Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Yosef Engelsberg on the birth of a son. Mazel Tov grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Shaul Engelsberg and Rabbi & Mrs.Tzvi Pollack, and great-grandparents  Mrs. Miriam Englesberg and Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Sher יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 28, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Helen Broder, a’h, mother of Mrs. Robin (Jay) Schwarz, Mr. Glenn Broder and Mrs. Joy (Steven) Graber. The levayah will be held at Levinson's on Wednesday, November 29th, 10:30 am. Shiva will be observed through Tuesday morning at 2600 Steele Road Baltimore MD 21209.Visiting Motzaei Shabbos: 6:30PM-10:00PMNo visitors please: 12:30 -1:30, 6 -7 and after 10 Shacharis at 7:00 AM,(Sunday:7:30AM)Mincha/Maariv 4:25 PM. [Erev Shabbos: 2:00PM]The family is asking for any stories of Mrs. Bubby Broder to be sent to mrsbrodermemories@gmail.com Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...  
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GRAND WIG SALE U DONT WANT TO MISS, Sun., Dec. 3!!!!! FIRST TIME EVER RAIZY KLEIN COMING TO BALTIMORE $500 OFF ALL WIGS SARYS STARTING AT $1450 RINAS AT $2050 IRENE LACE TOPS AT $2050 WE WILL BE ACCEPTING CASH, CC, AND ZELLE!! CUT AT STYLE INCLUDED!! 718-232-1212
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Robert Birnbaum, z’l, father of Zvi Birnbaum The levaya will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 11AM November 30 at 11:00 in Montreal. Zvi Birnbaum (443.683.9387 )will sit shiva in Montreal through Wednesday morning and can be reached at 443-683-9387. Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...  
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Baltimore, MD - Nov. 27, 2023  - I first heard of Khal Chassidim about two years ago.  I had been living in Baltimore all my life, and I knew there was a Chassidishe Kollel group of families that had moved in the Pinkney area of town, but that's about it. I saw some chassidim at Seven Mile every once in a while, but that was pretty much the extent of my exposure. The time came that I needed a preschool for my 3 year old twins (one of whom needed a specific style of learning). A few people told me some very positive things about Khal Chassidim, so I decided to do some research and find out more. Originally, we were just looking into the preschool, which is run by the amazing Mrs. Shoshana Sofer. My brothers had been in the TI preschool, under the capable care of Mrs. Sofer&r...
The White House blamed Hamas on Friday for the failure to extend a humanitarian truce in Gaza, saying the Palestinian terrorist group had failed to produce a list of hostages that would have enabled the pause to be extended. "It's because of Hamas that this pause ended," White House spokesman John Kirby said. "The onus is on Hamas." In a briefing, Kirby also corrected his previous tally of the number of American hostages released by Hamas so far from six to four.
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A group of five senators have written to President Biden demanding he implement a travel ban on China due to an alarming spike in an unknown respiratory illness inside the communist nation.  The letter, penned Friday by Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; JD Vance, R-Ohio; Rick Scott, R-Fla.; Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; and Mike Braun, R-Ind., calls for Biden to immediately restrict travel between the U.S. and China until more information is gathered about the dangers posed by the new illness. China has seen a rise in unexplained childhood pneumonia cases and other respiratory illnesses. Citing China’s "long history of lying about public health crises," the lawmakers called for swift action to be taken to protect the health of Americans and the economy. "During the&nbs...
Products and Stores Affected (Expanded and Updated on 11/30/2023) Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands: Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label on the cantaloupe that says “Malichita” or “Rudy”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”. Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malichita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes. Recalled pre-cut cantaloupe and products containing pre-cut cantaloupes (these products are made from recalled whole can...
Dear Friends, This week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer gave a Jewish speech in the Senate. Upon first hearing it, other words came to mind: Epic. Thorough. Thoughtful. Educational. Moving. Personal. But upon reflection, it really was plainly and simply a Jewish speech. “I have noticed a significant disparity between how Jewish people regard the rise of antisemitism, and how many of my non-Jewish friends regard it. To us, the Jewish people, the rise of antisemitism is a crisis — a five-alarm fire that must be extinguished. For so many other people of goodwill, it is merely a problem, a matter of concern.”  What was Jewish about this speech was the span of its vision, what Minority Leader McConnell described as extraordinary, a Jewish history lesson for the ...
The House of Representatives voted to expel scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., on Friday, making him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years. A solemn hush fell over the House chamber as Speaker Mike Johnson slammed his gavel, formalizing the historic ouster. Santos walked out of the House chamber just before all the votes that sealed his fate were cast and did not answer reporters' questions on his way out. Expelling a member of Congress takes a two-thirds majority vote. The last time a House lawmaker was expelled was more than two decades ago, when late former Rep. Jim Traficant, D-Ohio, was voted out of Congress in 2002.  Prior to his ousting, Traficant had been convicted of 10 felony counts, including racketeering and taking bribes...
Parsha Hashavua
Parshas Vayishlach - No More Running

This week's parsha contains the famous showdown (32:23-30) between Yaakov and the angel when Yaakov finds himself alone at night after having helped his family across the Yabok crossing. After emerging victorious, he is given his new name, Yisrael. The Torah text does not explain why or how Yaakov was by his lonesome at that moment. Most school children will likely be very familiar with Rashi's explanation that he went back to retrieve some small jars he had left behind. However, last year, a friend referred me to a channel from Noam Jacobson, offering a very short, well-produced video thought on the parsha. He offers a fascinating approach to this whole episode.


I highly recommend hearing it straight from Noam himself for his emotional, personal touch:


Noam Jacobson Vayishlach (English)


Noam Jacobson Vayishlach (Hebrew)


However, for those who do not wish to or are unable to access YouTube, as well as for the benefit of Shabbos reading, I will do my best to rewrite his thoughts here


Rashba"m suggests shockingly that Yaakov's intent was actually to run away and avoid a confrontation with Eisav altogether. The angel was not coming to prevent Yaakov from meeting Eisav but rather, to prevent his escape. In fact, running away was simply what Yaakov had become accustomed to doing. The skirmish with the angel was meant to prove to him that he need not run away anymore. He needs to face Eisav directly. And he can, because he overcame an angel.


He (Noam Jacobson, not Rashba"m) suggests that this correlates with the addition of the name Yisrael, relating to the word yashar, straight. Besting the angel gave Yaakov the inspiration to stop trying to run in all sorts of directions but to face adversity head on.


Have a good Shabbos.

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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2023 -  BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi Verschleisser (Silver Spring) & Chava Rochel Dobin (Baltimore)   on their engagement.  Mazel Tov to Eli & Leah Verschleisser and Sara & Avi Dobin and grandparents David & Renee  Bienenstock יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2023: 2011 Dark Grey Toyota Prius MD Tag: 9CS4445 Stolen from 6500 Block Edenvale
SimchasSimchas Simcha
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 1, 2023  - Jewish Educational Services is proud to support Jewish schools in Baltimore. When Rabbi Moshe Frohlich from Bais Yaakov and Rabbi Hillel Hexter from Talmudical Academy approached Rabbi Aaron Levitt, Executive Director of JES, with a request for a professional development day for the day school community, JES was excited to get involved.  In partnership with Rabbi Heshy Glass and Eli Shapiro from the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools (COJDS), JES hosted a community-wide professional day on November 7.  Over 550 educators from 10 local schools, as well as several from outside Maryland, packed into the auditorium at Bais Yaakov High School to hear Larry Thompson, M.Ed describe how to apply his proprietary program, RCD: Responsibility Centered Dis...
Nichum AveilimNichum Aveilim Aveilim
The Wall Street Journal has reported on an Israeli plan to eliminate Hamas leaders around the world after the war in Gaza has ended. The report said that the plan will take effect "when the nation's war in the Gaza Strip winds down," and that the effort may take years to carry out. Israel began working on the plan shortly after the October 7 massacre, following orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the sources who spoke with the Wall Street Journal, the question is no longer whether to kill Hamas leaders located in various countries around the world, but rather where, and how, to kill them. The sources said that eliminations on Qatari soil following the October 7 massacre "could have torpedoed continuing efforts to negotiate" the host...
Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, has died. O'Connor was 93 years old.
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This week's parsha contains the famous showdown (32:23-30) between Yaakov and the angel when Yaakov finds himself alone at night after having helped his family across the Yabok crossing. After emerging victorious, he is given his new name, Yisrael. The Torah text does not explain why or how Yaakov was by his lonesome at that moment. Most school children will likely be very familiar with Rashi's explanation that he went back to retrieve some small jars he had left behind. However, last year, a friend referred me to a channel from Noam Jacobson, offering a very short, well-produced video thought on the parsha. He offers a fascinating approach to this whole episode. I highly recommend hearing it straight from Noam himself for his emotional, personal touch: Noam Jacobson Vayishlach...
Baltimore, Md – Dec. 1, 2023 - In the Strathmore and Pinkney area last night, multiple cars were broken into. Some had windows smashed, and belongings were rifled through. Shomrim urges the community to avoid leaving valuables in vehicles and, most importantly, not to leave anything visible. Shomrim emphasizes that, in the event of such a crime, it's crucial to report it to 911 and contact Shomrim at 410-358-9999.
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There is a holy teaching handed down from the great Chasidic master, Reb Zvi Hersh of Ziditchov, that when Yaakov appeals to Esav not to accompany him on his journey due to the slow pace, לרגל המלאכה — of the gait of the drove, and לרגל הילדים — the gait of the children, it is mystically alluding to two sets of holidays. The word רגל used here to refer to their gait, alternately can be referring to the שלש רגלים — the Three Holidays the Jewish people made their pilgrimage by foot — thus its association with gait — to the Temple on Pesach, Shavuos, Sukkos. These are days when we must refrain from מלאכה — work activity, thus appropriately alluded to in the phrase: לרגל המלאכה — the holidays restricted fr...
Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, died this past week on November 29th, 2023, at the age of 100. A fascinating story that took place many years ago between Kissinger and Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir, has resurfaced.  In a meeting, Henry Kissinger told Golda Meir, "You must remember that first I am an American, second I am Secretary of State, and third I am a Jew."   In her sheer brilliance, Golda Meir replied, "Henry, you forget that in Israel we read from right to left."  I heard from my Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Goldberger shlit’a, a powerful vort from Rav Shlomo Twerski zt”l. In last week’s Parshah we are told of the story with Yaakov and Lavan. Initially, when Yaakov comes to the house of Lavan, the blatant impurity and שקר o...
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