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A shocking incident unfolded in Bnei Brak over Shabbos when a United Hatzalah emergency response vehicle was stolen by the very patient medics had arrived to treat during a life-saving call.

The unusual episode took place Friday night on Rechov Harav Shach, where the organization’s on-call Shabbos paramedic had been dispatched to provide urgent medical assistance. According to reports, moments after the medic arrived and began preparing to treat the individual, the patient suddenly jumped into the driver’s seat of the emergency vehicle and sped off.

Witnesses said the suspect drove recklessly through city streets, endangering pedestrians and other motorists as he fled the area in the stolen emergency vehicle.

An immediate emergency response was launched involving United Hatzalah dispatchers, additional volunteers in the field, and officers from the Bnei Brak police station. Using the vehicle’s tracking technology, dispatchers monitored the suspect’s movements in real time while police units pursued the vehicle.

A short time later, the stolen emergency car was located in nearby Petach Tikvah while still being driven dangerously. Police officers intercepted the vehicle, arrested the suspect at the scene, and took him in for questioning.

Efi Feldman, head of United Hatzalah’s Bnei Brak branch, sharply condemned the incident.

“This is an extremely serious incident involving harm to an emergency vehicle designated for saving lives,” Feldman said. “We strongly denounce any violence or damage directed at medical teams and their lifesaving equipment. We commend the quick thinking and alertness of the volunteers and dispatch center, and thank the officers of the Bnei Brak police station for their swift and decisive response, which brought the incident to an end without injuries.”

After being inspected, the emergency vehicle was found to be undamaged and was immediately returned to operational service for continued Shabbos emergency duty in the city.

{Matzav.com}

Yisrael Meir Godovitch, a well-known Israeli architect and former Tel Aviv city engineer who was a great-grandson of the Chofetz Chaim, passed away on Shavuos at the age of 92.

Godovitch was considered one of the most recognizable and colorful figures in Israel’s planning and architectural world. Over the years, he served as Tel Aviv’s city engineer and as chief architect for the Housing Ministry. Yet, many members of the broader public were unaware of his remarkable family background. He proudly carried the name Yisrael Meir after his illustrious great-grandfather, the Chofetz Chaim.

His mother, Frida Godovitch, was a granddaughter of the Chofetz Chaim’s eldest son, Rav Aryeh Leib, who served as the rov of Radin and assisted his father in preparing his monumental Torah works.

In 1932, Frida immigrated to Eretz Yisroel. The following year she married Yaakov Godovitch. Just months after their wedding, on the 24th of Elul 5693, the Chofetz Chaim passed away. Four months later, a son was born to the young couple in Tel Aviv, and they named him Yisrael Meir in memory of the revered Torah giant.

Although Godovitch’s life path led him into architecture and public planning rather than the Torah world, those close to him said he constantly spoke with pride and deep respect about his family heritage and the legacy of his great-grandfather.

Friends recalled that when rare historical footage of the Chofetz Chaim from the historic Knessiah Gedolah in Vienna was uncovered years ago, Godovitch became emotional and tearful, saying, “There must be a spiritual message from Heaven in this for all of us.”

Chareidi journalist Yisrael Cohen described him warmly.

“He was a precious and unique person. In every conversation he would proudly speak about his distinguished lineage and said that in the merit of his great grandfather he accepted upon himself to be careful not to speak lashon hara. His work as an architect was well known, and several times he told me that if he could, he would have planned Bnei Brak in a more aesthetic and beautiful way. I explained to him that high-rise buildings are impossible because of Shabbos elevators, but he still insisted that he would have designed the city in a more pleasant fashion with more greenery and gardens.”

In recent years, Godovitch suffered the loss of his wife, Arela, who had been his longtime partner. He passed away on Friday during the Yom Tov of Shavuos and is survived by two sons, grandchildren, and many descendants.

His levayah will take place Sunday afternoon in Tel Aviv.

Tragedy struck a Bnei Brak family over Shavuos with the passing of Mrs. Ayala Davidson a”h, a 33-year-old mother of six who succumbed to injuries sustained in a devastating crash on Highway 1 just one week after her infant son was killed in the same accident.

Mrs. Davidson passed away at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim on the first day of Shavuos. Her death came days after the petirah of her one-month-old son, Avinoam Meir Davidson z”l, who was killed at the scene of the horrific Friday afternoon collision and later buried in Elad.

The levayah was held on Motzaei Shabbos at midnight from the home of her parents, the Seller family, on Rechov Harav Kook 22 in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the cemetery in Elad.

Mrs. Davidson was born on the 17th of Teves 5753 in Bnei Brak to her father, Rav Aharon Seller, rosh kollel at Merkaz HaTorah Midrash Eliyahu in Elad, and her mother, Mrs. Shulamis Rosa Seller. She was a granddaughter of Rav Yitzchok Halberstadt zt”l, rov of Bais Medrash Ahavas Chesed in the Givat Yeshivas Ponovezh neighborhood of Bnei Brak.

In her younger years, she studied at the Rav Wolf Seminary in Bnei Brak. After her marriage, she built a home together with her husband, Rav Shlomo Zalman Davidson, a talmid of Yeshivas Tifrach and a respected member of the Ohel Avraham community in Bnei Brak, where the couple lived near their families.

Family members and acquaintances said she devoted herself fully to supporting her husband’s Torah learning and raising their children with warmth and dedication.

The tragedy unfolded as the family was traveling to Yerushalayim following the birth of their sixth child. The infant, Avinoam Meir z”l, was killed in the crash, and after battling for her life for a week, Mrs. Davidson passed away from her injuries.

She leaves behind five young children who are now orphaned of their mother.

Meanwhile, there has reportedly been improvement in the condition of the father, Rav Shlomo Zalman Davidson, who remains hospitalized in stable condition. He has been informed of the passing of both his infant son and his wife.

Tehei nishmasah tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

President Donald Trump celebrated the end of Stephen Colbert’s run at CBS on Friday, blasting the longtime late-night host as a “total jerk” after Colbert wrapped up his final episode of “The Late Show.”

“Colbert is finally finished at CBS. Amazing that he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. He was like a dead person,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday morning. “You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. Thank goodness he’s finally gone!”

Colbert exited the network after 11 seasons hosting the flagship late-night program, having taken over for David Letterman in 2015. CBS announced last July that the show would be ending, describing the move as a “financial decision” tied to the struggling performance of the series.

“This show has been a joy for us to do for you,” Colbert said in his final monologue. “I cannot adequately explain to you what the people who work here have done for each other, and how much we mean to each other.

“We love doing the show for you, but what we really love, is doing the show with you.”

The 62-year-old comedian has publicly argued that political pressure connected to Trump played a role in the cancellation, particularly after Paramount — CBS’s parent company — reached a legal settlement with the president.

Throughout his time on air, Colbert became one of Trump’s most vocal television critics, intensifying his anti-Trump material after news broke that the program was being canceled.

Still, the farewell broadcast itself largely avoided direct political commentary.

One exception came during Wednesday’s next-to-last episode, when rocker Bruce Springsteen appeared and criticized the administration from the stage.

“I’m here in support tonight for Stephen, because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost his show because we’ve got a president who can’t take a joke,” Springsteen told the crowd.

Over the years, Colbert’s show frequently featured Democratic politicians, liberal commentators, and anti-Trump media figures.

A report by media watchdog NewsBusters found that between 2022 and July 2025, Colbert hosted 176 guests identified as left-leaning compared to only one conservative guest.

Trump repeatedly mocked Colbert in the weeks leading up to the finale, escalating his attacks as the show neared its conclusion.

“Stephen Colbert is a pathetic trainwreck, with no talent or anything else necessary for show business success,” Trump said back in December.

“Now, after being terminated by CBS, but left out to dry, he has actually gotten worse, along with his nonexistent ratings. Stephen is running on hatred and fumes ~ A dead man walking! CBS should, ‘put him to sleep,’ NOW, it is the humanitarian thing to do!” he added.

The longtime host frequently accused Trump of influencing CBS and Paramount behind the scenes, particularly after the president filed suit against the network over its handling of a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging election interference tied to the 2024 race.

{Matzav.com}

Yidden across Eretz Yisroel and around the world marked Shavuos with extraordinary scenes of Torah learning, tefillah, and spiritual elevation in the great chassidic courts, yeshivos, and botei medrash. From historic hachnosas Sifrei efer Torah and massive gatherings at the Kosel to heartfelt tefillos for the recovery of Rav Dov Kook of Teveria, the days of zeman matan Toraseinu were filled with inspiration and emotion.

Throughout Shavuos and Shabbos, tefillos continued for the recovery of the tzaddik Rav Dov Kook of Teveria, who has remained hospitalized at Poriya Medical Center for more than two weeks. Family members reported that during the Yom Tov he responded several times by opening his eyes when spoken to, though his condition remains serious and no major improvement has yet been seen. The tzibbur continues to be urged to strengthen itself in tefillah, kabbolos, and acts of chizuk for the complete recovery of Rav Dov HaKohen ben Shoshana.

Close associates said his sons, Rav Shmuel and Rav Yisroel Meir, the rov of Ashdod, remained near him throughout the Chag together with his grandson Rav Mordechai Shalosh. Tefillos for the Yom Tov were held close to his room, and despite his weakened condition, Rav Dov reportedly reacted several times to those around him.

In the court of Gur in Yerushalayim, preparations had been made well in advance for the tens of thousands of chassidim who arrived to spend the Chag with the Rebbe. Organizers prepared 6,500 dining accommodations and another 6,200 sleeping arrangements. Nineteen aufrufs for upcoming chassanim were celebrated over Shabbos. The Rebbe also hosted a kiddush in honor of his nephew’s wedding and announced after Shabbos that any bochur who had celebrated a bar mitzvah but had not yet received a Tehillim from the Rebbe could still come and obtain one.

In Belz, joyous news spread on Erev Shavuos with the birth of a great-granddaughter to the Rebbe, born to his grandson Rav Dovid Rokeach. The Rebbe himself led many of the tefillos over Yom Tov. The kiddusha rabba celebrating the birth was held on Shabbos Naso in Kiryas Belz with tens of thousands of chassidim in attendance from around the globe. The child was named Chaya Devorah after the Rebbetzin, wife of the Maharid of Belz, whose yahrtzeit falls this week.

During the emotional ne’ilas hachag gathering in Belz, the Rebbe’s gabbai, Rav Shimon Wolf Klein, announced that the campaign supporting lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel would continue into a third year amid what he described as growing governmental pressure against the Torah world through budget cuts and other decrees.

The gabbai praised the extraordinary mesirus nefesh shown by Belzer chassidim over the past two years in supporting kollel families and announced that the Rebbe’s “Keren Hatzolas HaTorah” would continue carrying an annual burden of roughly 12 million shekels. A public appeal was issued asking every Belzer chossid to undertake support for at least one kollel yungerman for a month at a cost of 900 shekels, or $300 abroad, while encouraging wealthier supporters to sustain multiple avreichim to ensure the continued strength of Torah learning.

In Vizhnitz, chassidim celebrated a historic hachnosas sefer Torah written by the Rebbe during the medical treatments he underwent in Los Angeles. On Erev Yom Tov, the Rebbe danced with the Torah atop a specially constructed platform. A lengthy tish followed Friday night davening, during which the Rebbe spoke about the upcoming yahrtzeit of Rav Yehudele Horowitz of Dzikov and invited Rav Mordechai Genut, publisher of the “Davar B’Ito” calendar, to share stories about the tzaddik.

Thousands also gathered in the court of Boyan in Yerushalayim, where the Rebbe spent the Chag with the chassidim in the central kloiz. Before Yom Tov, hundreds of bochurim assembled for a special two-hour learning seder. On Shabbos morning, the Rebbe invited the chassidim to the upcoming wedding of his granddaughter, daughter of the Ziditshov Chicago Rebbe. Motzoei Shabbos, the Rebbe held Kiddush Levanah in the newly developed expansion area behind the kloiz.

A particularly elevated atmosphere filled the Vizhnitz beis medrash throughout Shavuos. Before Yom Tov, the Rebbe toured the rapidly advancing construction site of the future Vizhnitz World Center. In the early morning hours of Shavuos night, the traditional Vizhnitz kedrusa d’tzafra gathering took place. The aliyah for Aseres Hadibros was reportedly purchased for four million dollars by a benefactor who dedicated the contribution toward construction of the new mikveh in the grand beis medrash.

In Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok in Meah Shearim, davening on Shavuos concluded at 5:30 p.m. The Rebbe’s Friday night tish stretched from nearly midnight until close to 4:00 a.m. Shabbos morning, the Rebbe remarked emotionally that the chassidim who remained awake throughout the night had reached the level of “malachim.”

Hundreds of chassidim traveled to Antwerp for Shavuos with the Pshevorsker Rebbe in what locals described as unprecedented numbers. During the Chag, before Akdomus, a new sefer Torah donated by philanthropist Reb Dovid Leibish Yaakobovich was brought into the beis medrash with great celebration.

A rare moment took place in the court of Lelov when, after receiving the aliyah for Aseres Hadibros, the Rebbe personally recited a Mi Shebeirach for the Vizhnitzer Rebbe’s recovery, something chassidim said is virtually unheard of, as such tefillos are normally handled by the gabbai.

In Sadigura, chassidim learned about the continued expansion of the Ateres Yisroel kollel network, which now includes more than 200 avreichim in seven branches throughout Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe encouraged participation in “Yissochor-Zevulun” partnerships and announced a special upcoming trip to Chevron for supporters of Torah.

In Pinsk-Karlin, a Shabbos aliyah celebration took place ahead of the wedding of the Rebbe’s grandson, Yitzchok Menashe Rosenfeld. The wedding is scheduled for Tuesday in Beitar Illit.

In Sassov, a new sefer Torah written collectively by the chassidim in honor of the Rebbe was brought into the beis medrash in Ganei Tikvah with a large procession on Erev Yom Tov.

Thousands also traveled to Ukraine for Shavuos, particularly to Mezhibuzh at the kever of the Baal Shem Tov, whose yahrtzeit falls on Shavuos. The Makova rov traveled from Eretz Yisroel to lead the gathering. Accommodations were organized by Agudas Ohalei Tzaddikim. Hundreds more spent the Chag in Uman near the kever of Reb Nachman of Breslov.

Among the gedolei Yisroel and yeshivos, the atmosphere was equally uplifting.

Rav Moshe Sternbuch spent Shavuos with his talmidim in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Before Maariv on Erev Yom Tov, he addressed the crowd with words of chizuk. He participated in the all-night learning in the yeshiva and later personally recited a Mi Shebeirach for donors supporting the construction of new yeshiva buildings. On Shabbos, a kiddusha rabba was held in honor of the birth of his great-granddaughter.

Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman led tefillos in his beis medrash at Yeshivas Rashbi in Bnei Brak. Large crowds lined up after Maariv to receive a heartfelt “Gut Yom Tov.” During the Chag, he conducted Mi Shebeirachs for many gedolim and roshei yeshiva in need of refuos.

At the home of the mashgiach Rav Dan Segal, a special event was held marking the publication of “Yeshuas Dan,” his sefer on Ketzos HaChoshen. The mashgiach recited Shehecheyanu and shared a l’chaim with talmidim and supporters.

In Ponevezh Yeshiva, Rav Berel Povarsky received the aliyah of shlishi and later recited a special Mi Shebeirach for the thousands of talmidim and supporters of the yeshiva. The yeshiva additionally marked a full year since beginning use of its new sefer Torah dedicated to the memory of Rav Gershon Edelstein.

At Mir Yeshiva, the batei medrash were overflowing with thousands of talmidim, avreichim, and alumni led by the roshei yeshiva and mashgichim. Special preparation shmuessen were delivered before Yom Tov, and emotional singing filled the beis medrash before Shacharis. Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel received the aliyah for Aseres Hadibros while Rav Binyomin Finkel lained with visible emotion and tears. The yeshiva also celebrated the birth of a grandson to the mashgiach during the Chag.

The former Rishon Letzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, davened in his Or Chaviv beis medrash in Sanhedria surrounded by hundreds of talmidim who walked from across Yerushalayim to hear his shiurim on the halachos of Yom Tov.

Rav Chaim Feinstein instructed rabbonim delivering shiurim about korbanos on Shavuos night to avoid any implication encouraging practical korbanos today, amid recent controversies surrounding Har Habayis activism.

An especially unique initiative took place at Yeshivas Nachalas HaTorah in Bnei Brak. Following a pre-Yom Tov address by Rav Naftali Kopschitz, bochurim introduced a new seder they called “the cherry on top.” Rather than collapsing into bed after davening and eating dairy foods, bochurim returned to the beis medrash for an additional intense learning session before finally resting. Participants described those few extra minutes of Torah as the crowning achievement of their entire Shavuos.

At Kisei Rachamim, Rav Tzemach Mazuz led the traditional Tikkun Leil Shavuos. Witnesses described visible emotion on the rosh yeshiva’s face as he exclaimed “Oraisah, Oraisah” during the recitation of the Zohar. Thousands joined him in singing songs of longing and love for Torah.

Meanwhile, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that more than 100,000 people visited the Kosel over Shavuos and Shabbos. The peak came at sunrise davening on Shavuos morning, when over 20,000 people packed the Kosel plaza for vasikin, singing, and the recitation of Akdomus. Tens of thousands of personal kiddush packages were distributed afterward in partnership with Colel Chabad. Thousands also streamed to the nearby kever of Dovid Hamelech throughout the Chag in observance of his yahrtzeit.

{Matzav.com}

A British radio station sparked confusion and panic after mistakenly announcing the death of King Charles III during a live broadcast due to a computer malfunction that accidentally triggered the country’s emergency “monarch death protocol.”

The incident occurred at the well-known British station Radio Caroline, which abruptly interrupted its programming, aired the British national anthem, and then went silent for roughly 15 minutes before returning to regular broadcasts and issuing an apology.

According to a report in The Independent, listeners were stunned by the dramatic announcement, which falsely stated that King Charles had died. In reality, the monarch was alive and well at the time and was visiting Northern Ireland alongside Queen Camilla.

Peter Moore, the station’s manager, later published a public apology on the station’s Facebook page explaining that a technical failure struck the station’s main studio in Maldon, Essex, on Tuesday afternoon.

Moore said the malfunction accidentally activated what is known in Britain as the “monarch death protocol,” an emergency broadcasting system maintained by radio stations across the country in preparation for the death of a reigning monarch.

“Radio Caroline then fell silent, as required under the protocol, which alerted us that we needed to restore normal programming and issue an on-air apology,” Moore wrote. “We apologize to His Majesty the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.”

He added that the station has long taken pride in broadcasting royal celebrations and hopes to continue doing so for many years to come.

Britain’s Press Association reported that recordings of the controversial broadcast between 1:58 p.m. and 5 p.m. were later removed from the station’s website and were no longer available for replay.

The false report quickly ignited strong reactions online, with many listeners initially believing the shocking announcement before realizing it was a mistake.

One listener said he was completely stunned at first, but after speaking with his wife and neighbors, he realized the report was false and eventually began laughing about the incident.

Another listener recalled hearing the announcement while working in his garage. He rushed home in panic and shouted to his wife that King Charles had died. She immediately reminded him that the king had appeared healthy just a day earlier while attending a flower exhibition.

After checking news websites and discovering that the announcement was merely a broadcasting error, the couple joked that perhaps they should stop drinking alcohol for a while.

In reality, King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Belfast on Tuesday for their first visit to Northern Ireland this year, where they even attended a performance by an Irish folk band.

Just one day earlier, the king — who has recently been undergoing treatment for cancer and was hospitalized not long ago — toured the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Radio Caroline, which began operating in 1964, originally gained fame as a so-called “pirate radio” station established to challenge the broadcasting dominance of the BBC. In its early years, the station transmitted from ships anchored off the coast of England.

Although British legislation passed in 1967 forced many pirate radio stations to shut down, Radio Caroline continued operating intermittently for decades. The station permanently ended its offshore broadcasts in 1990 and today operates from land-based studios.

{Matzav.com}

A heavily armed man was shot dead by Secret Service agents this evening after opening fire near the White House in a chaotic scene that left at least one bystander seriously wounded, according to sources familiar with the incident.

Authorities identified the gunman as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who allegedly began shooting near a security checkpoint around 6:10 p.m. after drawing the attention of law enforcement by pacing erratically along 17th Street Northwest.

Sources said Best pulled out a revolver and fired several rounds before Secret Service officers responded with a barrage of gunfire, killing him at the scene before he could advance further.

At least one civilian nearby was struck during the exchange and suffered serious injuries, sources said.

Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack, though sources described Best as a mentally unstable individual who had previous encounters with federal authorities around White House security zones.

According to the sources, Best had repeatedly loitered near restricted areas surrounding the White House and had previously violated a court order barring him from the grounds.

“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.

The sudden eruption of gunfire sent journalists and White House correspondents scrambling for safety as many were conducting live broadcasts and routine reporting outside the building.

“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” said Selina Wang, a senior ABC White House correspondent.

“It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”

Following the shooting, Secret Service personnel immediately locked down the White House complex and instructed reporters gathered on the North Lawn to run into the briefing room for protection. The lockdown remained in effect for roughly 30 minutes before officials declared the area secure.

The incident unfolded less than two hours after President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was in the Oval Office working on negotiations related to a possible peace agreement with Iran.

Records show that Best had multiple prior interactions with police and federal security personnel. On June 26, 2025, he was involuntarily committed after allegedly obstructing traffic near 15th Street and E Street NW.

He was later arrested again on July 10, 2025, on an unlawful entry charge after allegedly bypassing a restricted pedestrian checkpoint near the White House by walking through an exit turnstile lane.

Court documents from that earlier arrest stated that “[Best] claimed he was [Yoshka] and that he wanted to get arrested.”

Officials have not determined whether Saturday’s shooting was politically motivated, but lawmakers from both parties quickly denounced political violence in the aftermath of the attack.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the response of federal agents and expressed concern for the victims.

He offered thanks to the “brave Secret Service agents who took quick, decisive action to protect President Trump, and our prayers are with victims of tonight’s senseless shooting for a speedy recovery.”

Rep. Cory Mills echoed those sentiments, stating that “there is no place in America for political violence, and every leader should be condemning it unequivocally.”

Rep. Betty Column also condemned the violence and urged Americans to “unite behind a common belief that our differences should be resolved at the ballot box.”

Today’s shooting is the latest in a series of violent security incidents tied to national politics in recent years.

The attack came roughly a month after another gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner while Trump was attending the event. It also follows the July 2024 assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally, when a gunman grazed his ear during the shooting.

{Matzav.com}