Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff demonstrated his ongoing commitment to safety once again, hosting a meeting that had Jewish community leaders and law enforcement officials joining together to discuss multiple issues in advance of the nine week-long summer season.

In a heartbreaking tragedy, the Yeshiva of South Fallsburg community is mourning the loss of a 19-month-old child who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. The child, Yaakov Yisroel Jurkansky, is an einikel of Hagaon Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, and a son of Reb Reuven Jurkanski. The incident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Estate Drive and Laurel Park Road in the Catskills. Catskills Hatzolah paramedics responded swiftly, doing everything in their power to save the young child’s life. Tragically, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the child was Niftar. Misaskim and Chesed Shel Emes are on the scene, ensuring proper kavod hames for the niftar.

▶️ Catskills Scoop connects you to 20,000+ Upstate NY locals daily, putting your business front and center on their phones! ▶️ FACT: We are the ONLY platform covering ONLY Catskill news with a team of reporters on the ground all summer. ▶️ From cozy cafes to outdoor adventures, our platform has been driving results for businesses like yours for years – with proven results! ▶️ Our exclusive summer ad sale offers unbeatable rates to maximize your reach during the bustling season. Don’t miss this chance to stand out and grow your customer base! Spots are filling up fast—secure yours today! Message us now on WhatsApp to get started!

The Ulster County EMS Council awarded Catskills Hatzalah a citation for successfully saving a child’s life in Ulster County this past summer. Also awarded was Joel Gold, the law enforcement liaison for Catskills Hatzalah, who was honored with an award in recognition of building interagency partnerships and ensuring smooth coordination between Hatzalah, law enforcement, and other emergency services. These awards reflect the continued strong working relationships Catskills Hatzalah maintains across the region to ensure it is ready and prepared to help the community in any emergency.   (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Catskills Hatzalah held a Hanochas Even Hapinah on Sunday at the site of its upcoming garage facility, located at the intersection of Anawana Lake Road and Fraser Road in Kiamesha. The new facility will feature three garage bays to accommodate several ambulances, a fully equipped paramedic stock room, and two lodging areas for on-call paramedics—significantly enhancing Hatzalah’s emergency response capabilities across the Catskills region. In attendance were a small group of Catskills Hatzalah coordinators, the Viznitzer Rebbe of Kiamesha, and members of the donor’s family. The event marked a meaningful step forward in Hatzalah’s continued mission to provide lifesaving care to the community. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hagaon HaRav Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, the Rosh Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, spent his day on Sunday in the Five Towns, to benefit many families who need assistance with the “Tzarchei HaChag”. The Rosh Yeshiva met with many local Rabbonim, as well as held an event at the home of Reb Dovid Bloom in Far Rockaway, where he delivered Divrei Bracha. VIDEO & PHOTOS FOR YWN BY HOLY SHOTS (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hundreds of industry professionals and business leaders attended the highly anticipated 2025 OJBA Business-to-Business (B2B) Construction Expo on Wednesday afternoon at the SUNY Sullivan Paul Gerry Fieldhouse in Loch Sheldrake. The event brought together a diverse array of exhibitors and attendees, fostering networking opportunities and business growth within the construction sector. Among those in attendance were Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff, other local law enforcement officials, and elected representatives. Meilech Weber, the event organizer and a key member of JCC Sullivan County, played a pivotal role in coordinating the expo, ensuring a successful gathering of professionals and businesses from across the region.   (YWN World Headquarters -NYC)

Chaverim of Brooklyn and the Catskills has officially expanded into Manhattan, bringing a dedicated team to the borough for the first time. Until now, Chaverim responded to calls in Manhattan by dispatching volunteers from Boro Park, Williamsburg, or Flatbush—which often resulted in longer wait times. With this expansion, Manhattan will now have its own dedicated team, allowing for faster response times and improved service for those in need. This new division will operate across the East Side and Washington Heights, ensuring that anyone requiring assistance—whether it’s a lockout, a flat tire, or another emergency—will receive help more quickly than ever before. Chaverim continues to serve Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Catskills with its 24/7 hotline at 718-431-8181.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a Statement of Interest in support of Orthodox Jewish developers who claim the Town of Forestburgh, New York, engaged in a blatant, anti-Semitic campaign to block a large residential development project. The case, filed in the Southern District of New York, centers around the actions of Forestburgh’s municipal leaders, who allegedly used zoning laws as a tool to prevent the construction of 2,627 homes by Lost Lake Holdings, LLC—homes that the developers contend were meant to be sold to Chasidic families. The DOJ’s filing argues that Forestburgh’s conduct goes beyond land use issues and represents religious discrimination. The statement outlines a series of actions by town officials that appear to deliberately hinder the project.

The 17-year-old bochur involved in the tragic accident on Route 17 in Chester, which claimed the life of his father, R’ Mordachai Zafir Z”L, has been discharged from the hospital. The crash occurred shortly before 2 a.m. on March 5th near Exit 126, when a Nissan Altima, driven by Sydnie M. Haines, 25, was traveling the wrong way in the westbound lanes and collided head-on with a 2014 Honda Odyssey driven by Zafir. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The 17-year-old passenger sustained serious injuries and was initially transported to Garnet Medical Center in Middletown before being transferred to Westchester Medical Center, where he remained in serious but stable condition. ​ After receiving medical care, the bochur has been discharged from the hospital.