7,000 Jewish teens from 60 countries filled Times Square on Motzei Shabbos, singing, dancing, and declaring their Jewish pride in the most public square on earth. After a year of challenges, they didn’t gather to explain who they are. They came to live it—out loud and together. They came from across the globe—some from communities shaken by war, others from countries grappling with rising antisemitism, and still others from regions recovering from natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes. Together, they came to live their Judaism—proudly, unapologetically, and in full view of the world. “Shavuah Tov, CTeen!” The words rang out from the stage, declared by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CTeen International, cutting through the neon glow and weekend crowds.

In a rare and heartwarming moment that stirred excitement across the Satmar community, two grandsons of the late Satmar Rebbe, HaRav Moshe Teitelbaum zt”l, were seen shaking hands at a simcha this past week. HaRav Menachem Mendel Teitelbaum, son of HaRav Aharon Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, and HaRav Yaakov Ber Teitelbaum, son of HaRav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, greeted each other warmly at the bar mitzvah of the son of R’ Chezky Berkowitz, a prominent and respected figure in the Satmar kehillah. The encounter, captured by attendees and quickly shared across frum circles, marked a significant moment given the well-known divide between the two branches of Satmar leadership.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that he is running for mayor of New York City, relaunching his political career following a yearslong exile over a barrage of harassment accusations. In a 17-minute video announcing his campaign, Cuomo pitched himself as an accomplished moderate who could save a city that felt threatening and “out of control,” and is capable of navigating the delicate balance between working with Republican President Donald Trump and fighting him, when necessary. “I am not saying this is going to be easy. It won’t be easy, but I know we can turn the city around and I believe I can help and that is why I announce my candidacy today for mayor of New York City today,” he said.

The Met Council on Jewish Poverty (Met Council), in partnership with UJA-Federation of New York, has officially opened its $12.5 million Brooklyn Hub, marking a historic milestone in supporting people who need help across Southern Brooklyn. Located at the intersection of 13th Avenue and 60th Street, the 13,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is now a vital resource for local residents, particularly within the frum and Russian-speaking Jewish communities. The Brooklyn Hub was designed to provide essential services with dignity and respect. It features a cutting-edge food pantry powered by Market by Met Council, an innovative online platform that allows recipients to select food tailored to their preferences and dietary needs, minimizing waste.

New York City’s Chevra Hatzolah, the renowned volunteer emergency medical service, is rolling out a significant change in its operations to safeguard patient privacy and streamline communications. Sources close to YWN reveal that Hatzolah dispatchers will no longer broadcast exact emergency addresses over the radio, a move prompted by the growing number of scanner listeners—hundreds of whom tune in daily—and a commitment to protecting the confidentiality of those they serve. Instead, addresses will now be automatically texted to responding units, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive location details.

President Donald Trump’s administration has given New York until next month to comply with its order to halt Manhattan’s new congestion pricing system, but state officials on Wednesday vowed to continue the tolling program, which is meant to thin traffic and pump new revenue into the nation’s busiest transit system. The Federal Highway Administration said the $9 toll on most vehicles entering Manhattan neighborhoods south of Central Park must end by March 21, according to a letter provided to The Associated Press by the U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday. The letter was sent to New York officials on Feb.

Queens Shomrim was officially launched on Wednesday evening, bringing much-needed security and support to the local Jewish community. The initiative, led by Sruli Weiss, was created in response to rising crime and antisemitism in the area. Weiss tells YWN that while larger Jewish communities benefit from Shomrim services, he felt Queens was somewhat forgotten. “With the increase in crime, it became clear that this was long overdue, and I accepted the role as coordinator,” he said. The launch has been met with widespread community support, including backing from local residents, law enforcement, and sister organizations such as Shomrim Organizations from Williamsburg, Boro Park, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Staten Island, and Rockaway Nassau, as well as Rockland and Bergen County Chaverim.

The International Rambam Celebration Committee has announced that renowned speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson will be the guest speaker at the 44th Siyum HaRambam, set to take place on Sunday, 2 Adar 5785 (March 2, 2025), at the Bedford Union Armory in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Rabbi YY, renowned for his deep and profound insights and for captivating audiences of hundreds of thousands from diverse backgrounds across the globe, will deliver the keynote address alongside other prominent Jewish speakers and rabbis. With just a few days left until the Siyum HaRambam, anticipation is growing as thousands prepare to attend this milestone and grand event at the Bedford Union Armory. Doors will open at 6:30 PM, with the main program running from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado announced Monday that he will not seek reelection alongside Governor Kathy Hochul in 2026, signaling a potential shakeup in New York’s political landscape. While Delgado made clear that he will serve out his full term, he also indicated that he is exploring other political opportunities to continue representing the state. “I have made the decision to not run for reelection with the Governor in 2026,” Delgado stated.

Rose Girone, believed to be the oldest living Holocaust survivor, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 113. Girone ran a knitting shop in Forest Hills, Queens, and credited the craft with helping to sustain her family during the Holocaust. She was also a dedicated witness to history, sharing her experiences with the USC Shoah Foundation, the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, and other institutions. Born in Janov, Poland, in 1912, Girone’s family later settled in Hamburg, Germany, where they operated a theatrical costume shop. In 1938, she married Julius Mannheim in an arranged marriage and moved to Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) just as Nazi persecution escalated.