Matzav

Dozens of rabbanim and chassidishe rebbes convened Sunday evening in Yerushalayim to mount unified opposition to the proposed draft law in Israel. The location of the meeting was kept confidential until the late afternoon hours, and invitations were delivered quietly, as organizers sought to coordinate an uncompromising response to what they described as an existential threat to the Torah world.

The dramatic gathering took place as the chareidi public had been anticipating a scheduled meeting of the Chassidishe Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah at the residence of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe in Ora, which was ultimately canceled due to the frail health of the Gerrer Rebbe.

In parallel, the emergency assembly went ahead at the Vizhnitz Hall on Rechov Nechemia in Yerushalayim, drawing a cross-section of rabbonim.

Against the backdrop of intense deliberations surrounding the draft law, speakers at the gathering called for heavy pressure to be placed on Agudas Yisroel representatives and other chareidi political parties not to yield to any draft framework. Sharp words were heard from the podium warning of a dangerous escalation. “They began by taking bochurim who were not within the walls of the yeshivos to military prison, and then moved on to taking the finest bochurim,” one speaker declared. “The draft law is exactly that—a law meant to draft.”

A particularly emotional moment gripped the hall during the address of the Slonimer Rebbe, who spoke directly to public criticism leveled at the Torah community. “They tell me that people are dying in war while your sons sit in yeshivos,” he said. “Every day we accept upon ourselves the yoke of malchus Shamayim to give our lives for the Torah. There are values that are above life itself.”

Among those present were rebbes from courts including Slonim, Lelov, Bohush, Zvhill, Skulen Yerushalayim, Biala Bnei Brak, Pinsk-Karlin, Sasov, Vizhnitz Beit Shemesh, and others, alongside various roshei yeshiva and Sephardic rabbanim. Influential mashpi’im and mekubalim also took part.

Following lengthy deliberations, the participants reached a decision to hold a massive public rally on Monday, 16 Teves, in Yerushalayim.

A detailed statement outlining the decisions of the gathering was released. In it, the rabbanim declared their fierce protest against what they termed a “terrible decree of conscription” threatening observant Jews in Eretz Yisroel, with particular reference to the severe targeting of Sephardic yeshiva students. They asserted that the government has effectively declared war on Torah observance, with the aim of uprooting Jewish identity from the hearts of the nation.

The statement further ruled that it is strictly forbidden for any chareidi Jew to enlist in the army, including frameworks marketed as “chareidi tracks,” which the rabbanim said inevitably lead to spiritual destruction. This prohibition, they added, extends as well to alternative state-run programs such as national or civil service. The rabbanim warned against draft legislation that includes quotas, targets, or sanctions, stating that any law that involves agreement—direct or indirect—to the enlistment of chareidim is forbidden to support, even through abstention.

[Video below.] A storm of outrage erupted Sunday night following violent clashes between police and chareidi demonstrators at the Givat Shmuel junction, where members of the Peleg Yerushalmi were protesting the arrest of yeshiva students labeled as draft evaders. Graphic footage obtained by Matzav.com shows a police officer striking, choking, and throwing a young chareidi boy to the ground.

The protest took place amid a tense and chaotic evening in Bnei Brak and surrounding access roads, as demonstrators took to the streets in response to recent arrests of yeshiva bochurim. According to eyewitnesses, security forces moved forcefully to disperse the crowd, leading to physical confrontations and scenes that many described as shocking.

As police declared the demonstration illegal and began clearing the roadway, a video published from the scene quickly spread through the chareidi community. The footage shows a police officer slapping a young boy, gripping him by the neck, and hurling him to the ground with apparent brutality.

In response to the uproar, Police Commissioner Danny Levy ordered an immediate internal investigation and instructed that the officer involved be removed from operational duty pending clarification of the incident.

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{Matzav.com}

Against the backdrop of repeated demonstrations and road blockages on Geha Highway, residents of cities neighboring Bnei Brak are organizing an anti-chareidi counter-protest that could significantly affect traffic into the chareidi city ahead of Shabbos, according to a report by Walla News.

Posts circulating in protest groups outline plans for a coordinated “slow-drive” at key entrances to Bnei Brak, particularly on Fridays, with the stated goal of applying pressure in response to recurring highway closures and traffic disruptions in recent months. Organizers argue that police have been unable to prevent repeated blockages along Geha Highway, prompting them to pursue what they describe as a civilian, lawful form of protest.

Fridays are among the busiest traffic periods in Bnei Brak, and any slowdown during those hours could place heavy strain on movement throughout the city and complicate residents’ preparations for Shabbos.

Organizers say they intend to operate strictly within the law and claim they are in contact with police. According to their statements, they were told that as long as the activity remains legal, authorities are not expected to intervene.

No official response had been issued by police as of publication, and it remains unclear whether the planned action will go forward as described.

{Matzav.com}

Three years after a moment that brought widespread joy to the Chassidic world, Rav Ephraim Fishel Yisrael Weinberger, Av Beis Din of Turka and a leading mashpia of the Bobov-45 kehillah in Yerushalayim, marked another deeply emotional milestone this week with the upsherin of his son, who has reached the age of three.

The birth of the child, after 34 years, was announced three years ago and was received with great celebration throughout the Chassidic community. At the time, Yerushalayim saw large gatherings for the shalom zachar, vach nacht, and the bris, all attended by multitudes who came to share in the simchah.

This week’s upsherin took place at the residence of the Rebbe of Toldos Avraham Yitzchak. Despite his weakened state, the Rebbe personally cut locks from the three-year-old child’s hair.

Following the ceremony, the Rebbe offered heartfelt brachos that the child should grow to be a talmid chacham, following in the path of his father and his distinguished ancestors.

{Matzav.com}

There was widespread joy and excitement among the Jewish communities of Zurich this past Shabbos, as residents observed their first Shabbos following the completion of a fully halachic eruv encircling the city’s Jewish neighborhoods.

With the eruv now in effect, Zurich joins the growing list of cities in Eretz Yisroel and around the world where carrying on Shabbos is permitted under halachah. The development is expected to significantly ease Shabbos life, allowing families to move about more freely, visit relatives, and enjoy the long Shabbos afternoons in a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

The project was carried out as a joint initiative of Zurich’s two central kehillos: Agudas Achim, led by the city’s gaavad, Rav Tzvi Elimelech Padwa, and Adas Yeshurun, under the leadership of Rav Chaim Moshe Levi. From the earliest stages, the rabbonim were closely involved, overseeing every halachic detail and working in consultation with leading experts in the complex laws of eruvin.

Alongside the rabbinic oversight, community askanim worked extensively with municipal authorities to address all administrative and legal requirements. The project, which spanned approximately five years, progressed steadily and methodically, reflecting a high level of care and perseverance.

In recent weeks, as construction was completed, the rabbonim conducted comprehensive inspections throughout the city, carefully examining the mechitzos and tzuras hapesach. Several final adjustments were made to ensure that the eruv meets the highest halachic standards. In addition, special supervisors were appointed to conduct weekly inspections and ensure the ongoing integrity of the eruv.

In the final stage, the customary sechiras reshus with city authorities was carried out in accordance with halachah, completing all necessary preparations.

Following these steps, a public notice was issued announcing that carrying is now permitted in Zurich as of last Shabbos.

{Matzav.com}

Rabbi Binyomin Kluger, a longtime writer for Hamodia, concluded his regular work with the newspaper this past Friday, bringing to a close a writing career there that spanned five decades.

He marked the occasion with a special farewell column addressed to the paper’s readers.

Kluger, 77, a Chassid of Sanz and a resident of Yerushalayim’s Givat Shaul neighborhood, has been a familiar and respected voice in Hamodia since its early years. Alongside his journalism, he has long been active in the Torah world, serving as an inspector for the monthly examinations held in batei midrash across the country, a role connected to the Mifal HaShas initiative founded by his rebbe, the Sanzer Rebbe, the Shefa Chaim zt”l.

Writing under the pen name “K. Binyamin,” Kluger authored weekly columns for decades and published dozens of seforim in parallel to his newspaper work. His final column appeared on Friday, when he formally took leave of his readership.

In his farewell essay, Kluger reflected on his lifelong commitment to the printed word, writing that throughout his years of journalism he chose to remain loyal to print media, believing that “when words are written in black and white, their power is intensified.”

Looking back on more than fifty years of writing, he described Hamodia as a home for his words and recounted the countless hours and settings in which articles were produced — in the early hours of the morning, under blazing sun, in the depths of night, and in every conceivable environment. He noted that at the moment of writing, a journalist never truly knows who will read the words, how they will be received, or whether the intended emotion will fully carry through.

Kluger also wrote about the discipline he maintained over the years, explaining that he never skipped a weekly column or took time off, out of a sense of responsibility and gratitude for the privilege of having a regular platform. In recent years, he added, his “Past and Present” column became firmly woven into the contemporary pages of Hamodia.

Expressing thanks, Kluger wrote that he is deeply grateful to Hashem for the merit of being counted among the newspaper’s writers, and he extended appreciation to the editorial staff and management, whom he praised for their sense of mission and shared purpose. As he departs, he offered a blessing to those who continue the work, invoking words of peace, unity, and goodwill.

While stepping away from his official role, Kluger emphasized that he is not abandoning journalism. He plans to devote himself to writing future books in a quieter setting, describing his departure not as a full goodbye, but as “only a half-farewell.”

{Matzav.com}

A new public opinion poll released following a high-profile interview on Kan 11 indicates notable shifts across Israel’s political landscape, including the first-ever Knesset entry of a party widely identified with opposition to the chareidi community.

The changes come in the wake of an interview given by Eli Feldstein on Kan 11’s investigative program hosted by Omri Asenheim, which appears to have influenced voter sentiment across multiple blocs.

According to a special survey conducted by Kan News in cooperation with the Kantar Institute, Likud, led by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, has weakened, losing two seats compared to the previous poll. Parties led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid also each dropped by two seats, while the Democrats party headed by Yair Golan lost one mandate.

Kan News reported that the most dramatic development was recorded in the center-right segment of the political map. For the first time since its establishment, the reservists’ party led by Yoaz Hendel crossed the electoral threshold and entered the Knesset with four seats, largely at the expense of centrist parties. At the same time, Benny Gantz continued to lose ground and fell further below the threshold required to enter the Knesset.

Under the poll’s breakdown, Likud stands at 25 seats, down from 27 in the previous survey. Bennett’s party dropped to 20 seats from 22. Shas, led by Aryeh Deri, strengthened slightly, gaining one seat to reach a total of 10 mandates. Yisrael Beiteinu, Otzma Yehudit, and the Democrats party each received nine seats.

Yesh Atid, led by Lapid, fell to eight seats, down from 10. Hadash–Ta’al and Ra’am each secured five mandates, while Hendel’s party entered the Knesset with four seats. Blue and White, Religious Zionism, and Balad did not cross the electoral threshold.

In the overall bloc calculation, the Netanyahu-led coalition stands at 51 seats, short of a Knesset majority.

The poll also examined public attitudes following Feldstein’s interview. A relative plurality of respondents said they were more inclined to believe Feldstein’s version of events than that of Prime Minister Netanyahu, though a large portion of the public remains undecided. According to the survey, 36 percent said they believe Feldstein, 24 percent said they believe Netanyahu, and 40 percent said they are unsure whom to believe.

Public skepticism was also evident regarding the establishment of a government commission of inquiry. A majority of respondents said they do not believe the commission being formed by the government will conduct a thorough, optimal, and objective investigation into the events that led to the October 7 massacre. Fifty-three percent expressed distrust in the commission’s ability to do so, 29 percent said they believe it will, and 18 percent said they do not know.

{Matzav.com}

Security personnel at Ben Gurion Airport once again intercepted a passenger who had been caught last week attempting to board a flight with concealed ammunition and a firearm, Israeli media reported.

According to the report, airport security staff recognized the individual upon his arrival at Terminal 3 on Sunday. The man was stopped for questioning immediately after entering the terminal. During the inquiry, security officials learned that he had arrived at the airport without a flight ticket and was attempting to purchase one on site. Following the questioning, he was escorted out of the terminal and barred from continuing further at the airport.

The incident comes just days after the same passenger was detained during a routine security screening prior to a flight. As previously reported, security officers discovered handgun bullets hidden inside the man’s walking cane. A subsequent, more thorough inspection of his luggage led to the discovery of a handgun frame concealed in his suitcase.

Once the items were found, the security screening was halted immediately and the passenger was transferred to questioning by security authorities. He was not permitted to board the flight.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas is moving toward selecting a new leader, with a decision expected in the coming days or weeks, according to a report by the Saudi outlet Asharq that cited sources close to the terror group’s senior leadership.

The report said the vote will be conducted by Hamas’s general Shura council, a body of roughly 50 members drawn from the organization’s three regional politburos: Gaza, the West Bank, and the Palestinian diaspora. Hamas traditionally holds leadership elections every four years. While the most recent vote took place in March 2021, the next round — initially planned for early 2025 — was postponed due to the war in Gaza.

According to Asharq, the two leading contenders are Khaled Mashaal, a former head of Hamas, and Khalil al-Hayya, who currently leads the group’s politburo in Gaza.

Sources cited in the report said that while leadership elections are imminent, they have “ruled out holding general elections before the war comes to a complete end.”

The same sources described a sharp contrast between the candidates’ policy outlooks, particularly regarding Israel’s presence in Gaza. Hayya, who is viewed as closely aligned with Iran, was said to favor continuing “armed conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip until the war ends and the Israeli army withdraws from the Strip entirely.” Mashaal, by contrast, is described as supporting “negotiated compromises to end the occupation of Gaza.”

Mashaal is also said to advocate “trying to move Hamas away from Iran” and “closer to the moderate Arab states,” according to the Asharq report.

Despite those differences, the sources assessed that Hayya is the frontrunner, citing his backing from senior Hamas figures in both Gaza and the West Bank, including Zaher Jabarin, the group’s West Bank politburo chief.

The leadership shakeup follows a series of assassinations that decimated Hamas’s top ranks. Ismail Haniyeh, who was elected leader in 2021, was killed by Israel in Tehran in July 2024. His successor, Yahya Sinwar, was later killed by Israeli forces in Rafah in October of the same year.

Since then, the organization has been overseen by an interim leadership council led by general Shura council head Muhammad Ismail Darwish. The provisional body also includes Hayya, Mashaal, Jabarin, and Gaza politburo member Nizar Awadallah.

Observers quoted by Asharq said Hamas’s push to proceed with elections now reflects both the current ceasefire with Israel and growing friction within the interim leadership over key questions, including “the fate of the movement’s rule in Gaza and regional alliances.”

Under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire framework, Hamas is required to relinquish control of Gaza to international forces. However, senior Hamas figures — including both Hayya and Mashaal — have said such forces should function only as a buffer between Israel and Gaza, rather than replacing Hamas’s authority outright.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] As diplomatic talks over ending the Russia-Ukraine war unfolded at Mar-a-Lago, a brief and unscripted exchange involving food and the press drew attention before the formal discussions began.

Moments before sitting down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Donald Trump paused the proceedings on Sunday to address a reporter in the room, joking about whether offering lunch could be considered an improper inducement.

“Would you like to have food, or would you consider that a bribe?” Trump asked. “And therefore you could not write honestly, or therefore you have to write a bad story.”

The exchange took place as Trump was seated alongside senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. A Fox News broadcast captured the moment as Trump, smiling, pressed the reporter further.

“Would you like something to eat at this time? Yes or no? You can speak,” Trump said.

“Yes sir,” the reporter replied.

The answer prompted visible reactions around the table. Hegseth broke into a wide grin, while Trump gestured to communications adviser Margo Martin “to take him outside and tell them to serve him a little lunch.” Cameras also caught Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, appearing amused, while White House adviser Stephen Miller looked on stone-faced as the scene played out.

As members of the press were escorted from the room, Trump continued the banter. “That should guarantee good stories, but it won’t. They’ll only get worse,” he said. Turning back toward Zelensky, seated across from him, Trump made a passing remark referencing a hamburger.

The lighthearted moment came against the backdrop of serious negotiations. Trump and Zelensky were meeting to discuss pathways toward ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking to reporters outside Mar-a-Lago earlier Sunday, Trump said there was “nothing more important” to him than bringing the conflict to a close, and he bristled at what he described as a “dumb question” regarding security guarantees.

The talks followed Zelensky’s release this week of a 20-point peace proposal that includes security assurances and a plan to transform disputed territories into a demilitarized free economic zone.

Ahead of Zelensky’s arrival, Trump also held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump told reporters he intended to speak with Putin again after concluding his meeting with the Ukrainian leader, describing the discussions as “pretty complex, but not that complex.”
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{Matzav.com}

The Yerushalayim District Court has ruled that the Hamas terror organization must pay close to one billion shekels in damages to hundreds of people harmed in the October 7 massacre, issuing the decision after Hamas failed to submit a defense.

The default judgment was delivered by Eran Shila following petitions filed by hundreds of plaintiffs — including survivors of the attack and heirs of those murdered — who were represented by attorney David Simana. The court acted after Hamas did not respond to the lawsuit.

The claims were brought under Israel’s Terror Victims Compensation Law, which took effect in 2024 and authorizes punitive damages against perpetrators of terror attacks and those deemed responsible. While the ruling targets Hamas, enforcement is expected to be challenging. Separate proceedings against the Palestinian Authority are continuing; that authority did file a defense, and the present ruling does not address those pending claims.

According to the lawsuits, the plaintiffs include people wounded in the October 7, 2023 assault as well as dependents and heirs of victims who were killed. Many live in kibbutzim and communities near the Gaza border. The filings assert that all plaintiffs suffered physical and/or psychological harm as a direct result of the attack.

Under the law cited by the plaintiffs, punitive damages are set at 10 million shekels for heirs when a terror attack results in death, and 5 million shekels for victims who sustained permanent disabilities.

One survivor who was at Zikim Beach during the attack described the impact of the ruling, saying: “On October 7 we were at Zikim Beach. We arrived the day before to fish. We saw them with our own eyes. I tried to help others. Since that day I have been traumatized. Saying post-trauma minimizes the reality. I am not post. Illnesses erupted in me because of the event. The decision is very important for our rehabilitation. I want to thank the court and the law office that accompanied and continue to accompany us and are doing sacred work. It is time that the victims receive what we deserve. Hopefully we will get a new horizon. I sincerely hope we receive the money for our rehabilitation now and not in 20 years. The state must step in and ensure this.”

The mother of a young man who was murdered while returning home from the Nova music festival also reacted to the verdict. “I am in total shock from the ruling. I did not expect it. It is unprecedented. The judge sees the families and the victims. For me, this ruling is about being seen, when in our country responsibility was not taken and a state commission of inquiry was not established. It was important for us to be recognized. We raised our children here, and our son did not move to Tel Aviv but grew up here. My son knew this area as paradise. We never imagined October 7, or that our paradise would turn into hell in seconds. My son and his friends who were murdered trusted this area so much. What is happening now is closure.”

In some of the cases, plaintiffs are additionally represented by attorney Maayan Yohai of the Yohai Atzofi law firm.

Attorney David Simana welcomed the outcome, saying: “I welcome the court’s decision, which gives justice to the victims and their families. We are aware of the difficulties in collecting the compensation awarded from Hamas, but we will examine all options available to us. It is important to emphasize that this is only a partial ruling.”

He added: “I hope that in the proceedings against the Palestinian Authority, after more than 5 billion shekels have already been seized for the benefit of about 2,000 of our clients, the court will accept our arguments, recognize the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility for the events of October 7, and order it to compensate the victims. My team and I will continue to act on behalf of our clients and stand up for their rights in all the lawsuits being conducted in their name, in Israel and in the United States.”

An aggressive and unusually early flu season is sweeping across New York, pushing hospitals and emergency rooms toward levels not seen in years and raising concerns that the worst may still be ahead.

During the week ending December 20, hospitals across New York State recorded 3,666 inpatient admissions tied to influenza, a sharp rise from 2,251 hospitalizations the prior week. Health officials note that most patients requiring hospitalization have preexisting medical conditions, and there is no indication at this point that the circulating strain is inherently more severe than in previous seasons.

Emergency departments, particularly in New York City, are already under significant pressure. City hospitals logged 9,857 emergency room visits for flu-like illness during that same week, marking the highest level reported in at least a decade. Laboratory data underscores the scope of the outbreak: 32,239 confirmed flu cases were identified in the city alone, with children accounting for more than half of those infections.

Statewide figures paint an even starker picture. According to the New York State Department of Health, 71,123 positive flu cases were recorded in the week ending December 20 — the largest single-week total since flu tracking began in 2004. That figure represents a 38 percent increase from the previous week and brings the total number of reported flu cases this season to 189,312.

Health officials say the spike began weeks earlier than is typical and continues to climb as the flu season approaches its usual January peak. While expanded testing may be identifying more cases than in past years, the surge is nonetheless unprecedented in scale.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the numbers represent the highest weekly flu totals ever documented, cautioning that broader testing alone does not fully explain the dramatic rise.

Virologists report that the dominant strain circulating this season is H3N2, which contains mutations that may allow it to partially evade immune defenses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early findings suggest that while this year’s flu vaccine may be less effective at preventing infection altogether, it still significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.

Public health experts are urging residents to get vaccinated, monitor symptoms closely, and stay home when sick, warning that case numbers could continue to increase in the coming weeks as flu activity intensifies statewide.

{Matzav.com}

Traffic on Route 4 was brought to a standstill on Sunday afternoon after demonstrators affiliated with the Peleg Yerushalmi launched a protest near Bnei Brak, as part of a renewed wave of demonstrations over the continued arrests of yeshiva students.

Within a short time of the protest’s start, the highway was fully blocked in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh Interchange and the Em HaMoshavot Interchange. Police declared the demonstration illegal, and heavy traffic congestion quickly built up throughout the area.

As a result of the protest, service on the light rail in Petach Tikva was also disrupted.

Transit officials announced that due to a demonstration near the Shenkar station, the light rail would operate on a shortened route, with Line R2 running only between Kiryat Aryeh in Petach Tikva and the Komemiyut station in Bat Yam, in both directions.

Israel Police said officers from the Dan District and the National Traffic Police were deployed to the scene, working to redirect vehicles to alternate routes.

Traffic heading south from the Em HaMoshavot Interchange was diverted toward Petach Tikva.

Earlier in the day, the Peleg Yerushalmi had announced the resumption of protests nationwide, citing anger over the continued detention of yeshiva students. Protest locations were not disclosed in advance, and police had prepared for possible road blockages and traffic disruptions.

Police emphasized that the right to protest would be upheld as long as demonstrations remain within the bounds of the law, but warned that blocking major roads, disrupting freedom of movement, or engaging in behavior that endangers public safety would not be tolerated.

During the unrest, United Hatzalah medics treated a pedestrian — a 15-year-old boy — who was lightly injured after being struck by a vehicle on Route 4 near the Givat Shmuel Interchange. Paramedics said he suffered injuries to his limbs during the protest and was treated at the scene.

A 15-year-old student at a school in Saint Petersburg was severely assaulted by a classmate and an older student after posting a profile picture featuring the Israeli flag, according to Russian media reports. The incident has prompted Russia’s Investigative Committee to open a formal probe.

Reports indicate that the confrontation began in early December, when another student objected to the Israeli flag appearing in the boy’s online profile photo. The alleged attacker, who reportedly espoused extreme nationalist views, threatened the teenager and hurled verbal abuse at him, including remarks referencing the Holocaust.

According to a report by Ynet, the dispute escalated following a verbal exchange, after which the victim was summoned to what was described as a “conversation” with the aggressor. When he arrived, he encountered both the attacker and an older student who blocked his path. The two demanded that he kneel and apologize. When the boy refused to submit to the humiliation, he was punched repeatedly in the face.

As a result of the assault, the teenager suffered a fracture to the eye socket. He was hospitalized and underwent surgery under full anesthesia to remove bone fragments. He remained in the hospital for more than a week and is now continuing treatment on an outpatient basis.

The boy’s mother has filed a police complaint. Authorities confirmed that the Investigative Committee is examining the circumstances surrounding the attack, while regional education officials said they are also reviewing the incident.

A powerful and uplifting Shabbos experience returns this winter as the 5th Annual Shabbos of Emunah & Bitachon with Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin will take place February 6–8, Parshas Yisro, at The Westin in Princeton, New Jersey. Designed to inspire, strengthen, and illuminate, this special Shabbos offers participants the opportunity to step away from daily pressures and reconnect—both spiritually and emotionally—in a warm, elevated environment.

Set in luxury accommodations with a five-star menu, the Shabbos will feature a rich and thoughtfully curated program focused on clarity, inner strength, and living with deeper trust in Hashem. Throughout the Shabbos, participants will enjoy inspiring tefillos, spirited seudos, and a meaningful oneg, all infused with an atmosphere of warmth and purpose.

Rabbi Rubashkin will be joined by an outstanding roster of guest rabbanim and speakers, including Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, singer Rabbi Shloime Taussig, and Rabbi Getzel Rubashkin. Their divrei chizuk and guidance will address timeless and timely themes, offering insight and inspiration that resonate long after Shabbos ends.

The program has been carefully structured to meet the needs of the entire family. Alongside the main sessions, there will be special talks for women led by Rabbi Rubashkin and Mrs. Rubashkin, as well as dedicated programming for teens. Children will enjoy an exciting kids’ program, and babysitting will be available for infants, allowing parents to fully participate in the Shabbos experience.

Now in its fifth year, the Shabbos of Emunah & Bitachon has become known for its unique ability to combine depth with warmth, inspiration with joy, and personal connection with communal uplift. Attendees consistently describe the Shabbos as transformative—a time of renewed perspective, strengthened faith, and meaningful connection.

Registration is now open, and space is limited. Those seeking a Shabbos of insight, inspiration, and genuine spiritual recharge are encouraged to reserve their place.

For registration or more information, CLICK HERE.

For additional information or to register, interested participants may visit bitachonshabbos.com or alephbeisgimmel.com, email shabbos@alephbeisgimmel.com, or call or text (732) 354-1496.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has been the beneficiary of tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from liberal billionaire George Soros and his family members, according to a report published Sunday by the New York Post.

Campaign finance disclosures cited by the Post show that Soros and relatives have sent more than $71,000 to political efforts supporting James since 2019. Included in that sum is $31,000 earmarked for her 2026 reelection campaign.

The records indicate that George Soros himself contributed $18,000 in July 2024, while his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Soros, made a $13,000 donation two months earlier, in May.

When earlier contributions are added in, the Post reported that the Soros family has directed approximately $40,000 more to James over the past several years.

The reported figure does not include indirect political support flowing to James through organizations backed by Soros. Among them is the Working Families Party, which has received millions in funding from Soros-linked entities and continues to support James’ political career.

According to the Post, Soros’ Open Society Foundations have sent more than $865,000 to the New York arm of the Working Families Party since 2018.

James’ relationship with the Working Families Party dates back decades. She first gained statewide attention in 2003 when she won a Brooklyn City Council seat as the first candidate elected in New York under the WFP banner.

Although James ran as a Democrat during her 2018 attorney general campaign alongside then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and avoided running under the WFP label, she has remained aligned with the party’s platform and accepted its endorsement again during her successful 2022 reelection bid, the Post reported.

“George Soros has spent years financing the radical left’s most extreme projects, and the outcome is almost always the same: instability and disorder that is destroying our state,” Michael Henry, a Republican challenger seeking to defeat James in the 2026 election, told the Post.

James has drawn national attention for her aggressive legal actions against President Donald Trump, including civil fraud cases that focused on his business valuations and financial statements.

Opponents of those prosecutions have accused her office of engaging in political lawfare, arguing that the cases relied on novel legal interpretations, selective enforcement, and unusually large financial penalties intended to damage Trump’s business operations and undermine his presidential campaign rather than prosecute clear criminal conduct.

In August, Trump scored a significant victory when a New York appellate court struck down more than $500 million in fines that had previously been levied in the case.

James has also faced scrutiny related to her own conduct. In October, the Department of Justice filed mortgage fraud charges connected to a property she owns in Virginia.

That case, however, did not proceed. A judge ultimately dismissed the charges after ruling that the federal prosecutor who brought them had been improperly appointed.

{Matzav.com}

A Palestinian man died overnight after a fall while attempting to cross into Israel without authorization in search of work, according to the Palestinian Authority’s Yerushalayim Governorate.

The governorate identified the man as Jihad Quzmar, a 58-year-old resident of the village of Izbet Salman. It said he was trying to scale the West Bank separation barrier near the Palestinian town of al-Ram when he fell.

According to the statement, Quzmar sustained a serious head injury and was taken to an Israeli hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The governorate added that Israeli authorities are still holding his body. The IDF did not immediately issue a response.

The Yerushalayim Governorate also released video footage it said was filmed at the same location overnight. In the video, an Israeli voice can be heard mocking a Palestinian who is entangled in barbed wire after falling from the barrier in al-Ram. The governorate said the man shown was attempting to enter Israel for employment but did not clarify whether the individual in the video was Quzmar or another person.

The General Federation of Palestinian Trade Unions said the incident comes against the backdrop of a severe labor crisis. According to the federation, more than 500,000 Palestinian workers have lost jobs in Israel since Israel sharply curtailed Palestinian work permits following the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023.

The labor federation further reported that during this period, at least 44 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more injured while attempting to enter Israel illegally for work, either as a result of Israeli gunfire or falls from the separation wall.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir came under attack from stone-throwing demonstrators on Sunday while touring the Bedouin village of Tarabin al-Sana, as tensions flared following a wave of police activity in the area.

According to police, unrest had already begun before the minister’s arrival. Young residents hurled stones at officers, prompting police to respond with tear gas. Two suspects were arrested during the clashes, law enforcement officials told The Times of Israel.

Ben Gvir arrived at the village accompanied by Israel Police chief Danny Levy, Southern District commander Haim Boublil, and large contingents of police officers, moving through the area under heavy security.

“These criminals thought that they would send me a message, that they would do a ‘price tag,’” Ben Gvir said while walking with his security detail, using a term commonly associated with retaliatory settler violence.

Footage aired by Channel 12 showed police scuffling with local residents as Ben Gvir spoke with a man dressed in Arab clothing nearby. Despite the confrontation, the minister told reporters that he was undeterred and pledged to continue visiting the village.

In an official statement, Ben Gvir accused Bedouin communities of operating without effective law enforcement. He said the towns had “gotten used to there being no police and no rule of law,” adding that “everyone does as he pleases.”

“That is over. Finally there is a police force here that functions and responds,” he said.

The visit followed police operations over Shabbos, during which officers arrested three Tarabin al-Sana residents suspected of torching and vandalizing vehicles in nearby Jewish communities. Police said the acts were carried out as “revenge” for an earlier overnight raid in the village.

Over the past month, police have intensified their presence across the Negev as part of an initiative aimed at curbing violent crime, weapons trafficking, and traffic violations. The campaign, known as New Order, has included repeated raids in Bedouin localities.

Bedouin leaders and residents have strongly criticized the operation, accusing Ben Gvir of undermining their rights as Israeli citizens. They dispute his claims of improved policing, arguing instead that their communities lack a steady police presence.

Residents say that rather than routine law enforcement, they experience surprise, military-style raids involving counterterror units and Border Police, along with checkpoints at town entrances that affect ordinary civilians as well as criminals.

Ben Gvir, for his part, praised the concrete barriers police have placed at entrances to several Bedouin towns, rejecting accusations of collective punishment.

“This is the State of Israel. Period. Those who don’t like it, fantastic — they can go drink the water in Gaza,” he said.

A Tarabin al-Sana resident identified as Alaa told Ynet that villagers were being unfairly blamed. “It makes no sense to blame us [residents] for everything that goes on in the village,” he said.

“I blame Ben Gvir for this situation. You want to catch criminals? Go in and arrest them. What are these checkpoints for? Where are we, in the territories?” he added, referring to the West Bank.

Addressing the alleged retaliatory vandalism in the nearby Jewish towns of Giv’ot Bar and Mishmar Hanegev, Alaa told Ynet that he maintains friendships in Giv’ot Bar and condemned the attacks.

{Matzav.com}

FBI Director Kash Patel said the massive fraud uncovered in Minnesota represents only a small portion of a much larger criminal web, signaling that further investigations, along with immigration consequences, are still ahead for those involved.

In a detailed statement posted on social media, Patel said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had already redirected significant manpower and investigative assets to Minnesota well before the case drew widespread attention online, allowing agents to aggressively pursue the scheme at an early stage.

“To date, the FBI dismantled a $250 million fraud scheme that stole federal food aid meant for vulnerable children during COVID,” Patel wrote.

He explained that the probe uncovered a complex operation involving fake vendors, shell corporations, and extensive laundering of illicit funds connected to the Feeding Our Future network. “The investigation exposed sham vendors, shell companies, and large-scale money laundering tied to the Feeding Our Future network,” he added.

The sprawling case resulted in dozens of prosecutions, ultimately leading to 78 indictments and 57 convictions.

Detailing the scope of those charged, Patel said, “Defendants included Abdiwahab Ahmed Mohamud, Ahmed Ali, Hussein Farah, Abdullahe Nur Jesow, Asha Farhan Hassan, Ousman Camara, and Abdirashid Bixi Dool, each charged for roles ranging from wire fraud to money laundering and conspiracy.”

He also highlighted efforts to corrupt the justice system itself. “Abdimajid Mohamed Nur and others were charged for attempting to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash. Those responsible pleaded guilty and were sentenced, including a 10-year prison term and nearly $48 million in restitution in related cases,” Patel said, cautioning that the full scale of the wrongdoing has yet to be uncovered.

Looking ahead, Patel stressed that investigators are far from finished. “The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing,” he said.

He added that criminal penalties may not be the final consequence for many of those involved. “Furthermore, many are also being referred to immigrations officials for possible further denaturalization and deportation proceedings where eligible,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida on Sunday, President Donald Trump said he sees real potential for a breakthrough in efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, while cautioning that the human toll will continue to rise without an agreement.

Standing beside Zelensky outside the main dining room at Mar-a-Lago, Trump told reporters, “I do believe that we have the makings of a deal. It’s good for Ukraine, good for everybody. It’s very important.”

Trump emphasized the stakes involved if the conflict drags on, warning that failure to reach an accord would cost countless lives. “If the war continues, ‘millions of additional people will be killed, millions, and no one wants that,’” he said.

The president also underscored how challenging the negotiations have been compared to past efforts he has led. “There’s nothing more important,’’ Trump said. “I solved eight wars, and this is the most difficult one.”

Despite expressing confidence in progress, Trump dismissed the idea of locking in a specific deadline for a final agreement. Describing the talks, he said they were “Pretty complex but not that complex,’’ adding, “No deadlines. ‘You know what my deadline is, getting the war ended.’”

Trump nevertheless predicted swift movement following discussions with Zelensky over unresolved elements in a 20-point peace proposal drafted by both sides’ teams. He said the process is likely to “move very rapidly” as those remaining issues are addressed.

As part of advancing the proposal, Trump said he plans to speak directly with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and to consult with senior European officials. He noted that he had already spoken with Putin before sitting down with Zelensky.

Sunday’s meeting marked the first time Trump and Zelensky have met face to face since October 17, following a period of highly publicized disagreements between the two leaders.

Reflecting on Zelensky’s role in the conflict, Trump offered praise for the Ukrainian president and his country. “This gentleman has worked very hard,’’ he said. “He’s very brave, and his people are very brave, but what they’ve gone through, no nation, very rarely, has a nation ever gone through this.”

{Matzav.com}