NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is calling for New York State to hike taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals in order to address the city's budget deficit, warning that the alternative would involve the city increasing property taxes. Full Story
Mamdani Threatens 9.5% Property Tax Hike as ‘Last Resort’
Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
Picture of the Day
In the spirit of 'venahafoch hu,' on Rosh Chodesh Adar, students of Tomchei Temimim Ocean Parkway were seen learning in the hallway today instead of their classroom. Photo
Ukraine, Russia Hold Peace Talks, Armed Man at US Capitol
Daily news roundup for Wednesday, February 18: Ukraine, Russia hold peace talks in Geneva as Trump puts pressure on Kyiv, White House rejects latest Democratic offer to end DHS shutdown. Video
Freed Hostage Segev Kalfon to Launch Chabad House Tour
For 738 days, Segev Kalfon held onto one dream: to stand on stage and shout "Shema Yisrael" in front of the world. Hamas never gave him the chance. Now, this week in New York, he'll get it. Full Story
10 Israel Trips Gifted by Arkia to US Shluchim
Arkia Airlines is celebrating the first anniversary of its popular Tel Aviv–New York route with gifting a raffle for 10 tickets to Israel open to all US Shluchim, facilitated by Sky 2000's Shmulik Kravitsky. Full Story
Kindness Hub Launches First Pop-Up Event with Hamantash Bake
The Kindness Hub in Crown Heights is launching its first pop-up event, a day-long Round-the-Clock Hamantash Bake this Sunday. Full Story
Sabina Rosenbloom, 91, OBM
Mrs. Sabina Rosenbloom, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother from Toronto, passed away on Wednesday, 1 Adar, 5786. Full Story
Friendship Circle Online to Host Virtual Spring Camp
Friendship Circle Online, a virtual hub for teens and adults with special needs, is gearing up for a virtual spring camp. Full Story
Mendy Jaffe, 43, OBM
Mendy Jaffe, a resident of Crown Heights, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, 1 Adar, 5786. Levaya today at 12 PM. Full Story
Chamah to Distribute Food in Crown Heights
There will be a distribution today, Wednesday February 18, of very nice food boxes, with chicken, tuna, eggs, nice produce and groceries. Full Story
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to Hear Crown Heights Concerns
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who represents Crown Heights, will be holding a Community Listening Session on Thursday, February 19, 2026 - an important opportunity for our community to respectfully raise serious concerns and ask questions about issues directly affecting Crown Heights. Full Story
Shluchim Office Relaunches Acclaimed Shluchim Placement
The Shluchim Office relaunches the acclaimed Shluchim Placement program, with new updates and features to connect Shluchim with potential staff. Full Story
AI Training Series Empowers Educators With Practical Skills
The Merkos Chinuch Office, in collaboration with the Menachem Education Foundation, recently concluded a two-part AI training series for educators that left participants equipped with practical tools to elevate their Chinuch work. Full Story
Dancing Welcomes the Joyous Month of Adar in 770
Photos: Shalom Ross/COLlive
Joyous dancing took place at 770 Eastern Parkway on Rosh Chodesh Adar, joined by many teens who are participating in the CTeen Shabbaton weekend, to celebrate the beginning of the month of Adar. Photos, Video
4,578 Teens Will Travel to New York for Largest CTeen Shabbaton This Week
4,578 teens from 486 cities arriving in Crown Heights for the 18th annual Shabbaton, the largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world, and the largest in the event's history. Full Story
Biographer of Frierdiker Rebbe Concludes Whirlwind Tour
Rabbi David Eliezrie, author of the new biography of the Frierdiker Rebbe, recently spoke in 10 cities in 4 countries and was interviewed on 3 podcasts. Full Story, Video
Singer Releases “Shomer” Song of Jewish Pride
Singer Mendel Goldman released a new single, which he composed and produced, about Jewish pride in the face of adversities. Video
CHYE Workspace Moves Into Artisan Bakehouse After Flooding
When the CHYE Workspace in Crown Heights was flooded due to severe weather, the Brooklyn Artisan Bakehouse opened its doors as a business center. Full Story
Shluchos Join Farbrengen For Evening of Inspiration
On Thursday evening of the Kinus, Shluchos joined the annual Shluchos Farbregen hosted by the Shluchim Office for an evening of unity, inspiration and connection. Full Story, Photos
Picture of the Day
Rabbi Mendel Kotlarsky, Director of Operations at Keren Hashluchim, the Kinus Office, and Merkos 302, celebrated his 70th birthday with a Shiur at the Ohel taught by his close friend Rabbi Simon Jacobson, and a Farbrengen. He was presented with a photo collage capturing his moments with the Rebbe. More
New Shluchim to Richmond, BC
Chabad of Richmond, British Columbia, has welcomed new shluchim, Rabbi Menachem and Esther Miriam Wolf (née Golomb), who have joined the Chabad House to further expand Jewish life in the community. Full Story
Chabad Early Childhood Hosts Sessions For Preschool Directors
Chabad Early Childhood of the Shluchim Office hosted preschool directors on Shlichus for a beautiful brunch with dynamic sessions during the Kinus weekend. Full Story, Photos
May One Shovel Snow on Shabbos in an Enclosed Area?
Episode 3 “Lemaan Yishmeu” weekly halacha podcast with Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D’asra, and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, addressing intriguing halachic questions on a wide range of practical topics. Full Story
Wedding: Leonard – Zeitlin
Photos: Levik Crombie/COLlive
The wedding of Raphi Leonard of Houston, TX and Chana Zeitlin of Crown Heights took place at Oholei Torah Hall in Crown Heights. Photos
Mikvah.org Launches Enhanced Mikvah Mall Experience
Looking for everything you need for Mikvah and Taharas Hamishpacha—without the hassle of searching everywhere? From mikvah preparation to life stages beyond, Mikvah.org’s Mikvah Mall now offers a smoother, simpler way to find trusted products and resources, all in one place. Full Story