Search Results for: congregant

SHOCKING REPORT: Florida Chabad Center Congregant Arrested For Threatening A Mass Shooting Attack

A Florida man was arrested last week on charges of threatening to carry out a mass shooting attack at the Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida in Fort Meyers. Sheriff Carmine Marceno of the Lee County Sherrif’s office said on Thursday at a press conference that the suspect, identified as Alfredo Sanchez, 43, was a member of the synagogue. Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz, the Chabad center’s director confirmed the sheriff’s report, saying that Sanchez and his family were regulars at the Chabad center, Collive reported. Marceno said that his office received a tip from “a concerned temple member regarding a threat made against a synagogue in Fort Myers.” “Sanchez made at least one statement indicating that he had the ability and the means to carry out a shooting at the synagogue,” Marceno continued. “It was also reported that Sanchez offered to sell a firearm to a synagogue member.” “He comes to the synagogue, prays, he studies, he volunteers, he helps out – so yes absolutely it was a surprise,” Rabbi Mincowicz said. “We had no inkling of any of this stuff.” After obtaining an arrest warrant, Lee County officers searched Sanchez’s home and found ammunition, gun cases and gun cleaning accessories. Upon further investigation, police investigators found a duffel bag believed to belong to Sanchez with four firearms, including an AK47 style rifle at a relative’s home. Sanchez was a convicted felon who has been arrested nine times in the past and was sentenced to prison for firearms charges. He was first arrested in 1996 for prostitution and lewd behavior. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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SEE IT: Congregant Credited With Shooting Texas Church Gunman ‘Within Seconds’

The gunman who pulled out a shotgun during a church service in Texas on Sunday and opened fire on worshipers appeared to be in disguise when he entered the sanctuary, according to a woman who said he made her feel uncomfortable when he sat feet away from her. Two men were killed when the gunman opened fire at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, as more than 240 parishioners were inside. Within seconds, he was shot to death by two congregants who fired back. At a news conference Sunday night, White Settlement Police Department Chief J.P. Bevering told reporters the gunman – who has yet to be identified – had sat down in a pew before getting up, taking out a shotgun and firing at a parishioner, who was killed. FBI special agent in charge, Matthew DeSarno, said the gunman had been arrested multiple times in the past. He said he was “relatively transient” but had roots in the area. VIDEO MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME – VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED: While authorities have yet to release information about the church’s volunteer security team, a witness to the shooting told CBS11 the church member who shot the suspect was a former FBI agent. The actions of the two congregants who opened fire as part of the volunteer security team at the church were praised by authorities during a news conference late Sunday. READ MORE: FOX NEWS

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Congregants Of The Nation’s Oldest Synagogue Appeal Court Decision In Ownership Dispute

Congregants who worship at the nation’s oldest synagogue in Rhode Island are asking an appeals court to reconsider a decision that gave control of the building to a congregation in New York City. Lawyers for the Newport congregation on Tuesday asked the federal appeals court in Boston for a rehearing, saying the decision ignored Rhode Island law and made several constitutional errors. A three-judge panel last month found that New York’s Congregation Shearith Israel, the nation’s oldest Jewish congregation, owns Touro Synagogue. Touro was dedicated in 1763 and is a national historic site. A Shearith Israel lawyer says the unanimous opinion of the panel was well-reasoned and the litigation was meritless. The congregations have been fighting for years over Touro and a set of Colonial-era bells valued at $7.4 million. (AP)

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Judge: Oldest US Synagogue to Remain in Hands of Congregants

The congregation that worships at the nation’s oldest synagogue prevailed Monday in a bitter legal fight that threatened its existence, as a federal judge ruled it may now control its own destiny and decide what to do with a set of ceremonial bells worth millions. The lawsuit pitted congregants at the 250-year-old Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, against the nation’s oldest Jewish congregation, Shearith Israel in New York City. U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell on Monday awarded Congregation Jeshuat Israel, of Newport, control of Touro, rejecting arguments from Congregation Shearith Israel that it is the synagogue’s rightful owner. McConnell also ruled the Newport congregation is the owner of a pair of ceremonial bells, called rimonim, and may do what it chooses with them. The bells are valued at $7.4 million. McConnell’s 106-page decision reads at times like a history book and relies on documents that go back to Colonial times. It recounts the early history of Jews in America and traces the origins of the Jews who populated Newport beginning in 1658. The judge, who held a nine-day trial last year, said the guiding light behind his decision was the intention of the community that established the synagogue in 1763. “The central issue here is the legacy of some of the earliest Jewish settlers in North America, who desired to make Newport a permanent haven for public Jewish worship,” he wrote. The synagogue is a national historic site and tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world pass through its doors every year. In 1790, George Washington visited Touro and then sent congregants a letter saying the government of the United States “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” It is considered an important pledge of the new nation’s commitment to religious liberty. During and after the Revolutionary War, most of the city’s Jewish residents left, and many moved to New York. By the 1820s, no Jews were left in Newport, and Congregation Shearith Israel became Touro’s trustee. Decades later, Jews returned and Shearith Israel sent items back, including two pairs of rimonim, which adorn a Torah scroll and were made by Colonial silversmith Myer Myers. Over the years, the two congregations occasionally struggled for control of the synagogue, but by the 2000s, the New York congregation was mostly not involved in Touro’s affairs, although it was still the synagogue’s trustee. In 2012, the congregation at Touro was struggling to pay its bills and was unable to raise the money for an endowment. Its leaders, worried about Touro’s future, formulated a plan to sell one set of the bells to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for $7.4 million and use the money to fund an endowment. The New York congregation objected, saying the sale violated its religious beliefs. It said the congregation at Touro was required to adhere to those beliefs. It also asserted that it owned the bells, and said it wanted to evict the Newport congregation. McConnell rejected its arguments on all counts. He also removed the New York congregation as trustee, saying its attempt to evict the Newport congregation had made it unfit to serve in the role. Instead, he appointed the Newport congregation as trustee of the building. The judge said it had maintained the structure and grounds and

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Congregants At Oldest Synagogue In The U.S. Detail Financial Straits

The Rhode Island congregation that worships at the nation’s oldest synagogue was in financial straits in 2012 when they decided to sell a set of ceremonial bells worth millions of dollars, congregants testified Wednesday in a legal dispute between them and a New York Jewish congregation, the nation’s first. The congregation that worships at the 250-year-old Touro Synagogue in Newport and Congregation Shearith Israel from New York are suing each other in federal court. The New York congregation owns the synagogue, but that is among the only facts in the case on which the two sides agree. U.S. District Judge John McConnell on Wednesday, the third day of the bench trial, made reference to their many disagreements on the smallest matters. “I remain eternally optimistic that the two of you can get along at some point about something,” he told the lawyers in the case. The New York congregation says it also owns the bells. The Newport congregation says it owns the bells, and that the New York congregation simply holds the synagogue in trust for the benefit of the Jewish community in Newport, which it embodies. Touro is the only synagogue in Newport. Amid the dispute, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston rescinded its $7.4 million offer to buy the bells. Gary Naftalis, a lawyer for the Newport congregation, showed the court the 1787 will by one of the original trustees of the synagogue, Jacob Rodrigues Rivera, in which he says he leaves it “in Trust only, to and for the sole use, benefit and behoof of the Jewish Society of Newport to be for them reserved as a place of public worship forever.” Congregants in Newport detailed how membership was dwindling at the synagogue, and talked about ways they tried to cut expenses and raise money. But Michael Pimental, a former treasurer and current assistant treasurer of the board, acknowledged on cross-examination that he had not done financial projections into future years apart from annual budgets. The congregants also testified they had no reason to believe the New York congregation had a claim on the bells. Bea Ross, president of the board, said she discussed the potential sale of the bells with a member of Congregation Shearith Israel’s board in 2009, after a newspaper article appeared about the congregation’s financial problems and its considering selling the bells or other assets. She said he didn’t comment and she never heard from him again until 2012, a few hours before the congregation voted 31-6 to explore a possible sale. (AP)

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Monticello: Congregants Dance Down The Streets As Stolen Sefer Torah Is Returned To Shul

Men, young and old, congregants of the Landfield Avenue Synagogue, were joined Tuesday evening by residents of the greater Monticello community as a Sefer Torah, which was stolen from the Shul three weeks ago and was recovered last week, was carried back home from the police station. Music blared from loud speakers as the group danced and sang, taking turns carrying the Sefer Torah back to the Shul. Rabbi Benzion Chanowitz said faith unites the community. “It’s not money or possessions that make us happy. It’s a perspective in life that makes us happy,” he said. Among those public officials who attended was State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. “It’s a community celebration. We’re all here because I know how much history there was and so many families that put their names on the torah,” Gunther said. She congratulated the Monticello Police Department for cracking the case and recovering the scroll. Also attending was Thompson Town Supervisor Anthony Cellini and Monticello Police Chief Douglas Solomon, who said the investigation into the theft is continuing. One man has been arrested on a charge of possessing stolen property. (Source: MidHudsonNews)

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In Win For Religious Freedom of Speech, IRS Moves to Exempt Rabbanim from Political Endorsement Ban

In a significant shift that could impact how religious leaders address politics from the pulpit, the IRS has signaled it will no longer enforce the controversial Johnson Amendment against houses of worship — including shuls, churches, and other tax-exempt religious institutions. The Johnson Amendment, enacted in 1954 and named for then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibits tax-exempt nonprofits from endorsing or opposing political candidates. While rarely enforced, the rule has long cast a shadow over rabbanim who wish to speak freely on political matters from a Torah perspective. Now, in a joint legal filing in federal court in Texas, the IRS and plaintiffs — including the National Religious Broadcasters Association, an Evangelical media group — have asked the court to interpret the amendment so that it does not apply to communications made by a house of worship to its congregants during religious services or through other traditional channels. In other words, the IRS is formally backing a carve-out that would exempt shuls, churches, and other religious bodies from this long-standing speech restriction. “The Johnson Amendment should be interpreted so that it does not reach communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith,” the court filing states. The lawsuit, originally filed last year, argues that the Johnson Amendment violates the First Amendment rights of religious organizations, including freedom of speech and free exercise of religion. President Donald Trump, who has long been critical of the Johnson Amendment, signed an executive order in 2017 urging the Treasury Department not to enforce it. “I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution,” he said at the time. Although the IRS has typically avoided penalizing religious institutions for political speech, the current filing would set a precedent that could provide clarity and legal protection for rabbanim who wish to speak out on political matters that intersect with Torah values — especially in today’s charged moral and political climate. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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Justice Department Seeks Death Penalty for UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Suspect Luigi Mangione

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday that she has directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, following through on the president’s campaign promise to vigorously pursue capital punishment. It is the first time the Justice Department has sought to bring the death penalty since President Donald Trump returned to office in January with a vow to resume federal executions after they were halted under the previous administration. “Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,” Bondi said in a statement. She described Thompson’s killing as “an act of political violence.” Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, faces separate federal and state murder charges after authorities say he gunned down Thompson, 50, outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4 as the executive arrived for UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference. The killing and ensuing five-day manhunt leading to Mangione’s arrest rattled the business community, with some health insurers hastily switching to remote work or online shareholder meetings. It also galvanized health insurance critics — some of whom have rallied around Mangione as a stand-in for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind. Police say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said Tuesday that in seeking the death penalty “the Justice Department has moved from the dysfunctional to the barbaric.” Mangione “is caught in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors, except the trophy is a young man’s life,” Friedman Agnifilo said in a statement, vowing to fight all charges against him. Bondi announced her decision the same day the Trump administration began mass layoffs at federal health agencies. Mangione’s federal charges include murder through use of a firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty. The state charges carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to a state indictment and has not yet been required to enter a plea on the federal charges. Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state case expected to go to trial first. It wasn’t immediately clear if Bondi’s announcement will change the order. Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City and whisked to Manhattan by plane and helicopter. Police said Mangione had a 9mm handgun that matched the one used in the shooting and other items including a notebook in which they say he expressed hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives. Among the entries, prosecutors said, was one from August 2024 that said “the target is insurance” because “it checks every box” and one from October that describes an intent to “wack” an insurance company CEO. UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, has said Mangione was never a client. Friedman-Agnifilo has said she would seek to suppress some of the evidence. Former President Joe Biden’s Justice Department filed the federal case against Mangione but left it

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MAILBAG: Please Cancel Your Upcoming Yeshiva Week Trip To Los Angeles

For many Orthodox Jewish families, “Yeshiva Week” has become synonymous with mid-winter travel. It’s a chance to escape the New York chill and recharge in warmer climates, with Los Angeles often at the top of the list. The city offers a unique mix of sunny weather, world-class attractions, and an abundance of shuls and kosher dining options. But this year, I urge you to reconsider. Los Angeles is facing extraordinary challenges. Wildfires have ravaged the region, threatening lives, homes, and communities—including its vibrant Orthodox neighborhoods. The Sunset Fire, just a few miles from the La Brea Jewish community, has left residents rattled. In an unsettling moment, one shul asked congregants to retrieve their donated Sifrei Torah in case of evacuation. Yeshivas are shuttered, and an accidental mass evacuation alert added to the chaos. Though these frum communities have been spared direct destruction, the emotional toll is undeniable. This is not the time for tourism. The Orthodox communities of Los Angeles are deeply engaged in relief efforts—helping displaced neighbors, supporting evacuees, and focusing on their own recovery. Hosting an influx of Yeshiva Week visitors, while a mitzvah they would cherish under normal circumstances, would place an undue strain on families already grappling with a crisis. Yes, Angelenos are known for their warmth and hospitality, but their energy is needed elsewhere right now. Imagine visiting New York in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The city was reeling, struggling with food shortages, property damage, and an overwhelming sense of loss. While communities extended kindness where they could, the primary focus was on rebuilding. Los Angeles is now in a comparable situation—this is a time for healing, not hosting. We understand the excitement and tradition of Yeshiva Week trips. They’re an opportunity for family bonding and relaxation. But sometimes, the greatest kindness is knowing when to step back. By postponing your trip to Los Angeles, you allow the city and its communities to recover, regroup, and rebuild. Consider choosing another destination this year, or rescheduling your trip for a later date. Los Angeles will welcome you with open arms when the time is right—when the community is ready to embrace visitors without compromising their own well-being. This year, let the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim shine when it can be given wholeheartedly, without strain. Your understanding and flexibility will mean more than you know. Sincerely, A Los Angeles Resident The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

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TEFILLOS: Fast-Moving Wildfire Racing Toward Frum Communities In Los Angeles; Rav Gershon Bess Makes Dramatic Announcement

A rapidly spreading wildfire has erupted in the Hollywood Hills, igniting fears for nearby communities as it races toward densely populated neighborhoods. The fire, now only three miles from the Frum communities of Hancock Park and Beverlywood, appears to be burning south toward Hollywood Boulevard, threatening densely populated areas of apartments, condos, and homes at the base of the Hollywood Hills. This wildfire marks the closest such blaze has ever come to the frum communities in Los Angeles, and some are already making plans to flee their homes. Emergency responders are working tirelessly to contain the flames, but the fire’s speed is threatening to overwhelm them – as it has in other areas of Los Angeles. Sources confirm to YWN that HaRav Gershon Bess has announced to his shul that congregants should take their sifrei Torah home with them as a precaution. Most frum schools have already announced that there will not be classes tomorrow due to the raging fires. The Los Angeles Fire Department has issued an evacuation order for the area bounded by Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east, and Hollywood Boulevard to the south. Updates will continue on this article, the YWN live blog, and YWN’s WhatsApp Status and Groups. SIGN UP TO A YWN WHATSAPP GROUP NOW TO BE INFORMED IN LIVE TIME SIGN UP TO YWN WHATSAPP STATUS HERE PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY A KAPITEL TEHILLIM FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER.  (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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Trump Vows To Pursue Executions After Biden Commutes Most Of Federal Death Row

President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department’s operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. Is it a plan in motion or more rhetoric? On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Death row inmates are mostly sentenced by states Before Biden’s commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. What were the cases highlighted by Trump? One of the men

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Biden Commutes Sentences for 37 Death Row Inmates, Excludes Tree of Life Killer

US President Joe Biden announces that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment mere weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. The move spares the lives of people convicted in killings, including the slayings of police and military officers, people on federal land and those involved in deadly bank robberies or drug deals, as well as the killings of guards or prisoners in federal facilities. It means just three federal inmates are still facing execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018, the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history. “I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden says in a statement. “Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my administration has imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.” The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during Biden’s term. But Biden actually had promised to go further on the issue in the past, pledging to end federal executions without the caveats for terrorism and hate-motivated mass killings. (AP)

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Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill Jews and Bomb Synagogues

A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty in federal court to threatening to kill members of the state’s Jewish community and bomb local synagogues. John Reardon, 59, of Millis, Massachusetts, pleads guilty to one count of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, one count of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person, and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce. “This defendant’s threats to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children stoked fear in the hearts of congregants at a time when Jews are already facing a disturbing increase in threats,” Attorney General Merrick Garland says in a statement. “No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence.” Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Field Office, says the guilty plea sends a message that “you cannot call and threaten people with violent physical harm and not face repercussions.” “People of all races and faiths deserve to feel safe in their communities,” she says. In January, Reardon called Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and left a voicemail making several threats to kill congregants and bomb the synagogue, including that “if you can kill the Palestinians, we can kill you,” federal authorities said. Ten minutes later, he allegedly made a call to another local synagogue and a Jewish organization. Reardon was arrested days later. (AP)

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A Light Extinguished: Remembering Rabbi Yehoshua Kalish zt”l

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Jewish Home With profound sorrow, we remember a giant of Torah, compassion, and humanity – our beloved Moreinu HaGaon HaRav Yehoshua Kalish zt”l, whose pure soul returned to its Maker on Motzei Shabbos, leaving our community bereft of one of its brightest lights. A Man of Many Dimensions How does one capture the essence of a man who contained multitudes? A scholar who completed Shas forty times, yet remained humble enough to laugh with children. A leader who carried the weight of communal responsibility, yet made each person feel as though they were the only one who mattered. A father and grandfather, Rebbe and Rabbi, whose pride in his family, his students, and congregants radiated like sunshine, warming all who came near. Early Years and Dedication to Torah His journey in Torah began in his youth, when he made the courageous decision to dedicate his life entirely to learning, foregoing the conventional path that others expected. As his cousin Rav Mordechai Willig recalled, in the mid-1960s, when pressured to attend college, the young Yehoshua declared with conviction, “I will learn, I don’t need the things that people aspire to.” This determination led him to the hallowed halls of the Mir Yeshiva, where he studied under giants like Rav Chaim and Rav Nachum, before receiving his semicha from Beit Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. A Living Sefer Torah Rabbi Kalish was not merely a repository of knowledge, though his mastery of Torah was legendary. He was a living embodiment of Torah’s teachings – a walking Kiddush Hashem whose every action reflected the divine wisdom he studied so devotedly. His favorite masechta was Beitzah, which he completed one hundred times, finding in its pages the delicate balance between the spiritual and material worlds that he himself mastered so beautifully. In his final days, he completed a remarkable achievement – a sefer containing insights on every single daf of Shas. Leadership and Teaching For twenty-eight years, he served as the beating heart of the Harborview Beit Medrash in Lawrence, while simultaneously inspiring countless talmidim as Rosh Mesivta at the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. His Daf Yomi shiur at Shaarei Tefillah, which he maintained for over four decades, was not merely a lesson in Gemara – it was a masterclass in how to live as a Jew. Dedication to Teaching His dedication to Torah teaching knew no bounds. Each year in Camp Mogain Avrohom, on Tisha B’Av between Mincha and Maariv, he would deliver a six-and-a-half-hour shiur on Meseches Moed Katan. Those who participated in these marathon sessions emerged transformed, many becoming leading Talmidei Chachamim in their own right. Character and Middos In his personal conduct, he exemplified the highest ideals of middos tovos. As Rav Moshe Brown remembered, “I don’t think in all the years – I never saw him get angry.” His son-in-law testified that he lived by the principle of “Mah hu rachum, af attah rachum” – just as Hashem is merciful, so too was Rabbi Kalish merciful. There was no pretense about him – he simply wanted to know “what’s the Din, what’s the halacha,” always maintaining absolute integrity in every situation. A Heart of Chesed His chesed knew no bounds. How many almanos and yesomim found comfort in his counsel? How many troubled souls

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NEW YEAR, SAME HATE: Flatbush Driver Swerves At Jews, Yells Antisemitic Profanities As They Walk To Shul On Rosh Hashana

A driver hurled antisemitic slurs and swerved his vehicle toward congregants walking to a Brooklyn shul on the first day of Rosh Hashana. The victims were en route to Shaare Shalom on Avenue S near Ocean Avenue around 5:25 p.m. Thursday when the driver “edged toward” them in a threatening manner, according to police. The motorist reportedly shouted, “Drop dead Zionist!” as he veered toward at least two men, attempting to intimidate them. A 50-year-old witness, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted the incident, telling the NY Post that the driver didn’t attempt to hit him but created a scene. “He was speeding through the block, with loud foreign music playing,” the witness said. “He visibly stopped those people in the crosswalk and inched up his car. That’s when he made the antisemitic comments.” Although the driver did not physically harm anyone, the witness was disturbed by the aggressive behavior and hateful remarks. “This guy was definitely reckless, but after I heard he made statements to those individuals, I figured it was a bias incident,” he said. The driver, described as a man in his 30s, fled the scene in a black Ford Transit truck, heading north on Ocean Avenue, and remains at large. The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident. In 2024 alone, complaints of antisemitic incidents in New York City have accounted for nearly 56% of all bias reports. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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Two Toronto Shuls Vandalized In Latest In A String Of Antisemitic Acts And Attacks

A shul and synagogue in Toronto were vandalized on Sunday in what police are calling “hate-motivated” attacks. The Pride of Israel Synagogue, which is conservative, and Kehillas Shaarei Torah were both targeted, with rocks thrown through their windows and stained glass panels shattered. The first incident occurred at the Pride of Israel Synagogue, where congregants arrived Sunday morning to find several windows broken and stones scattered on the bimah. The suspect, caught on security camera, was seen getting off a motorcycle and throwing rocks at the building before fleeing the area. The second incident occurred at Shaarei Torah, which has been targeted twice since April. A vandal threw a rock through a window, and the suspect was seen fleeing the area on a motorcycle. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said that the Hate Crime Unit is investigating both incidents, which are being treated as suspected hate-motivated offenses. The police have increased their presence in the targeted areas. The Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center condemned the attacks, writing, “These two incidents come amid a dramatic upsurge in antisemitism in Canada, including many antisemitic shootings, firebombings, bomb threats, and vandalism attacks on Jewish institutions and businesses since October 7.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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Top Elected Officials Condemn Violent Antisemitic Assault In Los Angeles After Public Outcry

A violent clash between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and supporters of Israel outside the Adas Torah shul in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles is now being widely condemned by political leaders and local officials following outrage over their silence. President Biden, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass denounced the incident, which resulted in one arrest and left no injuries reported. The individual arrested is facing a misdemeanor charge for carrying a prohibited item at a protest – a spiked flag. Shockingly, there have been no arrests for assault or anything like that. Newsom called the incident “antisemitic hatred” and said it has “no place in California.” Bass labeled the violence “abhorrent” and “unacceptable,” adding that “Los Angeles will not be a harbor for antisemitism and violence.” President Biden also condemned the protest tactics, saying “Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American.” Mayor Bass has also ordered increased police patrols in the area and at houses of worship around the city and will meet with officials and faith leaders to discuss security measures and related issues. The incident began when pro-Palestinian activists gathered in front of the Adas Torah shul blocking the door were quickly met with counterdemonstrators carrying Israeli flags. Video showed fistfights breaking out, with police in riot gear standing nearby. Numerous scuffles occurred along the street, with some protesters hurling obscenities as they wrestled one another to the ground. Rabbi Hertzel Illulian, founder of the JEM Community Center in Beverly Hills, said the protest “doesn’t belong” in front of a synagogue. “I don’t think Jews would go in front of a mosque or the Christian people would go in front of a mosque to do such a thing.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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Ongoing Threats to Klal Yisrael Prompt Clarion Call for “Enhanced Shemiras Shabbos” Issued By Gedolei Eretz Yisrael

By Chaim Gold  Rare. It is extremely rare to witness a gathering of the senior elder Gedolei Hador from across the spectrum as they gather together in one room to issue a call to Klal Yisrael. That is what happened earlier this week in Bnei Brak as the Nesius of the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha gathered at the Slabodka Yeshiva. Among the venerated senior Gedolim who addressed the assemblage were HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim, shlita, Nasi of Shas Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, the Sanzer Rebbe, shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Chizkiyahu Yosef Mishkovsky, shlita. The asifa was also attended by HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva, the Alexander Rebbe, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Bezalel shlita, a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva Porat Yosef, the Dushinsky Rebbe, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shraga Shteinman, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Orchos Torah, the Seret-Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, and numerous other luminaries from the Yeshiva world, the Sephardic Torah world and the Chassidishe world. The event was also attended and addressed by Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, Nasi of Dirshu.  The gathering was held for one reason and one reason alone. To give chizuk to Klal Yisrael and to encourage Klal Yisrael to undertake the limud of hilchos Shabbos and Masechta Shabbos. This year on Shavuos, the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha will embark on the learning of hilchos Shabbos, Chelek Gimmel of the Mishnah Berurah in its machzor shelishi. Simultaneously, Dirshu’s popular, new Amud HaYomi program is in the middle of Masechta Shabbos. One who participates in both programs has the distinct opportunity to learn both the practical halachos of Shabbos along with its underpinnings in the sugyos of Masechta Shabbos.  In a unique, historic call and message to Klal Yisrael, the senior Gedolim took time from their busy schedules with many even traveling to Bnei Brak to speak with one united voice and encourage Klal Yisrael, k’ish echad b’lev echad, to be mekabel Shabbos; to accept upon themselves to learn the halachos of Shabbos and incorporate the limud into their daily schedules either with a chavrusah or by attending one of nearly 1,000 available shiurim.  This remarkable achdus of purpose among the Gedolim and Poskim of Klal Yisrael was not limited to Eretz Yisrael. In the United States as well, three very important gatherings of Rabbanim were held last week, where the Rabbanim, with one voice, encouraged Klal Yisrael and their congregants to grab the opportunity and join the limud of hilchos Shabbos and Masechta Shabbos.  The first asifa at the home of the venerated Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood and Telshe, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, shlita, was attended by more than a minyan of Rabbanim. The second asifa, held at the home of HaRav Shmuel Blech, shlita, the Zekan Harabbanim of Lakewood, was attended by numerous prominent Lakewood Rabbanim.  The third gathering was held at the home of HaRav Shaul Simcha Friedman, shlita, Rav of Khal Shemen L’Mincha of Lakewood with many chassidishe rabbanim in attendance. The most remarkable thing about all these gatherings was the profound sense of achdus among all the different shevatim of Klal Yisrael as they called on Klal Yisrael to engaged in the ultimate shemira for Klal Yisrael – Shabbos! The gatherings were held

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Pittsburgh Congressional Race Is Putting Anti-Israel Democrat’s Feet To The Fire

An election this month in Pittsburgh and some of its suburbs is emerging as an early test of whether Israel’s war with Hamas poses political threats to progressive Democrats in Congress who have criticized how the conflict has been handled. U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, a first-term lawmaker who has aligned herself with the “Squad,” is facing a primary challenge from Bhavini Patel and the war has become a flashpoint in the race. Patel frames Lee’s criticism of Israel as part of a broader pattern of left-wing politics that are extreme for the district and potentially damaging to Democratic President Joe Biden in a state is crucial to his reelection bid against Republican Donald Trump. Lee counters that she has helped move calls for a ceasefire in Gaza more into the mainstream of the Democratic Party. The war has scrambled Democratic politics across the United States. It’s dividing traditionally progressive groups, including Pittsburgh’s sizable Jewish community, in ways that don’t always fall neatly along ethnic or cultural lines. But it’s an especially potent issue in Lee’s district, which is home to the synagogue where a gunman in 2018 killed 11 congregants in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. The April 23 primary could shed light on whether the war alone is enough to turn a critical mass of Democrats against Lee. “It clearly is big enough with a certain group in this district,” said Sam Hens-Greco, the party chair in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh. “Whether it is big enough for the entire populace, we’re going to find out.” If Lee is defeated, she would be the first Democratic incumbent in Congress to lose a primary this year. Other progressive Democrats, including Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Jamaal Bowman of New York and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, face primary challengers this summer. Lee has raised far more money than Patel and has backing from Pennsylvania’s Democratic establishment, including Sen. Bob Casey, and a constellation of progressive groups that include both liberal Jewish and Muslim organizations. The first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania, the 36-year-old Lee is a Howard University law school graduate and community activist who began her political career in 2018 with a successful challenge from the left to an entrenched Pittsburgh-area state lawmaker. In this year’s campaign, Lee has promoted herself as a hardworking representative who delivers for constituents and speaks in Congress for marginalized communities on issues from fighting inequality to climate change and bigotry, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. On the Israel-Hamas war, Lee has condemned Hamas’ attack, but has also accused Israel of committing “war crimes” in Gaza, demanded an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and called for a ceasefire within days of the war starting as the best way to end the cycle of violence and work toward peace. That set her apart from Biden’s stance and that of most House Democrats, although now dozens more have joined her in calling for a cease-fire. At Biden’s State of the Union speech, Lee donned a kaffiyeh, a checkered scarf that has come to symbolize solidarity with Palestinians. Patel, 30, a small-town municipal councilwoman who worked in former Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s administration, declared her candidacy a few days before Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. Patel, who is Hindu and of Indian

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Biden Backed Off a Pledge to Abolish the Federal Death Penalty. That’s Left an Opening for Trump

As he prepared to take office three years ago, Joe Biden’s incoming administration considered a host of possible options to fulfill a campaign pledge to end the federal death penalty. One idea was an executive order, according to people familiar with the matter. But the White House did not issue one or push for legislation in Congress. Six months later, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used to execute people, a narrower action that has meant no executions under Biden. The Justice Department has since pushed for the death penalty against the suspects charged with mass shootings in Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Biden doesn’t discuss the death penalty much today. Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, consistently vows in campaign speeches to seek execution for drug dealers as part of a national crackdown on crime. Capital punishment hasn’t shaped a U.S. presidential race since 1988 when Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis was criticized for offering little emotion when asked during a debate if he’d favor the death penalty for the perpetrators if his wife were raped and murdered. But the issue could quickly return to the national spotlight if Trump retakes the White House and hustles to resume federal executions as he has repeatedly promised. That’s left some Biden supporters frustrated he hasn’t done more to prevent a future president from resuming executions, especially considering Trump pushed through 13 in his final six months in office. “It’s always been used as a political talking point. It has for centuries and it probably always will be,” said Robin Maher, executive director of the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center, which takes no official position on capital punishment but criticizes problems in its application. “But I think the American public is seeing through that now and is really looking for more serious answers to these very serious problems in our communities.” The incoming Biden administration’s deliberations were disclosed by former officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations. According to Gallup, support for the death penalty against convicted murderers has fallen from 80% in 1994 to 53% last year. And, in November, Gallup found in a separate poll that, for the first time, more Americans believe the death penalty is applied unfairly, 50% to 47%. The vast majority of condemned inmates are sentenced at a state level. Just 44 of the 2,331 people facing death sentences were held in federal prison at the start of this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In addition to the federal government, 21 states allow the death penalty, and it remains legal in six more that have presently declared moratoriums or otherwise paused executions. Alabama drew international attention for its use of nitrogen gas to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith, a convicted murderer, last month. Smith appeared to remain conscious for several minutes. For at least two minutes, he shook and writhed on the gurney, sometimes pulling against the restraints. Biden is the first president to openly oppose capital punishment. His 2020 campaign website declared that he’d “work to pass legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level, and incentivize states to follow the federal government’s example.” Similar language doesn’t appear on his website this year. His campaign declined requests to comment. Following Garland’s

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Massachusetts Man Arrested For Allegedly Threatening To Bomb Synagogues

A Massachusetts man was arrested today for allegedly threatening to kill members of the state’s Jewish community and bomb local synagogues, the US attorney’s office in Boston says. John Reardon, 59, of Millis, Massachusetts, allegedly called Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on January 25, and left a voicemail making several threats to kill congregants and bomb the synagogue, including, “If you can kill the Palestinians, we can kill you,” federal authorities say. Ten minutes later, he allegedly made a call to another local synagogue, as well as to a Jewish organization. Reardon, who had been in the custody of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, has been charged with one count of using a facility of interstate commerce to threaten a person or place with harm via an explosive. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. (AP)

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Tree Of Life Synagogue Demolition Begins Ahead Of Rebuilding The Site

Demolition got underway Wednesday at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, as part of the effort to reimagine the building to honor the 11 people who were killed there in 2018. The demolition work began slowly, with crews picking away at the building’s exterior. Most of the building will be removed, although portions of the sanctuary walls will be preserved. The new building will include spaces for worship, a museum, an education center and a movie theater. Carole Zawatsky, who heads the new nonprofit overseeing the project, was at the site as demolition began. She said she had a mix of emotions, including feeling bittersweet knowing why the old building was being demolished but also feeling tremendous excitement about seeing the project moving forward. It was sobering and a physical manifestation of healing, she said. “It is an incredible symbol of great resilience and moving forward,” she said. The building has held decades of important moments, including weddings, weekly services, and bar and bat mitzvahs, said Alan Hausman, the president of the Tree of Life congregation. To see if be demolished is difficult, but it also lays the foundation for the beginning of groundbreaking work the congregation hopes to accomplish, he said. “It just runs the whole gamut of emotions, all wrapped up into one in the same day,” Hausman said. Andrew Stewart’s family has belonged to the synagogue for more than 60 years. His bar mitzvah was one of the first events held in the social hall, which was the last addition to the main building and was one of the first sections to be demolished. “The synagogue means so much to so many. It’s an institution in the community,” said Stewart, who was the chairman of the construction working group. “It’s time to say goodbye to it, to let go of it and to create something that is fitting to memorialize the lives that were tragically lost and — more — to create worship space and to bring forth an institution that can make a dent in hatred and can help educate people about antisemitism.” The Oct. 27, 2018, attack claimed the lives of 11 worshippers from three congregations meeting at the synagogue – Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life. The three have been meeting at nearby synagogues since then. In a related project, a memorial to the victims is being planned for a site just outside the synagogue. The process of planning that memorial was left to representatives of the congregations and victims’ families. The design calls for a walkway that will lead visitors into garden memorial with 11 sculpted forms of open books, each representing one of the people who were killed. They represent the “Book of Life,” where, according to Jewish tradition, the righteous are named. The man who killed the congregants was sentenced to death last year, after the conclusion of a long-delayed federal trial. (AP)

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Dozens of NYC Shuls Receive Bomb Threats – Joining HUNDREDS Of Other Jewish Institutions Threatened

YWN has been reporting that hundreds of Jewish institutions are the United States have been receiving threats recently, but as usual, people don’t pay attention until it hits their own community. Multiple Jewish institutions in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and other location in NYC, including synagogues, schools, and community centers, received threatening emails over the weekend. These messages falsely claimed that explosives had been planted at various locations, including every synagogue in New York. The alarming emails were sent early in the morning to multiple addresses associated with yeshivas, synagogues, Jewish Community Centers (JCCs), and Hillel Houses. Specific locations mentioned in the emails included Congregation Shaare Zion on Ocean Parkway, the Mill Basin Hebrew School, Chevra Ahavas Yisrael in Crown Heights, the Kingsway Jewish Center in Midwood, and the Hillel House at Hunter College in Manhattan. YWN is aware of dozens of Shuls that received the threatening emails over the weekend. Authorities quickly responded to these reports, but upon investigation, they found no evidence of any actual threat. As always, if you are a recipient of such a threat, do not hesitate and call 911 immediately As YWN previously reported: In a confidential memo addressed to partner law enforcement agencies, the FBI’s Assistant Director Cathy Milhoan disclosed that a recent string of swatting incidents targeting Jewish institutions across the nation was likely a coordinated effort by a group operating outside the United States. Milhoan’s letter said, “At this time, based on similar language and specific email tradecraft used, it appears the perpetrators of these threats are connected. Additionally, these threats appear to be originating from outside of the United States.” She further assured, “To date, none of these email threats have involved any actual explosive devices or credible risk of harm to congregants.” The FBI is actively investigating these threats, with more than 30 of its 56 field offices involved. According to Milhoan, these incidents violated multiple federal laws. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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White Supremacist Sentenced For Threatening Jury And Witnesses At Synagogue Shooter’s Trial

A self-proclaimed white supremacist was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison Wednesday for making online threats toward the jury and witnesses at the trial of a man who killed 11 congregants at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Hardy Carroll Lloyd, 45, of Follansbee, West Virginia, was sentenced in federal court in northern West Virginia for his September guilty plea to obstruction of the due administration of justice. Lloyd admitted that the actual or perceived Jewish faith of the government witnesses and victims in the trial of Robert Bowers prompted him to target the jury and witnesses. The U.S. Justice Department described Lloyd as a self-proclaimed leader of a white supremacy movement. Prosecutors said Lloyd, who was arrested on Aug. 10, sent threatening social media posts and emails along with comments on websites during Bowers’ trial. Bowers was sentenced to death in August in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history after a jury determined that capital punishment was appropriate. In May 2022, the Texas Department of Public Safety offered a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to Lloyd’s arrest after he allegedly posted a series of comments online threatening to carry a firearm onto the Texas Capitol grounds and challenge any police officer who tried to “take enforcement actions” against him. A statement from the department said Lloyd was a convicted felon. (AP)

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FBI Says Hundreds Of Swatting Incidents Against Synagogues Were Likely Coordinated

In a confidential memo addressed to partner law enforcement agencies, the FBI’s Assistant Director Cathy Milhoan disclosed that a recent string of swatting incidents targeting Jewish institutions across the nation was likely a coordinated effort by a group operating outside the United States. The memo, obtained by ABC News, highlighted that nearly 200 Jewish organizations were affected over the weekend. Milhoan’s letter said, “At this time, based on similar language and specific email tradecraft used, it appears the perpetrators of these threats are connected. Additionally, these threats appear to be originating from outside of the United States.” She further assured, “To date, none of these email threats have involved any actual explosive devices or credible risk of harm to congregants.” The FBI is actively investigating these threats, with more than 30 of its 56 field offices involved. According to Milhoan, these incidents violated multiple federal laws. The Secure Community Network (SCN), a non-profit that advises U.S. Jewish institutions on safety, recorded an unprecedented number of 199 swatting incidents and false bomb threats between Friday and Saturday. The SCN press release detailed the geographic spread of these incidents, including 93 in California, 62 in Arizona, 15 in Connecticut, five in Colorado, and four in Washington state. The non-profit also reported a significant increase in such incidents, with a 540% rise from 2022, totaling over 449 cases this year. Notably, October and November witnessed a 290% surge in incidents from the previous year, with SCN documenting a record 772 incidents. In concluding the memo, Milhoan emphasized, “The safety of all faith-based communities is one of the FBI’s highest priorities. Once again, thank you for your partnership and your collaboration to keep our communities safe.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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New York Can Ban Guns From ‘Sensitive Locations’ For Now, Appeals Court Rules

New York can continue to enforce laws banning firearms in certain “sensitive” locations and require that handgun owners be of “good moral character,” a federal appeals court ruled Friday in its first broad review of a host of new gun rules passed in the state after a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year. But in a 261-page decision, a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of appeals also blocked some aspects of New York’s new gun rules, including a ban on people bringing firearms into houses of worship. The court also rejected a requirement that applicants for a handgun license turn over a list of social media accounts they maintained over the past three years, citing free speech concerns. The court also said the state can’t enforce part of the law that made it a crime to carry a concealed gun onto private property without the express consent of the owner — a restriction that would have kept firearms out of places like shops, supermarkets and restaurants unless the proprietor put a sign up saying guns were welcome. It did, however, allow the state to continue its ban on firearms in so-called “sensitive” locations, such as public transportation, hospitals and schools. The ruling by the appeals court was at an early stage of a legal battle seen as eventually likely to wind up before the Supreme Court again after the justices in 2022 struck down New York’s old rules for getting a license to carry a handgun outside the home. For decades, the ability to legally carry guns in public had been restricted only to people who could show they had a special need for protection. State officials responded by crafting legislation that was intended to open the door to more people getting a handgun license, but simultaneously put a host of new restrictions on where guns could be carried. Lawmakers, acting months after a white supremacist killed 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, banned guns in places including public playgrounds and schools, theaters, places that serve alcohol and buses and airports. Multiple lawsuits were filed challenging the rules, leading to a series of lower court decisions upholding some of New York’s new law but decreeing that other aspects were unconstitutional. In its ruling Friday, the judges wrote that it was “not facially unconstitutional” for the state to require that applicants for a license to carry a handgun be of good moral character. “A reasoned denial of a carry license to a person who, if armed, would pose a danger to themselves, others, or to the public is consistent with the well-recognized historical tradition of preventing dangerous individuals from possessing weapons,” the court wrote. But the judges did rule against the requirement that handgun license applicants turn over a list of their social media accounts. “Requiring applicants to disclose even pseudonymous names under which they post online imposes an impermissible infringement on Second Amendment rights that is unsupported by analogues in the historical record and moreover presents serious First Amendment concern,” the court wrote. The U.S. Supreme Court, in its ruling last year knocking down New York’s old gun rules, had suggested some limits on who could carry guns, and where they could be carried, were acceptable, as long as they conformed with the long tradition

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London Police Escort Jews Home From Shul Amid Pro-Hamas Protests

The Metropolitan Police in London opened an investigation after pro-Hamas “protesters” returning from an anti-Israel protest harassed Jewish families leaving shul on Shabbos. Disturbing footage posted on Twitter showed men holding green flares, waving Palestinian flags and shouting from cars outside a shul in north London. The Campaign Against Antisemitism organization wrote: “Since the Jewish Sabbath ended, we have been receiving information from across the Jewish community. “We are aware of Jewish families being targeted on their way out of synagogue and have received reports of police having to escort congregants away in groups for their own safety. “The placards today bore slogans and imagery that would not have looked out of place in Nazi Germany. “Islamist extremists, the far-left and the far-right were out on the streets, all on one day. What a day to be a Jew in London.” About an estimated 300,000 people participated in the “National March for Palestine” in London on Shabbos, with some protesters holding antisemitic signs, chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and glorifying Hamas. Dear @metpoliceuk, Greetings! We wish to bring to your attention a concerning recording from yesterday in London, where an individual advocated for the slaughter of Jews, reminiscent of Hitler. We eagerly await information on his arrest. Should such individuals still roam… pic.twitter.com/KIZe3Q4axR — Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) November 12, 2023 We are aware of the videos filmed in Waterloo and Victoria stations yesterday which show unacceptable abuse including anti-Semitic language, as well as threatening behaviour. The railway network, including stations, is policed by @BTP. We have spoken with our BTP colleagues and… — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 12, 2023 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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WATCH: “Salachti”: A Musical Masterpiece of Divine Forgiveness by Renowned Chazan Sholom Jacobs

In a soul-stirring performance that resonates deeply with the heart, internationally acclaimed singer and revered Chazan, Sholom Jacobs, delivers a heartfelt rendition of “Salachti,” composed by the esteemed Yitzy Waldner. This new composition of an age-old Yom Kippur prayer has traversed the annals of time, offering solace and evoking tears in countless souls. “Salachti,” translated as “You are Forgiven,” serves as a divine anthem of absolution, providing a tender reassurance from God in response to our human frailties and shortcomings. Sholom Jacobs’ remarkable voice embraces the lyrics, channeling every raw emotion and fervor encapsulated within this sacred prayer.  On Yom Kippur, we humbly stand before our Creator, acknowledging our imperfections and the intricate dance of life. However, we do not shroud ourselves in sorrow but bask in the enveloping joy sparked by gratitude for life’s blessings. With heads bowed and hearts contrite, we seek atonement, and in boundless compassion, God whispers back, “Salachti.” The captivating visual narrative of “Salachti” has been meticulously crafted by the visionary director Zvika Bornstein. This story captures a moment of anxiety as an entire congregation awaits the Chazan, their eyes fixed on the door, with the anxious Gabbi asking, “Where is the Chazan?” The tale unfolds, chronicling the Chazan’s winding journey to the synagogue, strewn with unforeseen obstacles. Yet, isn’t this journey a reflection of our own lives? Often, life’s detours impede our path to the divine. Nevertheless, when we finally reach out, our merciful God embraces us, whispering, “Salachti.” WATCH HERE –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_eqxUnV0VA About Sholom Jacobs: Sholom Jacobs, a globally renowned performer and Chazan hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, currently resides in New York. His illustrious career includes performances on stages worldwide and collaborations with esteemed Jewish music icons like MBD, Gad Elbaz, Avraham Fried, and Yaakov Schweky. Notably, his album “Pi Shnaim” features compositions by Yossi Green and Moshe Laufer. Sholom has graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Jazz Center at Lincoln Center and has officiated in locations ranging from Israel to Poland. For nearly a decade, he served as the high holiday’s Chazzan at Scotland’s largest shul, Giffnock, before relocating to Chabad of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst, NY. For the past four years, Sholom has been the Chazan at the esteemed Chabad of the Jersey Shore, a vibrant growing community of over 600 congregants from near and far. He eagerly anticipates leading the high holiday services there once again, alongside his choir.

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Ron Desantis Booed At Vigil As Hundreds Mourn Racist Killings

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday at prayer vigils and in church, in frustration and exhaustion, to mourn yet another racist attack in America: this one the killing of three Black people in Florida at the hands of a white, 21-year-old man who authorities say left behind white supremacist ramblings that read like “the diary of a madman.” Following services earlier in the day, about 200 people showed up at a Sunday evening vigil a block from the Dollar General store in Jacksonville where officials said Ryan Palmeter opened fire Saturday using guns he bought legally despite a past involuntary commitment for a mental health exam. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis — who is running for the GOP nomination for president, who has loosened gun laws in Florida and who has antagonized civil rights leaders by deriding “wokeness ” — was loudly booed as he addressed the vigil. Ju’Coby Pittman, a Jacksonville city councilwoman who represents the neighborhood where the shooting happened, stepped in to ask the crowd to listen. “It ain’t about parties today,” she said. “A bullet don’t know a party.” DeSantis said that on Monday the state would be announcing financial support for security at Edward Waters University, the historically black college near where the shooting occurred, and to help the affected families. He called the gunman a “major league scumbag.” “What he did is totally unacceptable in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said. “We are not going to let people be targeted based on their race.” Sheriff T.K. Waters identified those killed as Angela Michelle Carr, 52, who was shot in her car; store employee A.J. Laguerre, 19, who was shot as he tried to flee; and customer Jerrald Gallion, 29, who was shot as he entered the store in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Gallion attended St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Bishop John Guns told the crowd. He was the 33rd murder victim in the 27 years Guns has been there, he said. “In two weeks I have to preach a funeral of a man who should still be alive,” Guns said. “He was not a gangster, he was not a thug — he was a father who gave his life to Jesus and was trying to get it together. “I wept in church today like a baby because my heart is tired. We are exhausted.” The latest in a long history of American racist killings unfolded early Saturday afternoon after Palmeter first parked at Edward Waters University. The sheriff said a video posted on TikTok with no timestamp showed Palmeter donning a bullet-resistant vest. A university security guard spotted Palmeter and parked near him. Palmeter drove off and the security guard flagged down a Jacksonville sheriff’s officer who was about to send out an alert to other officers when the shooting began at the store. Palmeter used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a Glock handgun in the shooting, Waters said. He had legally purchased the guns in recent months even though he had been involuntarily committed for a mental health examination in 2017. Because Palmeter was released after the examination, that would have not shown up on his background checks. Palmeter killed himself as police arrived, about 11 minutes after the shooting began. Palmeter lived with his parents in neighboring Clay County. He texted his

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ANTISEMITISM: String of “Swatting” Hoax Calls Target Synagogues Across the U.S.

A disturbing wave of hoax calls targeting synagogues across the United States has raised alarms within the Jewish community and amplified concerns about the rising tide of antisemitism. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has been tracking a series of 26 “swatting” calls aimed at synagogues in 12 states over the past month, a term referring to fraudulent emergency calls that often involve summoning police SWAT teams. The hoax callers are making false claims, asserting that a man is contemplating self-harm along with violence against others or that a bomb has been planted in a particular building. Notably, the addresses provided on these calls often correspond to synagogues that are livestreaming their services – which are generally Conservative or Reform temples. In some cases, the callers even observe the live-streamed events as law enforcement agencies interrupt the worshipers. These distressing incidents are then shared online, further exacerbating the sense of unease and vulnerability. The ADL’s records indicate that the number of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. reached its highest level since 1979, when the organization began its tracking efforts. This escalation is mirrored in the recent uptick of swatting calls targeting synagogues, a trend that has heightened anxieties among Jewish communities nationwide. Police departments have been responding diligently to the false alarms. The NYPD reported having been summoned to three synagogues in Manhattan over the past two weeks alone. Meanwhile, the ADL’s Manhattan office was also targeted by a swatting call earlier this month. The impact of these swatting incidents on congregants is undeniable. Videos circulating on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) depict police officers entering synagogues in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Fremont, California, ordering worshippers to evacuate. Such incidents have disrupted worship and engendered a sense of unease among congregants. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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White Supremacist Accused Of Threatening Jury, Witnesses In Trial Of Pittsburgh Synagogue Gunman

A self-proclaimed white supremacist was arrested Thursday on charges that he made online threats toward the jury and witnesses at the trial of a man who killed 11 congregants at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the U.S. Justice Department said. Hardy Carroll Lloyd of Follansbee, West Virginia, is accused of sending threatening social media posts and emails along with comments on websites about the trial of Robert Bowers. In addition, Lloyd, 45, allegedly was responsible for stickers placed in predominantly Jewish areas of Pittsburgh directing people to a website containing his threats and antisemitic messages, the Justice Department said in a news release. “Jury trials are a hallmark of the American justice system and attempts to intimidate witnesses or jurors will be met with a strong response,” U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld said. “The use of hateful threats in an effort to undermine a trial is especially troubling.” Bowers was sentenced to death last week after a jury determined that capital punishment was appropriate for the perpetrator of the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. The Justice Department described Lloyd as a self-proclaimed “reverend” of a white supremacy movement. He was being held without bond in the Northern Regional Jail in Moundsville. Jail records didn’t indicate whether Lloyd has an attorney who could comment on the charges. Lloyd, who was arrested without incident, is charged with obstruction of the due administration of justice, transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce, and witness tampering. The charges carry a total maximum punishment of 35 years in prison upon conviction. In May 2022, the Texas Department of Public Safety offered a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to Lloyd’s arrest after he allegedly posted a series of comments online threatening to carry a firearm onto the Texas State Capitol grounds and challenge any police officer who tried to “take enforcement actions” against him. A statement from the department said Lloyd was a convicted felon. (AP)

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Celebrate the Holidays at Beautiful Florida Resorts- Rosh Hashana At PGA, Yom Kippur At JW Marriott, Sukkos At Agam

Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Rabbi Shais Taub and several other inspiring guests are scheduled to be featured at Kosher Holiday Resort’s (KHR) Rosh Hashana retreat at the luxurious PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida. For Yom Kippur, guests are invited to celebrate the fast in a most comfortable setting at the beautiful JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura. A unique Sukkos family getaway is being offered at Agam Kosher Resort’s beautiful 6.5 lakefront campus in Hollywood / Cooper City, Florida.  Rosh Hashana KHR is renowned for providing the most incredible, meaningful and enjoyable Rosh Hashana experience, featuring a beautiful setting to enjoy heartfelt davening, inspiring lectures and delicious holiday cuisine. An amazing youth program and baby-sitting is also organized for the children. This year, the Rosh Hashana program is moving to the luxurious PGA National Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. PGA is recognized as a world-class destination for its glamorous spa, family vacations, championship golf and its annual sold-out Kosher for Passover retreat. Rosh Hashana begins Friday, September 15 and guests can choose to arrive a day early to enjoy the deluxe hotel amenities. The newly renovated resort features South Florida’s largest ballrooms, guest rooms and suites. Two Services: Main Minyan & Sefardic Minyan Two services will be taking place throughout the entire Rosh Hashana. Congregants at both services will be mesmerized by the incredible cantorial voices on hand. Leading the main Minyan will be Chazzan Yossi Baumgarten, Chazzan Nochum Rabin and Rabbi Yerachmiel Andrusier.  Descending from a long line of exceptional cantors, Baumgarten proved last year that he certainly is amongst today’s elite cantors. Rabin is a seasoned Chazzan with many years of experience in leading high holiday prayers. His mastery of traditional melodies, combined with his heartfelt delivery, creates a deep spiritual and engaging experience. Andrusier as well, always delights the crowd with his sweet melodic voice and traditional tunes.  Arriving especially from Paris to lead the Sefardic Minyan, will be Hazzan Rabbi Gabriel Elfassi. A renowned Sefardic cantor, Hazzan Elfassi has performed around the globe: in Israel with the philharmonic orchestra, in Italy where he offered a magnificent operatic performance (libretto), and in Morocco.  Inspiring Lectures Headlining this year’s program will be world renowned speakers Rabbi Simon Jacobson and Rabbi Shais Taub.  Both rabbis will be offering classes each morning during breakfast, deliver dynamic sermons during the services, present afternoon lectures and host a late-night “crossfire” session.  Rabbi Jacobson is Founder and Dean of The Meaningful Life Center. He is a pioneering speaker, educator and mentor to thousands. He is the author of the best-selling book “Toward a Meaningful Life,” a William Morrow publication that has sold over 400,000 copies. Rabbi Jacobson is also YouTube’s Rabbi of choice! Rabbi Taub is renowned as a scholar, mentor and master communicator. His ability to convey even the deepest spiritual ideas in relevant ways has made him one of the most sought after speakers in the Jewish world today. The annual “Crossfire” session, where Rabbis Jacobson and Taub will take any question from the audience, is extremely popular, especially with the teens and young adults, and usually goes till the wee hours of the morning.   Glatt Kosher Gourmet Cuisine Chef Gary Rubin and Executive Caterer’s Eric Kaufman will oversee an incredible team of master chefs who will combine their culinary wizardry with dynamic flavors to create the most sumptuous Rosh Hashana Kosher Menu. Three freshly prepared meals are served

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Pittsburgh Synagogue Gunman Who Killed 11 Will Be Sentenced To Death, Jury Decides

The gunman who stormed a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and killed 11 worshippers will be sentenced to death for perpetrating the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Robert Bowers spewed hatred of Jews and espoused white supremacist beliefs online before methodically planning and carrying out the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue, where members of three congregations had gathered for Sabbath worship and study. Bowers, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, also wounded two worshippers and five responding police officers. The same federal jury that convicted the 50-year-old Bowers on 63 criminal counts recommended Wednesday that he be put to death for an attack whose impacts continue to reverberate nearly five years later. He showed little reaction as the sentence was announced, briefly acknowledging his legal team and family as he was led from the courtroom. A judge will formally impose the sentence later. Jurors were unanimous in finding that Bowers’ attack was motivated by his hatred of Jews, and that he chose Tree of Life for its location in one the largest and most historic Jewish communities in the U.S. so that he could “maximize the devastation, amplify the harm of his crimes, and instill fear within the local, national, and international Jewish communities.” They also found that Bowers lacked remorse. The family of 97-year-old Rose Mallinger, who was killed in the attack, and her daughter, Andrea Wedner, who was shot and wounded, thanked the jurors and said “a measure of justice has been served.” “Returning a sentence of death is not a decision that comes easy, but we must hold accountable those who wish to commit such terrible acts of antisemitism, hate, and violence,” the family said in a written statement. Bowers’ lead defense attorney, Judy Clarke, declined comment. The verdict came after a lengthy trial in which jurors heard in chilling detail how Bowers reloaded at least twice, stepped over the bloodied bodies of his victims to look for more people to shoot, and surrendered only when he ran out of ammunition. In the sentencing phase, grieving family members told the jury about the lives that Bowers took — a 97-year-old woman and intellectually disabled brothers among them — and the unrelenting pain of their loss. Survivors testified about their own lasting pain, both physical and emotional. Through it all, Bowers showed little reaction to the proceeding that would decide his fate — typically looking down at papers or screens at the defense table — though he could be seen conversing at length with his legal team during breaks. He even told a psychiatrist that he thought the trial was helping to spread his antisemitic message. It was the first federal death sentence imposed during the presidency of Joe Biden, whose 2020 campaign included a pledge to end capital punishment. Biden’s Justice Department has placed a moratorium on federal executions and has declined to authorize the death penalty in hundreds of new cases where it could apply. But federal prosecutors said death was the appropriate punishment for Bowers, citing the vulnerability of his mainly elderly victims and his hate-based targeting of a religious community. Most victims’ families, but not all, said Bowers should die for his crimes. “Many of our members prefer that the shooter spend the rest of his life

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Midwest Rabbanim Conference Focuses on Relationships, Growth, Mental Health

60 Rabbanim and 25 Rebbetzins attended the 13th annual Midwest Conference of Synagogue Rabbanim with one question in mind: “How can we help our kehillos grow?” Over the two-day conference, participants focused on connecting to every member of their kehillos. Each presenter spotlighted different groups within the kehillah, ranging from men to women, from school-age children to teenagers. This years conference was dedicated liluy nishmas Rabbi Reuven Gross zt’l, Rav, Shaarei Tzedek Mishkan Yair and a member of the Vaad HaRabbonim, who passed away this past Chanukah. Divrei Hesped were shared by Rabbi Henoch Plotnik on practical rabbanus ideas that one could learn from Rabbi Gross’ career. On relationships, Rabbi Chaim Schabes, Mara D’asra of Congregation Knesses Yisroel in Monsey, NY, spoke about the value of connecting to families within the kehillah and the relationship between Rabbanim and therapists. Rabbi Yosef Elefant, Maggid Shiur, Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, spoke on the topic of building a stronger relationship with and inspiring the men in the kehillah. Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan, Agudas Yisroel of Illinois, shared bein adam l’chaveiro questions Rabbanim are often presented with, and how to address them. A highlight of this year’s conference was the expansion of the discussion groups sessions. During the two-day conference the Rabbanim joined together three times in randomly chosen groups to have open discussions moderated by a leader chosen from the group. The sessions created lively conversations about relevant topics and issues facing many of the participants. Another main topic at the conference was mental health. Rabbi Shloime Schwartzberg, Mora D’asra of Grande River Shtibel in Toms River, NJ, and a licensed social worker discussed how to avoid burnout and the importance of correctly understanding mental health terminology. The Rebbetzins participated in a program of their own, featuring remarks from Mrs. Debbie Selengut, who spoke about the role of a Rebbetzin and its unique challenges. “I found the conference interesting and enlightening,” commented Rabbi Menachem Ostroff. “It is a unique opportunity to have the chance to benefit from having so much rabbinical experience all in one room.” “Every year I look forward to this conference,” said Rabbi Zvi Zimmerman. “As a Rabbi in the community, it is a great opportunity to speak to other Rabbanim who have experienced what I have, allow me to appreciate what my baalei batim bring to the table, and how I can help others similarly to how they help their congregants. In addition, each session was filled with applicable insights that I intend to implement in my shul.”

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Appreciating Rav Moshe Chait zt”l on his 14th Yahrtzeit

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman This week, Wednesday will be the 14th Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe Chait zt”l. There was no one who knew him that was unaffected by him.  His love for his Talmidim, for his congregants, for Klal Yisroel was seen in his warm, loving smile and in the hand that extended over your shoulder as he spoke to you.  His intellect and his grasp of the entire oeuvre of the Mussar literature were both quite formidable.  Rav Moshe Chait zatzal (Yahrtzeit 8 Av) was unique in that he combined all of these qualities in one, as he served as the Rosh HaYeshiva of Chofetz Chaim’s branch in Sanhedria HaMurchevet in Yerushalayim. He was a master pedagogue whose power of description was nothing short of a time machine.  As one sat and listened to his shmuessim, you were transported.  I remember his vivid description of Shavuos in South Ninth Street in his beloved Yeshiva in the 1930’s. We were all transfixed and literally transported.  His description of it all, especially the feelings of ruchniyus that permeated what he felt, made it so real and palpable even for the listener.  You felt that you were there.  You too, were a Talmid of Reb Dovid zatzal.  You felt the connection.  True it was not possible, but somehow, some way, you too were a Talmid of Reb Dovid. His shmuessim were so uplifting and inspiring that Talmidim who had him more than two or three decades earlier were and still are listening to tapes and mp3s of them.   He discussed the mundane and transformed it into a religious experience.  I remember once, some of the bochurim (myself included) were not making their beds. A shmuess. Hakaras HaTov to one and to all.  Hakaras HaTov even to an inanimate object.  This bed refreshed you.  It revived your spirit.  You, a tzelem Elokim, a reflection of the Divine Spirit.  Reflect upon what that bed is, and allow it to once again be in its most dignified state.  Make that bed.  Your coat kept you warm.  Treat it properly.  Hang it up. We rushed to turn the mundane into kedusha.  We ran and made our beds. A question.  Rebbe, could this also be why Chazal made brachos?  To sanctify the mundane?  Rav Chait’s loving hand and warm smile gave you the answer.  And he felt pride in your question – like a loving father.  Vast erudition and love.  He conquered hearts.   **** Please help support an important  pidyon shvuyim case**** CLICK HERE His passion was Mussar.  And he loved his beloved Midrash, the Yalkut Shimoni.  Trained by the scions of the Mussar Movement, he had the ability to unfold the latent Mussar gem that lay inherent, hidden perhaps, but revealed so beautifully and eloquently, within the words of the Midrash and Rav Chait’s expanation.   Indeed, he had studied this text for over four decades – even back then.  He knew it through and through and was attuned to the subtle differences between it and other versions of the same Midrash. He kept in touch with Talmidim and wrote them letters.  Which Rosh Yeshiva writes letters to Talmidim past?  Sadly, it is unheard of. There was no question.  He was that link to Torah past.  But he connected you to it.  You were that next

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