יום ראשון, 21 יוני 2026Sunday, June 21, 2026
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יום ראשון, ו׳ תמוז תשפ״וSunday, June 21, 2026
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Antisemitism / Headline / NY / Police and Crime

Bomb Threats Target Multiple NY Synagogues

By Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)

According to a state representative, more than 20 Jewish houses of worship were threatened over Shabbat.

Chessed and Tzedaka / Featured / IDF & Security / Israel At War: Iron Swords / Judea & Samaria

Families of Fallen Soldiers Dedicate IDF Base Synagogue to Loved Ones

By Josh Hasten

The synagogue, at the Lamed-Hey base in Gush Etzion, was also dedicated in memory of Ari Fuld, who was murdered by an Arab terrorist in 2018.

Antisemitism / NY

New York Group Creates $250,000 Fund to Boost Security at Brooklyn Shuls

By Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)

Assistance will go to synagogues in the heavily Jewish neighborhoods of Midwood, Kensington, Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Borough Park and Flatbush with a capacity of fewer than 200 people and little staff.

Judaism

OU: We Must Bring the Backyard Experience Into the Shul Instead of the Shul Experience into the Backyards

By Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)

With the pandemic's end in sight the Orthodox Union convened small synagogues to discuss returning to full operations.

"Peace" Process / Normalization / Abraham Accords / Chessed and Tzedaka / Headline

Arab Contractor Donates Jewish Prayer Area to Israeli Settlement in the Shomron

By Aryeh Savir, Tazpit News Agency

After learning that the price quote was for a Jewish synagogue, the Arab contractor decided to donate the materials and work for free.

Coronavirus / Religion / US

Trump Announces Houses of Worship as ‘Essential,’ Threatens to Override State

By Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)

The U.S. president called on governors to make such a move “right now” and threatened that “if there’s any question, they’re going to have to call me—but they are not going to be successful in that call.”

Coronavirus / Headline / Judaism

Zomet Introduces Shabbat Thermometer for Synagogues and Hospitals

By Jewish Press News Desk

The device could be a game-changer in the next step towards reopening shuls on Shabbat.

Coronavirus / Judaism / Judea & Samaria

Rabbi Riskin Shuts Down All Minyanim in Efrat

By Jewish Press News Desk

Rabbi Riskin also ruled that someone who has been tested for Coronavirus must leave their phone on during Shabbat in case they get the results back.

Coronavirus / Headline / US

BREAKING NEWS: Bergen County Rabbis Cancel All Shuls, Forbid Minyanim, Shabbat Gatherings, Dining Out

By Jewish Press News Desk

This is an unprecedented American-Jewish leadership response to the spread of Coronavirus by the Bergen County Jewish leadership.

South Florida

Ivanka Trump Speaks at The Shul

By Shelley Benveniste

Ivanka's friendly warmth charmed the crowd of nearly 1,000.

Parsha

Planting Next To A Shul

By Rabbi Raphael Fuchs

When I first encountered this explanation, I took issue with it. For even if a shul’s courtyard does not possess kedushah, planting in it could still be prohibited.

Photo of the Day

The Ancient Susiya Synagogue

By Photo of the Day

The excavated synagogue in Susiya dates from the 4th to the 7th century CE and was in continuous use until the 9th century CE.

Op-Eds

To Prey or To Pray: Child Molesters in Shul

By Rav Zev Shandalov

I urge you to take action at your shul to pass a motion to add rules that will protect your children–our children from predators. And never say “it won’t happen here.”

Judaism / News Briefs / NY / Politics

Orthodox Shul Will Keep LGBT Shabbaton Despite Neighborhood Rabbis' Objection

By JNi.Media

"We encourage you to show your support by coming to shul this Shabbat for services and for the Shabbaton programming, and we welcome your feedback, questions, and notes of support."

Assimilation / Haredim & Hassidim / Judaism / News Briefs / NY / Religion

Lower East Side Rabbis Hint at Excommunicating Orthodox Shul for LGBT Shabbaton

By JNi.Media

The signatories at the bottom of a letter titled "An important Message to the Community" include Rabbis David and Reuven Feinstein, the sons and spiritual heirs of the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein.

South Florida

Torah Ohr – A Thriving Shul In Boca Raton

By Helen Garfinkel

Guest speakers visit frequently to share their knowledge and experiences while social activities fill the calendar.

Antisemitism / Israel / News Briefs

Arsonists Burn Down 2 Shuls Over Shabbat

By Jewish Press News Desk

One shul was destroyed, and the fire department managed to save the Torahs in the second.

Jewish / News Briefs / Syria

Syria's Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue Destroyed (Video)

By Jewish Press News Desk

Syria oldest synagogue was flattened and destroyed over the weekend.

Antisemitism / Europe / News Briefs

Italian Police Find Pig Culprit

By Jewish Press News Desk

Italian police have identified the man who sent the pig heads to Rome's main shul.

Potpourri

At First There Was Chaos

By Penina Scheiner

Chaos - that is how the world is described at its inception in the book of Beraishis (Genesis). Confusion. A lack of clarity and boundaries. Or, as I teach my kindergartners, "a mishmash".

Halacha & Hashkafa

Vending Change

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Yosef, Gad and Benjy headed down to the dining hall in their high school. As they walked along the corridor they noticed a new vending machine had been installed. The three admired the machine, and eyed its beckoning display of treats.

Torah

Thoughts On Hurricane Sandy

By Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky

Usually, when I begin a speech, I start with something interesting, lighthearted or funny - to get your attention and lead into the speech itself. Permit me to deviate from that this week, because there is nothing funny, lighthearted or interesting about what so many of us are experiencing, and if not us, than our friends, loved ones and neighbors, and if not them, than people a few miles away from us in Long Beach or Far Rockaway who have lost everything to 14 foot waves, or a little farther away where helpless Senior Citizens are living without water or power in high rises on the Lower East Side.

Op-Eds

Tefillah L’Shlom Medinat Yisrael: A Plea For Prayer

By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel

Minutes after candle-lighting, sirens rang out in Jerusalem, disturbing the peace and tranquility ushered in by Shabbat. Earlier that day, my wife and I assured our parents that we are far from the rockets in our home in Har Nof, a quiet suburb nestled in the Jerusalem Forest.

Op-Eds

It’s Not Just About The Internet… We’re Creating Apathetic Robots

By Allan J. Katz

The Orthodox Jewish world continues to seesaw back and forth about the pros and cons of the Asifa on Technology at Citifield in New York. Debates abound about on the best Internet filters, blocks and technological band-aids to which will surely repair the dangerous environmental influences of the outside world. Let’s ban or block the Internet and suddenly our children will be less distracted, our communities more heimish and our learning and davening more for the sake of Heaven instead of rote blabbering to get it over with.

South Florida

Highland Lakes Jewish Center/Chabad Chayil’s Classes And Programs

By Shelley Benveniste

The Highland Lakes Center/Chabad Chayil, located at 2601 N.E. 211 Terrace in North Miami Beach, is again holding “Secrets of the Hebrew Alphabet.” The popular class will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday nights.

Emes Ve-Emunah

Modern Orthodox Dropouts

By Harry Maryles

There has been a lot of discussion about young people abandoning Mitzvah observance (going off the derech) over the past few years. A lot of that discussion took place here. Indeed it has been declared a crisis by some. The focus of this issue in the religious media has been primarily in the Charedi world. Many theories have emerged as to why children go OTD. Among them: being sexually abused and the negative reactions to it by family and community, dysfunctional family situations, faulty educational environments, teachers unprepared to deal with questions of faith, or being overly sheltered from the world so that rebellion occurs when they are exposed to it unprepared.

Teens and Twenties

It’s A Boy’s World, You Know

By Anonymous

You've gotta settle, stop being so choosy, it's a boy's world after all And you're just one of the millions who think their worth something, have the gall. You've got to start looking better, so that you'll be noticed when you walk through town And perhaps you can lose a few pounds too, so we can pull your resume dress size down.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Suspected!

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

"I arranged with Simon Cooper, the plumber, to clear the blockage in the kitchen sink this morning," Mr. Laks told his wife. "Oh, great!" she replied. "I'll clean the kitchen before he comes."

Battling Addictions

Road to Recovery

By Brocha Silverstein

Dear Brocha,... Today, I am a father of six bochurim b”ah. While I love and appreciate all of my children, unfortunately the Yomim Tovim aren’t filled with the good memories as in the days of yore. You see, one of my sons got involved with the wrong crowd, and at 16 he looks forward to Shabbos and Yom Tov as simply another opportunity to drink. Now that Sukkos is almost upon us, instead of joyfully anticipating, I am cautiously fearful about what Simchas Torah will bring.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Driveway Sukkah

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Sam Berger and Moti Farber shared a two family house, with a joint driveway in front. The Farbers had an extensive family, whereas Sam was relatively young and just recently had his fourth child.

Teens and Twenties

Teddy Bears

By Alti Bukalov

Shimon looked up at me with a serious look in his bright green eyes as he earnestly told me, “I’m going to measure which one is heavier, my mitzvos or my avayros.” I couldn’t help but smile at his five year old virtues and watched as he took down the toy scale and took little teddy bears, moving them from side to side, looking for the correct balance.

Lessons In Emunah

‘I Inspire Myself’

By dvora

We first met Shlomie (name and some details have been changed) over 20 years ago. He davens in our shul, and he and my husband share a love of photography. Over time, we got to know each other well.

Teens and Twenties

Combat Boots

By Shulamis S.

They called the colt Unbridled Song. His father's name was Unbridled, his mother's Trolley Song. The colt loved to run, with an energy and spirit that stretched into an endless melody of wind and pounding hooves and the freedom of the open track. They hoped he would become a champion.

Halacha & Hashkafa

All In The Mind

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

It was Yom Kippur eve. The shul began filling rapidly as the time approached for Kol Nidrei. Herzl Machlis sat in his seat, cloaked in his tallis and kittel, quietly reciting Tefillah Zakkah, composed by the Chayei Adam 150 years ago.

Lessons In Emunah

My Personal Shofar Blower

By Rabbi Zalman Eisenstock

Rosh Hashanah memories take us to our shuls, homes and families. They remind us of promises made about how we would change our lives and rearrange our priorities. There may also be memories of the delicacies we ate when we were children – the chicken soup, gefilte fish and great desserts. And one sound, the sound of the shofar blasting away with its shrill notes of tekiah, shevarim... and finally the long, very last sound – the tekiah gedolah.

Potpourri

Going In Circles

By Mordechai Schmutter

When people ask me what kind of column I write for The Jewish Press, I say, “advice,” but I actually make those quotes with my fingers. I don’t think I’ve actually saved any lives yet. But this column is still great way to vent about your problems, so long as you can figure out how to put them in the form of a question.

Baseball Insider

Israel And The World Baseball Classic

By Irwin Cohen

For the first time, Israel will participate in the qualifying round of the World Baseball Classic. That's the good news. The bad news concerns the dates they'll be playing in Florida. Earlier in the year it was thought the early rounds would start in other countries before moving to Florida in November. Assuming Israel would still be in the WBC games, the Florida site would be Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.

Teens and Twenties

Kashrut – More Than Just A Symbol On A Box

By Hannah Kark

When I walk in to the grocery store it is second nature for me to just check to make sure that that bag of chips or that cookie has an OU or other kosher symbol on it. To many Jews, it is just something that they do, and it usually is like that for me. But when this question was asked, I thought deeper. I began to think about how this label gives me a sense of community; and as I made that connection, I thought of our rich heritage, and once that relationship was made I thought about our homeland – Israel.

Tevye in the Promised Land

Tevye in the Promised Land, Chapter 12: Hodel

By Tzvi Fishman

It was impossible to tell which thought gave Tevye more happiness. The thought of stepping foot in Jerusalem, or the thought of seeing his Hodel again. True, Hodel was his own flesh and blood. She was like a little piece of his Golda.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Missing Payment

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Dr. Oren had a small psychology practice and rented office space from his colleague, Dr. Wieder, on Thursday afternoons. The rent amounted to $500 for the month. Since the two usually did not see each other, the arrangement was that Dr. Oren would leave the rent money in the top drawer of the desk.

Haredim & Hassidim / IDF & Security / News Briefs

Uniformed Haredi Soldier Kicked Out of his Shul

By Jacob Edelist

He was told that since he was wearing the uniform of the “Army of the Zionist State,” he was not permitted to enter the shul.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Never Borrowed!

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Mr. Morris was home one evening, when an acquaintance, Mr. Roth, knocked at his door. "May I have a word with you?" Mr. Roth asked. "Certainly, come in," Mr. Morris said, welcoming him into the living room. "Perhaps you've forgotten," Mr. Roth began, "but last year I lent you $500, which you never repaid." Mr. Morris scratched his head and thought for a moment. "I never borrowed from you," he replied.

Features On The Jewish World / Potpourri

Southern Hospitality

By Karen Greenberg

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the American South, Savannah, Georgia is a world of exciting history and activity. Rich with landmarks from over 275 years, the city boasts unique architecture, Civil War commemorative tours, and a long list of beautiful squares and parks. In addition, Savannah’s Tybee Island provides a beach atmosphere for those who want to relax on and off-shore. Interestingly, Savannah also hosts a small but thriving Jewish community. The Savannah Jewish Federation offers family services and community resources, and there are a number of places to find kosher food. The city has three shuls: one for Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform congregations, respectively. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak with Rabbi Avigdor and Rebbetzin Rochel Slatus of the Bnai Brith Jacob Synagogue.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Profitable Ticket

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Excitement was in the air as the 12th Siyum HaShas of the Daf Yomi cycle approached. Mendy, who had joined the Daf seven and-a-half years earlier, eagerly anticipated taking part in this major event at MetLife Stadium along with 93,000 other participants.

Holidays / Op-Eds

What Are We Fasting For?

By David Ha'ivri

A few years ago, I happened to be in Los Angeles for the fast of Tisha B'Av. Towards the end of the fast, between afternoon and evening prayers, the rabbi of the shul asked if I could say a few words to the congregation to explain the significance of the holy day and the fast.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Summer Weekend

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Mr. Blank worked through the summer, so his family stayed in the city. "It would be nice to get away to the country for a weekend," his wife suggested.

Tevye in the Promised Land

Tevye in the Promised Land, Chapter Five: A Husband For Ruchel

By Tzvi Fishman

When Tevye walked back to his wagon, Ruchel was missing. Tzeitl reported that a young man from the village had unharnessed Tevye's horse and taken it to the barn for a feeding. Apparently, he had taken Ruchel with him. Tevye's eyebrows rose in surprise. Of all of his daughters, Ruchel most resembled his Golda.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Just One Tile!

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

The Alperts needed some work done around their house. The contracted Mr. Fixler, a general handyman, to do the job. While working on one of the fixtures, Mr. Fixler accidentally knocked his drill off the ladder. It landed with a thud on the floor of the entranceway, cracking a tile.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Sealed Envelope

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Mr. Meyers scurried around the wedding hall, making sure everything was properly in place; his son was getting married. "Could you please watch this envelope?" he asked his close friend, Mr. Koenig.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Buy!

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Mr. Scher had a portfolio manager for his investments, but preferred to track certain stocks himself. One was TorahTech, a start-up that specialized in harnessing new technology to disseminate Torah.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Fence Value

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Mr. Sam Braun stood at the back door of his house with another man dressed in rugged jeans and a baseball cap, surveying the back yard. The man had a tape measure in his hands, and took measurements along the length and width of the yard. The two then walked to the side of the house and again measured and talked, gesticulating with their hands.

Tales of the Gaonim

Nicholas Tries To Russify The Jews

By Rabbi Sholom Klass

In the 19th century, the heart of European Jewry – its centers of Torah learning, its crown of glory – was centered in the vast expanse of the Russian Empire. There, under the hand of the czars, lived millions of Jews – poor in material wealth but blessed with a love of Torah and a dedication to their faith that was unshakeable.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Non-Kosher!

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

"Welcome to the bar mitzvah celebration of our dear son, Eliezer," Mr. Siegel announced to his guests. "The bar mitzvah boy will now make a siyum Mishnayos, which will be followed by the main course."

jBlogs

Jblogs: It's Methuselah Day

By Tibbi Singer

It's Iyar 11, the yahrzeit of Methuselah at the 969 years of age (according to one opinion). I suppose on this day Jewish geezers go down to the park and pass judgment on the pigeons (You call that pecking?). It's also the yahrzeit, in 1884, of Judah Philip Benjamin, the second Jewish senator in U.S. history (from Louisiana), who also served in the cabinet of President Jefferson Davis (yes, yes, they lost).

Arts

Shuls On My Mind: Robert Feinland’s Paintings

By Richard McBee

One thing is certain about Robert Feinland - he has shuls on his mind. His career has spanned over 40 years, exploring landscape, cityscape, sculpture and abstraction. For many of those years he has focused on the relentlessly changing urban landscape of New York, feeling the necessity to document and, in some way preserve, the physical fabric of the city he loves. A selection of recent paintings, most concentrating on the Crown Heights community, is currently at the Chassidic Art Institute. Many of the images are of shuls.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Parking Spot

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Yankel drove with his wife to the yeshiva's annual dinner. "I hope we'll be able to find parking," she said.

Lessons In Emunah

An Unseemly Hour

By Alan Magill

It’s my first moment of wakefulness, and I’m chilled to the bone. Pull the covers over myself, I’m thinking, while I decide to roll over to look at the clock. It’s 5:30 a.m. and I’m exhausted. But attending morning minyan – even once – is the least I can do.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Screen Smasher

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

Shmuel Bender and Asher Beckerman were study partners (chevrusas). They also sat next to each other in shiur. Shmuel felt fortunate to have the privilege of learning with Asher, whom he admired greatly.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Paying a Professional, And For His Courtesy Too

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

"When someone completes his job faithfully you must pay him fully, even if no benefit comes from the work. For example, if a person ordered a delivery of medicine for a critically ill patient, and the person died or recovered meanwhile, the driver must be paid."

Lessons In Emunah

Shabbat: A Time for Menuchah V’simcha

By dvora

Shabbat is a time of menuchah, of rest. It is also a time of simcha, of happiness. We are often too busy during the week to stop and think about how we can do something simple to bring simcha into someone else’s life. When we can combine the menuchah of Shabbat together with its inherent simcha, we can bring ohr laYehudim, light to all of us.

Parsha

Parashah Terumah: The Placement Of The Mishkan’s Planks

By Rabbi Raphael Fuchs

In this week’s parshah the Torah discusses many of the various aspects of the mishkan. The Torah dictates in detail the manner in which the walls of the mishkan were to be erected. At the instructions’ conclusion, the pasuk says, “Vahakeimosa es hamishkan, k’mishpato asher har’eisa bahar – and you shall erect the mishkan according to its laws, as you will have been shown on the mountain” (Shemos 26:30).

Halacha & Hashkafa

A Sweet Sales Agent

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

"Although a shomer sachar is generally obligated in theft and is expected to watch extra carefully, he can stipulate with the owner for a lower level of responsibility . . . A number of authorities maintain that when the owner was aware of the conditions in which the merchandise would be kept, it is considered as a stipulation that such guardianship suffices."

Baseball Insider

At Catcher… Myron Ginsberg

By Irwin Cohen

Sixty years ago and fifty years ago. 1952 and 1962. They were memorable years for many of us.

News Briefs

Probation to Policeman who Stole from Tzadakah Boxes

By Jewish Press Staff

Border Policeman was caught on camera stealing from a shul pushkah.

West Coast Happenings

Spiegel Shul’s Melaveh Malkah

By dvora

Kanner Hall was the site of Ohr HaChaim’s recent annual melaveh malkah. The shul, known as the Spiegel Shul and located in the Fairfax-Hancock Park community, was originally founded by Spiegel family members. The Spiegels still tend to the shul’s needs.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Compromise!

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

"Fine & Feder Furniture" had been a landmark in the shopping center for decades. The two partners had opened a small store thirty years before and now ran a humongous showroom. Rumors were circulating of a breakup in the partnership, though, due to developing mistrust.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Bike Theft!

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

"Yosef, congratulations on your graduation!" said Uncle Sam. "I want to buy you a new bike as a present."

Interviews and Profiles

Rabbi Kleiman – Still The First One In Shul

By Elliot Resnick

It’s not often that I get to speak to a rabbi about to celebrate his 99th birthday.

Halacha & Hashkafa

Missing Necklace

By Rabbi Meir Orlian

"Do you realize that it's Shaindy's 30th birthday in a month?" Sara asked Penina. "It's amazing how time flies!"

NY

Syrian Community Members contest Synagogue's Expansion Plan

By Shlomo Greenwald

In response to community objections, a prominent Brooklyn synagogue will not proceed, for the moment, with the construction of a 65-foot annex to its main building, according to several members of the Syrian Orthodox community in Brooklyn who asked not to be named. However, they will most probably not permanently shelve the project altogether.

MUSSAR – Avi Ganz

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E-Edition

Serials

Freedom Is the Ownership of Time

By Itamar Frankenthal

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