In a disturbing incident, a crazed driver passing a Hasidic Jewish school in Canarsie verbally assaulted a group of Jewish people before getting up on the sidewalk and attempting to drive into students and a rabbi outside the Vien Yeshiva. The 58-year-old man was taken into custody following the incident, which left the community shaken and on edge.
This incident comes at a time when tensions are high surrounding the issue of conscription in Israel. As of April 1, some 66,000 haredim from 18-26 can - at least technically - be drafted into the army, leading to protests and debates within the Orthodox community.
Meanwhile, in an effort to spread joy and awareness ahead of Passover, rabbinical students at the international Chabad Yeshiva in Oak Park transformed the atmosphere with their festive celebrations and outreach efforts.
On a more somber note, at a yeshiva in Israel's Negev Desert, a staggering 95 percent of the students are drafted into combat units. Tragically, eight students have been killed since the school's inception, highlighting the sacrifices made by those who choose to serve their country.
In a separate development, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has voiced his strong opposition to a Supreme Court decision to freeze funds to yeshivas, criticizing the move and questioning the decision-makers' rationale.
Looking back to 2018, a detailed examination of the explosive growth of BMG - a leading institution for Orthodox learning in the U.S. - sheds light on the changes that have taken place in the community and the impact of the institution on the town of Lakewood.
Finally, in a disturbing turn of events, a gunman fired at two Montreal Jewish schools overnight Wednesday, prompting concerns and heightened security measures in the area. The incident occurred during an event at McGill University to mark the 85th anniversary of a significant historical event, adding to the sense of unease in the community.
