The man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in a shocking arson attack on the first day of Pesach has now admitted to targeting the Democratic governor because of his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—and his Jewishness. According to newly unsealed search warrants obtained by PennLive, 38-year-old Cody Balmer told a 911 operator he lit the fire in protest of “what [Shapiro] wants to do to the Palestinian people.” Balmer also allegedly declared during the call, “You all know where to find me.

President Donald Trump has appointed Judge Matthew H. Solomson, a proud shomer Torah u’mitzvos whose bio notes his enjoyment of learning Gemara, as Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Judge Solomson, a Silver Spring, Maryland resident, is the first Orthodox Jew to be named chief judge on this prestigious federal bench. He is a regular kollel attendee at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and serves as a dean at the Tikvah Legal Fellowship, guiding aspiring Jewish lawyers in integrating Jewish and American ideals. “Of course, this appointment is a result of his legal acumen and record of excellence,” Nathan Diament, Executive Director of the OU Advocacy Center, told JNS.

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, currently in Los Angeles for serious medical care, led a Chol Hamoed Pesach Tish last night, filled with music and singing. The Rebbe was joined by his sons, who are spending Pesach with the Rebbe. Following the Tish, the Rebbe Davened Maariv and recited Sefiras HaOmer. The Rebbe then gave Brachos to the many attendees who came to spend time with the Rebbe. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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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.

Israeli ground forces operating in southern Gaza have discovered and rescued a dog abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the brutal October 7, 2023, Hamas assault. The dog, a three-and-a-half-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Billy, was found in the city of Rafah and returned to Israel after soldiers identified her via a microchip implant. Billy belonged to Rachel Dancyg, ex-wife of Holocaust historian and educator Alex Dancyg hy”d, who was kidnapped during the October 7 onslaught and later murdered in captivity. Billy’s safe return has brought a wave of emotion to the Dancyg family, who had long given up hope of ever seeing her again. “We are in complete shock and overwhelmed with emotion to see her tomorrow,” said Yaron Maor, Rachel’s son-in-law, in an interview with Ynet.

A senior advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was abruptly escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday and placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into unauthorized disclosures of national security information. The advisor, Dan Caldwell, was removed following allegations of an “unauthorized disclosure” linked to an ongoing probe into a series of leaks from within the Pentagon. Reuters first reported Caldwell’s removal, and a DOD official later confirmed the report’s accuracy to Fox News Digital, though declined to offer further details, citing the active investigation. Caldwell, a longtime foreign policy official, previously held positions at the restraint-focused think tank Defense Priorities and at Concerned Veterans for America, an organization once led by Hegseth.

In a significant ceremony held days before Pesach, Berger Group marked the beginning of its ambitious BERGER TOWERS urban renewal project in Katamonim, Jerusalem. The event celebrated the demolition phase, paving the way for a transformative development in the established Katamonim neighborhood. Over 150 people attended the ceremony, including Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, Chairman of the Government Authority for Urban Renewal Elazar Bamberger, and other distinguished guests who joined Berger Group founder and owner Abraham Berger to commemorate this milestone. The large-scale project will transform the area replacing 95 old apartments with 392 modern residential units across three towers ranging from 25-30 floors.

On the first day of Chol Hamoed, a 2-year-old child’s life was saved thanks to the heroic actions of Hatzalah South Florida (HSF)-Orlando EMTs and paramedics. Responding to an urgent call at Encore in Orlando, HSF arrived swiftly to find the toddler, who had been pulled from a pool and was not breathing. In seamless collaboration with Osceola County Fire Rescue paramedics, HSF’s team delivered critical life-saving interventions. Their rapid response and skilled coordination stabilized the child at the scene, enabling a successful airlift to a local hospital for further treatment. The child’s survival is a testament to HSF’s incredible response time and unwavering dedication. Tragedy can strike in seconds. Never leave children unattended near pools, even for a moment.