A fundraiser organized by NORPAC on behalf of Senator Ted Cruz brought several dozen donors to the home of philanthropists Trudy and Stanley Stern in Lawrence, NY, on Friday morning. Cruz, a champion of Israel in the Senate and a staunch advocate for religious rights in the U.S. and across the world, is facing a stiff challenge from Congressman Colin Allred, a J Street-supported candidate with strong financial backing. The fundraiser was partially organized and promoted by community activist and Ted Cruz supporter Ushi Teitelbaum. Among Cruz’s many pro-Israel accomplishments has been his consistent support of more than $3 billion in Security Aid each year to Israel, as well as additional joint funding to further boost US-Israel ties.

Former President Donald Trump opened up about his arrest and booking experience at Fulton County Jail in Georgia, dubbing it a “terrible experience.” Trump’s arrest on Thursday night marked a historic moment as he became the first current or former US president to have his mug shot taken. In an interview with Newsmax host Greg Kelly, the 77-year-old recounted his time inside the jail, stating, “Terrible experience. I came in, I was treated very nicely – but it is what it is.” He also revealed that he had never heard the term “mug shot” until he was subjected to the procedure during his booking. Adding a touch of humor, Trump mentioned, “They didn’t teach me that at the Wharton School of Finance.” Trump’s graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.

Aryeh Gottleib, who was seriously injured in the Chevron terror attack on Sunday, recounted the moments of horror he endured in an interview with Channel 14 News. Gottlieb said that prior to leaving his yishuv, he offered a ride to Batsheva Nigri, H’yd and her daughter, who were waiting by the bus stop. They left the yishuv and a few minutes later, he heard shooting and felt a strong blow on the side of his face. “I didn’t feel the individual bullets, I just felt an incredible blow on the side. I understood right away that we were being shot at because I heard the noise.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was hosted by Rabbi Moshe Margereten of Tzedek on Wednesday, with the pair discussing various topics and issues, most notably groundbreaking legislation to combat infertility. Speaker McCarthy made the stop as he was in the area to attend a fundraiser for Congressman Marc Molinaro. Also in attendance were DA Brian Conaty, as well as JCC of Sullivan County representatives Sender Portugal, Mattis Rutner and Abe Rosenberg. The productive meeting took place in Monticello, New York, with Rabbi Margereten outlining the importance of legislation that would force private health insurance companies to pay for infertility treatments – as health insurance companies do across the West.

Members of the anti-judicial reform Achim L’Neshek protest group seem to change their minds every day about what they’re protesting against, whether it’s the so-called ‘judicial revolution,’ women’s rights, religious freedom, the Chareidi draft, or simply anti-Bibism. They found a new cause on Thursday morning – Yehudah and Shomron. The protesters arrived early in the morning outside the home of Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich on the yishuv of Kedumim, and showing a total lack of derech eretz, made deafening noises as the residents of the yishuv were leaving to work and schools. Additionally, they blocked Smotrich’s car from leaving the yishuv for at least a half hour, and clashes developed between the police and protesters.

The Nachal Dovid spring in the Ein Gedi nature reserve near the Dead Sea is one of the most frequented sites in Israel. On Thursday morning, the site was full of families spending their last days together before the start of the school year, when suddenly a deadly rockslide occurred – an unprecedented occurrence in the area, at least in past decades. Eight-year-old Yehudah Levi, z’l, was killed, and his mother and sister were lightly injured. Among the wounded were the children of the Bar-David family. Levi Bar-David, 8, spoke to the press from Soroka Hospital about how he saved the life of his five-year-old sister. “We were close to the end of the route and we reached a waterfall and suddenly an avalanche of rocks fell on us,” he said.

Thousands of Bnei Torah gathered at Yeshiva Chaim Berlin in Flatbush on Thursday, to give Kavod Acharon to the Rosh Yeshiva, Hagaon HaRav Aharon Schecter ZT”L, who was Niftar early this morning at the age of 95. Only a few Hespeidim were given, which included the new Rosh Yeshiva of Chaim Berlin, Hagaon HaRav Shlomo Haliwa, who is the son in law of the Rosh Yeshiva ZT”L. Videos and photos below via Flatbush Scoop
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Haaretz publisher Amos Schoken came under fire from the left after a large ad against IDF refusal was published on the front page of the newspaper on Tuesday. The ad, which was funded by the Torah Lechima organization, an NGO which strives to maintain the IDF’s Jewish identity, features a screenshot from a viral video against IDF refusal along with the words: “Stop IDF refusal – save the IDF.” The ad also contains a QR code to the video. Although Shocken admitted on Twitter that he approved the ad, he claimed he was “duped” by the organization, writing: “Unfortunately, the advertiser cheated us.

As an introvert, both in-person and online, I rarely bother to make my opinion heard. I live my life and hope others will live theirs too, without sticking their nose into others’ business. However, there has to be line somewhere, and it was just crossed. I was sent a video yesterday that was so appalling to me that I must speak up. I don’t know how long this video has been circulating social media, nor do I care. It has to be called out regardless. The video, which I have included here, shows a group of bochurim apparently partaking in the levaya for a meis mitzvah. When I first opened it, I thought tragedy had struck: perhaps the well-meaning boys dropped the aron. But that’s not what happened.

Israel’s Border Police on Tuesday evening released footage of Yamam counterterrorism officers arresting the Chevron terrorists who murdered Batsheva Nigri, H’yd. The terrorists, relatives who lived in Chevron, were arrested in an operation overnight Monday, less than 24 hours after the attack. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said following their arrest: “The terrorists who brutally murdered Batsheva Nigri, z’l, will rot in prison for the rest of their lives. We will take all measures to strengthen security. We’ll pursue and capture our enemies.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)