Haredi Life

Politics

Judge contradicts accusation of anti-Trump bias: criminal trial won’t conflict with Passover

Right-wing pundits accused the judge of trying to prevent Orthodox Jews from serving on the jury in his upcoming criminal trial

Monsey

How a campaign of unfounded rumors overturned Ramapo’s Hispanic-run taxi industry

By spreading allegations about non-Jewish taxi drivers assaulting female passengers, a group of Haredi activists in Rockland created a lucrative vacuum for Haredi-owned companies to fill

Music

AUDIO FEATURE: Hasidic artists in Brooklyn bring the golden age of cantorial music into the digital age

A new book by Jeremiah Lockwood, a musician and Jewish Studies scholar, explores the world of young Hasidic cantorial artists, who have mastered the vocal techniques of the great cantors of a century ago

Israel

U.S. Haredi leadership find consensus in lamenting Israel’s yeshiva draft changes

Leading Satmar newspapers decried the change using dramatic headlines and heated rhetoric, while the Agudah called the new rules a “war on the Torah”

Monsey

Music to signal the onset of Shabbos in Monsey thanks to new Satmar synagogue

In an upgrade from an ancient practice, a new musical “bell” will announce the start of Shabbos — unlike the shrill sirens used in many other Haredi neighborhoods

Israel

IDF soldier and scion of anti-Zionist Satmar dynasty joins ‘Mislaibeled’ podcast for wide-ranging conversation

Chaim Meisels, the great-grandson of the previous Satmar rebbe, spoke to podcast host Laibel Weiner about joining the IDF, fighting in Gaza post-Oct. 7, Israeli politics, and more

Legislation

New bill would exempt matzah bakeries, other restaurants from environmental rule

Staten Island Assemblyman proposes bill to exempt matzah bakeries, pizzerias from environmental rule that constitutes “discrimination against ethnic restaurants”

Borough Park

Fire at Borough Park synagogue leaves five people hospitalized, with three in serious condition

The fire broke out in the Stavnitz rabbi’s home, above the synagogue he leads, and was caused by a cooking accident

Yeshivas

Judges hear oral arguments in state’s appeal against yeshiva advocates

At issue is whether the state can institute enforcement mechanisms for the regulations it sets for nonpublic schools, including yeshivas

New Square

Ramapo police recover $14,000 shtreimel stolen from a car in New Square

The pricey fur hat, traditionally worn by Hasidic men on Shabbos and holidays, was returned to its owner, and two suspects were arrested

Legislation

New Jersey bill to help with private school tuition via tax credits and a scholarship fund

Under the proposed legislation, donations to a state-chosen scholarship fund for private school students would get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit

Holidays

For a holiday marked by generosity, banks across Borough Park stock up on cash

For Purim giving, banks provide for everyone’s preferences — half-dollar coins, two-dollar bills, hundreds and fifties