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Over the past three weeks, Bobbie’s Place has received 16,976 phone calls. That’s not a typo. 16,976 phone calls in just three weeks. Many are from parents calling to make an appointment for their children to get clothing for Yom Tov. Others are calling to sign up to receive assistance from Bobbie’s Place. To help meet this demand, a donor has offered to provide Bobbie’s Place with $100,000 – but there’s a catch. They have to raise $100,000 from other donors to receive his contribution. With your help, we can do that. But we need to act quickly, so please donate here. Follow the advice of the leading Roshei Yeshiva – donate to Bobbie’s Place. For thousands of families, Bobbie’s Place is a clothing store, a house of chesed and a source of simcha all in one. Kids come in feeling awkward and different and walk out with a smile and on top of the world. Help us continue to create those smiles and alleviate the stress and burden on their parents. Please donate today.

Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and other NYPD and Mayoral officials joined with community leaders for a Passover Security Briefing at Police Headquarters on Wednesday April 2, 2025. The NYPD Honor Guard presented the colors after which World Renowned Cantor Nissim Saal beautifully sang the National Anthem for the crowd of over 400 people. Mayor Eric Adams spoke about public safety and the strong working relationship between the NYPD and the Jewish community, especially after the horrific October 7th terrorist attack in Israel. Commissioner Tisch stated there will be an increased police presence at synagogues and the nobility of policing. Chief Chaplain Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass spoke about the beauty of Pesach and the meaningfulness of freedom after slavery. Deputy Director of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Gordon spoke about how the NYPD keeps the Jewish community of NYC safe and that there are no credible threats to the Jewish community or any community of NYC. Deputy Inspector Gary Marcus, commanding officer of the Hate Crime Task Force spoke about the work that the Task Force does to keep the Jewish community safe and he stated that they remain ready to investigate and arrest anyone who commits a hate crime. Chief of Security for the Israeli Consulate Dror Shitrit spoke about the trusting and meaningful relationship between the Israeli government and the NYPD and about the reality of the dangers of terrorism. He also thanked the NYPD for their steadfast work in keeping the Jewish community safe and partnering with Israel during these uncertain times. Mayor’s CAU Commissioner Fred Kreizman, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor Menashe Shapiro, Mayor’s International Affairs Commissioner Ed Mermelstein, Mayor’s Director of the Mayor’s Special Projects Office Uri Fraenkel, CAU Jewish Liaison Moshe Davis and City Council Jewish Liaison Pesach Osina were also in attendance. Notable NYPD officials attending the briefing included Deputy Commissioner Mark Stewart, Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters Michael Gerber, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, Chief of Patrol Phil Rivera, Chief Surgeon Dr. Eli Kleinman, Chief of Housing Charles McEvoy, Chief of Brooklyn South Frank Giordano, Chief of Brooklyn North Scott Henderson & NYPD Clergy Liaisons Abe Friedman, Joel Eisdorfer, David Heskiel, Avrumi Brown, Rabbi Berish Freilich, Rabbi Edgar Gluck, Abe Rosenberg, Nachman Kletzky, Zishe Lax, Shneur Grossman & NYPD Honorary Surgeon Rafi Lilker. Notable leaders in attendance included Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff, Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, State Police Troop NYC Major Chris Casale, Ramapo Police Chief Daniel Hyman, Hatzalah CEO Rabbi Yechiel Kalish, Flatbush Shomrim Executive Coordinator Bob Moskovitz, Flatbush Hatzalah CEO Michael Solomon, Boro Park Shomrim Coordinators Motty Katz, Motty Brauner & Shlomie Levy, Crown Heights Shomrim Coordinators Gadi Hershkop & Mendy Hershkop, Williamsburg Shomrim Coordinator Yanky Itzkowitz, Far Rockaway Shomrim Coordinator Sholem Klein, Misaskim Cofounder Meyer Weill, Misaskim CEO Matis Soffer, Community Leader Victor Shine and an array of other Hatzalah and Shomrim leaders. A meaningful memorial tribute was highlighted on the screens for Rabbi Yankie Meyer, Founder of Misaskim, and retired Deputy Chief Chuck Scholl of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South. NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor organized the briefing to ensure its success. All the food was glatt kosher which was provided by New York Essen Deli. Nissim Saal closed out the evening by magnificently singing ‘Nessun Dorma’ and G-d Bless America. Although there are […]

An obscure but consequential bookkeeping matter has become the latest flashpoint in Congress as Republicans labor to enact President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax cut agenda. Senate Republicans are looking to change how extending many of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts would be scored when it comes to future federal deficits. The Congressional Budget Office has projected that extending the cuts would increase deficits by nearly $4 trillion over the coming decade. Democrats accuse Republicans of violating Senate norms with the move. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says Republicans are going “nuclear,” blowing up the institution’s rules. The debate carries major ramifications for Trump’s agenda and the country at large, with policy decisions in the balance that could shape America’s economic and budgetary outlook for years to come. So what is the dispute all about? Why lawmakers keep talking about the baseline Republicans are looking to draft their bill using a “baseline,” or starting point, that shows no impact on the deficit. Such a baseline assumes that Trump’s 2017 tax cuts will continue regardless of their expiration date, essentially counting their renewal as cost-free. On top of that, Republicans are planning to go forward without a ruling from the Senate parliamentarian on whether the scoring change fits within the guidelines for passing tax cut bills with a simple majority. “They are deciding that the way we’re going to do this is to break the Senate and make up our own rules,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said as he spoke on the Senate floor for more than 25 hours to protest Trump’s agenda. “This is how they are going to get a bill through that gives trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the wealthiest in the country.” The accounting change makes it easier for Republicans to make the tax cuts permanent as they try to muscle a bill over the finish line this year. But it also underscores how tax cuts — as well as spending — have historically taken precedence over deficit reduction when it comes to legislative priorities, leading to more government borrowing and a national debt now exceeding $36 trillion. The arguments for and against the change Some of the most powerful forces in Washington are arguing for the accounting change. Scores of deep-pocketed trade and business groups say that creating a pathway for making the 2017 tax cuts permanent provides the certainty and stability companies need to drive growth and productivity. “Americans should not have to worry about their tax relief expiring every few years,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. Meanwhile, fiscal watchdogs are sounding the alarm. “I think this should be rejected by any fiscally responsible member of Congress,” said Michael Peterson, chairman and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a debt watchdog group. “It’s a blatant attempt to get around one of the few rules we have that protects the next generation and our fiscal future.” How it all relates to the Senate’s filibuster Republicans are looking to pass Trump’s tax cut package with a simple majority, which is usually not possible in the Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes to advance. But the process for avoiding a Senate filibuster comes with certain rules, including it can’t increase the deficit beyond a specific timeframe, typically 10 years. Republicans chose to sunset large portions of the 2017 tax cuts after just eight […]

Until a few years ago, Brooklyn College has hosted some of Jewish Music’s most iconic concerts. This Pesach, SING Entertainment will be bringing the concert scene back to Brooklyn with shows for the whole family, and for women & girls. Until a few years ago, Brooklyn College has hosted some of Jewish Music’s most iconic concerts. This Pesach, SING Entertainment will be bringing the concert scene back to Brooklyn with shows for the whole family, and for women & girls. SING Entertainment, known for their stellar reputation producing unforgettable concerts has announced a pair of exciting Chol Hamoed concerts set to take place this Pesach in Brooklyn, with proceeds going to vital tzedaka organizations. For the 3rd Pesach in a row, SING is producing a show for the entire family to enjoy, this year featuring superstars Mordechai Shapiro and Zusha at an afternoon concert on Thursday, April 17. With music by Blue Melody Group and a performance by special guest Yaakov Rosenblum, this is set to be a unique and unforgettable Chol Hamoed outing for all to enjoy. Doors open at 2:00 PM, show time 3:00 PM. This show is benefitting the invaluable work of Bonei Olam and is brought to you by Whee – a product of SR Play, Following the incredible success of last pesach’s SOLD-OUT Chayala Neuhaus concert, “HeartStrings 2” will take place on Wednesday, April 16, starring Chayala Neuhaus. This sensational evening for women and girls will also feature guest stars Mindy Blatt and Leeba Garfunkel, famed MC Yaffa Palti, and the debut of an all new girls choir. The show will also include music by the all-women Melodica Band, and include surprise guests. Doors open 6:30 PM, show time 7:30 PM. This show will also highlight the incredible work of Bridges. “This year is going to be special,” SING Entertainment’s founder Eli Ickowics says, “We’ve really pushed ourselves to raise the bar at every level. This year’s lineup of performers is fresher. The shows are longer. The quality is higher in every way.” On top of their New York shows, SING Entertainment is also putting on “the Eretz Hakodesh Experience” live in Orlando on Tuesday, April 14, presented by Chabad of South Orlando, starring Mordechai Shapiro, Baruch Levine, and 8th Day. Tickets are available for purchase at  https://t.ly/FUyZZ

For the first time in nearly half a century, the MTA has introduced a completely reimagined version of the New York City subway map — but not everyone is impressed. Despite being touted as “easily readable,” many commuters dismissed the overhaul as needlessly complex and a poor use of funds by an already embattled agency.

The new map replaces Michael Hertz’s iconic 1979 design — often compared to a tangled web of spaghetti — with crisp, vivid lines on a white background. It clearly distinguishes each subway line, while also noting accessible stations and places where passengers can transfer between stations without paying an additional fare.

In a significant stylistic shift, the familiar outlines of the city’s boroughs have been swapped for abstract, graphic representations, rather than the geographically accurate shapes seen on previous versions.

“The new MTA is focused on a quality, 21st-century customer experience, and it’s about time our map caught up,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in a statement.

“The new version is much easier to read while also reflecting all the enhancements we’ve made over the years.”

But on the ground, many riders said they had no idea the map had even changed — until they were informed by The NY Post — and reactions ranged from indifferent to outraged.

“I would prefer to see more working elevators or less homeless on the trains, or even bring some of those newer trains to all the lines,” Allison Graham, 40, said at the Astoria-Ditmars N station in Queens.

“The map update could’ve waited. There are other things that need to be prioritized.”

Michelle, another commuter at the same stop, offered a dry take on the new look: “really nice … if you’re a tourist. I don’t hate it but I probably won’t ever look at it again.”

A.J., hurrying through Canal Street in Manhattan, didn’t hold back either.

“Seems like a waste of money. It’s not even for New Yorkers, New Yorkers don’t need that,” he said.

“I hope this is not why they are raising the fare again. Is this where it goes?” rider David R., 45, asked while waiting at the Broadway stop in Astoria.

Transit enthusiasts quickly drew comparisons to Massimo Vignelli’s minimalist 1972 map, which was scrapped after just seven years due to complaints that it confused riders and bore little resemblance to the city’s actual geography.

“It’s always funny that the MTA has been desperately trying to implement this exact map for like 50 years and nobody has ever liked it,” one user wrote on X, responding to the debut.

Longtime riders accustomed to the familiar street grid were critical of the shift, arguing that the new look makes it harder to orient oneself and navigate transfers between lines.

“Oh dear! That’s much more complicated than it needed to be!” one person lamented on X. “Looking at the benefits of other metro/subway maps across the world would have been helpful.”

“The city looks distorted. This is not an improvement,” someone else added.

Another user compared the design to a “video game” interface.

A recurring complaint among commenters focused on the expense of the redesign, which the MTA has yet to publicly reveal. Many are calling for the return of the old map, which the agency says will still be accessible online.

“This map sucks,” another person posted on X. “It uses way too much space for lines instead of making use of the redundancy of lines on shared tracks. This leads to crazy distortion of distances above ground.”

The updated graphic, created by the MTA’s Creative Services Mapping Department, also includes nearby rail systems such as Amtrak, Metro North, the Long Island Rail Road, and PATH.

Commuters can expect to see the new design rolled out across train cars and stations over the coming weeks and months.

“This map rollout is utilizing the dedicated space in every subway car and the thousands of digital screens in the transit system to provide customers with detailed and up-to-date service information,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara.

“I want to thank our customers for their input and the creative team for their years of work to update this iconic piece of the New York City Subway system.”

{Matzav.com}

Colleges and universities that allow events promoting antisemitism could lose federal funding under a bill reintroduced in both chambers of Congress this week. The Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act, sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), would bar federally funded institutions from authorizing, facilitating, funding, or otherwise supporting events that promote antisemitism, as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). “The intention of taxpayer dollars for universities is to educate students, not promote and foster hate,” Scott said in a statement. “Let’s make one thing clear: federal funding is a privilege and not a right.” Originally introduced in the 118th Congress, the legislation comes in the wake of widespread antisemitic incidents on college campuses following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. Columbia University, a flashpoint for anti-Israel protests, recently saw $400 million in federal funds cut off by the Trump administration over such concerns. Jewish students reported being spat on and subjected to antisemitic slurs, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The bill has gained momentum as the Trump administration announced plans to audit $9 billion in federal grants and contracts to Harvard University and paused $210 million in funding to Princeton University, both of which are under scrutiny for handling antisemitism-related incidents. Sen. Katie Britt, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, voiced strong support. “Any American educational institution authorizing, facilitating, or otherwise supporting pro-terrorism activities should lose every cent of federal funding and subsidization,” she said. “We must continue to send a resounding message that antisemitism has no place in America.” In total, five Republican senators, 10 House Republicans, and Rep. Tom Suozzi have joined as original co-sponsors of the bill. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

it is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rav Menachem Rotenberg zt”l, who for many years served as mashgiach ruchani at Yeshivas Kol Torah. He was niftar this morning at the age of 79.

Rav Menachem was born in 1946 in Yerushalayim to his father, Rav Avraham, who had been expelled from Germany by the Nazi regime due to his status as a Polish Jew, and his mother, Mrs. Sheina, originally from Poznan, Poland.

In Elul 1958, a young Menachem Rotenberg entered the hallowed halls of Yeshivas Kol Torah, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Rav Tzvi, who was already recognized as one of the outstanding bnei Torah in the yeshiva. From the start, he distinguished himself with his diligence and devotion to Torah learning, forging strong connections with his roshei yeshiva and mashgichim, including Rav Baruch Kunstadt, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rav Yechiel Michel Schlesinger, Rav Yitzchok Yerucham Bordiansky, and the revered mashgiach Rav Gedaliah Eisemann, who all recognized in him a future talmid chacham of note.

In Elul of 1964, Rav Menachem joined Yeshivas Ponovezh, where he learned under its legendary roshei yeshiva and continued developing in Torah and yiras Shamayim.

When the time came to marry, he was chosen by Rav Chaim Dov Silver, one of the heads of the Vaad HaYeshivos, as a son-in-law. He established his home in Bayit Vagan, close to the very yeshiva where he had grown into a ben Torah, Yeshivas Kol Torah.

He was soon called upon to begin teaching in the yeshiva ketanah of Kol Torah, a position he held for many years, later assuming the role of mashgiach ruchani in the yeshiva gedolah. In both roles, he transformed the environment with his unique warmth and presence.

To his talmidim, he was not merely a mashgiach, but a spiritual father. He didn’t turn away those who struggled—on the contrary, he sought them out, lifted them up, supported them with true ahavah, and never let them feel alone. His radiant smile was legendary, and many talmidim recalled how being greeted by his beaming face each morning gave them chizuk to face the day.

His talmidim remember him as a nurturing presence in the yeshiva, someone they could turn to with confidence. For many bochurim who had come from overseas—far from their homes and families—he became a father and mother figure rolled into one. The warmth and sincerity with which he related to them became their anchor.

A true masmid, Rav Menachem devoted himself to constant Torah learning. For years, he kept a rigorous daily regimen, learning two and a half blatt of Gemara with deep analysis each day. He built a loft in his home where he could immerse himself in uninterrupted learning, and his love for Torah radiated from him. His talmidim would occasionally test his knowledge with “needle-point quizzes”—and though he shied away from showcasing his brilliance, he would indulge them with simcha. His grasp of the material was impeccable, the result of decades of unrelenting hasmadah.

His tefillah was an inspiration—meticulous, heartfelt, and unwavering.

In the vaadim he delivered, Rav Menachem would lift his talmidim with words of chizuk and clarity. He conveyed strength with gentleness, elevating each bochur with a smile and a sense of purpose.

Even in his final year, as his health declined, Rav Menachem begged to be brought to the yeshiva daily. Despite the difficulty, he did everything possible to be there, continuing to spread joy and light among his beloved talmidim.

He is survived by his distinguished wife, as well as sons and daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all proud bearers of his legacy. Among his sons-in-law is MK Yitzchok Pindrus, chairman of the United Torah Judaism party.

The levayah was held this morning at Yeshivas Kol Torah in the Bayit Vagan neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Even as he grows older, Microsoft founder Bill Gates still fondly remembers the catalytic computer code he wrote 50 years ago that opened up a new frontier in technology. Although the code that Gates printed out on a teletype machine may look crude compared to what’s powering today’s artificial intelligence platforms, it played a critical role in creating Microsoft in April 1975 — a golden anniversary that the Redmond, Washington, company will celebrate on Friday. Gates, 69, set the stage for that jubilee with a blog post reminiscing on how he and his old high school friend — the late Paul Allen — scrambled to create the world’s first “software factory” after reading an article in the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics magazine about the Altair 8800, a minicomputer that would be powered by a tiny chip made by the then-obscure technology company, Intel. The article inspired Gates, who was just a freshman at Harvard University, and Allen to call Altair’s maker, Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems, and promise the company’s CEO Ed Roberts they had developed software that would enable consumers to control the hardware. There was just one hitch: Gates and Allen hadn’t yet come up with the code they promised Roberts. Gates and Allen tackled the challenge by latching onto the BASIC computer language that had been developed in 1964 at Dartmouth College, but they still had to figure out a way to make the technology compatible with the forthcoming Altair computer, even though they didn’t even have a prototype of the machine. After spending two months working on the program with little sleep, Gates finished the code that became the basis for the Altair’s first operating system. “That code remains the coolest I’ve ever written,” Gates wrote in his blog post, which includes an option to download the original program. The code would go on to provide the foundation for a business that would make personal computers a household staple, with a suite of software that include the Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs, as well as the Windows operating system that still powers most PCs today. “That was the revolution,” Gates said of the code in a video accompanying his post. “That was the thing that ushered in personal computing.” Gates’ recollection of the code is part of a nostalgic kick that he has been on this year as he prepares to turn 70 in October. The trip down memory lane included the February release of a memoir exploring his early years as an often-misunderstood child with few friends, and a hailing of the 25th anniversary of the philanthropic foundation he created after stepping down as Microsoft’s CEO in 2000. The tech giant initially stumbled after Gates’ departure but has been thriving under CEO Satya Nadella, and has amassed a market value of about $2.8 trillion. In his memoir, Gates also reflected on his tempestuous relationship with fellow PC pioneer, the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, whose company will be celebrating its golden anniversary next year. “Fifty years is a long time,” said Gates, whose personal fortune is estimated at $108 billion. “It’s crazy that the dream came true.” (AP)

New IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Efi Dufferin:” We struck over 60 terror targets to prepare the ground for entry… Our actions will speak for themselves… We’re maintaining operational ambiguity… The only thing that will halt our advance is the release of our hostages… On the Syrian front, our forces encountered terrorists and eliminated them with ground and air fire.”

Hungary announced on Thursday that it intends to exit the International Criminal Court, timing the declaration just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu landed in Budapest, despite being subject to an ICC arrest warrant.

Rather than complying with the court’s mandate, the administration of Prime Minister Viktor Orban chose to disregard the warrant. Netanyahu received a ceremonial welcome at Buda Castle, complete with a military band, instead of facing detention upon arrival.

With this decision, Hungary becomes the only European Union nation seeking to leave the ICC. The move reinforces Orban’s role as a contrarian within Europe—an image he cultivates to appeal to his base at home—and highlights his continued affinity with the Trump-era stance toward global institutions.

Gergely Gulyas, Orban’s chief of staff, stated via Facebook that Hungary would launch the withdrawal proceedings “in accordance with constitutional and international law frameworks.”

Still, under the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC in 1998, Hungary remains bound by its legal obligations for at least one more year, meaning that its failure to detain Netanyahu on Thursday represented a violation of the agreement.

“Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate with the I.C.C.,” said court spokesman Fadi El Abdallah in a statement responding to the Hungarian announcement.

The ICC had issued arrest warrants last November targeting both Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during military actions in Gaza.

This visit to Hungary marked Netanyahu’s first trip to a nation under ICC jurisdiction since the warrants were announced, raising questions about whether he might be apprehended. His earlier visit to Washington in February posed no such risk, as the U.S. is not a party to the ICC.

A number of European nations, France among them, have hesitated to say whether they would carry out the ICC order if Netanyahu were to visit. But Orban went far beyond ambiguity. In November, he condemned the court’s move outright, welcomed Netanyahu’s visit, and declared unambiguously that Hungary would not detain him.

Though Gulyas first introduced the idea of leaving the ICC back in February, he noted then that a final determination had not yet been made.

Of the ICC’s 125 member states, only two—Burundi and the Philippines—have officially withdrawn, both doing so after the court began probing their heads of state. Venezuela has hinted at following suit but has yet to act.

Orban has built his political identity around defying the European consensus. As a NATO and EU member, he has repeatedly clashed with Western allies, lambasting leaders who support Ukraine as “warmongers,” nurturing ties with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, and accusing Brussels of trying to infringe on Hungarian sovereignty. He also delayed Sweden’s NATO membership for over a year.

Hosting Netanyahu in Budapest despite the ICC warrant gave Orban another chance to challenge Western norms and potentially curry favor with Washington.

Netanyahu’s trip marked his first journey to a nation that officially recognizes the ICC’s authority since the court called for his arrest.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

For nearly a century, the halls of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim / RSA have echoed with voices of dedicated scholars immersed in Torah. From early morning to late at night, these dedicated avreichim delve into the depths of learning, refine their middos, and prepare to lead Klal Yisroel. Their dedication isn’t just personal—it extends far beyond the Beis Medrash. Wherever they go, they bring the power of Torah with them, strengthening the communities they join and shaping the spiritual foundation of Jewish life across America. Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim’s reach has transformed communities nationwide, and countless more are waiting to embrace a deeper connection to Torah. Let’s recognize the impact by supporting Chofetz Chaim today!

The impact of the Kollel isn’t measured in days or even years—it is measured in generations. The talmidim who sit and learn today will teach, guide, and inspire for decades to come. The Torah they absorb will be passed down to their own children, their talmidim, and entire communities, ensuring that the strength of Torah continues to flourish wherever they go.

For so many, the Chofetz Chaim Kollel is more than just a place of learning—it is a foundation, a lifeline, a home. It is where young men become talmidei chachomim, where the next generation of leaders emerge. It is where the mesorah of Torah is nurtured and safeguarded, ensuring its light shines brightly for the future. And that light does not remain within the walls of the Beis Medrash—it spreads to communities near and far, strengthening Torah and strengthening the Jewish world.

Torah is for today. It is for tomorrow. It is forever.

This is where you come in. Your partnership makes this all possible. The scholars who dedicate themselves to Torah learning are not alone in their mission—they are supported by those who understand that Torah is the foundation of our future. Together, we ensure that the next generation of leaders can continue to grow, lead, and teach, bringing the power of Torah wherever they go.

This campaign aims to raise the Kollel’s annual budget, ensuring it’s continued operation, and to provide the dedicated yungerleit with a well-deserved pre-Pesach bonus, allowing them to celebrate the YomTov with joy and dignity.

As Pesach approaches, we reflect on the journey of our people—on the sacrifices made, the foundations built, and the timeless mission of our nation.

Just as our ancestors were redeemed for a purpose, we too are partners in ensuring that Torah continues to flourish for future generations.

April 2&3 | Matched X2 | Raising $1.6 mil 
Please Donate Here

Another video of the extensive tornado damage in Selmer, Tennessee.

WATCH: Aerial footage of the extensive tornado damage in Lake City, Arkansas.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell have introduced legislation that would require tariffs to be approved by Congress within 60 days, or the tariffs will expire.

A dramatic shake-up has rocked President Donald Trump’s National Security Council, with multiple senior officials abruptly fired just one day after far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer made a high-profile visit to the Oval Office, Axios reports. The surprise purge, described by one U.S. official as a “bloodbath,” has cast a fresh spotlight on internal divisions within Trump’s second-term orbit and raised alarms over the growing influence of fringe voices in shaping national security policy. According to two sources familiar with the situation, several NSC members—including senior directors—were dismissed in rapid succession on Thursday. While Axios didn’t confirm a direct link between the firings and Loomer’s visit, one insider noted the move was being internally labeled as an “anti-neocon maneuver.” Loomer, a far-right provocateur known for pushing baseless conspiracy theories and allying with white supremacists, reportedly stormed into the White House on Wednesday armed with what she claimed was “evidence” of neoconservative infiltration within the Trump administration. According to a U.S. official, Loomer “was furious” that “neocons” had “slipped through” the administration’s vetting process and personally lobbied Trump to act. “She went to the White House yesterday and presented them with her research,” the official said. While officials have not confirmed a direct cause-and-effect relationship between Loomer’s visit and the subsequent firings, one source said the timing “speaks for itself.” Axios did not confirm which officials had been fired, but other reports say that the firings include Brian Walsh, a director for intelligence and a former top staffer for now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the Senate Intelligence Committee; Thomas Boodry, a senior director for legislative affairs who previously served as Waltz’s legislative director in Congress; and David Feith, a senior director overseeing technology and national security who served in the State Department during Trump’s first administration. The internal shake-up has added fuel to ongoing controversies swirling around the council. Among them: allegations that national security adviser Michael Waltz and staff used encrypted messaging app Signal and private email accounts to discuss numerous sensitive matters—a breach critics have dubbed “Signalgate.” Trump reportedly considered firing Waltz during the height of the scandal but ultimately decided against it, fearing it would hand a victory to his critics, according to reports. The firings may mark the latest salvo in a broader ideological battle within Trump’s circle, pitting traditional Republican national security hawks against populist hardliners and online influencers now seizing the ear of the president. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Trump issued a new executive order on Wednesday aimed at shutting down a trade loophole that has allowed inexpensive goods from China to bypass tariffs for years.

The 78-year-old president took aim at what’s known as the “de minimis” exemption, claiming it gave companies in China and Hong Kong a way to smuggle illegal drugs into the country under the radar.

“These shippers often avoid detection due to administration of the de minimis exemption,” the president wrote, asserting that the flood of duty-free Chinese goods “play a significant role in the synthetic opioid crisis in the United States.”

Under current rules, items valued below $800 are eligible for the de minimis exemption and enter the U.S. tariff-free.

E-commerce giants like Shein and Temu have relied on this provision to offer rock-bottom prices to American shoppers, but the new measures could significantly impact their operations.

Back in February, Trump paused the exemption temporarily before reinstating it to allow the Commerce Department more time to put systems in place for handling the change.

“The Secretary of Commerce has notified me that adequate systems are now in place to process and collect tariff revenue for covered goods from the PRC otherwise eligible for duty-free de minimis treatment,” Trump wrote.

The updated rule means these items will now face new fees instead of other existing tariffs, including the 20% import duty Trump had previously implemented on Chinese goods.

Starting May 2, any qualifying shipment under $800 will be charged a 30% ad valorem duty or a flat $25 fee—whichever is greater. That flat rate jumps to $50 beginning June 1.

Trump’s directive also mandates that carriers moving international packages from China or Hong Kong into the U.S. post a bond as a guarantee for the duty payments.

In recent years, Chinese fast-fashion brands have aggressively exploited the decades-old trade provision to scale up exports of inexpensive goods.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the value of these small shipments surged to $66 billion in 2023—up sharply from $5.3 billion just five years earlier.

Originally, the de minimis rule was intended to let travelers bring back souvenirs without going through customs or paying tariffs.

However, the Cato Institute, a libertarian-leaning policy group, contends that the exemption is a vital tool for streamlining trade and is particularly helpful to lower-income families.

They cite data showing that areas with lower average incomes receive more de minimis shipments—especially from China—than wealthier neighborhoods.

One of the studies the think tank references suggests that eliminating the exemption could cost American consumers between $11 billion and $13 billion a year, translating to a personal cost of $35 to $80 annually.

Trump signed the executive order on the same day he unveiled a new set of reciprocal tariffs targeting dozens of foreign nations.

{Matzav.com}

The death toll from the massive earthquake that hit Myanmar nearly a week ago rose Thursday to 3,085 as search and rescue teams found more bodies, the military-led government said, and humanitarian aid groups scrambled to provide survivors medical care and shelter. In a short statement, the military said another 4,715 people have been injured and 341 are missing. The epicenter of Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. It brought down thousands of buildings, buckled roads and destroyed bridges in multiple regions. Local media reports of casualties have been much higher than the official figures and with telecommunications widely out and many places difficult to reach, it’s thought the numbers could rise sharply as more details come in. The World Health Organization said that according to its initial assessment, four hospitals and one health center had been completely destroyed while another 32 hospitals and 18 health centers had been partially damaged. “With infrastructure compromised and patient numbers surging, access to health care has become nearly impossible in many of the worst-hit areas,” the U.N. said. “Thousands of people are in urgent need of trauma care, surgical interventions and treatment for disease outbreaks.” A mobile hospital from India and a joint Russian-Belarusian hospital also were now operating in Mandalay. With many left homeless by the earthquake, and many others staying away from their homes over fears ongoing aftershocks will bring them down, workers in Naypyitaw labored in the 40 degree Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) busily erected big tents in open fields to provide some shelter. In Mandalay, local residents gave slices of watermelon to Chinese volunteers taking a break from the heat. More than 1,550 international rescuers were operating alongside locals on Thursday, according to a statement from the military. Rescue supplies and equipment have been sent by 17 countries. Myanmar’s military seized power in 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking what has turned into a civil war. The quake worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis, with more than 3 million people displaced from their homes and nearly 20 million in need even before it hit, according to the United Nations. As concerns grew that ongoing fighting could hamper humanitarian aid efforts, the military declared a temporary ceasefire Wednesday, through April 22. The announcement followed unilateral temporary ceasefires announced by armed resistance groups opposed to military rule. The military said it would still take “necessary” measures against those groups if they use the ceasefire to regroup, train or launch attacks. Already on Thursday there were reports from local media in Kachin state in the north of Myanmar that military attacks continued in several areas, but they could not be independently confirmed. Prior to the earthquake the military was battling the Kachin Independence Army militia group. The KIA on Wednesday also declared a ceasefire but reserved the right to defend itself. It was unclear how the reported fighting broke out. The earthquake shook Kachin, but there have been no reports of damage there. In Bangkok, where the quake brought down a skyscraper under construction, the search for survivors and bodies continued as Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt said a possible sound of life was detected in the rubble. By near day’s end, however, nobody was found. Twenty-two people were killed and 35 injured in […]

VP: “That report from the media was a total fake news. Elon came in & we said we need you to make government more efficient. We need you to shrink the bureaucracy. We said that’s gonna take about 6 months. But still he’s going to continue being an advisor”

Financial markets around the world are reeling Thursday following President Donald Trump’s latest and most severe volley of tariffs, and the U.S. stock market may be taking the worst of it. The S&P 500 was down 4% in morning trading, worse than the drops for other major stock markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1,520 points, or 3.6%, as of 10:10 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 4.0% lower.

The evacuation of the Shajaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City is underway. This holds special importance as it expands the buffer zone from the Gaza border from one kilometer to two kilometers.