Matzav

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch sent a message to the entire department early Wednesday, making it clear that she intends to remain in her post under incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani — and assuring officers that she will continue advocating for them without hesitation. The note, reported by the New York Post, laid out why she agreed to stay even though she openly acknowledges clashing with some of Mamdani’s far-left positions.

Her email explained that she accepted Mamdani’s offer to continue as commissioner after a series of recent meetings with him. Those conversations, she said, left her confident that she could still lead the NYPD with integrity, even with the mayor-elect’s past anti-police rhetoric sparking concern throughout the force.

“I wanted you — the men and women of the NYPD — to hear this directly from me first. Because the reason I have chosen to stay is you. I believe deeply in the nobility of your work, in what you do every day to keep this city safe, in your commitment, and in your sacrifice,” Tisch said.

She did not hide the fact that she and the incoming mayor see the world differently. “Now, do the Mayor-elect and I agree on everything? No, we don’t. But in speaking with him, it’s clear that we share broad and crucial priorities: the importance of public safety, the need to continue driving down crime, and the need to maintain stability and order across the department.”

The announcement fulfills Mamdani’s pledge during the campaign to keep the 44-year-old commissioner in charge — a move his team framed as reassurance to New Yorkers worried about a spike in crime once he takes office. They highlighted the steep drop in shootings and other major offenses under her leadership.

Tisch told officers she valued serving under a mayor who wants a team willing to challenge one another. “I appreciate that the Mayor-elect wants a team with different points of view — a team where ideas and policies are debated on their merits,” she said.

“In those discussions, you can trust that I will be a fierce advocate for you and for this department. You know how I operate: I don’t mince words. When I say something, I mean it. And that is not going to change.”

She also pointed to the NYPD’s current progress. “This year, we are having tremendous success fighting crime — shattering records across the board. It is extraordinary, and it is because of you. But we can never rest easy, and we can never accept the idea that our best days are behind us. We owe the people of New York City more. Let’s meet that challenge together.”

Police union leaders responded quickly and enthusiastically. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association, welcomed the decision. “We are very glad to hear that there will be stability and continuity in the NYPD’s leadership going forward,” he said, noting that Tisch understands the real-world struggles officers face.

Scott Munro, head of the Detectives Endowment Association, echoed the praise: “This is a great day for New York City Detectives, the NYPD, and the citizens we are proud to serve. Commissioner Tisch will lead us through the challenges we will face.”

Within the department, officers also took note of the commissioner’s choice to notify them before the press release went out. One police source called it “very classy,” adding, “Shows the deep respect she has for the cops and the work they do.”

In announcing the appointment publicly, Mamdani’s team stressed their goal of maintaining safety for both officers and the communities they patrol. Mamdani himself praised Tisch’s record, saying, “I have admired her work cracking down on corruption in the upper echelons of the police department, driving down crime in New York City, and standing up for New Yorkers in the face of authoritarianism.”

He added, “Together, we will deliver a city where rank-and-file police officers and the communities they serve alike are safe, represented, and proud to call New York their home.”

{Matzav.com}

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President Trump revealed on Wednesday that he finalized legislation compelling federal authorities to hand over long-sealed materials tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted pedophile whose case has long fueled public demands for transparency.

In a message posted on Truth Social, the president declared, “I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!” He explained that he had urged congressional leaders to move the measure forward, noting, “As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively. Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage.”

Under the new law, the Department of Justice must provide Congress with every available piece of Epstein-related information — including all “unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials,” along with classified material “to the maximum extent possible.” Lawmakers are required to receive the full trove within a 30-day window.

The legislation faced virtually no resistance on Capitol Hill. The House advanced the bill in a 427–1 vote on Tuesday, and the Senate quickly followed by sending it to the White House through unanimous consent, paving the way for Trump’s signature.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Shmuel Markowitz delivered a shmuess to his talmidim at Ponovezh Yeshiva shortly after Justice David Cheshin released his arbitration ruling regarding the long-standing dispute within the institution. The decision granted a clear victory to his brother-in-law Rav Leizer Kahaneman. Within hours, Rav Markowitz gathered the talmidim in the main bais medrash to guide them through the moment and to set the tone for the yeshiva’s response.

Rav Markowitz opened by acknowledging those who devote their “koach, nefesh, and neshama” to raising the talmidim. He explained that a new situation had arrived unexpectedly and that they must understand the proper perspective: “There is now a new situation, and we must know the correct outlook and how to relate to it. This came suddenly, and we need the tools and the thought to know what our mission is now.”

He told them that although the din Torah had affirmed their right to teach and learn where they are, outside authorities now seek to dislodge them. “Since the ruling in the din Torah, the ruling stated that we are here, learning and teaching Torah, and our right according to the Torah is to bring into the yeshiva roshei yeshiva and rabbeim. Now, through the civil system, they want to expel us. What was in our hands to do, we did, to preserve the din Torah ruling, and it did not succeed.”

Despite that, he told the talmidim that they must continue with strength and gratitude. “We must thank Hashem for what you have merited to grow. It is known and public that you are growing and immersed in Torah. It is known throughout the world that here is the finest of the fine.”

Rav Markowitz emphasized that the essence of the yeshiva cannot be uprooted: “The inner dimension that is not connected to any building exists forever. The inner dimension is greater than the outer, and that is what we are speaking about now.” He added later, “The yeshiva is ruchniyus, and ruchniyus cannot be taken.”

He reminded them that generations of struggle do not weaken Torah; they strengthen it. “We are in a time when Hashem has broadened things for us and we will flourish in the land. From something bitter will come something sweet. We will not leave you, and more and more generations will grow.”

He urged the talmidim not to react against anyone. His warning was explicit: “We will continue and grow as usual, and absolutely do nothing against the other side. There is no point in it. Whatever they will do, they will do.”

Rav Markowitz told them that their entire task is to deepen their commitment to learning, tefillah, and mussar. “Our role now is only to learn, and to be immersed in the toil of Torah. What they will do, I do not know. But we do nothing, only learning, davening, and character growth—only what is necessary, only the will of the Creator.”

He spoke openly about responsibility and inner strength: “There is no doubt that the main strength in this is you. If each one, with spirit inside him, wants to grow and use all his abilities, there is guaranteed heavenly assistance.”

He encouraged them not to be intimidated by present circumstances. “We must not measure things in the moment. Days will speak. There is a vision and a process. The vision remains.”

He explained that challenges force a person to become a builder, not a bystander. “Each one of us now becomes a builder. When each one builds himself, his group, and everyone together—that is the construction that passes from generation to generation.”

Rav Markowitz told the talmidim that now is not the time for fear, but for elevated effort. “If we stand in the test, we grow from it and will flourish in the land. This is the greatness that comes from inner strength.”

He reassured them that the yeshiva will emerge stronger. “We will come out of this situation strengthened. The desire that everyone has will continue, and we are certain that from this, Hashem, who desires justice, will magnify Torah and glorify it. The power of Torah will grow from this.”

He concluded with a call for uplifted spirit and confidence. “The atmosphere of wanting to grow must continue. Do not fall into a negative mood. There is no reason for it. From something bitter will come something sweet. Hashem will broaden things for us again. The greatness of Torah will rise among us with heavenly assistance.”

{Matzav.com}

A tense confrontation unfolded in Ashdod when a band of extremists opposed to any deal on giyus of bnei yeshivah forced their way into the residential building where Shas MK Yinon Azoulay resides. Their goal was to intimidate him over recent legislative developments tied to the ongoing giyus debate.

Footage from the scene captures the group gathered outside his door, pounding and shouting, while a neighbor tries to push them back and urges them to leave the floor. She warns them repeatedly to move downstairs, but her appeals are brushed off. When she informs them that she has alerted the authorities, the crowd escalates, erupting in cries of “traitor.”

This outburst comes at a time when representatives of both Shas and United Torah Judaism have been singled out by radicals who resent their participation in advancing the latest proposal intended to formalize draft guidelines for bochurim learning in yeshivos.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg made it clear on Wednesday that he intends to push ahead swiftly with the long-delayed contempt proceedings over whether senior administration officials knowingly brushed aside his directive halting the removal of Venezuelan migrants back in March. From the outset of the hearing, he signaled that he expects cooperation from both sides — and that he is particularly interested in hearing testimony from two Justice Department lawyers deeply connected to the events in question.

The dispute centers on President Donald Trump’s reliance on the Alien Enemies Act — a wartime statute dating back to 1798 — to expel more than 250 Venezuelans earlier this year. Those individuals were flown to a maximum-security facility in El Salvador, despite an emergency order Boasberg issued on March 15 instructing that the flights be stopped immediately. The renewed focus on the contempt issue, and Boasberg’s assertive role overseeing it, is almost certain to inflame Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill.

Boasberg appeared undeterred by the political crossfire. “This has been sitting for a long time,” he remarked, noting that the court had an obligation to proceed. He reiterated that he would “move promptly” and directed attorneys for both the Justice Department and the migrants’ class-action counsel to submit written proposals by Monday outlining how they believe the case should now advance.

The government made its opposition clear. “Your honor, the government objects to any further proceedings of criminal contempt,” Justice Department attorney Tiberius Davis said. Boasberg responded that he “certainly intends to determine what happened” on the day his emergency order was either knowingly or inadvertently ignored, remarking that the government “can assist me to whatever degree it wishes.” He added, “I am authorized to proceed, just as I intended to do in April, seven months ago.”

Among those the court wants to question are Justice Department lawyer Drew Ensign and Erez Reuveni, who represented the government at the time the removals occurred. Reuveni — now a whistleblower — previously testified that senior officials suggested they “may have to consider telling that court, ‘f— you’” if the judge impeded deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. To Boasberg, that alone indicated that “a factual inquiry is in order.”

The core issue remains whether officials defied his emergency order, which had instructed all flights to “immediately” return to the United States. Instead, the migrants were kept for months inside El Salvador’s CECOT supermax facility until July, when they were transported to Venezuela as part of a broader prisoner exchange that included the release of at least 10 Americans.

In April, Boasberg concluded there was “probable cause” to advance criminal contempt proceedings, pointing to what he called the administration’s “willful disregard” for the court’s authority. The matter remained dormant until Friday, when the full appeals court declined to intervene further and directed Boasberg to restart the process. That decision placed him squarely in the sights of Trump and several Republican lawmakers, some of whom mounted a failed eleventh-hour attempt to secure his temporary suspension before the hearing convened.

Wednesday’s arguments also touched on the migrants’ request for injunctive relief. Boasberg’s emergency order in March set off a cascade of legal battles nationwide, and his courtroom became the first venue where the controversial deportations were challenged. By July, he ordered that every noncitizen removed to the El Salvador prison must be given a chance to pursue habeas review and contest any government claims about gang affiliations before being expelled again as part of the prisoner swap.

Efforts to locate the deported migrants are still underway. According to ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt, the “overwhelming” majority of those sent to El Salvador in March still wish to present their due-process arguments in court.

How the next phase will unfold is not yet clear, but Boasberg indicated that the court will examine the remaining legal and procedural issues in the weeks ahead.

{Matzav.com}

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The White House has introduced new boundaries for journalists after staff complained that sensitive conversations were being picked up and even recorded without authorization. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that these limits were put in place only after officials discovered behavior they found highly inappropriate.

As of Oct. 31, both the White House and the National Security Council confirmed that reporters may no longer freely walk into Room 140 — known as “Upper Press,” the workspace near the Oval Office where senior aides often pass through. Journalists had long been able to pop in without warning to speak with staffers, but access is now restricted to pre-arranged appointments.

During a conversation with the New York Post’s Miranda Devine on “Pod Force One,” Leavitt explained what prompted the shift. She said the administration realized that some reporters were listening in on private exchanges and even recording information without permission.

“We felt it became very inappropriate for reporters to be loitering around sensitive information in our offices,” Leavitt said. “And we did unfortunately catch some unruly reporters recording us without our permission, listening in on conversations, eavesdropping.”

She described how morning meetings with staff were being monitored by journalists lingering outside the room. “We’d have staff meetings in the morning. Some of the reporters started to pick up on that, and we’d walk out, and they would be out there trying to listen. If Secretary Rubio or the chief [of staff] want to come in and brief us on something, you’d have reporters out there heckling them. It just became an inappropriate work environment.”

Leavitt stressed that press access has not been eliminated, only regulated. Reporters may still enter the Upper Press area by scheduling a time, and she said many journalists have privately acknowledged that the arrangement is workable despite complaints online.

“A lot of the outrage you’re seeing on Twitter [X], they’ve told us privately they’re okay with how this system works so long as they can still have appointments with me to understand the news of the day,” Leavitt said.

“And we grant them that access. I give them as much time as I possibly can on my schedule, although a lot of my time is with the president and in the Oval Office and sitting in on meetings. So, I try to devote as much time as I can to the press because that is my job, right? That’s the basic duty, is for me to work with the press and make sure they’re telling the truth out there,” she added.

Not everyone is comfortable with the new rules. The White House Correspondents’ Association sharply criticized the move, claiming it weakens reporters’ ability to question key officials. The group’s president, CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang, made its position clear: “The White House Correspondents’ Association unequivocally opposes any effort to limit journalists from areas within the communications operations of the White House that have long been open for newsgathering, including the press secretary’s office.”

{Matzav.com}

The High Court of Justice took a significant step on Wednesday, directing the government to explain why it has avoided launching a full state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023. In its order, the court demanded a clear justification for the refusal to convene a formal commission that could “examine in an independent, professional, and impartial manner” what led to and followed the devastating assault.

Unlike standard petitions, a preliminary order flips the legal burden onto the government itself, signaling that the justices regard the complaints filed by several liberal watchdog organizations as weighty and credible. The ruling forces the government to defend its stance rather than leaving petitioners to prove their case.

The judges gave the government until January 4 to file its response. That deadline now puts pressure on officials who, earlier this week, attempted to preempt criticism by announcing plans for a government-approved investigative body. A ministerial panel has already been established to outline which aspects of the October 7 disaster such a body would be allowed to examine.

Although the coalition has described its planned inquiry as “independent,” its scope and boundaries will be set entirely by a small circle of cabinet members, headed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin. Their authority includes determining what will be reviewed and what will remain outside the commission’s mandate.

With the exception of Finance Ministry minister Ze’ev Elkin, every member of this panel occupied their government positions on the day thousands of Hamas terrorists burst across the border, murdering roughly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 251 others—an assault that launched the war against Hamas in Gaza. By the end of December, the committee is expected to present its recommendation on the structure and mission of the proposed commission.

For months, the coalition has fought to avoid a fully independent state commission of inquiry—an arrangement in which the Supreme Court president selects the investigators. Families of those killed and abducted on October 7, as well as many of Netanyahu’s political opponents, have repeatedly demanded no less, insisting that only a state commission holds the necessary authority to expose critical policy and intelligence failures.

Surveys consistently show that most Israelis favor such a robust investigative framework. Still, Netanyahu has rejected it, largely because a state commission would be appointed by the judiciary—an institution his government has spent years attempting to weaken through sweeping judicial overhaul legislation.

The overhaul, announced by Levin in January 2023, sparked nationwide protests that lasted until the Hamas invasion abruptly shifted the nation’s focus. Members of the anti-overhaul movement in the reserves warned at the time that they might refuse to continue reporting for duty if the laws passed, a threat that Netanyahu allies have since used to shift blame for the October 7 collapse onto government critics.

Before the war, top security officials—and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant—cautioned Netanyahu that the overhaul was endangering national stability by tearing at Israel’s social and institutional cohesion. Security chiefs had also opposed Netanyahu’s long-running policy of allowing Qatar to transfer millions of dollars to Hamas each month, money the prime minister argued was designated for civil servant salaries, even as his own close associates faced investigations tied to Qatar.

{Matzav.com}

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed concerns on Tuesday about the impact of $2,000 tariff checks, suggesting that families should consider saving the money instead of immediately spending it. His remarks came during an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, who pressed him on whether distributing the funds nationwide could fuel another wave of price increases.

Responding to the question, Bessent said, “Maybe we could persuade Americans to save that, because one of the things that’s going to happen next year” is the launch of “Trump Accounts” designed for long-term savings for children. He explained that these accounts are central to a House GOP initiative, championed by President Donald Trump, which would create new tax-deferred investment accounts for every baby born in the U.S. over the next four years, each seeded with $1,000 at birth.

Under the proposal, funds from these accounts could be withdrawn once a child turns 18 to help with educational expenses, the purchase of a first home, or starting a small business. Withdrawals for other purposes would be taxed at a higher rate, encouraging families to reserve the funds for meaningful long-term goals.

President Trump, speaking a day earlier, said he hopes to begin issuing tariff checks to “moderate income, middle income” Americans by mid-2026. He emphasized the scale of the program, stating, “We have thousands of dollars for individuals of moderate income, middle income. We are going to pay down debt. We have a lot of money from tariffs; if we didn’t have tariffs, this country would be in serious trouble,” during a meeting in the Oval Office with the 2026 FIFA World Cup task force.

The Treasury Department reported that tariff collections reached $195 billion by the end of September, a sharp increase of 153% from the $77 billion collected in fiscal year 2024. July alone saw nearly $30 billion in revenue, highlighting the scale of tariff income the administration hopes to redistribute.

Not everyone is convinced that distributing tariff rebates is without risk. Several economists have warned that handing out checks to all American households could reignite inflation, much like the pattern seen after the COVID-19 stimulus payments.

William Dickens, professor emeritus of economics and public policy at Northeastern University, argued that the effect depends heavily on the economic climate. He said $2,000 “would help support the economy” during a downturn and likely wouldn’t move prices significantly. “On the other hand, if the economy is running strong and he doles out $2,000 to everyone, it could drive inflation up.”

The Tax Foundation also raised red flags, noting that tariffs have “undoubtedly raised costs for American firms and consumers — since Americans and not foreigners ultimately pay the tariff — rebating the revenue to consumers would be fiscally irresponsible and also risk increasing inflation.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

I commend Rabbi Bender for courageously addressing the sub rosa practice that has crept into many of our frum communities known as To’a’meha — gatherings where groups of men assemble on Erev Shabbos to drink heavily and indulge in various mat’amim, all under the pretext of the mitzvah of tasting Shabbos foods in advance. Calling for communities to forbid this practice, Rabbi Bender forcefully decried this behavior and emphasized the damaging impact it has on our children, who watch their fathers arrive at the Friday night seudah in a state of inebriation.

I, too, long for the disappearance of such decadence from our cherished and holy communities. Yet I question whether a rabbinic prohibition alone can truly resolve the underlying issues that drive this behavior. Alcohol misuse functions as a numbing agent, and those who rely on it may be attempting to escape stress, soothe an emotional void, or quell anxiety. While many additional factors can contribute to substance abuse, my decades of counseling adult men in our community lead me to believe that these three motivations are the primary forces behind To’a’meha gatherings.

Consider the burdens faced by men between the ages of 35 and 60: making steep mortgage payments on homes built to high standards in the “right” neighborhoods, paying s’char limud for a houseful of children, financing bar mitzvahs and chasunos, navigating shidduchim, keeping a seder limud, meeting tzedakah obligations, supporting a wife who may herself be overwhelmed by managing a large family, satisfying workplace demands, learning with children, attending simchos, striving for growth in ruchniyus, and more.

When a person feels they are falling short of communal expectations for spiritual growth, or when they struggle to balance the needs of a spouse and many children, an emotional void can develop. The constant pressure of providing for a family can naturally lead to anxiety. For some, the weekly ritual of numbing these overwhelming feelings becomes the coping mechanism of choice — selected specifically because it doesn’t interfere with job performance. To their credit, most men in our community find healthy ways to handle these pressures. But in any large population, there will be those who lean on less constructive methods.

Breaking free from this damaging cycle is especially difficult because the brain learns to associate alcohol with temporary relief. Simply banning the practice, without simultaneously reducing the stressors and offering healthier, acceptable alternatives for decompression, is unlikely to yield meaningful change.

Rabbi Bender has brought a critical issue to the forefront. Now, our community must confront the deeper challenge: reducing the pressures that fuel these unhealthy behaviors and providing constructive outlets that support the well-being of the entire family. I eagerly await that conversation in Part II.

Signed,
A rov for 40 years,
F. B.

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European intelligence agencies, working closely with the Mossad, spent months piecing together a covert web that Hamas had been quietly stitching across multiple countries. Their joint work revealed a broad effort to organize attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets on European soil.

Part of the operation unfolded in Germany, Austria, and additional European states, where coordinated counterterrorism raids exposed hidden stockpiles of weapons and led to the capture of individuals involved in building the network.

One of the breakthrough moments occurred in Vienna in September, when Austria’s DSN security service located a concealed trove of firearms and explosives. Investigators discovered that the stash was tied to Muhammad Naim, whose father, Bassem Naim, is a senior figure in Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza and an associate of Khalil al-Hayya. The findings also pointed to a meeting between the two senior Hamas officials in Qatar around the same time, raising the likelihood that high-ranking Hamas leadership was directly supporting terror operations in Europe.

The broader inquiry has also zeroed in on Hamas activity in Turkey, a location that has long served as a comfortable operational environment for the group. In November, German authorities apprehended Barhan al-Khatib, described as a central operative in the network, after he traveled back to Turkey, apparently following the conclusion of his assignments in Europe.

European officials have intensified actions against Hamas in other spheres as well. Governments have begun shutting down organizations, cultural centers, and religious institutions that were being used as fronts for recruiting and fundraising. These efforts accompany the security operations and signal Europe’s acknowledgment of Hamas’s attempt to expand its footprint across the continent following the attacks of October 7.

“The Mossad continues to cooperate with intelligence services around the world and to thwart dozens of attack plots directed against Israelis, Jews, and civilian targets. These efforts continue as part of its responsibility to counter terror in the international arena and to safeguard the security of the State of Israel and its citizens,” the agency said in its statement.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials revealed Wednesday night that a focused military strike in Gaza zeroed in on two high-ranking Hamas operatives, the commander overseeing the Zeitoun Battalion and the official directing the terror group’s naval wing. The action, described as the result of tightly held, high-quality intelligence, was intended to neutralize both men, and the source indicated that Israel assesses the operation to have successfully eliminated its targets.

The strike followed an earlier flare-up in the south, when gunmen in the Khan Yunis area fired at IDF units operating nearby. The exchange did not result in any injuries, but the incident immediately drew a sharp response from the military.

“This constitutes a violation of the ceasefire,” the IDF stated. “IDF forces under the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to act to eliminate any immediate threat. The IDF will continue to operate with force to remove any threat to the State of Israel.”

The army emphasized that its posture in the sector remains vigilant, and that any hostile fire will be met with decisive action.

{Matzav.com}

With a profoundly heavy heart, Matzav.com reports the tragic petirah of Elchonon Fasten z”l, a 19-year-old bochur from Lakewood, NJ, who was niftar early this morning following a devastating crash and subsequent vehicle fire on the Garden State Parkway in Old Bridge, NJ.

The tragic incident occurred near Exit 120 as Elchonon was traveling from Boro Park back to Lakewood.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but the injuries were unfortunately unsurvivable.

In the aftermath of the accident, askaním worked tirelessly, maintaining constant communication with state and local authorities to ensure kavod hameis was upheld in every respect.

Those who knew Elchonon describe a lichtiger bochur whose very presence brightened a room. He carried himself with a quiet sweetness, a gentle temimus, and a sincerity that endeared him to everyone he encountered. Whether in the beis medrash, at home, or among friends, there was a purity to his demeanor, a natural goodness that needed no announcement.

Elchonon was well-liked by classmates and rebbi’im alike, known for his thoughtfulness, his easy smile, and the genuine respect he showed to others. Friends speak of his reliability, his warmth, and the way he made everyone feel valued. His middos tovos were not loud or dramatic; they were steady, consistent, and real.

In learning, too, Elchonon applied himself with quiet determination. He cherished the sweetness of the beis medrash, appreciating every moment he could spend immersed in Torah. His sedarim were important to him, and he approached his learning with the same sincerity that marked every part of his life.

At home, he was a source of pride and nachas, a chiyus, a warm presence, and a beloved son and brother whose caring nature touched those closest to him. His family and friends recall a young bochur with a refined heart, a calm spirit, and a deep appreciation for the people around him.

Levaya details will be released as soon as they are finalized. Kevurah is expected to take place in Monsey.

Elchonon leaves behind his grieving parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and chaveirim, along with a community shaken by the sudden loss.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi authorities on Wednesday permitted Saad Almadi, a US citizen from Florida, to finally leave the kingdom and return to American soil — marking the end of a four-year ordeal that began when he was jailed over a series of restrained social-media posts critical of Riyadh.

News of his release broke just as President Trump delivered remarks highlighting the strength of the American–Saudi partnership during a packed schedule of events in Washington with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who serves as both prime minister and the kingdom’s dominant decision-maker.

The Almadi family shared their relief immediately, issuing a heartfelt message saying, “Our family is overjoyed that, after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way home to the United States!”

In their statement, the family made clear whom they believe deserves credit for the breakthrough. “This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”

The message — drafted by Almadi’s son and leading advocate, Ibrahim Almadi — also expressed appreciation for The Post’s “courageous” reporting that kept the case in the public eye, and acknowledged the backing of several advocacy groups and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), all of whom worked to advance the elder Almadi’s release.

{Matzav.com}

A sweeping financial crisis is closing in on Steven Croman, the landlord long branded “the Bernie Madoff of landlords,” as newly filed cases reveal he has stopped paying nearly $170 million in debts and is now staring down foreclosure on dozens of Manhattan buildings, the NY Post reports.

The notorious real estate operator — infamous for his Rikers Island jail term and his long trail of legal troubles — is now caught in a fresh storm, this time in civil court, where a fast-growing stack of lawsuits claims he stopped paying an enormous slate of loans.

According to filings in Manhattan Supreme Court, Croman has allegedly fallen behind on a staggering $168 million in property loans, a sum spread across about 35 buildings scattered throughout the city.

Flagstar Bank, which inherited Croman’s mortgages after acquiring New York Community Bank in 2022, says the landlord has gone months without making required payments on multiple assets. In several cases, the bank claims the arrears have ballooned into the millions.

Before this latest mess, Croman already had a reputation for aggressive and dishonest tactics. Prosecutors noted that he controlled a vast portfolio of 140 buildings when he was charged in 2016 with submitting falsified documents to secure tens of millions in illegal loans.

It was then–Attorney General Eric Schneiderman who famously labeled him “the Bernie Madoff of landlords,” alleging that Croman even relied on an ex-NYPD officer to intimidate tenants into vacating their apartments so rents could be hiked for unsuspecting newcomers.

Croman admitted guilt in a mortgage fraud case the following year and ultimately spent a year incarcerated on Rikers Island.

Only last week, Crain’s revealed that Flagstar had taken him to court over what was then described as $71.5 million in unpaid loans attached to five buildings.

But the situation has deteriorated sharply since then. Court records now show approximately $100 million more in alleged defaults, bringing the total to about $168 million across 20 separate foreclosure suits filed in recent weeks.

Among the properties in trouble is 209 E. 25th St., a Kips Bay building with 44 apartments where rent can approach $5,500 a month. On that loan alone — $12.4 million — the bank says Croman is two months behind, owing $493,845, much of it late fees and penalties.

Flagstar is also seeking repayment of the full $10.37 million loan attached to 346 E. 18th St. in Gramercy Park, where units fetch between $7,500 and $10,000 monthly. Records say the October payment wasn’t made, leaving him owing $362,332 with fees.

The biggest chunk of the alleged defaults involves two buildings on Christopher Street in the West Village, where the outstanding debt totals $21.4 million. In that case, filings say payments stopped in August, leaving $1.2 million overdue by the end of October.

Crain’s also noted earlier this year that Croman was already fighting several other foreclosure efforts, representing another $45.5 million in alleged unpaid loans.

Attorneys for Croman and for Flagstar — which is pursuing these actions through an LLC known as Orange Owner — did not return requests for comment.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

The anticipation is palpable across the olam haTorah. In batei medrash from Lakewood to London, Bnei Brak to Brooklyn, lomdim are counting down the final blatt of Maseches Chagigah, the culmination of an unprecedented six-year journey. The dream that began with a single amud is now reaching its magnificent climax: the historic Oraysa Siyum on Seder Mo’ed.

This is your chance to take part in a maamad kavod haTorah that will go down in history — a celebration of perseverance, of hasmadah, and of the eternal message that Yisroel v’Oraysa v’Kudsha Brich Hu chad hu.

A Revolution in Limud HaTorah

When Oraysa was founded just six years ago, it immediately transformed the way thousands approach limud haTorah. Its unique amud-v’chazara structure — learning one amud a day, reviewing consistently, and mastering masechtos in their entirety — brought clarity, retention, and excitement back into countless daily sedorim.

The results have been nothing short of revolutionary. Today, tens of thousands of lomdim across the globe participate in the Oraysa cycle, uniting baalei batim, yungerleit, and talmidei yeshivos in a single melody.

Kehillos across Lakewood, Monsey, and Chicago to Yerushalayim, London, and Antwerp now have established Oraysa chaburos. Each day, the same amud reverberates across continents, connecting Yidden of every background through the timeless words of the Gemara.

Now, for the first time in history, these lomdim will complete an entire Seder of Shas together — Seder Mo’ed — marking a monumental milestone for Torah v’lomdeha the world over.

A Siyum Like No Other

This will not merely be a siyum. It will be a majestic maamad kavod haTorah and a celebration of the power of hasmadah and the unbreakable bond between Klal Yisroel and the Torah.

Gedolei Yisroel and Roshei Yeshiva from across the Torah world will grace the event with their presence, including Rav Dovid Cohen shlit”a, Rav Shraga Shteinman shlit”a, Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum shlit”a, Rav Avrohom Gurwicz shlit”a, Rav Malkiel Kotler shlit”a, Rav Aharon Dovid Goldberg shlit”a, Rav Yosef Elefant shlit”a, and Rav Dovid Ozeri shlit”a — along with many other prominent Rabbanim, Roshei Chaburos, and of course, thousands of lomdei Oraysa from around the world.

Under this one roof, talmidei chachomim, baalei batim, and families will gather to celebrate this momentous siyum, embodying Klal Yisroel’s achdus through Torah.

And as one Seder concludes, another begins: Seder Nashim. The simcha of the siyum will flow directly into the start of a new phase of learning and growth, inviting even more participants to join the Oraysa revolution.

Your Invitation to Be Part of History

If you’re reading this, you’re invited to join and be a part of history !

The asifa will take place in Cure Arena, located at 81 Hamilton Avenue in Trenton, New Jersey on 3 Kislev/November 23, 2025. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m.

The evening will feature stirring divrei chizuk, uplifting niggunim, and heartfelt shiros v’sishbachos led by Hershy Weinberger and Shloime Daskal.

With groups flying in from across the globe to be part of this unforgettable maamad, the window to secure your spot at this unparalleled maamad kavod haTorah is closing fast.

Don’t Miss This Once-in-a-Generation Maamad!

Every amud, every daf, every line of Gemara learned by thousands around the world has led to this moment. The Oraysa Siyum on Seder Mo’ed will be a living testament to what can be achieved when Klal Yisroel learns together, chazers together, and grows together.

Now, it’s your chance to be part of it.

And as Oraysa turns the page from Seder Mo’ed to Seder Nashim, now is the perfect time to join the movement that has transformed the landscape of being koveia ittim l’Torah.

Experience the simcha and sippuk that come from clarity, mastery, and consistency at a pace that works. Because with Oraysa, every amud is not just another page. It’s another step in a lifelong journey of aliyah, another layer of understanding, and another connection to Torah that will uplift your day and transform your life.

Be part of the simcha. Be part of the legacy. Be part of Oraysa.
Visit OraysaSiyum.org or email Siyum@Oraysa.org

Oraysa will begin Seder Nashim this coming Wednesday November 26th. For more information, or to set up or join a shiur or chaburah in your neighborhood, please contact Oraysa at 914.8.ORAYSA or email info@oraysa.org.

With just weeks before he steps into office, NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has launched an online push urging New Yorkers to chip in toward the cost of his upcoming transition. He explained that, while the campaign period brought in sufficient funds, the transition itself is not eligible for the city’s matching program, leaving a significant financial gap.

In a video message to supporters, Mamdani noted that his team has brought in $1 million thus far but must reach a total of $4 million to cover the full scope of transition operations. “We have less than 50 days until we take office, and we have a lot to do. We have to vet the 50,000 resumes we’ve received,” Mamdani begs. “We have to keep paying our incredible team … and we have to plan not just our inauguration, but our policy implementation.”

He stressed that many incoming administrations lean heavily on major donors at this stage, a route he insists does not reflect his campaign’s values. As he put it, “that’s not us.”

According to Mamdani, the people powering his transition so far number around 12,000, with an average contribution of $77. He pointed out the contrast with Mayor Eric Adams, who “received $1,219 in average donations from 884 donors to fund his transition.”

Mamdani argued that the additional funds are essential so that “January 1 can be the day we start to deliver, not start to prepare.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order that includes, among other items, an exemption to the reciprocal tariffs on “bread…used for religious purposes” (e.g., Matzah) and on the Arba Minim – the plant species used by Jews during the holiday of Sukkos.

As the overwhelming majority of these products come from Israel and other foreign countries, tariffs would have threatened access and increased costs of religious observance. This accommodation builds upon the precedent of other exemptions to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for certain religious items and is consistent with the Trump administration’s focus on protecting religious freedom.

“Thank you to the Trump administration for once again accommodating religious practices by exempting the Arba Minim and Matzah from reciprocal tariffs and making it easier for Jewish families to celebrate their holidays,” said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel’s national director of government affairs. “We appreciate that the White House took the matter seriously when we and others brought up these issues and worked with the relevant agencies to find a solution.”

{Matzav.com}

In a sweeping ruling, Israel’s High Court declared on Wednesday that the state must move immediately to put an aggressive enforcement system in place against those in the chareidi community who do not report for the draft.

The decision, issued by Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg together with Justices Dafna Barak-Erez, David Mintz, Yael Wilner, and Ofer Grosskopf, insists that the government implement a plan that deploys both criminal sanctions and wide-ranging financial and civil penalties.

The ruling presents an uncompromising demand: the government must begin “real criminal proceedings” against chareidi draft-evaders and must do so “diligently and swiftly.”

In the court’s view, the rate of prosecution in the chareidi sector may no longer lag behind that of any other group, and the judges made clear that the state must reach that point “as soon as possible.”

In place of the current system, the court ordered the government to design a comprehensive enforcement policy within 45 days. The plan, it ruled, must include a full array of complementary measures—especially economic ones—and these steps, when taken together, must be reasonably expected “to be effective and produce real change.” The justices also stressed that the government must heed the guidance of expert officials and cannot sidestep proposals that professional bodies deem essential.

The verdict includes a stern warning: any enforcement plan that allows “bypass funding channels” will be rejected as noncompliant. In the same vein, the court wrote that benefits “tied directly or indirectly to draft-evasion—such as benefits for yeshiva students whose yeshiva attendance indicates draft-evasion—must not continue.”

The petition that led to this dramatic ruling was submitted about eighteen months ago. It challenged the government’s failure to carry out an earlier High Court directive and argued that, without new legislation explicitly granting an exemption, the state “has no authority to refrain from enforcing punitive legal measures on draft-evaders.” The petitioners maintained that the state is obligated to enforce the law without hesitation.

The justices built their decision on four assertions. First, that the obligation of military service applies equally to all citizens, including the chareidi sector. Second, the already-deep inequality in the realm of conscription has intensified in the wake of the Israel-Hamas War. Third, that the IDF now faces an urgent manpower shortage—an estimated need for 12,000 soldiers, more than half for combat positions—which, in the court’s view, heightens the need to recruit chareidim. And fourth, that equalizing the draft is not just a military objective but “a national mission of the highest importance,” requiring full cooperation from all branches of government.

In reviewing the state’s conduct until now, the court’s assessment was scathing. It found that the government’s approach amounts to “a complete abandonment” of criminal enforcement against chareidi draft-evaders. According to the ruling, this neglect “violates the duty of state authorities to enforce the law, undermines the draft obligation, empties the law of substance, and constitutes selective enforcement.”

{Matzav.com}