Matzav

Rabbi David Stav, Chief Rabbi of Shoham and head of the Tzohar organization, was among the demonstrators who joined Wednesday’s “March for Conscription” in Yerushalayim, a rally calling for members of the chareidi community to be drafted into the IDF.

In an interview with Arutz Sheva during the event, Rabbi Stav acknowledged that attending public protests is not his typical mode of expression. “My way to express myself is through writing, through talking to the people, not through physical participation in demonstrations.”

This time, however, he felt compelled to join the demonstration in person. “We can not continue anymore without raising our voices, yelling, screaming, praying, because we understand that just this morning we started a new action in Gaza. Another battalion started to participate.”

Rabbi Stav shared the emotional toll he has witnessed within his own circle. “So many of my students and congregants who were called from their universities and yeshivot again to serve for the fourth and fifth time. It’s breaking up families, it’s destroying jobs, and it’s impossible that one tribe will carry the responsibility of the state, and another tribe, which has tens of thousands of men, would not be a part of that mission.”

Referencing Pirkei Avos, he said, “Carrying the burden of our society is one of the 48 ways that the Torah is given to us. The minimum that we can expect is that there would be no tribe that’s excluded from that holy mission.”

Rabbi Stav also criticized both the military and government for what he sees as a lack of initiative in implementing real change. “Instead of that, the government is currently doing the opposite: it encourages people not to go to the army by giving them so many incentives and benefits that there is no reason for them to go to the army. On the other hand, it does not encourage anybody to go to the army.”

He argued that the IDF itself must make serious efforts to integrate chareidim properly. “Show it’s serious by fitting itself and the conditions so they are suitable for the chareidi soldiers, they are not doing enough, and stop lying to the people by telling them that thousands are drafting, when we know that they count people that were chareidi five or six years ago and stopped being observant a long time ago.”

In his view, the two key bodies responsible for leading the charge—Israel’s government and military—are failing to fulfill their role. “These two institutions that are supposed to be the first ones to be interested in drafting the chareidi society, they are not doing their mission. Once they do their mission, at least the big part of the chareidi society will be drafted.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The post Rabbi David Stav Attacks Yeshiva Bochurim: “No Tribe Should Be Exempt From Holy Mission of Military Service” first appeared on Matzav.com.

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Benny was born 18 months ago, bringing with him great joy to his parents. A healthy, thriving baby, he was their sunshine. But six weeks ago, he suddenly became sick. Very, very sick.

The diagnosis was shattering: colon cancer, advanced. Benny declined quickly, turning from a happy toddler to a child unable to eat, crawl or even sit up. He had to be admitted to PICU, in total quarantine due to his fragile state, his parents can only see him in pictures taken by kind nurses.

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The post Benny’s Mother Pleads to You: Help Me Save My Child! first appeared on Matzav.com.

Saudi Arabia issued a strong condemnation on Wednesday in response to a visit by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, to the Har Habayis in Yerushalayim.

The statement said, “The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation in the strongest terms possible of the Israeli Minister of National Security’s storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the occupation police and the expulsion of worshippers from the mosque. The Kingdom reiterates its denunciation of the continued blatant Israeli transgressions against the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

Ben Gvir made the visit to the site following his return to the Israeli cabinet last month amid the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

Earlier this year, Ben Gvir had stepped down from his ministerial role after expressing opposition to a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

In the same statement, the Saudi foreign ministry criticized another Israeli action on Wednesday, denouncing a strike on a United Nations facility located in the Jabalia refugee camp. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, the attack claimed the lives of 19 individuals, including nine children.

“The Kingdom condemns these ongoing Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law, and calls upon the international community to put an end to the Israeli war machine, which does not respect any humanitarian values, laws, or international norms.”

{Matzav.com}

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In-person work attendance in Manhattan has reached 76% of what it was before the pandemic, driven by ongoing return-to-office efforts, according to a new report from the Partnership for New York City. Despite that progress, hybrid work schedules remain the most widespread setup among office employees.

The findings come from a survey conducted between March 5 and March 20, which included responses from 125 large office-based companies in the borough. It revealed that 57% of employees are physically present in the office on an average weekday.

Just 10% of workers are now back to commuting five days a week, while only 8% are fully remote. That leaves the vast majority—82%—working on a hybrid basis, coming into the office anywhere from one to four days a week.

Nick, a financial trader, is part of the small group sticking to a traditional in-office routine. He told 1010 WINS that he believes it’s the best environment for getting work done.
“Working from office is where the highest levels of productivity are and highest levels of efficiency,” he said.

Meanwhile, Erin, who also works in finance, values the flexibility of remote days, saying they actually help boost her performance later in the week.

“I feel more productive a couple of days after I work from home because I have that rest,” she said.

Seventy-five percent of the companies surveyed indicated that their current arrangements are now considered permanent. However, one in four employers plan to tighten in-office attendance requirements within the next year, signaling a gradual increase in physical presence.

Alyssa shared with 1010 WINS that while she prefers coming in regularly, having the option to decide for herself is empowering.

“I think knowing that I can choose makes it feel better, but I would be in 4 days a week most weeks given the choice,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

The post Survey: Manhattan Return-To-Office Reaches 76% Pre-Pandemic Levels, But Hybrid Schedules Are The New Normal first appeared on Matzav.com.

A new study by ConsumerAffairs has found that teenagers in New Jersey are the safest drivers in the United States, with their peers in New York also ranking high on the list. The analysis focused on fatal car accidents involving teenage drivers.

Using the most recent figures from 2022 provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s fatality reporting system, ConsumerAffairs evaluated each state and ranked them from the most dangerous to the safest for teen drivers.

The evaluation considered four categories per 100,000 individuals aged 15 to 19: overall traffic deaths, deaths caused by impaired teen drivers, deaths tied to speeding, and those attributed to poor driving behaviors such as recklessness, inexperience, or aggressive driving.

New Jersey landed at the very bottom of the list—meaning it had the best teen driver safety record—while New York came in just a few spots higher at 47th. Connecticut placed closer to the middle at number 25.

One reason for New Jersey’s standout performance is its rigorous driver licensing process, which is among the toughest in the nation. Additionally, the state’s heavy traffic and well-developed road systems may naturally deter excessive speeding.

In contrast, the report identified Montana as the most dangerous state for teen drivers, trailed by Wyoming, Delaware, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

To illustrate the disparity, New Jersey recorded zero fatalities per 100,000 teen drivers under the influence. That’s significantly better than Montana’s staggering 7.33 deaths per 100,000, and far below the national average of 0.75.

{Matzav.com}

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NYC Mayor Eric Adams, no longer under the cloud of a corruption probe, made it clear Wednesday that he’s staying in the race and plans to secure a second term, following a decisive ruling from a federal judge that ended the case against him.

Speaking briefly in front of Gracie Mansion, Adams told the city this marked a turning point for both himself and the people of New York.

“I also want to apologize to New Yorkers for having to go through this with me — a baseless case that should have never been brought in the first place,” he said. “The lies — spread through false leaks and splashed across sensational headlines — and all of the distractions.

“But what I want you to know that I never stopped working for you. Not for one day.”

To close his remarks, Adams lifted up a book titled Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy by Kash Patel, who served as FBI Director under President Trump. He credited the book with helping him endure the ordeal.

The statement came just hours after Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho issued a long-anticipated ruling on whether to allow the Justice Department’s unusual request to dismiss the case.

Judge Ho ruled to drop the case permanently – a dismissal with prejudice – preventing prosecutors from revisiting the charges in the future.

The judge’s decision went beyond what federal prosecutors had asked for, as they sought to drop the case without prejudice, which would have left the door open to refiling charges. Ho sharply criticized that request, saying it appeared politically motivated.

“Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions,” Ho wrote.

He also emphasized that his decision should not be interpreted as a comment on the truth or falsehood of the underlying claims, which accused Adams of accepting luxury trips from Turkish nationals in return for political assistance.

“Neither the dismissal of the Indictment, nor the length of this Opinion, should be understood as any kind of statement about the merits of the allegations against the Mayor in the Indictment,” Ho wrote.

With the case dismissed, Adams can now turn his full attention to campaigning without the specter of legal trouble looming over him – a case that had seriously eroded both his public approval and re-election prospects.

The mayor, who once made near-daily appearances on the campaign trail, has been less visible in recent weeks. He even withdrew from a debate at the last moment on the advice of his legal team, giving his opponents repeated opportunities to criticize him in his absence.

Now, with the legal matter behind him, Adams must quickly pivot. By midnight Thursday, he’s required to submit a minimum of 3,750 signatures to qualify for the Democratic primary.

As he walked away from the podium, a reporter called out to ask if he still planned to seek re-election.

“You know what, I’m going to win,” he replied.

{Matzav.com}

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According to a report by Politico, President Donald Trump has shared with his Cabinet members and inner circle that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk will soon step down from his official government role.

The article notes that while Trump has expressed satisfaction with Musk’s performance leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a department focused on rooting out bureaucratic waste—both he and Musk have agreed that it’s time for Musk to transition back into the private sector. Despite stepping away from a formal position, Musk is expected to maintain a behind-the-scenes advisory relationship with the Trump administration.

In remarks made to reporters this week, Trump acknowledged Musk’s likely departure, stating, “at some point Elon’s going to want to go back to his company.” He added, “I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”

News of Musk’s planned exit follows his recent declaration that he will begin probing how certain U.S. lawmakers have managed to build immense personal wealth, despite earning a standard Congressional salary of $174,000 per year.

While speaking in Wisconsin this week, Musk addressed a question from the audience about whether U.S. foreign aid—specifically money distributed through USAID—ever ends up enriching American politicians. Musk responded by saying that federal funds are funneled to NGOs, which then disperse the money through various channels, eventually making its way into the private accounts of political figures.

Prominent lawmakers who have come under public scrutiny for their financial portfolios include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with an estimated net worth of $250 million, and Senator Rick Scott, whose personal fortune is estimated at around $552 million.

Numerous other members of Congress also possess wealth ranging from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, sparking concerns over potential ethical violations and the influence of money in politics.

In a separate move last month, Trump announced his intention to purchase a Tesla vehicle as a public gesture of support for Musk, whose electric car company had seen its stock drop by 45% since the start of the year at that time.

Trump expanded on this pledge in a post on Truth Social: “To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is “putting it on the line” in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! But the Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World’s great automakers, and Elon’s “baby,” in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for. They tried to do it to me at the 2024 Presidential Ballot Box, but how did that work out? In any event, I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American. Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???”

{Matzav.com}

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On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a statement addressing the IDF’s ramped-up military activities in Gaza and revealed plans for Israel to assume control over another strategic route.

“Last night in the Gaza Strip, we changed gears. The IDF is taking territory, hitting terrorists, and destroying infrastructure. We are also doing something else: We are seizing the Morag Corridor. This will be the second Philadelphi, an additional Philadelphi Corridor.”

He elaborated on the reasoning behind this move, saying, “we are now dividing the Strip and increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages. And as long as they do not give them to us, the pressure will increase until they do.”

Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s unwavering commitment to its mission: “We are determined to achieve the war’s goals, and we are working without rest and with a clear motive, and clear objective. And with G-d’s help and the help of our heroic soldiers – we will achieve it.”

The newly announced route appears to be named after the former Israeli community of Morag, which was located between Rafah and Khan Yunis before it was evacuated and destroyed. Should the corridor follow that same area, it would effectively split the two largest cities in southern Gaza.

{Matzav.com Israel}

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IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director Ronen Bar carried out an on-site visit and operational review on Wednesday in the Tel al-Sultan area of Gaza. They were accompanied by high-ranking officers, including Southern Command head Major General Yaniv Asor, Gaza Division head Brigadier General Barak Hiram, and Brigadier General Moran Omer, who commands the 36th Division, along with other top military officials.

During their visit, Zamir and Bar spoke with officers in the field and received updates regarding combat preparedness, focusing on both defensive measures and upcoming offensive strategies.

“IDF troops, under the leadership of the Southern Command, are deepening the operation, and this will continue at a deliberate and determined pace,” Zamir stated during the visit.

He elaborated further: “We will preserve operational ambiguity and the element of surprise—the field will speak for itself. The only thing that can halt our further advance is the release of our hostages! Their return would allow our forces to reposition and enable the continuation of negotiations.”

Zamir also addressed Bar directly in what many interpreted as a farewell note, saying: “I deeply value the growing cooperation between the security agencies. My sincere appreciation goes to the Director of the ISA and his personnel for their dedicated efforts throughout the war.”

He then referred to the ongoing investigations into the events of October 7, particularly the attack at the Nova music festival: “Today, we reviewed the investigation into the ‘Nova’ festival attack. The findings underscore the immense responsibility we bear and the mission we must uphold. The IDF bows its head in respect to the families, the hostages, and the victims. This event reinforces our duty to improve and to draw critical lessons.”

ISA Director Ronen Bar commented on the continuation of operations against Hamas: “The targeted strikes in the Gaza Strip, which began with the opening strike two weeks ago, will intensify. The is a direct link between these strikes and the targeted operation in central Beirut. Counter-terrorism requires decisive action, and Hamas will be held accountable wherever it seeks to harm Israeli civilians. The objective of this operation and our continued presence in the area is to make it unmistakably clear: Hamas will continue to pay a price until the 59 hostages are safely returned.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

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On Wednesday, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved yet another resolution targeting Israel, once again accusing the country of violations of international law and human rights abuses.

The measure, titled “Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice,” asserts that all Israeli activities and presence in Judea and Samaria, as well as in eastern parts of Yerushalayim, are “unlawful and illegal.”

The resolution further argued that Article 51 of the UN Charter — which affirms the right to self-defense in response to an armed attack — does not apply “to cases where a threat originates from a territory over which Israel exercises control,” essentially disqualifying Israel’s right to defend itself from assaults coming from Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem, or Gaza.

The Council also denounced Israel’s handling of Palestinian detainees, especially minors, condemning arrests even in cases where those minors were involved in violent acts. The document states that “any arrest, detention or trial of Palestinian children by Israel is in violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.” Notably, the resolution made no reference to Hamas or others in Gaza who have kidnapped, abused, or killed Israeli captives, including infants and children.

Israel was further blamed for alleged sexual violence. However, the documented sexual atrocities committed against Israelis on October 7, as well as against captives held in Gaza, were entirely omitted from the text.

Of the lengthy nine-page resolution, only two paragraphs offered criticism of attacks targeting Israeli civilians, including rocket fire on populated areas and the October 7 terror massacre. Though it did call for the hostages’ release and access to humanitarian aid, it stopped short of outright condemning the act of hostage-taking itself.

Throughout the document, the word “Hamas” was never mentioned.

The resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor, 4 opposed, and 16 countries abstaining. The nations that voted against the measure were Czechia, Germany, Ethiopia, and North Macedonia.

In a forceful response, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein lambasted the decision, describing it as propaganda serving Hamas’s interests.

“The Hamas Ministry of Propaganda — also known as the UN Human Rights Council — has produced yet another completely false and distorted resolution against the Jewish state,” Marmorstein stated.

“In the Council’s despicable resolution, there is no condemnation of Hamas for the October 7 massacre or its ongoing terror attacks against Israel, and there is no mention of the horrific sexual crimes committed by Hamas, nor of the fact that 59 hostages are still being tortured by Hamas. What the resolution does contain is a collection of baseless lies against Israel, promoted once again by a biased and anti-Israel body.

“If anyone still wonders why this twisted institution must cease to exist, today they received another clear and unequivocal answer. Israel thanks all the countries that did not lend their support to this disgraceful resolution,” Marmorstein said.

{Matzav.com}

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The Israel Defense Forces has begun an investigation into a recent trip taken by Rabbi Shlomo Aviner to Syrian territory earlier this week.

According to a report published Monday by Arutz Sheva, Rabbi Aviner, joined by his aide Rabbi Mordechai Tzion and several IDF reservists from the Military Rabbinate, traveled to Tel Kudna, a location situated on the Syrian side of the border. The IDF clarified that while the excursion had received clearance from some military personnel, it was not authorized by individuals with the proper authority to grant such permission.

The area visited lies within the Golan Heights, a region administered by Israel, but in close proximity to the Syrian frontier.

Rabbi Mordechai Tzion told Arutz Sheva that their intention was to offer spiritual encouragement to troops stationed near the border, saying they came to “strengthen their fighting spirits.”

Recalling the visit, Rabbi Tzion shared words Rabbi Aviner had offered during their time at the site: “The rabbi said that it is not clear from the Torah that the location we were in is considered ‘Syria,’ but it is probably the land of Israel.”

He added that Rabbi Aviner had elaborated on a well-known Midrash, stating, “The rabbi also explained the Midrash that says that Yerushalayim would extend until the gates of Damascus, saying that our yeshiva, Ateret Yerushalaim, is in the center of Jerusalem and we were on the road to Damascus – it’s an allegory.”

Responding to the incident, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit issued the following statement: “Those in the photo are on active reserve duty, and they went to the area as part of their job to give a lesson about Passover. Their entry into Syrian territory was approved by an official not qualified to do so, and so the incident is under inquiry.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

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In the last two days, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy dedicated a new Holocaust and Genocide Research Center at a high school in his state and announced that he intends to join this year’s International March of the Living in Poland, describing both as “pretty solemn but pretty special” events “bound by history.”

The governor, a Democrat, told JNS on Tuesday that both trips were not responses to “the unspeakable level of antisemitism” that followed the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel but acknowledged that they certainly could focus attention on the issue.

“One of the humbling parts of this job is when you make a move with the size of the bully pulpit that we have, that that move is noticed, whether it’s an event you go to, a trip you take, a speech you make, a bill you sign, an executive order you promulgate,” Murphy told JNS.

“You know that it’s got a specific implication for whatever the topic is,” he said. “But also, New Jersey is a big state with a big platform. It has a signalling impact. God willing, in this case that will, in fact, be the case.”

The Anti-Defamation League reported a record 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2023, with 5,204 coming after Hamas attacked the Jewish state.

On Monday, Murphy visited the research center at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, N.J., with the Holocaust survivor Maud Dahme and Mary Houghtaling, Sussex County’s teacher of the year.

“The sobering part is it’s the only entity of its kind anywhere in New Jersey,” Murphy told JNS. “And so in the ‘never again, never forget’ category, you’d like to think that it has a broader reach. But that shouldn’t take away from how incredibly impressive and sobering this was.”

As for the March of the Living, Murphy told JNS that he and his wife Tammy Snyder Murphy had always wanted to participate but couldn’t until now.

As U.S. ambassador to Germany, Murphy visited the concentration camps and memorials in the country, but he has not been to those in Poland, he told JNS.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy meets Holocaust survivor Maud Dahme as he tours the Holocaust and Genocide Research Center at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, N.J., on March 31, 2025. Credit: Rich Hundley III/New Jersey Governor’s Office.

“With antisemitism on the rise, we must always stand alongside our Jewish friends and neighbors to reject hate,” he said in a statement, announcing the visit.

In the same announcement, Tammy Snyder Murphy called the march “an important reminder of the horrific suffering and loss that Jewish people endured in World War II.”

New Jersey State Police Col. Pat Callahan intends to join the governor and state’s first lady in Poland and to lead more than five dozen fellow law enforcement officers on the march.

“As we walk the same path that so many innocent victims once took, we reaffirm our commitment to remembering history and eliminating hatred and intolerance from our world,” Callahan said in the announcement.

JNS

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Violent crime in New York City has seen a steep decline in the opening months of 2025, coinciding with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s decisive and reform-focused leadership.

After assuming control of the department late last year, Tisch quickly removed several senior officials accused of misconduct and rolled out sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing public safety and addressing quality-of-life concerns across the five boroughs.

As the first three months of the year wrapped up, newly finalized crime statistics shared exclusively with The Post offered a clear view of the impact of those reforms.

The number of murders dropped significantly, with 63 recorded killings this quarter compared to 96 in the same stretch of 2024 — a dramatic 35% reduction, sources said.

Shooting incidents also dropped notably, with 140 reported so far in 2025 and 164 victims, a decrease from the 182 shootings and 214 victims recorded during the same time frame last year.

If crime continues to fall at this rate, New York City could be headed toward its safest year in nearly a decade, potentially matching lows last seen in 2017 for homicides and 2018 for shootings.

“Tisch is running this like a business, and the bottom line is crime reduction,” a detective based in Manhattan told The NY Post.

This positive trend follows another milestone — NYC ended February with the lowest number of shootings in 30 years.

Since stepping into her role in November, Tisch has moved quickly to revive dormant initiatives and implement a new system that monitors police follow-ups on 311 complaints, part of a broader mission to enhance daily life for residents.

A major element of her reform strategy is a newly created “Quality of Life” unit designed to crack down on issues such as public drug use, aggressive begging, and street homelessness. This unit operates under a unified command structure, which Tisch said improves focus and consistency by having officers report to streamlined leadership rather than scattered departmental units.

In addition, Tisch adjusted the entry requirements for the police academy, aiming to increase the department’s ranks. Among her changes: reinstating the timed 1.5-mile run and lowering the required number of college credits from 60 to 24.

Earlier this year, Tisch penned a guest column in The Post, emphasizing the urgency of tackling recidivism — a problem she sees as undermining both public confidence and officer morale.

“Imagine how disheartening it is for our cops to arrest the same people, for the same crimes, in the same neighborhoods, over and over. And how scary it is for New Yorkers to see the same person who victimized them one day, walking the streets the next,” Tisch wrote.

“The time for band-aids and half measures is over, because the revolving door of the criminal justice system fails to put the rights and needs of victims first. New Yorkers demand, and they certainly deserve, better.”

{Matzav.com}

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The White House got into the April Fools’ Day spirit by pulling a prank on reporters stationed in the press briefing room.

Just after 6 p.m. Eastern, Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers made an announcement over the intercom, catching journalists off guard with unexpected news: the evening was apparently going to run long.

“You have a dinner lid until 8:47,” Rogers said, according to a video posted online by a fellow staffer. “Enjoy your dinner.”

Not long after, Rogers returned to the microphone to reveal the joke.

“Happy April Fools!” she said, as laughter broke out among those gathered in the room.

“Enjoy your evening and Happy Liberation Day eve,” she added, alluding to President Trump’s looming April 2 tariff deadline.

April Fools’ gags have become something of a tradition at the White House, with lighthearted antics often aimed at press or staff.

Back in 2021, then-First Lady Jill Biden pulled off a memorable stunt by dressing as a flight attendant—complete with a black wig—and surprising journalists with ice cream bars during a flight from California to D.C. Years earlier, when she was second lady, she once climbed into an overhead bin aboard Air Force Two and startled an unsuspecting traveler trying to store their luggage.

{Matzav.com}

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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) revealed in a recent interview that he gave former Vice President Kamala Harris a candid warning before joining her presidential ticket.

“I said about 90 percent of the time, I can be really good, but about 10 percent of the time, I can be a train wreck because I’m speaking from the heart, like a teacher sitting in a teachers lounge or a laborer sitting at the break table,” Walz shared with New York magazine when asked about his role on the campaign trail with Harris.

Harris’s decision to choose Walz as her vice-presidential candidate elevated him to the forefront of national politics.

“I thought they would choose the district attorney and the teacher over the hedge-fund manager and the billionaire,” he remarked.

Despite their combined efforts, the Democratic ticket of Harris and Walz was ultimately defeated by the Republican duo of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

Reflecting on the loss, Walz suggested that their campaign lacked the boldness needed to inspire and galvanize voters, which may have played a key role in the outcome.

“Maybe we’re not aspirational,” Walz said, speaking frankly about the Democratic Party’s approach.

In the same interview, he acknowledged that while he advocated for progressive reforms, those efforts did not necessarily translate into meaningful economic prospects for college-educated individuals seeking to get ahead.

“I heard this from someone who said, with Democratic go-to messages, basically to Black men, these Democratic politicians led with ‘We restored felon voting rights,’ and the Black men said, ‘But we’re not felons, we’re MBAs looking for capital,’” he told New York magazine.

“The restoration of felon voting rights is important — I did that in Minnesota — but it’s not aspirational. With Donald Trump, everything’s gold-plated and he’s hanging around with these stars, and I don’t know if we do enough of that.”

Walz also said that Democrats have faced challenges with voter engagement for multiple election cycles, well before last year’s race. He added that Harris had little time to shape the campaign after President Biden unexpectedly exited the race.

“Well, I won’t critique the campaign. They need to do what they need to do, but I don’t think Vice President Harris got to be bold. We were dealing with a short runway. That was that one election,” he said.

“I think it would be foolish for us to take a ton of lessons from that because this has been going on for several cycles, certainly since 2016, that we are really struggling to broaden our appeal and energize folks.”

As Walz has continued to speak openly about areas where the party must evolve, Harris has remained largely out of the spotlight, opting instead to sign with a leading talent agency—a move mirrored by other former Biden administration figures.

There is also growing speculation that Harris may be eyeing a future run for California governor in 2026, as the Democratic Party looks to position strong contenders ahead of the 2028 presidential race.

{Matzav.com}

The post Walz Says He Told Harris He ‘Can Be A Train Wreck’ first appeared on Matzav.com.

Former President Donald Trump praised Wisconsin voters on Tuesday for approving a constitutional amendment that cements the requirement for voter ID in the state.

“VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT,” the 45th and 47th president posted on Truth Social.

“This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT. IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO WIN WISCONSIN, LIKE I JUST DID IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!” he continued.

Known as Question 1 on the ballot, the measure stated:
“Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”

The proposal saw strong support from Wisconsin residents. By 10:45 p.m. Eastern, with 77 percent of precincts reporting, the measure had passed by a margin of 62.6 percent to 37.4 percent, according to data from the New York Times.

Wisconsin originally enacted a voter ID law back in 2011, though its implementation was delayed due to extended legal battles. Ultimately, the courts allowed the law to take effect.

By embedding the voter ID requirement into the state’s constitution, the new amendment effectively shields the rule from being easily overturned by future legislative actions or judicial rulings. Many Democrats nationwide have routinely criticized voter ID laws as discriminatory, though surveys consistently show that most Americans support such laws to safeguard election integrity.

The success of the amendment is especially notable given that Trump-endorsed conservative Supreme Court hopeful Brad Schimel lost his race to liberal-aligned Dane County Judge Susan Crawford. That outcome maintains the court’s 4-3 left-leaning balance. Crawford has previously denounced the voter ID law, labeling it “draconian” and highlighting her past role as a lead attorney in efforts to challenge it.

Trump’s influence in the state remains significant. His victory in Wisconsin in 2024 marked only the second time in nearly four decades that a Republican presidential candidate carried the state — the first being Trump’s win in 2016. Each time, his margins were narrow, though his vote totals have climbed with each successive campaign.

{Matzav.com}

The post President Trump Celebrates Passage of Wisconsin Voter ID Amendment as ‘Big Win for Republicans’ first appeared on Matzav.com.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rebbetzin Chaya Bas Tzion Gutfarb a”h, wife of the legendary Reb Yossele Gutfarb, one of the prominent figures of the Zichron Moshe beis medrash in Yerushalayim. She was 68.

Rebbetzin Gutfarb was born in Yerushalayim on the 22nd of Kislev 68 years ago to her illustrious parents, Rav Eliyahu Yehuda and Rebbetzin Ettel Lubetsky. Raised in a home of Torah and yiras Shamayim, she carried forth that legacy with dignity and devotion throughout her life.

Her entire being was one of avodas Hashem. Her tefillos were said with intense concentration, word by word, each tefillah an offering for her children, grandchildren, family, and all of Klal Yisroel. Her life was an embodiment of shivisi Hashem l’negdi somid—living constantly with Hashem before her eyes.

A model of tznius in both dress and conduct, she rejected all indulgences of olam hazeh and chose instead to live a life of sanctity, sincerity, and spiritual beauty. Her speech was always thoughtful, often filled with words of mussar that sparkled like pearls, gently delivered yet deeply impactful.

Her home in the Mekor Baruch neighborhood mirrored the achdus and openness of the home of Avraham Avinu. There, hachnosas orchim was a defining mission. Her table was set, her door open, her ears ready to hear the pain of another, her heart always extended. Day and night, she gave of herself to others, comforting and encouraging all who came her way.

With unwavering self-sacrifice, she raised her children in the ways of Torah umesorah, instilling in them the values of yiras Shamayim, integrity, and chesed.

Her levayah took place last night at the Shamgar Funeral Home, followed by kevurah on Har Hazeisim.

The family is sitting shivah at her home, located at 20 Rechov Rashbam in the Mekor Baruch neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The post Rebbetzin Chaya Bas Tzion Gutfarb a”h first appeared on Matzav.com.

The Skverer chassidus is reeling after the sudden and tragic passing of Rav Yitzchok Spitzer zt”l, one of the prominent dayanim of the Skverer kehillah in New Square. He was 67 years old.

Rav Spitzer collapsed in the midst of his avodas hakodesh of certifying the kashrus of a private mikvah in the community. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, he was niftar on the spot, leaving behind a devastated family and a community in mourning.

The levayah was held on Tuesday, departing from the main Skverer Beis Medrash. Rav Spitzer will be laid to rest in the beis hachayim of New Square.

Rav Yitzchok was a son of Rav Moshe Gedaliah Spitzer zt”l, a distinguished chossid of Skver, and was raised within the warm embrace of the kehilla. From his youth, he was steeped in the values and mesorah of the Skverer court, learning and growing under its influence.

He married a daughter of the renowned chossid Rav Bentzion Leichter z”l, who had served faithfully as the shamash of the main Skverer Beis Medrash and was responsible for the mikvaos of the kehillah. Rav Yitzchok followed in those footsteps with tremendous dedication.

Rav Spitzer was a man of many talents and roles, all of which he carried with humility and devotion. He served as a senior dayan of the chassidus, and was also a sofer STaM, a mohel, and the rav in charge of the mikvaos and eiruvin of New Square. His expertise, integrity, and meticulous attention to halacha earned him the trust and admiration of the Rebbe and the entire kehilla.

Recently, he was involved in overseeing the new mikvah constructed near the main Beis Medrash. Rav Spitzer had visited the site together with the Rebbe to ensure that every detail met the highest standards of halachic excellence and hiddur.

Tragically, this was not the first recent loss for the Spitzer family. Last year, Rav Spitzer’s ten-year-old grandson, Mordechai Pinchas Spitzer z”l, the son of his son Rav Yaakov Yosef Spitzer, principal of the girls’ school in New Square, was killed after being struck by a bus in New Square.

Rav Yitzchok’s sudden petirah has plunged the chassidus into mourning. Thousands are expressing their heartbreak over the loss of a man who quietly, faithfully, and selflessly served the kehillah for decades.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

The post Skverer Dayan Collapses While Certifying Mikvah, Passes Away Suddenly first appeared on Matzav.com.