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In the heart of Jerusalem, two sacred sites offer families, communities, and organizations a unique opportunity to secure a lasting legacy: Har HaZeitim and Har HaMenuchot. Both locations provide an esteemed connection to our heritage, allowing you to acquire a piece of eternity. Sha’ar HaZeitim: The Mountain of Olives Adjacent to the Temple Mount, Har HaZeitim is one of Judaism’s oldest cemeteries, steeped in history and spirituality. Our sages teach that the Moshiach will emerge from this sacred site, signaling the Techias Hameisim (resurrection of the dead) and the final redemption. At Sha’ar HaZeitim, you can choose from a variety of plot options tailored to your family or community’s burial vision. In addition to individual plots, Sha’ar HaZeitim offers the unique opportunity to create private sections for families and communities. This allows your descendants to have a dedicated area for reflection and prayer in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City. Designed with modern accessibility in mind, Sha’ar HaZeitim embodies the dignity and kavod that every burial should represent. Thoroughly compliant with legal and Halachic guidelines, this project has received endorsements from respected Rabbinic figures worldwide, ensuring that your choice aligns with both tradition and contemporary standards. Sha’ar HaMenuchot: A Serene Sanctuary Nestled between Givat Shaul and Har Nof, Sha’ar HaMenuchot is adjacent to the renowned Har HaMenuchot Cemetery, the resting place of many of the Jewish nation’s most esteemed figures. Surrounded by the tranquil Jerusalem Forest, this site offers an atmosphere of serenity and reflection. Sha’ar HaMenuchot features a diverse selection of plot and location options that establish your family’s eternal connection to Jerusalem. Like its counterpart, Sha’ar HaMenuchot also provides private sections for families and communities, ensuring a cherished place for prayer and remembrance in the Holy Land. Recognized by the Jerusalem Municipal Authorities for its architectural excellence and commitment to accessibility, Sha’ar HaMenuchot is a modern embodiment of ancient Jerusalem design. It stands as an exceptional choice for those in the Diaspora seeking to be buried in Jerusalem with the utmost dignity and respect. With Sha’ar you get a plan – not just a plot. When the time comes, place one phone call. We handle 100% of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most: your heart and healing. Inquire Today To explore these unique opportunities for your community, family, or organization, please call us at 1-877-MY-SHAAR (1-877-697-4227), email at Sales@shaar.com or visit Shaar.com. Introductory pre-sale pricing through June 30, 2025 Secure your place in the heart of Jerusalem today, and acquire a piece of eternity.

A memorable encounter took place yesterday in Yerushalayim as the rosh yeshiva of Satmar, Rav Chaim Tzvi Meisels, paid a visit to the new residence of the senior Breslover mashpiah, Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter, in honor of the Yom Tov of Pesach.

Rav Schechter recently inaugurated his new home in Yerushalayim.

The two discussed themes of geulah and emunah, interweaving deep Torah insights with powerful stories of tzaddikim from generations past.

During the course of their conversation, Rav Meisels posed a pointed and thought-provoking question: “Why do we say L’shanah haba’ah b’Yerushalayim—next year in Yerushalayim—instead of saying this year in Yerushalayim?”

He then offered an explanation of his own: “Perhaps it refers to those Jews for whom every minute feels like a full year—maybe that’s who the phrase is really speaking about…”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed Tuesday the elimination of Yahya Fathi Abd al-Qader Abu Shaar, the head of Hamas’s smuggling network, in a targeted airstrike in southern Gaza. Abu Shaar, who had been a key figure in the terror group’s logistics and weapons procurement efforts, was responsible for funneling arms and military equipment into Gaza over the last several years — including the stockpiles used in Hamas’s brutal October 7 massacre. Israeli officials say Abu Shaar’s role was central to sustaining Hamas’s war machine, helping the organization circumvent international restrictions and continue its terror operations against Israeli civilians. The IDF released aerial footage of the airstrike, showing the precise moment the vehicle carrying Abu Shaar was struck in Khan Younis. Surveillance and intelligence gathered over time led to the operation, which Israel says was carried out with “surgical accuracy.” “Abu Shaar’s elimination is a significant operational achievement,” a senior IDF official said. “He was not only a smuggler — he was the artery through which deadly weapons flowed into Gaza and into the hands of terrorists.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A deeply disturbing incident has shaken the Jewish community of Stamford Hill, London, this Pesach. A secular Jewish resident of the neighborhood has reportedly been intentionally placing chametz outside the homes of frum Jews in what community members tell Matzav.com is a deliberate act meant to offend the Jewish community.

The actions, which began shortly after the onset of the Yom Tov, appear to be driven by malice and a desire to provoke. According to multiple witnesses, the instigator has been targeting visibly Jewish households, placing bread and other chametzdike items on their doorsteps.

“This is not an accident. He is doing it lehachis, to enrage and to hurt,” one local resident said. “He is well known in the neighborhood as someone who mocks everything we hold sacred. It’s not only this—there is strong evidence that he is the one who cuts the wires of the mehadrin eiruv almost every week. The eiruv is painstakingly maintained by dedicated volunteers, and he goes out of his way to ruin it.”

Photos obtained by Matzav.com show pieces of bread placed outside several homes.

While representatives of the Jewish community met earlier Wednesday with local council members to demand action, the police have yet to issue an official response.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump slammed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday, reiterating his frustration that the Fed has not aggressively cut interest rates and saying that the central bank leader’s “termination cannot come fast enough.” Trump hinted at moving to fire Powell, whose term does not expire until next year. The Republican president’s broadside comes a day after Powell signaled that the Fed will keep its key interest rate unchanged while it seeks “greater clarity” on the impact of policy changes in areas such as immigration, taxation, regulation and tariffs. Powell’s comments contributed to a drop in stock prices Wednesday. “Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS,” Trump said in a social media post. Referring to the European Central Bank, he added that Powell “should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now. Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” The European Central Bank on Thursday lowered its key interest rate from 2.5% to 2.25%. Powell was initially nominated by Trump in 2017, and he was appointed to another four-year term by President Joe Biden in 2022. At a November news conference, Powell indicated he would not step down if Trump asked him to resign. He has also said that the removal or demotion of top Fed officials was “not permitted under the law.” Trump’s comments come with the backdrop of a legal case headed to the Supreme Court that could determine whether presidents can fire the heads of independent agencies such as the Fed. Powell said Wednesday he was watching the case. “A sudden crystallization of the threat to Fed independence would … intensify market stress,” Krishna Guha, an analyst at investment bank Evercore ISI, wrote on Thursday. “If you liked the tariff debacle in markets, you’d love the loss-of-Fed-independence trade.” Powell started Trump’s second term in a relatively secure spot with a low unemployment rate and inflation progressing closer to the Fed’s 2% target, conditions that could have spared the U.S. central banker from the president’s vitriol. But Trump’s aggressive and haphazard tariffs have increased the threat of a recession with both higher inflationary pressures and slower growth, a tough spot for Powell, whose mandate is to stabilize prices and maximize employment. With the economy weakening because of Trump’s choices, the president appears to be looking to pin the blame on Powell. Powell, in his remarks at the Economic Club of Chicago on Wednesday, said the Fed will base its decisions solely on what is best for all Americans. “That’s the only thing we’re ever going to do,” Powell said. “We’re never going to be influenced by any political pressure. People can say whatever they want. That’s fine, that’s not a problem. But we will do what we do strictly without consideration of political or any other extraneous factors.” “Our independence is a matter of law,” Powell continued. “We’re not removable except for cause. We serve very long terms, seemingly endless terms. So we’re protected into law. Congress could change that law, but I don’t think there’s any danger of that. Fed independence has pretty broad support across both political parties and in both sides of the Hill.” Trump has unleashed a rash of tariffs that have put the U.S. economy […]

Hamas is reportedly facing a severe financial shortfall that has hindered its ability to pay members in Gaza, including its top commanders, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The report, which cites officials from Arab countries, Israel, and the West, points to Israel’s efforts to stop humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza. Some of that aid, officials say, was intercepted and resold by Hamas to fund its operations. Arab intelligence sources add that Israel’s renewed military campaign has eliminated key Hamas figures responsible for distributing cash payments, while others have gone into hiding to avoid being targeted.

These intelligence sources also note that civil servants working under the Hamas-controlled government in Gaza have not received salaries, and that high-ranking officials were only paid half their wages during Ramadan. Regular Hamas fighters, meanwhile, are reportedly receiving just $200 to $300 each month.

Even before the January ceasefire and hostage release agreement, Israeli and Western officials say the group was experiencing financial strain. That deal briefly opened the door for Hamas to bring in revenue by imposing taxes on merchants, charging fees at checkpoints, and confiscating merchandise to resell. Hamas is also said to be converting funds held abroad into hard currency by purchasing humanitarian aid and then selling it within Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, whose release from Hamas captivity was facilitated, according to Putin, through Russia’s relationship with the terror group. Sasha Troufanov, along with his mother Elena and partner Sapir Cohen—who were all taken hostage during the brutal October 7th attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz—were received at the Kremlin this week. The attack killed Sasha’s father, Vitaly Hy”d. In a televised segment aired on Russian state media, Putin openly acknowledged Russia’s longstanding ties with Hamas. “The fact that you managed to go free is the result of the fact that Russia has stable, long-term relations with the Palestinian people, with its representatives, and with a wide variety of organizations,” he said, referring to Hamas not with condemnation but with respect. Even more jarring to many was his expression of “gratitude to the leadership of the political wing of Hamas” for what he called a “humanitarian act.” The meeting—which included Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and Federation of Jewish Communities President Alexander Boroda—was broadcast with Kremlin footage and official commentary. Troufanov emotionally recounted his ordeal, describing 498 days of captivity in Gaza. Putin reportedly sighed heavily at the number. Troufanov, an Israeli-Russian dual citizen, was freed in February—his release occurring soon after senior Russian diplomats met with Hamas representatives in Moscow and pressed for the release of Troufanov and fellow hostage Maxim Herkin. Troufanov’s mother and grandmother had been released months earlier during a short-lived ceasefire. His partner, Sapir Cohen, was reportedly freed with him. The meeting was presented as a gesture of Russia’s humanitarian role—but the subtext is deeply concerning. While most Western countries cut off all ties with Hamas—designated by both the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization—Russia has chosen a different path, preserving diplomatic access that it now touts as leverage in sensitive hostage negotiations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

New York State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein has introduced a bill aimed at correcting what he describes as an unfair regulation imposed by the New York City Department of Sanitation, one that has particularly burdened members of the frum community.

In 2023, the Department of Sanitation implemented a rule requiring city residents to place their garbage at the curb after 8:00 PM in an effort to reduce the growing rat population. While intended to help the city, the policy creates a major conflict for frum Jews, who are not permitted to handle trash on Shabbos. As a result, numerous individuals have received fines ranging from $50 to $300 simply for practicing their religion.

“This policy is unacceptable and must come to end,” declared Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. “New Yorkers should not have to choose between their religious beliefs and avoiding a ticket.”

Eichenstein’s proposed bill would shield residents from fines issued by sanitation enforcement officers from 3:00 PM on Fridays until 6:00 PM on Shabbosos. The bill is designed to respect Shabbos observance while also helping any New Yorker who travels for the weekend and cannot adhere to the current rule.

“My legislation would put an end to this injustice by preventing the New York City Department of Sanitation from issuing fines after 3 PM on Fridays,” said Assemblyman Eichenstein. “This proposed law isn’t just for the Orthodox Jewish community — it’s for all New Yorkers. It affects anyone who wishes to leave town for the weekend and doesn’t want to return home to an unfair ticket.”

He emphasized that the goal is straightforward: “Nobody should be punished for taking out their trash at a reasonable time. This common-sense solution will prevent countless residents from being unfairly targeted. I am hopeful we can chapter this legislation into law and no longer inconvenience hard-working New Yorkers.”

Backing the measure is Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, who is co-sponsoring the bill. “This common-sense legislation will fix a problem that New York City has refused to address. It is impossible for Shabbos-observant New Yorkers to comply with the Department of Sanitation’s new trash setout times. In 2023, the Sanitation Department personally promised me that Shabbos-observant New Yorkers need not worry about being issued summonses on Shabbos. Unfortunately, that promise has not been kept. Assemblyman Eichenstein and I are stepping in with this common-sense bill that should not be necessary, but unfortunately is. I’m grateful for his leadership on this, and I look forward to moving this bill through the legislature.”

{Matzav.com}

The joy of Chol Hamoed nearly turned to tragedy this week, when an unauthorized horse-and-buggy operation—run without municipal oversight, veterinary clearance, or any legal permit—was making rounds through Bnei Brak’s crowded streets, and wound up hurting a baby. According to police, a toddler sustained moderate injuries when one of these unlicensed horse-drawn carriages struck him as it moved through a public area. Emergency services responded swiftly, preventing what could have been a far more tragic outcome. In response, Bnei Brak’s municipal police units, in coordination with the regional veterinary authority and the Agriculture Ministry’s enforcement division, launched an aggressive crackdown on the rogue operator. Authorities report that the individual committed, under threat of legal and administrative action, not to continue operating the carriage without obtaining prior approval. Failure to comply may result in both criminal prosecution and fines from tax enforcement agencies. Remember: Chol hamoed entertainment should never come at the expense of sakanas nefashos or disregard for communal safety. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rep. Elise Stefanik, a member of House Republican leadership and onetime nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is considering a run for New York governor, according to a person close to her. The person was granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The state’s current governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul, was elected in 2022 and is running for reelection next year. Stefanik, a close ally and fierce defender of President Donald Trump, had been nominated to represent the U.S. at the United Nations. But her nomination was pulled last month amid concerns about leaving a Republican House seat vacant when the party has such a narrow majority in the chamber. Trump, in a Wednesday morning post on his social media platform Truth Social, wrote, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!” In recent days, Stefanik has been encouraged to run by major New York donors, state Republican officials and White House officials, according to the person close to her. She considered running for governor in 2022 and will make a decision on a candidacy this time around in the coming months. Stefanik, who represents a sprawling congressional district in northern New York, released a statement Wednesday afternoon that didn’t address a potential run for governor but lambasted Hochul as the “Worst Governor in America” and said “we must FIRE Kathy Hochul in 2026 to SAVE NEW YORK.” If Stefanik does enter the race, she might face off in a Republican primary against Rep. Mike Lawler, who has been teasing a run for several months. But Stefanik allies believe her strong name ID in the state, ability to raise cash and ties to the Trump White House would clear the GOP field. The last Republican governor in New York was former Gov. George Pataki, who served three terms and left office almost two decades ago. Lee Zeldin, current head of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and former congressman from Long Island, mounted a serious challenge to Hochul in the governor’s race in 2022, nearly landing what would have been a major upset in the heavily Democratic state. Asked by reporters about a possible Stefanik candidacy, Hochul said, “No matter the GOP nominee next year that I’ll be running against, it’s going to be an extreme MAGA Republican, and I look forward to that fight.” Hochul herself is expected to face a contested primary. Her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, earlier this year announced he would not run for reelection alongside the governor next year, hinting instead at his own gubernatorial candidacy. Rep. Ritchie Torres is also rumored to be considering a run and has emerged as one of the governor’s most pronounced Democratic critics. (AP)

Yaakov Kirschen, beloved creator of the legendary Dry Bones cartoon and a cherished voice in Jewish satire, passed away at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba at the age of 87 following a prolonged illness.

Born in Brooklyn, Kirschen studied art at Queens College before making aliyah to Israel in 1971. Just two years after his arrival, he launched the daily comic strip that would become one of Israel’s most recognizable and enduring reflections on current events and political life.

At the heart of Dry Bones is the character Mr. Shuldig—his name a play on the Yiddish word for “guilt” or “blame”—representing the uniquely Jewish flavor of humor and introspection that defined Kirschen’s work.

The title Dry Bones comes from the prophetic vision in Sefer Yechezkel, where dry bones are brought back to life—a hopeful symbol of national and spiritual rebirth with the arrival of Moshiach.

Kirschen’s body of work earned him widespread recognition, including the 2014 Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize, honoring his impact on Israeli culture. He also received the Golden Pencil Award from the Israeli Museum of Caricature and Comics and was an active member of both the US National Cartoonists Society and the Israeli Cartoonists Society.

In 2009, he joined Yale University as a visiting fellow at its Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism and Racism. The following year, Yale published his research paper titled “Memetics and the Viral Spread of Antisemitism through Coded Images in Political Cartoons.”

For 50 years, Dry Bones appeared in The Jerusalem Post, earning an international readership. In more recent years, the strip was published through the Jewish News Syndicate. Kirschen is survived by his wife, Sali Ariel.

{Matzav.com}

 

The IRS is reportedly weighing the possibility of stripping Harvard University of its tax-exempt status, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of discussions inside the agency, CNN reported.

The unprecedented step, which sources say is being examined in coordination with the Trump administration, would mark a significant escalation in the administration’s conflict with the university.

Officials familiar with the situation said a final decision from the IRS could be imminent. The move follows rising tensions after Harvard refused to comply with federal demands regarding changes to its hiring practices and administrative oversight.

This development comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s decision to halt more than $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard, citing the university’s failure to adequately respond to antisemitic incidents on campus. In response, Harvard has asserted that it is protected by constitutional rights afforded to private academic institutions.

President Donald Trump has openly condemned Harvard’s actions, accusing the school of pushing a political agenda and failing to uphold standards of public accountability. “Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’ Remember, Tax Exempt Status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

During an appearance on CNN with anchor Kasie Hunt, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that while she could not confirm what action the IRS would take, the matter deserved scrutiny. “We’ll see what IRS comes back with relative to Harvard,” she said. “I certainly think, you know, in elitist schools, especially that have these incredibly large endowments, you know, we should probably have a look into that.”

She added that other colleges might also be subject to similar reviews: “It is my guess that the IRS is looking at tax-exempt statuses of other universities as well.”

The Trump administration has recently taken a harder stance against Harvard, issuing a clear ultimatum requiring the university to overhaul its internal policies in order to continue receiving nearly $9 billion in federal contracts and grants.

The university has faced mounting criticism following an increase in anti-Israel sentiment on campus after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack against Israel and the military conflict in Gaza that followed. Harvard has come under fire for its handling of antisemitism during this period.

Controversy intensified when, just 48 hours after the Hamas massacre, 34 Harvard student groups released a joint statement blaming Israel for the attack.

Tensions further escalated when Harvard’s then-president, Claudine Gay, appeared before Congress alongside the presidents of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania—Sally Kornbluth and Liz Magill, respectively—at a hearing on antisemitism in higher education.

During the hearing, all three university leaders offered similarly vague responses to questions from Rep. Elise Stefanik, declining to explicitly denounce antisemitic rhetoric or genocidal calls against Jews. Claudine Gay eventually stepped down from her position as Harvard’s president.

{Matzav.com}

Five years after COVID-19 triggered national lockdowns, economic uncertainty and killed millions, the World Health Organization’s member countries agreed on a draft “pandemic treaty” that sets guidelines for how the international community might confront the next global health crisis. After the world’s largely disastrous response to the coronavirus, countries tasked the WHO with overseeing a pandemic treaty in 2021. Negotiations concluded early Wednesday on an agreement expected to be adopted next month at the U.N. health agency’s annual meeting in Geneva. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus heralded it as a historic moment, saying countries have proven that “in our divided world, nations can still work together to find common ground and a shared response.” Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the country from the WHO in January, American officials were barred from participating in the talks by the Trump administration and are not expected to sign the treaty. During COVID-19, it was largely American research and development that produced the most effective vaccines and medicines. Weeks after Trump’s decision, Argentina’s President Javier Milei also exited the WHO, citing “profound differences” with the U.N. agency. Rachael Crockett, of the advocacy group Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, described the draft pandemic treaty as “a product of compromise.” She said it contained strong provisions, but only if countries chose to implement them: “This could change what we saw in COVID, when some populations didn’t get access to what they needed.” The draft treaty notably includes a provision to guarantee that countries that share critical virus samples receive any resulting tests, medicines and vaccines, with the WHO to hold up to 20% of such products to ensure poorer countries get supplies. Negotiations on this provision are expected to continue after the treaty is likely accepted by member countries in May. Crockett acknowledged that, as is often the case with international law, there are few consequences for countries that don’t comply: “There’s not much that can be done if countries choose not to ratify or abide by it.” Yuanqiong Hu, of aid organization Doctors Without Borders, said that if disputes arise between countries, the treaty includes a mechanism for them to use diplomatic channels, followed by arbitration. Countries are already legally bound by the International Health Regulations to do things like quickly report dangerous new outbreaks. But those have been flouted repeatedly, including by African countries during Ebola and other outbreaks, China in the early stages of COVID-19 and arguably the U.S. amid its ongoing bird flu epidemic. (AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed a group of Hamas-held hostages, including Sasha Troufanov—freed as part of the latest agreement—at the Kremlin on Wednesday, marking the first time such a meeting took place there.

Joining him at the event were Troufanov’s mother, Yelena, and his partner, Sapir Cohen. Both women had been released earlier as part of a prior arrangement.

At the gathering, Putin expressed his appreciation to the political division of Hamas for their part in enabling Troufanov’s release, stating, “We must thank the political wing of Hamas for their cooperation with us in carrying out this humanitarian act.”

He then turned to Troufanov with words of encouragement: “I want to wish you well,” adding, “Russia will do everything to ensure the release of all the people who were in the conditions you endured for so long.”

The meeting was also attended by Rabbi Berel Lazar, the Chief Rabbi of Russia.

Moscow has been actively working over the past year to secure Troufanov’s freedom, largely because of his Russian nationality. Putin’s diplomatic leverage in these efforts has been strengthened by his close partnerships with nations such as Iran, with whom he also maintains military cooperation.

{Matzav.com}

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson lashed out at President Trump on Tuesday, accusing him of racism and refusing to engage in discussions over his administration’s immigration stance. Johnson, speaking at a press conference, went so far as to liken the president’s deportation policies to terrorism.

“Trying to force your will to break the spirit of working people in order to have a conversation, that’s terrorism. We’re not going to negotiate with terrorists,” Johnson said, as quoted by the Chicago Tribune. He accused Trump of deliberately targeting regular Americans and using fear as a tactic.

The Trump administration has cautioned cities led by Democrats—including Chicago—that continued obstruction of federal immigration enforcement could result in the withdrawal of federal financial support. That warning places at risk billions in federal aid, including $1.5 billion directed to Chicago’s already struggling public school system.

Attempting to temper his incendiary remarks, Johnson later sought to clarify his comparison of Trump to a terrorist. “What I’m saying is trying to hold people hostage and manipulating them to succumb to his will and then hold up our tax dollars, that is how terrorists behave. These aren’t threats anymore, right? These are real, adversarial attacks against working people,” Johnson said.

Johnson also connected Trump’s policies to broader racial tensions, suggesting that they disproportionately harm African Americans. “There’s a long history of Black political leaders talking to people who may not see us as first class,” he said, insisting he would not “kiss the ring.”

Chicago, meanwhile, is facing serious financial trouble. Even with federal assistance, the city is anticipating a deficit of $1.2 billion, and losing any portion of its aid could make the crisis worse.

Johnson’s administration is also under a cloud due to a recent controversy over undisclosed gifts. Reports revealed that the mayor had hidden hundreds of expensive presents in a locked room within city hall. He initially blocked access to that storage area, even barring the city’s inspector general from entering. Under public and political pressure, Johnson eventually revealed the inventory and allowed investigators in to examine the items.

Public opinion appears to reflect growing dissatisfaction with Johnson’s leadership. One poll conducted in February showed only 14 percent of residents supported the mayor. A separate survey from the same month painted an even bleaker picture, putting his approval rating at just 6.6 percent.

{Matzav.com}

New York Attorney General Letitia James listed a residence in Virginia—roughly 300 miles from her office in Manhattan—as her main home in official paperwork, The NY Post reports. However, locals said Wednesday that they’ve never seen her around the neighborhood.

The modest single-family house, which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, is currently occupied by a woman and her daughter who, according to neighbors, moved in only a few months ago.

A longtime resident who’s lived nearby for nearly two decades said the house had previously been inhabited by a married couple for around four years before the current occupants arrived.

“I’ve only met [the new resident] like maybe two or three times. She seemed really nice,” the neighbor said of the current resident. “The last time I saw her was, like, maybe a week or so ago and she was just outside smoking a cigarette and we were talking about her grandkids,” she added.

“She probably moved in a little over three months ago,” the neighbor continued. “It’s definitely not a year.”

This 1,450-square-foot home is now at the center of a federal criminal complaint, which accuses James of submitting false information in order to get a more favorable mortgage when she and her niece bought the property in 2023.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte laid out these allegations in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, citing possible manipulation of residency declarations to secure loan benefits.

The referral also accuses James of misrepresenting the size of a Brooklyn property she owns. While she claimed it had four units—which could qualify her for better loan terms—records from the NYC Department of Buildings show five.

“Ms. James was the sitting Attorney General of New York and is required by law to have her primary residence in the state of New York — even though her mortgage applications list her intent to have the Norfolk, VA, property as her primary home,” the letter stated.

“It appears Ms. James’ property and mortgage-related misrepresentations may have continued to her recent 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase in order to secure a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms,” Pulte wrote.

Pulte outlined several potential criminal charges that could arise from the matter, including bank fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and making false statements to a lender.

James’ office responded on Wednesday by clarifying that she co-purchased the Virginia home with her niece. “Her niece lives in the home as a primary residence and the AG has been clear that she is not using the Virginia home as her primary residence, because she lives in New York,” the statement said.

The response also accused the Trump administration of politicizing the issue. “Donald Trump’s weaponization of the federal government continues to careen out of control – and now they are using cherry-picked information to attack the Attorney General. We will have more to share on these political attacks, but the AG and our office remain focused on protecting New Yorkers every single day.”

James declined to speak with reporters outside her home in Brooklyn on Wednesday morning.

When asked about the referral on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” Bondi confirmed her office had just received it. “We haven’t looked at it, of course we’ll be reviewing it. You just told me more than I’ve heard about it so far,” she told host Bill Hemmer.

Near the Norfolk property, one neighbor said his grandmother had lived in the neighborhood his entire life and that he had never once seen James.

Back in 2019, James famously declared that “no one is above the law” while accusing President Trump of artificially inflating his asset values for financial advantage. Now, she finds herself facing scrutiny over her own dealings in both Brooklyn and Virginia.

According to legal records, James granted power of attorney to Shamice Thompson-Hairston to authorize the August 17, 2023, purchase of the Norfolk home. The pair secured a $219,780 mortgage for the transaction.

The document was signed in the presence of First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy and a New York state secretary and was officially notarized.

Pulte’s referral also casts doubt on whether James was truthful about the size of her Brooklyn brownstone.

The Department of Buildings certificate of occupancy lists five separate units in the structure, but James claimed on her deed and mortgage that it only had four.

This distinction is important because properties with five or more units are typically ineligible for residential loans under federal guidelines—meaning she may have received better financing by claiming only four.

Responding to those claims, James’ office stated, “The Attorney General has been clear in her financial filings that this is a 4 unit, owner-occupied building. The previous Certificate of Occupancy from January 2001 that lists it as a 5 unit building was filed by the previous owner before the Attorney General owned the home.”

During an interview on MSNBC’s “José Díaz-Balart Reports” Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “It’s up to the investigative bodies to do an unbiased investigation,” calling James “a longtime friend” and extending his well-wishes.

Pressed on whether politics could be driving the investigation, Adams said James would need to speak to that herself, though he added that both Trump and Biden had acknowledged politicization in the Justice Department.

“It’s imperative that our criminal justice agencies do what’s right,” he said.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is also a Democratic mayoral contender, had sharper words regarding the referral’s motive.

“Letitia James has spent her career standing up to powerful interests and fighting for everyday New Yorkers. Now she’s being targeted by a president who abuses the power of the federal government to go after his enemies,” she told The Post.

Republican critics, meanwhile, relished the development, pointing out the irony given James’ past rhetoric.

Michael Henry, who ran against James in 2022 as the GOP nominee for attorney general, issued a statement turning her own words back on her.

“No one is above the law. James has not denied the legitimacy of the documents. It should be investigated to the fullest extent of the law,” said Henry, who previously worked in the mortgage field before becoming a lawyer.

“There are clearly some issues here.”

Henry added that, at the very least, “there was something miscommunicated on her behalf numerous times,” and emphasized that as a lawyer—let alone the state’s top legal officer—James should have reviewed the property paperwork carefully, even if someone else signed on her behalf.

He called the situation “certainly ironic” in light of James’ high-profile legal battle with Trump over his business dealings.

As Donald Trump’s legal team waits for a verdict in his appeal of a $480 million fraud judgment, the drawn-out process has sparked accusations that Governor Kathy Hochul is leveraging her authority over the judiciary to intimidate the president, the NY Post reports. Sources from the White House allege that Hochul told Trump, “I control the judges” during a February policy discussion in the Oval Office that included topics like the controversial Manhattan congestion pricing plan.

Hochul strongly refutes ever making such a remark.

Despite her denial, insiders say Trump interpreted her words as a veiled message connected to his ongoing appeal of a civil fraud judgment handed down in February 2024 by Judge Arthur Engoron, who ordered him to pay $364 million, accusing him of exaggerating his assets to gain more favorable loan terms.

According to a legal insider familiar with what transpired in the Oval Office, Hochul pushed Trump to support her agenda — including withdrawing opposition to the $9 congestion fee, shelving plans for a gas pipeline, and approving federal money for green energy efforts and Penn Station improvements.

“She’s making all these demands while the case hangs over his head,” the source claimed. “It feels like extortion and blackmail.”

Responding to the controversy, Hochul spokesman Avi Small dismissed the allegations, suggesting there may be a misunderstanding or deliberate distortion of the conversation.

“Governor Hochul has never said this, or anything similar, to President Trump or anyone,” Small insisted. “The Governor respects the independence of the judiciary, has never attempted to interfere in ongoing cases, and does not have any role to play in the judicial process — nor did she ever say that she did.

“Someone must have completely misheard the governor during this conversation, or they’re purposefully lying to advance a political agenda.”

A senior member of the Trump administration responded, “Of course she would deny attempting to extort the president of the United States. Just like she denied overseeing the weaponization of justice in her own state.”

A member of the administration, who was not at the meeting, said Hochul later tried to win favor with Trump by suggesting a tribute — renaming Moynihan Train Hall after him.

When asked about that, Small responded that the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was viewed by the governor as a “mentor” and that “under no circumstances would she ever propose changing the name of Moynihan Train Hall.”

Still, he admitted, “The governor did make a lighthearted joke about how to get President Trump interested in contributing federal funds to renovate Penn Station.”

Legal observers have noted that the delay in resolving Trump’s appeal — now over a year — far exceeds the average turnaround time for the First Department of the Appellate Division.

“In the ordinary course, an appeal in the First Department is decided about five to six months from the date an appellant files an opening brief and record,” said Bill White, senior appellate counsel at Counsel Press LLC.

Trump’s team submitted their appeal on February 26, 2024, and the court heard oral arguments that September.

“It is obvious that they are dragging their heels,” said Joe Tacopina, a veteran trial attorney who has represented Trump in other legal matters.

Tacopina labeled the year-plus delay “insane and obviously another ‘special treatment’ for Trump.”

He added, “After oral argument or submission, the court usually issues a decision within a couple of months, though it can sometimes take longer depending on the complexity of the case or the court’s docket.”

A spokesperson for the Clerk’s Office of the Appellate Division declined to comment, saying, “We don’t discuss pending matters before the court.”

As New York’s governor since 2021, Hochul holds significant sway over judicial appointments, thanks to a system that doesn’t require Senate confirmation for Appellate Division judges — a level of control uncommon among other governors.

Although none of the five justices handling Trump’s appeal — Dianne Renwick, David Friedman, Peter Moulton, John Higgitt, and Llinét Rosado — were appointed by Hochul, she did promote Renwick to presiding justice last year. The other judges also rely on her for reappointment every five years.

Letitia James, the state attorney general who brought the case against Trump and his family business, has taunted him online about the daily interest piling onto his judgment — now over $480 million, with $112,000 accruing each day.

Trump’s attorneys were initially encouraged following the September 26, 2024 hearing, where judges expressed doubts about the attorney general’s legal arguments.

During the hearing, Judge Friedman asked if the AG had ever used this law before “to upset a private business transaction,” emphasizing that Trump’s dealings were with “some of the most sophisticated actors in business,” like Deutsche Bank.

He also observed that there were no financial losses involved: nobody “lost any money.”

Judge Moulton added that “the immense penalty in this case is troubling” and observed “the parties left these transactions happy.”

He also criticized the potential overreach of the AG’s approach, questioning whether the law had undergone “mission creep,” becoming something it was never intended to be.

Judge Higgitt suggested that the attorney general may be “going into an area where she doesn’t have jurisdiction.”

Despite those comments, the court has remained silent since, with no ruling issued seven months later.

Even if Trump prevails, he won’t recover the hefty expense of securing a bond for the appeal. Initially set at $464 million, it was reduced in March to $175 million, but his legal team estimates the cost to be in the millions — recoverable only by suing the state.

Trump’s lawyers say the case is politically motivated, arguing that James has turned the state’s legal system into a tool for targeting a political rival, and that Judge Engoron was blatantly biased throughout the proceedings.

James, who ran for office in 2018 on a platform that included opposing Trump, referred to him as an “illegitimate president” and “embarrassment” during her campaign.

Trump, in turn, has labeled her a “racist prosecutor” conducting a “witch hunt” against him.

Shortly after Trump took office, he revoked James’s security clearance, preventing her from entering federal buildings such as courthouses, FBI offices, or U.S. attorney facilities.

In a twist of fate, James was referred this week to the Department of Justice by the Federal Housing Finance Agency for possible criminal prosecution over allegations she falsified mortgage documents to get better loan terms on properties in Virginia and New York.

{Matzav.com}

What was nearly a tragedy turned into a powerful reminder of the Hashgacha Pratis that accompanies each Yid, wherever they may be—even in a Florida resort, on a sunny Chol Hamoed afternoon. Just 24 hours after pulling their unconscious two-year-old daughter from the water, the Cohen family of Baltimore gathered friends, family, and first responders for an emotional and deeply moving Seudas Hodaah. Their little girl, Aliza Rivka bas Chana, had been miraculously revived after a harrowing near-drowning accident—thanks to the quick actions of bystanders and the heroic intervention of Hatzalah of South Florida. The father, Levi Cohen, stood before the crowd, his voice thick with emotion. “You read about these kinds of stories on Yeshiva World News,” he said. “But not on your own WhatsApp chat. There are people in this room who literally saved a life 24 hours ago.” The story began with a moment every parent dreads. “Everything happened so quickly,” Reb Levi recalled. “In a split second, she was in the water. By the time I pulled her out, she wasn’t breathing.” Running into the house in a panic, he cried out for someone to call Hatzalah. But help had already begun to arrive in a most unexpected way. “A man driving by on a golf cart saw what was happening and jumped off. Like Eliyahu Hanavi, he started CPR right there on the lawn.” Within 90 seconds, the stranger had revived Aliza Rivka, and moments later, members of Hatzalah and Osceola County EMS were on the scene, taking over with their expertise and speed. The young child began breathing on her own. She was stabilized, airlifted by medevac to a nearby hospital—and, remarkably, was discharged the very next day. Aliza Rivka’s mother spoke as well, her voice steady but emotional. She described her terror as the helicopter lifted off, with her precious daughter unconscious in the back. She wasn’t even allowed to sit beside her child. “I didn’t know what was happening behind me… but I had one Hatzalah member sitting next to me in the front. He said, ‘If you need anything at all, we’re here.’” That Hatzalah member had already reached out to a colleague near the hospital to ensure someone would be waiting to assist. “They came like angels,” she said. “Not just to save my daughter’s life, but to carry us through the nightmare.” Despite the happy conclusion to this harrowing story, Hatzalah stresses that this incident cannot simply be brushed aside as “another close call.” “This must be a wake-up call,” Hatzalah of South Florida told YWN. “Drowning is among the most terrifying emergencies we respond to. Seconds matter. Supervision is not optional—it’s life and death.” As Yidden continue to travel during Pesach and in the coming summer months, Hatzalah of South Florida is urging the community to take pool safety seriously. Pools may offer hours of entertainment, but they are also among the most dangerous places for young children. Key reminders include: Never, ever leave a child unattended near a pool. Even for a second. Private pools lack the oversight of lifeguards. The responsibility is solely on the adults present. Know your address and resort name. Post it prominently in your rental unit, and program local emergency numbers into your phone. Pool gates and alarms must never be disabled […]