Hatzalah members and vehicle from many neighborhoods in NYC turned out to give Kavod Achron to R’ Yonason Gruenzweig Z”L, one of the founding members of Chevra Hatzalah. R’ Yonason was a visionary who, through sheer will and unimaginable efforts, assisted in establishing Chevra Hatzalah as the force of good it has become today, and which has benefitted countless people over the years. The Niftar was known many years ago as “W-5”, which refers to “Williamsburg 5”, which is the neighborhood that the concept of Hatzolah as we know it today, was founded in by Reb Herschel Weber. R’ Yonason is survived by dorei doros of askanim and bnei torah, who follow in his footsteps of dedications and devotion to others.

Everett Fortune, the 35-year security chief at Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, has passed away following a lengthy battle with serious illness. Fortune was deeply beloved by the yeshiva and its students, and although he was not involved in the school’s education per se, his passing still leaves a void that will be sorely missed. Over the course of his career at Darchei, Everett became a friend, confidant, and ally to everyone at the school he came in contact with, forging bonds with literally thousands of students, teachers and staff members, who say that he made a lifelong positive impact on them. Sources tell YWN that the Darchei yeshiva had planned to bring out the entire Yeshiva (thousands of people) to pay their respects as the coffin would drive past.

Anas Saleh, the anti-Israel protester who demanded that “Zionists” on a packed subway car raise their hands, turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday. Saleh’s surrender came after a manhunt was launched following the release of a wanted poster with his image. The incident occurred on June 10 at Manhattan’s Union Square station, where Saleh allegedly stormed a southbound 5 train and began chanting, “Raise your hands if you’re a Zionist, repeat after me, this is your chance to get out.” The incident was part of a larger wave of anti-Israel protests that night, including a demonstration at an exhibit memorializing victims of the October 7 terror attacks.

YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of R’ Yonason Gruenzweig Z”L, one of the founding members of Chevra Hatzalah. R’ Yonason was a visionary who, through sheer will and unimaginable efforts, assisted in establishing Chevra Hatzalah as the force of good it has become today, and which has benefitted countless people over the years. The Niftar was known many years ago as “W-5”, which refers to “Williamsburg 5”, which is the neighborhood that the concept of Hatzolah as we know it today, was founded in by Reb Herschel Weber. R’ Yonason is survived by dorei doros of askanim and bnei torah, who follow in his footsteps of dedications and devotion to others. The levaya is scheduled to take place at 12 PM Wednesday at the Adas Yirayim Chapel in Williamsburg, 93 Broadway.

New York City Councilman Kalman Yeger is the Democratic nominee to represent the 41st District in the State Assembly, following his defeat of Adam Dweck in Tuesday’s primary election. Yeger is seeking to succeed Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, who announced her retirement earlier this year after holding the seat for more than four decades. Weinstein had endorsed Yeger as her replacement, and he received additional support from former Councilman David Greenfield, who is now CEO at Met Council for Jewish Poverty. “Nobody understands New York City and New York State government like Kalman Yeger does,” Greenfield said in his endorsement.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is calling on voters to reject anti-Israel Rep. Jamaal Bowman in Tuesday’s primary, citing his stance on Israel and a past incident where he pulled a fire alarm in Congress. “Jamaal Bowman should pull the fire alarm again because he is going to be smoked by @LatimerforNY today,” Cuomo wrote on X. “The message is clear: anti-semitism in any and all forms will not be tolerated in New York. And you can’t call yourself a progressive without making progress. Vote!” Bowman, a member of the progressive “Squad” in the House, is facing a tough primary challenge from Westchester County Executive George Latimer, 70, who is expected to win by a significant margin.

On Sunday, three prominent Jewish community activists, Abe Rosenberg, Abe Rutner – both leaders of the Sullivan County JCC, along with Jewish community activist Chaskel Bennet, met with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Rep. Marc Molinaro in Manhattan. The activists spoke with the officials about security issues and concerns for the Catskills where hundreds of thousands of Orthodox Jews will be passing though during summer 2024. Rep. Molinaro pledged to ensure he would do all he could to ensure a safe summer season, and stated how he is in close contact with law enforcement officials such as Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff, and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty. Speaker Johnson spoke highly of Rep.

A joyful graduation ceremony at PS 682 in Gravesend, Brooklyn, turned into a violent and traumatic experience for a Jewish family when they were attacked by an Arabic-speaking family, who taunted them with anti-Semitic slurs and death threats. The incident occurred just after the fifth-grade graduation, which ironically had a theme of “All you need is love.” The Jewish mother, Lana, and her husband Johan, were assaulted by members of the other family, who targeted them because of their Jewish faith. The attackers shouted “Free Palestine!”, “Gaza is Ours!”, and “Death to Israel!” as they punched, kicked, and choked Johan, leaving him with scrapes, bruises, and swelling on his head, face, and body.

The Gedolim on their historic mission to raise $100 Million for Yeshivas and Kollelim Eretz Yisroel, have attended their first major meeting at the home of philanthropist Reb Shimmy Glick in Monsey. Two of the Gedolim landed this morning at Teterboro Airport, while the others were scheduled to land in the US later Sunday morning. The Gedolim on this mission are Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rav Don Segal, Rav Dov Landau, the Rachmastrivker Rebbe and Rav Avraham Salim. The Gedolim will be attending private events with philanthropists and leading Baalei Tzedakah the next few days. As many as ten thousand people are expected tonight at a major Asifa in Lakewood outside BMG.

Thousands are gathered at the Levaya of Hagaon HaRav Moshe Wolfson ZT”L, the mashgiach of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, and Rov of the Emunas Yisroel Shul on 16th Avenue in Boro Park. The Levaya began at at 11:30 AM this morning at the main Skverer Bais Medrash in New Square, followed by a Levaya at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. YWN and Boro Park Scoop have a large team at the Levaya. All photos, videos and information are being updated in live time. A recap will be published tonight by YWN, but sign up to Boro Park Scoop to receive updates in live time. SIGN UP HERE FOR BORO PARK SCOOP STATUS SIGN UP HERE FOR BORO PARK SCOOP GROUPS