A halachic storm has erupted across Europe just days before Pesach, centered on the kashrus of Coca-Cola and Pepsi. At the heart of the debate are two rabbanim with sharply opposing views, one permitting the drinks for Pesach consumption in Ukraine, and the other warning that they may contain chametz gamur.

The staff at Matzav.com, Matzav WhatsApp, and Matzav Status wishes all of our readers around the globe a chag kosher vesomeiach and a kosheren Pesach.
We are grateful to all those who have supported Matzav.com in this important endeavor to provide a kosher and informative Torah newscenter for the greater frum community. We express our gratitude to those who have encouraged and guided us. Of course, we thank our supporters, sponsors and advertisers, as well as our dedicated readers and contributors from countries around the world.
Thank you for making all Matzav.com platforms the #1 English-Language Torah news and inspiration choice for the frum community.

Former President Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that he has selected Yehuda Kaploun, a businessman, Chabad rabbi, and active Trump campaign supporter, to serve as his administration’s new special envoy charged with monitoring and fighting antisemitism.
Trump shared the announcement on Truth Social, stating: “I am proud to nominate Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large. Yehuda is a successful businessman, and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE. Congratulations Yehuda!”

Agudath Israel of America presents a special Shailos Uteshuvos session on Hilchos Pesach and Erev Pesach Shechal B’Shabbos with Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia Yeshivah. The discussion, originally conducted four years ago, is moderated by Rav Doniel Osher Kleinman, noted rov and author of Kovetz Halachos containing Rav Kamenetsky’s p’sakim. With clarity, Rav Kamenetsky addresses a range of practical halachic questions.
WATCH:

Lakewood, NJ – Lakewood, an area of 26 square miles, has 217 miles of Township streets. It also has thousands upon thousands of garbage receptacles – bins that, while serving town residents, belong to the Lakewood Public Works Department, which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of Township roads and sewers, Township parks and open space, snowplowing of Township streets, leaf and brush collection, and, of course, garbage and recycling collection.

The Torah world of Petach Tikvah is mourning the petirah of Rav Hillel Yosef Meltzer zt”l, one of the city’s prominent talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah, who was niftar at the age of 57 after a prolonged illness involving serious kidney complications. In recent weeks, he had been connected to an ECMO machine as his condition worsened.
Rav Meltzer was a son of HaGaon Rav Shmaryahu Meltzer.

Burger King’s Israeli branch has agreed to provide meal vouchers worth 480,000 shekels (approximately $128,000) to IDF combat soldiers, including those serving in reserves, as part of a resolution in a class-action case. A total of 8,727 vouchers—each valued at 55 shekels ($14.70)—will be redeemable at the chain’s kosher locations and will be available to both religious and secular service members.

A touching event took place today at the Chozrim L’chayim Rehabilitation Department at Tel Hashomer Hospital. Lt. Col. Hadi Falah, a Bedouin officer in the IDF who suffered severe injuries during a battle in the Gaza Strip about three months ago, signed a special agreement to purchase all of the chametz from the residents of Gush Etzion in preparation for Pesach.

Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey office has launched the Initiative for Parnasah Connection, a groundbreaking effort aimed at addressing the growing job crisis within the Lakewood community. The initiative is designed to help job seekers find meaningful employment that aligns with their skills and needs, while also offering hands-on mentorship throughout the job search and application process.
Under the leadership of Program Director Mordechai Pressburger, the initiative boasts a team of over 25 committed businessmen spanning a wide range of industries. These professionals volunteer their time to guide candidates through every stage of the job hunt—including resume building, interview preparation, direct job placement, and follow-ups with potential employers.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has drawn a red line regarding the controversial draft law, warning that his party will boycott all Knesset votes if no agreement is reached by the start of the summer session.
Speaking in an interview with HaDerech, the official Shas newspaper, Deri made his position unequivocally clear: “By the opening of the Knesset’s summer session, we must reach an internal agreement on all the core issues of the draft law — or we will refrain from participating in votes.”