The MKs Who Don’t Speak to Each Other, Inside Zupnik in Kikar With the Week’s Photos, Gossip and Revelations

The speaker who became an editor | A yeshiva head was hospitalized and politicians came to visit secretly | The Haredi appeal to Trump in Arabic | What did Geffen discuss with the rebbe’s aide? | All the who’s who at Itzik Ohana’s engagement party | The rebbe in business class | Malkali’s aide got married, everyone was there | The father of prisoners in Itzkowitz | The musicians reunited at the sheva brachot for the daughter of the producer and spokesman | The mashgiach gave his book to Mordechai Ben David | The wunderkind in prayer | Amiram Dvir and Hillel Meir engage in Torah debate | Haredi political unity in the plenum | The MK who does shteiging every morning | Moti Babchik indulges | City hall senior officials surprised the mayor with a birthday celebration | The kabbalist celebrated a bar mitzvah for his son and welcomed his first grandchild | The five most-viewed stories this week on Kikar, and more... The photos, gossip and hot stories of the week, presented by Itzik Ohana (Zupnik) (Photo: Nati Shohat, Flash90 | Editing: Yedidia Cohen)

Zupnik exclusive: Two Haredi members of Knesset, from two different parties, have not been speaking to each other for some time. The reason, one of them claims, is that the other hurt him in a media interview.

Have you photographed someone famous looking like an ordinary person, got hold of hot material, or heard kosher gossip? Send it by Wednesday to Zupnik by yellow email or WhatsApp.

Zupnik exclusive: For various reasons and problems, the spokesman of one of the parties has, for now, begun editing the weekly newspaper. Zupnik wishes him success.

The rebbe who fired all the gabbais | Zupnik in Kikar with all the photos, gossip and revelations Zupnik | 04.06.26

Zupnik exclusive: A yeshiva head, who in recent years has become influential on the public agenda in one of the Haredi parties, was hospitalized this week in a hospital in Israel. Zupnik spotted many politicians who came to visit him out of concern for his condition.

Trump, listen to Yossi Abdu and Moshe Arie: “The world is not idiots” and here is an appeal from Yossi Abdu and Moshe Arie to President Donald Trump, “The world is not idiots.”

Moments before the heated interview on the Kikar studio about the communications reform and the concern over desecration of Shabbat, we caught interviewer Yossi Sergovskij in a hallway conversation with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. At the wedding of the daughter of Shas member Yosef Chaim Kalf in Bnei Brak, Zupnik caught Kikar HaShabbat commentator Yishai Cohen, Kol Chai anchor Avi Mimran, and Shas spokesman, the legendary and new father, Itzik Sudri, in a joint selfie. At that same wedding we caught Shas spokesman Asher Medina in deep conversation with Dr. Avishai Ben Haim. Despite his broken leg, Yossi Abdu did not forgo a visit to the grave of the divine Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, in Meron. During a closed sheva brachot celebration in the Vizhnitz Hasidic court for donors and benefactors, Zupnik spotted the rebbe’s aide and confidant, Benzion Stanger, whispering with Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni and his son Eliehu, with media personality Israel Cohen in between. Zupnik tried to listen to the conversation and heard Gafni talking, among other things, about his meeting that evening with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his promises to the Haredi public. Whether Gafni “bought” the promises, Zupnik is keeping that information to himself... (Photo: A. Aizenbach)

During a small event this week, Zupnik saw commentator Israel Cohen speaking with Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija, the most successful Israeli player in the American league. Avdija, who came for a short visit to Israel, is considered an Israeli advocate, using the fact that he is a celebrity in the United States to act on behalf of the State of Israel.

Rabbis and public figures took part this week in the engagement celebration of media personality Itzik Ohana of Kikar HaShabbat, who got engaged to Hani Pahima. Zupnik learned that many people who were on their way to the event canceled at the last minute because of missile fire from Iran toward Israel. Rabbi Yigal Cohen, head of Yabia Omer institutions and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel, who came to offer congratulations, revealed that he postponed his flight for a strengthening tour in the United States in order to attend the event: “Itzik always helps me do acts of public merit, this is my gratitude to him.”

After that we saw Kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov Israel Ifragan, known as “the Rantgen,” blessing the groom Itzik Ohana.

During the event it was revealed that media personality Chaim Iluz, editor in chief of Kikar HaShabbat, was the one who brought Itzik Ohana into the world of media about a decade ago.

Afterward we saw National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir blessing the groom Itzik Ohana: “I love him very much, he works for the Jewish people.”

Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken, who came to congratulate Itzik Ohana, announced increased transportation on the wedding day.

Shahar Tal, a senior official in the Interior Ministry, was blessed with a warm countenance by Rabbi Yigal Cohen, head of Yabia Omer institutions and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel, at Itzik Ohana’s engagement celebration.

At the end of the evening, we saw Itzik Ohana thanking from the bottom of his heart his good friend, social media star Shuki Solomon, who was also his matchmaker.

Kikar HaShabbat’s historian Israel Shapira was seen listening to military rabbi Yehuda Witzman. Shapira was interested in his experiences in the cedar land of Lebanon, may it be rebuilt and established.

The halachic decisor Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, rabbi of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood in Bnei Brak and member of the Council of Torah Sages of Degel HaTorah, was seen in the middle of Shacharit prayer exiting the shelter of the synagogue after the sirens over the Iranian missile fire.

The Modzitz Rebbe was seen in business class on the way to New York.

The maestro in action: just before the half-jubilee celebration for the Vizhnitz institutions in Elad, Zupnik caught the legendary former house boy of the Vizhnitz Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Shimon Shachter, giving a final briefing to the current house boy and his team of deputies, who listened intently. Experience speaks!

At the engagement of the daughter of the chairman of ZAKA Netanya, Rabbi Moshe Barber, Rabbi Yosef Moshe Dov Halberstam, rabbi of the Tzanz communities in the United States and beloved son of the Tzanz Rebbe, was honored to read the ketubah. (Photo: Moshe Goldstein)

At the wedding of his aide David Birnberg, MK Uri Maklev was seen speaking warmly with Rabbi Yehuda Wispech, chairman of United Torah Students. And here is MK Uri Maklev being honored under the canopy of his aide David Birnberg with the blessing “Who created man.”

MK Tzvi Sukkot was seen dancing wildly at the wedding with the groom David Birnberg.

Among the many wedding guests, Zupnik spotted singer Shmuelik Sukkot, who came to congratulate the happy groom.

Yisrael Hayom’s Haredi affairs correspondent Yaakov Hershkovitz was seen at the moment of putting the kittel on groom David Birnberg.

During the big celebration, Zupnik caught Yedioth Ahronoth’s Haredi affairs correspondent Shilo Fried together with Yehuda Mandelowitz, the man and the office.

We caught the energetic activist Rabbi Ze’evi Druk on a motorcycle so as not to miss any event.

Public relations and strategy man Yehuda Cohen sits during the combative speech of Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni at the United Torah Students conference and briefs the speech to all news channels and websites. Overseeing him from above is the mashgiach Rabbi Aharon Vagshal.

Rabbi Shalom Lazar, the Chabad emissary in the Russian city of Sochi, placing a mezuzah in the new home of social media star Dudi Kepler in Jerusalem.

The activist Rabbi Shimon Shisha, known as “the father of prisoners,” was seen at the entrance to Itzkowitz very late at night.

Media personality Aryeh Erlich, editor of Mishpacha magazine, in a private conversation with singers Yanki Daskel and Meir Adler at a Torah event in the United States. (Photo: Shalom Vagshal)

The musicians Shmuelik Sukkot, Avrumi Weinberg, Chaim Shlomo Mayes, Shmuelik Berger and Yossi Polchuk, in heartfelt songs at the sheva brachot celebration for the daughter of producer and ZAKA spokesman Moti Buchchich and the son of businessman Gershi Kalatsky.

The mashgiach Rabbi Meir Pedida presented his book, “On One Foot,” to his close friend Mordechai Ben David, who came to visit him this week.

We saw the wunderkind singer Mendy Roth in prayer at the grave of the Chabad Rebbe in New York. Later we saw the wunderkind singer Mendy Roth in a musical meeting with singer Lipa Schmeltzer.

Singer-songwriter and composer Moishi Greenboim was caught by Zupnik returning late from yet another major event while driving fast in flagrantly illegal activity...

Singers Amiram Dvir and Hillel Meir were seen debating Torah learning in the street.

The singers Shmuelik Sukkot, Ari Hill, Motti Wiesel and Dudi Feldman, social media figures Dudi Friedman and Avi Partig, at the bar mitzvah celebration for the son of musician Shmuelik Kalisch, conductor of the Neshama choir. (Photo: Hershy Kotovsky)

Musician Adi Netanali in an interview with Netanel Leifer on the Kikar HaShabbat program “The Critic,” about the development and manufacturing of his luxury headphones.

At the kiosk outside the Zikhron Moshe synagogue in Jerusalem, Zupnik saw singer and kumzitz performer Shimi Lifshitz speaking with fans.

Composer, conductor and arranger Moshe Laufer was seen this week buying a new suit in Bnei Brak.

We saw MKs Aryeh Deri, Moshe Gafni, Michael Malkieli, Yaakov Asher, Uriel Buso, Yaakov Tessler, Haim Biton, Yoav Ben Tzur and Yitzhak Goldknopf in political consultation in the Knesset plenum, after the vote on the Basic Law, Torah Study, which passed its preliminary reading. (Photo: Noam Moskowitz, Knesset spokesperson)

Zupnik caught MK Uriel Buso studying the daily Daf Yomi as he does every morning at the Avi Ezri synagogue in Petah Tikva, before turning to his daily routine.

Zupnik כמובן did not miss the drama this week in the Finance Committee, which discussed the daycare bill. During the debate, Zupnik repeatedly caught crucial consultations between Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni and United Torah Judaism faction chairman MK Uri Maklev.

MKs Yaakov Margi and Moshe Abutbul in a political conversation with Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri in the Knesset plenum.

Erez Maimon, chairman of the Tiferet organization, in a working meeting with Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar on developing cultural events in the Haredi and religious public.

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Boaz Yosef, director general of the Population and Immigration Authority, Yehuda Abidan, director general of the Religious Services Ministry, and Yaakov Cohen, a senior official in the Religious Services Ministry, on a professional tour in Meron and Amukah, ahead of the expansion and upgrading of infrastructure at the site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the site of the holy Tanna Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel.

We saw Motti Babchik, chief of staff to MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, chairman of United Torah Judaism, indulging at chef Avi Malka’s restaurant in Rishon LeZion.

Moshi Zluzhinsky and Israel Klerman were seen listening intently to a general Torah lecture by Rabbi Yosef Garz.

We caught Nataly Ken Dror, chief of staff to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, absorbed in a phone conversation at the guard post at the entrance to the ministry. Zupnik wonders whether she is switching careers to become a security guard.

Senior officials from the city of Elad at a surprise birthday party for Mayor Yehuda Butbul, during a work meeting.

We saw Shmuelik Greenberg, mayor of Beit Shemesh, and Yehuda Morgenstern, director general of the Housing and Construction Ministry, in a private conversation about the city’s framework agreement at a real estate conference.

Meir Rubinstein, mayor of Beitar Illit, was blessed by the Biala Beit Shemesh Rebbe at the wedding celebration for the daughter of producer Rabbi Zusha Deitch. (Photo: Shmuel Frey)

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion presented the Mayor’s Award for Volunteerism to medical adviser Rabbi Binyamin Fisher, chairman of Magen LaCholeh. (Photo: Aharon Kruizer)

Incoming Mossad chief Major General Roman Gofman visited and prayed at the Western Wall together with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites.

The righteous Rabbi Shimon Galai and medical activist Eli Brunner of Ezer Mizion visited Rabbi Shlomo Davidzon, who lost his wife and son in a car accident about a month ago and is hospitalized at Hadassah.

Rabbi Michael Lasri, who inspires many, married off his granddaughter Michal, daughter of his son Kobi, to Yitzhak Peretz, son of Rabbi Pinchas Eliyahu Peretz of Ofakim. (Photo: Meir Babiuf | Video: Osnat Ovadia)

Kabbalist Rabbi Netanel Shriky celebrated a bar mitzvah for his son Daniel at Ahuzat Daniel hall in Netivot, with the participation of rabbis and public figures. (Production: Shon Blaish)

In that same week, Kabbalist Rabbi Netanel Shriky was also blessed with his first grandchild, a son to his daughter Renana Ben Ezra.

Rabbi Yaakov Yagen happily married off his son, cantor Nissim Yagen.

We saw celebrity rabbi Mordechai Hassidim buying fish for Shabbat at the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem.

The Haredi talent agent Yossi Hoffman was injured in the leg during a motorcycle ride on a trip in Vietnam.

Rabbi Shimon Assayag, a rabbi in Afula, was seen praying at the grave of Rabbi Yeshayele of Kerestir in Hungary.

Rabbi Zvadia Cohen, rabbi of Tel Aviv and head of the city’s rabbinical courts, and Rabbi Itzik Bar Zev, rabbi of the Great Synagogue in Tel Aviv, placed a mezuzah in the office of Shlomo Pivko, president of the Great Synagogue and chief cantor of the Air Force. (Photo: Moshe Buhbut)

We saw businessman Attorney Avi Hadar studying diligently during a private event.

Ahead of the approaching elections and the Likud primaries, Yossi Rosenboim is bringing to his office public relations man Elad Per, known as the trusted man of the donors of the Torah world, who until now worked behind the scenes and is now joining the firm. Zupnik wishes him success.

We saw social media star Dudi Kepler filming an interesting video with Nachum Frank, CEO of Matzor.

The chesed activists Yehoshua Rachberger and Yaakov Zeibeld of Lev Ches in Haifa received the President’s Award for Volunteering from President Isaac Herzog.

Media personality Moran Kors suffered a car accident this week. “A car hit us, it’s a miracle it ended with trees and rocks, we came out unharmed,” she told Zupnik.

At the end of a learning and research process on growth trends in the education system, held at the initiative of the Haredi district in the Education Ministry, certificates of appreciation were presented to the group facilitators by district director Shai Kaldron and Haredi district professional development supervisor Eti Binder.

Singer Yaniv Ben Mashiach led havdalah at the end of Shabbat Chatan for footballer Yarden Shua of Beitar Jerusalem and Or Zohar, with singer Yaniv Midar visible nearby.

Israeli actor Shalom Assayag was seen praying at King David’s Tomb.

And finally, the five most-viewed stories in the past week on Kikar:

In fifth place, for the first time ever, divers documented an impressive great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea.

In fourth place, within a few days, Elon Musk is expected to become the first trillionaire in history.

In third place, an Israeli singer claims he won 40 million in the lottery and posted a story, “I didn’t understand that I was a millionaire.”

In second place, in full payment and through a kinyan procedure, the court sold the illness of the kabbalist to a gentile.

And in first place, “War on extortion protection,” the massive plan by Ben Gvir and Golan is getting underway.