Moments after Hurricane Ian passed Fort Myers, Hatzalah South Florida in coordination with Hatzalah Baltimore and Orlando Hatzalah, mobilized and dispatched teams to assist affected Jewish communities on Florida’s West Coast. The First Responders were called to provide assistance to the beleaguered local communities that suffered devastating damage from the historic storm surge. As the storm moved on, it left catastrophic damage in its wake with thousands of flooded homes, all with no power electricity or running water. Hatzalah worked in coordination with Rabbi Minkowicz, Chabad Rabbi of Ft. Meyers, where many of the residence of that community took shelter. The Hatzalah teams provided basic supplies including food & water.

– “Direct Missile Strike!” – On Monday evening that was the emergency alert received by dozens of first responders in the region of Kvutzat Yavneh as part of the joint training drill that was conducted by United Hatzalah and the IDF. Responders rushed to the scene and began to treat the simulated injuries, just as they would in a real incident. The drill which included members of the IDF’s Search & Rescue Unit and Paratroopers Commando Unit simulated a Mass-Casualty Incident (MCI) caused by a direct missile hit on the kibbutz’s dining room. Dozens of EMTs, paramedics, doctors, and members of the Psychotrauma & Crisis Response Unit, from United Hatzalah’s Hevel Sorek chapter, participated in the drill as did several units from the IDF and the kibbutz’s emergency team.

10 bochurim who went on a hike in Katrina Falls on Monday required emergency personnel to rescue them after they got hopelessly lost in the woods. The bochurim, who are from Yeshiva Tiferes Tzvi of Boro Park, were vacationing in South Fallsburg and embarked on a hike at the popular Katrina Falls, well known for its beautiful views and hiking trails. Over the course of the hike, they came to a scary realization: they had no idea where they were. One of the bochurim phoned Catskills Hatzolah, who in turn called in the Rock Hill Fire Department, New York State Police, Forest Rangers, and Mobile Medics, and launched a search of the area for the missing boys.

Earlier this month, Agudah representatives met with high-ranking officials from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for a whirlwind day in Albany. The primary purpose: to meet face-to-face on behalf of the yeshiva and day school community. The Agudah team took the opportunity to advocate regarding different issues facing the yeshiva community. This included the delivery of Title services for yeshiva children who need extra academic assistance; high school graduation standards; expanding the summer food program; having more culturally sensitive state exams that our yeshivas can administer; yeshiva transportation needs; and substantial equivalency issues.

A Jewish woman was tragically killed when she was hit by a car as she crossed the intersection of Collins Ave. and 159th Street in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, on Monday. The tragedy occurred at around 4:30 pm, and prompted police to shut down parts of Collins Avenue for an investigation and to allow Chesed Shel Emes to ensure kavod hameis. The victim has been identified as Margod Solomon, 54, A”H. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Over the past week, an estimated 50,000 people from as far as Alaska, Australia, Thailand and Ukraine visited the Ohel in Queens, N.Y., the resting place of the Lebavitcher Rebbe ZT”L, Hagaon HaRav Menachem M. Schneerson, in honor of the 28th anniversary of his Yatzheit on Gimmel Tammuz, which this year fell out on Shabbos. On Friday afternoon, the pan klali (general letter), which was signed by many Chassidim from around the world, was read at the Ohel by Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, director of Lubavitch of Philadelphia and chairman of the executive committee of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the umbrella organization of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Photography by Itzik Roytman  (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Thousands attended the wedding last Thursday for the son of HaRav Sholom Ber Sorotzkin, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo kollel and Yeshiva network. In attendance were Admorim and Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva and askonim, and thousands of yeshiva alumni from throughout the years who rejoiced in the simcha until the wee hours of the morning. Photo Credits: Shuki Lehrer

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