Rabbi Avtzon’s Pirkei Avos Shiur

A sizable group of bochurim headed to New York’s iconic Times Square where they promptly kicked off a night of mivtza chanukah, handing out menorahs and engaging Jewish passersby. The group linked up with Manhattan’s French-speaking community for a public menorah lighting, singing and dancing the night away in a great kiddush Hashem. Images captured by photographer Dov Ber Hechtman • Photos

Another day, another controversy started by someone on WhatsApp. Social media exploded with viral messages on Thursday, that Grey Goose Vodka, a drink used by many Kosher homes, was non-Kosher. Some Kashrus agencies released statements, and some kosher liquor stores immediately pulled the products from their shelves • Full Story

Witnesses said that as Shay Pesso, a 30-year-old Israeli from Haifa, was waiting outside the Chabad house in the Columbian city of Medellín next to his car, two motorcycles pulled up next to him and one motorcycle driver pulled out a gun and shot Pesso ten times from point-blank range. Pesso passed away in the hospital shortly later.

A Shliach found a bag outside his home on Friday morning containing a gun, a threatening note, and identity cards issued in a hostile country. “Local police forces arrived at the scene after a long wait and launched an investigation of the incident which is still ongoing. B’chasdei Shamayim, this incident ended without casualties” • Full Story