Miriam Miedzinski-Ballin, who made mental health part of first aid, dies at 38

Miriam Miedzinski-Ballin, a US-born immigrant who pioneered the practice of providing psychological first aid at mass trauma scenes, including terror attacks and other emergencies, died Friday. She was 38.

The death was announced by United Hatzalah of Israel head Eli Beer, who worked closely with Miedzinski-Ballin as she founded United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit over a decade ago.

No cause of the death was given for Miedzinski-Ballin, a mother of five children ranging in age from 9 to 16.

A clinical psychologist originally from Houston, Texas, Miedzinski-Ballin moved to Israel in 2012, and soon after approached Beer about starting the psychotrauma unit. The idea was to give mental health support, or what is known as psychological first aid, during emergencies such as car accidents and terror attacks as they are happening, according to Beer.

Four Yeshiva Students Yaakov Kilberg, Aharon Nosson Lebovitz, Shlomo Abba Cohen, and Chaim Simcha Grossman Killed in Turnpike Crash

 Four young men, including three from Lakewood, were tragically killed early Sunday morning in a devastating two-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike near Exit 1, just north of the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

The collision occurred around 1 a.m. in the southbound lanes near Carneys Point Township, Salem County. According to New Jersey State Police, two vehicles were involved, leaving four people dead and one injured. The survivor was taken to a local hospital; their condition remains unknown.

Preliminary reports indicate one of the vehicles may have been traveling in the wrong direction when the crash occurred. The victims, all yeshiva students, were reportedly returning from a weekend trip when their car was struck head-on.

They have been identified as Yaakov Kilberg, Aharon Nosson Lebovitz, Shlomo Abba Cohen, and Chaim Simcha Grossman. Three of the bochurim were students at Rabbi Feigenbaum’s yeshiva in Lakewood, while Grossman was from South Fallsburg.

All lanes of the Turnpike south of Interchange 1 were closed for several hours as emergency crews worked through the night. By morning, limited traffic was being routed along the right shoulder.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood and beyond, with friends and classmates mourning the loss of the young men whose lives were cut short.

Funeral arrangements (levayah details) will be announced once finalized.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.

Longer life, Israel ranks fourth in life expectancy among OECD countries

Israel, with an average life expectancy of 83.8 years, climbed to fourth in the world among OECD countries regarding longest lifespans, new data published by the Ministry of Health on Sunday revealed.

Israel trails after Japan (84.1), Switzerland (84.3), and Spain (84). Further, this comes despite low public investment in health, compared to many European countries. 

The data indicated an increase in life expectancy from 84.8 to 85.7 years in women, and 80.7 to 81.7 years in men, almost a year more than recorded in 2023. This increase was observed only in a small number of countries, according to the report.  In Israel, this is considered a bounce back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the local life expectancy was relatively moderate. 

Shock Twist in Isaac Andic's "accidental" Death... His own Son Jonathan now a suspect

 

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Never Discuss a "Bris" in front of a Newborn

 

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"No King" Protestor has no clue why she is out there protesting

 

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Ezra Friedlander a "Kapo" Until the End Says "Mamdani is a Very Nice Talented Guy"Suggests Mamdani Would “Protect” Jewish Community

 

Ezra Friedlander, Founder and CEO of The Friedlander Group, made eyebrow-raising remarks defending New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a politician widely criticized for his anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Appearing on The Moster Show, Friedlander made the stunning claim that if Mamdani, a far-left progressive who has repeatedly targeted the Jewish community and defended Hamas sympathizers, were to win the mayoralty, he would not harm Jewish interests.

“No mayor of New York City getting elected today in the Democratic Party is going to have the support on the social issues for this community,” Friedlander said. “The question is, can we live our lives without government interference?”

Friedlander went on to praise Mamdani’s political skill and intellect, comments that will stun listeners given Mamdani’s record of hostility toward Israel. “Look, he’s a very smart guy. He’s very, very talented. He’s up there with Obama, with a Clinton,” Friedlander said. “I I’m I’m a contrarian. I actually believe should Mamdani become the mayor, he’s going to call this police commission and says, ‘Look, one community I want you to protect is the Jewish community. The last thing I want on my plate is for someone to accuse me that I haven’t been protected.’”

His remarks didn’t stop there. Friedlander further speculated that Mamdani would somehow cooperate with religious schools. “And even when it comes to yeshivas, I don’t think he’s going to interfere,” he said. “I think he’s going to say, ‘Look, I have too much on my plate right now. I’ll work very collegially with with the with the yeshiva community and and and they’ll be surprised.’ That’s my gut feeling. without knowing anything. I’ve never spoken to this person in my life.”

Israel Released Arab Murderers and Rapists yet Herzog Wavering on Pardoning Jewish Prisoners

 Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Israeli President Isaac Herzog held talks over the past few weeks regarding pardoning or commuting the sentences of Jewish security prisoners in light of the hostage deal, which saw the release of hundreds of Palestinian Arab terrorists.

Yedioth Aharonoth reported that Levin presented an official request to Herzog that he consider pardoning or commuting the sentence of approximately six Jewish prisoners who were convicted of severe nationalist crimes. According to Levin, the move would create a balance to the release of Arab terrorists.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Israeli President Isaac Herzog held talks over the past few weeks regarding pardoning or commuting the sentences of Jewish security prisoners in light of the hostage deal, which saw the release of hundreds of Palestinian Arab terrorists.

Yedioth Aharonoth reported that Levin presented an official request to Herzog that he consider pardoning or commuting the sentence of approximately six Jewish prisoners who were convicted of severe nationalist crimes. According to Levin, the move would create a balance to the release of Arab terrorists.

Satmar Candidate for Mayor Mamdani Takes Photo With Imam Linked to 1993 Terror Plot

Vice President JD Vance called out New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, the Satmar Sukka Hopper,  after a photo surfaced showing him with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a cleric previously named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

“I’ve been reliably informed that Democrats are opposed to any kind of political violence, so I look forward to them universally condemning Zohran Mamdani for campaigning with an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorist plot that killed 6 New Yorkers,” Vance wrote on X.

The image, posted Friday, shows Mamdani smiling alongside Wahhaj and City Councilman Yusef Salaam at the imam’s Brooklyn mosque, a day after Mamdani’s first mayoral debate.

Islamist Linked to 2023 Airport Pogrom Targeting Jewish Passengers Found Stabbed to Death in Istanbul

 

Abakar Abakarov, a Dagestani opposition activist wanted by Russian authorities for allegedly inciting an antisemitic pogrom at Makhachkala Airport in October 2023, was found stabbed to death on Friday in a rented villa in Istanbul. Turkish police have launched a criminal investigation.

Abakarov, who ran the Telegram channel Utro Dagestan, had leased the villa under a false name on October 6 while seeking refuge from political persecution. Surveillance footage reportedly shows a visitor entering the villa on October 7 carrying two suitcases. His body, bearing multiple stab wounds, was sent to a forensic institute.

Russian authorities accused Abakarov of one of three leadership roles in the airport unrest, during which protesters targeted a flight from Tel Aviv, injuring around 20 people. The Dagestani diaspora in Turkey condemned his killing as “an attack on the freedom of the Dagestani people” but observers note it raises questions about the safety of Russian exiles abroad.

No arrests or official comments have been made by Turkish authorities. Abakarov’s case has been forwarded to the Supreme Court of Dagestan.