Kiryas Joel is the Poorest Place in the Country

By Matt King for the Times Herald-Record

Census Bureau data say more than two-thirds of Kiryas Joel residents live below the poverty line.

KIRYAS JOEL, NY — This village has always had the distinction of being a cultural and religious enclave, but now it can add another:

Kiryas Joel is the poorest place in the country.

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Video – Lipa Sings for Moishe’le Holtzberg

Lipa Schmeltzer recently flew to Israel, where he visited Moishe’le Holtzberg. During his visit he sang and presented him with the song, “A Letter To Moishele”. This video clip includes scenes from Lipa’s visit with Moishele and his family.

Rubashkin Asks for Change of Venue for Upcoming Federal Trial

By Trish Mehaffey for The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — Former Agriprocessors CEO Sholom Rubashkin asks for a change of venue for his September trial because of extensive pretrial publicity.

The motion filed late Thursday in U.S. District Court claims Rubashkin wasn’t the CEO, as the media continues to wrongly report, and asks to move the trial outside this district to Minneapolis or Chicago.

New Ohr Avner School Opens

ORENBURG, Russia [FJC] — This week brought a new page in the history of the Jewish community of Orenburg, with the occurrence of the opening ceremony for the new Ohr Avner Chabad educational center.

The new bright and spacious building is equipped with everything essential for students and a successful educational process. This new home will enable the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School to continue its work, which has already gained a strong reputation among local residents due to its solid position in local intellectual competitions among schoolchildren in Orenburg.

Thousands Unite for Worldwide Torah Class

By Yonit Tanenbaum

Jewish residents of Colorado Springs gather at Chabad-Lubavitch of Southern Colorado for a worldwide Torah class given by noted Talmudic scholar Rabbi Adin Even Yisrael Steinsaltz.

NEW YORK, NY — Thousands of people from almost 300 Jewish communities around the world joined together for a giant Torah class taught by Rabbi Adin Even Yisrael Steinsaltz, a Chabad-Lubavitch Chasid whom Time magazine once referred to as a โ€œonce-in-a-millennium scholar.โ€

Venezuelan Synagogue Attacked

CARACAS, Venezuela [AP] — An armed group vandalized Caracas’ oldest synagogue, shattering religious objects and spray-painting walls in what Jewish leaders called the worst attack ever on their community in Venezuela.

Two security guards were overpowered by about 15 people who ransacked the synagogue’s sanctuary and offices late Friday, leaving graffiti such as: “We don’t want murderers,” and “Jews, get out.”

NYC Council Inquiry Into NYPD Complaint Cases

By Bob Hennelly for WNYC

Illustration Picture

NEW YORK, NY — City Council Speaker Christine Quinn convened an oversight hearing about police misconduct cases.

Lawmakers want to explore why the NYPD does not prosecute dozens of cases documented by the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Menachem Begin’s Extraordinary Relationship with the Rebbe

(R-L) Benny Begin and Menachem Kirschenbaum

In a recent meeting between Likud co-chairman Benny Begin (Son of Israel’s late Prime Minister Menachem Begin) and Menachem Kirschenbaum, the topic was regarding a file that was discovered with the help of Tel Aviv University containing correspondences between his father and the Rebbe was discussed. The file offered a rare glimpse into their unique and extraordinary relationship and was presented to the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation and will be published by The Avner Institute.