Amid swirling speculation about the Trump administration’s so-called “deal of the century” for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt on Tuesday urged patience before its unveiling.
“Jared [Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law] & I sincerely appreciate all of the interest in our peace efforts over the past 2 yrs. But, we’re not going to reveal details of the plan ahead of time. [Continued] speculation doesn’t help anyone & harms the effort. We kindly suggest a stop to the guessing games,” Greenblatt said on Twitter.
The administration, meanwhile, also updated its official international maps to include, for the first time, the Golan Heights as part of Israel.

Donations for the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral after it was severely damaged by a fire Monday are already nearing $1 billion, according to the Associated Press.
In only 1.5 days, contributions have reached 880 million euros, or $995 million, according to presidential cultural heritage envoy Stephane Bern. The French government is in the process of establishing a special office to handle larger donations, according to the AP.
Donors thus far have ranged from large corporations like Apple and the owners of L’Oreal, Chanel and Dior to local parishioners and residents of small and midsized French towns, according to the news service.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s declared that the ancient cathedral will be completely repaired within five years.

As Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the international community await the publication of the American peace plan, it is clear, based on PA leader Mahmoud Abbas’ behavior in previous peace talks, that nothing the United States can offer will be enough.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who was present at the negotiations between then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas in 2008, recently told PA TV how generous Olmert’s offer was on all final status issues. In fact, he said, Olmert accepted all of the PA’s publicly expressed demands and even offered Abbas more than the full area of the West Bank and Gaza, and yet Abbas still rejected the offer.

Watch this thrilling dance video performed at a recent wedding that took place at Ateres Charna. This video contains unique songs from around the Jewish music spectrum with custom arrangements, executed beautifully by each musician. You will hear the powerful voice of Shloime Daskal backed up by the sweet harmonies of the Shira Choir.
Song Credits:
Od Yishoma – MBD
Bakesh Avdecha – Yishay Lapidot – Composed by Harel Tal
Chazak – Yanki Zingbaum – Composed by MBD
Bitchu – Sababa & Shumueli Ungar – Hershy Weinberger
Shehecheyonu – Amit Listvant – Composed by Mona
Bracha V’hatzlacha – Yishay Lapidot
Timche – MBD – Composed by MBD & Mona
Kol Mitzhalos – Achim Broner/Yishay Lapidot
Video Credits:

Approximately 2,000 bochurim took part in a heartwarming bein hazemanim kumzitz event last night at Lake Terrace Hall in Lakewood, NJ.
Admission was free for this event, which was the brainchild of Yosef Travis, who sought to present a musical evening for bochurim during their Pesach break.
For several hours yesterday, crews of workers and volunteers set up a full stage, with comprehensive lighting and a high-class sound system, while some 2,000 chairs were placed across the cavernous hall.
The program featured singers Beri Weber and Uri Davidi, child soloist Moshe Holtzman, and the Zemiros Choir, with music by Yossi Shtendig Productions and a six piece band.

By Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt
Director, Halachah & Medicine Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim

There is a small, yet very vocal and influential group of “anti-vaxxers” living in our heimishecommunities. While I am not questioning their love for their children, they are making a tremendous chillul Hashem and putting all Jews at great risk, both from measles, and rachmana leztlan, anti-semitism. I plead that everyone read this critically important pikuach nefashos article.

http://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/VID-20190416-WA0048.mp4