Satmar

Israel

Monsey rabbi sues Town of Ramapo over Israeli flag, claims “shock and distress” to Haredi anti-Zionists

Satmar rabbi Leibish Iliovits claimed the flag violates state laws regarding public displays of foreign flags and violates his right to freedom of religion

Agunah

Sex strike for agunah stirs controversy, elicits disapproval from prominent rabbi Hershel Schachter

While some have voiced support, various Orthodox figures have called the sex strike a “terribly destructive idea” and “morally wrong”

Community

Satmar activist fears “ostracization” after taking dispute with brother to secular court

In a letter to the judge, Joel Friedman wrote that his children’s expulsion from school is “imminent,” unless the court intervenes

Satmar

Satmar rebbe honors notorious sex abuser with a visit to daughter’s wedding

At the wedding of Nechemya Weberman’s daughter, Satmar rebbe Zalmen Teitelbaum was an honored guest. Many Satmar Hasidim still believe the convicted rapist is innocent

Health

Kiryas Joel school to pay $300,000 fine for admitting unvaccinated students

After facing possible fines in tens of millions of dollars, school officials reached an agreement with the DOH by promising increased cooperation

Courts

Bitter feud between politically-connected Satmar brothers devolves into public legal contest

Joel and Abraham Friedman, both prominent community liaisons and chaplains to law enforcement, are now in court trading accusations of “defamation” and “jealousy”

Media

Fact-check: ‘Der Blatt’ publishes fake letter from state police about lights and sirens

The fraudulent document, which had circulated on social media, claimed to be about an “enforcement initiative” from the New York State Police

Health

Kiryas Joel school could be fined up to $61 million due to unvaccinated students

The school allowed 121 students to attend school unvaccinated for nearly a year, carrying a maximum penalty of $2,000 per student per day

Technology

Flip phones: not just for Haredim anymore, says NY Times

In a recent profile of Haredi-owned Fabuwood cabinet manufacturer, columnist Kashmir Hill praised the company’s no-smartphone policy

Elections

Tom Suozzi, a Democrat with ties to Haredi leaders, wins former congressman Santos’s seat

Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip, an Orthodox Jew, to represent a district that includes parts of Queens and Long Island

Courts

RICO suit against rabbinical courts brought by founder of ‘Kindlein’ children’s magazine

Mendel Paneth, the visionary artist behind the wildly popular Yiddish-language kids’ magazine, claims rabbinical courts colluded with his former partner to sabotage his business in retaliation for defying a rabbinic order

Agunah

Spirited rally for an agunah in Kiryas Joel, despite gawkers, jeers, and egg throwers

Protesting on behalf of Malky Berkowitz, a diverse group chanted “give a get” and “let Malky go,” facing a sometimes hostile crowd