Sunday, December 5, 2021

Eitan Biran returns to Italy after Supreme Court rejects appeal from mother’s family

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/eitan-biran-returns-to-italy-after-supreme-court-rejects-appeal-from-mothers-family/

Eitan Biran, a 6-year-old boy who was orphaned in a cable car crash in Italy, returned to the country on Friday, days after Israel’s Supreme Court rejected a final appeal from his Israel-based family.

Biran — who was living in Italy at the time of the cable car crash in May that killed his parents, his younger brother and his great-grandparents — has become the subject of a bitter custody fight between his Italy-based paternal family and his Israel-based maternal family.

A lawyer from the maternal family oversaw the transfer at the airport, where Biran was accompanied on the flight by his aunt and two cousins. 

Berland no longer under murder probe detention, but remains jailed in unrelated case

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/berland-no-longer-under-murder-probe-detention-but-remains-jailed-in-unrelated-case/

Rabbi Eliezer Berland arrives for a court hearing in Jerusalem, November 2, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Convicted sex offender Eliezer Berland was released on Thursday from remand after he was detained in connection with two cold case murders — but remains in prison to serve a sentence on unrelated charges.

Berland, the leader of the extremist Shuvu Bonim sect, has been implicated in the murder of 41-year-old Avi Edri in 1990 and the kidnapping and suspected murder of 17-year-old Nissim Shitrit in 1986. Police have accused Berland of sending his followers to kill Shitrit. His followers have also been tied to Edri’s death.

But on Thursday prosecutors said they would release Berland and his son-in-law, Tzvi Tzucker, as well as a third suspect — an unnamed Haredi mayor — under restrictions.

 

2 members of Berland’s sect charged over ‘extremely cruel’ 1986 murder of teen

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-members-of-berlands-sect-charged-over-extremely-cruel-1986-murder-of-teen/

Two followers of convicted sex offender Eliezer Berland’s Shuvu Bonim sect were charged on Friday in connection with the 1986 murder of a teen.

The two were indicted over the murder of 17-year-old Nissim Shitrit. His body was never found and Friday’s charges were the first made in connection with his death.

One of the suspects charged in the case is the son of a former minister. His name has not been released for publication. The second suspect was Baruch Sharvit, a Shuvu Bonim follower.

 

Saturday, December 4, 2021

The Internet pandemic is plaguing Israel's haredi community

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/the-internet-pandemic-is-plaguing-israels-haredi-community-687707

While they believe that the physical threat from the health risk is manageable, the spiritual and communal risk of the Internet is existential. Indeed, the COVID crisis has exposed deepening cracks in the walled garden, so fundamental to haredi society. There has been a major increase on the Internet connectivity for haredim since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, leading to ever greater concerns from the leadership about how to protect their flock from outside and, in their perspective, wholly destructive influences.

Mi La'Shem Ai'lay

 Rabbosai,


As we approach Zos Chanukah, please help save Bnos Yisroel from the threat of a potential female Draft - in America - already included in the "must-pass" National Defense Authorization Act ("NDAA"). This terrible Gezairah al Ha'Das (antireligious edict) is not much different than the Hegmonite Gezairas HaYevonim that promted Yehudis to initiate the Maccabee uprising. And it's waiting for a vote in the U.S. Senate, any day now.

Due to the input of a numerous leftist Republicans - joining many Democrats - the NDAA, if passed as is, would require all women between 18 and 25 to register with Selective Service, just like men.  That means: IF there would EVER be a future draft - including a draft for non-combat "national emergency" purposes (another dangerous addition to this year's NDAA) - WOMEN WOULD BE DRAFTED - to serve ALONG WITH,  and under the command of the some of the lowest elements of society - in the name of "Equality." As degraded as society is now, it will likely be even worse in any future draft. [Imagine what type of Shidduch crisis THAT would cause.]  The time to stop this lunacy is NOW. By the time of any actual draft, it will be too late.

Additionally, even if there would NEVER be a draft, this bill would have several terrible immediate and short term effects, including:
(a) encouraging many other countries to follow suit; (b) acceleration of the ongoing efforts of the Israeli Draft Office to force, dupe, or convince religious girls to enlist in the notoriously immoral Army; (c) acceleration of radical feminism overall, and in religious communities as well; (d) it could also introduce the idea of Army service to innocent girls to whom such a option would never have occurred, e.g. many Bais Yaakov graduates.

גיוס בנות - הוא ביהרג ואל יעבור!

In the days of the saintly Chashmonoyim, noshim tzidkoniyos (righteous women) played a crucial role in the Heavenly victory of the Maccabees against the Hellenist and Greek enemies. (See Yalkut Shimoni 606 on Rus 4:11; Sotah 11b; Sefer Kav HaYashar 82.)
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ACTION ITEMS:
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(1) Today as well, it's crucial that ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS age 16 y/o & up urge their two Senators, and then their Congressional Representative, to immediately push for the REPEAL of "Selective Service" - Senate Amendment "S.A. 4161." Specifically, urge each SENATOR to do two things: 

(a) insist on allowing a vote for "Senate Amendment" SA4161 (Selective Service Repeal), and any similar amendments that arise,

(b) and then, of course, vote for it/ them.

Make sure to urge EVERY LEGISLATOR to oppose the NDAA in any way possible IF the leadership of EITHER party blocks  a vote on S.A. 4161, or a similar amendment - FOR AS LONG AS the expansion of Selective Service (to women, or for purposes other than replenishing troops dying in battle) remains in the NDAA.

(2) Secondly, it's crucial to demand Senator Charles Schumer (D, NY) allow enough debate time for  S.A.4161 and similar amendments; call 202-224-6542/ 212-486-4430. His delays are one major reason for the threats we now face. With a straight face, Schumer claims a connection to the Holy chassidus of Tchort'kov. If he insists on "talking the talk," let him at least pretend to "walk the walk" - by allowing debate on any amendment that would undo the expansion of Selective Service, and thereby save innocent women in the future from untold horrors, in addition to averting all of the short-term fallout of that provision of the current NDAA.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
(3) ADDITIONAL ACTION ITEMS NEEDED:
Also please urge the following Congressional leaders to "please ensure a vote on Selective Service Repeal - and similar bills - not IN SPITE of their support of the Armed Forces - but specifically BECAUSE of it - namely, to maximize prospects of successfully stopping S.S. expansion to women, in this Democratic-dominated Congress." (Drafting women will hurt military readiness at the worst time - and for no good reason; the Center for Military Readiness has details.)

1. The Senate Republican Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell [R, KY]: (202) 224-2541 / Fax:" -2499
~~
2. The GOP House Leader Representative Kevin McCarthy: (202) 225-2915 / Fax: " -2908

3. Senator Joe Manchin III [D, WV]:   202-224-3954 [possibly a swing Democrat];

4. The (top) Ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. James M. Inhofe [R, OK]: (202) 224-4721/ Fax: (202) 228-0380.

For the central Congressional Switchboard, call 202-224-3121, or:
https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/CWFA/campaigns/87862/respond.

Q) How do the women calling explain their motivation to oppose Selective Service, if asked by  leftist staffers?

A) They don't want to serve, nor should any woman be FORCED to. Even from a secular perspective, it's misogynist (anti-woman) to FORCE women into any type of government service, to be subjugated to harmful elements of society, with - and under - whom they'd be forced to serve.  Moreover, to force women into the most "UN-equal" dangers of combat against violent males - risking both death and capture - is unspeakably barbaric.*
* ד"ל.
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Q) Why Eliminate Selective Service (S.S.)?

A) ° The S.S. Repeal bill, and similar types of legislation, would provide a real chance of success in this Democratic-dominated Congress, if the Republicans would get behind them. Many on the Left also oppose S.S.. 

° S.S. is also unnecessary: Selective Service is an obsolete leftover legacy of left-leaning Jimmy Carter. In 1980, Carter reinstated S.S. - in his failed mission to extend S.S. to women.

° There are additional reasons to abolish S.S., including the prohibition to serve in  the current Dor HaMabul (G@¥$)-dominated military environment, or to fight in wars prohibited according to Torah.

Q) Isn't that opposing the Draft itself?

A) Not at all. If there will ever be a real need for a Draft, R"L, they'd need separate legislation anyway, with or without Selective Service. With modern technology, they can draft people just as well without the wasteful S.S. bureaucracy.

Q) What about the House?

A) The entire House of Representatives already passed their version of the NDAA on Sept. 23, including the provision from Representative Houlahan (D, PA), requiring women to register for Selective Service. However, there may be another House vote on the final version of the NDAA.

Q) Why the need to push so hard for a vote on Selective Service Repeal? 

A) Schumer has already delayed the NDAA vote until it's too late to allow enough debate on some of the most important of the 900 amendments that may be considered. That means that the Republicans, who are the minority in the Senate (by 1), may only be able to get a vote on ONE amendment against expanding Selective Service to women. It's our job to ensure that the Senate votes on an amendment that will have the BEST chance of getting enough BIPARTISAN support to actually pass. We can't rely on the Republicans to do that without a lot of pressure.*

* Many Republicans are, quite apparently, NOT fighting to win (some possibly hoping to exploit a loss to run next year) - and not pushing for the Selective Service Repeal amendment, or similar types of legislation.

Q) Are there other objections to the NDAA?

A) There definitely are other very dangerous provisions inserted into the NDAA. Whatever can be done to eliminate them should definitely be done, including filibustering to stall the bill. However, that's no REPLACEMENT for an  amendment with a real fighting chance, like S.S. Repeal, or the like.
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As we were redeemed from Egypt in the merit of righteous women, similarly, we shall be redeemed from this exile in the merit of righteous women (see Sefer Kav HaYashar 82).
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Call Today. Please share! Have a dar'hoibeneh Chanukah.

Bennett: Not every decision we make is perfect, Gilat knows how to run our family

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/318062

Bennett responded to the uproar on Wednesday and said his family "is subject to exactly the same rules that apply to all Israeli citizens. I understand the criticism, but since Friday we have learned more about the variant and in which countries it is spread, and the Coronavirus Cabinet has made decisions on which countries to travel and under what conditions."

Bennett also wrote on Facebook, "My family (without me, I am staying with you ...) was supposed to go on vacation during the Hanukkah holiday in a country that turned out to be red. The holiday was immediately canceled, and after the new rules became clear, they booked a holiday to a country to which it is permitted to travel. Everyone goes out according to all the restrictions and of course will stay in isolation as required. The citizens of Israel are just as important to me as my children."

MK Yisrael Katz (Likud) criticized the Bennett’s family's trip on Wednesday and wrote that "after advising Israeli citizens not to fly abroad - Bennett's wife and children take off for a vacation abroad. This is how it is when political lies became the norm and personal example is trampled on. Such chutzpah."

After Bennett published his response to the criticism, Katz wrote, "Bennett's explanation for his family's trip abroad, contrary to the warnings he gave to the public, is worse than the act 

Wise men of Lalewood disagree with most rabbonim and doctors

 From current Binah Magazine


Inaccurate claims about 'rabbinical court' opposing Covid-19 vaccination spread online


 https://news.yahoo.com/inaccurate-claims-rabbinical-court-opposing-204803831.html

 Online articles and social media posts claim a "rabbinical court" that is part of Israel's legal system ruled against Covid-19 vaccination for young people and children in a binding decision for observant Jews. But leading rabbinical authorities in both Israel and the United States have endorsed vaccination, and experts say the ruling did not come from a widely recognized Jewish legal authority.

Rabbi Shlomo Alexander Pollak, one of the three signatories of the ruling, defended it and said the hearing included "many rabbis from diverse Jewish communities," and that "public notice was sent out" for any rabbinic authority to participate.

"Those in attendance agreed upon this ruling; however many did not sign due to interference with their political standpoint of their community," he said, adding that three signatories is the minimum to issue a ruling.

Friday, December 3, 2021

Agudath Israel Slams NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Yeshiva, Non-Public School Employees

 https://www.jewishpress.com/news/us-news/ny/nyc-mandates-covid-19-vaccination-for-non-public-school-employees-in-yeshivas/2021/12/03/

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel of Agudath Israel responded to the new mandate as Chairman of the Committee of New York City Religious and Independent School Officials, representing private schools all across New York City.

Zwiebel sent a sharply worded letter to NYC Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi over the just-announced mandate, writing that “government should be using its bully pulpit to persuade, not its regulatory arm to coerce.

 “The reality is that the small percentage of school employees who have chosen not to vaccinate have made a personal choice based on their individual circumstances and personal values.

“Surely at least some of them will continue to resist vaccination even if the city imposes a vaccination mandate – whereupon, pursuant to the terms of the mandate, they will be terminated from their jobs. As a result, the school will have to hire new qualified teachers and other staff to fill the newly created vacancies,” the letter continued.

“In an era when finding high quality teachers and staff is so difficult even at the beginning of the school year finding high quality replacement staff in the middle of the school year may be impossible. Some schools may even be forced to close because of the severe shortage of teachers.”

The Benefits of Vaccinating Kids against COVID Far Outweigh the Risks of Myocarditis

 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-benefits-of-vaccinating-kids-against-covid-far-outweigh-the-risks-of-myocarditis1/

 Parents who are considering whether to vaccinate their child against COVID may have heard about the risk of a rare side effect called myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart tissue that has occurred in some teenagers and young adults who have received an mRNA vaccine. These parents may be wondering, “Is this something I should be worried about for my child?”

Here is what scientists know: Vaccine-related myocarditis is extremely rare; estimates vary, but the highest figures suggest there have been fewer than 200 cases per million fully vaccinated males ages 12–15, the youngest age group for which such data currently exist. Only about 30 cases per million have been reported in vaccinated females of that age. Pfizer, whose mRNA vaccine was recently authorized for use in five- to 11-year olds, says it did not observe any myocarditis cases in its clinical trial for the latter age group (it would be nearly impossible to design a trial large enough to detect such a rare effect). Scientists expect it to be even rarer in 5–11-year-old kids compared with teens, because myocarditis from any cause is less common in the younger age group. The vaccine dose authorized for that group is lower, as well.

Ilhan Omar airs death threat and presses Republicans on ‘anti-Muslim hatred’

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/01/ilhan-omar-airs-death-threat-and-presses-republicans-on-anti-muslim-hatred

 Boebert initially took steps to ease the situation, apologising last week “to anyone in the Muslim community I offended”. But after declining to apologise directly to Omar during a tense phone call on Monday, which Omar abruptly ended, Boebert again went on the attack.

“Rejecting an apology and hanging up on someone is part of cancel culture 101 and a pillar of the Democrat party,” Boebert said in an Instagram video.

So far, McCarthy is taking her side. When asked on Tuesday what he would do if Democrats tried to censure Boebert, McCarthy said: “After she apologised personally and publicly? I’d vote against it.”

Israel’s health minister wants to make it easier to get abortions

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israels-health-minister-wants-to-make-it-easier-to-get-abortions-687730

As the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Washington on the most significant abortion case to reach the court in decades, Israel’s health minister laid out his plans to simplify what he called Israel’s “chauvinistic” abortion process on Wednesday.
“It should be a given — the rights to a woman’s body are the woman’s alone,” Nitzan Horowitz told the Israeli news site Ynet. “Any decision or medical procedure such as the choice of whether to perform an abortion must be in the hands of the woman. We have no moral right to decide for her how to deal with an unwanted pregnancy.”
Horowitz, head of the left-wing Meretz Party, wants to allow women to terminate a pregnancy within its first 12 weeks without approval by a committee, which is currently a requirement for all abortions in Israel.

No get divorce

 























Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Tel Aviv city councilmember, a former deputy mayor, named as sex abuse suspect

https://www.timesofisrael.com/tel-aviv-city-councilmember-a-former-deputy-mayor-named-as-sex-abuse-suspect/ 

 Arnon Giladi, a former deputy mayor of Tel Aviv who is still a member of the city council, was named Wednesday as the suspect in a case in which a man is claiming the councilmember paid to have sex with him ten years ago, when the accuser was just 15, and tried to pressure him into similar sexual encounters years later.

The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court released Giladi from custody Wednesday, prohibiting him from leaving the country or making contact with his accuser for 60 days.

Giladi, who is a member of the city council for the Likud party, has denied the accusations, which were revealed in a series of Hebrew media reports over the past two weeks.