On Tuesday, during Chol Hamoed, Hershy Margeratten, the Rockland County Community Law Enforcement Liaison, hosted a gathering in his sukkah aimed at strengthening the relationship between community leaders and local law enforcement. The event celebrated the ongoing collaboration and mutual commitment to the safety and well-being of the Rockland County community, especially its Jewish residents. The meeting featured notable attendees, including Chaverim of Rockland Coordinator Yossi Margeratten, and guest speaker Rabbi Dudi Farkas of Chabad of Olympia, who delivered inspiring remarks on unity and resilience.

A fire broke out this morning at the New Skvere Shul located at 18 Jefferson Avenue, filling the area with thick black smoke, MONSEY SCOOP REPORTED. The fire reportedly originated in the laundry room, just one day before thousands of Skvere Chassidim were expected to gather for Alef Slichos in the newly constructed shul. Multiple fire departments, including units from Hillcrest, Monsey, New City, and Thiells, responded to the scene. New Square Hatzolah, New Square Erste Hilfe, as well as EMS teams from Spring Hill and Faist, were also on hand to provide emergency assistance. Sources tell Monsey Scoop that the fire began under a flight of steps in the laundry room, where a bag of towels caught fire. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The tzibur is requested to daven for Hatzadik HaRav Mordechai Steiner Shlita of Monsey, who was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago for a surgery and has now been placed on a respirator. The Rebbe was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Ohio a few weeks ago where he underwent a heart procedure. On Tuesday afternoon the doctors had some concerns about his breathing and eating and was placed on a respirator as a precaution. he is reported to be in stable condition, but is currently on a respirator. The Rebbe’s name for Tehillim is HaRav Mordechai Tzvi Ben Mindel Esther Leah for a Refuah Shelaima. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Monsey Scoop regrets to inform you of the Sudden Petira of Reb Leibel Schwartz Z”L, he was 69 years old. The Niftar Z”L was the owner of Electric Outlet in Spring Valley and previously owned the Lake House Hotel in the Catskills and Ramapo Plumbing in Monsey. The Levaya will take place on Sunday afternoon at Rabbi Templer’s Shul 24 Crestview Terrace, Monsey at 1:00PM, followed by the kevurah at Monsey Beis Hachaim.

A 2-year-old girl was tragically niftar after being struck by a vehicle in Monsey on Monday afternoon. Monsey Scoop reports that the child, Henny Weingarten a”h, was struck by a vehicle on Calvert Drive in Monsey. Rockland Hatzolah paramedics rushed to the scene, and found the little girl in traumatic arrest. Paramedics worked on her for about 10 minutes before a pulse was restored and then rushed her to Nyack Hospital, where she was tragically pronounced after valiant efforts to revive her. Misaskim and Chesed Shel Emes are currently working to ensure kavod hameis. Levaya details will be published when available. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

33-year-old Benzion Rivlin, a member of Neturei Karta, was charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime and trespassing, after attacking the Monsey Service Station over its support for Israel, MONSEY SCOOP REPORTED. Rivlin attempted to damage an American/Israeli flag at the service station early Tuesday morning using spray paint, but was caught by Ramapo police officers moments later. Sources tell Monsey Scoop that a Ramapo Police officer saw Rivlin in the act, and arrested him following a brief pursuit. This is not the first such incident at Monsey Service Station, as the business has faced vandalism, flag theft, and protests since the owner’s daughter began displaying an Israeli flag earlier this year.

Thousands turned out in Boro Park for the Levaya of the Skulener Rebbe, HaRav Yeshaya Yaakov Portugal ZT”L. Thousands more gathered in Monsey for the Kevura. PHOTOS & VIDEOS BELOW VIA BORO PARK SCOOP AND MONSEY SCOOP: (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Chaverim of Rockland successfully intervened live as a scammer targeted a Monsey-area woman, Monsey Scoop reported Thursday. The victim received a phone call from an individual posing as a detective, claiming there was suspicious activity on her bank account. To make the scam appear legitimate, the scammers spoofed the Ramapo Police Department’s phone number and warned her that failure to comply would result in her arrest and frozen accounts. In a state of panic, the woman took a taxi to the M&T Bank on Route 59, where she withdrew $5,000 from her account. Following the scammer’s instructions, she then proceeded to CVS at the corner of Grandview Avenue and Route 306 to purchase gift cards.

Chaverim of Rockland and Hatzolah Air were honored by the Rockland County Legislature for their crucial role in the rescue of 8-year-old Tzion Maron, who went missing near the Lava River Cave in Flagstaff, Arizona, during a family trip. The boy, formerly from Monsey, was found safe, thanks to the efforts of the Chaverim Of Rockland volunteers and other emergency responders. The rescue mission, which took place a few weeks ago, garnered significant attention after the child’s disappearance went public. Tens of thousands followed updates on the search, with many offering prayers and charity in hopes of a positive outcome. Chaverim of Rockland members were flown in by Hatzolah Air to assist in the search, joining forces with local authorities and other Hatzolah units.

Agudath Israel of America expresses deep concern regarding the recent decision by Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty Rosa to significantly and unilaterally raise the tax levy upon the predominantly Orthodox Jewish district of East Ramapo, New York. The tax levy — the highest increase in memory — raises East Ramapo’s already high property taxes by a whopping 5.38% instead of 1%, the increase legitimately decided by the voters of East Ramapo and its elected school board. The state Commissioner interceded in the local matter at the behest of a taxpayer, supported by the NAACP, who was concerned that the suggested budget would be insufficient for public school needs.