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Dear Matzav Inbox,

Lately, a question keeps echoing in my mind—softly at first, then more insistently: Is this really where I’m meant to be?

I have a steady job here in the United States, a predictable routine, and the familiar comforts that come with stability. Yet beneath it all, something feels unfinished. I find myself thinking more and more about Israel—and about the possibility of dedicating myself to bringing our secular brothers and sisters closer to authentic Judaism.

It isn’t that my life here lacks meaning. It’s that I feel called toward a deeper one. Every time I visit Israel—or even just think about it—that feeling returns. There’s something about the land, the people, the rhythm of Jewish life that resonates with a different part of my soul. The mornings feel different there, the conversations feel different, and even the air seems charged with history and destiny.

Israel doesn’t just feel like a place I love—it feels like the place where I could become the person I’m meant to be.

Part of what draws me is the realization of how many Jews in Israel live without ever truly tasting Torah. Not because they reject it, but because they’ve never encountered it in all its depth and sweetness. I imagine what it might be like to help bridge that gap—with warmth, sincerity, and genuine respect. Something inside me whispers that maybe I could help ignite that spark in others.

Of course, leaving my job in the U.S. would mean giving up stability, family, and stepping into the unknown. So I’ve been thinking: what if I took a first small step? Perhaps I could spend a couple of weeks in Tel Aviv this summer—holding on to my life here, but dedicating some time to explore this dream.

Is there anyone out there who feels the same pull, the same quiet tug toward something greater? Maybe we could create something together—a kind of Yarchei Kallah of Kiruv.

Any interest?

A Yid

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Gov. Kathy Hochul is barely a week removed from celebrating Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory — and New York’s ascendant left is already threatening to take her down. At a raucous “Tax the Rich” rally in Union Square on Sunday, the Democratic Socialists of America and top progressive lawmakers delivered a blunt message to the governor: […]

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Eliyahu Raful zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Neveh Eretz in Be’er Yaakov. He was niftar this morning at the age of 95.

Rav Raful was one of the foremost marbitzei Torah of the past generation and a true pioneer of the Sephardic yeshiva movement in Eretz Yisroel. Following the storied legacy of Yeshiva Porat Yosef, he established Yeshiva Neveh Eretz, which became a spiritual lighthouse for generations of Sephardic bnei Torah, guiding them toward a life of Torah learning and yiras Shamayim.

Renowned for his extraordinary Torah knowledge, sharp intellect, and profound humility, Rav Raful exemplified the essence of a genuine Torah educator. He devoted his life entirely to spreading Torah and building the next generation of talmidei chachomim. Over the decades, he produced hundreds of talmidim, many of whom went on to serve as rabbonim, dayanim, roshei kollel, and roshei yeshiva across the Torah world.

After a period of declining health, Rav Raful passed away peacefully at his home in Bnei Brak.

The levayah took place today at his home at 5 Harav Hirsch Street in Bnei Brak, continuing to the Ponovezh Cemetery for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Postal Service can’t fix its finances through cuts alone, Postmaster General David Steiner said Friday. Steiner said the 250-year-old agency needs to expand its revenue base to restore prominence in the nation’s delivery network. It also should capitalize on its long-standing legal obligation to deliver to every address. One way it can do that, Steiner said during […]

Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams received a rare bipartisan standing ovation in the Knesset today as he concluded his farewell visit to Israel. Adams, who will soon be succeeded by Zohran Mamdani—widely regarded as anti-Israel—was warmly welcomed by members of both the coalition and opposition during his appearance in the plenum.

WATCH:

Earlier, Adams met with Knesset Speaker Amir Ochana in the Speaker’s Office, joined by Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis. Ochana expressed gratitude for Adams’s “unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish people throughout his tenure, particularly in the days following October 7.”

Addressing the plenary session, Ochana publicly hailed Adams as “a true friend of Israel, of the Jewish people, and of the largest Jewish community in the world outside of Israel.” He added, “Your heartfelt words in your speech just days after October 7—‘We are not OK’—touched the hearts of so many here in Israel and reflected genuine moral clarity. Your leadership in the fight against antisemitism shows courage and true solidarity. Because of leaders like you, we will be OK.” Members of Knesset rose to their feet, applauding Adams for several minutes.

Earlier in the day, Adams met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the Kirya in Tel Aviv. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, “Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked Mayor Adams for his strong support of Israel and for being a true friend of the Jewish people.”

Adams also met with President Yitzchak Herzog at the Presidential Residence in Yerushalayim. “You are a dear and close friend of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people,” Herzog told him. “We will never forget your moving words and the solidarity you showed on and after October 7. I will personally never forget your historic visit in the early days of the war—meant to strengthen us and express confidence. Your contribution to the relationship between Israel and New York City is tremendous.”

Herzog continued, “You have done wonders for New York, and I have always admired the dignified way you led the city. Your presence here now is deeply meaningful. As you know, we are concerned about the situation following the recent mayoral elections in New York. I thank you for your friendship and solidarity over the years and wish you much success in all your future endeavors.”

In his remarks, Adams responded, “Like many of my colleagues, we want to send a clear message: 49% of New Yorkers made it clear they do not accept an anti-Israel philosophy. We still view Israel as an ally and a friend. I come here, as I leave office, to reaffirm that I will not abandon my commitment to Israel and to the Jewish people around the world. Your contributions through innovation and technology impact quality of life globally.”

Acknowledging rising antisemitism, he added, “We can’t deny that there’s an increase in antisemitism around the world, including some of what we hear in New York. I believe what we need now is clarity—clarity in our message—and I will continue to emphasize that message in the fight against hatred wherever it appears.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is suddenly signaling he’s open to a working relationship with New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani — the democratic socialist he’s spent months portraying as a dire threat to America’s largest city. Speaking to reporters before departing Florida, Trump said Mamdani “would like to meet with us,” adding, “We’ll work something out.” […]

Bill Maher tore into Democrats and Republicans alike during an interview on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS on Sunday, arguing that both parties are increasingly out of step with the country they claim to represent. “Why can’t either one of them be normal?” Maher asked. Maher said President Donald Trump “could score points” with voters across […]

An unusual yet heartwarming scene was captured at a gathering in Bnei Brak last night. During a fundraising dinner for Keren Olam HaTorah, held at the home of philanthropist Yissachar Knoll, attendees witnessed a rare and touching interaction between two of the generation’s gedolim, HaGaon Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, and HaGaon Rav Don Segal, the renowned mashgiach.

In the midst of the formal proceedings, the two gedolim were seen engaged in a quiet, handwritten exchange, passing notes back and forth with deep concentration. A photo taken by Ezra Trabelsi shows Rav Segal initiating the correspondence, penning a message and handing it to Rav Landau, who promptly responded in his own handwriting.

The exchange continued for several minutes, even as the official program carried on around them. At one point, the intensity of their written discussion appeared to heighten, suggesting that a particularly weighty matter had come up for deliberation.

Observers were moved by the sight, a silent Torah dialogue unfolding between two towering figures, conducted with reverence and discretion amid a bustling event.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major summit as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to meet President Trump on Tuesday, with normalization with Israel listed as one of the key topics. “This visit is not ceremonial. It is consequential,” wrote Faisal Abbas, editor-in-chief of the Saudi newspaper Arab News, over the weekend. “If […]

Foreign students enrolled at U.S. colleges in strong numbers this fall despite fears that a Trump administration crackdown would trigger a nosedive, yet there are signs of turbulence as fewer new, first-time students arrived from other countries, according to a new report. Overall, U.S. campuses saw a 1% decrease in international enrollment this fall compared with last year, according […]

It’s midnight in the holy city of Yerushalayim, and a group of exalted and illustrious mekubalim stream in, one by one, into the Beis Medrash overlooking the Makom HaMikdash—the site of our destroyed Beis HaMikdash—where they will spend the night immersed in holiness.   Each and every one of these carefully selected Yidden has already spent years in the study of the Zohar and the writings of the Arizal and his talmidim. Their faces […]

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Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a sharply worded condemnation Monday after renewed violent riots by Jewish extremists in the West Bank, saying the perpetrators “must be punished according to the law” and stressing that they do not represent the broader population of Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu released the following statement on Monday evening: “I view with […]

A temporary classroom structure in Beit Shemesh collapsed suddenly on Sunday, injuring four young girls and exposing a disturbing reality: many of the city’s educational institutions are operating out of makeshift, unsafe buildings. The incident has reignited public outrage over the lack of oversight and safety enforcement in one of Israel’s fastest-growing cities.

The collapse occurred on Ben Azai Street, where a lightweight prefab building used as a special education kindergarten gave way without warning. One girl was moderately injured and three sustained light injuries. Beyond the physical harm, residents say the incident symbolizes a much deeper failure — an ongoing pattern of negligence and dangerous shortcuts in construction across Beit Shemesh.

A visit to several school sites in the city revealed alarming conditions: flimsy modular classrooms stacked on top of each other, supported by thin, shaky columns; access to upper floors via suspended metal staircases bolted to iron poles; and sharp, exposed metal bars perilously close to play areas. Parents described the situation as a ticking time bomb.

“There are hundreds of school buildings like this all over Beit Shemesh,” said Chaim, a local resident. “They’re thrown together hastily to meet demand, often without permits or proper inspections. It’s become normal to have classrooms standing on stilts. They’re literally gambling with our children’s safety.”

Parents who arrived at the scene of the collapse were shocked to find that even as city engineers and emergency personnel worked nearby, other similarly unstable structures remained in use just meters away. “They saw another building just like it — unsafe, packed with children — and didn’t order it shut down immediately,” one parent fumed. “This isn’t just negligence. It’s abandonment.”

Simcha, a United Hatzalah medic and father of a child who attends the affected school, recalled the chaos of the rescue. “Like every morning, I dropped off my son and went to work. Then I got a message about ‘danger to life’ and rushed over. We had to stop bleeding, cut the power, and rescue four girls. It was a miracle no one was trapped underneath. My son sometimes plays right there. It could’ve ended much worse.”

Opposition council member Tami Zusman condemned what she described as systemic failure. “The chareidi community already experienced the tragedy of Meron. Here in Beit Shemesh, we’re seeing the same recipe for disaster — zero transparency, zero planning, and zero accountability,” she said. “If a structure is unsafe, it must be closed. If it’s illegal, it must be demolished. The engineering department simply can’t keep up. We’re courting another tragedy.”

Despite orders from the city engineer to evacuate the damaged structure, the broader issue remains unresolved. Across Beit Shemesh, precarious metal stairways, makeshift supports, and trailers stacked two stories high are still being used daily by hundreds of children. Residents warn that unless the city imposes strict engineering supervision and halts unsafe construction, another disaster is only a matter of time.

The Beit Shemesh Municipality issued a response stating that it is “conducting a thorough investigation with all relevant authorities regarding the circumstances of the incident.” The city confirmed that “the building in question was an unauthorized addition” and emphasized that it “acts consistently against illegal construction.” The municipal building supervision department, the statement added, recently received a national excellence award for effective enforcement.

The city further noted that “independent educational networks are not part of the regular public school system and work directly with the Ministry of Education for safety approvals.”

For now, residents say, that bureaucratic distinction offers little comfort. “You can’t build on miracles,” one parent said bitterly. “At some point, you have to build on engineers.”

{Matzav.com}

Q: “Why wouldn’t [the Epstein files] have been released the last four years when President Biden was in office?” SCHUMER: “That’s the question every American is asking!”

President Trump announced that he will approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia – brushing aside Israel’s insistence that such sales be tied to the country joining the Abraham Accords.

President Donald Trump said Monday he will sell F-35 advanced fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Washington visit, as he praised the kingdom for its long partnership with the United States. “I will say that that we will be doing that,” Trump said when asked if he […]

A heated confrontation broke out during Monday’s United Torah Judaism (UTJ) faction meeting between MK Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, and UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf. The clash erupted over recently circulated footage showing Goldknopf aboard a Danube River cruise, which sparked widespread backlash within the chareidi community and across social media.

According to reports, Gafni sharply rebuked Goldknopf for what he described as behavior damaging to the party’s image. “The chairman of United Torah Judaism cannot be seen enjoying himself on a boat with non-Jewish musicians,” Gafni reportedly said. “The public then assumes that it reflects on me and the rest of the members of the faction. This isn’t a private matter — it tarnishes the entire party.”

The video of Goldknopf sailing along the Danube in Hungary, accompanied by local musicians, triggered a wave of criticism. Many questioned how a representative of the chareidi public could take part in such an event, accusing him of “a lack of public sensitivity” and causing reputational harm to the movement.

During the meeting, Gafni urged his colleagues to exercise greater awareness of their public roles and the scrutiny they face as representatives of a religious constituency. “You represent a large public,” he told Goldknopf. “You can’t do things that later become a burden for all of us.”

In addition to the internal clash, the faction also addressed recent protests outside the homes of MK Yaakov Asher and MK Michael Malchieli.

In an official statement, United Torah Judaism said: “The UTJ faction strongly condemns and denounces the violent incidents of recent days against chareidi Members of Knesset who serve as emissaries of our gedolei Yisroel. These are not legitimate protests but acts of violence — something that has no place anywhere or in any form.”

The statement warned that such attacks “serve only the enemies of Torah,” giving them “more ammunition to portray Torah learners as violent.” The party concluded by reaffirming its mission: “Our representatives will continue to act with full strength on behalf of Torah learning and those who study it throughout Eretz Yisroel, in full accordance with the guidance and direction of our gedolei Yisroel.”

{Matzav.com}

When the nonprofit organization planning America’s 250th birthday celebrations decided it wanted an ornament to commemorate that milestone in history, its leadership knew just where to turn for guidance. America250.org worked with the White House Historical Association, which, since 1981, has sold a popular Christmas tree ornament honoring a president or a key White House […]