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

Part of the initiative of the “Yafutzu” Organization which took place in close proximity to Yud Tes Kislev, was a sale on a broad variety of seforim of chassidus and Inyanei Geulah U’Moshiach in the heart of Boro Park for three consecutive days • Full Story, Photos

Multiple kashrus agencies issued warnings about the kashrus of the popular Grey Goose vodka, known as a staple top-shelf product. The warnings, including from Rabbi Asher Eckstein of Vaad Hakashrus Belz USA, warn consumers not to purchase the product and gabboim in shuls to be careful about what mashke they allow in shul • Full Story

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Hank Gutman today released the New York City Streets Plan to guide the development of bus, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure over the next five years. This plan, which lays out ambitious goals and makes sweeping recommendations for future plans, will help New York City equitably deliver Vision Zero projects and ensure the safe, sustainable movement of people and goods • Full Story

The Bolshaya Bronya community in Russia’s capital city, under the auspices of longtime Shliach Rabbi Yitzchok Kogan, held their yearly grand Chanukah event on Sunday, the first night of Chanukah. Many members of the community at large, as well as students in the Machon Ran Yeshiva, hosted in the shul, heard from the Shluchim Rabbis Kogan, Yehuda Segev Friedman, and Michoel Mishulovin. The program included a menorah lighting, live music, and a fire juggling show • Photos

At a Chabad house in the Ghanaian capital Accra, Eric Adams spoke about turning the pain of slavery into purpose, a message that he said was “personified” by “the Grand Rebbe of Crown Heights.” Adams, the outgoing Brooklyn borough president who also represented parts of Crown Heights as a State senator, talked about the Rebbe spreading “the energy and spirit of Judaism” by encouraging followers to open Chabad centers around the globe like the one in Accra • Full Story, Photos, Video

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

The first US case of the “Omicron” COVID-19 variant was found Wednesday in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Full Story

A menorah installed by Chabad of Eastern Queens at an intersection in Queens was toppled, prompting calls for action by Jewish community leaders as well as elected officials. A menorah erected at the same spot in 2014 was knocked over twice. No arrests were ever made in those incidents • Full Story

The lighting ceremony of the National Menorah took place this year in Washington, DC, with the beautiful weather setting the stage for a joyous celebration commemorating the first night of Hanukkah. The event reached a record number of people, with over 50 million seeing it on over 1,000 national and local TV newscasts in all 50 US states and around the world, according to professional news monitoring • Full Story