In a meeting held Friday at the home of Harav Malkiel Kotler shlit”a, the Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha delivered a powerful message to dozens of rabbanim and roshei chaburah: the upcoming gubernatorial primary election is of critical importance to the Lakewood kehilla and the broader Orthodox Jewish community. Gathered around the Rosh Yeshiva were leading rabbanim and roshei chaburah, who were urged to rally their respective shuls and chaburos to vote in the upcoming primaries – and particularly the Democratic primary.

A tragic accident in the heart of the Five Towns on Friday morning claimed the life of Louis Meshonek z”l, a retired NYPD detective and beloved local, after his vehicle overturned at the intersection of Howard Avenue and West Broadway in Woodmere. The crash occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m. and left Mr. Meshonek z”l, approximately 70 years old, pinned alongside his wife inside the vehicle. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where Hatzalah Paramedics began providing advanced life support as firefighters worked urgently to extract the couple from the wreckage. Mr. Meshonek was confirmed to be in traumatic arrest while still entrapped, and despite life-saving efforts, he was tragically pronounced deceased at the scene.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a joint warning about an “elevated threat environment” targeting Jewish communities across the United States, citing recent violent incidents and ongoing geopolitical tensions as key drivers of concern. The advisory comes in the wake of the deadly attacks in Colorado last week and the shocking murders of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C. in May. According to the statement, the ongoing war in Gaza may be fueling extremism and inciting individuals with antisemitic grievances or ties to hate groups to act violently. “Foreign terrorist organizations also may try to exploit narratives related to the conflict to inspire attacks in the United States,” the agencies said.

A delegation of Gedolei Eretz Yisroel will soon be traveling to the United States in support of Keren Olam Hatorah, the fundraising initiative established to sustain yeshivos and kollelim across Eretz Yisroel amid deep and painful funding cuts by the Israeli government.

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A devastating incident unfolded in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Friday morning, when a building collapsed on Israeli soldiers. Sources tell YWN that an explosive device detonated, causing the structure to crumble, killing at least five soldiers and injuring several others, with some in critical condition. Israeli forces responded with heavy shelling as helicopters evacuated the wounded. The IDF is expected to release a statement shortly on this incident. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rabbi Elie Lemmel, an outreach leader with Lev & Lamed, was violently assaulted Friday morning in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a wealthy suburb of Paris — marking the second time in less than a week he has been targeted in France. According to reports, the incident occurred at approximately 8:16 a.m. EDT while Rabbi Lemmel was sitting on the terrace of a local café. An Afghan national reportedly approached the rabbi and hurled a chair at him, allegedly for the sole reason that he was wearing a yarmulka. Bystanders quickly intervened and apprehended the assailant until police arrived. Rabbi Lemmel suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Iran has ordered large quantities of material from China used in the production of ballistic missiles, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Thursday. The revelation comes as Tehran continues indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States — and has sparked renewed concerns about Iran’s military ambitions and regional destabilization efforts. Citing sources familiar with the transaction, the Journal reports that Iran’s order includes enough ammonium perchlorate — a key ingredient in solid-fuel missiles — to manufacture as many as 800 ballistic missiles. The materials were purchased by Iranian company Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. from Hong Kong-based Lion Commodities Holdings Ltd., and are expected to begin arriving in Iran in the coming months.

In a dramatic midday rescue earlier this week, the Chaverim of Rockland Search and Rescue team responded to an emergency involving an unwell hiker deep within the rugged trails near the Palisades, close to the New York/New Jersey border. Over two dozen trained volunteers sprang into action, equipped with specialized gear to handle the challenging terrain. The operation was carried out with the coordination and support of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Orangetown Police Department, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Louis Falco, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police of New Jersey.

The Israeli Navy is preparing to intercept a vessel sailing under the British flag and carrying prominent international activists, should it attempt to breach the maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip in the coming days. The ship, Madleen, is part of the latest mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a pro-Palestinian group known for its anti-Israel stance. Among the 12 passengers are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Brazilian campaigner Thiago Ávila, Irish actor Liam Cunningham of Game of Thrones fame, and French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan — who was previously barred from entering Israel over her support for boycotts and armed resistance. Israeli defense officials confirmed Thursday that they are closely tracking the vessel’s route.