While we are all deep into our Pesach preparations, it should be noted that this will be the  fourth Pesach that Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava will be spending in prison, alone without family or even one friendly face. The askonim, Dayan Weiss, R’ Aron Nezri and R’ Meilich Bindinger, who have been coordinating and overseeing the defense effort have already shipped an ample amount of matza to Japan for the two boys, as matza has been allowed into the prison in the past and will be delivered to them this year as well. However, the askonim are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to have authorities allow grape juice and packaged of dry food items such as nuts, chocolate, Pesach cookies, and the like into the prison. Thus far permission has not been granted, but Askonim hope that ultimately the efforts of the askonim will bear fruit. The boys have also been sent new clothing for Yom Tov, as well as machzorim, haggados, and other seforim. The boys will also be visited this week by someone who will spend several days in Japan. This will be a source of tremendous chizuk to them, as the opportunities for visits during Pesach itself will be limited due to the Shabbos directly before it and another Shabbos being in the middle of Chol Hamoed. Also the Japanese National Holiday comes two days after Isru Chag and goes on through May 6th, during which everything, including the prisons, are closed and no visitors will be allowed. While all possible forms of hishtadlus are being done by the selfless askonim both in the legal aspect and in physically and emotionally supporting the boys, please continue to keep Yaakov Yosef and Yoel Zev in your tefillos. IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! The tzibur is requested to continue being Mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The trials of the boys jailed in Japan, Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava, are coming to a close. On March 28, closing arguments for Yaakov Yosef will be presented, and on April 5, Yoel Zev’s lawyers will present their final arguments. The verdict will be announced 5-7 weeks later.    Tefila and support are urgently needed at this critical time. The Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva and Rabonim urge all to attend the atzeres tefilla this Motzoei Taanis Esther, at Bais Faiga Hall at 9:45 p.m. The event will feature the participation of Lakewood rabbonim and roshei yeshiva, Divrei chizuk will be delivered by Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah. Rabbi Aba Dunner, Executive Director of the Conference of European Rabbis, will provide a firsthand report regarding the current situation in Japan. Rabbi Dunner has personally visited the boys in jail and plays an active role in seeking the funding needed for the boys’ defense. A unique guest speaker at the event will be Mr. Michael Levine, a forty-year veteran of the US Drug Enforcement Agency, including undercover law enforcement positions at JFK and Miami International Airports. Mr. Levine traveled to Japan earlier this year to testify on behalf of the boys in Japan. Judging from his years of experience, Mr. Levine unequivocally stated that the behavior of the boys was typical of “blind mules”, innocent drug couriers that have no idea of the illegal contents in their possession. A special video presentation will provide a small glimpse of different aspects of the case. Dayan Chaim Yosef Dovid Weis, Rabbi Aron Nezri, and Rabbi Meilech Bindinger are coordinating the effort to help the boys jailed in Japan. Join the Lakewood community at the asifa to be held this Thursday night, Motzoei Taanis Esther, at Bais Faiga Hall at 9:45 p.m. Here is an update on the current situation: All eyes are turned to Japan in trepidation, closely following their desperate attempts to contain radioactive materials at the badly damaged nuclear reactors in the Fukushima – Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant following last week’s earthquake and tsunami. Already, several explosions have caused radioactive fallout to be released, and there are fears that if the air gets contaminated, then the potential clouds could spread the radiation to other areas of Japan and elsewhere. Askonim are following the situation regarding Yoel Zev and Yaakov Yosef, and they are B”H healthy and well. However, many countries, including the United States and Israel, have advised their citizens to leave the country due to the state of emergency. The askonim are in contact with the Israeli Foreign Office to make sure that if there are any potential risks, then the detainees should not be put at any higher risk than any other individual who is free to leave the country. The Israeli Foreign Minister is in contact with their Japanese counterpart regarding the situation, and are closely following events in Japan. Your urgent tefillos are needed. Please be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava. IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! (YWN Desk – NYC)

These days, when we hear about an earthquake in Japan- all of Klal Yisroel are wondering – has this affected the two Yeshiva Bochrim in prison over there at all? R’ Aron Nezri, and R’ Meilech Bindinger, the main keyplayers in the case, have been in constant contact to make sure everything is ok. R’ Aron reports to us: “We have been, and continue to be in constant contact with those in Japan. The Chiba detention centre has not been affected at all. Even if water does come off of the shores of Chiba it will not hit the district as it is high up on a hill. I have had someone go a number of times already to the prison to make sure the boys are ok and he will continue to go over the next few days to check on the boys as well.” Rabbi Binyomin Edery, the local Chabad shaliach who often visits the boys said “Today we had a major earthquake, thank G-d we are all fine. All the houses and buildings literally swung, trains are not operating, highways have been closed and phone lines down. There hasn’t been such a strong earthquake in the Tokyo area for at least 70 years. This is a very strong Tsunami.”   and added “One of the signs of the Redemption is that the earth will shake and get worn out like a garment. We hope and pray that G-d will continue to protect Japan and all the people that no harm will befall anybody. Thank you to all those that called, emailed, or prayed for us. May Hashem give you only good tidings.” IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! The tzibur is requested to continue being Mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel. Have you checked out YWN Radio yet? Click HERE to listen! (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Tel Aviv District Court has sentenced Benzion Miller to three years behind bars, for his involvement in the drug smuggling story which landed three Bnei Brak Yeshiva Bochrim to Jail in Japan. The decision was made after the families of the three Bochrim testified against him. In an interview with Kikar Shabbat, family members said that the punishment imposed on him is not enough. Miller was arrested in February 2008, and was believed to have been the mastermind in the case, sending innocent bochrim on a mission, planting drugs in their bags without their knowledge. As a result, they were incarcerated in Japan, under extremely harsh conditions. In regards to the sentence of the Bochrim: The Japanese court sentenced Yosef Banda to 5 years imprisonment and a $40,000. He was transferred to Israel to complete his sentence in March of 2010. After calculating time served, he still has a bit over 14 months that will be completed in the Nitzan Prison in Israel. (Yosef Bondo testified in the case against Miller, and placed the blame solely on his shoulders.) Yakov Yosef ben Reizel was sentenced to 6 years with no drug charges, only for being negligent. His appeal tril is scheduled for November 1. Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava is in middle of trial, and will resume on October 20th. The tzibur is requested to continue including Yosef ben Ita Rivka, Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel in tefillos. IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! Have you checked out http://www.ywnradio.com/ yet? (Yehuda Drudgestein – YWN)

Yaakov Yosef Gruenwald was one of the three bochrim imprisoned in Japan after they were found to be smuggling. Gruenwald was the last of the three to be released, arriving in Israel in Elul 5772 to complete serving his prison term in an Israeli prison. Baruch Hashem the young man was recently married in Bnei Brak, to a daughter of askan R’ Yudel Yakev. Among the rabbonim taking part in the chasenah was Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Grossman Shlita. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Mazel tov to Yaakov Yosef Grunewald, one of the bochrim who was imprisoned in Japan on becoming a chosson. His kallah is a daughter of R’ Yudel Yaakov. The L’chaim was held in Bnei Brak this week, attended by many rabbonim including Rabbi Moshe Shaul Klein Shlita, rav of the Ohr Chaim neighborhood as well as many of those who worked tirelessly for his release. It was an emotional moment when one of the other former prisoners, Yoel Ze’ev Goldstein arrived to wish him mazel tov. Goldstein is getting married in the coming weeks in Manchester IY”H. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

For Yaakov Yosef Greenwald, this is not just another Chanukah but one back home in Eretz Yisrael, one that is accompanied with a brief taste of freedom. As one of the three bochrim imprisoned in Japan for years, now completing his sentence in Nitzan Prison in Israel, Yaakov Yosef was permitted to enjoy a leave of a number of hours on Sunday, 25 Kislev 5773, to celebrate Chanukah with family and friends. It marked the first time he was permitted to meet with members of his family outside of confinement since taken into custody by Japanese authorities. He was more than pleased to have merited toiveling in a mikve for the first time in five years. Through the efforts of many, including HaGaon HaTzaddik Rav Dovid Grossman Shlita, Yaakov Yosef was permitted to return home to Eretz Yisrael about two months ago, where he is completing his prison sentence, albeit under significantly improved conditions than he knew during his years of imprisonment in Japan. The parole board has agreed to wipe one-third from his sentence, in line with the norm for model prisoners, and he is set for release on 19 Teves 5773. During the time period that remains of his sentence the parole board decided he must serve in yeshiva studying Torah, agreeing to wave the standard supervised work program due to his pristine behavior during the difficult process. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

YWN has received information directly from askanim involved in the case of the bochrim who were incarcerated in Japan, and has learned moments ago that reports coming out of Eretz Yisrael are simply untrue. The Kikar Shabbat website reports that the state prosecutor in Japan has appealed the acquittal of Yoel Ze’ev Goldstein, who returned home to Eretz Yisrael about a week ago. Askanim directly involved in the day-to-day events in the case insist this is not true; pointing out the time limit for filing such an appeal has passed. (Click on image to enlarge it) Below is an email from the leading attorney for Yoel Zev’s case. The prosecution b”h did not appeal. This proves that the acquittal was based on powerful reasoning, giving little or no chance for the prosecution to succeed in revoking the acquittal at the high court. —–Original Message—– From: Shunji Miyake Sent: 2011-09-13 09:37 Dear all, I would like to report you that the verdict declared by the Chiba District Court on August 29 has been fixed as final after passing by the deadline on September 12 without appeal action by prosecution. Let us celebrate once again for this historical victory. Please pass this report to Mr. Goldstein Yoel! Sincerely, Shunji MIYAKE Attorney at Law HIBIKI LAW Office Askonim ask that the tzibur continue davening on behalf of Yaakov Yosef ben Reizel who remains incarcerated. YWN has been asked to call upon the tzibur to type letters of chizuk to Yaakov Yosef, in Yiddish or Hebrew, and should kindly do so without delay. A typed letter will be allowed into the prison quicker than a written one. Send your letters to [email protected]. We will forward these immediately by email to our representative in Chiba, Japan. IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING YAKOV YOSEF BEN REIZEL STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! (YWN World Headquarters – NYC) (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Baruch Hashem, less than a week after being found not guilty by a local court, Yoel Zev Goldstein received his passport and is making final preparations to head home, to Eretz Yisrael. One of the problems that remain is just what flight to book to get him home since there are no direct flights to Israel. Officials working on Yoel’s behalf feel if they make a stopover in a European country he may be placed under arrest since he is wanted in Holland, where he boarded the flight with a suitcase containing the drugs leading to his arrest. Therefore, a European country is not a suitable option. It appears that he will make his way home via Korea or the United States. Family members were relieved to learn that the prosecutor is not planning to appeal the verdict, clearing the way for his departure from Japan. Nevertheless, askanim explain that while the prosecution is not planning an appeal, the state may actually decide to appeal to the Supreme Court, and therefore, the tzibur is called upon to continue davening on Yoel’s behalf – that this should not be the case chas v’sholom. Continue to be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava. IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Firsthand Report from R’ Aron Nezri and R’ Meilech Bindinger: Dear Yidden around the world; חסדי ד’: Bechasdei Shomayim, we and the defence attorneys are glad to report that the Chiba District Court ruled in favour of the defense, and handed down a full acquittal ב”ה for Yoel Zev נ”י. Immediately upon hearing this good news, we exited the court room for a few moments, to convey the besuro tovah to the multitudes of Acheinu Bnei Yisroel who were waiting in suspense for the outcome. Upon hearing the judges verdict we were choked with emotion and couldn’t elaborate. We can now, after closing of the court session, provide more details of what transpired today, try and reflect on the chasodim geluim, and pray for further siyatta dishmaye. Justice Prevails: We congratulate the Japanese Judiciary for diligently seeking the truth, and carefully analysing the many diverse element of defense, – many of which are new concepts to the Japanese – and thereby succeeded in delivering the long awaited innocent verdict.   Prior to Court Session: Ten minutes before the court session commenced, the leading defence attorney accompanied us to visit Yoel Zev at a meeting room under the court house. Through a glass pane we could communicate with Yoel Zev. It was difficult moments. We didn’t know what words can be said. Looming ahead was G-d forbid a possible guilty verdict of a 15 years prison sentence in addition to a penalty of ¥5,000,000.00 (equating to $65,000.00). After having experienced the disappointment of the verdicts handed to the two other bochurim, Yossy and Yakov Yosef, it was challenging to find the right words of encouragement.   (Yossy, the only juvenile of the three, received a sentence of 5 years, which was what the prosecution had requested from the Judges. Yossy has since been transferred to Israel, where his sentence was commuted under conditions and supervision of the Israeli prison authority. Yakov Yosef, the younger of the two adult bochurim, received a 6 year prison sentence from the 13 years demanded by the prosecution. He is pending transfer to Israel. The transfer procedure is well underway.)   What can one say to Yoel Zev moments before his verdict, after having faced the fact that his two friends were handed a guilty verdict? We tried our best to prepare him for every eventuality, carefully using only positive quotes of Emunah and Bitachon, and hoping and praying for the best. We were most relieved by Yoel Zevs attitude. Yoel Zev said in his innocent manner: “I don’t know what the material judge will tell us today, but the celestial Judge, shofet kol ho’oretz, will certainly rule innocent”.   Court Session: Upon the judges’ entry to the court room, and the customary Japanese bows, the Judge summoned Yoel Zev, using his first name ‘Yoel’ – uncommon in Japanese courts formalities – and asked him to stand at the pulpit directly in front of the judges. The judge immediately announced – in Japanese – the verdict: “You are innocent”. Our personal translator, sitting alongside us, quickly told us in jubilation the courts verdict. The court appointed translator then translated to Yoel Zev “Atah Zakai”. Upon hearing these words, Yoel Zev’s father, ourselves, and other yidden with us, shed tears of jubilation. The relief is indescribable.  

A Japanese court has acquitted Yoel Ze’ev Goldstein of Bnei Brak, who together with friends was imprisoned for smuggling thousands of ecstasy pills in his luggage. Goldstein was arrested after a search of his baggage revealed 90,000 pills inside a false double wall. The bochrim have always maintained they thought they were transporting antiquities given to them by a chareidi man, and as a result, have since paid a heavy price. Since their imprisonment, askanim and rabbonim worldwide have been actively engaged in efforts to obtain their release, raising funds to hire the best legal team possible in Japan. One suspect remains in a Japanese prison, and the third, who was transferred to Israel to complete his sentence has since been released. It should be pointed out that the state has 14 days in which to appeal the court’s decision to release Goldstein. Somewhat complicating matters is the fact that immigration officials have taken him into custody on charges he overstated his 90-day visa in 2008. Attorneys are hopeful this matter will be rectified in an expeditious fashion and that he will be able to leave the country. According to a Kikar Shabbat report, Rabbi Elimelech Bindiger and Rabbi Aaron Nizri were present during the hearing, which they stated took two hours. At the end of the session, the court asked forgiveness from Goldstein, that he was compelled to remain in prison for four years. Efforts are already underway towards expediting his return home to Eretz Yisrael. Continue to be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava. IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Tireless askanim are working behind the scenes to ensure that everything is being done on behalf of Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava. Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava is still imprisoned, awaiting his final verdict, which is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, August 29, 1:30 p.m. Japan  time, 1:30 a.m. EST. With Yoel Zev’s verdict just hours away, all are asked to daven and learn for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava. Over three months have passed since May 16, the fateful day when the Tokyo High Court denied the appeal of Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and upheld the guilty verdict handed down by the Chiba District Court. As reported at the time of the verdict, there is a prisoner transfer agreement in place between Japan and Israel, and thus, according to Japanese law, a prisoner legally need not be held even one day in Japan, but can be transferred to his own country. The reality, however, is far different. Transfers usually take a long time, as was the case with Yossi, the youngest of the three boys who were arrested at Narita International Airport over three years ago. With Yaakov Yosef, who is not a minor, time was of the essence, as he was in very real danger of being sent to a harsh prison labor camp, where, aside from the great physical suffering he would have to endure, he would be unable to perform even basic mitzvos, such as keeping Shabbos and wearing tefillin. Askanim had no time to waste and immediately got to work setting the transfer process in motion, accomplishing in four weeks what usually takes several months to put into place. The initial step was for Yaakov Yosef to sign a waiver for any further appeal. Since Yaakov Yosef knew that once he signed this document he would officially be considered a prisoner of the state and would no longer be allowed visitors on a daily basis, he waited until his father left a week after the trial to sign the document so that he would be able to see him as often as possible until his departure. Complications also arose due to the fact that the appeal had taken place in the Tokyo district, but the detainee was being held in the Chiba district.  Thus, important documents needed to close the case were sent back and forth between the Tokyo High Court, the Tokyo High Prosecutors Office, the Chiba District Prosecutor’s Office, and the detention center. The lawyers and askanim were kept busy applying pressure to any and all parties involved, and they greatly succeeded in accelerating the process at an unprecedented pace in any such cases. The argument was that due to the detainee being held in the Chiba Prefecture, the case falls under the Chiba’s Prosecution Office’s jurisdiction. The Chiba Prosecutor’s Office claimed that the case was dealt with by the Tokyo High Court and was taken over by the Tokyo Prosecutor’s Office and, therefore, they are responsible for the case. This case was very unusual, as all detainees on trial in Tokyo are transferred to the Tokyo Detention Center. In this particular circumstance, as mentioned in the past, a special request was made to keep Yaakov Yosef at the detention center in

Firsthand Report from R’ Aron Nezri: At the Chiba district court, the closing arguments, being the final hearing for the third boy, Yoel Zev, began at 10am local time. Yoel Zev was brought in at 9:55 accompanied by two guards and was seated on a bench in front of the defence teams table. In order that Yoel Zev should understand the proceedings, an earpiece that is connected to the court appointed interpreter microphone, was placed on Yoel Zev. The judges walked into the court room and bowed down, as is in Japanese custom. The presiding judge first announced that the court rejects the recent evidence being the expert opinion by a graphologist – a handwriting expert, that determines that Miss Suzuki’s recent evidence has been forged. One change in the room was, having a new minor judge and a new prosecutor.  The new minor judge who has never worked as judge before and is very young has now replaced the last minor judge of the three previous judges, led by presiding judge Furuta, a hardliner that has never acquitted someone  before. Yoel Zev quoted after the trial, that last year chol hamoed succos, he attended one of his pre-trials and was given the arba minim after the hearing and with the permission of the judge, he made a brocho loud and was shaking it in fron of the old panel of judges. He now says “Ich hob geshokeled in geshokeled and they have all disappeared”. The proceedings began at 10:05 with the prosecutor starting to read out his closing arguments. It was 10:32 when the prosecutor concluded that due to Yoel being older in age and wasn’t a minor when he entered Japan, he deserves a longer punishment and a heavy fine – a 15 year prison sentence and a 5 million yen fine ($62,000). Upon hearing this, yoel stayed calm and the chief defence lawyer Mr Miyake stood up and started his part of the defences closing argument, followed by Mr Nakamura and Mr Takano. At 12:55 Mr Takano concluded and Mr Miyake stood in front of the judges and gave his final words to the judge in relation to Yoel Goldsteins suffering and innocence. When the procedure was concluded, the judge asked Yoel to stand up and asked him if he wants to say something to the court, being his last opportunity. He replied yes, and asked the judge allowed him to sit down rather then stand as all defendants do. Yoel started by saying; “Honourable judge, I have been observing the biblical orders from my Almighty since I was born. I have prayed at least three times a day since my childhood. I have always been an honest, studious, hard-working and good person. I spent most of my spare time in hospitals, to assist, and bring joy to sick and elderly patients. I have never hurt anyone in my life. I would never do something that could cause a person pain, illness or death. It was my duty, great honor and pleasure to study the Jewish law in Israel and I continued to study the same even in the small cell of Chiba Detention Center in Japan. In CDC I have been deprived of Kosher food as strictly prescribed by the Jewish law. This has harmed my

Closing arguments will be held in the trial of Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava 12:30 tonight (EST) which is tomorrow, Thursday, May 12th, 1:30 PM Tokyo time. At the closing arguments, the three defense lawyers, Mr. Miyake, Mr. Nakamura, and Mr. Takano will argue the main points in favor of the defendant verbally before the judges. Each of the three attorneys is responsible to address a different aspect of the defense effort and will present the proofs supporting his position to the court. Mr. Miyake is handling the aspect of the boys’ sheltered upbringing which resulted in their not even knowing of the existence of narcotics to the extent that they were not aware that the word “Sam” in Hebrew connotes anything other than poison, as Rabbi Niederman and the principal of the boys’ Yeshiva testified in previous hearings. Mr. Nakamura will go through Yoel Zev’s personal testimony of the events as they occurred step by step, and Mr. Takano will address both the polygraph issue and the “blind mule” issue as per former DEA Michael Levine’s testimony.  Some of the points that will be included in the closing arguments are:  The absolute trust that the boys had in the individual who sent them, a well known and respected personality within their circle, to the point that it was actually considered an honor to do a service for him. The fact that the only languages the boys are familiar with are Yiddish and Lashon Hakodesh, but not Modern Hebrew.  Thus, even when confronted with the shocking discovery that there were white pills rather than antiques in their suitcases, they boys were disbelieving when told that they were “sam”, which to their mind simply meant poison.  The actions of the three boys in Narita International Airport clearly indicated that they were blind mules (unwitting carriers) vs. witting mules (knowing carriers).  The fact that they were willing to do the job for only $1,000.00 clearly proves that they did not know they would be carrying drugs.  Further, they used their true names and passports, went on the same line at customs, and wholeheartedly agreed to undergo polygraph testing.  Yoel Zev even tried to open the false bottom to show the inspector that he had antiques concealed within! All three boys passed the polygraph test with the definite result of “no knowledge”.  The expert testimonies of Dr. Yamamura, Japanes polygraph expert, Dr. Beaber, American polygraph expert, and Professor Ben-Shachar, world – renowned Israeli polygraph scientifically confirmed that they had absolutely no knowledge of what was in their luggage. The verdict date for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel is set for Monday, May 16th, 1:30 Tokyo time, which will be 12:30 AM Sunday night NYC time.  IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! The tzibur is requested to continue being Mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rabbi Yankel Miller (a.k.a. Yarme Rov) Shlita, the famous badchan of Monsey,  made a surprise visit this week to Japan to visit the jailed bochurim, in an attempt to give them a boost of chizuk before Pesach, which they will be spending on their own. Rabbi Miller had planned to go during the winter but due to the many visits the boys often receive, he decided to go when they really have nobody to visit them, that being when everyone is preoccupied with hectic Pesach preparations. Rabbi Miller departed New York on Tuesday morning May 12th and arrived Wednesday morning May 13th. The devoted askonim had pre-arranged a schedule of visits for Rabbi Miller together with the various lawyers during his full two day stay, which enabled him to spend many hours with both bochurim at the detention centre. Rabbi Miller reports that he was stunned to find both Yoel and Yakov Yosef in such a good state. “I thought I will see two broken sad boys, but in fact they were so alert and bright and full of emuna,” “They actually gave me chizuk. I can’t see how any of us would survive such conditions for 3 years! and yet they are always with a smile and so thankful to the askonim”. Rabbi Miller reports “I spent time with both boys discussing divrei Torah and divrei chizuk, and obviously I did my share in doing my part as a badchan, and you can imagine what happens when I was telling them my stories! They really enjoyed the light humour and I feel they came away invigorated. Rabbi Miller met with various lawyers during his visits at the detention centre and confirms of the major work the askonim are doing. “Its unimaginable, the askonim just don’t sleep at night they are basically in Japan all the time”. “Both boys are Boruch H-shem very fine. They were dressed very well and have lots of seforim with which they keep themselves busy. The askonim keep on sending them seforim, story books, magazines, and they receive newspapers too. Rabbi Miller was amazed to hear from the boys that they receive so many letters from all over the world. Yakov Yosef told Rabbi Miller “to be honest, I get so many letters I just don’t have time to reply to them.” Yoel Zev received in the past two weeks alone almost 100 letters! Rabbi Miller departed Japan for NY on Thursday evening where he arrived home for Shabbos Hagodol. The closing arguments for Yoel Zev is scheduled for May 12th and the final verdict for Yakov Yosef is scheduled for May 16th. IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!! The tzibur is requested to continue being Mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)