Seagate celebrates Simcha at the sea- A year since Sandy

Rabbi  Meisels

 Video HERE  from BJL   Video below: Gifter Photos
  Hamodia article HERE

 Thousands gathered  in the streets of Seagate, NY for a commemorative event, one year after Hurricane Sandy devastated the community. It was a Year ago at 8:02 pm when the ocean crashed on Sea gate. Now a Year later, the Town has been Rebuilt B"H and the residents  marked it with a special celebratory event  saying Thank you to HK"BH. Thanking hashem for the Miracles, despite the devastation and damage Hurricane Sandy inflicted on the community both physically and emotionally, there was no loss of life. they said thank you to all the volunteers, host families and donors that helped them triumph over darkness on the oceanfront. A Hachnosas Sefer Torah took place with stops in song at all seagate shuls. The Torah was brought to the Avodas Yisroel Shteibel which lost their sefer Torah in the storm                                        For Photos click HERE
  photos  below,

Tablets and Talmud- the Digital Daf on the 8:01 Train

From the BBC  living online video series HERE   

Every morning Jewish Orthodox commuters from Long Island use their hour-long train ride to New York City to study the Talmud, a centuries old compilation of Jewish law and tradition.

Daf Yomi  on the Train

The first car of the last wagon of the Long Island Rail Road turns into a moving synagogue, with about 30 people listening to a rabbi explaining the text and discussing it together, sometimes sitting next to other commuters reading their newspapers or dozing off.

The class has been taking place for more than two decades but these days many of the students of the book follow along on their tablets and smart phones.

The BBC took the 8:01 Cedarhurst train to see how religion and technology travel together.

Rav Yeruchem Olshin- R' Moshe Reichmann Z'L stabalized the Kollel checks for Lakewood youngeleit.

Rav yerucham Olshin

The Lakewood Rosh yeshiva Rav Yeruchem Olshin Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha who is currently in Eretz Yisroel, attended the Levaya of  Reb Moshe Reichman Z'L. In his hesped, he spoke  on behalf of the Rabbonim, Roshei yeshivos and youngeleit of  the Lakewood Yeshiva. He quoted the Pasuk  " הצדיק אבד ואין איש שם על לב, אנשי חסד נאספים ואין מבין".  We must realize the magnitude of our loss.

Rav Moshe Sternbach delivering a Hesped

  It was during a time when the yeshiva, BMG was going through a very hard time financially, and could not cover the kollel budget. The Rosh yeshiva Rav malkiel Kotler along with Rav Elya Svei Zt"l traveled to Toronto to meet R' Moshe Reichmann and ask for his help. He took upon himself the responsibility of supporting the kollel payroll at that time. The Rosh Yeshiva said that was the foundation upon which the kollel is supported and enabled the yeshiva to flourish. Other Balei batim soon followed  Reb Moshe's example and gave large donations. The kollle checks have been issued on time every 2 weeks since than for almost 12 years. The hachzokas hatorah and the Limud hatorah of the Bnei hayeshiva are all in his Zechus.

President Obama chooses cheesecake over cholent

The hope was, that president Obama would stop off in Crown Heights in the Chabad neighborhood on Kingston Avenue  and grab a bowl of hot cholent or a piece of potato kugel. The president went milchig instead and bought 2 cheesecakes on Flatbush Avenue HERE .

hmm.. don't tell Michelle

Asking for Justice for Rubashkin

 Despite not stoping off at the heart of  frum neighborhood, many there are sure the president noticed the signs calling for justice to Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin. Signs asked that the president to either pardon or investigate the case. Noted Lubavitch comedian Mendy Pelin tweeted, Mendy Pellin tweeted:   "White House: The president is humbled by his warm greeting in Crown Heights. The "Long Live the King" signs were touching!"

BD"H Reb Moshe (Paul) Reichmann Z'L Levaya hookup info, photos, pictures

Photos  and video of the Levaya in Israel in  Yerushalayim click HERE
For  pictures of the Levaya in Toronto click HERE
10/28/2013  pictures Paul Reichman  funeral
Updated Live phone  hookup to Levaya in Yerushalayim listen live  732-551-3351 Ext 9
To listen to a live hookup of the Levaya, in Toronto call 267-507-0240 and enter PIN # 381763.

photos BHOL.com

Rav Shmuel Auerbach gave first hesped at Levaya in Yerushalayim. Rav yerucham Olshin, Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva was maspid in EY. His Chavrusos when he was in yeshiva both the Gaavad and Raavad of the eidah hacharedis Rav Tuvia Wwiss and Rav Moshe Sternbach were maspid. Rav Berel Povarsky, Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rav Avrohom Erlanger,were all maspid.
The Kevurah was in Eretz Yisroel on Har hamenuchos near the new chelkas harabonim Sunday. The Levaya  in Israel took place at Yeshivas Ahavas Torah on Rechov Toras chesed in Sorotzkin neighborhood .
He was the biggest Tomech To of recent Memory. Maspidim mentioned not just how much he gave to Torah and yechidim but about his Simas Lev the way he gave tzedakah. Hespedim were held in Toronto on Motzei Shabbos.

Experience the upcoming 2013 Agudah convention

Agudah convention 2013 promo video. song by Boruch Levine

 
From video channel of Agudath Yisrael of America Young leadership initiative.

O! Vey- President Obama to visit crown Heights on Erev Shabbos, Residents urged to do Shabbos shopping on Thursday.

Lighting candles

"O! Vey" President Barack Obama's planned visit to the Pathways in Technology Early College High School in Crown Heights section of Brooklyn this friday, will close down many streets near the frum neighborhood of Crown heights. Obama's motorcade will drive thru heart of the Jewish neighborhood on Kingston Ave tomorrow afternoon, frozen zones expected. The street closures, coupled with the short Friday's has askanim telling residents to do the shabbos shopping on Thursday. According to Chabad Online The route of the presidential motorcade is kept secret but the NYPD said to expect heavy traffic.

American gedolim and Roshei Yeshiva shocked of assault on Rav Aaron Leib Shteinman

 The Yeshiva world is in shock as a man entered the home of Rav Shteinman this morning and physically attacked him. At 5:30 Am the Rosh yeshiva was learning with his chavrusah when suddenly the man stormed in to the house and knocked the Rosh yeshiva down. He yelled at Rav shteinman and threatened to kill him. (Update: Family of attacker says he is not well and was deranged.)
Rav Shteinman was able to get up but than later during davening was not able to stand up during shmoneh esrei. People in the house tackled the perpetrator and held him untill police arrived.

Was Petirah of Rav Ovadiah Yosef Z"L a "siyum HaShas"?

The results of the Municipal elections in Israel have many in the shas party worried. Does this spell an end to the shas paty? The first test of survivability since the passing of Rav Ovadiah Yosef, has seemed to fail. In 2 hotly contested races, the shas candidates lost to their political rivals both in Yerushalayim and Elad. The city of Elad was the stronghold of the Shas party for many years. It is the first time control has been wrestled away from them by the Ashkenazi candidate for mayor.

After missing Siyum Hashas at Metlife, Viznitz Rebbe from EY joins Agudah with Siyum on Pesachim

After his uncle called on his chassidim not to attend the Siyum HERE the Rebbe participated at a Siyum for Daf Yomi in Monsey.

from BJL  photo credit: Yosef Rappaport/ Hamodia

At the first event, an overflow crowd of close to 1,500 Yiddish-speaking participants gathered Motzoei Shabbos Vayerah at the Atrium Plaza in Monsey for a sit-down melavah malkah and siyum. Organized by the Daf Yomi Commission of Agudath Israel of America in conjunction with numerous major kehillos in Rockland County, the celebration was made possible by a group of energetic young askanim who worked tirelessly to make the event a success.

Live broadcast Siyum maseches Pesachim by Rav Avrohom Schorr

A year after Hurricane Sandy, another storm to hit New Jersey

Its been a  year since hurricane sandy devastated the state of NJ, particularly the Jersey shore area. Now, a year later another storm is set to rain down on  New Jersey, a storm of filth and decadence. The State of NJ pending a last minute appeal, will legally recognize same gender marriage. Newly elected Senator Cory Booker said he will officiate same gender marriages at the first available moment.
 Shortly after a state Supreme Court ruling Friday paved the way for such unions, Booker’s office said he would begin marrying same-sex couples at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, the first moment they are allowed. 

The Torah refers to same sex marriage as Toeiva an Abomination. our opposition to Toeivah marriage is an expression of our religion.

 Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2013/10/18/booker-looking-to-wed-same-sex-couples-before-taking-senate-
seat/#ixzz2iIJQmkCW

Photo courtesy of Shmuely Boteach. HERE

Get your Schmutz right here!

What used to be considered tabloid news, gossip and shmutz in the secular news media has now spread to the frum media in a big way, particularly the frum news websites and blogs. The frum print media, newspapers and magazines B"H  have editors and rabbinic boards who guide them in what what to print. They have standards and accountability for the content that's featured.  Gedolim back in Europe endorsed and encouraged the concept of frum papers to  spread Torah hashkafa and provide the news in a kosher way as an alternative to the secular press. Rarely were there a newspaper that was accepted and read without knowing who the editor or publisher is.

With the Internet age, all that has changed, opportunity arrived for anyone to open a website or blog and post whatever they want without any accountability. On the other hand there is no shame in going to a store and buying a paper you would rather not be seen with when you can read it online.

 A few individuals took the opportunity and opened frum news websites. They claim to be catering to Heimish yeshiviish and Torah community. Many of us frequent these sites and quote them as the main online frum news sites. Many mosdos and frum businesses advertise on these sites and use them as a way to get a message out.

However, these sites have no "hechsher" the editors are all anonymous, there are no known rabbanim who back up anything written or posted. More so these sites have  comment sections that post lashon hora, machlokes, shmutz and post news stories of any wrong doing by another frum "charedi" yid as a regular news item. It may call itself yeshiva world but its a far cry from that. The cofferoom section in one site is full of leitzanus and people mocking the yesodos of yiddeshkeit. Just recently with the Passing of Rav Ovadiah Yosef zatzal the comment section on VIN  was loaded with lashon hora and rechillus about a gadol hador. Another Torah site using tactics not befitting a online voice of Torah Jewry.

Some of the Frum Papers have websites but not as updated and current as other frum blogs and websites. Its time to establish a Frum news site with real people not hiding behind a screen and Rabbonim backing up everything that is posted.

91st Agudah convention 2013 - theme "Nurturing Our Children Ensuring Our Future"

 Schedule and live Broadcast info HERE

The 91st Agudath Israel convention for 2013 is only a month away. The convention will take place at Hilton Woodcliff Lake in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey from Thursday, November 14th through Sunday, November 17, Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach. The motzei shabbos keynote session will focus on the assault against the the Torah community in EY. Featuring special guests from Erez Yisroel.                             

credit: Baltimore Jewish Life

Rav Lazer Yudel Finkel mir Rosh Yeshiva

“The presence of these two distinguished dignitaries will enhance the convention immeasurably,” said Hashi Herzka, convention chairman. “Particularly at a time when every caring Jew is consumed by the severe challenges facing our brothers in Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe and Rosh Hayeshiva will create an atmosphere of palpable achdus and spur us to help the Torah community in Eretz Yisroel in a practical and meaningful way.”
The Tolna Rebbe is renowned throughout Eretz Yisroel for his penetrating Torah insights and his masterful ability to convey a powerful message to the tzibur. He is also considered an expert in inyaneichinuch and shalom bayis, guiding and giving hadracha to thousands of Yidden in need.

Tolna rebbe from Yerushalayim

Rav Finkel is a son of the legendary Mir Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l, and has capably assumed the mantle of leadership following his father’s petirah. In just a short time, he has become beloved to his talmidim, and devotes much energy to guiding them both in their growth in Torah and in their personal lives.
In addition to contributing to what is expected to be an especially uplifting Shabbos experience, the Rebbe and the Rosh Hayeshiva will join the Novominsker Rebbe and Rav Ephraim Wachsman at the Motzoei Shabbos Keynote session in addressing the unprecedented assault against the Torah community and Torah values in Eretz Yisroel. They will give a deeper understanding of the many issues that face the community in Eretz Yisroel, as well as provide guidance as to how the American Torah tzibur should respond.
The other major convention plenary session will take place Thursday night, and will focus on the convention theme Chanoch Lanaar: Nurturing Our Children, Ensuring Our Future. It will deal with the challenges that parents face in raising their children in today’s complex world, while striving to pass on the eternal legacy of the mesorah.
 “There is great anticipation for what promises to be a memorable convention,” says Rabbi Labish Becker, Executive Director of Agudath Israel of America. He noted that the hotel is filling up quickly and urged that all who wish to attend make their reservations as soon as possible. As always, all sessions are open to the public, free of charge.
The convention will take place at Hilton Woodcliff Lake in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey from Thursday, November 14th through Sunday, November 17, Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach.
For reservations or for more information, call 212.797.7380 or email convention@agudathisrael.org

Watch video rebroadcast of atzeret of Hespedim for Rav Ovadiah Yosef held in Yerushalayim

CLICK  HERE for video rebroadcast of  atzeret Shiva for Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef Z''TL Held Yesterday in Yerushalayim. Hepedim will also be delivered in the USA in  Lakewood Yeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha Tuesday, October 15th at 6:30. Maspidim, Rav Yosef Harari Raful RY of Ateret Torah and Rav Chaim Benolliel R''Y Yeshivas Mikdash melech

Rav Boruch Mordechei Ezrachi delivering a hesped

The event was held in the streets of jerusalem attended by over 100,000 people.

Kever matzeivah of Rav Ovadiah Yosef Z'tl 

Photo: Kikarhashabat.co.il

text of the Matzeivah on the kever

פ"נ  רבן של כל בני הגולה  המדוכא ביסורים  מרן הראשון לציון  רבינו עובדיה יוסף זצ"ל  בן רבי יעקב וגורג'יה ז"ל  נלב"ע ג' מרחשון ה'תשע"ד  מחבר הספרים  יביע אומר, יחוה דעת, חזון עובדיה, לוית חן, טהרת הבית, מאור ישראל, הליכות עולם, טבעת המלך, ענף עץ אבות, ועוד  ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.  "נפשו בטוב תלין וזרעו יירש ארץ"

Transcript of video on meeting between Rav Ovadiah Z'tl Yosef and Rav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg Z'tl in November 2008

Below is the transcript of the conversation on the video between Rav Ovadiah Yosef and Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg it took place in November 2008.
ROY= Rav Ovadia RS=Rav Scheinberg
 ROY says that he fell and has strong pains in his back preventing him from learning Torah because of it he wants to learn but he cant because of the pain.
  RS- Hashem will help him he should have a Refuah shleima and should continue to write his chiddushim on shulchan aruch Rav Ovadiiah begins to cry, at that point Rav sheinberg tells him Not to cry. He continues crying and RS assures him that hashem will help him without any doubt.
ROY than gives Rav Scheinberg a bracha they both wish each other to merit to see the coming of mashiach and hold his hand.
 ROY tell RS that he mentioed his chiddisum on halacha in his seforim and heaps praises that RS should continue to spread torah and he quotes the pesukim of ben porat yosef ben poras ali ayin..od yenuvun beseivah desheinim verananim.
 ROY continues to cry and RS reassures him not to cry to which ROY responds that hes crying because of his sins he quotes the gemara that Yesurim only come because of sins.
 RS cries along with him and tells him not to cry. He should continue to write his chiddushim. They inform ROY that RS is leaving to America and he gives him a bracha to continue to be marbitz torah. upon leaving Rav Sheinberg is presented with a new sefer from Rav Ovadia and he gives him a bracha of arichas yamim to continue publishing more seforim and spread Torah.

Frum papers publish special editions in tribute to Rav Ovadia Yosef Zatzal

Yated Neeman

Mishpacha magazine

All major frum weekly publications came out with special coverage on the passing of Rav Ovadia Yosef zatzal. Both the Yated and Hamodia printed special supplements about his life. Hamodia is a full color glossy supplement. The Yated also has a 32 page insert. Mishpacha published a special tribute issue.  Ami Magazine too has it as the cover story with a special tribute by Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef son of Rav Ovadiah ZT"l.

Did you expect any different from the NY post, its the frum websites that should shock you.

Why are people so shocked and surprised at the NY Post or "Prust"? How can it be after applauding them HERE  for their editorial on metzitza Bpeh and the satmar stores in Williamsburg, they go ahead and attack Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef Zatzal.

Its a shmutz tabloid that frum people should not be reading. The attack on Rabbi Yosef was disgusting, especialy for a Torah giant and a Rabbi that was respected across the board from all different denominations. They don't even know who he was and never heard his name before. The article was fed to them during a dirty campaign for NYC Mayor. A tabloid doing politics as usual. The Israeli secular media is more to blame for it.

What is shocking is Frum Blogs and news websites that allow negative comments posted about ROY. We should be outraged by the  discussion in the cofferoom section besmirching whole communities of Lakewood and Monsey, attacking the lakewood yeshiva BMG in the name of Kavod hatorah. The hypocrisy of these websites to publish editorials against the NY Post while doing the exact same thing!

  The NY post never the less have conservative values and they got it right on callling out Bloombergs crusade with the NYC dept of health on Metzitzah. For that  the Agudah  thanked them. we do not become fans and agree with what they do.

A commenter mentioned earlier, They say the Brisker Rov got very upset when someone tried to bring a rayah to something he said (about the avoda in the BHMK) from the report of a non-Jew who witnessed it and reported on what he saw. He said today you rely on his report for something that you agree with and next day you will bring rayahs from this non-Jew or another one to something else.

Six months Winter zman begins in the Yeshiva World

Winter Zman, or "Vinter zman" is well underway in the Yeshiva world, for thousands of yeshiva Bochurim and youngeleit, Its the longest uninterrupted zman of the year. This year 5774 being a leap year extends the zman another month making it a full six months zman. It began Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan and ends in the begining of Chodesh Nissan.

 Many yeshivos learn the yeshivishe mesechtos of Noshim and Nezikin, the shvere Sugyos of shas. It is a Zman were many have shteiged, were many can look back years later and point to that winter zman where they reached new levels of learning.

 The yeshiva year consists  of three zmanim, Elul Zman, Winter Zman and Summer zman. Winter zman is the zman most crucial zman of the three. The long stretch without interruption coupled with long winter nights have enabled many to accomplish and grow in Torah. 

for more read this article from Rabbi Wein HERE

Frum websites and blogs, who broke the news first?

Does it really matter who broke the story of the first? For some reason when a major story breaks, specifically when a Gadol batorah is Niftar and passes away, the Frum news websites and blogs are at a ratings war over who posted the news first.

 One particular Torah website who was not so quick on the petirah of Rav Ovadia Yosef Zt'l , backdated the timing of their post, making it appear as if it broke the news right away. Or perhaps they changed the time setting to Pacific standard Time (allthough it is always set on EST). They've  already done this practice once before when a previous Gadol was niftar. They had a banner calling on all to daven for Rav Ovadiah for a Refuah shleima a few hours after he passed away.

Is this ehrlichkeit we expect from our Torah online news website? As a news reporting site, its every journalists dream to break a story first, but as a frum site why not be honest. Why insult the readership and subject them to this practice of not being ehrlich. Especialy when reporting on the passing of  Gedolim who are anshei Emes.
Thats not a voice for torah Jewry.

Agudath Israel praises NY tabloids for their editorials

As reported HERE, the Agudah has commended the NY newspapers for their common sense editorials on the overreaching of the NYC human rights commission and health department.



For more click HERE

BD'H Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ZT"L- Levaya Info , live video Hookup of funeral

Live video stream of the mourners tent HERE during shiva
Photos of burial and kevurah HERE
Watch Live stream video hookup HERE or HERE and HERE
 Rav Ovadia Yosef Zatzal was niftar earlier today athe age of  93. The levaya will leave from the Porat Yosef  Yeshiva in Jerusalem at 6 pm following a earlier smaller Levaya for politicians at Shamgar Funeral home (11am EST) and make its way to  the Sanhedriah cemetery in Yerushalayim where he will be laid to rest next to his wife.
Photos of Levaya @yiddishnews

people davening in the kever before the burial during the Levaya of Rav Ovadiah Yosef

Watch Live video hook up of the Levaya of Rav Ovadia Yosef  HERE  HERE

Aerial Photo of Levaya

For live AUDIO hookup stream click HERE
 Watch live stream hook up for Levaya  HERE. when it becomes available.
Phone hook up Number 712-432-4212

Why we add ולכפרת פשע on Rosh Chodesh of a leap year untill Rosh Chodesh NIssan

Today Rosh Chodesh CHeshvan of a leap year we added in the Shemona Esreh of Mussaf the words  ולכפרת פשע  

In a Leap Year, in addition to praying for:“good and for blessing, for joy and for gladness, for salvation and comfort, for sustenance and maintenance, for life and peace, for pardon of sin and forgiveness of iniquity”,

we add a 13th request in respect of the additional month: “ולכפרת פשע-and for atonement of transgression”.

A possible reason suggested is that in case the Leap Year was mistakenly designated, and in consequence Chametz was eaten on Pesach, we pray for forgiveness. (טעמי המנהגים)

Bloomberg News: Lakewood Yeshiva- where Jewish life thrives in America, understanding Torah Lishma

 Bloomberg Article by Noah Feldman, who previously wrote an article "Orthodox paradox" in the NY times magazine against frum Yidden, Torah and Modern Orthodoxy, now wrote on Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ, a secular newspaper explaining what it means to learn Torah Lishmah..


"Graduates of institutions such as BMG won’t solve the demographic challenges to American Jewry highlighted by the Pew study. Moreover, the American Jewish community will not be fundamentally transformed by an Orthodox population that hovers near 10 percent. But BMG matters. It matters for the future of Jews in America precisely because it matters for the future of Judaism in America. By privileging ideas and thought over identity, it proudly stakes out a position of genuine durability" 
  Click HERE for article by Bloomberg news.

Wedding of the Yeshiva world

Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel Rav Dovid Schustal

Tonight, the Yeshiva world celebrated the wedding of the children of leading American  Roshei Yeshiva. The Choson and kalah are both the Mezinkehs of their respected famalies. The kallah, Nechama Wachtfogel is the daughter of  Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Rosh Yeshiva of yeshiva Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg. The Chosson, Shmuel Schustal, son of Harav Dovid Schustal, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais  Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, NJ.

The Chasuna took place in Monsey, NY attended by many Talmidim,  Roshei yeshiva, Adomorim and Tomchei Torah. The Satmar Rebbe Rav Aaron Teitelbaum who is vacationing in Monsey, came by to give Mazel Tov. 
 Photos and pictures below of Wachtfogel- Schustal chasunah.

Satmar Rebbe Rav Aaron Teitelbaum

Rav Malkiel Kotler  satmar rebbe Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel

Kudos to NY post and NY Daily news, with editorials calling on NYC to back off from treading on religious practices.

Not papers a frum yid should read, never the less we have to agree and kudos to the New York Post and Daily News newspapers for gettting it right.

 The papers in seperate editorials call on the city to back off  on the issue of Metzitza bpeh, and Frum owned stores that ask shoppers to adhere to a dress code in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

New York Post editorial     HERE  on Metzitza Bpeh.
NY Daily News Editorial    HERE  on Lee Avenue stores that posted a dress code sign.
NY post om Williamsburg Chasidic stores HERE

Government shutdown affects frum families as WIC money will dry up

The US Government shutdown will affect those who rely on WIC for baby formula and other nutritional foods. Many frum famalies rely on this monthly stipend from the us Gov. In Lakewood, NJ this morning Youngeleit who had apppointments, were turned away and did not receive their WIC vouchers.

According to CBS news  HERE   " low-income mothers, pregnant women, babies and young children who rely on government assistance to purchase food could see their help cut off now that the government is shut down.

Nearly 9 million mothers and children receive benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The federal program gives grants to states for supplemental food, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and to infants and children up to age five who are nutritionally at risk. The program serves 53 percent of all infants born in the U.S. 
Since the government partially shut down at Midnight on Oct. 1, however, its funding has dried out. The Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the program, noted in a memo last week without congressional approval of new spending, there won't be any funding available for WIC's clinical services, food benefits or administrative costs". 

Food stamps or SNAP will not be affected by the shutdown.