As Israel faces war and uncertainty, we receive constant messages of support from Jews around the world - words of encouragement, humor, concern, and solidarity. These daily messages remind us how deeply connected the Jewish people remain, bound together by a shared language, a shared faith, and a shared destiny.
That sense of Jewish connectedness - called areivut, the idea that Jews bear responsibility for one another - may well be the secret behind the Jewish people’s extraordinary staying power.
We see this connection not only in Jewish texts, but also in real life almost one thousand years ago - in the travels of a remarkable Jewish explorer named Benjamin of Tudela.
In fact, a quiet street in Jerusalem’s Rechavia neighborhood commemorates Jewish history’s most fam...
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Baltimore, MD - Apr. 5, 2026:
Q: There is a bracha which is recited once a year upon seeing a newly flowering fruit-bearing tree. I have a number of questions regarding Birchas Ha’ilonos:
When is the optimal time to say this bracha? Does the bracha have to be said during the month of Nisan?
What rules apply concerning the location of the person when saying the bracha? How far away can you be from the tree when saying the bracha? Can you be inside a house or other structure? Can you be in a car? Is it necessary to be at a site where there is more than one tree?
What limitations are there regarding the type of tree over which this bracha may be recited? Does the tree need to be fruit bearing? How old should the tree ...
U.S. President Donald Trump announced today (Sunday) a dramatic escalation in the confrontation with Iran, declaring a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The move comes just hours after reports of the unsuccessful conclusion of a round of talks between the American and Iranian delegations in Pakistan, and after the White House made clear it would not tolerate illegal transit fees being collected in the strait’s international waters.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: "Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so. This caused anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and Countries throughout the World. They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their 'mine droppers,'" have been com...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2026 - Rabbi Dovid Heber, shared the following הלכה during his הלכה שיעור this evening:“The Mishnah Berurah writes that it is permissible to take a haircut or shave this Friday, in honor of Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh, even if one follows the minhag to refrain from grooming from Pesach until Lag Bo'omer. Although ordinarily one may not shave erev Shabbos or erev Rosh Chodesh during the Sefira, this Friday it is permissible because it is being done in honor of both Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh.”(Actual wording adapted from: https://outorah.org/p/151167/)
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 7, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Bayla Bracha Jacobson, a’h, daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Jacobson of Los Angeles, sister of Chananya (Mindy) Jacobson of Baltimore, Nechemya (Chaya) Jacobson of Detroit, Elchonon (Hadas) Jacobson of Passaic, Sora (Shlomo) Selkin and Laya (Shalom) Shulman of Lakewood, and Elisheva (Aharon) Zuckerberg of Queens.Shiva is being observed :105 Shady Lane Road, Lakewood, NJ 08701 through Sunday 3:00 pm 24 Adams Road, Lakewood NJ. 08701 from 5:00pm Sunday until Wednesday morning .Minyanim:Shacharis 8:30AM Mincha 1:45PMMaariv 8:45PM בלע המות לנצח
US Vice President JD Vance said early Sunday morning that talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan had concluded after 21 hours without an agreement after Iran did not accept Washington’s terms for an agreement.
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Vance expressed appreciation for his Pakistani hosts while delivering a sober assessment of the outcome.
Vance described the talks as substantive but ultimately unsuccessful in securing a deal.
"We've been at it now for 21 hours, and we've had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That's the good news," he said. "The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement. And I think that's bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America."
He added, "So we go back to ...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2026 - The Baltimore Jewish community and the state of Maryland lost a giant in Earle “Jock” Freedman, z'l.Baltimore City Councilman Yitzy Schleifer: "Baltimore lost a legend. Earle “Jock” Freedman, Marylands longest-serving employee, dedicated more than 65 years to designing and safeguarding the bridges that connect our communities. His impact will benefit our communities for generations to come."Gov. Wes Moore: "Dawn and I are heartbroken by Earle “Jock” Freedman’s passing. He was our state’s longest-service public servant. Someone who dedicated over six decades of his life to @MDSHA, designing and safeguarding thousands of bridges that Marylanders rely on to this day – including the...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 10, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Earle Freedman, z’l, husband of Gertrude Freedman and father of Barbara (Craig) Newman and Rozzie (Joel) Chazen.
The levaya will be held on Sunday, April 12, at Noon at Levinson's.The kevurah will take place at the Beth Tfiloh Cemetery, 5800 Windsor Mill Rd, Woodlawn, MD 21207Shiva will be observed at 3406 Old Forest Road, Baltimore, MD 21208Details to follow
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 11, 2026 – (BJL) The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) is advising of several major road and lane closures this Sunday. Motorists should anticipate heavy congestion downtown and in the Druid Hill Park area.
I-83 / Jones Falls Expressway Maintenance
Activity: Cleaning and debris removal.
Impact: Left-lane closures on both Northbound and Southbound I-83 from Fayette Street to the City/County line.
Time: 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Stadium Events (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)
Standard Game-Day Closures (starting at 10:30 AM):
Hamburg Street: Closed between Leadenhall and Paca Streets.
Camden Street: Closed between Paca and Howard Streets.
M&T Bank Stadium Service Lane: Northbound l...
Annapolis, MD - Apr. 10, 2026 - Maryland lawmakers reached an agreement on legislation that provides relief to consumers on their utility bills, according to those with direct knowledge of the agreement.
Maryland House and Senate negotiators reached the agreement on some differences between the chambers as part of the Utility RELIEF Act.
According to some State House presiding officers, the agreement delivers immediate relief and makes long-term investments in Maryland’s energy future.
“The Utility RELIEF Act… I know we’re going to pass it because we work really well together,” said House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, D-District 21.
All that’s left now is a final vote on an agreement that hammers out the differences b...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 10, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dovid and Meira Berendt on the birth of Aliza Rivka.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Yaakov & Kim Berendt, Lev Avraham & Rachel Rosenstock and Aharon and Rena Levi
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Towson, MD - Apr. 10, 2026 - Between spring-cleaning and warmer temperatures residents may be looking to sell or purchase items. The Baltimore County Police Department encourages residents to use one of its 10 precinct Transaction Safe Zones as a safe location to complete online marketplace exchanges.
The Transaction Safe Zone program provides a safe location that is:
Open to the public
Video recorded at all times
Well-lit
Marked with visible signage
Utilizing these secure zones aims to give buyers and sellers peace of mind while enhancing their safety. To find your local police precinct, go to the following links below:
Link to local police precincts: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/police/precinct-news
Unsure of your police precinct: https:...
How lovely are your footsteps בנעלים — in sandals, O daughter of nobles!
This verse in the Song of Songs (7 2) extols the 'daughter' of the noble Avraham — the Jewish nation, who exhibit great loyalty on each of the three holidays when they trekked by foot unto Yerushalayim to celebrate the Moadim in unison in the Holy Temple.
It was not only an arduous journey but also one taken at great risk, leaving our homes unprotected and exposed to criminal nations who would take advantage and plunder our assets.
The late beloved Gaon and Posek Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ponders why the verse emphasizes the trek in their shoes specifically, being merely a tangential reality.
He suggests a solution by first portraying the emotional rollercoaster this pilgrim must...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 10, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Howie Perles, z’l, brother of Stuey Perles.
The levaya will take place today, Friday, April 10, in New Jersey.
Stuey will return to Baltimore and continue sitting shiva at his home, 3031 Fallstaff Road, Apt. 307C (The Towers), beginning with Mincha/Maariv at 7:30 PM on Sunday evening through Shacharis on Thursday.
Davening Schedule: Shacharis: 8:00 am. Mincha/Maariv: 7:30 pm
בלע המות לנצח
Growing gap between Republican Party leadership, which supports the campaign against Iran, and a populist-isolationist camp in the US, which is spreading anti-war, anti-Israel, and antisemitic messages.The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, today (Thursday, 9 April 2026), released a special report that examines American public sentiment regarding the war against Iran (https://www.gov.il/en/pages/epic-fury-us-public-sentiment-analysis-2026-03). The report analyzes its potential impact on the US political system, anti-Israel discourse, and the safety of Jewish communities.While support for the campaign remains high among the Republican public, an anti-war discourse identified with isolationist currents on the American right, primarily "America First" and "America Only",...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 9, 2026 - The State of Maryland has reached a settlement in principle with the owner and operator of the Dali, the cargo ship involved with with March 26, 2024 collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Attorney General Anthony Brown announced that the state has reached a settlement with Grace Ocean Private Limited, and Synergy Marine Private Limited, resolving a portion of the state's claims from the collision.
The settlement resolves claims brought against the vessel interest by the Office of the Attorney General's Civil Litigation Division on behalf of the state.
However, the settlement does not resolve any claims the State may have against the shipbuilder, Hyundai.
Brown's office said the settlement is being finalized.
...
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 9, 2026 - In light of the newly established ceasefire, Ben Gurion Airport has resumed full operations and Israeli airspace has officially reopened.
Over the Pesach holiday, Chaim V’Chessed was contacted by numerous visitors who had come to Israel to spend Yom Tov, only to be notified that their outbound flights had been canceled amid the security situation. Many found themselves scrambling for alternatives due to these cancellations. It is now expected that, with the easing of restrictions, flights will gradually be reinstated in the coming days.
Attention is also turning to those seeking to return to Israel. In the days leading up to Pesach, many thousands of Israelis, foreign residents of Israel, and students traveled abroad for the ho...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 6, 2026 - Please note these 2 important items not listed on the update below:1. Do not visit Dunkin' until after 9:30PM on Thursday evening becasue of the issue of כדי שיעשו2. Safeway is not listed as one of the stores recommended for purchasing chometz immediately after Pesach. Non-chometz items may be purchased. Please see the list below to determine which items are chametz and which are not. Purchases of chometz should take place only four weeks after Pesach, May 8, 2026.UPDATE: Safeway is only a chometz issue for FROZEN ITEMS. Refrigerated and all shelf chometz items may be purchased immediately.
