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In a strongly worded response to what they see as an alarming trend, the roshei yeshiva of Ponevezh have launched a campaign against the increasingly lengthy “final meeting” between chassanim and kallos during the engagement period. The yeshiva leadership made their position clear at an urgent gathering with members of Vaad Beis (advanced bochurim in shidduchim), firmly drawing red lines regarding conduct between the engagement and the wedding.

In recent years, extended outings and prolonged private interactions between engaged couples have become more common, a shift that deeply disturbs the leadership of the yeshiva. This is especially true regarding the so-called “final meeting,” which, according to reports, has ballooned into hours-long encounters.

In a meeting held at the home of Rav Dovid Miller, one of the roshei yeshiva, both he and Rav Chaim Peretz Berman delivered impassioned remarks to the bochurim, aiming to reestablish traditional boundaries and halachic norms.

Rav Miller opened by reminding the young men that the entire process of shidduchim must be approached with kedusha, and not as a matter for public discussion among peers. “These are not conversations to be passed around among friends,” he said. “Such decisions must be guided by a bar samcha, a person with authority.”

Addressing the issue of extended pre-wedding meetings, Rav Miller stated unequivocally: “There is no heter to casually gaze at a woman. There is no heter for frivolity. The only heter that exists is for what is necessary. Beyond that, there is no permission—none at all.”

He emphasized that clear guidelines exist for how an engaged couple may interact and that these were determined by the mashgichim and are available from them. “Every bochur should request the minimal set of rules from the mashgichim—those rules are designed to be universally applicable.”

Rav Miller issued a stark protest against the notion of a long, final meeting before the wedding. “I want to register a macha’ah. I see no heter in the world for this so-called last date. This indulgence in hours of interaction and mind-sharing is beyond comprehension. I don’t know who came up with this, but in my opinion, it is deeply inappropriate. I am concerned it could lead to actual issurim, and we may be dealing here with a safek d’Oraisa. How is this fitting for a ben Torah?”

Following him, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman expressed shock at how far the practice has gone. “A year and a half ago, someone told me about a meeting lasting more than two hours. Today I hear twelve hours? I said, ‘They’re lying.’ I didn’t believe it. It never occurred to me that such a thing could exist. It’s insane. What is this?”

He repeated with astonishment, “What is this thing?” emphasizing that such behavior is entirely foreign to a Torah lifestyle. “With this kind of conduct, how can one be mekadesh es amo Yisroel al yedei chuppah v’kiddushin?”

Rav Berman also decried the practice of constant gift-giving during the short period between engagement and marriage. “Why squeeze silliness and nonsense into such a short time? Another gift and another gift from the chassan to the kallah—in our day, such gifts were forbidden! Only the parents could give gifts. It was outright assur.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

For the first time since the devastating tragedy that struck the Karlin-Stolin community on Erev Shavuos four years ago, the chassidus is preparing to return to its grand beis medrash in Givat Ze’ev.

Massive renovation and safety efforts are currently underway to enable the building’s rededication in time for the upcoming Yom Tov of Shavuos.

The incident, one of the most harrowing in recent memory, occurred in 5781 during an inaugural celebration at the nearly completed building on Rechov HaEsrog. In the middle of the festivities, eight of the sixteen rows of bleachers collapsed inside the new heichal. The structure, designed to serve as the central location for the Karlin-Stolin tishen, instantly turned into a disaster scene.

Emergency response teams, including helicopters and large contingents from Magen David Adom and other rescue units, worked for hours to evacuate the injured. Tragically, two members of the chassidus were pronounced dead, and 184 others were hospitalized, some in critical condition.

Since the collapse, the building has remained unused while the community mourned, investigated, and worked to meet all necessary safety standards. Now, after receiving full authorization and implementing extensive safety enhancements, Karlin-Stolin is finally preparing to reopen the beis medrash in all its splendor.

In recent weeks, a flurry of construction and finishing work has resumed at a rapid pace. The goal: to ensure the building is ready to accommodate the thousands of chassidim expected to gather under its roof this Shavuos, Zeman Matan Toraseinu.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a significant development, the Sanzer Rebbe has agreed to join the upcoming Keren Olam HaTorah mission to the United States following a heartfelt request from Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau. The campaign aims to bolster Torah institutions facing dire financial shortfalls due to budget cuts and economic challenges.

The pivotal meeting took place several days ago when the Sanzer Rebbe visited Rav Landau at his home in Bnei Brak. The Rebbe had come to participate in a special gathering focused on strengthening outreach efforts for children from non-religious backgrounds. The event was attended by many leading gedolei Yisroel.

Following the event, the two gedolim held a private meeting in Rav Landau’s home. During their conversation, which focused on the pressing state of the Torah world, Rav Landau made an earnest appeal to the Rebbe, urging him to join the U.S. fundraising mission on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah.

“I find it very difficult to travel,” Rav Landau confided, “but I feel it is my obligation.” He then turned to the Rebbe and said with deep emotion: “Join me—to help save the Torah world.”

Though the Sanzer Rebbe has not traveled abroad in several years, he was deeply moved by Rav Landau’s plea and has agreed to take part in the mission.

The upcoming trip will include major gatherings and meetings with leading philanthropists and central Jewish communities across the United States.

The mission will once again be led by the gadol hador, Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, as well as the mashgiach Rav Don Segal, the Rebbe of Rachmastrivka, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Dovid Cohen, Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Yaakov Hillel, and Rav Pinchas Abuchatzeira.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rav Shimon Shatin-Shapira zt”l, a longtime yungerman at the Breslover kollel. He was 61 and had endured many years of intense physical and emotional suffering.

Rav Shimon, who became known as “Rav Shimon Ba’al HaYissurim” for the tremendous pain he bore with ahavas Hashem, was a fixture in the Breslov community. Despite frequent hospitalizations, he never allowed illness to separate him from his deep bond with Torah. Those who knew him often found him immersed in learning at all hours, even within hospital corridors.

Rav Shimon was a son of Rav Aryeh Leib Shapira zt”l, a prominent mashpia in Breslov and brother of the famed tzaddik Rav Shmuel Shapira zt”l. His entry into the world was marked by tragedy: his mother fell ill during childbirth and passed away a month later, leaving behind eight young orphans. Rav Shimon, just one month old at the time, was the youngest.

Rav Shimon was lovingly raised by his aunt, Rebbetzin Shulamis Shatin-Morris, and her husband, Rav Yosef Tzvi Shatin zt”l, a talmid of the Mir Yeshiva in Shanghai. They raised him as their own, nurturing him in Torah and yiras Shamayim and ensuring that all his needs were met.

After marrying, Rav Shimon settled in Bnei Brak and became known for his tireless devotion to Torah learning in the Breslover kollel, where he learned for decades. His diligence and love for Torah were legendary. Even during his rare breaks, he was seen deep in thought, engaged in Torah study or writing chiddushim. Some of his insights were printed in his sefer, Machsheves HaAvodah, which received a glowing haskamah from the renowned posek Rav Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber zt”l, author of Az Nidberu.

In recent years, Rav Shimon suffered greatly, enduring excruciating pain. Yet, he never voiced complaint. Instead, he embraced his suffering with ahavah, continuing to cling to his learning no matter the circumstances. He would hurry to the hospital’s shul for every tefillah, inspiring many with his unwavering resolve. Doctors treating him came to know that when he went missing from his hospital bed, he could reliably be found in the beis haknesses.

One of his brothers recalled visiting him in the hospital, only to be met by a frustrated doctor who said, “Tell your brother Shimon he’s not in kollel. He can’t keep running off to shul. We need to treat him.”

His levayah at the Vizhnitzer Bais Hachaim in Bnei Brak drew many gedolei Torah and bnei Torah. Among those who eulogized him was the mashgiach, Rav Moshe Dovid Lefkowitz, who movingly quoted Chazal: “Kol sheHaKadosh Baruch Hu chafetz bo medaka’o b’yesurim—Whoever Hashem desires, He afflicts with suffering.” He spoke of the home Rav Shimon came from, a legacy of greatness. Rav Shimon’s son-in-law, Rav Yehuda Berman, who had been deeply devoted to him during his illness, delivered a heartfelt hesped recounting the years of pain, his unparalleled hasmadah, and the boundless tzedakah and chesed he performed throughout his life.

Following the kevurah, Rav Yaakov Koenig, Rosh Kollel of Breslov, offered a final tribute to “this gavra rabba,” who had been a steadfast pillar in the kollel for decades.

Rav Shimon leaves behind a family continuing in his path of Torah, avodah, and yissurim b’ahavah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the U.S. will delay implementation of a 50% tariff on goods from the European Union from June 1 until July 9 to buy time for negotiations with the bloc. That agreement came after a call Sunday with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, who had told Trump that she “wants to get down to serious negotiations,” according to the U.S. president’s retelling. “I told anybody that would listen, they have to do that,” Trump told reporters on Sunday in Morristown, New Jersey, as he prepared to return to Washington. Von der Leyen, Trump said, vowed to “rapidly get together and see if we can work something out.” In a social media post Friday, Trump had threatened to impose the 50% tariff on EU goods, complaining that the 27-member bloc had been “very difficult to deal with” on trade and that negotiations were “going nowhere.” Those tariffs would have kicked in starting June 1. But the call with von der Leyen appeared to smooth over tensions, at least for now. “I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so,” Trump said on Truth Social shortly after he spoke with reporters on Sunday evening. For her part, von der Leyen said the EU and the U.S. “share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship.” “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” she said. “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.” (AP)

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Rus Devora Avidan (Zemel) a”h, widow of the renowned gaon Rav Avraham Moshe Avidan (Zemel) zt”l. She was 87 years old.

Rebbetzin Avidan was born in Yerushalayim to her illustrious father, Rav Yirmiyahu, and her mother, Mrs. Yocheved. She came from a storied Yerushalmi family that produced generations of talmidei chachomim.

Her father, Rav Yirmiyahu Ralbag zt”l, was a distinguished talmid chacham and author of the sefer Asos Chesed, which deals with the laws and spirit of tzedakah. Her grandfather, Rav Raphael Eliyahu Yitzchak Halevi Katzenelbogen, was one of the leading rabbanim of the Yishuv HaYashan and a prominent figure in the Poalei Agudas Yisroel movement.

Throughout her life, Rebbetzin Avidan stood loyally at the side of her husband, Rav Avraham Moshe Avidan, with dedication and faith. Her husband served as the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hesder in Shalavim and held the position of Deputy Chief Rabbi of the IDF. He was one of the closest disciples of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l and was beloved by all the gedolei Yisroel. He authored numerous halachic works, including Ahavas Tzedakah, Amaros Melech, Shemiras HaNefesh KeHilchasah, and Shabbos UMo’ed B’Tzahal.

Rebbetzin Avidan was known for her warmth, strength, and quiet nobility. She was the foundation of her family and a source of unwavering support to all who knew her. In her final years, she faced severe health challenges, which she bore with faith and acceptance. A painful chapter in her life was the passing of her daughter, Rebbetzin Michal Freiman a”h, 25 years ago.

She leaves behind a distinguished family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who follow her example of Torah, chesed, and yiras Shamayim.

The levayah took place tonight, departing from the Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah on Har Hamenuchos.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

IDF special forces and Border Police officer entered the Old City of Shechem on Sunday morning to carry out an arrest operation of a senior Lion’s Den terrorist, based on precise Shin Bet intelligence. The suspect was involved in recent terror attacks and was planning additional attacks. A video published on Arab networks shows the special forces disembarking from the civilian pickup truck in which they arrived at the area and running down the narrow streets of the Old City. The terrorist attempted to flee the area, and the forces fired at his lower body, neutralizing him. Afterward, he was detained and transferred for interrogation.   (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation voted on Sunday to greenlight a proposed law aimed at creating a designated criminal tribunal to handle the prosecution of individuals involved in the October 7 atrocities.

This legislation, co-sponsored by MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionist Party and MK Yulia Malinovsky from Yisrael Beytenu, outlines a plan to establish a specialized judicial body tailored to address the horrific crimes perpetrated by Hamas during the deadly attack.

According to the draft, the envisioned court would deal exclusively with grave offenses such as genocide, sexual violence, homicide, and widespread pillaging. Judges serving in this court would be chosen by a specially formed committee that would include delegates from the justice, defense, and foreign ministries.

The bill’s explanatory introduction emphasizes the limitations of the conventional court system, stating: “The regular judicial system is not equipped to handle such a scale of serious crimes, committed simultaneously by hundreds of perpetrators.”

Rothman argued that Israel’s legal framework remains stuck in outdated approaches when confronting the perpetrators of the massacre. “When it comes to the Nukhba terrorists, legally, the State of Israel is still deeply entrenched in the mindset that preceded October 7. The legal tools are neither suitable nor relevant for an event of genocide and murder, and anyone who tries to force it into the framework of criminal law undermines the entire process. As evidence, not a single indictment has been filed to this day. Therefore, we must fundamentally change the structure.”

He noted that the proposal is designed to facilitate timely and effective legal action that is properly aligned with the extraordinary nature of the crimes, while still grounded in international legal standards.

Malinovsky added her own remarks following the committee’s approval: “The Ministerial Committee on Legislation expressed support for my bill to prosecute the Nukhba terrorists. On Wednesday, the bill will be brought for a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum. The road is still long, but the first step toward justice begins now.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell defended the central bank’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic Sunday in a Princeton University speech in which he also praised government employees and U.S. universities, both of which have been targeted by the Trump administration. Powell and the central bank have been subject to extensive criticism in recent weeks by President Donald Trump and a potential successor, former Fed governor Kevin Warsh. Speaking at a baccalaureate service ahead of Tuesday’s commencement, Powell, who noted he graduated from Princeton 50 years ago, specifically defended the central bank’s decision to cut its key interest rate to nearly zero in response to the pandemic. It also launched an asset-purchase program that involved buying trillions of dollars of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities, intended to keep longer-term interest rates low. “With little warning, economies around the world came to a hard stop,” Powell said, referring to the pandemic. “The possibility of a long, severe, global depression was staring us in the face. Everyone turned to the government, and to the Federal Reserve in particular as a key first responder.” Powell also singled out longtime government employees for praise: “Career civil servants at the Fed who are veterans of previous crises stepped forward and said, ‘We got this,’” he said. Trump has subjected Powell to a stream of attacks for several months because the Fed has kept its key rate unchanged this year, after cutting it three times at the end of 2024. Trump has said there is “no inflation” so the Fed should reduce borrowing costs. Earlier this month, Trump called Powell a “fool” for not cutting rates and last week called the Fed chair “Too Late Powell.” Powell has not responded to Trump’s attacks, which has previously won him support among Republicans on Capitol Hill. In his Sunday speech, he defended American universities, which have come under sharp attacks from the Trump administration as research grants and other funding have been cut for several Ivy League universities, including Princeton. “Our great universities are the envy of the world and a crucial national asset,” Powell said. “Look around you. I urge you to take none of this for granted.” Late last month, Warsh, who served as one of the Fed’s governors from 2006 to 2011, slammed the central bank for letting inflation spike to its highest level in four decades in 2022. Warsh is considered a leading candidate to become the next Fed chair when Powell’s term ends in May 2026. “Each time the Fed jumps into action, the more it expands its size and scope,” Warsh said in a speech on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings. “More debt is accumulated … more institutional lines are crossed and the Fed is compelled to act even more aggressively the next time.” The Fed does not issue debt, but Warsh and other Fed critics argue that its purchase of Treasury bonds enabled to federal government to borrow and spend more. Powell has acknowledged that the Fed could have moved quicker to raise interest rates once inflation began to rise in 2021. Still, on Sunday, he defended the Fed’s pandemic record. “Through the joint efforts of many, we avoided the worst outcomes,” Powell said. “It is hard to imagine the pressure people face at a time like that. […]

Channel 12 reported on Sunday that Liri Albag, a survivor of Hamas captivity, was stopped and questioned at JFK Airport in New York City this past Thursday.

Albag had flown to New York with friends for a much-needed vacation when she was unexpectedly pulled aside by U.S. passport control officers. The agents informed her that, according to their system, she was still marked as being held hostage and suspected that someone might be impersonating her.

She was held for about an hour, during which officials from the Israeli Consulate in New York got involved to clarify her identity and resolve the confusion. After their intervention, she was cleared and allowed to proceed.

Eli Albag, Liri’s father, who was also traveling at the time, spoke to Channel 12 about the incident. “She was still listed as a hostage; they thought someone went in with her identity. They took her phone but let her make one call. She called me, and after that, her mother, Shira, who got the IDF and many other authorities involved.”

Despite the fact that it was Memorial Day and the Israeli Consulate was officially closed, consular staff quickly stepped in to help. The report highlighted that Consul General Ofir Akunis personally ensured Liri would be granted entry into the U.S. before departing for Israel.

{Matzav.com}

The Foreign Ministry’s Director-General announced on Sunday that Ambassador to the US, Dr. Yechiel Leiter, will be summoned for a hearing regarding the criticism he voiced against the opposition in a media interview in the US. Director General Eden Bar Tal stated that the hearing will be held “in accordance with the instructions of the Senior Director of the Disciplinary Division in the Civil Service Commission.” Leiter attacked the Israeli left in an interview with the conservative US podcast PragerU. Responding to the left’s constant accusations that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s only goal in prolonging the war in Gaza is for “political reasons,” he said that the claim is a blood libel and defamation. “There is nothing more malicious and malevolent than to level such charges at the prime minister,” he said, adding that the accusations come from the “extreme left that has a lot of sway in certain areas of the media” and do not hesitate to cross “red lines.” “They are trying to break him—but he doesn’t break, he only grows stronger,” Leiter said. “That must be made clear. It’s legitimate to oppose the government—I myself opposed governments during my political career. That’s fine. But don’t cross the line. There’s a limit to everything, and they’ve crossed it.” “I’ve known the Prime Minister for 40 years. He is a sensitive person who cares deeply about people. That he would extend the war in vain? What madness it is to say something so malicious—that Netanyahu doesn’t want the war to end. He wants it to end in victory because he carries the weight of the Jewish people on his shoulders.” “It’s causing a lot of damage internationally,” the interviewer responded. “I hope the Israelis know that. Because the antisemites who believe that Israel should not exist are taking real advantage of this narrative.” Leiter responded: “It’s very painful. It’s very painful and it should stop.” It should be noted that Leiter paid a costly personal price for the war in Gaza. His son, Maj. (Res.) Moshe Yedidia Leiter, H’yd, was killed in the northern Gaza Strip in 2023. When asked about the criminal charges against Netanyahu and his testimony in court, Leiter described them as trumped-up: “These charges are collapsing like a house of cards. They built sandcastles—and they are crumbling. They tried to wear Netanyahu down and break him. But they didn’t succeed.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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On Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu welcomed U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to his office in Yerushalayim during her official trip to Israel.

According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Secretary Noem voiced her firm backing for both the Prime Minister and the State of Israel.

She also commended Netanyahu’s leadership in handling the war and praised his initiative to construct a barrier along Israel’s border with Egypt.

Among those present at the meeting were Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, Netanyahu’s Military Secretary; Dr. Ophir Falk, his Foreign Policy Advisor; Dr. Omer Dostri, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson; and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Netanyahu also held talks with U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada.

As part of her visit, Secretary Noem went to the Kosel, where she took part in a prayer ceremony.

There, she joined Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel and the Holy Sites, in reciting a kapitel of Tehillim and a special prayer in memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two members of Israel’s diplomatic mission in Washington who were tragically murdered last week. They also prayed for the quick and safe return of all the hostages still in captivity.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Hatzolah of Central Jersey releases a statement thanking its partners for their efforts during and after Friday’s horrific car crash that killed three bochurim and critically injured a fourth.

ISA director candidate David Zini, who currently leads the IDF Training and Drill Command and serves on the General Staff, gave a brutally honest appraisal of the military’s breakdown during the October 7 Hamas onslaught. In a striking admission, he described the events as “a crazy failure, greater than the Yom Kippur War.”

Zini was addressing residents of the Gaza border region, many of whom he joined in combat on the day of the attack. He laid bare the strategic and operational flaws that, in his view, were at the heart of the catastrophe.

Rushing from his home in the Golan Heights as the attack unfolded, Zini was unequivocal in stating that the IDF’s defensive posture was deeply misguided. “It’s not the number of soldiers, but the method of organization in defense,” he explained. “The system was built to respond, not to repel a raid or a large-scale surprise attack. That’s where the decision was made. Our failure was in not identifying the enemy’s method, that is the core of the collapse.”

He dismissed rumors of intentional sabotage or deliberate oversight, but acknowledged the profound shock and confusion felt by the public. “People ask, ‘How could this happen?’ Was this neglect? I understand the question,” he said. “We’re an army with world-class intelligence. How did we not see what everyone else saw? But the easy answer — that a few people deliberately ignored the signs — isn’t the full picture. Failure doesn’t need malice. It can come from systemic blindness. An army must know how to detect even those who are trying to hide — and we failed in that basic military duty.”

Zini pinpointed where the military fell short, citing a failure to confront threats proactively. “We allowed the enemy to entrench itself along our fence. We prioritized quiet over preemptive action. There are times when a state must launch a preventive war to eliminate a threat. We weren’t ready for a wide-scale assault,” he said. “Border defense was built on warnings and deterrence — but between Shejaiya and Nahal Oz, the time gap doesn’t allow for sufficient warning.”

He also described how the Air Force struggled to mobilize under the surprise attack. “When the entire system relies on alerts and pre-designated readiness hours, there’s a massive problem if the threat isn’t prepared for. You can’t just activate planes, bring mechanics, and load bombs in a hurry — and if bases are under fire, it delays everything. The Air Force arrived by around 9:30–10:00 a.m. with some of their aircraft, but much was not ready.”

In closing, Zini voiced a public apology, speaking for the military establishment. “I want to express an apology on behalf of the Israel Defense Forces,” he said. “I don’t believe there are words that can fully capture the depth of the apology we owe to Israeli society for this immense failure. We are committed to ensuring this never happens again — and to learning and implementing every lesson for years to come.”

{Matzav.com}

Leading halachic authorities, hundreds of kashrus supervisors, and representatives of major kosher certification bodies from across Eretz Yisroel and the world gathered in Yerushalayim recently for OU Kosher’s annual International Kashrus Conference. The event served as a forum for discussing some of the most complex and urgent issues facing the global kosher industry – from halachic challenges in industrial kashrus to questions of policy and practice – and highlighted the growing need for collaboration across diverse communities and hashgachos. Participants included notable figures from across the Charedi spectrum, among them Rav Asher Weiss, a foremost halachic authority, Rav Dovid Cohen (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron), Rabbi Dovid Feinstein (Yeshivas Beis Yehuda), Rishon LeZion Rabbi David Yosef and Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, and Rav Yaakov Shapira (Rosh Yeshiva of Mercaz HaRav and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council). In his remarks, Rav Asher Weiss noted the importance of distinguishing between abstract halachic principles and their implementation in complex, industrial contexts – a challenge, he said, that requires experience and reliability on the ground. Several speakers echoed this concern, pointing to the increasing globalization of the food industry and the need for consistent, high-level oversight at every stage of production. A key theme that emerged was the crucial infrastructure behind modern kashrus – and the interdependence it creates between communities, organizations, and hashgachos worldwide. Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher, and Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO and Executive Rabbinic Coordinator of OU Kosher, lead the OU’s kashrus division, and both spoke about the scope of contemporary certification and the importance of maintaining halachic autonomy in the face of commercial pressures, as well as the diversity of the gathering. “There are very few venues where representatives from such a wide range of hashgachos sit at the same table to discuss standards, policy, and halacha,” said Rabbi Moshe Elefant. “It reflects the reality that no single organization can operate in isolation – especially when so many kosher products depend on shared ingredients and overlapping systems. Even though OU Kosher is among the largest certifiers in the world, we are still constantly seeking advice and direction from Gedolei Haposkim.” Rabbi Gavriel Pappenheim, Executive Director of the Badatz-Eidah HaChareidis kashrus committee recognized the tremendous influence of OU Kosher “No organization benefits the public like the OU, which is the largest kashrus body in the world.” He went on to say, “The OU has paved the way for other kashrus organizations to enter raw ingredient production factories around the world.” A panel discussion featuring senior figures from Israel’s largest kashrus agencies highlighted these shared values – and differences – among organizations. Participants included Rabbi Gavriel Pappenheim (Executive Director of Badatz-Eidah HaChareidis Kashrus), Rav Tzvi Vebber (posek for Sheeris), and Rav Yosef Efrati, each of whom addressed current industry challenges and praised the opportunity for open dialogue. The discussion was moderated by Rabbi Rafael Menat, Rabbi of the Osem food corporation. Rav Dovid Cohen spoke about the broader significance of kashrus in Jewish life, saying its impact extends far beyond the technical fulfillment of mitzvos: “Strengthening kashrus strengthens Yiddishkeit,” he said. A Q&A session with Rav Mordechai Gross, a halachic authority for the OU, focused on the day-to-day realities facing mashgichim in the field, such as balancing work responsibilities with religious obligations like davening with a minyan. Throughout […]

Hatzolah of Central Jersey expressed gratitude to local and county partners, including Bikur Cholim, Chai Lifeline, Msaskm, Jackson EMS, and others, for their professional and compassionate response to a tragic motor vehicle accident in Jackson Township on Friday. The coordinated efforts of multiple agencies provided critical support during the heartbreaking incident. Hatzolah emphasized the importance of unified emergency response and their commitment to serving the community alongside these partners. Read the full letter below:

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly found himself flying directly into a Ukrainian drone barrage during a recent visit to Russia’s Kursk region, according to both Russian and Ukrainian news outlets.

The commander of air defenses in the Kursk area, Yuri Dashkin, stated that Ukrainian drones launched a heavy strike while Putin’s helicopter was airborne.

“The intensity of the attack during the flight of the aircraft carrying the supreme commander over the territory of the Kursk region significantly increased,” Dashkin said, as quoted by Russia’s Vesti news agency.

Dashkin explained that air defense forces were actively engaged during Putin’s travel through the region.

“We simultaneously conducted air defense combat and ensured air safety during the president’s helicopter flight. [The president’s helicopter was] essentially at the epicenter of repelling a massive attack by enemy drones.”

Reports from Moscow-based media claimed that the Russian military successfully neutralized 46 drones during the encounter.

Meanwhile, Ukraine endured one of its largest assaults since the war began, with multiple regions — including Kyiv — under attack late Saturday night. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, the offensive included approximately 298 drones and 69 missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a strong statement on Telegram, criticizing the lack of global response to the strikes and arguing that such silence only emboldens Russia.

“Each such terrorist attack by Russia is a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia. Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day,” he said.

“The world may go on vacation, but the war continues, despite weekends and weekdays. This cannot be ignored. America’s silence, and the silence of others in the world, only encourages Putin.”

Later that day, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Special Envoy for Ukraine, condemned the overnight bombardment, calling it a breach of international law.

“The indiscriminate killing of women and children at night in their homes is a clear violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols designed to protect innocents,” he wrote.

In another security development, air traffic was briefly halted at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow after Mayor Sergei Sobyanin warned of an incoming Ukrainian drone assault.

Elsewhere, both nations confirmed a major prisoner swap involving 1,000 individuals, carried out over the weekend.

“I thank the team that worked around the clock to successfully carry out this exchange,” Zelensky wrote on X/Twitter. “We will definitely bring back every single one of our people from Russian captivity.”

{Matzav.com}

A cryptocurrency investor has been arrested and charged with kidnapping a man and keeping him locked up for weeks in an upscale Manhattan apartment, where authorities say he was beaten, shocked and led to believe that his family was in danger if he didn’t give up his Bitcoin password. John Woeltz, 37, was arrested Friday night after the victim escaped from the eight-bedroom town house and flagged down a traffic officer on the street for help, according to prosecutors. Woeltz was arraigned Saturday on charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment and criminal possession of a firearm, court records show. He was ordered held without bail, a spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney’s office confirmed Saturday. His lawyer, Wayne Gosnell, said Saturday in an email that he had no comment. The 28-year-old victim arrived in New York City from Italy in early May, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation and did so on condition of anonymity. It’s not clear how or if the two knew each other, but the district attorney’s office said in an email that prosecutor Michael Mattson told a judge Saturday that the victim, whose name has not been released, was abducted on May 6. Mattson said others were involved in the scheme to empty the victim’s Bitcoin wallet. That includes a person referred to in court records as an “unapprehended male.” The victim said he was bound by the wrists and tortured for weeks inside the apartment. His captors, according to prosecutors, drugged him, used electric wires to shock him, hit him in the head with a firearm and, at one point, carried him to the top of a flight of stairs where they dangled him over a ledge and threatened to kill him if he didn’t share his Bitcoin password. Believing that he was about to be shot, the victim was able to escape Friday after agreeing to give up his password, which was stored on his laptop in another room. When the suspect turned his back, Mattson said, the victim ran out of the apartment. The victim was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries that Mattson said were consistent with his descriptions of being bound and assaulted. A search of the town house turned up a trove of evidence, Mattson said, including cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, body armor and night vision goggles, ammunition and polaroid photos of the victim with a gun pointed to his head. Woeltz was ordered Saturday to surrender his passport. Prosecutors said he has the means to flee, including a private jet and a helicopter. He is due back in Manhattan criminal court next week. (AP)