YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of Rabbanit Helen Yedid a”h, the esteemed wife of Chacham Yom Tov Yedid zt”l, the last Chief Rabbi of Aleppo, Syria. A true isha chashuva, she stood as a pillar of strength beside her illustrious husband, playing a pivotal role in leading and preserving the kehilla in Aleppo through turbulent times. In 1980, the Yedid family emigrated to the United States with their nine children, where they built a vibrant Sephardic community steeped in Torah, chesed, and mesorah. The Yedid name has since become synonymous with harbotzas haTorah and acts of tzedakah, with Rabbanit Helen a”h at the heart of it all, instilling these values in her children and grandchildren.

A man dressed in a Hamas uniform and threatening to “kill Zionists” in the heart of Manhattan’s Times Square exposed his own ignorance when confronted by a cameraman. The man, identified only as “Omar,” appeared confident in his rhetoric—until he was pressed on what exactly he meant. When asked directly if he wanted to kill Jews, Omar denied it, insisting that his target was “Zionists.” But when asked to define the term, his response revealed his confusion. “You’re the definition of a Zionist,” he muttered, seemingly unsure of what he was saying. The cameraman then challenged Omar’s reasoning, asking why he wanted to kill Zionists. Omar responded with another broad and dubious claim: “All they want to do is kill all the Arabs.” That’s when the conversation took a turn.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) announced that it will stop selling and refilling MetroCards by the end of 2025,  accelerating the transition to its OMNY tap-and-go payment system. The move, confirmed by MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber in an interview with Crain’s New York Business on Wednesday, could have major implications for Orthodox Jews and other New Yorkers who rely on MetroCards—particularly those who do not use smartphones. MetroCards, which have been in use since 1994, were originally slated for retirement in 2027. However, the MTA has now moved up its timeline, eliminating MetroCard sales much sooner than expected.

The Trump administration fired back on Monday after a French politician suggested that the United States should return the Statue of Liberty to France, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivering a scathing response. “Absolutely not,” Leavitt said during a press briefing. “My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now. They should be grateful.” Leavitt’s remarks were a clear reference to America’s role in liberating France from Nazi Germany during World War II—a pointed reminder of the historical debt that France owes the U.S.

A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the Lakewood community, as a 4-month-old infant was niftar after being accidentally left in a vehicle near 5th Street and Princeton Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, leaving residents in shock and mourning. Hatzolah of Central Jersey responded swiftly to the scene shortly before 1:30 PM, where paramedics worked tirelessly to save the child’s life. The infant was urgently transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, but despite all efforts, the child was tragically Niftar. Details surrounding the incident remain limited at this time. Additional information, including levaya arrangements, will be shared with the tzibbur as soon as they are made available. Baruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Dovid Friedman, made a Siyum on Talmud Yerushalmi on Sunday. Rav Shmuel Dovid is a major Talmud Chochm, a Baki B’Shas, has made numerous Siyumim on Shas, and is a Mechaber Seforim. He is also seasoned Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur. The Siyum was made on Shushan Purim, and was made Lizecher Nishmas, Hagaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky ZT’L, whose Yartzheit was on Shabbos. VIDEO & PHOTOS BELOW BY HOLY SHOTS

The Orthodox Jewish community, along with the broader Brooklyn South neighborhoods, is warmly welcoming NYPD Lieutenant Duran McLean as the newly assigned Community Affairs Lieutenant for Patrol Borough Brooklyn South. Lieutenant McLean brings years of experience and a deep commitment to community service to this vital role, overseeing all community affairs officers and supervisors in the borough. Lieutenant McLean’s journey with the NYPD began in 2008 when he joined as a police officer assigned to Brooklyn Transit. He was later specially assigned to Transit District 34, serving the neighborhoods of Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay, and Midwood.

YWN regrets to inform you of the tragic Petira of Yeshaya (Shuki) Roth from Flatbush (Israel), who was killed in a crash on the Palisades Parkway on Monday. He was 30. According to reports by Monsey Scoop, the crash occurred at around 5:45PM on the Palisades Northbound heading from the George Washington Bridge toward Monsey, near Exit 1. Hatzolah and other emergency personnel were on the scene, and transported him to Hackensack Medical center where he was unfortunately Niftar. The Niftar leaves behind a wife. Rabbi Abe Friedman, Chaplain for the Palisades Police (PIPPD),diligently worked with local and state officials to ensure proper Kavod Hames for the Niftar and timely notification of families.