The Passover program industry has become A $1.5 Billion a year industry

 The Passover program industry has quietly become A $1.5 Billion a year industry, one of the most fascinating niches in the global travel market.

Every year, roughly 300,000 Jews around the world spend Passover at fully kosher, all-inclusive resorts instead of preparing the holiday at home. What started decades ago in the Catskills has evolved into a global luxury travel industry. Today there are roughly 100–150 Passover programs worldwide, taking place across: • The United States • Mexico & the Caribbean • Israel • Europe • Morocco • Dubai • Costa Rica and more These programs typically run 10–12 days and include: • Glatt kosher gourmet meals • Seders and holiday services • Celebrity speakers & rabbis • Concerts and entertainment • Kids and teen programs • Chol Hamoed excursions • Luxury resort amenities The appeal is simple: Pesach preparation is extremely intense. Preparing a kosher-for-Passover home can take weeks of cleaning, koshering kitchens, and cooking dozens of meals. Many families choose to outsource the entire experience.

Prices vary widely. Budget programs may cost $5,000–$8,000 per family, while mid-tier programs often run $10,000–$15,000. Luxury programs can exceed $40,000–$60,000 per family. A typical mid-sized program might host 400–600 guests, generating $3M–$6M in revenue in just 10 days. Large luxury programs with 800+ guests can generate $10M–$15M+. When you add everything together, the industry becomes massive. Estimated annual totals: • ~150,000 participants worldwide • 200 programs globally • Average spend: $3k–$5k per person That puts the direct Passover program industry at roughly $1.5B annually. And that doesn’t even include the massive surrounding ecosystem: • Kosher catering companies • Entertainment & speakers • Flights and travel • The kosher-for-Passover food market (a $1B+ seasonal industry on its own) For one holiday lasting just over a week, Passover has created one of the most unique travel industries in the world. A billion-dollar market built around matzah, maror, and the Seder table.

Eric Swalwell Trying to stop FBI from releasing his affair with Spy Fang Fang

 

Breaking news: Attorneys for Rep. Eric Swalwell demanded in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel that the bureau refrain from releasing decade-old investigative files involving the congressman’s purported ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. https://t.co/AfBzYylPJn

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 30, 2026

Did Trump Inspire the Feuding Satmar Rebbes to Strike a Deal After 20 Years?

 We can all see that the 20 year-old battle was all about the Benjamins! 

כסף יענה את הכל

The feuding brothers are quick to say to Israeli Jews that they shouldn't take any money from the Medina, but they for 20 years were not "mevateir" a peruta! 

They follow all "chumrois" except when it comes to the $$$$$$!

I sincerely hope this brings to "Shulim" but knowing both personally, I doubt it! 

In a stunning development, both factions of Satmar—led by the two brothers, HaRav Aharon from Kiryas Yoel, and HaRav Zalman Leib from Williamsburg—have jointly signed a dramatic and historic letter calling for the immediate return of all items belonging to the estate of the previous Rebbe, their father, known as the “Beirach Moshe”.

The letter, signed by all sons and sons-in-law, comes nearly 20 years after the petirah of the Beirach Moshe, and signals a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to finally arrange the yerusha in a proper and equal manner.

In the strongly worded kol koreh, the family writes that as they began organizing the yerusha, it became clear that many valuable items are missing—including seforim, kisvei yad, and cheftzei kodesh passed down from previous doros.

“We hereby inform that we do not forgo or forgive any item… and anyone holding them is considered to be in possession of stolen property,” the letter states clearly, emphasizing the serious halachic implications.

The signatories stress that this applies to any item connected to the estate—even those that may have circulated over the years—and explicitly state that no item should be returned to any individual Rebbe. Rather, everything must be returned to the general estate so it can be divided equally among all the yorshim.

 Behind the scenes, extensive efforts have been ongoing for a long period between representatives of both sides, working toward resolving the long-standing dispute over both monetary assets and priceless heirlooms.

As is well known, the Beirach Moshe had entrusted his loyal meshamesh, Reb Moshe Friedman—known as “Moshe Gabbai”—with responsibility over the estate. However, following the well-known split between the brothers after the Rebbe’s Petira, the division of the yerusha remained frozen for nearly two decades.

In recent years, renewed efforts have gained momentum. Approximately two years ago, many of the items were transferred to a secure location, where they were carefully catalogued and evaluated. The collection reportedly includes rare manuscripts and cheftzei kodesh tracing back generations—from the Yismach Moshe to the Divrei Yoel—with an estimated value of millions of dollars.

The publication of this kol koreh marks a transition from quiet negotiations to a public call to action.

A firm deadline has been set: all items must be returned by Lag BaOmer. The letter notes that those who comply by the deadline will receive mechila gemura, and arrangements have been made for items to be returned discreetly through designated shluchim, without any questions asked.

Additionally, anyone unsure whether an item in their possession belongs to the yerusha is urged to contact the appointed representatives, who will facilitate a private בירור עפ״י דין תורה with rabbonim.

The kol koreh has already made waves throughout Satmar, as many are now taking stock of items in their possession.

Observers note that beyond the immediate issue of inheritance, the coordinated letter signed by both sides may signal a broader warming of relations after years of deep division—particularly in light of recent subtle gestures of mutual respect between the camps.

For now, all eyes are on whether the missing items will be returned—and whether this dramatic move will finally bring closure to one of the most complex and emotional chapters in Satmar’s modern history.

The Meek Israeli President Urges Crackdown on Jews Finally taking Revenge

 

נשיא המדינה @isaac_herzog במכתב למנהיגים יהודיים בתפוצות שפנו אליו בדחיפות בנוגע לאלימות הקיצונים ביהודה ושומרון: pic.twitter.com/cfBHnpwtLt

— Office of the President of Israel (@IsraelPresident) March 30, 2026

 I think we should worry more about Arab Terror than a few rowdy kids burning cars and being blanket labeled as "settlers" to make everyone else look bad. How about all the murder going on between Arabs in those Mafia run neighborhoods

The Cowardly "Diaspora Jewish Leaders" should mind their own business! 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday addressed concerns raised by Diaspora Jewish leaders over reported violence in Judea & Samaria , saying such incidents are incompatible with Israeli law and Jewish ethical values.

In a response to a collective letter signed by rabbis and communal figures abroad, Herzog said he strongly condemns violence against civilians and said it undermines both the rule of law and the moral foundations of the state. He stressed that Israeli society is grounded in longstanding Jewish principles, including the obligation to protect human dignity and human life.

Herzog said he has been in contact with security and law enforcement officials in recent weeks, urging action against those responsible and calling for enforcement to prevent further incidents. He warned that unlawful violence complicates broader security efforts and harms Israel’s international standing at a time of heightened regional tensions.

The Diaspora letter, coordinated through the London Initiative, said  attacks against Palestinians in Jida & Samaria have increased and called for stronger government enforcement, including arrests and prosecutions. Signatories said the situation has worsened and argued that insufficient action risks normalizing such behavior.

The letter also cited comments by Israel’s military leadership, including IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who has described violence against civilians and soldiers as unacceptable and a security threat.

Herzog said such actions damage Israel’s ability to confront broader security challenges and fuel criticism of the country abroad. He urged consistent enforcement of the law “without exception,” particularly in the context of ongoing security pressures.

The exchange comes as Israel continues military and security operations under the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, while tensions in the Judea & Samaria remain elevated.

Herzog like the meek coward that he is, concluded by thanking Diaspora Jewish leaders for raising their concerns and extended Passover greetings to Jewish communities worldwide.

MKs in letter to Chief of Staff: Reinstate Battalion 941 for operational duty immediately

 

Zamir

Dozens of Knesset members have appealed to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Reserve Battalion 941 - composed of alumni of the haredi Netzach Yehuda battalion - to operational duty. The battalion was temporarily removed following an incident involving a CNN journalist.

The initiative was led by MK Tzvi Sukkot, following a report published yesterday on Arutz Sheva-Israel National News about the battalion’s removal from operational activity. Sukkot drafted the letter that was signed by dozens of Knesset members.

In the letter, the MKs began by expressing strong support for the IDF and its operations in the war. They noted that under Zamir’s command, IDF forces are fighting terrorism “in a manner that is astonishing the entire world."

Nevertheless, the signatories sharply criticized the decision to pull the battalion from operational duty, which they claim was taken in direct response to media coverage. They stated that this is an unusual decision that could severely damage the trust of fighters and reservists - particularly at a time when a broad mobilization of forces is urgently needed.

The letter emphasized that the decision carries far-reaching implications, both operationally and on the public and family levels. The Knesset members warned against harming the morale of soldiers, public confidence in the defense establishment, and efforts to integrate additional populations into military service.

At the conclusion of the letter, the MKs called on the Chief of Staff to reverse his decision and order the battalion’s immediate return to full operational activity.

MK Tzvi Sukkot described the decision as “outrageous," adding that considerations of media image must not be allowed to override the need to back fighters who are risking their lives for the country’s security. He stated that it is the duty of Knesset members to oversee such decisions and prevent damage to the reserves system.

Among the signatories were MKs Zvika Foghel, Ariel Kallner, Nissim Vaturi, Amit Halevi, Tally Gotliv, Simcha Rothman, David Bitan, Galit Distel Atbaryan, Akrám Hasson, Mishel Buskila, and others.

US will respects Israel’s new death penalty for terrorists

 

The United States refrained from condemning the Death Penalty for Terrorists Bill, which was approved in the Knesset on Monday.

“The United States respects Israel’s sovereign right to determine its own laws and penalties for individuals convicted of terrorism," said a State Department spokesperson in a statement.

“We trust that any such measures will be carried out with a fair trial and respect for all applicable fair trial guarantees and protections," the spokesperson added.

The new legislation seeks to transform the death penalty from a theoretical option into an applied punishment tool, while creating a distinction between regions.

In Judea and Samaria, the death penalty will be the "default" for murder offenses under terrorist circumstances. Unanimous consent of the judges will not be required (unlike the current situation), and there will be no possibility of pardon or commutation of the sentence by the commander-in-chief.

Within the Green Line, the court can only impose the death penalty or life imprisonment on someone who intentionally causes the death of a person with the aim of harming the state.

The law was criticized even before the votes in its second and third readings. Earlier on Monday, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom called the law "inhumane" and "degrading"

Last week, the European Union (EU) criticized the Israeli government for advancing the bill, saying it “is deeply concerning" and adding that the EU “opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances."

In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry noted that the EU is intervening in a sovereign country’s legislative process.

“Israel, as a sovereign state, legislates its own laws. Unbelievably, the European Union is intervening in the midst of a sovereign state’s legislative process," the ministry said.

“Israel is facing murderous and brutal terrorism on a scale unmatched anywhere in the world. Palestinian terrorism is fueled by payments from the Palestinian Authority, as well as by abductions that lead to shortened prison terms for terrorists," it continued.

The statement noted that “Israeli law already permits capital punishment, and under the proposed new law, discretion over its application will remain with the courts."

“EU double standards: as always, the EU obsessively singles out Israel - we haven’t seen a tweet like this when it comes to capital punishment in the United States, Japan, India, Egypt, or other countries," the Foreign Ministry concluded.

Trump ready to end Iran war even if Hormuz stays closed

 

 President Donald Trump told aides his willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing administration officials.

In recent days, Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to pry open the chokepoint would push the conflict beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, according to the report. He decided that the US should achieve its main goals of hobbling Iran’s navy and its missile stocks and wind down current hostilities while pressuring Tehran diplomatically to resume the free flow of trade.

If that fails, Washington would press allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead on reopening the strait, the officials said.

Trump last Saturday gave Iran an ultimatum of 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants.

He has since extended that ultimatum twice to allow for negotiations with Iran, most recently on Thursday, when he gave Iran ten additional days.

On Monday, Trump claimed that the US is in "serious discussions" with a new regime in Tehran to end the war in Iran.

"The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran," he wrote on Truth Social.

"Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet 'touched.'"

He added, "This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year 'Reign of Terror.' Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Comedian Modi Won't attend Downtown Seer because the Satmar Mayor Will take part in the event

 Jewish comedian Mordechai Rosenfeld, known as Modi, announced on Monday that he will not attend the annual “Downtown Seder" event in Lower Manhattan, after Jewish Insider revealed that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will take part in the event.

The event is a Passover-themed benefit for a nonprofit focused on peacebuilding. Israeli musician David Broza is also scheduled to appear at the event.

In a post on Instagram on Monday, Modi’s representatives wrote, “We were not aware Mamdani was participating until today. Modi will not be attending this evening."

Mamdani, who was already under fire during his mayoral campaign for his anti-Israel views, caused an uproar on his first day in office when he cancelled executive orders related to Israel, which were issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams.

The move cancelled an order signed by Adams in June of 2025 formally recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.

Another executive order which was cancelled prohibited mayoral appointees and agency staff from boycotting and disinvesting from Israel.

Mamdani has faced multiple antisemitism controversies since taking office. A recent report indicated that Mamdani's wife, Rama Dawaji, liked several social media posts that praised or appeared supportive of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre.

Earlier this month, Mamdani was introduced at a Ramadan event by a man who called for Hamas to bomb Tel Aviv.

Ghosts of A Holy War Parallels between Hebron 1929 and October 7, 2023

 

In this episode, author and journalist Yardena Schwartz dives deep into the history of Hebron, revealing the often overlooked truths about the 1929 massacre, religious incitement, and the long-standing narratives shaping Israeli and Palestinian societies.

Gain insights into the parallels with recent events, the importance of humanizing all sides, and hopes for future peace.

Attorney General Goes Against Knesset and freezes hundreds of millions approved for Charedi sector

 

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara announced today (Monday) the immediate suspension of funds amounting to hundreds of millions of shekels designated for Torah institutions and at-risk haredi youth. The funds had been approved overnight during a marathon voting session on the 2026 state budget.

Baharav-Miara described the coalition’s move as an unlawful attempt to circumvent Supreme Court rulings regarding military conscription.

During the night, haredi factions succeeded in passing a series of reservations (amendments) to the budget law, intended to ensure that coalition funds allocated to the haredi sector would be transferred directly to relevant programs within the Ministry of Education, instead of remaining in a “reserve" subject to legal approval and the Finance Committee.

In a strongly worded letter, the Attorney General clarified that the move is procedurally invalid. “Approving these reservations without legal and professional opinions constitutes an attempt to override steps taken to implement the court’s ruling on conscription, as well as rulings concerning benefits granted to draft evaders," she wrote.

She added that she had instructed professional officials in government ministries not to carry out the budget transfers in practice. According to her, the government is bound by Directive 1.1801, which requires a thorough legal review of any political agreement with budgetary implications-a requirement that was not met in this case.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded: “The overnight maneuver by the haredi parties has been invalidated-the money has been stopped. Following Yesh Atid’s appeal to the Attorney General, she ordered the halt of all the illegal funds approved overnight and is demanding further action against draft evaders. As I promised, you can rely on us. The celebrations of Aryeh Deri, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Bezalel Smotrich were premature. We will continue to fight for you. This money will not pass."

Chairman of Degel HaTorah, MK Moshe Gafni, responded: “The budget was lawfully approved last night with an unprecedented majority. Gali Baharav-Miara has no authority to intervene-this is criminal by any standard, and her hostility toward the haredi public is evident to all. Of the ten measures of hatred that descended upon the world, she took nine."