Haredi figures attend Israeli president’s address to US Congress — Several Haredi officials and activists attended Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to a joint session of Congress. New York State Assembly members Simcha Eichenstein attended at the invitation of Congressman Daniel Goldman. Chaskel Bennett, a member of the board at Haredi advocacy group Agudath Israel, sat in on the address at the invitation of Congressman and former New York gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro; Bennett also was invited to a reception hosted by House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, and posted a photo of himself with Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Long-time political lobbyist, Ezra Friedlander, was also present at the speech and subsequent reception. 

Former Shomrim leader pleads guilty to crimes related to sexual abuse of 15-year-old girl — Jacob Daskal, the former leader of Boro Park Shomrim, pleaded guilty on Friday to transporting a minor with the intent of engaging in criminal sexual activity. According to the plea, Daskal had sex with the girl multiple times and used his position as a Shomrim leader to pressure her to keep quiet about it. Statutes call for a maximum sentence of between 14 and 17 years. Earlier this week, Shtetl explored how legal experts view a question of religious accommodations in the case.

Lakewood rabbi’s double life exposed on TikTok — The news site The Daily Beast tells the story of NYC playboy Kyle Deschanel, also known as Lakewood Rabbi Aryeh Dodelson. Dodelson has been the talk of the New Jersey town ever since TikTok users revealed his true identity. “He didn’t just scam me, he scammed all of downtown New York City,” said one TikTok user who dated him. While listed as a rabbi at synagogue Khal Netzach Yehoshua, Dodelson, who is recently divorced, would meet women through the dating app Hinge and take them to various upscale Manhattan townhouses and star-studded parties, according to the report.

After City report, YAFFED requests further investigation of Haredi yeshivas — Eighteen Haredi schools in Brooklyn are providing an inadequate secular education, according to the results of an investigation by the New York City Department of Education. But the advocacy organization YAFFED, which made the complaint that launched that investigation in the first place, now says the city must do more. Beatrice Weber, the CEO of the advocacy group, found fault with how the city gave some yeshivas a pass simply because of their connections to other institutions. “While we were relieved that the NYCDOE concluded its work,” she said in a press release, “the fact that some of the schools were given a stamp of approval by the city without being thoroughly investigated represents a severe lack of oversight.” 

NY governor announces funding to prevent hate crimes — In the wake of rising anti-semitic attacks, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $51 million in funding to prevent hate crimes last Tuesday at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in downtown Manhattan. Hochul said the funding will go toward adding staff and advancing security systems to communities that are considered to be at risk of being victims of hate crimes. Jewish schools, synagogues and other community institutions are expected to be the recipients. 

Satmar men conduct business at New Jersey expo — Thousands of Satmar men exhibited their businesses at the Ze Mizeh New Jersey expo last Wednesday, according to JNS. Over 350 Hasidic owned businesses, ranging from e-commerce suppliers to real estate developers, gathered to network and exchange ideas. New York City Council Member Lincoln Restler, who represents a large Satmar community in South Williamsburg, was present at the event, according to the newsletter of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg.

Two injured in Boro Park apartment shooting — Two people were shot last Thursday in an apartment building on Dahill Road. Shomrim and emergency workers soon arrived at the scene, according to Boro Park 24.