By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times IMPORTANCE Chol

During a discussion in the Oval Office on Monday with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, President Donald Trump accused CNN of intentionally ignoring positive developments at the southern border, claiming the network refuses to cover the progress because “they hate our country.”
While speaking with Bukele, Trump shifted the conversation to highlight recent gains in border enforcement and increased enlistment in law enforcement and military sectors. Bukele praised Trump’s administration, saying, “Actually, what you’re doing with the border is remarkable. It has dropped, what, 95%? It’s incredible.”
Trump quickly corrected the number, stating, “As of this morning, 99%, 99.1% to be exact.”

Hundreds of Orthodox Jews crowded into Linden, NJ’s City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, during Chol Hamoed Pesach, to protest a series of proposed ordinances that community members say unfairly target and restrict the growth of the Orthodox Jewish population in the city. Men and boys, many dressed in Yom Tov clothing, arrived in packed buses and cars, filling the municipal building beyond capacity. The meeting room quickly became overcrowded, with many people turned away at the door. The meeting, which included second readings on several proposed zoning changes, concluded without a vote—adjourned in the face of the overwhelming turnout from the community.

Water innovation eliminates Shabbos burn risk Something extraordinary happened behind many closed doors in the Tri-State Area at the end of February. Meetings took place in the studies and dining rooms of respected rabbanim and dayanim before moving into their kitchens. Critical mission of kedusha and safety VPs of Afikim Water Technology from Israel, accompanied by their US partner, arrived with the Noam water dispensers — an innovative product that’s already transformed over 100,000 Israeli kitchens and won Israel’s best product of 2023 award. Their mission addresses two critical needs: preventing children’s burns from hot water urns while enhancing shemiras Shabbos. The safety aspect emerged as particularly compelling.