A devastating accident on Route 17 has left the Vishnitzer community in mourning after a horrific collision claimed the life of a beloved Yungerman, returning from a Vishnitzer Rebbeisha chasunah in Monsey. Sources tell YWN that R’ Mordachai Zafir Z”L, 54, and his 17-year-old son were traveling back to the Vishnitz (Gibbers) community in Kiamesha after attending the chasunah of the granddaughter of the Viznitzer Rebbe of Monsey and the grandson of the Viznitzer Rebbe of Kiamesha when tragedy struck. At approximately 1:45 AM, near exits 126/127, a wrong-way driver collided head-on with their vehicle in a fatal crash. R’ Mordachai Z”L was tragically niftar at the scene.

After nearly a week of extensive search efforts, Stewart “Stewie” Mandel, a former president of the Swan Lake Shul, has tragically been found deceased. Mr. Mandel, who was 69 years old, had been missing since last Tuesday, last seen in Presidential Estates in Swan Lake, NY. Law enforcement and volunteers had been actively searching for Mr. Mandel throughout the Catskills region, but efforts yielded no leads. On Sunday morning, a Catskills Hatzolah volunteer spotted his vehicle off-road in the Harris area. Upon further inspection, authorities found Mandel inside the vehicle, but tragically, he was no longer alive. The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation, and officials have not yet released further details on the apparent accident.

Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff has officially launched his reelection campaign, announcing his bid before a packed crowd of approximately 80 supporters at Albella’s Restaurant in Monticello. Schiff, who has served as sheriff for 19 years, highlighted his administration’s successes and innovations, crediting much of the department’s achievements to the dedicated men and women under his command. He emphasized key initiatives, including the highly successful Youth Division, which operates School Resource and DARE programs in local schools. He also spoke about the establishment of the Emergency Services Unit and the acquisition of the BearCat armored vehicle for handling high-risk situations.

Deputy Mayor Joseph Gross of Spring Valley narrowly survived unharmed in a serious accident on Sunday afternoon when his vehicle veered off NY-17 near Exit 114. The car plunged down a steep embankment, overturning multiple times before coming to a stop. Bichasdei Hashem, Gross walked away from the crash without injury. Dashcam footage of the incident shows the shocking sequence of events. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

New York Judge John Hubbard sentenced 23-year-old Zachary Kowatch to five years of probation for attempted reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class E felony. Kowatch, who had pleaded guilty on Oct. 21, was accused of swerving his car at a Jewish teenager while shouting antisemitic slurs in the village of Fleischmanns, N.Y., on May 9. Shawn Smith, acting district attorney for Delaware County, expressed frustration with the increasing frequency of similar incidents, telling JNS, “I have another one almost identical going on right now, and I don’t understand what’s the matter with people.” Smith referenced another case involving Joseph E. VanBlarcom, a 20-year-old who allegedly swerved his car at Jewish individuals while shouting bigoted insults on July 29, also in Fleischmanns.

Woodbourne, Catskills: – Firefighters battled a large fire at the Kossener Shul on Riverside Drive in Woodbourne early Sunday morning, CATSKILL SCOOP REPORTED. The blaze caused a collapse of the building which was caught on dramatic video footage below, but Bichasdei Hashem, no injuries have been reported. Quick-thinking individuals managed to safely remove the Sifrei Torah from the shul before the situation worsened. The fire broke out as the summer season came to a close, with the camp already empty, minimizing the potential for casualties. It was unknown what sparked the blaze. THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE CATSKILL SCOOP STATUS – SIGN UP NOW TO NEVER MISS A STORY IN LIVE TIME 24 HOURS A DAY!

Yosef Hersh Berzesky, a former Camp Simcha camper and now a dedicated staff member, has just completed Shaas for the third time. Despite facing significant medical challenges, Yosef Hersh embodies the spirit of living b’simcha, drawing strength from his summers at Camp Simcha. Each year, he finds immense joy in celebrating his Siyum with the campers, a moment filled with food, dancing, and shared happiness. Yosef Hersh is determined to continue this tradition, aiming to complete Shaas again next year—and for many years to come. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Nearly 650 cyclists from around the world kicked off the 15th annual Bike4Chai, a premier two-day cycling event which raises critical funds and awareness for Chai Lifeline, the Jewish community’s leading health and crisis support network. The event started on Wednesday morning, in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania. Participants are embarking on an endurance ride through the scenic Pocono Mountains, with route options of 100, 75, and 58 miles. Each route offers fully stocked rest stops with food and drinks, as well as mechanical and medical support and entertainment along the way. On Thursday, August 22, cyclists will continue with 75 and 50-mile routes, navigating through the Pocono Mountains and upstate New York.

Two missing hikers were thankfully found in good condition by Chaveirim of Rockland volunteers after being lost all night in Slide Mountain Wilderness. Sources tell YWN that the mother of the of the two hikers, aged 17 and 21, called Chaveirim at around 8:00PM Monday night reporting that their son had called saying they were lost on Slide Mountain, and then lost phone service. Chaveirim deployed dozens of volunteers to the scene and located their car at around midnight.  An intense search was launched on the trails in the area The were found by Chaveirim after being notified by a passing motorist who said she saw two people wandering on a nearby road at around 7:30am. Catskills Hatzolah arrived in the morning hours to assist with the search.

Nearly 650 cyclists from around the world are gearing up for the 15th annual Bike4Chai, a premier two-day cycling event which raises critical funds and awareness for Chai Lifeline, the Jewish community’s leading health and crisis support network. The event kicks off Wednesday morning, August 21, in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania. Participants will embark on an endurance ride through the scenic Pocono Mountains, with route options of 100, 75, and 58 miles. Each route offers fully stocked rest stops with food and drinks, as well as mechanical and medical support and entertainment along the way. On Thursday, August 22, cyclists will continue with 75 and 50-mile routes, navigating through the Pocono Mountains and upstate New York.