END OF AN ERA: Toys R Us Closing Its Last Stores By Friday
Toys R Us is closing its last U.S. stores by Friday, the end of a chain known to generations of children and parents for its sprawling stores, brightly colored logo and Geoffrey the giraffe mascot.
But many of the children who happily sang the “I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid” jingle grew into busy parents who found shopping online more convenient. The company, which also owned the Babies R Us chain, was hobbled by $5 billion in debt after a leveraged buyout that left it unable to invest and keep up.
As the last of the U.S. stores close, more than 30,000 workers will be looking for work. Toys R Us’ troubles have also shaken some big toy makers like Mattel and Hasbro.
Customers who were still devoted will be looking elsewhere to shop. Retailers like Walmart and Target are expanding their toy aisles to fill the hole, while Party City is opening 50 pop-up toy shops this fall.
Toys R Us filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last fall and pledged to stay open, but had poor sales during the critical holiday season as customers and vendors shied away. In January, it announced plans to close about 180 stores, but then in March it said it would liquidate the rest of the 700-plus stores.
Will the Toys R Us name and mascot disappear forever? An auction for the company’s name, baby shower registry and various trademarks is set for late July. The 16-foot tall statue of Geoffrey the Giraffe that greeted visitors at Toys R Us headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey will be moved to a children’s hospital in the state.
Many long-time employees were hoping to retire at a place they called home.
“I’m never going to have a job like Toys R Us,” said long-time employee Patty Van Fossan, 54, from Boardroom, Ohio, who was among a group of workers at protests in New York, fighting for severance that they believe they are owed. “It was the best job I had. I was surrounded by children.”
IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE SEEN VERY BIG SHOPS AND COMPANIES THAT STARTED WITH NOTHING AND BECAME VERY BIG, NOT JUST RICH GO DOWN TO NOTHING , ALSO JEWISH ORTHODOX PEOPLE GO UP AND DOWN . THIS IS VERY SAD, BUT EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS A LESSON FROM G-D.
THERE WAS A VERY RICH MAN , HE LEARNED IN MY GROUP, ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO HE WAS ON THE VERGE OF GOING BANKRUPT, ONE DAY I WAS TALKING WITH HIM , ABOUT HOW HE FEELS HE SAID TO ME , GABY I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY IN 1956 I ONLY HAD THE CLOTH ON MY BACK, G-D HELPED THEN, AND MY TEST NOW IS TO THANK G-D FOR THE YEARS HE GAVE ME.
I AM SURE THAT HIS BELIEVE IN G-D.HELPED HIM TO RECOVER.
IN THE LAST YEARS BEFORE THE MESSIAH COMES OUR TEST IN TO DAYS LIFE IS AS IS WRITTEN
" DO NOT RELY ON NOBLES, NOR ON A HUMAN BEING, FOR HE HOLDS NO SALVATION,"
AND THIS G-D IS SHOWING US WHEN BIG SHOPS GO BANKRUPT.
NEW EL AL POLICY: Passengers Will Be Thrown Off Flights For Refusing To Sit In Assigned Seats
Just days after news reports of an El Al flight delayed for more than an hour after four Chareidim refused to take their assigned seats next to women, the airline has taken some bold action.
El Al Chairman Gonen Ussishkin announced on Monday, that any passengers refusing to sit next to other passengers will be immediately removed from the aircraft.
Eilam wrote on Twitter “at NICE we don’t do business with companies that discriminate against race, gender or religion.”El Al’s response came just after Barak Eilam, the CEO of NICE Systems (a major Israeli tech company) announced Monday that his company would be boycotting El Al.
“NICE will not fly with El Al until they change their practice and actions that are discriminating against women,” Eilam added.
Chareidi men are known to frequently roam the aisles on El Al flights before takeoff, looking to exchange seats. Usually it is to avoid seating beside women or passengers who may use the in-flight entertainment system, or to make it easier to put together a Minyan for Davening during the flight.
However, it appears this practice will no longer be tolerated by Israel’s national airline.
SEE MY COMMENT ON THE LAST VIDEO AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND
LAST WEEK I WAS STANDING BY A BUS STOP IN STAMFORD HILL, TWO LADIES CAME UP TO ME THEY WERE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER FROM MOSCOW RUSSIA, THEY ASK ME DID YOU MAKE THE PROGRAM TWO JEWS ON A CRUISE, THEY SAW IT IN MOSCOW AND DECIDED TO BE COME FRUM.
WE MUST REMEMBER WE ARE NOW IN MESSIANIC AGE AND JEWS WANT TO RECOGNISE G-D WE HAVE TO USE THE MEDIA AND SHOW THEM.
YOU CAN ASK THE QUESTION AM I ORTHODOX FRUM OR BY LOOKING AT THE NEXT VIDEO AM I MODERN FRUM AS I LIKE BOTH VIDEOS , AND ONE IS DIFFERENT THEN THE OTHER.
THE ANSWER IS WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON THAT THEY BOTH RECOGNISE THAT HASHEM RUNS THIS WORLD.
AND THAT IS WHAT YIDISKITE TO DAY IS ALL ABOUT THAT ALL YOUR LIFE'S PLANS HAVE BEEN MADE BY G-D.
AND THEY THE MODERN ORTHODOX AND THE VERY ORTHODOX ARE THANKING G-D
IN THIS WEEKS ( 21/ 06/ 2018 ) WRITE YOUR LINES OF THE UPDATE THERE ARE FIVE LETTERS .
THE FIRST LETTER NAME WITHHELD
IN THE SECOND LETTER ANONYMOUS
IN THE THIRD LETTER A CONCERNED PARENT
IN THE FOURTH LETTER MRS G
IN THE FIFTH LETTER S.M.
IN EVERY LETTER THEY THINGS THAT ARE VERY TRUE AND THERE IS NOTING WRONG .
THE ONLY THING THAT IS WRONG IS THAT THE UPDATE, THAT THEY PUBLISH LETTERS WERE PEOPLE DO NOT SIGN THERE NAME, THEY TELL US WHAT TO DO BUT ARE COWARDS TO SIGN THERE NAMES
I DO NOT KNOW WHY OUR PEOPLE ARE SUCH FUCKING SHITS THEY ARE ALWAYS SCARED TO WRITE THERE NAMES.
IF THEY ARE SCARRED TO WRITE THERE NAMES PLEASE DO NOT WRITE A LETTER
WATCH: US Leaves UN Human Rights Council Over ‘Chronic Bias Against Israel’
The United States announced Tuesday it was leaving the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, with Ambassador Nikki Haley calling it “a protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias.”
It was the latest withdrawal by the Trump administration from an international institution.
“We take this step because our commitment does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical and self-serving organization that makes a mockery of human rights,” Haley said.Haley, Trump’s envoy to the U.N., said the U.S. had given the human rights body “opportunity after opportunity” to make changes. She lambasted the council for “its chronic bias against Israel”, accusing it of a “disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel.”
“When a so-called Human Rights Council cannot bring itself to address the massive abuses in Venezuela and Iran, and it welcomes the Democratic Republic of Congo as a new member, the council ceases to be worthy of its name,” Haley said. “Such a council, in fact, damages the cause of human rights.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, appearing alongside Haley at the State Department, said there was no doubt that the council once had a “noble vision.”
But today we need to be honest,” Pompeo said. “The Human Rights Council is a poor defender of human rights.”
The announcement came just a day after the U.N. human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, denounced the Trump administration for separating illegal immigrant children from their parents. But Haley cited longstanding U.S. complaints that the 47-member council is biased against Israel. She had been threatening the pull-out since last year unless the council made changes advocated by the U.S.
“Regrettably, it is now clear that our call for reform was not heeded,” Haley said.
Still, she suggested the decision need not be permanent, adding that if the council did adopt reforms, “we would be happy to rejoin it.” She said the withdrawal notwithstanding, the U.S. would continue to defend human rights at the United Nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called the U.S. decision “courageous,” calling it “an unequivocal statement that enough is enough.”
More Than 7,000 Gather At Massive Yom Tefillah In Stamford Hill About Troubling Education Reforms [VIDEO & PHOTOS]
Approximately 7,000 Chareidi Jews gathered in Stamford Hill on Tuesday afternoon, to participate in a Yom Tefillah about the harsh threats against Chinuch in yeshivos. The massive event was held outside Bais Hamedrash Toras Eitz Chaim on Lordship Road.
Over the past three years Yeshios have come under increasing pressure from Ofsted inspectors, and rabbonim fear that proposed laws will regulate what is being taught in Yeshivas, forcing them to Chas Vesholom close.
A number of Rabbonim and leading community activists have previously questioned whether the Orthodox community has a future in the UK if education policy is not changed.
Rabbi Aharon Klein, one of the heads of the Belzer community in London, recently warned that should the decisions regarding the education in Charedi schools in England go against the ethos taught by the community, then there would be no future for the Charedi community in England whatsoever.
The new rules set down by the Education Ministry, which helps fund the schools, is to teach about the Toeiva lifestyle among other subjects.
While speakers at today’s event voiced concerns about Ofsted, they also expressed hope for dialogue with the government.
According to a report by the Jewish Chronicle, Rabbi Dovid Frand, president of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, said, “The exemplary behaviour of these thousands of children throughout this event is tribute to the excellent education and high moral standards that our system delivers.”
He said the community thanked God “we are privileged to live in a tolerant country with a government that has repeated pledged to safeguard religion and religious practice.
“However, there are influential secular forces seeking to impinge on our rights and we have all gathered together in prayer in the fervent hope that we can continue to practice and teach our Torah-true values for generations to come.”
PHOTOS BY DAVID BROWN:
THE OFSTED GEZEIRA
IN THIS WEEKS UPDATE 7/6/2018 A PERSON WRITES A VERY GOOD LETTER
" HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THE PAIN AND
RIPPLE AFFECTS YOU MIGHT BE CAUSING THESE
CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS" ?
SHE WRITES I PERSONALLY KNOW
OF BOYS AND
GIRLS , SITTING AT HOME CRYING BITTER TEARS
FOR BEING SO PAINFULLY REJECTED
.
WHAT A SHAME WE HAVE LET THIS ATTITUDE SEEK IN TO OUR
LONDON KEHILA, AS THIS WAS NOT A COMMON PRACTICE JUST A
FEW YEARS AGO !!
CHINUCH IS HARD ENOUGH ! ! WHY THIS ? ?
WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED FOR RACHAMIM FROM HASHEM.
WE NEED TO REPENT FROM THE SIN WE DID TO THESE PARENTS AND CHILDREN, OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND DOORS TO ALL OUR CHILDREN AND ACCEPT THEM EASILY WITHOUT GIVING THEM A HARD TIME.
IN RETURN HASHEM WILL BE ZICH MERACHEM ON US AND CHANGE OFSTED GEZEIRA.
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITIES OF THIS COUNTRY ENGLAND THROUGH OFSTED HAVE ATTACKED THE
JEWISH ORTHODOX EDUCATION OF THE JEWISH
SCHOOL SYSTEM, THEY SAY WE ARE NOT BEING
DEMOCRATIC AS WE NOT TEACH ABOUT GAY AND LESBIAN MARRIAGE
( OUR CHILDREN DO NOT GROW UP DRUG ADDICTS ETC,ETC, )
THEY SAY A POINT WHICH IS TRUE, YOU DO NOT SHOW THEM THAT THEY CAN HAVE A PARTNER, A WOMAN CAN HAVE A WOMAN AND A MAN CAN HAVE A PARTNER A MAN, WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED FROM OUR TORAH,
THIS AND A FEW OTHER POINTS ARE NOT DEMOCRATIC
I SAY YOU ARE ALSO NOT DEMOCRATIC IN YOUR EDUCATION ,
YOU DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE GUNS AND KNIVES ALSO YOU DO NOT ALLOW PARENTS FULL AUTHORITY ON THERE CHILDREN IN HEALTH, ETC, ETC. ( CHILDREN AND ADULTS HAVE DIED )
YOU TEACH THEM SEX AND ALL OTHER INFORMATION AT SIX YEARS OLD AND TAKE AWAY ALL THE CONTROLS AND THEN WHEN THEY GET TO THIRTEEN AND FOURTEEN YOU WANT THE PARENTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE.
THE TRUTH IS YOU HAVE FAILED WITH YOUR EDUCATION AND DO NOT WANT TO SEE THAT WE ARE SUCCESSFUL.
The group made their way into the Ezras Nashim, depsite being instructed not to do this, and it immediately led to a confrontation with Orthodox mispallelim.
AG Mandelblit had prohibited WoW from holding their Rosh Chodesh service at the Kosel, insisting they use the alternate site allocated to them known as Robinson’s Arch.
WoW stated: “We refuse to enter that enclosure, which was presented as if it were meant to protect us, because it became a tool to protect the position of the Rabbi of the Kosel and to humiliate us. We have a right to daven as all women do”.
Kotel Heritage Foundation officials add, “Despite the foundation’s effort and that of police, to divide between groups, they chose to assimilate among the Orthodox women, and thus created a fuss and a controversy, contrary to the directives of the Ministry of Justice.
In their words, “Senior Ministry of Justice representatives were also present at the Kosel Plaza this morning to closely monitor the events at the Kosel and they saw a blatant violation of the laws and directives by WoW after a day previously, they received an additional warning from the deputy attorney general on the intention to take administrative measures If WoW violates the guidelines.”
Women of the Wall at the Kosel on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz
CHUTZPAH: Chareidi Hoodlums Attack The Slonimer Rebbe in Meah Shearim
p.mer
On Friday morning 25 Sivan, fanatics dressed in chareidi garb, i.e. sikrikim, targeted the Slonimer Rebbe Shlita in Meah Shearim.
According to the Kikar Shabbos News report, the rebbe was attacked by two individuals who waited for him at 5:00AM. When they saw the rebbe, they began shouting insults at him, accusing him of failing to be active in fighting the “gezeiras hagius”, the induction of frum persons into the IDF.
One of the hooligans tried to push the rebbe, but the rebbe continued on his way, preferring to ignore them as the hour was early, before shachris. A short time later, a grandson of the rebbe who escorts him, arrived and got the hoodlums to leave the area.
Persons in the chassidus report this was not the first such incident, explaining the hoodlums use the draft as an excuse to bother the rebbe. A statement reportedly from the Chassidus adds, “Everyone is aware the rebbe is uncompromising regarding ideology and there must be an uncompromising war for the future of yeshivos without any concessions”.
THESE BOYS SHOULD THROWN OUT OF THERE YESHIVAH AS NO GOOD WILL COME OUT OF THEM, IF WE ARE LUCKY AND THEY GO IN TO THE ARMY THEY MIGHT BE FRUM BOYS.
MY TWIN BROTHER LEARNS FIVE TIMES A DAY THE DAF HE IS ON TO FINISHING SHASS TEN TIMES, HE IS LIKE A MESORAS HASHAS, HE CAN TELL YOU WERE IN SHASS THIS GEMORA APPEARS.
I LEARN DIFFERENT, I AM IN GROUP THAT LEARN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE LESSON THIS GEMARA IS TEACHING ME, AND THE FIRST RABBI MY HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION THEN THE SECOND IN THIS SUBJECT.
THIS GIVES YOU A FANTASTIC LOVE FOR TORAH AND YOU BECOME PART OF G-D.
THIS SOMETHING A GOY AND LOTS OF JEWS DO NOT UNDERSTAND.
IN THIS WEEKS UPDATE 7/6/2018 A PERSON WRITES A VERY GOOD LETTER
" HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THE PAIN AND
RIPPLE AFFECTS YOU MIGHT BE CAUSING THESE
CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS ?
SHE WRITES I PERSONALLY KNOW OF BOYS AND
GIRLS , SITTING AT HOME CRYING BITTER TEARS
FOR BEING SO PAINFULLY REJECTED.
WHAT A SHAME WE HAVE LET THIS ATTITUDE SEEK IN TO OUR LONDON KEHILA, AS THIS WAS NOT A COMMON PRACTICE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO !!
CHINUCH IS HARD ENOUGH ! ! WHY THIS ? ?
WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED FOR RACHAMIM FROM HASHEM.
WE NEED TO REPENT FROM THE SIN WE DID TO THESE PARENTS AND CHILDREN, OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND DOORS TO ALL OUR CHILDREN AND ACCEPT THEM EASILY WITHOUT GIVING THEM A HARD TIME.
IN RETURN HASHEM BE ZICH MERACHEM ON US CHANGE OFSTED GEZEIRA.
AS YOU ALL KNOW I AM NOT A SUPPORTER OF THE NETUREI KARTA OR SATMAR,
BUT THIS SO CALLED REPORTER IS NOT RIGHT ( HE SHOULD GO AND LIVE IN ISRAEL ) THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE AGAINST ISRAEL, ALSO HE SHOULD GET HIS FACTS RIGHT.
THE ZIONISTS ALL WAYS WERE AGAINST THE RELIGION THEY SAID WE NEED A COUNTRY NOT THE RELIGION, HE ALSO HAD NO RIGHT TO USE BAD AND INSULTING LANGUAGE.
Candidate In Jerusalem Mayoral Race Will Have To End Machane Yehuda Nightlife To Receive Backing From Gur
The Gerrer Rebbe
Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is demanding the closure of nightlife Machane Yehuda as a condition for supporting a candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral race as per demands from officials in the chassidus. On Sunday night, 20 Sivan, both candidates Moshe Leon and Ze’ev Elkin announced they would not act to close down the nightlife in the shuk.
The question some are asking is why this is so important to Gur. The response lies quite close to the shuk, less than 100 meters away from Yaffo Street by the shuk. If one leaves the shuk via Yaffo Street one is seconds away from the tziyun of the Sfas Emmes and Pnei Menachem of Gur ZT”L, which has been the target of drunk vandals, persons who enjoyed the shuk nightlife and left their unwanted signature at the tziyun.
Officials in the chassidus have already reported to chareidi journalist Yair Shariki that several months ago, two young men entered the tziyun while quite intoxicated, and possibly under the influence of drugs too. This resulted in quite a scene, a “most unpleasant one” as they describe, without detailing the event.
It appears that as a result, Gur is demanding the closure of the shuk’s nightlife in return for the chassidus’ support of any candidate running in the Jerusalem mayoral race.
I HAVE TO THANK SRP PRODUCTION FOR PUTTING THIS VIDEO ON YOU TUBE, TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW NOT TO MAKE A BAR MITZVAH ( LET'S SEE HOW FRUM THE BOY IS IN SEVEN YEARS TIME )
THE LIST OF THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG IS TO LONG, FROM THE DRESSING OF THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, AND THE SHOWING OFF.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS EVEN IF HE CAN AFFORD IT THIS IS NOT NECESSARY.
I AM SORRY FOR YOU THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HURT BUT THE TRUTH IS, GOYIM DO NOT CARE, AND EVEN SAY IT DID NOT HAPPEN, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF GOYIM WHO ARE VERY PLEASED IT DID HAPPEN AND EVEN SAY HITLER YM"S SHOULD HAVE KILLED MORE
LOTS OF RABBIS SAY YOU SHOULD NOT GO THERE A PLACE WERE JEWS WERE MURDERED THERE IS NO HOLINESS AND IT IS NOT A PLACE FOR JEWS TO GO.
THE HOLOCAUST AND PLACES LIKE AUSCHWITZ IS NOT OUR RELIGION AND THERE IS NO HOLINESS IN THAT PLACE.
THE JEWISH RELIGION IS THE TORAH AND MITZVOT NOT AUSCHWITZ.
SHE IS DOING A VERY GOOD JOB SHOWING FULL OF FEELING AND CARING FOR THE PEOPLE SHE MEETS RICH OR POOR THAT IS WHAT A REBBETZIN IS ALL ABOUT.
LAST WEEK I MET HER COUSIN AT A WEDDING IN LONDON
THE VISNITZ LONDON REBBE WAS ALSO
THERE, I WENT UP TO HIM HE KNOW ME VERY WELL
AS I USED TO LEARN WITH HIM.
I TOLD HIM THAT I DO NOT COME TO THE THISH AS IT STARTS VERY LATE FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE SUMMER, BUT I ENQUIRE EVERY WEEK ABOUT HIS SUCCESS, THE REASON FOR HIS SUCCESS IS HE GIVES AND HAS TIME FOR PEOPLE TO TELL HIM THERE PROBLEMS.
Prominent Chareidi Activist Warns: ‘No Future’ For Orthodox Jews In Britain Due To Education Reforms
7
Rabbi Aharon Klein, one of the heads of the Belzer community in London, warned his constituents on Thursday that should the decisions regarding the education in Charedi schools in England go against the ethos taught by the community, then there would be no future for the Charedi community in England whatsoever.
The new rules set down by the Education Ministry, which helps fund the schools, is to teach about “the other and one who is different from the lifestyle of the students.”
“The English are not particularly taking aim at the Charedi schools, but rather trying to prevent young Englishmen and women from becoming too entrenched in their own beliefs and going off and joining a peripheral segment of society that is antagonistic towards others. However, the plans put forth by the Ministry instructed all schools including the Charedi ones to teach about people and their lifestyles that are considered To’eva.”
“From including heresy against G-d as well as things that fall into the category of rather die then transgress as well as other to’eva materials, none of these things will be taught in a Charedi school, for no such school will agree to teach these things.
“The interference of the British Government in religious education is the most serious problem for the Jewish community since Edward the First expelled the Jews more than 700 years ago. English Jewry feels that it is in crisis right now.”
CHINUCH AWARENESS
THERE ARE A LOT OF ADVERTS IN THE FRUM MEDIA
URGENT CHINUCH INFORMATION AND AWARENESS EVENT WITH SIGNATURES OF THE RABBIS AND RABBONIM.
I WAS BY A WEDDING LAST NIGHT AND THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT THE TABLE, SOMEONE SAID WHEN THE BROTHERS CAME TO EGYPT FOR FOOD AND THE TROUBLES STARTED, THEY STRAIGHT A WAY LOOKED BACK IN TO THERE LIFE, AND ONE SAID TO THE OTHER, THIS COMES BECAUSE WE SOLD JOSEPH.
WE HAVE TO LOOK BACK AND SEE HOW MANY CHILDREN AND PARENTS LET DOWN TEARS ( TO G-D ) BECAUSE THERE CHILDREN WERE NOT EXCEPTED IN TO SCHOOLS, DO THESE RABBONIM UNDERSTAND THE PAIN AND TEARS THIS SNOBBERY CAUSED PARENTS.
WE HAVE TO RECTIFY THE MISTAKES BY US, THEN G-D WILL CANCEL THE GOVERNMENT'S IDEAS.
Toys R Us is closing its last U.S. stores by Friday, the end of a chain known to generations of children and parents for its sprawling stores, brightly colored logo and Geoffrey the giraffe mascot.
But many of the children who happily sang the “I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid” jingle grew into busy parents who found shopping online more convenient. The company, which also owned the Babies R Us chain, was hobbled by $5 billion in debt after a leveraged buyout that left it unable to invest and keep up.
As the last of the U.S. stores close, more than 30,000 workers will be looking for work. Toys R Us’ troubles have also shaken some big toy makers like Mattel and Hasbro.
Customers who were still devoted will be looking elsewhere to shop. Retailers like Walmart and Target are expanding their toy aisles to fill the hole, while Party City is opening 50 pop-up toy shops this fall.
Toys R Us filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last fall and pledged to stay open, but had poor sales during the critical holiday season as customers and vendors shied away. In January, it announced plans to close about 180 stores, but then in March it said it would liquidate the rest of the 700-plus stores.
Will the Toys R Us name and mascot disappear forever? An auction for the company’s name, baby shower registry and various trademarks is set for late July. The 16-foot tall statue of Geoffrey the Giraffe that greeted visitors at Toys R Us headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey will be moved to a children’s hospital in the state.
Many long-time employees were hoping to retire at a place they called home.
Just days after news reports of an El Al flight delayed for more than an hour after four Chareidim refused to take their assigned seats next to women, the airline has taken some bold action.
El Al Chairman Gonen Ussishkin announced on Monday, that any passengers refusing to sit next to other passengers will be immediately removed from the aircraft.
The United States announced Tuesday it was leaving the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, with Ambassador Nikki Haley calling it “a protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias.”
It was the latest withdrawal by the Trump administration from an international institution.
Approximately 7,000 Chareidi Jews gathered in Stamford Hill on Tuesday afternoon, to participate in a Yom Tefillah about the harsh threats against Chinuch in yeshivos. The massive event was held outside Bais Hamedrash Toras Eitz Chaim on Lordship Road.
Over the past three years Yeshios have come under increasing pressure from Ofsted inspectors, and rabbonim fear that proposed laws will regulate what is being taught in Yeshivas, forcing them to Chas Vesholom close.
A number of Rabbonim and leading community activists have previously questioned whether the Orthodox community has a future in the UK if education policy is not changed.
Three months ago, HaRav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman from Gateshead passed along a similar message, stating that the situation is serious and that the Jews may have to leave en masse.
Rabbi Aharon Klein, one of the heads of the Belzer community in London, recently warned that should the decisions regarding the education in Charedi schools in England go against the ethos taught by the community, then there would be no future for the Charedi community in England whatsoever.
The new rules set down by the Education Ministry, which helps fund the schools, is to teach about the Toeiva lifestyle among other subjects.
While speakers at today’s event voiced concerns about Ofsted, they also expressed hope for dialogue with the government.
According to a report by the Jewish Chronicle, Rabbi Dovid Frand, president of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, said, “The exemplary behaviour of these thousands of children throughout this event is tribute to the excellent education and high moral standards that our system delivers.”
He said the community thanked God “we are privileged to live in a tolerant country with a government that has repeated pledged to safeguard religion and religious practice.
“However, there are influential secular forces seeking to impinge on our rights and we have all gathered together in prayer in the fervent hope that we can continue to practice and teach our Torah-true values for generations to come.”
PHOTOS BY DAVID BROWN:
About a 35 member contingent of the Women of the Wall (WoW) arrived at the Kosel on Thursday morning, 2 Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, creating a provocation despite the regulations announced by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.
The group made their way into the Ezras Nashim, depsite being instructed not to do this, and it immediately led to a confrontation with Orthodox mispallelim.
AG Mandelblit had prohibited WoW from holding their Rosh Chodesh service at the Kosel, insisting they use the alternate site allocated to them known as Robinson’s Arch.
WoW stated: “We refuse to enter that enclosure, which was presented as if it were meant to protect us, because it became a tool to protect the position of the Rabbi of the Kosel and to humiliate us. We have a right to daven as all women do”.
Kotel Heritage Foundation officials add, “Despite the foundation’s effort and that of police, to divide between groups, they chose to assimilate among the Orthodox women, and thus created a fuss and a controversy, contrary to the directives of the Ministry of Justice.
In their words, “Senior Ministry of Justice representatives were also present at the Kosel Plaza this morning to closely monitor the events at the Kosel and they saw a blatant violation of the laws and directives by WoW after a day previously, they received an additional warning from the deputy attorney general on the intention to take administrative measures If WoW violates the guidelines.”
On Friday morning 25 Sivan, fanatics dressed in chareidi garb, i.e. sikrikim, targeted the Slonimer Rebbe Shlita in Meah Shearim.
According to the Kikar Shabbos News report, the rebbe was attacked by two individuals who waited for him at 5:00AM. When they saw the rebbe, they began shouting insults at him, accusing him of failing to be active in fighting the “gezeiras hagius”, the induction of frum persons into the IDF.
One of the hooligans tried to push the rebbe, but the rebbe continued on his way, preferring to ignore them as the hour was early, before shachris. A short time later, a grandson of the rebbe who escorts him, arrived and got the hoodlums to leave the area.
Rabbi Aharon Klein, one of the heads of the Belzer community in London, warned his constituents on Thursday that should the decisions regarding the education in Charedi schools in England go against the ethos taught by the community, then there would be no future for the Charedi community in England whatsoever.
The new rules set down by the Education Ministry, which helps fund the schools, is to teach about “the other and one who is different from the lifestyle of the students.”
“The English are not particularly taking aim at the Charedi schools, but rather trying to prevent young Englishmen and women from becoming too entrenched in their own beliefs and going off and joining a peripheral segment of society that is antagonistic towards others. However, the plans put forth by the Ministry instructed all schools including the Charedi ones to teach about people and their lifestyles that are considered To’eva.”
“From including heresy against G-d as well as things that fall into the category of rather die then transgress as well as other to’eva materials, none of these things will be taught in a Charedi school, for no such school will agree to teach these things.
Three months ago, HaRav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman from Gateshead passed along a similar message, stating that the situation is serious and that the Jews may have to leave en masse.
“The interference of the British Government in religious education is the most serious problem for the Jewish community since Edward the First expelled the Jews more than 700 years ago. English Jewry feels that it is in crisis right now.”