Matzav

Ramapo, NY — In a closely watched race, Democrat Aron Wieder has unseated incumbent Republican Assemblyman John McGowan in New York’s 97th State Assembly District.

The district, encompassing parts of Ramapo and Orangetown in southern Rockland County, saw a significant shift in voter preference, marking a notable victory for the Democratic Party in the area.

McGowan, who had represented the district since 2023, faced a tough re-election campaign amid growing political engagement and demographic changes in the district.

Wieder, a prominent figure in the local community and former legislator, ran a campaign emphasizing inclusivity, education funding, and infrastructure improvements. Wieder’s campaign resonated with voters seeking change, particularly in areas concerning local governance and community relations.

Wieder, a resident of Rockland County for over two decades, resides in Spring Valley with his wife, who has lived in Rockland her entire life, and their four children. Originally from Brooklyn, he attended the Machzikei Hadas yeshiva before continuing his studies at a rabbinical college in Israel.

In 2008, Wieder was elected to the East Ramapo School Board, where he served for three years, ascending from vice president to president of the board. During his tenure, he initiated and secured funding for a full-day kindergarten program and raised private donations for the esteemed East Ramapo Marching Band. His efforts contributed to an increase in the graduation rate, earning him the Board Excellence Award from the New York State School Board Association and a Certificate of Excellence from the Rockland County School Board Association.

Wieder also served as the Confidential Assistant to the Mayor of Spring Valley for two years. In the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, he coordinated significant donations from local businesses for medical supplies and organized a mission of nurses to provide aid, gaining national recognition and honors from the French-Speaking Baptist Church, among others.

In 2011, Wieder was elected to the Rockland County Legislature representing Spring Valley. As a legislator, he championed fiscal responsibility, advocated for relief from unfunded state mandates to reduce property taxes, and supported environmental and social justice legislation. He played a pivotal role in the Stonehouse Road flood mitigation project, a major infrastructure initiative, and supported other local infrastructure projects like the drainage and road improvements on Robert Pitt Drive.

Wieder currently chairs the Budget & Finance Committee and serves on several other committees, including Government Operations, Multi-Services, Planning & Public Work, and the Special Committee on Minority & Women’s Business Enterprise. He is also a member of the NAACP and the Rockland County Democratic Committee.

{Matzav.com}

In a historic milestone for the frum community of Jackson, New Jersey, Mordechai Burnstein has become the first frum Jew elected to the Jackson Township Council.

Burnstein secured his seat with a narrow victory, edging out his closest competitor by just 114 votes.

Burnstein garnered a total of 9,180 votes, representing 14.33% of the total ballots cast.

This victory marks a significant achievement for the frum community, which has been increasingly active in local politics, seeking to ensure representation and address communal concerns.

The election results, as reported, showed a competitive race with Nino A. Borrelli and Giuseppe A. Palmeri leading the pack with 17.20% and 17.05% of the votes, respectively. Amanda Trombetta also performed strongly, securing 14.15% of the vote.

Despite a closely contested race, Burnstein’s win signals a growing political influence for Jackson’s Orthodox Jewish community.

The total voter turnout for this election was 64,064, reflecting robust community engagement. This election outcome not only celebrates Burnstein’s individual achievement but also signifies a broader shift towards increased participation and representation for the frum community in Jackson Township’s governance.

Burnstein’s victory is expected to inspire further political involvement and advocacy from the frum community as they continue to work towards addressing key local issues and ensuring their voices are heard at the township level.

Hudson Valley, NY — In a closely contested battle that drew national attention, Republican incumbent Mike Lawler emerged victorious tonight over former Democratic Representative Mondaire Jones in New York’s 17th Congressional District.

The race, pivotal in determining control of the U.S. House of Representatives, ended with Lawler securing a second term.

The redrawn 17th District, encompassing Rockland and Putnam counties along with parts of Westchester and Dutchess, was a major battleground. Lawler and Jones, both experienced politicians, engaged in an intense campaign centered on contrasting visions for the district’s future.

Lawler, who first won the seat in 2022 by narrowly defeating then-Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, ran on a platform prioritizing border security and combating inflation. He highlighted his bipartisan legislative achievements and the local projects funded through grants he helped secure. His campaign painted Jones as a far-left progressive, tying him to past calls to “defund the police” and warning voters of his potential alignment with more extreme Democratic positions.

Jones, attempting to reclaim a seat in Congress after his previous district was redrawn, sought to present himself as a centrist. He emphasized his support for increased police funding and border security while attacking Lawler’s positions on abortion and his support for former President Donald Trump. Jones warned that Lawler would be a reliable vote for Trump’s agenda if re-elected.

A key factor in Lawler’s victory was his strong support among Rockland County’s large frum and specifically Chassidishe communities, which remained a decisive bloc. Despite Jones’ previous representation of the district’s constituents, he was unable to erode Lawler’s solid base of support in these communities.

The race was one of the most expensive in the nation, with nearly $41 million spent, including $27 million from outside groups on advertisements, mailers, and other campaign efforts.

{Matzav.com}

In a decisive victory, longtime Lakewood askanim Menashe Miller and Meir Lichtenstein have been reelected to serve on the Lakewood Township Committee.

Both Miller and Lichtenstein have been prominent figures on the committee for many years, consistently advocating for the needs and interests of the Lakewood kehillah.

Miller, a Republican, led the race with 29,393 votes, accounting for 42.16% of the total ballots cast. Lichtenstein, a Democrat, followed closely with 23,090 votes, representing 33.12% of the vote. Their combined leadership has been a staple of Lakewood’s governance.

Salvatore Frascino, another Democratic candidate, received 4,671 votes (6.70%), while Republican Moshe Raitzik secured 12,347 votes (17.71%). The total voter turnout for the election was 69,713.

This reelection reaffirms the community’s trust in Miller and Lichtenstein’s stewardship and highlights their continued commitment to addressing local issues.

{Matzav.com}

A second police probe of his administration for alleged wrongdoings is an “unprecedented campaign against the Prime Minister’s Office in the midst of a war,” Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office stated on Tuesday night.

“After a year in which there has been a flood of criminal leaks from security cabinet discussions and discussions regarding the hostages and the missing, which have provided our enemies with highly valuable intelligence, the only two investigations that have been opened are directed against the Prime Minister’s Office,” Netanyahu’s office said.

There have been no probes “against the wholesale leakers—none of which have been questioned—who have greatly damaged the hostages and the security of Israel,” Netanyahu’s office stated.

“As with the previous attempts to inflate accusations against the prime minister and those around him, the present matter will also not yield anything whatsoever, but will certainly lead to difficult questions regarding arbitrary enforcement, which lacks both precedence and foundation,” it added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israel Police announced that its Lahav 433 unit, which investigates public corruption and organized crime, launched a probe “related to events from the beginning of the war, during which several investigative actions were conducted openly.”

The Magistrate Court in Rishon Letzion issued a gag order banning the publication of additional details.

Israel’s Ynet news outlet reported that the latest investigation concerns suspected attempts by officials in Netanyahu’s office to alter official transcripts of cabinet discussions and other government meetings.

On Sunday, an Israeli court lifted a gag order on the identity of a suspect in the case concerning the alleged leaking by the Prime Minister’s Office of classified documents concerning hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Eli Feldstein, a former spokesman for military affairs in Netanyahu’s office, is suspected of leaking documents obtained by the Israel Defense Forces which suggest that the terrorist group is not interested in a ceasefire deal and is only using truce talks to increase domestic pressure on the government.

In a statement on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office said that the premier had only “learned about the document from the media.” It added that Feldstein—whom it didn’t name—was never exposed to classified material.

“The document only helped the effort to retrieve the hostages and certainly did not compromise it,” as it “exposed Hamas’s methods for applying psychological pressure domestically and abroad on the government and Israeli society, by blaming Israel for the failure of talks to retrieve the hostages, when everyone knows—as has been confirmed repeatedly by U.S. officials—that Hamas is preventing the deal,” Netanyahu’s office added.

Netanyahu’s critics have presented the affair as evidence that he is working to thwart a deal with Hamas for the release of the captives. His advocates have argued that the files prove no such deal was feasible, accusing police of selectively investigating while ignoring other leaks. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu directed the removal of a contentious legislative proposal from the Knesset’s agenda on Tuesday. The bill, championed by his chareidi coalition allies, lacked the necessary majority to pass.

Netanyahu, in a succinct announcement, stated he had instructed coalition chairman Ofir Katz to withdraw the Daycare Bill. He did not provide details on whether the bill would be revisited in the future.

The decision followed revelations that several coalition members were prepared to vote against the measure, which aimed to sidestep a High Court decision barring daycare subsidies for children of chareidi men who haven’t completed military service.

On Monday night, Yuli Edelstein, a Likud MK and chair of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, voiced his opposition. Edelstein emphasized the need for leaders to bolster IDF recruitment during wartime, saying, “I will not lend my hand to the Daycare Law, nor to any law that attempts to circumvent our ceaseless efforts to expand the conscription base in the State of Israel.”

Likud MKs Moshe Saada and Dan Illouz also expressed disapproval. Additionally, Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer, from the Religious Zionism party, stated on Army Radio that the bill wouldn’t progress without advancements in the enlistment law.

Coalition partner Gideon Sa’ar, leader of the New Hope party, announced his faction’s intention to oppose the bill, stating on Sunday that passing the law now would signal a tacit endorsement of draft evasion. Sa’ar urged the government to “strive to carry out significant moves that increase the participation of all sections of the public” in military service.

Deputy Minister Avi Maoz of the Noam party also declared his opposition, highlighting his efforts to address perceived discrimination against national religious reservists, who he noted have faced significant casualties.

In total, nine legislators voiced their opposition. With the coalition holding a slim eight-seat majority, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was also anticipated to vote against the bill.

Initially, the government had pushed the bill through the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, setting it up for a preliminary reading in the Knesset this week. The legislation sought to ensure that chareidi men, who are required to serve in the military but have not done so, would still receive daycare subsidies for their children. This move aimed to bypass a High Court ruling that deemed such subsidies unlawful for those avoiding military service.

United Torah Judaism (UTJ) pressed for swift passage of the bill after retreating from a previous threat to derail budget negotiations unless the coalition expedited a law exempting yeshiva students from military service.

The fate of the budget and other coalition priorities remains uncertain if the bill isn’t passed this week. Critics argue that the bill perpetuates military service avoidance among chareidi men, exacerbating IDF personnel shortages amid prolonged conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Attorney General’s Office labeled the proposal “unconstitutional,” warning that it undermines equality by promoting avoidance of military conscription. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party had yet to take a definitive stance, linking their support to amendments that would benefit IDF reservists’ families.

Amid reports of dissent, Religious Zionism MKs Moshe Solomon and Ohad Tal denied plans to oppose the bill. In a joint statement, they mentioned ongoing negotiations between UTJ MK Yisrael Eichler, who authored the bill, and their party.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has taken a major step toward enhancing US-Israel air travel by initiating discussions with US regulators to allow Israir Airlines to operate direct flights to New York. As part of this effort, Israir is considering wet-leasing two wide-body aircraft for the route. However, the process of obtaining necessary approvals might extend over several months. The airline is targeting the upcoming winter season to begin direct flights between Tel Aviv and Newark.

Before Israir can finalize these plans, it must overcome several obstacles. The lease agreement for the aircraft has not yet been signed, and the airline must meet various regulatory requirements. These include securing US regulatory approvals and navigating the complexities of Israel’s aviation services law, which affects Israir’s expansion plans.

The proposed wet-lease arrangement involves Israir using aircraft and crew from an international carrier while operating the flights under its own brand. Although discussions are ongoing, the Israeli Transportation Ministry has already given its preliminary approval, representing an important first step in the complex process of establishing direct flights to the US.

The CAA has started working with US authorities to obtain the required approvals, a process that typically takes around three months under normal conditions. Efforts are being made to accelerate these steps, which include meeting security protocols, securing landing rights, and obtaining various other permits. This marks the beginning of a detailed and multi-faceted approval and negotiation process, indicating that the launch of these flights may take some time.

Currently, El Al is the only airline offering direct service to New York after US carriers pulled out of the Israeli market. American Airlines has suspended its routes to Israel until at least September 2025, United Airlines has stopped its services indefinitely, and Delta has paused its operations until March 2025.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev expressed her support for the initiative, stating, “I thank the CAA for their thorough work that enables significant relief in the flight crisis created due to the war. Israeli companies are demonstrating national responsibility in their mobilization during this challenging period. I commend Rami Levy and Israir Airlines for their initiative to operate a New York route, a step that will contribute to healthy competition, expanded options for the public, and lower flight prices.”

{Matzav.com}

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett harshly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dismissing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during an ongoing conflict, describing the current administration as “crazy and sick.”

In a message posted on X, Bennett addressed the troops directly: “Our soldiers on all fronts: Don’t lose focus against the enemy. If you guard us, we the public will guard you. Don’t despair, change is coming,” he stated.

Bennett’s remarks surfaced as numerous reports highlighted dissatisfaction among thousands of reservists. These soldiers voiced fears about their lives being managed by “politicians with no military experience.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Election 2024 Coverage Live: President, Senate, House, Swing states, Full Coverage All Day and Night:

WATCH LIVE NOW:

WATCH CBS NEWS:

WATCH FOX NEWS:

WATCH ABC NEWS:

Today, citizens across the nation headed to the voting booths to decide between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Control of the White House hinges on the outcomes in seven pivotal states, each capable of determining the election’s victor.

Throughout the intense campaign, both Trump and Harris focused their efforts on these crucial battlegrounds, making frequent trips as polls indicated a neck-and-neck race leading up to Election Day.

Key Battleground States in 2024

The following states are critical to watch in this election:

• Arizona
• Georgia
• Michigan
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• Wisconsin

Arizona, holding 11 electoral votes, closes its polls at 9 p.m. ET. Trump secured a win here in 2016 but narrowly lost to Biden in 2020.

Georgia offers 16 electoral votes and will stop accepting votes at 7 p.m. ET. Trump previously won Georgia in 2016, but Biden flipped it in 2020 by fewer than 12,000 votes, marking a Democratic win for the first time since 1992. Trump faces legal challenges over alleged attempts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 results, which he denies.

Michigan’s 15 electoral votes were captured by Trump in 2016, breaking nearly 30 years of Democratic dominance. However, Biden reclaimed the state in 2020. The state is part of the Democrats’ “blue wall” and is expected to be tightly contested. The first polls in Michigan close at 8 p.m. ET, with others closing an hour later.

Nevada, a state with six electoral votes, has supported Democrats in the last four presidential elections. Polls here close at 10 p.m. ET.

North Carolina, dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, has also seen visits from both candidates. Historically a Republican stronghold, Democrats have only won its 16 electoral votes twice since 1968, with Obama’s 2008 victory being the latest. Trump narrowly won here in both 2016 and 2020. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, remains a crucial battleground. Trump won it in 2016, while Biden reclaimed it in 2020. Both candidates have heavily campaigned here, each making over 20 visits. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.

Wisconsin flipped from decades of Democratic support to Trump in 2016, but Biden narrowly won it back in 2020. The state’s 10 electoral votes were decided by less than 1% in both elections. Polls close at 9 p.m. ET.

Understanding Battleground States

A battleground, or swing state, is characterized by a closely divided electorate, making it a prime focus for both parties. Unlike solidly partisan states, these areas draw significant attention and resources due to their potential to swing the election.

Historical Voting Trends in Battleground States

Here’s a summary of how these states have voted in recent presidential elections:

Arizona:

• 2020: Joe Biden (D)
• 2016: Donald Trump (R)
• 2012: Mitt Romney (R)
• 2008: John McCain (R)
• 2004: George W. Bush (R)
• 2000: George W. Bush (R)

Georgia:

• 2020: Joe Biden (D)
• 2016: Donald Trump (R)
• 2012: Mitt Romney (R)
• 2008: John McCain (R)
• 2004: George W. Bush (R)
• 2000: George W. Bush (R)

Michigan:

• 2020: Joe Biden (D)
• 2016: Donald Trump (R)
• 2012: Barack Obama (D)
• 2008: Barack Obama (D)
• 2004: John Kerry (D)
• 2000: Al Gore (D)

Nevada:

• 2020: Joe Biden (D)
• 2016: Hillary Clinton (D)
• 2012: Barack Obama (D)
• 2008: Barack Obama (D)
• 2004: George W. Bush (R)
• 2000: George W. Bush (R)

North Carolina:

• 2020: Donald Trump (R)
• 2016: Donald Trump (R)
• 2012: Mitt Romney (R)
• 2008: Barack Obama (D)
• 2004: George W. Bush (R)
• 2000: George W. Bush (R)

Pennsylvania:

• 2020: Joe Biden (D)
• 2016: Donald Trump (R)
• 2012: Barack Obama (D)
• 2008: Barack Obama (D)
• 2004: John Kerry (D)
• 2000: Al Gore (D)

Wisconsin:

• 2020: Joe Biden (D)
• 2016: Donald Trump (R)
• 2012: Barack Obama (D)
• 2008: Barack Obama (D)
• 2004: John Kerry (D)
• 2000: Al Gore (D)

{Matzav.com}

The razor-thin margin between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in current polling suggests a highly competitive race, likely hinging on the outcomes in key swing states.

While an exact tie in the Electoral College count is improbable, it remains within the realm of possibility.

Here’s what could unfold in such an event, as per the NY Post.

The Likelihood of a 269-269 Split

How could an Electoral College tie come about? According to 270 To Win, here are three basic scenarios:

1. Trump secures all the states he won in 2020, plus Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Harris wins every state Joe Biden carried in 2020, along with North Carolina.
2. Trump captures all his 2020 states, plus Michigan and Pennsylvania, while Harris retains all other Biden-won states.
3. Trump wins all his 2020 states, along with Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and Harris wins all Biden’s 2020 states plus North Carolina.

An Electoral College tie has never occurred in U.S. history.

A tie could also theoretically result if some electors deviate from their pledged votes, opting for third-party candidates and thereby preventing any contender from achieving the necessary 270 electoral votes.

A simulation conducted by FiveThirtyEight, which ran 1,000 hypothetical elections, placed the probability of a tie or an unresolved result at just 0.2%.

Determining the President

The 12th Amendment outlines the procedure if the Electoral College reaches a 269-269 stalemate.

In this case, the newly elected House of Representatives would convene on January 6, 2025, to count the electoral votes. If no candidate holds a majority, the House would decide the outcome. Each state delegation would cast one vote, with a majority of 26 states needed to elect the next president.

Although lawmakers could technically consider three candidates, the practical choice would be between Trump and Harris.

Currently, Republicans control 26 state delegations, Democrats hold 22, and Minnesota and North Carolina are evenly split between the parties.

Selecting the Vice President

The 12th Amendment also specifies the procedure for electing the vice president in the event of a tie.

The newly elected Senate would convene, with each senator casting an individual vote to choose the vice president.

The Senate would select between the two vice presidential candidates who received the most Electoral College votes, likely Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

This process could result in a president and vice president from different political parties.

What Happens if Congress Fails to Decide?

If the House cannot elect a president by noon on January 20, the vice president chosen by the Senate would serve as acting president until a decision is reached.

Should neither the House nor the Senate reach a conclusion, the Speaker of the House would assume the presidency under the Presidential Succession Act of 1947.

Such a scenario has never occurred in U.S. history.

{Matzav.com}

The Tikvah Forum for Families of Hostages hailed Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s decision on Tuesday to appoint Foreign Minister Yisroel Katz as the Jewish state’s defense minister, replacing Yoav Gallant.

“The dismissal of Minister Gallant and the appointment of Yisroel Katz creates an opportunity for us to make a strategic change regarding the return of the hostages,” the organization said in a statement posted to X.

“The time has come to push with all our might Netanyahu’s offer to those who hold hostages to the abductees for a large sum of money,” stated the forum, adding that it “trusts Minister Katz to increase the military pressure on what is left of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We thank Minister Galant for his work for Israel’s security and for the attempts to return our loved ones,” the Tikvah statement concluded.

In a letter published by Israel’s Channel 12 News earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu informed Gallant that his dismissal would be effective 48 hours after the delivery of the missive. “I would like to thank you for your work as defense minister,” he wrote the fellow Likud Party member.

The Channel 12 report noted that as part of the move, Netanyahu and Katz are expected to launch a bid to replace Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, as well as other senior Israeli security officials.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which also represents many relatives of the captives, expressed “deep concerns” following the firing, warning that the “sudden change could affect the fate of 101 hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for nearly 400 days.”

“We expect the incoming Defense Minister, Israel Katz, to prioritize a hostage deal and work closely with mediators and the international community to secure the immediate release of all hostages,” the NGO said. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

Fox News contributor Kellyanne Conway joined ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss possible electoral paths to victory for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

WATCH:

In the crucial state of Georgia, a Cobb County judge has ordered that two polling places stay open until 7:20pm, due to delays in opening the polling sites this morning.  The two polling sites in question are located in Marietta and Kell.

Additionally, a judge in Pennsylvania has ordered a polling place in Laflin Borough near Scranton, to extend their hours until 9:30 p.m. after polls opened late and some voters could not cast their ballots earlier.  Pennsylvania is widely considered the key to the election, with most predicting the winner in the state will become the next President.

Earlier today, local news station WNEP reported that the judge of elections did not arrive on time to the crucial polling location, when polls were supposed to open at 7:30 a.m. The first ballots were not cast until 8:30 a.m. Some voters said they had waited in line for nearly two hours before they were able to vote.

{Matzav.com} 

Renowned political consultant and former senior adviser to President Trump, Kellyanne Conway, has voiced her primary concern: the safety of the former president.

“My main worry is that President Trump, his family and those around him remain safe,” the 57-year-old shared in an interview with Politico.

Conway’s apprehensions come after Trump survived two assassination attempts since July 13.

As for Election Night, the seasoned pollster is focused on whether Vice President Kamala Harris can secure the crucial “blue wall” states—Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—for the Democrats.

“Politically, I have had my eye on Kamala and the Dems making the trade of a lifetime: running up the totals of white college educated households, including in the suburbs, and mostly in the three Blue Wall states, rather than chase the rural and urban voters and typically core Democratic voters where Trump is seeing gains,” she explained to Politico. “Once she was running out the clock; now it seems she is racing against it.”

“Her ‘I’m not Biden’ and ‘I’m not Trump’ worked for a while, but she never answered the obvious, essential questions, ‘Who are you?’”

When asked what the Harris campaign has done effectively, Conway was succinct: “Spending money.”

“Even though in politics, as in life, money is distorting,” she remarked. “Money can’t buy love, and it also can’t buy votes.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Three kedoshei elyon had one common concept when it came to learning Torah – they were the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar 1696-1743) when he came to Eretz Yisroel; the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto 1707-1746) when he lived in Padua, Italy;  and Hagaon, Harav Chaim Volozhiner, (1749-1821) the famous talmid of the Gaon of Vilna.

They each had a yeshiva with ‘around-the-clock’ Torah learning, 24-hours a day, so that there would be no minute when the sound of Torah learning would not be heard in this world. The 24-hour period would be divided into shifts, and as one ended the next would begin.

Torah-24

A “Torah-24” Center has been opened in Yerushalayim and the Nasi is Maran Sar Hatorah, Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l.

Under ONE ROOF, from 6:00 am – 6:00 am, 10 kollelim fill successive learning shifts. Each kollel focuses on a specific area of in-depth Torah study. The “Torah-24” Kollelim include: Boker (Gemora), Yerushalmi, Bavli, Zeraim-Taharot, Dalet Chelkei Shulchan Aruch, Erev (Gemora), Chatzos- Zohar/Kabbolah, Erev Shabbos (Chumash / Medrash b’iyun). 

Already there are 52 avreichim metzuyonim, and a large number of candidates are vying for the remaining slots in the kollelim. All the avreichim are required to take rigorous monthly tests.

Endorsements & Letters

Endorsements include Maranan Hagaonim shlit”a: Harav Gershon Edelstein, Harav Berel Povarsky, Harav Shimon Badani, Harav Dovid Cohen, Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Harav Chaim Feinstein, Harav Shimon Galai, Harav Shraga Shteinman.

Letters of support-encouragement have been received from Maranan Hagaonim, shlit”a: Hamekubal Harav David Bazri, Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Elimelech Biderman, Hamekubal Harav Yaakov Meir Schechter, Harav Moishe Sternbuch, Harav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss.

For more “Torah-24” information click on: www.torah-24.com or call 718-766-5022

Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, the Jewish billionaire founder of Home Depot who donated extensively to Jewish causes, died in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 95.

Morton Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America, stated that Marcus was an “extraordinary Zionist, American patriot, business giant, philanthropic titan, devoted ZOA supporter and my dear friend.”

“I can’t imagine the world without Bernie Marcus,” Klein said. “The world and I will never be quite the same.”

Marcus was a member of the Republican Jewish Coalition board of directors.

“Bernie was truly one of the greats of his generation. He came from poverty to build a company that today employs over 500,000 people. He was an extraordinary leader, whose warmth and caring were evident to everyone he met,” stated Norm Coleman and Matt Brooks, national chairman and CEO respectively of the RJC.

Marcus and his wife Billi Marcus “gave away billions of dollars to causes that directly improved the lives of his fellow Americans: children with autism; veterans fighting post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and substance abuse; cancer patients and others,” the RJC leaders stated.

They noted that he also built the Georgia Aquarium and “supported many Israeli and Jewish causes, including the Israel Democracy Institute.”

“Bernie was a patriot who generously shared his resources, his wisdom and his eloquence to defend capitalism, freedom and our republic,” they added. “The RJC was proud to feature Bernie in an ad we ran in battleground states in the 2012 election, in which he shared his concerns for America’s future under President Obama.”

Blessing in disguise

Born to Russian Jewish immigrants in 1929, Macrus grew up in a Newark, N.J., tenement, according to a Home Depot statement. “He dreamed of becoming a doctor. When his family couldn’t afford medical school, he enrolled in pharmacy school and received a degree from Rutgers University,” the company stated. “Bernie said he’d often cut classes to sell Amana freezers door-to-door.”

After graduating, Marcus worked at the O’Dell’s and Vornado, and he became chairman of the board and president of Handy Dan Improvement Centers, which was part of Daylin, in 1972, Home Depot stated.

“While working for Daylin, Bernie formed a friendship with Arthur Blank that would last for the rest of his life,” Home Depot said. “The watershed moment in Bernie’s career came when he was fired from Handy Dan in April 1978, along with Arthur and Ron Brill. Bernie was faced with the prospect of reinventing himself at 49.”

With a “vision of a one-stop shop for do-it-yourselfers, something that did not exist in the home improvement retail landscape at the time,” Marcus launched Home Depot, opening stores in Atlanta. “From those first stores in 1979, Bernie and his fellow founders grew a business that created jobs worldwide—eventually employing more than 500,000 associates,” the company said.

Home Depot added that “giving back was part of Bernie’s upbringing,” adding that Marcus said, “My mother taught me to be generous. She believed that the more you give, the more you get.”

“Bernie would practice the Jewish tradition of tzedakah throughout his life,” the company said. “In his book Kick Up Some Dust: Lessons on Thinking Big, Giving Back and Doing It Yourself, he writes, ‘I was able to do things my parents could only dream about … and have focused on helping those I will never meet.’”

Jared Powers, CEO of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta—named for Marcus—called the late businessman “a visionary philanthropist, devoted community leader and beloved friend to our agency and the entire Jewish community.”

“Bernie’s enduring generosity and unwavering philanthropic support to the Marcus JCC transformed our organization in ways beyond measure, ensuring that our agency remained innovative, vibrant, inclusive and a safe hub for Jewish life,” Powers stated. “His tremendous philanthropy shaped the Marcus JCC’s past and present and has inspired countless individuals and future generations to celebrate their Jewish values and connect with each other.”

“His legacy lives on in the spaces he helped create, the lives he impacted and the community he strengthened,” he added. “The entire Jewish community in Atlanta is better for having Bernie Marcus as its champion and role model.”

Home Depot stated that Marcus “was an inspiration in many ways. He was a master merchant and a genius with customer service. Together with Arthur Blank and Ken Langone, Bernie helped create a nation of doers who could tackle any project, large or small. He loved our customers.”

“He also loved the associates who made the company what it is today,” the company said. “He never lost sight of his humble roots, using his success not for fame or fortune but to generously help others. In business and in charity, Bernie was unparalleled in generosity and goodwill.”

Marcus is survived by his wife Billi, three children and grandchildren. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Pundits and pollsters offer their predictions and keys to victory for former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

WATCH:

‘The Ben Shapiro Show’ host speaks to ‘Jesse Watters Primetime’ about the upcoming election.

WATCH:

R’ Mendel Roth, the son of the Shomrei Emunim Rebbe from Ashdod and a descendant of Rav Aharon Roth, publicly declared his intention to join the newly established charedi Hashmonaim Brigade on Monday evening.

R’ Roth is widely recognized for his bold and candid stances on both public and halachic matters.

In a heartfelt post on his Facebook page, R’ Roth, who is also a musician, described the inner struggles he has faced over the past year since the onset of the war: “Throughout the year, I’ve been plagued by a deep sense of unease. As the blood of my fellow Jews flows freely, I’ve remained silent,” he confessed. “Instead of compiling a list of justifications while my conscience gnaws at me, I must confront the truth head-on and take decisive action.”

This pivotal decision followed an impactful conversation with Col. Avinoam Emunah, the officer set to command the brigade. “Speaking with him felt more like conversing with a Rosh Yeshiva than a military leader,” R’ Roth recounted.

He expressed his determination to serve as a combat soldier: “The decision is final. Mendel is joining the new charedi brigade as a combat soldier, embracing the mission of instilling Jewish values and spiritual influence within the unit.”

At 33, R’ Roth acknowledged the potential challenges ahead: “I’m fully aware that during basic training, I might discover I’m not cut out for the mental or physical demands of being a combat soldier. If that happens, I will dedicate myself entirely to the brigade’s spiritual and emotional welfare, with God’s help.”

R’ Roth believes the establishment of this brigade represents a significant transformation within the IDF: “The IDF has recognized something it hadn’t before and is now fully committed to ensuring the success of this initiative. They’re ready to address the spiritual and emotional needs of the charedi community like never before.”

He noted that many charedi rabbonim who have reviewed the program details have expressed strong support for the initiative, though they emphasized that widespread enlistment of charedim would likely follow only after an initial trial period.

“I am deeply moved and proud of this decision,” R’ Roth concluded. “This brigade ushers in a new era of hope and unity, carrying profound historical significance for the fractured and troubled Israeli society.”

{Matzav.com Israel}