The Secret Service has been at the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, screening everyone and searching everything ahead of a possible visit today by former President Trump. Trump’s visit to the Ohel on Oct. 7 is seen as a gesture of solidarity with Jewish communities on the one-year anniversary of the murderous Hamas attack on southern Israel. It also follows a canceled visit to Gottlieb’s restaurant in Williamsburg due to the sudden passing of the restaurant’s proprietor. Security at the Ohel will be extremely tight, as Trump has been under presidential-level protection following a second assassination attempt at his golf course in Miami Beach, Florida, last month.

A bus belonging to Kallisher Yeshiva, adorned with Hebrew writing, was severely vandalized in Flatbush over Rosh Hashanah. Fourteen windows, the windshield, and the door were smashed, and dog feces were thrown onto the vehicle. The bus was parked on Avenue L under the train tracks near East 15 Street. Flatbush Shomrim responded, and the NYPD is investigating. Witnesses reported seeing a group of Muslim youths laughing and making antisemitic remarks during the attack. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Queens, New York, on Monday, sources have confirmed to YWN. The visit, expected to be conducted under tight security, is being facilitated by David Friedman, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, who has maintained close ties with Trump since leaving his post following Trump’s departure from the White House in 2021. Soueces tell YWN that the Secret Service were at the Ohel on Rosh Hashanah checking the entire area. Trump’s visit to the Ohel on Oct. 7 is seen as a gesture of solidarity with Jewish communities on the one-year anniversary of the murderous Hamas attack on southern Israel.

Former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson sustained minor injuries when they were assaulted on a Manhattan street by four men and a woman as they went for an evening walk, police said Saturday. The 70-year-old former governor, a Democrat, and his 20-year-old stepson, Anthony Sliwa, were walking on an Upper East Side street about 8:30 p.m. Friday when they were attacked, the New York Police Department and a spokesperson for Paterson said. Both were treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries to the face and were released early Saturday, authorities said. Paterson, who is legally blind, also sustained minor injuries to his body. In a statement, police labeled the attack a “gang assault” and sought help from the public to learn more about the assault.

A driver hurled antisemitic slurs and swerved his vehicle toward congregants walking to a Brooklyn shul on the first day of Rosh Hashana. The victims were en route to Shaare Shalom on Avenue S near Ocean Avenue around 5:25 p.m. Thursday when the driver “edged toward” them in a threatening manner, according to police. The motorist reportedly shouted, “Drop dead Zionist!” as he veered toward at least two men, attempting to intimidate them. A 50-year-old witness, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted the incident, telling the NY Post that the driver didn’t attempt to hit him but created a scene. “He was speeding through the block, with loud foreign music playing,” the witness said. “He visibly stopped those people in the crosswalk and inched up his car.

Amid the growing tensions in the Middle East, the NYPD is on high alert, especially with Rosh Hashanah, which begins tonight. Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials held a briefing to let New Yorkers know about stepped up security measures in the coming days. Adams said New Yorkers can expect to see more NYPD officers in uniform at key locations. The NYPD says it has increased patrols around synagogues and other sensitive locations. Officials tell YWN security protocols will remain in effect beyond the holidays as the NYPD continues to monitor potential threats. Additionally, a security update and message for Rosh Hashanah was provided to YWN by NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer, Community Affairs. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As security concerns are increasing with the rise of anti-Semitism, the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition, FJCC hosted a pre holiday meeting that gave representatives of Flatbush shuls and yeshivas an opportunity to speak directly to NYPD commanders.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivered his most thorough public defense to date since his indictment on federal bribery charges, insisting the case was a “test” that would not distract him from governing as he deflected specific questions about the investigation for more than an hour Tuesday.

Agudath Israel of America has filed a lawsuit against the New York State Education Department in Albany Supreme Court. The lawsuit challenges a recently adopted state regulation which Agudath Israel argues is both illegal and devastatingly harmful to thousands of children with special needs. Under New York State law, all children have the right to receive special education services when a need is demonstrated. The needs of children attending nonpublic schools are outlined in their Individualized Education Services Plan. These services are typically provided by the local school district.

On Monday afternoon, NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon and FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker visited Williamsburg Hatzolah Headquarters to meet with Hatzolah leaders and learn more about how they operate. They were joined by Hatzolah CEO Rabbi Yechiel Kalish, Community Affairs Commanding Officer Chief Richie Taylor, 90th Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Joe Wernersbach, Community Affairs Detective Kenny Melendez, Detective Jean-Bart, Community Affairs Officer Nick Skomina, NYPD Clergy Liaison Rabbi Abe Friedman, Hatzolah Coordinators Shaya Bernath, Moshe Nusen Braver, Yomte Malik & Simcha Bernath – who was dispatching while the visit took place. Both commissioners toured Hatzolah’s state-of-the art facility and heard directly from Hatzolah leaders.