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The Yerushalayim District Court ruled Tuesday to extend the detention of the man suspected of setting fire to the beis medrash of Rav Yitzchak Yosef. While the suspect’s identity remains under a gag order, key details of the investigation were cleared for publication today.

Until now, nearly all aspects of the case had been under strict confidentiality. However, the court has now allowed several elements of the case to be made public, including the list of charges being considered and confirmation that no national security threat or foreign involvement is suspected.

The judge’s remarks during the hearing highlighted the severity of the allegations: “The level of suspicion is very high.” According to the court, the arson was carried out in two separate locations, which added to the seriousness of the case.

The court authorized the publication of the charges the suspect is facing: intentional arson of a building, making threats, willful damage to property, and defacing real estate.

Despite speculation, the investigation has ruled out any suspicion of a politically motivated or terrorism-related act. The incident is being treated as a criminal matter, and the suspect will remain in custody as the probe continues.

The fire caused significant damage to the beis medrash where Rav Yitzchak Yosef delivers shiurim.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Senior NYPD leadership and Hatzalah coordinators from across New York City gathered on Monday for a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening emergency response and communication between the two vital organizations. The meeting, hosted by NYPD Transportation under the leadership of Chief Obe, brought together top officials from Highway Patrol, Traffic Control, and other emergency service divisions alongside Hatzalah coordinators and police liaisons from Williamsburg, Boro Park, Staten Island, Queens, Far Rockaway, and Manhattan. Also present were the chiefs of the NYPD’s Highway Division and heads of the Collision Investigation Squad (CIS), facilitating deeper relationships with Misaskim and Hatzalah in the process. During the meeting, NYPD Chief of Department John Chell spoke of the decades-long relationship between the NYPD and Hatzalah, calling it “a model of cooperation” and expressing appreciation for Hatzalah’s coordination at recent accident scenes and their unwavering support of NYPD officers in the field. Chief Obe also facilitated a dedicated session with Brooklyn’s traffic command leadership to ensure smoother coordination and faster response times in high-traffic situations. Additionally, there was a collaborative effort to modernize and synchronize emergency maps and data systems used by both agencies – a step that will significantly enhance dispatch efficiency and accuracy. This initiative builds on Hatzalah’s recent upgrades to its dispatch and communications infrastructure. In a short statement given to YWN, Rabbi Yehiel Kalish, CEO of Hatzalah said “I want to express my appreciation to the NYPD Chief of Department, as well as the Patrol and Community Affairs teams, for their presence and unwavering support at the meeting”. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As the nation’s capital cleans up from toeiva celebrations this past weekend, focus now shifts to a very different massive event — Saturday’s military parade to honor the 250th birthday of the Army and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. “We’re preparing for an enormous turnout,” said Matt McCool of the Secret Service’s Washington Field office, who said more than 18 miles of “anti-scale fencing” would be erected and “multiple drones” would be in the air. The entire District of Columbia is normally a no-fly zone for drones. Army officials have estimated around 200,000 attendees for the evening military parade, and McCool said he was prepared for “hundreds of thousands” of people. “We have a ton of magnetometers,” he said. “If a million people show up, then we’re going to have some lines.” A total of 175 magnetometers would be used at security checkpoints controlling access to the daytime birthday festival and the nighttime parade. Metropolitan Police Department chief Pamela Smith predicted “major impacts to traffic” and advised attendees to arrive early and consider forgoing cars for the Metro. “This is a significant event with a large footprint,” she said. “We’re relying on the public to be an extra set of ears and eyes for us.” The military parade has been designated a National Special Security Event — similar to a presidential inauguration or state funeral. That status is reserved for events that draw large crowds and potential mass protests. It calls for an enhanced degree of high-level coordination among D.C. officials, the FBI, Capitol Police and Washington’s National Guard contingent — with the Secret Service taking the lead. The Army birthday celebration had already been planned for months. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to transform the event — which coincides with his 79th birthday — into a massive military parade complete with 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. Multiple counter-protests of varying sizes are planned for Saturday, with the largest being a mass march to the White House. Officials say they are also on alert for signs that the immigration-related clashes between law enforcement and protesters currently roiling Los Angeles would spread. “We’re paying attention, obviously, to what is happening there. We’ll be ready,” McCool said. “We have a robust plan for civil disobedience.” Agent Phillip Bates of the FBI’s Washington Field office, which is tasked with counterterrorism and crisis management, said there were “no credible threats” to the event at the moment. Lindsey Appiah, the deputy mayor for public safety, told The Associated Press last week that the city had longstanding plans for the Army birthday celebration. But those plans “got a lot bigger on short notice” when Trump got involved. Still, Appiah said the city has grown “very flexible, very nimble” at rolling with these sort of changes. (AP)

We’ve just come through the Yom Tov of Shavuos, a time that celebrates the most defining moment in our history: Kabbalas HaTorah. For seven weeks, we counted the Omer in anticipation of that moment, striving to prepare ourselves. For generations, Yidden have stayed up through the night of Shavuos immersed in Torah, reaffirming our bond with Hashem’s most precious gift. And now that the Yom Tov is behind us, the question is: what lasting change will it leave within us? In recent years, our community has increasingly promoted the idea that the ultimate goal for a ben Torah is to remain in full-time learning for as long as possible. Limud Torah is presented not just as a value, but as the only value. The kollel lifestyle is depicted as the only option—those who pursue it are the “pride” of our people, while any other path is often seen as a failure. But is that truly the Torah’s view? Chazal teach us plainly: “Tov Torah im derech eretz”—Torah is best when paired with work. This isn’t a polemic about college or secular education; it’s a simple truth that engaging in productive labor is not only permissible—it’s good. Even when one has financial means, Chazal recommend work as a healthy and stabilizing force in a person’s life. The Gemara (Brachos 35b) records a machlokes between R’ Shimon bar Yochai and R’ Yishmael. R’ Shimon advocated full-time limud torah without distraction; R’ Yishmael believed in balancing Torah with work. The gemara concludes that many followed R’ Yishmael and succeeded, while those who tried to follow R’ Shimon’s path often failed—because most people are simply not on that level. So why do we have kollelim? Weren’t they established and encouraged by our greatest Torah leaders? Yes—but not for everyone. Rav Chaim Volozhiner explains in Nefesh HaChaim that the Gemara’s use of the word “many” indicates that only a select few are meant to learn full-time. The Brisker Rav offers a similar insight about R’ Nehorai, who declared he would teach his son only Torah—because his son was uniquely gifted. The Biur Halacha (Siman 156) paskens clearly: the norm for most people is to work and learn. Only individuals who are especially suited to full-time Torah are encouraged to do so. So what changed? In the aftermath of the Holocaust and the decimation of European Torah centers, there was an urgent need to rebuild. Our leaders pushed for widespread kollel learning to reignite the flame – and baruch hashem, it worked. Today, Torah is thriving. The emergency is over. We must now reassess. Continuing to promote full-time kollel as the universal goal is not only unsustainable—it may be harmful. Not because it’s expensive. Not because the community can’t support it. But because it’s not the life that most people are meant to live. It places unrealistic pressure on bochurim and yungeleit, and fosters an attitude that working for a parnassah is inferior. This is not the Torah’s view. And in my view, this indiscriminate kollel ideal is also at the root of our troubling materialism crisis. There was a time—not long ago—when being in kollel was something choshuv. Most people didn’t do it. Most people couldn’t do it. And that gave it weight and meaning. But today—who isn’t in kollel? There’s no longer any shtick […]

Israel Chief Rabbis Recognizing  R’Duvi Honig; L-R Chief Rabbis of Israel — Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (Sephardic) Duvi Honig Founder /Ceo Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and Rabbi Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi) Krakow, Poland — More than 200 rabbis and community leaders from around the world gathered this week in Krakow to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Merkaz Rabbanai Europa (Rabbinical Center of Europe). The event marked a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to support Jewish life and religious leadership across the continent. In a powerful show of international support, both Chief Rabbis of Israel — Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (Sephardic) and Rabbi Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi) — traveled from Jerusalem to participate in the commemoration and honor Duvi Honig, a leading advocate for Jewish communities worldwide and Founder of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.  L-R Chief Rabbis of Israel — Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (Sephardic) Duvi Honig Founder /Ceo Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and Rabbi Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi) Rabbi Menachem Margolin Chairman Rabbinical Center of Europe A Global Gathering at the Heart of Jewish History The anniversary was hosted in Krakow, a city with deep historical significance as a center of Jewish life in pre-war Europe. The conference drew rabbinical leaders and dignitaries from Europe, Israel, and North America, reflecting the unity and resilience of the Jewish people. Duvi Honig was recognized for his international work promoting religious liberty, community resilience, and economic opportunity. Rabbi Kalman Ber, Chief Rabbi of Israel, said during the award presentation: Watch: Chief Rabbi of Israel R Kalman Ber Under his leadership, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has built partnerships between government, business, and faith groups to support vulnerable communities and fight discrimination. “Rabbi Honig has used every resource at his disposal to support others. His work spans continents — protecting rights, creating opportunity, and strengthening our collective future.” His contributions have included supporting Jewish communities affected by war in Ukraine, defending religious practices threatened by European legislation, and securing bipartisan support in the United States for protections against antisemitism while simultaneously stimulating economic support and growth throughout the Jewish communities in Europe, Israel and across the globe. A Voice for Religious Freedom and Civic Partnership In his remarks, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of Merkaz Rabbanai Europa, described Honig as “a bridge-builder between faith and society.” “The work of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce demonstrates that economic power and spiritual values can go hand in hand. Through public policy engagement and advocacy, the Chamber has given voice to Jewish communities in the halls of power.”   Highlighting the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce’s efforts has helped empower the European Jewish community in ways that others haven’t succeeded. Accepting the award, Rabbi Duvi Honig expressed gratitude and issued a message of unity: “Truly humbled and grateful to receive this recognition from Merkaz Rabbanai Europa, particularly under the leadership of both Chief Rabbis of Israel. This is more than a personal honor — it is a symbol of unity and shared responsibility between the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and Merkaz Rabbanai Europa for the wellbeing of Klal Yisrael.”  “I accept this not as a reward for past accomplishments, but as a charge for continued service. With Hashems help, we will stand united to protect religious freedoms — including the sacred tradition of Bris Milah — […]

Tension is mounting in the political corridors of the Knesset—and especially in the private rooms of the chareidi factions—just 24 hours before the expected vote on the bill to dissolve the Knesset. At the heart of the storm is a weighty dilemma: whether to go through with the threat to support the bill or hold off in light of new developments.

Chareidi parties have previously declared that they would vote in favor of dissolution as a protest against the government’s failure to deliver on its promise to pass a new draft law, a commitment made during the formation of the current coalition.

However, for the first time, chareidi representatives are openly grappling with a dilemma, as Knesset Legal Adviser Adv. Sagit Afik has now become directly involved in the formulation of the draft law’s text, working with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

According to Afik, completing a final version of the draft law will require at least another week of work. This extended timeline complicates the chareidi parties’ efforts to register their protest against Prime Minister Netanyahu through tomorrow’s vote.

Adding to the complexity is a warning issued by the Prime Minister’s Office: should chareidi parties support the bill in its preliminary reading, it could prompt the Attorney General to formally declare the country in a pre-election period, a move that would freeze government operations, appointments, and other legislative work, something the chareidi parties deeply wish to avoid.

Despite mounting frustration with Netanyahu, many chareidi lawmakers continue to express trust in Legal Adviser Sagit Afik, with whom they have maintained a long-standing working relationship across multiple legislative efforts.

The core question now facing the chareidi bloc is whether to delay their political statement by granting the legal team more time or to follow through with tomorrow’s vote and potentially walk away from the process thereafter.

As of now, the clock is ticking toward what could be a decisive evening vote.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated today that National Guard troops and Marines deployed to California will remain in place for 60 days.

California governor gavin Newsom filed an emergency motion in court to immediately block the ongoing and unnecessary militarization of Los Angeles stating: “The federal government is turning the military against American citizens. This is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy.”

California asks judge to quickly block Trump troop deployments to LA California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked a federal judge to quickly block the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard members and Marines to Los Angeles. Trump had authorized the deployment to protect government personnel and property during protests in California against federal immigration enforcement actions. Newsom’s lawsuit against Trump argues that the federal actions promote civil unrest.

MOMENTS FROM DISASTER: Dashcam footage captures a terrifying scene on New County Road Tuesday afternoon, as a vehicle swerves into oncoming traffic while trying to overtake a slower car—nearly causing a deadly head-on collision. Drive smart. Stay alert. Stay alive.

President Trump touches down at the newly restored Fort Bragg, NC where he’ll give a speech to honor the Army’s 250th birthday.

Despite a police and Shin Bet gag order on the investigation and arrest of a suspect who damaged and set fire to Rav Yitzhak Yosef’s shul in Jerusalem on Sunday morning, some details have emerged. The suspect, from a chareidi family with rabbinic ties, is believed to have been working for the Iranian government, possibly unknowingly. The Shin Bet suspects others are involved, but the individual has refused to provide additional information. Sources tell YWN it’s possible he was unaware of his Iranian ties. As YWN has reported, numerous arrests have occurred in recent months of individuals unknowingly paid by Iran to commit vandalism, including starting fires, spray-painting graffiti, photographing specific targets, and other disruptive acts. Sources indicate the Iranians may be attempting to sow discord between Israel’s right and left. Given Rav Yosef’s outspoken opposition to chareidim joining the IDF and the draft law, the Iranians reportedly aimed to incite the right to blame the left for this attack. As YWN had reported, an arsonist broke into the shul of the former Rishon L’Tzion, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, on Rechov Yam Suf in the Sanhedria Murchevet neighborhood of Jerusalem and set it on fire in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday morning. Security camera footage shows the arsonist entering the Ohr Chaviv shul around 3 a.m., approaching the Aron Kodesh and setting it on fire. A nearby residential apartment building was found vandalized with graffiti, including crosses and other Christian symbols, and it is suspected that the arsonist carried out the vandalism before setting fire to the shul. The fire caused extensive damage to the shul, HaRav Yosef’s office and his magnificent chair, as well as his sefarim and those of his illustrious father, HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef, z’tl. [EXPLOITING CHILDREN: 13-Year-Old Israeli Arrested For Acting For Iran] [From Beis Medrash to Espionage: Vizhnitz Avreich Arrested By Shin Bet In Iranian Spy Plot] [SHOCK IN BEIT SHEMESH: Chassid Arrested For Allegedly Spying For Iran] [AGAIN: Jerusalem Resident Is Arrested For Spying For Iran] [Arab Arrested After Spying On The Kosel, Machane Yehuda Shuk On Behalf Of Iran] [2 IDF Soldiers Arrested For Spying; 1 Gave Iran Classified Info About Iron Dome] [Seven Israelis Arrested For Allegedly Spying For Iran, Collecting Info On Targeted IDF Bases] [Two Israelis Arrested for Spying for Iran, Placing Cameras Near Defense Minister’s Home] (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rav Dov Landau will travel to Los Angeles, California, for the first time in his life as part of a major campaign to raise $150 million to support yeshivos and kollelim across Eretz Yisroel.

The mission, organized in light of government decrees targeting Torah learners and drastic funding cuts, marks the beginning of an intensive effort by Gedolei Yisroel to safeguard the future of the Olam HaTorah.

The historic journey will kick off this coming Motzaei Shabbos, with participation from several of the generation’s gedolei Torah: Rav Dov Landau, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Avrohom Salim, the Sanzer Rebbe, Rav Yaakov Hillel, the Rebbe of Rachmastrivka, Rav Dovid Cohen, and Rav Shimon Galei.

Rav Landau will fly to Los Angeles, where he is expected to arrive on Sunday and hold key meetings with prominent philanthropists and Torah supporters in the area.

This visit marks the launch of a broader fundraising campaign that will continue in various cities and states throughout the United States.

Earlier today, in preparation for the trip, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch visited the home of Rav Dov Landau to receive a birkas tzeis’chem l’shalom ahead of his own departure to the U.S., where he will join Rav Landau next week for the continued leg of the campaign on behalf of the Keren Olam HaTorah.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was met with sharp questions and criticism Tuesday by lawmakers who demanded details on his move to deploy troops to Los Angeles, and they expressed bipartisan frustration that Congress has not yet gotten a full defense budget from the Trump administration. “Your tenure as secretary has been marked by endless chaos,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told Hegseth. Others, including Republican leaders, warned that massive spending projects such as President Donald Trump’s desire for a $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense system will get broad congressional scrutiny. The troop deployment triggered several fiery exchanges that at times devolved into shouting matches as House committee members and Hegseth yelled over one another. After persistent questioning about the cost of sending National Guard members and Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests over immigration raids, Hegseth turned to his acting comptroller, Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, who said it would cost $134 million. Hegseth defended Trump’s decision to send the troops, saying they are needed to protect federal agents as they do their jobs. And he suggested that the use of troops inside the United States will continue to expand. “I think we’re entering another phase, especially under President Trump with his focus on the homeland, where the National Guard and Reserves become a critical component of how we secure that homeland,” he said. The hearing before the House Appropriations defense subcommittee was the first time lawmakers have been able to challenge Trump’s defense chief since he was confirmed. It is the first of three congressional hearings he will face this week. Lawmakers take aim at Pentagon’s planned spending Lawmakers complained widely that Congress hasn’t yet gotten details of the administration’s first proposed defense budget, which Trump has said would total $1 trillion, a significant increase over the current spending level of more than $800 billion. And they said they are unhappy with the administration’s efforts to go around Congress to push through changes. Spending issues that have raised questions in recent weeks include plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on security upgrades to turn a Qatari jet into Air Force One and to pour as much as $45 million into a parade recently added to the Army’s 250th birthday bash, which coincides with Trump’s birthday Saturday. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., quizzed Hegseth on the deployment of about 700 Marines to assist more than 4,100 National Guard troops in protecting federal buildings and personnel in LA. She got into a testy back-and-forth with him over the costs of the operation. He evaded the questions but later turned to MacDonnell, who provided the estimate and said it covers the costs of travel, housing and food. Hegseth said the 60-day deployment of troops is needed “because we want to ensure that those rioters, looters and thugs on the other side assaulting our police officers know that we’re not going anywhere.” Under the Posse Comitatus Act, troops are prohibited from policing U.S. citizens on American soil. Invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows troops to do that, is incredibly rare, but Trump has left open the possibility. “If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. We’ll see,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Asked how he would determine whether the unrest amounted to an insurrection, Trump offered little clarity. ”I mean, I could tell you there were certain areas of […]

A deeply moving story was shared this week during the weekly shiur delivered by the mashpia, Rav Meir Itamar Rosenbaum, author of Derech Emunah and nosi of the expansive chesed network Amud HaChesed – Lachmei Mordechai.

Rav Rosenbaum began by reflecting on Parshas Naso, read this past Shabbos, which speaks about an individual who takes upon themselves the vow of nezirus, refraining from wine and worldly indulgences. The Lev Simcha explains that the Torah calls such a person kadosh laHashem—holy to Hashem—even before they begin fulfilling the vow. The very act of accepting to improve oneself elevates a person in Shomayim to the level of holiness, even prior to action.

In that spirit, Rav Rosenbaum told the following story:

“Several years ago, in Bnei Brak, a Jew who had recently arrived from abroad came to a local shul to daven and noticed an old friend. Overjoyed, he approached and tried to engage him in conversation, but the friend did not respond. He only mumbled unintelligibly and gestured vaguely. Confused, the man waited until after davening.

“After davening, the friend approached him and said: ‘My dear friend, let me explain why I didn’t answer you earlier. As you know, I manage a cemetery. One day, I made a terrible mistake. I mistakenly authorized the burial of a deceased individual in a plot that didn’t belong to him. The grieving family, overwhelmed by their sorrow, didn’t notice. But I realized what I had done….and the potential legal implications were enormous. Fearing both prosecution and public outrage, I went late at night with several chevra kadisha members and moved the body to its correct resting place.

“‘I thought the matter was resolved and unknown to anyone. But days later, I got a call from a well-known secular attorney who wanted to purchase a grave in a section designated for shomrei Shabbos. I politely declined, explaining that the area was exclusively for Sabbath observant individuals as per halachah, and that this impacts the soul of the deceased.

“‘Suddenly, the attorney said: ‘Listen, I know exactly what happened with the mistaken burial. If you don’t sell me that plot, I’ll sue you and expose everything.” I was terrified. But I calmly told him I wouldn’t violate halachah no matter what. He warned me: “I’ll see you in court, and you’ll pay for this behind bars!”

“Sure enough, a few weeks later, I received a court summons. I was filled with dread. My livelihood was at risk, and I feared what was to come. I knew that Hashem runs the world and was sending me a message. So I turned to Hashem and said: “Ribbono Shel Olam, the hardest thing for me is to stop talking during davening. But I accept upon myself, from now on, not to say a word during tefillah in shul. Please, in this merit, help me—though I am unworthy.”

“Months passed. I never heard back from the court. Eventually, I discovered that the case had mysteriously been closed. To this day, I hold strong to that commitment—that’s why I didn’t speak to you in shul.”

“The visitor from abroad, moved to his core, thought to himself: “It’s been 20 years and I’ve never been blessed with children. This is hard for me too, but maybe this is what will bring my salvation.” He too took upon himself the same kabbalah—absolute silence during davening.

“This man,” Rav Rosenbaum shared, “is a prominent community activist from Canada whom I personally know. Wherever he goes, people surround him. And yet, from that day on, he did not utter a single word in shul. The difficulty was tremendous—people kept approaching him, asking for help, sharing news—but he stuck to it. Eventually, he moved to a different shul to avoid the constant interaction.

“And that very year—he was blessed with twins, against all odds. I witnessed it myself.”

Rav Rosenbaum concluded with the timeless words of Chazal: “’Open for Me an opening the size of a needle, and I will open for you an opening like a great hall’ (Shir HaShirim Rabbah 5). Why a needle? Because a needle pricks. It hurts. When a person takes upon themselves even a small but painful improvement, Hashem responds by opening all the gates of blessing. As the pasuk says: ‘Ki nezer Elokav al rosho—For the crown of his G-d rests upon his head.'”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Otzma Yehudit MK Yitzhak Kreuzer submitted a request to the Israel Police on Tuesday to launch a criminal investigation against Shikma Bressler, one of the leaders of the pre-October 7 leftist protests against the Netanyahu government, for her blatant violation of a gag order. On Tuesday morning, Bressler revealed that the suspect in the arson of HaRav Yitzchak Yosef’s shul, who was arrested by the police and Shin Bet on Monday evening, is Jewish. In the tweet Bressler published on her X account, she wrote, “So the arson suspect at the shul of the man who instructs his Chassidim to throw draft notices into the toilet comes from the same camp.” Kreuzer wrote that Bressler’s tweet is a blatant violation of a gag order issued by a court and called for legal action to be taken against her. Kreuzer quoted Bressler’s words and added, “Bressler’s improper publication, which openly and knowingly violates a gag order, constitutes a serious criminal offense. I demand that a criminal investigation be opened against her immediately and that all necessary legal measures be taken against her.” It should be noted that Bressler, who before the October 7 massacre threatened that if Netanyahu and his government carried out the judicial reform plan, Israel would remain “without an army” is married to a former Shin Bet official. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

[COMMUNICATED]

The Lakewood Cheder is preparing to host its annual dinner celebration this Sunday, June 15th, bringing together community members to support and honor several distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to the community.

Honoring Excellence in Education and Leadership

This year’s event will recognize four exceptional honorees who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to Torah education and community service:

Mr. Marcel Millet will be celebrated as the International Guest of Honor, recognizing his global contributions to Torah chinuch and community.

Harav and Mrs. Simcha Bunim Londinski, Shlit”a,
a renowned Rav and Marbitz Torah, will receive Harbotzas Torah award. 

Rabbi and Mrs. Shneur Kotler will be honored with the Keser Shem Tov award.

Rabbi and Mrs. Tzvi Herman will receive the Community Leadership award.

The annual dinner serves as a crucial fundraising event for Lakewood Cheder and Bais Faiga & Lakewood Cheder Hachadash and Bais Faiga Hachadash, supporting programs for both men (Ateres Genendl) and women (Kesser Moshe Yehuda). The institution has been a cornerstone of chinuch in the Lakewood area, providing talmidim with both limudei kodesh and chol in an environment that emphasizes yiras shamayim and Torah values.

The dinner  will take place on Sunday, June 15th, 2025, at 725 Vassar Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:15 PM, followed by dinner at 7:15 PM.

Please join us!

Contact the Cheder  at 732.370.6479 or via email at dinner@lakewoodcheder.net or visit http://Cheder-dinner.com

In a rare and momentous occasion that has stirred excitement across the chassidishe world, four brothers—all sons of the late Divrei Emunah of Toldos Aharon—will each be marrying off a grandchild tonight, in weddings taking place in Eretz Yisroel and the United States.

This extraordinary evening features simchos in the courts of Toldos Aharon, Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok, Nachlas Aharon, and a wedding in Boro Park on behalf of the family of their late brother, Rav Aharon Kahn zt”l, Av Beis Din of Divrei Emunah in Monsey.

Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Wedding in Beitar Illit

The eldest brother, the Rebbe of Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok, is marrying off his grandson, the son of his son, Rav Yoel Kohn, Rav of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok kehillah in Ramat Daled in Beit Shemesh, and son-in-law of Rav Shmuel Bransdorfer, a member of the Badatz of the Eidah HaChareidis. The chosson is marrying the daughter of his uncle, Rav Shimon Bransdorfer, who is also a son of Rav Shmuel and a son-in-law of the Kossover Rebbe of Yerushalayim. In this case, the grandfather is a zaide to both the chosson and the kallah. The chasunah will take place in the auditorium of Beitar Illit.

Toldos Aharon Wedding in Meah Shearim

The Toldos Aharon Rebbe will celebrate the wedding of his granddaughter, daughter of his son Rav Aharon Kahn, Rav of the Toldos Aharon kehillah in Monsey and son-in-law of the Rebbe of Kretchnif-Sighet. She will be marrying the grandson of their brother, Rav Moshe Kohn, Rosh Yeshiva of Toldos Aharon, who is a son of Rav Yoel Kohn, a son-in-law of the Rebbe of Premishlan. The wedding will be held in the Toldos Aharon beis medrash in Meah Shearim, Yerushalayim.

Nachlas Aharon Wedding in Bnei Brak

The third simchah is that of the Rebbe of Nachlas Aharon, the fourth of the brothers, who is marrying off his granddaughter, the daughter of his son-in-law, Rav Avigdor Pollak, Av Beis Din of Kehillas Chassidim in Ramat Hey in Beit Shemesh, and son of the Rebbe of Bergsas. The chosson is a grandson of the Rebbe of Machnovka-Belz and a son of Rav Alter Moshe Twersky, Rav of the Rachmastrivka kehillah in Beit Shemesh. This wedding will take place at the Machnovka-Belz beis medrash in Bnei Brak.

Fourth Simchah in the U.S.—Family of the Late Rav Aharon Kohn

The fourth celebration tonight will take place in Boro Park, Brooklyn, by the family of the late Rav Aharon Kahn zt”l, Av Beis Din of Divrei Emunah in Monsey. His grandson, the son of his son-in-law, Rav Simcha Bunim Rokeach of Kozlov, is marrying a daughter of Rav Dovid Tzvi Schneebalg, son of the Av Beis Din of Hanipoli. This wedding will be held at the Kerem Menachem Hall in Boro Park.

Thus, all the sons of the Divrei Emunah zt”l—except for one, the mashpia of Mevakshei Emunah—will be marrying off grandchildren this evening.

Looking ahead, a joint sheva brachos is reportedly being planned for this coming Monday, which will bring together the entire family and all four rebbes for a joint celebration.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Several Israeli defense contractors have entered into formal agreements with Qatar—deals that received full authorization from the highest levels of the Israeli government—to supply advanced military equipment, ammunition, cyber systems, and other defense technologies, Maariv reported on Tuesday.

These deals were greenlit by key entities including the Defense Ministry, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and received special sign-off from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu himself.

The defense companies were only permitted to proceed with the contracts after obtaining the necessary clearance from the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and Netanyahu’s office.

Netanyahu played a central role in facilitating these transactions, granting final approval for firms such as Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries to move forward with their negotiations and eventual deals with Qatar—a nation widely known for its close ties with Hamas.

According to Maariv, Elbit secured contracts with Qatar valued at over $100 million. Rafael signed separate deals worth tens of millions of dollars. Israel Aerospace Industries reportedly had an extended relationship with the Gulf state, marked by at least 20 visits by senior company officials to Doha and a high-level Qatari delegation spending an entire day touring the company’s Israeli headquarters.

Much of this cooperation came to a halt after the events of October 7, which disrupted ongoing negotiations and led to the cancellation of some previously signed contracts.

In a statement, Elbit Systems noted: “Elbit Systems’ activities in the international market are subject to the guidelines and restrictions of the Israeli Defense Ministry, and accordingly, the company operates under these guidelines.”

Rafael issued a similar response, saying: “Rafael does not provide information about business partners. Rafael has operated and operates according to the strictest international standards, with regard to the compliance of its business partners and in accordance with the Export Control and Licensing Law.”

{Matzav.com Israel}