Rabbi Binyamin Hamra, the chief rabbi of Israel’s Syrian Jewish community, has sent a letter to Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly appointed leader of Syria, offering his congratulations on his victory over the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime. In his letter, Hamra emphasizes the importance of safeguarding Syria’s long-standing Jewish community.
Hamra’s father, Rabbi Avraham Hamra, held the position of chief rabbi in Syria from 1976 until 1994, marking an era of spiritual leadership for the community.

On Sunday, around 50 new recruits joined the chareidi ‘Chashmonaim’ Brigade, forming the foundation of its inaugural company.
By the end of the day, approximately 100 more chareidim will have signed up for reserve duty. These soldiers will begin six months of infantry training at the Rifleman 07 level, after which they will be incorporated into the brigade’s first reserves company.
Throughout this month, additional rounds of enlistment will occur, with new recruits joining the ongoing basic training sessions.

A massive event held last night, Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Vayigash, gathered 1,700 mechanchos from over local 70 schools in the Lakewood, NJ area for an insightful and uplifting evening focused on hilchos shemiras halashon as it relates to school matters.
The event, which took place at Fountain Ballroom in Lakewood, brought together principals, teachers, tutors, therapists, and secretaries for a dynamic and thought-provoking program.
Mrs. S. Schechter, menaheles of Bais Yaakov High School of Lakewood, kicked off the evening with opening remarks on the power of words and their impact on school dynamics.

A recent letter to the Monsey Mevaser highlighted the ongoing tuition crisis that many Jewish families are facing. The parent, writing anonymously, explained their personal financial difficulties in trying to meet the demands of tuition payments while managing other essential expenses. They described their situation, detailing how they have made the decision to prioritize tuition over their mortgage and other vital needs, in the hope that the merit of their children’s education would lead to success. Despite their sacrifices, the parent expressed that their family is struggling to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck and unable to cover the full tuition amount for their children, which exceeds $73,000.
The letter read as follows:

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shlomo Blumenkrantz zt”l.
Rav Shlomo, a renowned talmid chacham and posek, leaves behind a legacy of tremendous knowledge and yedios haTorah.
He was a son of Rav Chaim Menachem Bentzion and Devorah Blumenkrantz. Rav Chaim was a noted talmid chochom from Warsaw who attended some of the elite yeshivos in pre-war Europe, including Novardok. In 1948, Rav Chaim was abroad at the outbreak of the War of Independence and chose not to return. Instead, the Blumenkrantz family left Israel aboard a ship. In the early 1950s, the family settled in Bogotá, Colombia, where Rav Chaim became chief rabbi.

Aryeh Deri, the head of Shas, paid a visit to Rav Meir Zvi Bergman, Rosh Yeshivas Rashbi. Rav Bergman is shitting shivah for his wife, Rebbetzin Devorah.
During their conversation, Rav Bergman expressed deep concern over the ongoing issues related to the military, sharing his thoughts with Deri. “I want to speak about something connected to the military. We need to do everything in order to save the Torah learners. This is just evil—where will they put the yeshiva students?” he said.

Ensuring a kosher kitchen. Let’s listen to Rav Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois, on the topic of keeping a kosher kitchen with 1 sink vs. 2 sinks. 
WATCH:

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/everything-but-the-kitchen-sink 
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The seventh anniversary of Reb Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin’s yeshuah, a miracle celebrated by all of Klal Yisroel, is being marked tonight with an event at Bnos Melech on James Street in Lakewood, NJ tonight, Motzoei Shabbos, Parshas Vayigash.
The event is being livestreamed here on Matzav.com for your viewing pleasure beginning at 9 p.m.
Divrei brocha will be delivered by Rav Uren Reich, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ohr Zechariah. Divrei hisorerus will be delivered by Rav Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, Rav Pinchos Lipschutz, rov of Khal Bais Brocha and editor of the Yated, and Rav Aharon Weinberg, maggid shiur at the Nirbater Bais Medrash.

The ISA has instructed the Ministry of Religious Services to enhance security measures around the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel Rav Dovid Yosef in response to threats from terrorist organizations.
The office of the Chief Rabbi announced that this evening, security officials held a meeting with the Rav to inform him of these threats.
Rav Dovid, 67, son of Rav Ovadia Yosef, assumed his role two months ago.
{Matzav.com Israel}

As of tomorrow, Sunday, January 5th, 2025, Hatzalah members driving into the congestion pricing zones in New York City will be subject to tolls ranging between $2.25 and $9, depending on the time of day. This new policy, which applies to all drivers entering these zones, is part of the city’s broader congestion pricing plan.
A notice issued by Yehiel M. Kalish, CEO of Hatzalah, warns that, despite the vital emergency services they provide, there will be no exemption for Hatzalah members answering calls in the congestion pricing zones. The only vehicles exempt from the tolls are Chevra Hatzalah ambulances, which will not be charged.