Matzav

Forget sunny Florida. A bold new digital billboard launching Monday in the heart of Times Square is telling New Yorkers to pack their bags and head for Ohio — to escape socialist mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, the NY Post reports.

The high-profile ad is being funded by “Vivek Super PAC — Victors, not Victims,” a political action committee backing Vivek Ramaswamy’s Republican bid for governor in Ohio.

With a $50,000 media buy in one of the world’s busiest intersections, the ad aims to draw a sharp contrast between Ramaswamy, 39, and Mamdani, 33 — two Indian-American politicians on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, both of whom have gained rapid prominence in their respective political parties.

“Worried About Zohran? Ohio Is Waiting For You!” the billboard proclaims.

Andy Surabian, senior strategist for the PAC, told The Post that frustrated New Yorkers should consider relocating to a state “that is about to elect a conservative trailblazer committed to liberty and prosperity for all.”

“While Mamadani will further crush New York City with his job-killing socialist tyranny, Vivek is ready to unleash freedom, supercharge the American dream and make Ohio a state of excellence,” Surabian said.

He added, “We put this billboard up because we couldn’t think of two politicians in the country that represent such wildly different paths for the future of our nation. The Mamdani path of socialist totalitarianism versus the Vivek path of American freedom.”

“For those New Yorkers who have had enough, freedom and prosperity are waiting for you in Ohio,” he concluded.

The ad is expected to remain on display in Times Square for the duration of the week.

Even with its more affordable housing and lower cost of living, Ohio wasn’t among the top destinations for New Yorkers in 2022 — it ranked 20th according to Census Bureau statistics.

The super PAC backing Ramaswamy’s campaign has so far amassed $17 million in contributions to support his 2026 run for the state’s top office.

Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and political newcomer, rose to national attention during his 2024 presidential campaign as a Republican candidate. At one point, he placed third in polling behind President Trump.

Though polling for the upcoming gubernatorial election is sparse, a survey conducted in April indicated that Ramaswamy holds a commanding 50-point lead over his GOP primary rivals.

{Matzav.com}

Democrat socialist Senator Bernie Sanders has launched a scathing attack on AIPAC, urging members of his party to sever all ties with the influential pro-Israel lobbying group.

“No Democrat should accept money from AIPAC,” Sanders declared in a post on X/Twitter.

He further asserted, “Given the illegal and immoral war being waged against the Palestinian people by Netanyahu, NO Democrat should accept money from AIPAC — an organization that also helped deliver the presidency to Donald Trump.”

Sanders attached a video clip to his post that featured commentary from Ben Rhodes, who served as a senior advisor to Barack Obama. In the footage, Rhodes criticized the organization’s political influence, stating, “AIPAC is part of the constellation of forces that have delivered this country into the hands of Donald Trump.”

Rhodes continued by saying, “These are the wrong people to have under your tent.” He added, “The kind of people that they are supporting, Bibi Netanyahu and [US President] Donald Trump, I don’t want my leaders and my political party coasing up to these people.”

Sanders, known for being one of the most prominent figures on the hard-left flank of the Democratic Party, has frequently voiced criticism of both Israel and the U.S. administration, especially during the Gaza conflict.

Last year, in November 2024, Sanders introduced a resolution in Congress aimed at halting the sale of certain munitions to Israel, pointing to the ongoing humanitarian suffering in Gaza as justification.

The measure, which was co-sponsored by three other Democratic Senators, acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself following the October 7 attack, but claimed, “Israel has the right to self-defense after the October 7 massacre, but the US is complicit in the all-out war that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has waged on the Palestinian people.”

According to the resolution, the proposed arms sale included 32,739 rounds of 120-mm tank ammunition. This comprised both 120-mm M1147 High Explosive Multi-Purpose with Tracer (HEMP-T) shells and 120-mm M830A1 High Explosive Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank with Tracer (MPAT) rounds.

The resolution also targeted various related items, including canisters, transport expenses, printed materials, technical documentation, and a wide array of engineering, logistics, and support services provided by U.S. government and private contractors.

{Matzav.com}

Channel 12 is reporting that Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has given his word to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Israel will resume military operations in Gaza once the proposed 60-day truce with Hamas concludes. The temporary ceasefire is currently being negotiated in Doha.

“After the pause, we will transfer the population in the Strip southward and impose a siege [on northern Gaza],” Netanyahu reportedly said to Smotrich, who has been pressing for explicit commitments that the campaign against Hamas will restart immediately after the ceasefire ends.

According to Channel 12, Netanyahu has conveyed in private discussions that relocating Gaza’s civilian population to the southern part of the enclave and isolating them from Hamas is a necessary humanitarian step. This move, he claims, will pave the way for a renewed offensive following the break in fighting.

Netanyahu also attempted to reassure Smotrich that the government remains committed to the war’s goals, saying previous delays were due to urgent matters involving Iran. “Until now I’ve been busy with Iran — now I can make sure the military follows my instructions,” Channel 12 quoted him as saying.

Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have issued threats to leave the coalition if any agreement is made that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza. Reports indicate that both ministers have been invited to private meetings with Netanyahu in recent days, as part of ongoing efforts to secure support for a potential deal.

{Matzav.com}

As political tensions intensify over the delayed legislation on the draft law, reports emerged Sunday evening that Shas party leader Aryeh Deri has informed his inner circle that the party is preparing to leave the coalition “within a few days.”

According to a report on Kan 11, Deri conveyed to senior Shas officials that the party intends to exit the government alongside United Torah Judaism and attempt to pass the draft legislation from the opposition. Deri emphasized that, at least in the initial stage, the parties will not push for the dissolution of the Knesset.

This development comes amid a flurry of political meetings. Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu met Sunday evening with Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Edelstein is also expected to meet with senior representatives of the chareidi parties—MKs Uri Maklev and Ariel Attias—to update them on developments and seek a potential resolution, though it remains unclear whether a compromise is achievable at this point.

Meanwhile, during a closed High Court session, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs reportedly urged the justices to permit Netanyahu to appoint a new head of the Shin Bet security service during the election period. The justices rejected the request, stating that the issue was not relevant to the petition at hand. Close associates of Netanyahu later told media outlets that the prime minister is preparing for the possibility of early elections as the coalition crisis deepens.

Sources within United Torah Judaism reiterated last night that “if there is no significant progress on the draft law, we are preparing to withdraw from the coalition—possibly as soon as this week.”

Chareidi lawmakers have expressed growing frustration over the government’s failure to present a final version of the draft law, despite repeated assurances from Netanyahu that a completed version would be delivered no later than the start of this week. According to that plan, the draft would first be submitted to former minister Ariel Attias, who would then pass it along to chareidi leadership for approval by the gedolei Yisroel. If approved, legislative discussions were to begin immediately in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

However, Edelstein’s delay in bringing the draft law forward has now postponed the legislative process by at least another week. With the Knesset’s summer session nearing its end, this effectively means that no progress can be made until after the recess—delaying the law by several months.

Adding urgency to the situation, the IDF, via its legal adviser, announced this past Wednesday that within two weeks the Military Police will launch a wide-scale enforcement operation aimed at detaining individuals across the country in violation of military draft orders—orders which were sent to tens of thousands of bochurim.

Chareidi parties have repeatedly warned that if even a single yeshiva student is arrested, they will quit the coalition immediately.

Within chareidi political circles, anger is growing not only toward Edelstein but also toward Netanyahu. One coalition source commented, “Edelstein is acting out of revenge and deep animosity toward Bibi. People forget that on October 7th, he tried every possible way to bring down Bibi with a no-confidence vote and to install himself as prime minister. He got the opposition’s approval and tried to bring the chareidim on board. They refused—and now he’s settling the score.”

Senior chareidi officials also expressed disillusionment with Netanyahu himself, saying, “He’s simply not serious about the draft law. He stalls for time, breaks promises, and has left us without any legislation.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

As pressure intensifies from the chareidi factions demanding immediate progress on the draft law — and amid renewed threats to exit the coalition — Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud), met Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and assured him that efforts are underway to wrap up committee deliberations.

“I’m making every effort to complete the law and present it this week,” Edelstein told Netanyahu during their meeting, signaling an attempt to show concrete movement on what has become one of the most explosive issues in the current government.

The meeting comes as chareidi parties continue to press the government to deliver on its promises regarding yeshiva student exemptions from military service. The issue has become a political time bomb, threatening to destabilize the coalition if not resolved swiftly.

Despite Edelstein’s assurances, sources within the political system remain skeptical about Netanyahu’s intentions. Many believe the prime minister is seeking to buy time, hoping to reach the end of the Knesset’s summer session — set to conclude in exactly two weeks — with the chareidi parties still onboard the coalition.

At Sunday’s meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, ministers debated a controversial bill that would require all senior public officials to step down at the end of a government’s term. The bill, proposed by MK Tzvika Fogel of the Otzma Yehudit party, has sparked intense political discussion, particularly among ministers seeking greater alignment between elected leadership and high-level government appointees.

Minister Amichai Shikli described the proposal as “a very serious bill,” noting that it mirrors a model used in the United States—“only there, it involves thousands of positions, not just a few.” He drew a comparison to military planning: “In the IDF, there’s a concept called ‘mission planner identity.’ You can’t execute a mission unless you’re the one who planned it.”

Expanding on this idea, Shikli argued that certain top officials—including the IDF Chief of Staff and legal advisors—often hold views opposed to the policies of the elected government. “This creates a built-in partnership with people who resist the direction the government wants to take,” he said. “We saw this during the war, with a number of key figures. Let’s not name names now, but their behavior influenced decisions both in military operations and in the legal arena.”

Minister of Diaspora Affairs Shikli continued, “What we’re witnessing is paralysis across many areas of government—whether in defense or in legal proceedings. This bill, especially with the two-thirds override clause, is one of the most important I’ve seen. We must push it forward to ensure the elected government can implement its policies, not be blocked by unelected officials.”

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi echoed this stance. “In my view, this is an extremely important bill. I’d even expand it beyond the eight positions currently included. And honestly, I think the two-thirds clause is unnecessary.”

Karhi gave an example: “Take the Attorney General. When this government took office, she wasn’t part of that two-thirds. So sometimes the bill would succeed, and sometimes someone opposing the government would stay in place. These are people the government doesn’t trust, who work to undermine its policies.”

He added, “This is about democracy. If the people elect their leaders at the ballot box, why should unelected bureaucrats—appointed by the previous administration—stay in place for an entire term? The public needs to know that when we say we’ll replace those officials, we mean it—and they’ll get to decide at the polls.”

Karhi then directly addressed Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon, who attended the closed-door discussion. “What’s undemocratic about this? What’s unconstitutional? The reality is that bureaucrats appointed by past governments want to hold on to power indefinitely. And when we try to remove them, it turns into chaos, with High Court petitions and legal wrangling. This system protects itself. It’s time to change that.”

“We’re demanding that the people regain the power to elect their representatives and empower them to carry out their policies,” Karhi declared. “This bill is just one more step toward restoring Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state.”

Shikli closed the discussion with a sharp example: “Let’s say the prime minister decides—based on strategic defense concerns—to initiate a strike on Iran. As we’ve seen in past governments, if the Chief of Staff and senior defense officials are opposed, they can effectively sabotage the plan. That’s not acceptable in a democracy.”

Israeli journalist and activist Yisroel Frey, known for his radical left-wing views, will be transferred to house arrest on Sunday after spending the weekend in custody as a security detainee.

Frey came under investigation for allegedly endorsing terrorism and inciting violence following a social media post in which he applauded the deaths of five IDF soldiers during combat operations in Gaza.

Authorities requested that Frey remain under house arrest for two weeks. As part of his release conditions, he was also required to post bail and will be prohibited from leaving Israel for the next 180 days.

Last Thursday, Judge Ravit Peleg of the Tel Aviv Magistrates’ Court ordered an extension of Frey’s detention. Acting on instructions from Israel Prisons Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, officials classified Frey as a security risk, holding him in a high-security detention center.

During the court proceedings, Judge Peleg strongly condemned Frey’s comments, saying: “These things hurt the public’s feelings and are outrageous. How can the death of young men, soldiers, who were killed in the line of duty defending the country, be a good thing?”

Later in the session, she also questioned whether the circumstances truly met the legal standard for the charges he faced, noting: “If the published details align with the legislator’s intent regarding the offense attributed to the suspect, this, in light of the prosecution’s remarks, as indicated by the prosecutor’s statement that this is a borderline case.”

The controversial post at the heart of the case read: “The world is better this morning, without the five young men who participated in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity. Unfortunately, for the child in Gaza who is now being operated on without anesthetics, for the girl starving to death, and the family crammed into a tent under the bombs, it is not enough. This is a call to every Israeli mother: don’t be the next to receive your son in a coffin as a war criminal. Refuse this.”

His words drew fierce backlash from across Israel’s political landscape. Public figures from both the right and the left denounced his statement, and multiple complaints were filed with law enforcement, accusing Frey of incitement and encouraging draft refusal.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The world of kashrus and the Yemenite community mourns the passing of the noted shochet and talmid chochom, Rabbi Menachem Shuker zt”l, who was niftar today at the age of 80.

Rabbi Shuker was one of the distinguished rabbanim of the Yoreh Deah kashrus organization, under the leadership of the Gaavad, Rav Shlomo Machpud. For decades, he served with unwavering dedication, ensuring the kashrus of Jewish homes. He led teams of shochtim with both strength and humility, teaching the laws of shechitah with exceptional clarity and known widely for his refined character and personal nobility.

Born in Yemen on the 16th of Teves 5705, Rabbi Shuker was the son of Rabbi Suliman and Mrs. Zakiya Shuker. Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed his wife Penina and together they built a home founded on Torah and yiras Shomayim.

For over fifty years, he served as a shochet u’bodek, impacting generations with his halachic precision, yiras Shomayim, and deep sense of responsibility. Even as his health declined in recent months, he accepted his suffering with bitachon.

He leaves behind a proud legacy of dor yesharim mevorach. Among his surviving family is his brother, Rabbi Asher Shuker, chairman of the Religious Council in Rosh HaAyin and a member of the Petach Tikvah city council.

The levayah was held tonight at his home at 21 Rimon Street in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

An Egyptian source involved in brokering talks between Israel and Hamas, with Qatar and Egypt serving as mediators, voiced strong objections to Israel’s proposed changes to its military operations in Gaza.

Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the Egyptian official expressed sharp opposition to Israel’s continued military deployment throughout the Rafah region and criticized Israel’s idea of setting up a massive encampment there for displaced Palestinians.

“This would create a human bomb at the Egyptian border, which would pose a clear threat to Egypt’s national security,” he warned.

The official further pointed out that Cairo has repeatedly cautioned Israel in the past about breaching the Camp David Accords. In light of what Egypt considers to be one-sided violations by Israel, Cairo has bolstered its forces and deployed additional weaponry in Zone C of the Sinai—actions that run counter to the peace treaty’s terms but which Egypt views as a justified response to Israeli conduct.

He underscored that this military activity was intended to deliver a clear signal, adding that Egypt might reevaluate its commitment to the peace treaty if it sees Israeli actions that it perceives as endangering Egyptian national security.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to sound the alarm over Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s run for New York City mayor, and what it signals about the future of the left.

WATCH:

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu pushed back Sunday against reports accusing his government of refusing to advance a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Addressing the allegations, Netanyahu took aim at Israeli media outlets, accusing them of spreading false narratives. “They always echo Hamas propaganda, but they are always wrong. We accepted the deal, the Witkoff deal, and then the version proposed by the mediators. We accepted it, Hamas rejected it,” he said.

Netanyahu explained that Hamas’s intentions are clear—they aim to remain in Gaza and see Israel retreat, which would allow them to rearm and strike again. “They want us to leave, so they can rearm and attack us again and again. I will not accept this; I will do everything to bring our hostages home. I meet with the families; I know their pain, I know their suffering. I am determined to bring the hostages home and eliminate Hamas.”

When asked to respond to surveys indicating broad public support for a deal, Netanyahu questioned the integrity of the polling data. “Sure, I am in favor of a deal too, but they don’t tell you the other side. The polls are manipulated, they always mislead the public. They don’t ask, ‘Do you want a hostage deal that leaves Hamas in place? That allows them to repeat the rapes, the murders, the kidnappings, the invasions?’ No, that’s not it. Suddenly, the numbers turn completely, it’s all manipulated.”

In his closing remarks, Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to the twin goals of freeing the hostages and removing Hamas from power. “We must do the right things, insist on releasing the hostages, and insist on the other goal of the war in Gaza, the elimination of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel. That’s what I’m doing, I will not give up on any of these missions.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A senior Iranian source told Al-Jazeera, the Qatari-based news outlet, that Tehran holds Israel responsible for the recent attempt on the life of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, warning that there will be consequences. The official emphasized that Iran will not allow the attack to go unanswered.

He stated that authorities have launched a comprehensive probe into the incident, which occurred during Operation Rising Lion. Investigators are reportedly exploring the possibility that local collaborators assisted in carrying out the attempted assassination.

The Iranian official went on to claim that this attempt on Pezeshkian’s life is not an isolated event, but rather a component of what he described as a coordinated Israeli effort to destabilize and ultimately topple the Iranian government.

Earlier today, Fars News Agency, which is closely tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, released details on the incident. According to their report, Pezeshkian sustained a minor leg injury during what was described as an Israeli strike that took place amid Operation Rising Lion.

Fars reported that the strike occurred on June 16 and targeted a structure in the western part of Tehran. At the time, a session of the Supreme National Security Council was underway on a lower level of the building. The attack involved six explosives aimed at entrances and exits to the facility.

The outlet also noted similarities between this operation and the killing of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah. Following the explosions, power to the floor where the council was meeting was cut, but officials present were able to evacuate through an emergency route.

{Matzav.com}

In recent days, the IDF, working in coordination with the ISA and relying on intelligence operations, has carried out targeted strikes eliminating a number of key figures within Hamas’ military structure and the Islamic Jihad terror group. These individuals were central to efforts aimed at restoring and enhancing the military capabilities of both organizations, including those involved in weapons development and intelligence gathering.

Hamas’ Weapons Production Headquarters has been focused on replenishing and expanding its stockpile of arms, while the group’s Military Intelligence Unit has used various methods to collect intelligence, maintain command and control over operations in Gaza, and advance attacks against Israel.

Among the senior operatives taken out by the IDF was Muhammad Abu Awwad, a top figure in the Projects and Development Department of Hamas’ Weapons Production Headquarters. He played a pivotal role in the terror group’s precision missile initiative and served as Head of Production and Technical Control in the department.

Also eliminated were Bilal Abu Shikha and Tayseer Shareem, both section commanders within the same Hamas weapons division. Mundhir Salami, a commander overseeing one of Hamas’ production sites, was also killed; he had been heavily involved in the manufacture of weapons and played a key role in bolstering the group’s firepower in Gaza.

Bilal Musallam, another casualty, served as a section commander in Hamas’ Military Intelligence Unit. Additionally, Rabi‘ Mustafa Rabi‘ Sukhweil, who was active in handling Hamas’ finances, was eliminated. He facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars in funding that helped sustain and revive the organization’s terrorist infrastructure.

Other high-level operatives killed include Ahmad Abu Shamala, a squad commander in the Military Intelligence Unit; Mustafa Dababesh, the deputy head of a department within the Weapons Production Headquarters; and Muhammad Al-Bayouk, a prominent figure in Islamic Jihad’s weapons production branch.

The IDF emphasized that these operations are part of an ongoing mission to thwart the rebuilding efforts of these terror organizations. Targeting the individuals responsible for regenerating Hamas’ and Islamic Jihad’s military capacity remains a top priority, and the IDF has vowed to persist in its efforts to neutralize them.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Democrat mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, who recently clinched the party’s nomination in New York City, is promoting a far-left agenda that Rudy Giuliani says mirrors the ideology of Karl Marx — and it’s raising serious alarm bells.

“Government retail-owned stores — I mean, that’s worse than some of the communist countries; price controls on everything. The list goes on and on,” Giuliani said during an appearance on Newsmax’s Saturday Report.

Giuliani also expressed outrage over Mamdani’s radical foreign policy stances. “He wants to erase [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu. That’d be secession. He tried to arrest a world leader. You can’t let him interfere with the foreign policy of the United States.”

Mamdani stunned the political world by defeating former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, securing his place on the ballot for November’s general election.

The 33-year-old, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist who has served in the New York State Assembly since 2021, began his campaign as a political unknown, but gained traction with an ambitious platform aimed at reshaping city policy.

In the fall, Mamdani will compete against sitting Mayor Eric Adams, independent challenger Jim Walden, and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa.

“My inclination would be” that Curtis could beat Mamdani, said Giuliani.

“Those three men, whatever you think their failings are, they’re like Abraham Lincoln against” Mamdani, he told Newsmax.

{Matzav.com}

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York spoke out on Sunday to mark the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident, which occurred while Trump was addressing supporters, resulted in him being grazed by a bullet on his ear.

“Today marks one year since the horrific assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Stefanik posted. “Americans will never forget that God was looking down on President Trump that fateful day and miraculously spared his life by a quarter of an inch.”

Reflecting on the time that has passed since Trump returned to office, Stefanik emphasized the impact of his leadership. “We are so proud and blessed that President Trump is saving America in just six months after he was sworn into office,” she stated. She also pressed for additional details to be released regarding the events surrounding the shooting, stressing the need for accountability and transparency. “The American people deserve real answers and much greater transparency on what transpired that day and Congress must work harder to uncover it and release it to the public.”

As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Stefanik pledged to continue seeking clarity and pushing for investigations into the circumstances of the attack. “There are still more questions than answers, and I am going to continue to ask the tough, important questions on the House Intelligence Committee.”

She concluded her remarks with a rallying cry: “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!”

The assassination attempt took place on July 13, 2024, when a shooter opened fire on Trump from a rooftop overlooking the rally. The attack left Trump and several others wounded, one spectator dead, and the gunman was also killed during the incident.

In a development reported last Thursday by Reuters, six members of the Secret Service have been suspended in relation to their roles during the Butler rally.

{Matzav.com}

It was the day after the concert when Rabbi Levi Plotkin spotted one of his campers quietly seated at the piano, playing Joey Newcomb’s song “Yidden.”

“I’m the only Jewish kid in my school,” the boy told him, his voice barely above a whisper. “This song means so much to me. I’m bringing it back home with me.”

That moment – simple, raw, and unforgettable – captured the entire mission of Ckids Gan Israel Florida, the sleepaway camp founded five years ago by Rabbi Levi and Chaya Plotkin. Designed for Jewish children who attend public schools and lack consistent exposure to Yiddishkeit, the camp offers more than just a fun summer. It provides an immersion into authentic Jewish life – and moments like this prove it works.

This summer, that immersive experience took on a whole new level with a high-energy, soul-stirring concert by singer Joey Newcomb. But what made it even more remarkable wasn’t just the music or the dancing or the screaming of niggunim by 72 kids who’d never before experienced anything like it. It was that Joey performed the entire concert for a single dollar – and not just any dollar.

Months earlier, during Sukkos in Toronto, Joey had casually stepped into a farbrengen in the sukkah of Rabbi Yosef Leib Vechter, mashpia at Mesivta Lubavitch. He had just finished performing at a Simchas Beis Hashoeva organized by Levi Ackerman but felt drawn to the small gathering of bochurim. Guitar in hand, he joined in.

The farbrengen was intense and uplifting. Joey shared a personal dream – that he had always wanted to receive a dollar from the Rebbe. Seizing the opportunity, Rabbi Vechter turned to him and said, “If you come perform for the precious neshamos at the Plotkins’ camp in Florida, I’m sure he’ll get you a dollar.”

Joey didn’t hesitate. “I’m in,” he replied, sealing the deal then and there.

That dollar was lovingly donated by Rabbi Plotkin’s paternal grandparents, Rabbi and Mrs. Shmuel Plotkin. As this summer approached, plans were finalized. And just nine months after that impromptu farbrengen, Joey Newcomb stood onstage at Ckids Gan Israel Florida, pouring his heart out to campers and staff alike.

“The concert was absolutely insane,” said Chaya Plotkin. “The kids, the staff, Joey – everyone was on fire. Just seeing 72 public school children singing niggunim, dancing, and screaming songs about mitzvos and Jewish pride was surreal. Longtime staff said it was one of the most emotional experiences in all of camp history.”

Joey left with only one thing in hand: the Rebbe’s dollar.

“I got paid only one dollar for this concert,” he said, “but it was one of the most rewarding concerts I’ve ever done.”

“One of the very first things the Rebbe did after becoming Rebbe was to open Gan Yisroel for secular children,” said Rabbi Plotkin. “At camp, we see again and again the unbelievable and powerful impact camp has on these kids. For 24 hours a day, they’re surrounded by real, authentic Yiddishkeit – and all in a way that’s genuinely fun and exciting. I can’t think of a single camper who wasn’t deeply impacted by the experience.”

As Joey now plans to return next summer – this time, he says, with his wife – the Plotkins continue their mission: turning one week of camp into a lifetime of Jewish pride, one neshamah at a time.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Patrick Bet-David break down the growing momentum behind socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani’s potential run for NYC mayor. The panel debates whether voters are underestimating his chances and draws comparisons to other surprise election wins. They explore what a Mamdani victory could mean for the future of New York City politics.

WATCH:

Hamas is likely to escalate its efforts to kidnap Israeli soldiers active in Gaza, according to an expert from Tel Aviv University who spoke to The Guardian yesterday.

“[There is] no doubt Hamas will increase its attempts to take new hostages, including bodies of dead soldiers and civilians,” said Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian studies forum at Tel Aviv University.

His comments followed the death of St.-Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Abraham Azulay, 25, who was killed in Khan Yunis. The IDF reported that terrorists emerged from a tunnel and attempted to take him hostage.

Azulay resisted the abduction attempt until he was fatally shot by the terrorists, according to military officials. IDF forces returned fire, hitting several of the assailants and stopping the kidnapping attempt.

The Guardian noted that Hamas’s renewed focus on capturing live Israeli soldiers could provide the group with significant leverage in ceasefire negotiations and hostage-release discussions. It could also shift public sentiment inside Israel.

“Hamas may release captives to have a ceasefire, at least for now, but is also attempting to capture more … so is signaling that any agreement is not going to be a permanent end to the overall conflict,” said Ramallah-based political analyst Abdeljawad Hamayel.

“It’s not just about gaining a card to play in negotiations but is a key part of the psychological battle. Hamas aim to boost their own fighters and demoralize both Israeli soldiers in Gaza and civilians in Israel,” added a Palestinian analyst based in Qatar who is familiar with Hamas’s internal strategies.

Despite their limited manpower, with only a few hundred operatives on the ground in Gaza, Hamas seems to be operating efficiently, the same Qatar-based source explained.

“Hamas only have a few cells here, but they are very careful and precise with their resources,” they stated.

The group has also undergone a significant shift in military strategy since October 7, transitioning from a more traditional force to one that thrives on guerrilla tactics, according to defense analysts quoted by The Guardian.

“It’s a very complicated battlefield for the IDF. Hamas are taking advantage of all the rubble. They are experts in guerrilla warfare and have been fighting Israel for 20 years,” said Guy Aviad, a former IDF military historian and expert on Hamas.

“We are now seeing a form of attritional warfare which is placing some limits on Israel’s power and is also having some effect on public opinion across the world,” Hamayel added.

Milshtein also pointed out that while Hamas may be interested in a temporary ceasefire, they are unlikely to abandon their goals altogether.

“Here in Israel, we have had an experiment with the idea that more and more pressure on Hamas means they will [eventually] give up. Well, how much more pressure can you imagine?,” he said.

“We have killed their leaders. We have destroyed Gaza. But we have not changed the basic attitudes and demands of Hamas,” he concluded.

The Lakewood community and Olam HaTorah mourn the petirah of Rabbi Eliezer Kuperman zt”l, a beloved and devoted member of the Bais Medrash Govoah family for more than half a century. He was 90 years old.

Rabbi Kuperman’s life was defined by humility, devotion, and a deep personal kesher with Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l. But perhaps more than anything, it was defined by his unwavering commitment to Torah and to the yeshiva he would come to call home.

Long before joining the yeshiva, Reb Eliezer would catch glimpses of Rav Aharon on the streets of Boro Park. He lived on 49th Street and 15th Avenue, and Rav Aharon had moved nearby, to 47th Street. The awe he felt for the rosh yeshiva was so great that he didn’t speak to him for years.

When Rav Aharon founded Chinuch Atzmai, Reb Eliezer, then a member of Zeirei Agudas Yisroel, got involved. As a budding accountant, he helped file for tax-exempt status for the American Friends of Chinuch Atzmai. He often found himself in a small Manhattan office with the rosh yeshiva, discussing fundraising logistics and watching the gadol hador make calls on behalf of Torah.

At the time, Reb Eliezer had left Torah Vodaas to support his family. He didn’t have a father, and the responsibility of parnassah fell to him. Still, he maintained sedarim early in the morning, at night, on weekends, and on Sundays. When his youngest sister became engaged and the financial burden lifted, his heart turned back to Torah. In 1959, he approached Rav Aharon and asked to join Bais Medrash Govoah.

Rav Aharon was surprised. “Aren’t you working?” he asked. Reb Eliezer replied that he wanted to dedicate at least a year to learning.

“You know,” Rav Aharon warned him, “it’s much easier to work than to learn. To learn takes a lot of application. Are you ready for that?”

He also insisted that a talmid must be holding on the right madreigah to succeed in the yeshiva. Reb Eliezer suggested a farher. Rav Aharon told him to come to Lakewood for Yom Kippur and he would try to find time then.

On Erev Yom Kippur, the rosh yeshiva had just received word that the Brisker Rov was niftar and couldn’t meet. Motzoei Yom Kippur, he still wasn’t available. They pushed it off again to Shemini Atzeres, when Reb Eliezer would be in Lakewood anyway for his future brother-in-law’s aufruf. Still, the farher never happened. The night before it was scheduled, Rav Aharon had been at a meeting in Manhattan about reparations funding. Sitting next to him was Rav Avrohom Jofen, whose run-down office in Novardok had become Reb Eliezer’s morning makom Torah.

Rav Aharon told Rav Jofen, “I have to rush home. I’m farhering a bochur tomorrow morning.”

“Who?” Rav Jofen asked.

“Eliezer Kuperman,” Rav Aharon replied.

“I know him! He learns in my office every morning.”

“Should I take him?”

“Yes. Take him.”

That night, Rav Aharon called his rebbetzin and asked her to call Reb Eliezer’s mother. The next morning, Reb Eliezer learned that he had been accepted to Bais Medrash Govoah.

When he arrived, Rav Aharon took him under his wing. He told him he must remain in yeshiva until Pesach without leaving, not even to visit his widowed mother. He arranged chavrusos for him, including one for reviewing shiur and another for learning on Shabbos. He even instructed his roommate to learn Tanach with him for ten minutes a day and to speak in learning before going to sleep. That winter, they completed 44 perakim in Sefer Yechezkel.

Rav Aharon didn’t just guide his learning. He guided his life. When Reb Eliezer began dating, Rav Aharon insisted on handling the shidduch process, saying, “You don’t have a father. I’ll be your father.” When Reb Eliezer found a young woman he was interested in, Rav Aharon asked to meet her father before giving his approval. He then guided the date for the wedding, suggesting Thursday night before the zeman started, so that talmidim returning from the mountains would be back in time for second seder on Sunday, thus avoiding bittul Torah.

On the day of the chasunah, Rav Aharon davened in the same minyan and arranged for Reb Eliezer to get an aliyah. He then called him multiple times that day, learned with him in his home, and gave him a chosson shmuess and farher. He attended the wedding and stayed through the main dish, a rare sign of how deeply he cared.

Throughout his years in the yeshiva, Rav Aharon remained personally invested in him. He noticed if Reb Eliezer missed shiur and he encouraged him to ask questions. Once, when Reb Eliezer posed a kasha in Yevamos during chazaras hashir, Rav Aharon got excited and called him names suggesting ignorance—but later, with great warmth, showed him the piece he had forgotten to say, resolving the question. Another time, a question reminded Rav Aharon of a deep yesod from a shiur in Nedarim. He ended chazaras hashir early, pulled Reb Eliezer into his office, and shared the full shiur in a rapid-fire ten-minute session filled with marei mekomos.

As a married man, Reb Eliezer returned to the yeshiva. Though kollel support was usually reserved for talmidim of four years, Rav Aharon offered to give him a kollel check. Only when his wife’s job became too demanding did he consider accepting support. Rav Aharon advised him on how to negotiate a raise and cared deeply for their well-being.

Eventually, Reb Eliezer transitioned into the financial office, where he would serve under Rav Aharon, Rav Shneur, and the current roshei yeshiva for over 50 years. Even while managing the yeshiva’s finances, he never stopped learning. He could be found in the bais medrash with a sefer open, embodying the spirit of Torah that had drawn him to Lakewood in the first place.

He was a man of quiet strength, humility, and boundless kindness. A true ohev labriyos and nechmad laMakom, he was beloved by all who knew him. More than a staff member, more than a talmid, Rabbi Eliezer Kuperman was part of the yeshiva’s very soul.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Esther Kuperman, and their family.

The levayah will take place today at 3:00 p.m. at the Bendheim (Yoshon) Bais Medrash of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood. Kevurah will follow in Lakewood.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

In a strong Motzoei Shabbos address, former Sefardic chief rabbi Rav Yitzchak Yosef issued a stark warning about what he described as an escalating wave of incitement against bnei Torah, including from parts of the Religious Zionist community.

Speaking at his weekly shiur at the Yazdim shul in Yerushalayim , the Chief Rabbi said: “There is very sharp incitement today against bnei Torah. Some from the knitted kippah camp — not all, but some — are guilty of this. It’s terrible and frightening. Their outlooks are simply horrifying. Among them — and I stress, not all — are people who fit the description of ‘Who will give me a Torah scholar so I may bite him like a donkey?’ A donkey bites deep. That’s how intense their hatred is for yeshivah bochurim.”

He continued with a plea for spiritual change: “May HaKadosh Baruch Hu bring them to teshuvah. They are harder to bring back than others. May they return, and may everyone merit a proper hashkafah. There is nothing like Torah.”

Turning directly to yeshiva students, Rav Yosef offered encouragement and support: “You are protecting Am Yisrael. You are protecting the soldiers. That’s why I published a letter this week to strengthen the bochurim as we approach the end of zeman, so there won’t be any slackening — so they continue learning with hasmadah.”

This is not the first time the Chief Rabbi has weighed in on the issue. Last week, he commented on the proposed draft law currently being debated, saying: “Now the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah must deliberate over the draft law. If the heads of the government, the ministers, and the Knesset members knew how much bnei Torah protect the army and the entire world — they would reward them double, not impose sanctions or the like.”

{Matzav.com Israel}