The IDF is preparing to issue another 14,000 draft orders to bnei yeshivos in the coming weeks, Kan News reported on Wednesday evening. This represents a significant increase in the number of orders compared to the last recruitment cycle. In the first four months of the current recruitment year, which began in July 2024, the IDF sent 3,000 initial draft orders, and in November, it issued another 7,000 orders. The results so far, from the IDF’s perspective, have been embarrassing. The vast majority of bnei yeshiovs who received the orders ignored them. The IDF recently began implementing criminal sanctions against bnei yeshivos who failed to respond to their draft orders. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Let’s all give ourselves a big round of applause. Really, take a moment—because we did it. We’ve successfully created a chinuch system that preaches the importance of Torah values, while simultaneously fostering a culture where a child’s self-worth is measured by their ability to board a plane for midwinter break. Every year, we talk about it. Every year, parents like me—who actually live within our means—grit our teeth as we have to explain to our children why they’ll be the “nebachs” of their class for not jet-setting to Miami, Cancun, or Dubai. And every year, nothing changes. I pinch my pennies, I work hard, and my husband and I bring home a decent income.

United Hatzalah has formally requested the support of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to repurpose the recently evacuated UNRWA campus in Jerusalem for humanitarian and emergency medical training purposes. In a letter sent to the Secretary-General, Eli Beer, President and Founder of United Hatzalah, outlined the organization’s vision for transforming the site into a training center for EMTs and a logistics hub for humanitarian aid. The proposal aligns with the UN’s humanitarian principles and seeks to provide life-saving medical assistance to all residents in the region, including both Jewish and Arab communities in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

A journalist for Qatar’s Al Jazeera media outlet was responsible for the production of the two Hamas ceremonies in Gaza held for the release of the female IDF hostages, during which the soldiers were paraded on stages in front of hundreds of terrorists and “innocent” Gazan civilians, an investigative report by 124News in Hebrew revealed. Tamer Almisshal, one of Al Jazeera’s top journalists, was hired by Hamas to remotely arrange the ceremonies.

A unique interfaith event was held on Tuesday at a Muslim center on Coney Island Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn, marking 80 years since the Holocaust. The gathering brought together Holocaust survivors, community leaders, and interfaith representatives to reflect on the lessons of history and reinforce a shared commitment to combating hatred and intolerance. The event featured discussions on the impact of the Holocaust, the dangers of rising antisemitism, and the importance of fostering unity among diverse communities. Attendees emphasized the need for continued education and awareness to prevent history from repeating itself.

This week there was a video clip circulating of a visibly agitated Yid, publicly protesting a deliberate modification found in the pages of the responsa of Maran Harav Moshe Feinstein ZT”L. The video went viral and outraged many, while others silently gloated as the changes, or lack thereof, was consistent with their respective narratives. YWN initially shared in the outrage as well, as this appeared to be an invasion of the Holy of Hollies and a blatant act to desecrate the sacred works of the Gadol Hador. However, before rushing to judgement and conclusions, YWN opted to dispatch our investigative team to explore and inspect the content with the hopes of uncovering the truth.

In a move aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities and improving public safety, OC Chaveirim has successfully transitioned from traditional DMR radios to advanced LTE-based radios. This landmark upgrade promises to significantly boost communication, collaboration, and response times throughout Orange County. The cutting-edge LTE radio technology, adopted by OC Chaveirim, offers superior signal strength, wider coverage, and enhanced reliability. This upgrade enables the organization’s volunteers and emergency responders to stay connected seamlessly, facilitating faster and more effective response to emergencies. “We are thrilled to introduce this game-changing technology to our emergency response system,” said David Itzkowitz, Director of OC Chaveirim.

Reb Binyamin Rothman, z’l, of Nof Ayalon was niftar on Thursday at the age of 87. He was the father of HaGaon HaRav Natan Rothman, a renowned marbitz Torah at Wolfson Yeshivah in Bayit Vegan, a Rosh Kollel and the mechaber of Sharei Daas and many other sefarim. His other son is Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman, the head of Knesset’s Constitution Committee. The niftar was known as a beloved person who pursued tzedaka and chessed, davened fervently, and was mechaneich his children to yiras and ahavas Hashem. He left behind his wife, sons, daughters, and grandchildren. The levaya was held on Thursday afternoon at Shamgar and the kevurah took place at Har Hamenuchos. תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

A critical shortage of air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan National Airport may have played a role in Wednesday night’s deadly midair collision, according to a preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety report reviewed by The New York Times. The findings expose alarming staffing deficiencies that have long plagued the airport’s control tower, raising urgent questions about aviation safety in one of the nation’s busiest airspaces.

Arbel Yehud was held in captivity alone for the 482 days of her captivity and she was treated brutally by the terrorists holding her, Kan News reported on Thursday evening. She was mostly held underground and was provided with very little food. She was found to be suffering from malnutrition. The first thing she said to anyone who met her was: “I was mostly alone.” Arbel said that she was aware before October 7 that the terror  organizations in Gaza were evil, and that what Israelis saw today – the frenzied mob in Gaza during her release – “is only a tenth of their evil.” Arbel was exposed very little to the media during her captivity but sadly did find out while there that her brother Dolev, H’yd, was murdered in the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz.