Title: “Disruption at Monticello’s ‘Mountain Mall’ as Outdoor Food Market Sparks Controversy” In a Catskill Scoop exclusive, drama unfolded at Monticello’s newly opened ‘Mountain Mall’ when the owners announced plans to construct an outdoor food market and seating area. The intention was to provide visitors with an opportunity to order food from various establishments and enjoy a meal with their families in an open-air setting. However, this development has faced opposition, leading to a disruptive incident that took place on Monday. According to eyewitnesses, a group of individuals took matters into their own hands and arrived at the Mountain Mall to express their discontent.

Former Chief Rabbi of Moscow HaRav Pinchas Goldschmidt was declared as a “foreign agent” by the Russian Justice Ministry over the weekend. A statement released by the ministry states that HaRav Goldschmidt spread “false information about the decisions made by public authorities of the Russian Federation and their policies,” and expressed opposition about the “special military operation” in Ukraine. HaRav Goldschmidt, who served as Chief Rabbi of Moscow for 33 years, left Russia over a year ago after refusing to express support for the invasion of Ukraine.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams faced severe criticism for his latest educational proposal, which mandates the implementation of “mindful breathing” exercises in public schools. Critics argue that this move comes at a time when students are grappling with academic challenges caused by COVID-related learning loss. During a press conference, Mayor Adams announced that public schools across the city would be required to incorporate two to five-minute breathing exercises into the daily routine of students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The aim is to equip them with coping mechanisms to handle the stress of their daily lives. “Two to five minutes. Think about that… We’re not talking about hours. Two to five minutes is a game changer,” Mayor Adams emphasized.

An Arab teen terrorist carried out a stabbing attack in the Kiryat Herzog neighborhood of Bnei Brak early Monday evening. The victim, a 28-year-old Chareidi avreich, was evacuated to Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in light condition. B’Chasdei Hashem, he managed to grab the knife as the Arab accosted him, avoiding serious injury. The terrorist, a 14-year-old resident of Jenin, tried to flee the scene but was caught and arrested by the police. During his interrogation, he admitted to carrying out the attack as revenge for the IDF operation in Jenin that was launched in the early hours of Monday morning. נעצר מחבל ערבי שדקר יהודי בבני ברק pic.twitter.com/2klhdfL0t6 — בז news (@1717Bazz) July 3, 2023 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Clashes broke out between Israel Police officers and anarchists at a protest at Ben-Gurion airport on Monday afternoon. Hundreds of protesters created chaos at Terminal 3 and refused police orders to leave the area. Police officers began evacuating protesters by force and clashes between the police and the protesters ensued. Four protesters were arrested. A source at the airport said that they received information that the anarchists purchased discounted plane tickets and came to the airport with luggage in order to create chaos at the boarding gates. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

A son and son-in-law of the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg were seriously injured in a crash in the Catskills on Sunday night. Catskills Hatzolah and other emergency personnel responded to the accident on Route 55 in Swan Lake at around 10:45 PM. Two of the victims were initially trapped in the vehicle and required extrication. The Satmar Rebbe, who was nearby in Machana Divrei Yoel, was quickly taken to the scene to tend to his family members. A total of 6 people were in the injured in the crash. Four sustained relatively minor injuries and have since been released from the hospital. Two others remain hospitalized in the ICU, and one is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday morning at Hackensack University Medical Center.

The Israeli Defense Forces announced early Monday morning the start of an “extensive counterterrorism operation” in Jenin. The announcement followed reports of at least two airstrikes in terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank city. Videos posted on Palestinian channels showed tens of Israeli Security Forces armored vehicles entering the city. Palestinian media reported that the vehicles were entering for numerous directions. The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that at least one man was killed in airstrikes in the city, and another was wounded. Palestinian media reported the deceased as a member of a local terror group. Israel’s public broadcaster Kann reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was receiving regular updates on the ongoing operation. Updates to follow.

In a last-ditch effort to force an immediate prison sentence on Rabbi Osher Eisemann, prosecutors have asked the New Jersey Supreme Court to take the case of the SCHI founder, hoping they can overturn the now-affirmed ruling that granted him a new trial. As first reported by Lakewood Alerts, the New Jersey Appellate Division a month ago ruled unanimously that a trial judge was right to toss the convictions and order a new trial, based on newly discovered evidence and the prosecutors’ violation of the Brady Act. But prosecutors are now asking the state’s highest court to accept the case and to correct “fatal flaws” that they say the appellate panel made.

The Miami Beach Jewish community was plunged into shock and sadness Motzei Shabbos as news broke that Mrs. Chana Rochel Stern (nee Pruzansky) suddenly passed away in Lakewood over Shabbos from a massive heart attack. She was just 45. Mrs. Stern a”h leaves behind 5 children, and her beloved husband Rabbi Yekusiel Stern, who is director of Miami Beach Community Kollel and secretary for the Beis Din of South Florida Mrs. Stern was a teacher of Jewish History and Parshas Hashavua at Bais Yaakov Miami. The levaya is scheduled to take place at the 7th Street Chapel in Lakewood at 4:30 pm, with kevurah in Eretz Yisroel. A fundraiser has been launched to assist her husband and children in the wake of this terrible tragedy. Donations to the fundraiser can be made by clicking here.

Gunfire erupted at a block party in Baltimore on Sunday — killing two people, wounding 28 and leaving an extensive crime scene that marred the U.S. holiday weekend, police said. Three of the wounded were in critical condition. Baltimore Police Department Acting Commissioner Richard Worley told reporters there were a total of 30 victims during a press conference at the scene. The shooting took place just after 12:30 a.m. at a block party in the Brooklyn Homes area in the southern part of the city, Worley said. The shooting comes amid gatherings around the country leading up to the July Fourth holiday.