Matzav

The body of habochur Eliyahu Abba Shaul Z”L, a 20-year-old resident of Bnei Brak, was released on Sunday from the forensic institute and will was be brought to burial tonight.

Eliyahu Abba tragically drowned in the Yarkon River, and his body was recovered earlier on Sunday.

Following intensive efforts, his release was secured through the intervention of Rabbi Asher Landau, rav of the forensic institute; strategic advisor Eliyahu Arend; ZAKA Tel Aviv CEO Tzvi Chasid; and operations officer Yechiel Goldman.

The levayah was held tonight, departing from his parents’ home at 40 Yehuda HaNasi Street in Bnei Brak. From there, the procession continued to the Sanhedria Cemetery in Yerushaklayim, where he was laid to rest near the kever of his grandfather, the author of Or L’Tzion.

Eliyahu Abba Shaul was born in Bnei Brak on 27 Av 5766. He was the son of Rav Yehoshua Abba Shaul, rav of the Or Eliyahu community in Bnei Brak, and the grandson of Rav Eliyahu Abba Shaul. He was also a great-grandson of Chacham Ben Zion Abba Shaul, author of Or L’Tzion, and of Rav Yehuda Mualem, Rosh Yeshivah of Porat Yosef.

His mother, Leah, is a daughter of Rav Shlomo Attiya and a granddaughter of Rav Yaakov Attiya, founder of the Yeshuos Yaakov institutions in Bat Yam and rav of the Lebanese Jewish community there.

In his youth, Eliyahu studied at Talmud Torah Noam HaTorah on Rechov Rav Landau in Bnei Brak, and later at the yeshivah ketanah Shaarei Torah, headed by Rav Chaim Yisrael Shapira. He subsequently continued his learning at a yeshivah in Moshav Tifrach, where he distinguished himself in his studies.

He was described by those who knew him as a pure and righteous bochur, deeply immersed in the daled amos of halachah. He loved walking and spending time alone in contemplation, often visiting Park HaYarkon. Tragically, it was there that he drowned, and he was niftar while many searched for him over several days.

Yehi zichro baruch. Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

A wave of shock and grief swept through the city of Charish on Sunday night, the first night of Chanukah, with the tragic passing of Nechemia (Chemi) Erlanger z”l, a devoted United Hatzalah volunteer and well-known community figure. Chemi, 34, was killed in a devastating traffic accident, leaving behind his wife and five young orphaned children.

The fatal accident occurred at the entrance to Charish from the direction of Mitzpe Ilan. Chemi was riding his motorcycle when a vehicle reportedly crossed several lanes and struck him head-on. Despite prolonged and determined resuscitation efforts at the scene, emergency responders were forced to pronounce his death.

Chemi was born in Yerushalayimon the 13th of Shevat, 5751, to his father, Rabbi Shalom Meir Erlanger, and his mother. He later settled in Charish, where he earned his livelihood as the owner of an interior doors company.

Chemi joined United Hatzalah in 2012 following a traumatic incident that profoundly impacted him. After witnessing a neighbor wait more than half an hour for an ambulance, only to pass away before help arrived, Chemi resolved to become part of an organization that could provide rapid, lifesaving response.

Over the years, he rose to serve as head of transportation for the United Hatzalah Charish branch. In that role, he was responsible for all two-wheeled and four-wheeled emergency vehicles, including ambulances, rapid-response cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, as well as for ensuring the safety of responders while en route to emergency calls. The Charish branch today includes approximately 100 volunteers, an unusually large number relative to the city’s size.

Beyond his formal responsibilities, Chemi was widely known as a man of extraordinary kindness. When responding to emergency calls, if he noticed that a family was struggling financially, he would quietly work to secure donations and assistance for them.

In a past interview with the Charish City news site, Chemi explained his broader view of emergency service: “Our role is not only to save lives, but also to ‘save what’s around’ — to look at the family’s situation, their children, their socio-economic condition, and to provide help beyond the direct medical treatment.”

United Hatzalah issued a statement mourning the tragic loss of one of the pillars of its lifesaving network in the region, praising Chemi’s boundless dedication and his readiness to be the first to respond to any call for help or chesed.

Eli Beer, president and founder of United Hatzalah, delivered a moving eulogy, saying: “An unimaginable tragedy. Our hearts are broken. Today we lost a true hero — a volunteer who always gave far beyond what was required and dedicated his life, time, and energy to saving lives. Chemi z”l was killed while riding his emergency motorcycle on his way from the base where he served to a Chanukah celebration with his family. We embrace his dear family and send our deepest condolences to all 8,000 United Hatzalah volunteers during these incredibly difficult moments. His memory and his life’s work will accompany us always.”

Chemi is survived by his wife and five children.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

At a White House holiday reception today, President Donald Trump addressed the terror attack against the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia, describing it in blunt terms and leaving no doubt about its nature. “That was an antisemitic attack, obviously,” he said.

During the same appearance, Trump praised the civilian who intervened during the assault, expressing admiration for his actions. He said he had “great respect” for the man who tackled one of the attackers, calling him a “a very, very brave person.”

Earlier in the day, Trump spoke with Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, who asked whether Americans lighting Chanukah candles should be concerned about their personal safety in the wake of the attack abroad.

Relaying the president’s response, Doocy said, “Straight from the president, his message to people celebrating Hanukkah today, he said, ‘they do not need to be worried. They should celebrate proudly, and they should be proud of who you are, celebrate proudly.’”

Trump reinforced that message later at the White House event, tying it directly to the violence in Australia. “We’re here to celebrate X-mas and … I think today, we can first say, loudly, we celebrate Hanukkah because that was such a horrible attack, that was a purely antisemitic attack,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

[Full video below.] A maamad hadlakas ner Chanukah for the lighting of the first ner was held Sunday evening at the Kosel HaMaaravi.

The maamad took place in the presence of the Rishon L’Tzion, Rav Dovid Yosef; the Rov of the Kosel and the Mekomos Hakedoshim, Rav Shmuel Rabinovitch; and the Mayor of Yerushalayim, Moshe Lion.

Also participating in the hadlakah was Segev Kalfon, who was recently released from Hamas captivity.

Speaking with visible emotion, Kalfon expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to stand at the Kosel. He spoke of the first light as representing that small but pure spark of light that has the power to dispel immense darkness. He noted that he stood there not only for himself, but on behalf of those who remain in captivity, mentioning Ran Gvili by name, and expressed his resolve that the light of Chanukah should serve as the thread that will ultimately bring him home.

Mayor Moshe Lion, addressing the gathering, said that as Klal Yisroel lights the first ner of Chanukah, hearts are heavy with pain over the brutal terror attack that struck the Jewish community in Australia. He emphasized that silence in the face of antisemitism exacts a deadly price, and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims along with heartfelt tefillos for a refuah sheleimah for the wounded.

The mayor added that seeing Segev Kalfon standing at the Kosel—after enduring 738 days in captivity and returning home—was a moment of great joy and nachas for all of Klal Yisroel. He concluded by noting that Chanukah is a time of light and hope, and that from Yerushalayim goes forth a brachah to every Jewish home in Eretz Yisroel and throughout the galus.

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Israeli officials from across the political spectrum unleashed fierce criticism of Australia’s government on Sunday, arguing that years of unchecked antisemitism and recent political decisions paved the way for the deadly mass shooting at a Chanukah gathering in Sydney.

The attack, which unfolded during a communal event at Bondi Beach, left at least 15 people dead after two gunmen opened fire. Thirteen others were reported to be in critical condition, among them two police officers who were wounded while responding to the scene.

Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry issued one of the harshest responses, declaring that responsibility for the massacre lay squarely with Canberra. Condemning what it called a “brutal act of terror targeting Jews who had gathered to mark the lighting of a Chanukah candle,” the ministry stated that “the blood of the victims is on the hands of the Australian government.” The statement accused Australia of pursuing policies that made it impossible for Jews to live “safely, peacefully, and securely as Jews in their own country.”

The ministry went further, asserting that since October 7, Australia had chosen “a policy of weakness, restraint, and appeasement” rather than standing firmly with Israel, and charged that Canberra was “appeasing the enemies of Western civilization.” According to the statement, data showed that “Australia has become one of the Western countries experiencing the sharpest and most alarming rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7,” adding that “repeated warnings, appeals, and attempts to engage with the authorities have been met time and again with a wall of indifference.”

President Isaac Herzog also addressed the tragedy, describing the shooting as “cruel” and urging Australian authorities to confront what he called “the enormous wave of antisemitism” gripping the country. Speaking at an event at the President’s Residence in Yerushalayim, he said, “Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who had gone to light the first candle of Chanukah.” He added pointedly, “We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar echoed those warnings in an English-language post, saying Australia had been repeatedly cautioned about the danger of violence. He described the shooting as the outcome of “the antisemitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the antisemitic and inciting calls of ‘Globalize the Intifada’ that were realized today.” Sa’ar concluded that “The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses.”

Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon said there had been no specific intelligence pointing to an imminent attack, but stressed that national threat assessments had long warned of the likelihood of such violence. Since the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023, he said, “we have witnessed a series of actions against the Jewish community and its institutions, a series that only intensified.” He added that he had publicly warned more than once that “if I were to wake up one morning and learn that a Jew was physically harmed, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Statistics released by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry underscored those concerns. A recent report recorded 1,654 antisemitic incidents between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025—roughly five times the annual average of the preceding decade. The year immediately after the October 7 attack saw an even higher figure, with 2,062 incidents documented.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu spoke just hours after the massacre, recalling a letter he sent to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in August. In that letter, he warned Canberra against policies that, in his words, were pouring fuel “on this antisemitic fire.” Paraphrasing his message, Netanyahu said Albanese’s actions, including Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state in September, had encouraged “the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets. Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent. You must replace weakness with action.”

Netanyahu also issued a broader rebuke, saying, “We will continue to denounce those who do not denounce, but instead encourage. We will continue to demand that they do what is needed of leaders of free nations. We will not give up, we will not bow our heads, we will continue to fight as our ancestors did.”

Senior ministers from Israel’s right wing were even more explicit in linking the attack to Australian policy. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir argued that the decision to recognize a Palestinian state directly contributed to the violence. “Antisemitic terrorism knows no borders, but the blood of the murdered is on the hands of the Australian government, which announced recognition of a ‘Palestinian’ state and legitimized terrorism against Jews,” he said in a statement backing Australia’s Jewish community.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich said images from Sydney evoked memories of October 7 and demanded firm action, calling for “an uncompromising demand that the Australian government deal firmly with the rising antisemitism in the country and protect its Jews.” Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer wrote that during a visit to Australia he had seen “grave and troubling antisemitism, without an adequate response from the Australian government.” Fellow Religious Zionism MK Ohad Tal warned that “when you support terror in the Middle East, you get terror in your backyard. The massacre of Jews in Sydney is not fate; it’s the result of antisemitism that is allowed to grow unchecked.”

Australia’s September decision to recognize a Palestinian state was repeatedly cited by Israeli officials as part of the broader climate they say emboldened extremists.

Leaders of Shas and United Torah Judaism also condemned the attack, noting that a Chabad rabbi was among those killed. Shas chairman Aryeh Deri said the massacre recalled the horrors of October 7 and cautioned other countries experiencing surges in anti-Jewish hatred. UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf said that “hatred of Jews knows no borders and erupts wherever incitement and terror are met with a blind eye.”

Criticism of Canberra was not limited to Israel’s governing coalition. Opposition figures joined the chorus, with Naftali Bennett accusing Australia of failure. He said that “failed and weak leadership on antisemitism led to Bondi,” adding, “The writing was on the wall and the government turned a blind eye to it.” Bennett demanded “that the Australian government take immediate action to protect Jewish communities and deal with antisemitism with the utmost seriousness.”

Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, warned of the deadly trajectory of unchecked incitement. “What starts with genocidal cries for the destruction of Israel, unsurprisingly ends with arson attacks on synagogues and murderous terror shootings against Jews at a Chanukah event,” he wrote. Echoing others, he said in English that “the writing was on the wall – and despite repeated warnings, the Australian authorities missed it once again,” urging Canberra to “take unprecedented measures to secure and protect their Jewish communities.”

MK Gilad Kariv, who chairs the Knesset Diaspora Affairs Committee, likewise insisted that “the Australian government must act decisively to ensure the safety of Australian Jews and to combat the scourge of antisemitism,” announcing that his committee would take up the issue in parliament.

{Matzav.com}

The Sydney Jewish community is reeling from the murder of Rabbi Yaakov Levitan Hy”d, a Chabad shliach who was killed in today’s terror attack.

Widely regarded as a devoted behind-the-scenes contributor, Rabbi Levitan played an integral role in the daily functioning of several of Sydney’s key Jewish institutions. Community leaders noted that his professionalism, reliability, and quiet dedication were indispensable to communal life.

Among his many responsibilities, Rabbi Levitan served as Secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, where he worked closely with rabbanim in an administrative and operational role, helping facilitate rabbinical proceedings and a wide range of communal matters.

He was also deeply involved with the BINA Library and Educational Resource Centre, acting as an administrator responsible for daily operations, budgeting, audit coordination, marketing efforts, and supervision of educational and religious services, including BINA Sofer Services.

In addition to his institutional work, Rabbi Levitan founded and owned tapNgive, a Sydney-based venture that introduced tap-and-pay donation kiosks for charities and nonprofit organizations, modernizing and streamlining charitable giving across the Jewish community and beyond.

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Rabbi Levitan held a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Management from the University of South Africa. He later pursued Rabbinic and Talmudic Studies at the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Yerushalayim.

Yehi zchro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The Jewish communities of Sydney and Melbourne are mourning the loss of R’ Reuven Morrison Hy”d, who was killed in the terror shooting in Sydney.

R’ Reuven, 62, was a member of the Chabad community who split his time between Melbourne and Sydney, remaining deeply connected to both cities through his business dealings and communal involvement.

Originally from the former Soviet Union, Morrison emigrated to Australia as a teenager in the 1970s and later settled in the Bondi area of Sydney, where he became well known for his kindness, generosity, and philanthropic activism.

Last year, Morrison spoke publicly to the media about rising antisemitism in Australia, drawing on his own experiences growing up under Soviet rule. “Walking around the streets in the USSR we always looked back, we were aware of our environment, and we expected the unexpected,” Mr. Morrison said in December 2024.

He explained that Jews who left the USSR, particularly those of his generation, had lived under constant pressure and intimidation, both from the authorities and from society at large.

Yet he expressed disbelief that similar fears were now being felt in Australia. “We came here with the view that Australia is the safest country in the world and the Jews would not be faced with such anti-Semitism in the future, where we can bring up our kids in a safe environment.”

Despite residing primarily in Melbourne in recent years, Morrison remained closely tied to Sydney, where he continued his business activities and maintained strong communal bonds.

He is survived by his wife, Leah, his daughter, Shaina Gutnick, and his grandchildren.

{Matzav.com}

The terror attack targeting the Chabad Chanukah gathering in Bondi, Sydney, claimed the life of Alex Kleytman Hy”d, a Holocaust survivor and husband, father, and grandfather, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Kleytman, a retired civil engineer, had gone to Bondi Beach to attend the long-running Chanukah at the Sea event when gunfire erupted, fatally wounding him.

His wife, Larisa, with whom he shared five decades of marriage, described the horrifying moments leading up to his death, saying she believes he was killed while trying to protect her. “I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me,” she told reporters.

Recalling the scene, Larisa said the couple had come as they did every year. “He came to Bondi Beach to celebrate Chanukah, for us it was always a very, very good celebration, for many, many years. Today, in the middle of the celebrations, there were shots, and unfortunately, my husband was killed.”

She described the sudden chaos as gunfire rang out. “We were standing and suddenly came the ‘boom boom’, and everybody fell down,” she said. “At this moment, he was behind me, and at one moment, he decided to go close to me; he pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me.”

Alex and Larisa Kleytman emigrated to Australia from Ukraine, where they went on to build a family that included two children and 11 grandchildren.

{Matzav.com}

In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Sydney, Australia, Ivanka Trump shared a public message, offering words of reflection and solidarity as the Jewish world marked the beginning of Chanukah.

The daughter of President Donald Trump drew on the spiritual themes of Chanukah, emphasizing the urgent need for moral clarity, compassion, and light in a time marked by violence and loss.

“As Jews around the world gather around our menorahs on this first night of Hanukkah, we are reminded how desperately the world needs more light and more Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of G-d’s name),” she wrote.

Addressing the human toll of recent attacks, Trump said the “heartbreaking tragedies in Bondi Beach, Australia, and at Brown University” are deeply painful to contemplate, adding that it is “unimaginable to fathom the pain these families are enduring.” She noted that “our hearts are with every loved one affected.”

She went on to connect the events to the enduring message of the Yom Tov, writing that Chanukah teaches that “even in the darkest moments, a single flame has the power to push back overwhelming darkness.” Trump said the act of lighting the menorah should honor those who were killed, stand in solidarity with grieving families, and reflect a renewed commitment to “bring more compassion, integrity, and holiness into the world.”

She concluded by urging people everywhere to strive to become “a source of light where it is most needed.”

{Matzav.com}

Australia is reeling after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, where thousands had gathered to celebrate Chanukah in what authorities say is the country’s deadliest firearms attack in decades.

Police believe the assault was carried out by a father and son who legally possessed multiple firearms, despite Australia’s strict gun control laws.

The suspects have been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram and a 50-year-old man believed to be his father, according to officials who addressed the case on Monday.

During a confrontation with responding officers, the older suspect was fatally shot at the scene, while Akram was critically injured and remains hospitalized under police guard.

Investigators say the two men are responsible for the deaths of at least 15 people, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87. Authorities believe the majority of those killed were Jewish and had been participating in Chanukah-related events at the beach.

Law enforcement officials disclosed that the pair jointly owned at least six firearms, all of which were legally licensed.

Preliminary findings indicate the attackers used a combination of shotguns and a bolt-action rifle, weapons that remain legal under Australia’s tightly regulated firearms framework.

Australia imposed sweeping gun restrictions following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, banning semi-automatic rifles and implementing rigorous registration and purchase requirements nationwide.

Despite those measures, the Bondi Beach shooting now stands as the most lethal mass gun attack in Australia since Port Arthur, which claimed 35 lives and left 24 others injured.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. intelligence officials are sounding alarms that foreign cyber intrusions are accelerating at the same time artificial intelligence is making hacking operations faster and easier to scale.

AI firm Anthropic recently disclosed that it shut down what researchers described as a Chinese-linked operation that used an AI system to help automate and direct hacking activity. While that effort was relatively limited and targeted roughly 30 individuals, experts warned that the pace at which AI-assisted cyber capabilities are advancing is deeply concerning.

Against that backdrop, warnings are growing that Chinese intelligence has not been expelled from U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said Chinese operatives remain embedded in American telecom systems as part of an operation known as “Salt Typhoon,” which he said has been underway for at least two years.

Speaking at a Defense Writers Group event, Warner said Chinese intelligence is “still inside” U.S. networks, enabling access to vast amounts of American communications. He cautioned that without encryption, hackers could effectively “pick any one of us,” tapping into unprotected phone traffic. He pointed to comments from national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who previously described the breach as notable for its “sheer scale of access,” according to the Financial Times.

Warner said a recent classified briefing only deepened his concerns. He described the session as “really frustrating,” saying it left him puzzled by sharply conflicting assessments from federal agencies. According to Warner, the FBI portrayed telecom systems as “pretty clean,” while other intelligence bodies, citing multiple internal documents, insisted the intrusions are ongoing.

Those warnings echo earlier alerts from U.S. intelligence agencies. In September, the National Security Agency cautioned that Chinese cyber operations linked to Salt Typhoon continued to penetrate virtually all internet-connected systems and devices.

Warner argued that the depth of the problem is rooted in years of regulatory complacency and aggressive cost-cutting by telecom companies. He said the result is a fragmented network built for speed and profit rather than security, leaving consumers to bear the consequences. In his view, U.S. systems are more exposed than those in Canada or Europe.

To address the risks, Warner has advocated for legislation that would require telecom providers to comply with baseline cybersecurity standards. But he acknowledged that the effort faces stiff opposition, largely because upgrading networks could cost billions of dollars, including the expense of ripping out and replacing outdated equipment.

The senator also warned that failure to act invites other adversaries to follow China’s lead. He said Russia is already probing the same weaknesses exposed by Salt Typhoon, calling it an expected move when enemies see vulnerabilities that Washington and industry have not decisively addressed.

While assigning blame across party lines for slow progress, Warner criticized what he described as a damaging shift in federal priorities. He said the FBI redirected significant manpower away from counterespionage and counterterrorism toward immigration enforcement.

Former CIA China analyst Dennis Wilder echoed those concerns, telling the Financial Times that staff reductions at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have undermined the government’s ability to respond effectively, even as threats to U.S. telecommunications continue to grow.

China has repeatedly denied that its Ministry of State Security is responsible for hacking U.S. telecom networks, according to the report.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rav Yitzchok Dovid Gurwicz z”l. He was 90.

Rav Gurwicz was born in England and was the eldest son of Rav Aryeh Leib Gurwicz zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Bais Yosef in Gateshead, and his mother, Mrs. Chana Liba a”h, daughter of the renowned mashgiach Rav Eliyahu Lopian zt”l.

He was a brother of Hagaon Rav Avraham Gurwicz shlit”a.

His father, Rav Aryeh Leib, served as rosh yeshiva of Gateshead for more than three decades and authored the sefarim Arza D’bei Rav, Roshei She’arim, and Me’orei She’arim. Rav Gurwicz’s mother passed away in 1978 following a stroke and was buried on Har HaZeisim.

Rav Yitzchok Dovid resided in Gateshead near his brother, the current rosh yeshiva, one of the gedolei hador, Rav Avraham Gurwicz, with whom he shared a deep and enduring bond of closeness and affection throughout their lives.

Alongside his professional responsibilities, Rav Gurwicz was exceptional in his dedication to kevius ittim laTorah.

At the levayah of his wife, who passed away approximately seven years ago, Rav Avraham Gurwicz testified that “the nifteres merited to be an eishes chaver, for my brother Rav Yitzchok Dovid made Torah his occupation and it was the center of his life.”

Each year, during the European vacation period toward the end of the civil year, Rav Gurwicz traveled to participate in the Yarchei Kallah of Agudas Yisroel of Europe. He maintained a close relationship with the Ponovezh rosh yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky.

Rav Yitzchok Dovid leaves behind a wonderful family, including sons and sons-in-law who are distinguished talmidei chachamim.

The levayah is taking place today from the main shul of the Gateshead community in England, after which the aron will be brought to Eretz Yisroel for burial.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A public recognition ceremony was held in Yerushalayim honoring three yungeleit who were arrested, declared draft evaders, and incarcerated for extended periods in an Israeli military prison.

At the event, the three received cash grants calculated at 1,000 shekels for each day they spent in custody.

The gathering took place at the Beis Medrash Shaarei Tuvia, the bais medrash formerly led by the late Gaavad of Yerushalayim, Rav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss.

The case dates back to Tammuz, when the three were arrested during protests in the city of Yehud against alleged desecration of graves. After their arrest by police, they were transferred to military police custody due to their failure to report to draft offices.

The three detainees were identified as Elazar Tzadok Kaufman, Aryeh Mordechai Rabinowitz, and Dovid Menachem Mintzberg. All three were incarcerated in a military prison for significant periods of time.

Associates of the detainees said that throughout their imprisonment, the three were held in complete isolation after refusing to wear military uniforms, a stance they said reflected unwavering adherence to their principles.

The last of the three, Elazar Tzadok Kaufman, was released approximately two weeks ago after spending more than 130 days in prison. Prior to his release, Aryeh Mordechai Rabinowitz was freed after more than 90 days of incarceration, while Dovid Menachem Mintzberg was released after more than 30 days in custody.

At the center of the ceremony, the three received what organizers described as significant financial presents, presented “as an expression of appreciation for their steadfast resolve and inner strength.” Donors from around the world contributed to the effort, pledging 1,000 shekels for each day an individual spent in military detention.

As a result, Kaufman received 130,000 shekels, Rabinowitz received 90,000 shekels, and Mintzberg received 30,000 shekels. The funds were distributed in cash, in U.S. dollar bills.

Among the rabbonim who attended and addressed the gathering were Rav Yehoshua Dovid Turtchin; the Rebbe of Mishkenos HaRo’im; Rav Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, Av Beis Din of Satmar Yerushalayim; the Krechnif-Sigheter Rebbe; Rav Nesanel Peretz Meirzan, rosh yeshiva of Chochmas HaTorah; Rav Shlomo Zalman Weiss, rav of the Shaarei Tuvia Beis Medrash, and others.

{Matzav.com}

As he readies himself to leave City Hall, outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams is warning that the city could be headed in a troubling direction under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, telling the New York Post that residents should be deeply concerned about what may come next.

Looking back on the tight mayoral race, Adams argued that the election was far from a blowout, despite how it has been portrayed. He said he believes the outcome might have been different under other circumstances. “I think I would have won if they would have dropped out. Remember 49% of New Yorkers did not vote for Zohran – 49%. But people want to make it seem like there was some landslide. No, it was not. In fact, it was to the contrary. This was a very close race.” Adams ultimately withdrew from the contest after running as an independent and later endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Adams also pushed back strongly against claims that allegations of corruption overshadowed his administration. “I don’t think I was treated fairly. In fact, I was treated unfairly. And despite all the noise that we received and all we went through, we did not stop delivering for New Yorkers,” he said.

Turning to public safety and mental health, Adams said he fears progress made during his tenure could be undone. Asked whether he still believed difficult times lay ahead, he responded bluntly. “Yes I do,” Adams said when asked if he still believed “dark days” were ahead. “I think we should be concerned and we are seeing some early indicators. Look, a large number of people who live on our streets deal with mental health illness. We should not be allowing them to live on our streets. We want to bring on 5,000 new police officers to make sure [cop retirements] don’t hurt our law enforcement. We have figured out a successful methodology of making our cities safe. We should not tamper with that at all. Looking to disband [the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group]. That’s the same unit that [responded to a deadly mass shooting in July at NFL HQ in Manhattan].”

He expanded on those concerns by urging Mamdani to reconsider policies associated with the Democratic Socialist Party, warning they could have serious consequences for neighborhoods across the city. “I think New Yorkers need to be alarmed, and I’m hoping that when the mayor-elect becomes mayor he will rethink some of the Democratic Socialist Party’s ideas and policies and see that they’re harmful to New Yorkers. Removing 3,000 inmates from Rikers Island – that is a real issue because they’re going to go back into the communities that they exploited and they preyed on.”

Adams also weighed in on Mamdani’s ability to govern a politically divided city and stressed the importance of cooperation with President Trump following the mayor-elect’s recent visit to the White House. “Let’s be clear: almost half New Yorkers did not vote for Zohran. We’re not going to be able to function in the city if those 49% everyday walk around and say, ‘He’s not [my] mayor.’ That mindset is not helpful to the city, and that’s the same for those who didn’t vote for President Trump. You cannot have four more years of saying the president is not their president. It’s time for us to be politically mature enough and respect our democratic process. So I’m hoping they can work together. There’s some real challenges in front of us. Zohran is going to be able to use all the money in his budget and not deal with asylum seekers because President Trump secured our border, so he should be thankful for that. But I think that it is imperative for him to know that just as he wants people to respect him as a mayor, he has to respect the president as the president.”

Addressing anxiety within the Jewish community, Adams said strong and unambiguous leadership will be required from the next mayor. “There needs to be a clear denouncement of ‘globalize the intifada.’ There needs to be a clear denouncement of people standing in front of a house of worship and calling for harm to a particular group. A mayor must not only lead based on what they say, but what they do. He has to send a very clear message that antisemitism and hate of any faith will not have a place in the city.”

Reflecting on his own departure from office, Adams said he feels no nostalgia for the role, describing the job as relentless. “Actually, I’m not going to miss it (laughing). This is a hard job. I’ve been doing 12-hour days, almost seven days a week. You know, the constant critique and criticism. I would love to have finished the things we’ve done for four more years, but trust me, it’s time for me do something else with my life and use experiences that I had as a police officer, as a lawmaker, as the [borough president] in Brooklyn, and now as the mayor to go and help the city more. There’s more I want to do in the city, particularly going after some of the hate we’re seeing, but also, there are other cities across the country and the globe that I could use my expertise in. And so I don’t look in the rearview mirror. I look in the front windshield.”

Despite stepping away, Adams made clear he is not ruling out future roles in public life. “Never say never. Don’t close the door because then it’s difficult when you have to walk through it again.” Asked specifically about serving in a presidential administration, he added, “Again, you never say never. I am looking forward to all the opportunities that are in front of me.”

Finally, Adams dismissed second-guessing about bypassing the Democratic primary, saying he stands by his decision. “I have no regrets at all. I said I would sit out the Democratic primary and I would run head to head with Zohran Mamdani [as an independent]. You can’t really look back and cry over spilt milk. There’s a whole lot of milk cartons waiting for me to open.”

{Matzav.com}

Controversy is mounting at the University of Arkansas after allegations surfaced that a senior professor used official university letterhead to defend an Iranian regime figure convicted of mass executions and publicly praised Iran’s Supreme Leader while denouncing Israel, according to a report by The New York Post.

The professor, Shirin Saeidi, who until recently headed the university’s Middle East Studies program, was removed from her role as director on Friday. University officials confirmed she remains on staff as a professor while an internal review continues.

The accusations stem in part from a letter Saeidi allegedly wrote on official university stationery calling for the release of Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian official convicted by a Swedish court in 2022 for ordering the execution of thousands of political prisoners at Tehran’s Gohardasht Prison in 1988. The document was obtained by the US-based Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists, which shared it with The Post.

Nouri, who served as assistant deputy prosecutor at Karaj Prison near Tehran, was freed last year as part of a prisoner exchange between Iran and Sweden.

Saeidi has also drawn scrutiny for her social media activity. In posts shared on X in November, she praised Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, writing prayers for his safety and describing him as “the leader who kept Iran intact during the Israeli attack, May god protect you,” in reference to the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. She has additionally referred to Israel as a “terrorist state” and a “genocidal state” in other posts.

The controversy has prompted strong reactions from public officials and advocacy groups. On Friday, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sharply criticized Saeidi in a statement to The Post, condemning what he called her “hate-filled antisemitic venom.”

“Whether Shirin Saeidi should be fired is a decision for the administration and the UA board. But praising the Iranian leader — who calls not only for the slaughter of Jews but also calls for the destruction of America — makes me think this deranged professor would probably be better suited to being given a one-way ticket to Tehran and taking a job of teaching in their hate-infested schools,” Huckabee said.

A university spokesman told The Post that Saeidi is no longer affiliated with the Middle East Studies department and that the school is investigating her apparent use of official letterhead “in accordance with university policies.”

Pressure on the university has been building for months. Prior to her removal as director, AAIRIA activists gathered 3,782 signatures on a Change.org petition demanding disciplinary action.

“For forty-six years, Iranians have resisted this erasure of their memories, their testimonies, and their courage,” said Lawdan Bazargan, a former Iranian political prisoner and human rights activist. “That is why the regime relies on ideologues and useful idiots in Western institutions to launder its image.

“Dr. Saeidi’s work is part of that machinery, an academic façade built on falsified narratives to soften the truth about Iran’s prisons and the resistance that takes place inside them.”

Bazargan also told The Post that the FBI contacted her in May regarding the allegations, prompting her and AAIRIA to take a closer look at Saeidi’s activities.

Elected officials have also weighed in. Arkansas State Rep. Mary Bentley said she was “deeply disturbed” by the claims.

“I can assure you that my constituents do not want their tax dollars being used to support unethical and antisemitic behavior from professors at our public universities,” Bentley said.

The controversy has drawn attention beyond Arkansas. Masih Alinejad, an Iranian dissident based in Brooklyn who was targeted by the Iranian regime in 2021, urged President Trump to intervene and halt what she described as the spread of regime sympathizers in the West.

“She regularly attacks me and other human rights activists who dare to stand up to the same dictator,” Alinejad wrote on X, referring to Saeidi.

According to AAIRIA, Saeidi also endorsed two anti-Israel petitions in 2023 and 2025.

“You can’t get any more antisemitic that,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. “Only a week after the horrors on Oct 7, Saeidi chose to whitewash the terrorist crimes of Hamas.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Democracy Institute on Sunday published the 2025 Statistical Yearbook of Chareidi Society, marking the tenth annual edition of the comprehensive report. The yearbook was edited by Dr. Gilad Malach and Dr. Lee Cahaner, research fellows in the Institute’s Program on Chareidi Society in Israel, which operates under the Jacobs Center for a Shared Society headed by attorney Shlomit Ravitzky Tur-Paz.

The report presents an updated snapshot of chareidi society in 2025, alongside an in-depth review of trends over the past decade and, in some areas, the decade preceding it. Long-term analysis points to a widening gap between chareidi women and men: while women continue to advance in education, employment, and professional training, chareidi men have experienced near-complete stagnation in employment rates and integration into a broader range of occupations.

Demographics: A Remarkably Young Population

Israel’s chareidi population now numbers approximately 1,452,350 people, accounting for about 14.3% of the country’s population. It is among the youngest populations in the world, with 57% aged 19 or younger. While only about 4% of chareidim are over age 65, roughly 22% of Israel’s entire population under 19 is chareidi.

This age structure places sustained and growing pressure on the education system, labor market, and welfare services—pressures expected to intensify in the coming decades. Fertility rates remain exceptionally high, averaging 6.5 children per woman, with no significant change over the past decade, helping to explain the community’s rapid demographic growth.

Education System: Continued Expansion

Over the past decade, the chareidi education system has expanded at an average annual rate of 3.7%. In the 2024–2025 school year, approximately 420,000 students were enrolled, representing 21% of all students in Israel and 27% of those in the Hebrew education system. About 31% of first-grade students in Hebrew education are enrolled in chareidi schools.

A decade ago, chareidi enrollment stood at around 290,000 students, comprising 24% of Hebrew education. Today, 62.5% of chareidi students attend network schools, 8.5% are in recognized but unofficial institutions, 21% in exempt institutions, and 7.5% in state-chareidi schools.

Eligibility for matriculation certificates among chareidi students has risen from 10% a decade ago to 16% today, though this remains far below the 85% eligibility rate in state and state-religious education.

Yeshivos and Kollelim: Rapid Growth, Statistical Gaps

In 2023, the number of unmarried yeshiva students and married kollel yungeleit over age 18 stood at 169,366. This figure has nearly doubled over a decade, rising from about 92,500 in 2013, an increase of 83%, with annual growth exceeding 6%, faster than overall chareidi population growth.

In 2024, however, official figures showed a sharp decline in registered yeshiva students and kollel scholars. The report explains that roughly 70,000 yeshiva bochurim and avreichim aged 18–27 who are liable for military service are no longer state-funded and therefore do not appear in Ministry of Education records. The official 2024 figure of 109,601 students, more than half of whom are over age 31, is thus considered incomplete.

Military and National Service: Numbers Mask Reality

Over the past decade, the number of chareidim entering military or civilian service has largely stagnated. In 2024, 3,060 graduates of the chareidi education system entered service, only slightly fewer than the 3,710 recorded in 2014. Given rapid population growth, this represents a real decline of about 25%.

At the same time, 2024 saw a 51% increase in enlistment compared to the previous year, likely influenced by the war and expanded draft obligations. Of those entering service, 2,560 joined the IDF and 500 entered national civilian service.

Notably, 55% of those enlisting in the IDF were placed in general, non-chareidi frameworks, while only 45% joined chareidi-adapted tracks, suggesting that many recruits classified as chareidi are in fact formerly chareidi. Combat placement rates were 40% in general tracks compared to 30% in chareidi tracks. Most civilian service participants begin only after age 24, a pattern unchanged for a decade.

Higher Education and Professional Training

In the 2024–2025 academic year, 18,953 chareidi students were enrolled in higher education, accounting for 5.5% of all students in Israel. Growth in recent years has slowed to about 4% annually, with most increases seen in advanced degree programs.

One notable bright spot is technological vocational training through the National Institute for Technological Training (MAHAT). By 2024, 9,600 chareidim were enrolled in these programs—three times the number in 2014. Growth has accelerated to about 17% annually over the past five years, a rate unmatched in other areas of chareidi higher education.

Employment in 2025

Employment rates in 2025 stood at 53% for chareidi men and 81% for chareidi women. Chareidi men work an average of 36.5 hours per week, compared to 45 hours for non-chareidi Jewish men, while chareidi women average 32 hours, compared to 38.5 hours among non-chareidi Jewish women.

About 30% of chareidi men work in education, while only 3.5% are employed in high-tech, reflecting little change over the past decade. Among women, 42.5% work in education, similar to levels ten years ago.

Wage gaps remain stark. The average monthly salary for a chareidi man is 9,929 shekels, roughly 49% of that earned by a non-chareidi Jewish man. Chareidi women earn an average of 8,617 shekels, about 67% of their non-chareidi counterparts.

Living Standards and Poverty

About 33% of chareidi families and 45% of chareidi children live below the poverty line, compared to 14% and 13%, respectively, among non-chareidi Jewish families. Still, this marks an improvement from 2015, when 39% of chareidi families were below the poverty line.

Average monthly household income among chareidim is 14,816 shekels, compared to 24,466 shekels for non-chareidi Jewish households. The relative income gap has widened slightly over the past decade.

Despite lower incomes, 75% of chareidim own their homes, slightly higher than the 72% rate among non-chareidi Jews. However, only 50% own a car, compared to 82% of non-chareidi Jews, reflecting ongoing disparities in mobility and access to employment.

Financial Behavior and Preparedness

The report highlights significant differences in financial behavior. Chareidim are more likely to carry mortgages and loans, save less, and rely on low-yield savings vehicles. They are also less prepared for financial emergencies and retirement, with lower rates of private insurance coverage and pension planning.

Reliance on family support networks is higher, with 59% of chareidim turning to family during financial distress, compared to 37% of non-chareidi Jews. Use of interest-free community loan funds is also far more common.

Researchers’ Conclusions

Dr. Malach and Dr. Cahaner concluded that the data reflect a decade of stagnation and even regression in the integration of chareidi men, following a previous decade of progress. Employment rates, income levels, occupational diversity, and enlistment figures have all failed to advance, even as the number of yeshiva students and avreichim has grown rapidly.

By contrast, chareidi women continue to show steady integration into education and employment, though income levels remain low. The researchers point to expanding technological training, higher education, and increased internet use as potential foundations for future integration, if leveraged effectively.

{Matzav.com}

Last night’s Powerball drawing failed to produce a jackpot winner, sending the prize soaring to an estimated $1.1 billion after the $1 billion payout went unclaimed.

The numbers drawn for the massive jackpot were 1, 28, 31, 57, and 58, with the Powerball number set at 16.

While no one hit the top prize, several players still walked away with major winnings. Two ticket holders in North Carolina and Pennsylvania earned $2 million each by matching all five white balls and adding the Power Play option.

Five additional tickets sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia matched the five white numbers, earning their holders $1 million apiece.

The drawing had drawn significant attention as it marked the seventh-largest jackpot in Powerball history, narrowly trailing the $1.08 billion prize claimed on July 19, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles.

The most recent jackpot winners before this drawing were players in Missouri and Texas, who split a record-setting $1.787 billion prize on Sept. 6, the second-largest lottery jackpot ever awarded.

{Matzav.com}

A social media post by conservative commentator Candace Owens has ignited widespread controversy and speculation online after resurfacing in the days following today’s deadly attack in Asutralia.

In the post, shared on X on November 27, Owens wrote that unnamed forces had been “signaling that a 9/11-style attack is coming the second week of December,” adding, “Save this tweet. It will age well.”

The post amassed hundreds of thousands of views.

Following today’s terror attack in Australia, screenshots of Owens’ message began spreading rapidly, with users questioning whether the commentator had advance knowledge of an impending act of terrorism or whether her statement was a vague prediction rooted in online speculation.

Some commentators accused Owens of irresponsibly fueling fear.

Many are demanding clarification from Owens regarding the basis for her claim. As of this writing, Owens has not provided details explaining what intelligence, indicators, or sources she was referencing, nor has she issued a retraction or apology.

{Matzav.com}

New York City mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani issued a statement today responding to the deadly antisemitic terror attack at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia, but his wording has drawn sharp criticism for downplaying the nature of the assault.

In a post published on X, Mamdani described the attack as “a vile act of antisemitic terror” and said he was mourning those murdered and praying for their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement. He cited reports indicating that at least 11 people were killed and dozens injured, including Rabbi Eli Schlangler.

However, critics quickly seized on Mamdani’s later characterization of the attackers. Rather than referring to them as terrorists, Mamdani wrote that “men with long guns targeted innocents” on Bondi Beach, language that many say minimizes the ideological nature of the attack and echoes phrasing commonly used to avoid labeling antisemitic violence as terrorism.

Mamdani’s statement went on to draw parallels between the Sydney attack and fears held by Jewish communities worldwide, writing that many Jews no longer feel safe worshiping publicly or entering synagogues without armed security. He added that what happened in Bondi is what many Jewish communities fear could happen in their own neighborhoods.

In the final portion of his post, Mamdani referenced a bystander who reportedly ran toward the gunfire and disarmed one of the attackers, urging New Yorkers to confront hatred with urgency and action. He pledged that, once in office, he would work daily to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe “on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day.”

Despite those assurances, Mamdani’s response was met with skepticism from Jewish activists and communal figures, many of whom pointed to his longstanding record of hostility toward Israel and repeated refusal to clearly condemn antisemitic actors when they align with causes he supports. Several critics argued that his choice of words — particularly the decision to describe the attackers as “men with long guns” — reflects a broader pattern of rhetorical sanitization when Jewish victims are targeted.

During the New York City mayoral campaign, Mamdani was repeatedly asked about the slogan “Globalize the Intifada.” When asked on a podcast in June whether he would condemn it, he declined to do so and instead described it as language that “means very different things to different people,” and emphasized that the mayor shouldn’t “police language.”

“This was not a random act of violence or generic gun crime,” one Jewish community leader said. “It was terrorism, carried out against Jews celebrating Chanukah. Language matters, especially from someone about to become mayor of the largest Jewish city in the world.”

{Matzav.com}