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An IDF soldier who never got to celebrate his bar mitzvah finally did so today – while on duty in the Gaza Strip

President Trump is reportedly planning to strip Harvard University of another $1 billion in federal funding, building on his administration’s move last week to freeze $2.2 billion in grants over the school’s unwillingness to reform its policies on antisemitism and admissions practices.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the decision to escalate came after Harvard released a detailed letter outlining demands from the Trump administration—contents that White House officials had expected would remain confidential.

Originally, the administration had intended to show more flexibility toward Harvard compared to Columbia University. But after Harvard’s leadership disclosed the letter—which included stipulations such as federal supervision over admissions decisions, staff hiring, and ideological leanings among students and faculty—the White House reconsidered its approach.

Harvard president Alan Garber commented on the letter from Trump’s newly established Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, saying the administration’s conditions “make clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” according to the Journal.

Garber went on to say, “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement.”

The Trump team had initially expected Harvard to comply in the same way Columbia did, when it quickly accepted federal conditions in an effort to reclaim $400 million in frozen aid. But Harvard’s public opposition and release of the letter significantly heightened tensions, resulting in the $2.26 billion freeze.

In addition to halting funding, the administration is reportedly considering targeting Harvard’s tax-exempt status and its capacity to admit foreign students—moves that could financially cripple the university.

Sources said Harvard originally approached the Trump administration in March, attempting to resolve the issue quietly. But as negotiations dragged on and the administration’s demands became more sweeping, university officials concluded the terms were far too invasive.

The April 11 letter was seen by the White House as a final ultimatum, sources said. Harvard officials noted the letter had no confidentiality markings, but members of the task force claimed they had conveyed their desire to keep the talks behind closed doors.

The public disclosure of the letter left many in the administration convinced that Harvard had no real intention of cooperating, the Journal reported.

Although the demands were made public one day earlier than originally scheduled, a spokesperson for the White House emphasized that the release was deliberate.

“Instead of grandstanding, Harvard should focus on rebuilding confidence among all students, particularly Jewish students,” the spokesman said. “The White House remains open to dialogue, but serious changes are needed at Harvard.”

Garber, in his statement, acknowledged that while a portion of the administration’s demands related to combating antisemitism, the bulk of the proposals amounted to “direct governmental regulation.”

{Matzav.com}

MKY! A Tzadik is going around Reunion in Orlando collecting leftover food for Tomchei Shabbos, the Kollel and other people in the local community. Video via Shimi J.

Aftermath of an Israeli air strike in central Gaza that targeted multiple terrorists.

Pete Hegseth on the media targeting him: “Leakers get fired and hit pieces come out.. This is what they do. They take anonymous sources from former employees, and they try to ruin people’s reputations… not gonna work with me!”

WELCOME TO MIAMI! Israel’s National Security Minister Ben Gvir is heckled by upset Israelis upon his arrival in Miami.

Pope Francis, the first pontiff from South America, has passed away at the age of 88.

The Vatican’s camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell — who assumes temporary authority during the transition between popes — announced the pontiff’s death on Monday after an extended illness brought on by double pneumonia.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis was the oldest of five siblings. His father, Mario Bergoglio, was an accountant from Italy who emigrated to Argentina to escape Mussolini’s fascist rule, according to Vatican records. His mother, Regina Maria Sivori, descended from a Catholic family also originally from Italy.

As a young man, Bergoglio worked various odd jobs, including as a custodian, nightclub bouncer, and lab technician, before pursuing religious life and becoming a priest in 1969. In 1998, he was named archbishop of Buenos Aires, and in 2001, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II. Within the Curia, he held important responsibilities and developed a strong reputation. At the 2001 Synod, he took over a leading role from Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, who remained in New York following the 9/11 attacks. His performance during the synod left a strong impression on his fellow cardinals.

During the 2005 conclave that led to the election of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio reportedly finished second in every round of voting, coming close to ascending the papacy at 68.

When Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013 — the first resignation of its kind since 1415 — Bergoglio emerged as a favored choice to usher in reform and transparency within the scandal-hit Church.

On February 28, 2013, the conclave selected him to lead the Catholic world. He chose the name Francis to pay tribute to St. Francis of Assisi.

Elected at 76, Francis dealt with multiple health challenges throughout his leadership, leading to speculation at times that he might voluntarily step down — something he never did, although he acknowledged the possibility.

{Matzav.com}

WH Press Sec. Karoline Leavitt shuts down the Fake News about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “The President stands strongly behind Pete Hegseth, who is doing a phenomenal job leading the Pentagon.”

LEE ZELDIN: “We have to both protect the environment and grow the economy. It’s what the American people are demanding… they want us to make sure that we are applying common sense.”

DHL Express will halt deliveries of packages valued at $800 or more to the U.S. due to increased customs and import complexities stemming from new global tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir flew to the US overnight Sunday for an official visit to the US. Ben-Gvir was boycotted by the Biden administration [along with Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich], and this is his first official visit to the US since taking office.

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, currently in Los Angeles for serious medical care, led a Ne’ilas HaChag Tish on Motzei Pesach Tish. The Rebbe was joined by his sons, who spent Pesach with the Rebbe. Following the Tish, the Rebbe Davened Maariv and recited Sefiras HaOmer. The Rebbe then gave Brachos to the many attendees who came to spend time with the Rebbe.

New York’s $9 congestion toll on most drivers entering the busiest part of Manhattan remained in effect Sunday, despite a deadline from the Trump administration to halt the first-in-the-nation fee. Both Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state agency overseeing the tolls, confirmed Sunday that its system of traffic cameras continues to collect the fee assessed on most cars entering the borough below Central Park. “The cameras are staying on,” said Avi Small, Hochul’s spokesperson, in an email. President Donald Trump’s transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, rescinded federal approval for the program in February, calling it “a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” and initially gave New York until March 21 to comply. The MTA challenged Duffy’s decision in federal court and Duffy subsequently pushed the deadline back by a month, to April 20. The transportation department insisted it would not back off the deadline even as the court case plays out, saying it would “not hesitate to use every tool at our disposal” if the state failed to stop the toll. “In case there were any doubts, MTA, State and City reaffirmed in a court filing that congestion pricing is here to stay and that the arguments Secretary Duffy made trying to stop it have zero merit,” John J. McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external relations, said Sunday. Spokespersons for the U.S. Department of Transportation didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment Sunday. The fee began Jan. 5 and is meant to not just reduce traffic jams but also raise billions of dollars in revenue for New York’s subways, commuter trains and public buses. But Trump, whose namesake Trump Tower and other properties are within the congestion zone, had vowed to kill the plan as soon as he took office. The transit authority, meanwhile, has continued to tout the benefits of the tolling program, saying fewer vehicles are now coming into the heart of Manhattan. Around 560,000 vehicles per day entered the congestion zone in March, a 13% drop from the roughly 640,000 the MTA projects would have driven through the area without the tolling scheme, according to data the agency released earlier this month. The agency has previously said it’s on track to meet the $500 million in revenue initially projected this year from congestion pricing. The toll varies depending on type of vehicle and time of day and comes on top of tolls drivers already pay to cross bridges and tunnels into Manhattan. Other big cities around the world, including London and Stockholm, have similar congestion pricing schemes. On Thursday, a Manhattan federal judge dismissed a series of lawsuits brought by the local trucking industry and other local groups challenging the toll. Most of those lawsuits had argued the fee was approved by federal transportation officials without proper scrutiny and that the court should order the completion of a more comprehensive environmental impact study. (AP)

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a phone call with Labor Minister Yoav Ben Tzur, who is currently sitting shiva for his mother.

During the conversation, Ben Tzur offered words of support and encouragement to the Prime Minister. “You continue to succeed, we are all behind you, I know how difficult this is, but you have real divine assistance; otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to cope with anything,” he told Netanyahu.

In response, Netanyahu replied, “God is the most important party in the coalition.”

Mazal Ben Tzur, of blessed memory, passed away last week at the age of 91. She and her husband, Rabbi Shalom Ben Tzur—who died 17 years ago—made aliyah from Yemen in the late 1940s.

They first settled in Kfar Saba and later moved to Netanya, where they raised their family.

Mazal Ben Tzur was deeply proud of her son’s public service. When the current government was sworn in, she made a special trip to the Knesset to give Netanyahu her personal blessing.

{Matzav.com Israel}