do it at a high rate, non-stop,’ that’s what you told me. It was possible with the maturity, professionalism, and experience of the airmen here.” He added that the creativity and precision displayed by the squadron caught him by surprise and ultimately made the mission a success.

{Matzav.com}

Senior Hamas figure Mohammad Nazzal, speaking from abroad, weighed in on recent reports about possible renewed efforts for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and the group.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Nazzal dismissed the notion, insisting the discussions are “not relevant” after Israel’s strike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar.

Nazzal explained that the gathering in the office of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya was centered around “Palestinian resistance” and included talks about a fresh U.S. proposal. Yet he described the chatter about restarting negotiations as nothing more than “an entertaining discourse.”

“What would have happened if the attempted elimination had succeeded?” he challenged. “Which delegation does [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu want to hold negotiations with?”

At this stage, Nazzal emphasized, it is “crucial” to coordinate with other Palestinian Arab factions, along with mediators such as Qatar and Egypt, and to address the ramifications of the attempted assassinations.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Manchester, NJ, is yet another neighborhood experiencing tension over the growth of its Jewish community. A mikvah is being built to serve 500 families, and it has drawn fierce opposition. Local bloggers and activists are rallying neighbors to fight against it, while Facebook has once again erupted with venomous attacks against the Jews of Lakewood and surrounding areas.

Some argue that nothing can be done. It’s antisemitism. Eisav sonei l’Yaakov. It’s inevitable. The cultures are too different, and peace will never be possible. All we can do is fight it out in court.

But Rav Mattisyahu Salomon zt”l taught a very different perspective. The Torah way of life is meant to attract. It naturally elevates and inspires. Its very purpose is Kiddush Sheim Shamayim. And if, instead, it generates hatred and opposition, then we must pause and ask: are we truly representing Torah fully with middos and derech eretz? The name of Hashem should become beloved through us.

“Eisav sonei l’Yaakov” is not a decree of inevitability. It depends on us. As the Netziv (Sefer Sheair Yisroel) explains, when we fail to represent Hashem properly, He sends hatred as a wake-up call. But when we do serve as true representatives, there can be love and admiration.

Shragie Bloch, who is spearheading the mikvah project, shared how one neighbor living right near the new mikvah has been surprisingly supportive and advocating for the mikvah. This man was a mechanic in Lakewood for 17 years, and had countless interactions with Jews—and all his experiences were positive!

Imagine if there were hundreds of such advocates in the growing neighborhoods, each with warm stories of respectful, positive encounters—on the street, at work, or even just on the road. The Kiddush Sheim Shamayim would be immeasurable.

So the question is: can each of us make a difference? Could we change the tide? Could our explosive growth be an explosive growth in Kiddush Hashem?

The Yamim Noraim are a time when we focus intensely on our ultimate mission of Kiddush Hashem, a theme woven throughout our tefillos. This is the time to look inward and ask: are my actions aligned with this mission? Is our community’s growth in Torah, leading to a parallel growth in Kiddush Hashem in the world?

To help inspire this reflection, the Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation has produced a powerful, free film with three remarkable stories—including the shocking story of the Manchester mikvah with many more astounding details.

Rabbi Uri Deutsch and Rabbi Joey Haber share fundamental yesodos on the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem, alongside Avi Schnall, who offers perspective on the current friction in New Jersey.

This film is truly life-changing. It offers a whole new perspective on our glorious mission of Kiddush Hashem.

Watch it at LivingKiddushHashem.org beginning Motzei Shabbos Selichos, September 13.

{Matzav.com}

A Turkish hacking collective leaked the personal cell phone number of Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

One member of the group even placed a video call to the minister. Katz answered, only to be met with a barrage of verbal abuse from the hacker. The exchange was recorded and quickly circulated online before Katz cut the call short.

Following the exposure of his number, Katz has been inundated with thousands of hostile messages, many of them generated by automated accounts. Among the deluge were direct death threats, including chilling warnings such as “We’ll kill you.”

Katz issued a statement in response: “Organized Islamist-Jihadist gangs from various countries around the world are calling my civilian, non-classified phone and leaving abusive messages and threats. They will continue to call and threaten, and I will continue to order the elimination of their fellow terrorist leaders.”

{Matzav.com Israel}