Monday, November 28, 2016

WSJ: Obama Should Pardon Rubashkin Iowa Kosher-Food Executive

The Wall Street Journal is calling on President Obama to pardon Reb Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin. The claim is that Prosecutors overstepped, interfered with the process of bankruptcy and then solicited false testimony.
Asking President Obama when he paid visit to Crown Heights in 2013 to look into Rubashkin case

WSJ-  One of the Roman poet Juvenal’s best-known lines is quis custodiet ipsos custodes. Who will watch the watchers? Some 2,000 years later, this question is especially relevant for America’s criminal-justice system, given the power wielded by federal prosecutors. Too often their profound authority leads to significant abuse, as demonstrated by the case of Sholom Rubashkin.
Mr. Rubashkin, a 57-year-old father of 10, is the former vice president of Agriprocessors, a kosher food processor based in Postville, Iowa. On May 12, 2008, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided the company’s plant and arrested hundreds of the firm’s workers who were undocumented immigrants. This led the company to file for bankruptcy several months later.

Friday, November 25, 2016

South Korea abstained from vote against Israel at the UN because treatment of a worker by Orthodox Jewish company

This past weekend I heard an amazing story: Mr. Sol Werdiger, CEO of Outerstuff, (and president of Agudath Israel of America) a company that produces sports apparel, received a phone call from Mr. Oh Joon, the South Korean UN Ambassador asking to meet him for lunch at a Kosher restaurant in Manhattan.
Although Sol did not know the purpose of the meeting he agreed to meet with Mr. Joon.
When they met, Mr. Joon told him the following, "I have always heard negative stereotypes about Jews and Israel and I took it at face value. Then, my daughter took an internship working on design in your company. Throughout the year, she has been telling me how wonderful it is to work at your company."
Mr. Joon continued, "There are four areas which stood out and impressed my daughter. 1) Everyday, at 1:30 p.m., no matter what was going on at the office, all the men including those from neighboring offices, retreated into a room to pray with sincerity and calm. 2) Every Friday the office shuts down early in the afternoon in preparation for your holy Sabbath and is closed on the Sabbath - this includes all workers no matter which faith or religion they maintain. 3) My daughter observed that each petitioner for charity - and there were many - were treated with respect and left with a check in hand. 4) My daughter was treated with the utmost respect and dignity."

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Donald Trump’s Early Thanksgiving

By Rabbi Hershy Z. Ten
With the Jewish New Year just over a month behind us, and the long nights of winter closing in, Jewish communities throughout the world have begun their new cycle of the weekly Krias haTorah. The parshiyos throughout sefer Bereishis describe the greatness of our Avos and the permanent impact they had on the world in which they lived, the children they bore, and the future of the Jewish people and humanity.

The first of the Avos, Avraham Avinu, is presented to us as a majestic and benevolent individual who possessed an unsurpassed level of empathy. Avraham Avinu was deeply affected not only by the plight of his own family, but by that of strangers whose lives may be in jeopardy. Despite his unwavering compassion for all, his steadfast commitment to those in need was never confused with weakness. Avraham was able to convey his kindness for the frail, the forgotten, and the sick while still exhibiting great strength and resolve when demanded of him.

G-d bestowed upon him the title Av Hamon Goyim (the father of many nations) and Avraham is identified throughout the literature of our Sages as the embodiment of chessed. It is our Patriarchs’ actions, character, and values to which we must look for inspiration and the blueprint for a meaningful life.

I believe I speak for many of us in stating that this year’s election cycle was an almost never-ending litany of drama, featuring passionately opposed politicians and supporters coupled with a barrage of media bias unlike no other in my memory. Adding fuel to the fire was the disheartening rhetoric and dishonesty prevalent throughout social media and our national news sources, regardless of the candidate or political affiliation. This year more than ever, we witnessed news outlets sharing half-truths, even flat-out lies, solely to promote their agenda; where sensationalism outplayed accuracy, and bias prevailed over accountability. This breakdown of common decency seemed aimed to strip away people’s dignity and illustrated a tragic collapse in our society with regard to how we treat those of opposing views and, more specifically, how we treat our fellow man.

To be human is to be flawed. Even the holiest of men and women who do their utmost to maintain the highest moral standard throughout their daily lives can suffer from making a poor decision, regardless if it was of their own accord or if they fell prey to another’s malicious intent. However, does a single flaw define one’s entire character and negate a lifetime of achievement or public service?

In America, our president must possess inordinate strength and wisdom, balanced with a genuine compassion and desire to answer the call for help from those who are underserved and less fortunate. Above all else, when a president reveals his steadfast commitment to humanity, it humanizes all of us and reflects the greatness of Americans. It’s human nature to believe things that jibe with our own beliefs; in this day and age, however, the endless plethora of misinformation at our fingertips can warp one’s opinion in the very worst way. We often take stories we read at face value because the writer’s opinion validates our own. However, we all know that not everything we see or hear is true, and it’s up to us to be diligent in vetting stories that carry such magnitude.

With this is mind, I am compelled to retell a very personal story featuring the extraordinary kindness Donald Trump showed to me and my family many years ago. I share this with the hope that it may inspire some readers to take a step back from the incessant negativity perpetuated by the media; to take a breath before reiterating another sensationalized headline that’s solely designed to distract, and learn the firsthand account of two parents whose desperate call to a New York icon on behalf of their critically ill son was answered without hesitation.

My history with Donald Trump began in July 1988. At that time my wife and I had been living in Los Angeles for five years after moving from New York. Our beautiful 3-year-old son Avraham Moshe was suffering from a severe lung condition.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Baruch Dayan Haemes: Reb Ben Zion Shenker, Z”l

Hamodia- Baruch Dayan Haemes.
The Modzhitz community, and the Jewish world at large, mourned the petirah of Reb Ben Zion Shenker, z”l, at the age of 92, on Sunday morning.

The levayah will be held at 1 p.m. from Shomrei Hadas.

Reb Ben Tzion’s musical compositions have become such integral parts of the world of Jewish song, that many do not even know that some of the most commonly sung melodies originated with him. The melodies he authored for Aishes Chayil, Mizmor l’Dovid and Yasis Alayich are second nature to Jews throughout the world.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Agudah convention ‘We Are All Children of Avraham Avinu’

Hamodia report- for Photos convention of 94th Agudah click HERE.
Addressing the theme “Understanding, Recognizing and Appreciating Who We Are,” the 94th annual convention of Agudath Israel of America commenced Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stamford, CT. Laymen and businessmen came together with Gedolim and Rabbanim at the much-anticipated annual event.. Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs at Agudath Israel Of Illinois and convention coordinator, offered introductory remarks. Harav Yosef Frankel, shlita, Vyelipoler Rebbe, and Moetzes

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Agudah convention 2016 gets underway

The 94th Annual convention of the Agudath Israel of America will get underway This evening November 17, 2016 at the crown Plaza in Stamford Connecticut. The convention will be broadcast Live on the official Agudah convention website. "Understanding, Recognizing & Appreciating Who We Are" is the theme of this years convention.

The Jewish Observer, back then

From Somehowfrum. The recent controversy between the Jewish Weeklies whether to print pictures of women certainly should take their cues from the Agudath Israel magazine of record - The Jewish Observer Alav Hashalom. The JO was published between 1963 and 2010, and was THE source for American Orthodox Hashkofo. Not only did the JO print pictures of women, and even on the front cover, but R Chaim Kanievsky recently wondered aloud why the book published on his Rebbitzen had so few pictures of her and so many of him. Source

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Trump won Lakewood NJ by more than 50% votefor Donald Trump biggest margin in all of N.J

The 25 'Trumpiest' towns in New Jersey

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Hillary Clinton defeated Donald Trump in New Jersey with a comfortable 13 percentage point margin, garnering New Jersey's 14 electoral votes. But what towns contributed to the 1.5 million votes that Trump received on Tuesday? Which towns did Trump win the most decidedly?
NJ Advance Media analyzed the data and found the towns with a population over 10,000, where residents cast a total of more than 7,500 votes and Trump won by more than a 20 percent margin. n addition, the Census shows most of Trump's towns are relatively affluent, with very low poverty levels. The one exception is Lakewood Township in Ocean County, where 38.8 percent of residents live in poverty. Lakewood, which is also the town with over 10,000 residents that voted for Trump by the highest margin, is home to a large Orthodox Jewish population which has historically been solidly Republican.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

50 Satmar chasidim head to buffalo, NY in search of pair of Tefillin that fell into a trash can

WILLIAMSBURG: At least 50 Yungerleit head to Buffalo, NY on Sunday to go thru a massive garbage dump in search for a pair of Tefillin Watch video below of Talis bag falling into a garbage can.

Mishpacha magazine took a gamble on Hillary, but Trump won

It looked as if Hillary Clinton was going to be elected president of the united states. For the frum print media the great dilemma was do we or dont we print her picture. most frum Torah oriented newspapers and magazines have a policy of not printing any pictures of woman. Perhaps for Hillary it was time  to make an exception, and that is what the Mishpacha magazine did. After consulting with their rabbinical board they put a picture of Hillary Clinton on the front cover it was a touched up photo with some graphics but the statement was made. For the next 4 years, Hillary Clinton as president will have her picture printed in the paper. This change in policy outraged other frum publications and were upset that Mishpacha has unilaterally broken the no woman photo rule. In the end Donald Trump shocked the world and is now president elect to be the 45th president of the USA. The papers breathed a sigh of relief they dodged a bullet, while Mishpacha  might have jumped the gun on this,  its safe to say for now that the next first lady  will not have her picture printed in any frum Torah newspaper.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Statement from Agudath Israel of America on the presidential Election

Following the election of Mr. Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence to the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the United States, Rabbi David Zwiebel, Agudath Israel's executive vice president, issued the following statement of congratulations:

Agudath Israel of America congratulates Mr. Trump and Governor Pence on their historic victory in yesterday's election. We offer them our most sincere wishes and heartfelt prayers for success.

We have always enjoyed close working relationships with the White House, irrespective of which political party happens to be its occupant, and we similarly look forward to working closely with President Trump and his Administration in the weeks and years ahead.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

American Roshei Yeshiva say to vote Trump some chasidim vote for Hillary

Supposedly  The Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky shlita and the Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Harav Yerucham Olshin shlita when asked by talmidim who to vote for in the presidential election have said to vote for Donald Trump. Israeli website BHOL reports that other Roshei yeshiva are voting for the Donald. Satmar chasidim on the other hand have sais to vote for Hillary Clinton as did Skver chasidim both have good ties with her while she served as a NY senator.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Mishpacha magazine responds to Hillary cover photo

Mishpacha reporter Sruly Besser responds to Hamodia editorial via  Facebook post

Dear Hamodia

Im so sorry that you dont find us to be true charedim. I thought hours of conversation and deliberation with real rabbanim would give us some credibility, but I guess not. Im sorry that when we asked genuine gedolim and poskim how to proceed and followed their advice, we didnt think to ask you what true charedi papers have always done.

Im much sorrier that you thought it wise to make this a public issue, because the charedim (true, not true, whatever) don't need this story in the secular media. We were barraged by requests for comment last week from major media outlets, and we respectfully fended them off because were not here to be spokesmen and saviors, just to do keep doing our jobs with ehrlichkeit, professionalism and dedication. Its not about us.


INN: Hamodia vs. Mishpacha: Hillary doesn't belong on the cover

After Mishpacha Magazine published a picture of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton on the front cover of its English edition, Hamodia Israel, wrote an editorial,
 Israelnationalnews
Traditionally, haredi news outlets do not publish pictures of women, as doing so is not considered modest.
"True haredi newspapers never have and never will publish pictures of women, even if they are in leadership positions," wrote Hamodia in their editorial. "Jews have their own view of everything that happens, especially when the subject is as important as elections. In the eyes of Jews, the US is definitely a 'kingdom of kindness' in our days and deserves recognition and appreciation for that."

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Video: Watch Donald Trump daughter prays at Ohel for her father

Ivanka Trump, the Jewish daughter of presidential candidate Donald Trump, visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s gravesite in Queens tonight along with her husband Jared Kushner to pray on behalf of her father and her family. CHI

Members of "Tantzers" injured in horrific car accident

Hamodia A horrific crash occurred late Thursday night on the Palisades Parkway, critically injuring two people, R”l. Readers are asked to daven for Aliksander Zisha ben Eliza and Yeshayahu Dov Yehuda ben Shoshana l’refuah sheleimah, b’soch sh’ar cholei Yisrael.

Three members of the “Tantzers” were heading back to Boro Park after dancing at a wedding in Monsey. Shortly before midnight, around Exit 11, a deer ran in front of their minivan. The driver swerved to avoid hitting the deer; however, he lost control of the vehicle, which then crashed into a tree. Numerous emergency services responded to the scene, including Hatzolah, EMS, State Police and the Fire Department.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Yated: " Hopefully, the citizenry elects an administration dedicated to law, order, morals, and making America great again."

Yated Neeman editorial not an election endorsment but hinting on it.

It might just be a discarded candy wrapper on the floor of the shul, or trapped on a seforim shelf. Maybe it’s a piece of a festively-colored flag still sitting in the corner or a stray arava leaf floating down from atop the aron kodesh. The reminders of the recent Yom Tov are everywhere, as we struggle to hold on to the glorious days that have come and gone.

The period following Sukkos is one of the loneliest times of the year. As the decorations are peeled off and the sukkah is taken apart and put away, we feel exposed and removed from the comforting shelter in which we were enveloped for more than a month.

This year, that feeling is compounded when we note how we are accosted daily with news that would cause people from a different generation to blush. There seems to be no place to hide from the constant onslaught. Wherever you go, that is what people are discussing. Next week, hopefully, that will end, as the citizenry elects an administration dedicated to law, order, morals, and making America great again.

Agudah convention 2016 launches website

The 2016 Agudah convention will take place on November 17-20 2016 at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Stamford, CT פרשת וירא טז-יט חשון תשע״ז. The Agudah which officially does not have a website of its own has launched a convention website with information and program schedule of the upcoming Agudah convention. Go to Agudahconvention.org for all information.

To see the program schedule click HERE

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Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Mishpacha magazine puts HER picture on front cover

Mishpacha magazine prints photo of Hillary Clinton on its front cover. The frum Torah media has thus far not published pictures of Hillary Clinton a long standing practice of not printing any photos of women. During this election cycle some papers printed  Hillary in caricature form or silhouette. Lets see what happens after next week Tuesday. 

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Hamodia: "Our responsibility to vote goes far beyond our efforts to put whom we see as the right person in the right position"

Hamodia- Editorial
 By By Harav Chaim Kohn

The institution of government is the foundation of any civilization. The Torah commands us to establish governments, and hence there is a mitzvah to create a monarchy. It is true that the era between the leadership of Yehoshua and the end of the period of the Shoftim was defined by a decentralized model of self-government. However, this was only possible due to the extraordinary spiritual level that characterized those generations. Their degree of subservience to the yoke of malchus Shamayim rendered conventional government unnecessary. From that time on, however, without the presence and power of an established authority, anarchy and chaos would reign.