A historic project is underway to rebuild the only mikvah taharah in Meron—serving every group in Klal Yisroel, in one of the holiest places on earth. Of all places, you wouldn’t expect this.   In Meron, the most visited Jewish site in the world, the only mikvah taharah has fallen into deep disrepair and is unfit for use.  Each year, over a million people pour in, drawn by the kedusha of Reb Shimon. And yet, just steps away, the only mikvah taharah stands in deep disrepair—its doors closed to those who need it most. Surrounding Meron are thousands of families in Moshav Meron and nearby communities, some of whom have no other mikvah at all.

A wild con game came to a crashing end Wednesday afternoon when Boro Park Shomrim and the NYPD caught two scammers red-handed—right in the middle of trying to pull off the same fake Dubai jewelry scam that had already cost another victim $7,000. It began Monday evening on New Utrecht Avenue, when a well-dressed duo in a luxury vehicle flagged down a Yungerman. Claiming to be visitors from Dubai who had been robbed, they spun an elaborate tale—saying they had valuable jewelry but no cash, and begged for a loan, offering the “jewels” as collateral until they could repay. Convinced by their smooth story and appearance, the victim actually got into their car, rode with them to a bank on 13th Avenue, and withdrew $7,000 in cash.

NEW YORK

The White House is withdrawing the nomination of a former Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat for U.S. surgeon general, marking at least the second health-related pick from President Donald Trump to be pulled from Senate consideration. The withdrawal was confirmed by two people familiar with the matter. Nesheiwat had been scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Thursday for her confirmation hearing. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm a decision not yet made public. Nesheiwat is a medical director for an urgent care company in New York and has appeared regularly on Fox News to offer medical expertise and insights. She is a vocal supporter of Trump and shares photos of them together on social media.

HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Ezrachi, who underwent a heart catheterization earlier this week, is now in recovery in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Despite his weakness, HaRav Ezrachi, one of the Roshei Yeshivah of the Mir, insisted on delivering his weekly sichah to his talmidim via live teleconference. The public is asked to continue davening for the refuah sheleimah of Yaakov Yitzchak ben Hinda Malka b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Yesh Atid MK Merav Ben-Ari admitted in an interview with the Knesset Channel this week that the only ideology left-wing parties have is “No Bibi.” “Today, there are no ideologies – there is only yes Bibi or no Bibi,” she said. “Anyone who is ‘not Bibi ‘is part of the left.” The surprised commentator, Mazal Mualem, responded: “You have no ideology?” Ben-Ari replied: “Of course I have, but it doesn’t matter. There is no ideology today. Come on.” Mualem retorted: “Your only hope to replace Netanyahu is to adopt an ideology and stop your campaign of ‘just no Bibi.’ Say what you are.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

At the Munich Security Conference on Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance took part in a public interview where the focus turned to ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear ambitions.
When asked whether the potential agreement would resemble the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) brokered during the Obama years, Vance made clear distinctions, pointing out what he viewed as fundamental flaws in the previous framework. “The enforcement or inspections regime was incredibly weak, I don’t think it actually served the function of preventing the Iranians from getting on the pathway to nuclear weapons,” he said.

HAPPENING NOW: The NYPD has finally showed up and is now entering Columbia University as pro-Palestinian protesters continue to occupy Butler Library.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gave final approval to SB 700, a bill that includes a provision preventing municipalities from independently deciding to add fluoride to their public water systems.
This policy change is part of the broader Florida Farm Bill, legislation DeSantis has vocally supported, including at an event promoting it just the day before.
During an appearance in Miami to highlight the bill, DeSantis stated that it “bans local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water.”