Agudath Israel of America applauds the historic inclusion of the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) in a draft budget document unveiled yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives. Agudath Israel looks forward to continuing to engage members of Congress as lawmakers debate and build upon this proposal in the days and weeks ahead.
Following a model already operating successfully in more than twenty states, this game changing legislation will provide $5 billion in K-12 scholarships per year. It does this by allowing a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for donors who contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO). These SGOs would then provide scholarships for a range of educational expenses, including private school tuition.

Following rocket fire from the northern Gaza Strip at the Sderot and Ashkelon a short time ago, the IDF has issued a final evacuation warning for Palestinians area.

Ilan Segev, a former Shin Bet official, spoke on Tuesday about the release of Eden Alexander and Israel’s goal of returning the 58 remaining hostages. “Edan has returned home, and that’s important, but the road to returning all 58 hostages who remain in Gaza is still long,” he said in an interview with Kan Moreshet. Segev emphasized that while every release of a hostage is significant, it’s important to understand the complexity of the situation in Gaza. “To locate the hostages, we need to understand the tunnel infrastructure in Gaza. This is not a matter of days, but of years.

[COMMUNICATED]
A mother’s letter. A child’s fight. Shira urgently needs life-saving care. You can help – but only if we act now.

My name is Bracha, and I’m writing not only as a mother, but as someone who deeply believes in the quiet power of kindness.

A short time ago, three rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip. Two of the projectiles were intercepted by air defenses, while the third hit an open area, the IDF adds.

Some of the large holes as a result of the Israeli air strikes that targeted Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar, in Gaza earlier today.

President Donald Trump finalized a massive $600 billion economic pact with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday in Riyadh. The agreement encompasses collaborations across several sectors, including defense, energy, and mining.
Trump began a four-day tour of the Middle East with a strong focus on securing business deals with a long-standing partner, even as tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the war in Gaza persisted in the background.
As Trump exited Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport, he was received with great ceremony by Prince Mohammed, often referred to as MbS. The leaders then headed into an opulent hall at the airport, where Saudi attendants dressed in traditional garb served Arabic coffee.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has released a statement welcoming U.S. President Trump’s announcement today in Saudi Arabia, regarding the lifting of all sanctions imposed by the United States against Syria under the Assad Regime.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and hostage envoy Adam Boehler met on Tuesday with family members of the hostages in Tel Aviv, a day after the release of US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander. During the meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, they emphasized their personal commitment to returning the remaining 58 hostages. Wittekoff also revealed that he and Bohler intend to fly to Doha to continue talks with Hamas to bring back the rest of the hostages. “We are committed to returning all the hostages – the living and the fallen. We will not accept anything less than the return of everyone. That is the president’s mission,” Witkoff said. “We would all like to see a diplomatic solution. The fact is that most of the survivors came out through a diplomatic solution.

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio took sharp aim at Senator Bernie Sanders on Thursday, condemning him for parroting what he described as Hamas talking points. The rebuke followed Sanders’ controversial claims accusing Israel of committing ethnic cleansing and using starvation tactics in its military campaign.
Speaking from the Senate floor, Sanders unleashed a fiery speech in which he alleged that the Israeli government was engaging in war crimes in Gaza. He went further, asserting that the United States bore responsibility for enabling those actions and even blamed President Donald Trump for “actively encouraging the ethnic cleansing of over two million people.”

U.S. retail egg prices fell in April from the record-high prices they hit earlier this year, according to government data released Tuesday. The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs dropped 12.7% to $5.12 in April, according to the Consumer Price Index. It was the first month-to-month decline in egg prices since October 2024. Still, egg prices remain near historic highs as a persistent outbreak of bird flu continues to wipe out flocks of egg-laying hens. The April figure is 79% higher than the same month a year earlier, when the price averaged $2.86 per dozen. In March, U.S. egg prices had climbed to a record $6.23 per dozen. It was unclear how much egg prices would fall in April because consumer demand is usually high around Easter and Passover.

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) has launched a new initiative in which tzitzis are distributed to interested prison guards, in cooperation with the Technology and Logistics Division and the Chief Rabbanut of the IPS. The tzizis will be available for order through the Technology and Logistics Division, and are intended to foster connection to values, identity, and emunah—out of personal choice. The initiative is also in line with the policy of Israel Prison Service chief Kobi Yaakobi, who views strengthening the spiritual, ethical, and national resilience of prison guards as an integral part of the organization’s operational and managerial activities. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

During a high-profile address to Saudi officials on Tuesday, President Trump urged the kingdom to formally establish diplomatic ties with Israel, framing it as a gesture of personal and regional significance. “You’ll be greatly honoring me,” he said to the assembled dignitaries.
Throughout his remarks, Trump frequently mentioned Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, acknowledging his presence and referring to him directly as he spoke from the front of the room.
Highlighting the peace deals his administration brokered, Trump declared, “With the historic Abraham Accords that we’re so proud of, all the momentum was aimed at peace, aimed very successfully.”

The 4th Adirei HaTorah event to benefit Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, NJ will take place on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Matzav.com has obtained the full pricing and logistical details for the event.
Ticket sales will open the Sunday following Lag Ba’omer, with various options available.
Ticket Pricing Options Include:

Imad Hirbawi, who risked his life to save dozens of students at the Ohr Chaya seminary when a fire broke out in their Jerusalem dorm in December 2024, received Israeli citizenship earlier this week at the Interior Ministry. Hirwabi, a 35-year-old Arab from East Jerusalem, had just arrived at the building that morning for his construction job on the upper floors, which were being renovated, when the fire broke out. “I heard an explosion,” Hirbawi told Yisrael Hayom. “I understood something happened. I went down to the lower floors and saw the building on fire. I ran down to help in any way I could. The fire was in the hallway and not in the rooms themselves. I opened the doors, I shouted ‘Get out, there’s a fire.'” “I think I saw about 40 girls go down,” he added.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES: “A $400 million flying palace is an unconstitutional gift to this president or any president if it is not explicitly approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

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