Tackling Today's Challenges

Tackling Today's Challenges Q&A  at Hashkafa In The Workplace Vaad Labor Day, Beru hall Lakewood 

Tuesday September 8 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 83° Mostly sunny 

Last day of Bingo/Mesamchei Lev Yom Tov sale

- A hafgana took place tonight in Yerushalayim, organized by the Hifkadeti organization, to protest the arrest and continued detention of an American yeshiva bochur who has been jailed for the past three months following his involvement in opposition to the Jerusalem Light Rail. Rav Velvel Soloveitchik, Rosh Yeshiva of Brisk, was on hand to show his support for the protesters. The demonstrators marched down Kikar Shabbos, making their way toward Bar Ilan Street. Police eventually called off the protest and arrested two additional bochurim.

- Trump’s proposed stay-at-home parent benefit would reportedly require recipients to be married & have one spouse working 35+ hours a week, with benefits averaging around $9,000 per child.

- United Torah Judaism Submits Knesset Candidate List: United Torah Judaism submitted its list for the next Knesset. The top 10 candidates are chairman Yaakov Asher, Yitzhak Goldknopf, Yitzhak Pindrus, Meir Porush, Moshe Rosenthal, Elyakim Stark, Yehuda Weissfish, Yaakov Tessler, David Salz and David Ochana

- Police in Lakewood, NJ responded Tuesday morning to a report of a possibly armed person near Laurel and Clover, prompting nearby school lockdowns. Officers located the individual but found no weapon. Police say there is no known threat to the public and no ongoing threat

- There's still a handful of girls not placed yet in school for primary a week into school year

- New rideshare to yeshiva. The Yeshiva Carpool is a simple ride-sharing system that helps youngeleit get to and from yeshiva. Passengers  call and enter their location, and get connected with a driver in their area who calls in to the system with his pick up locations.

- Will playgroup registration also be postponed to later in the year, following the letter issued by the  girls elementary schools stating that registration will begin Rosh chodesh Shevat? Some are wondering whether the Rabbonim will implement a similar policy for playgroups, especially since registration for two-year-olds currently begins on Isru Chag Sukkos—almost a full year before parents can know how the child will adjust and behave in a playgroup setting. Additionally, in Manchester, the Rabbonim have capped the monthly fees, following a tremendous increase in playgroup prices over the past few years.

- NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Tuesday that any credible report of inappropriate behavior or misconduct involving members of her administration must be “fully examined and addressed,” but did not directly address an internal investigation into her lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell. “Public service is an honor,” Sherrill said in a statement. “And I have spent a lifetime of service in the Navy, as a prosecutor, in Congress, and now as Governor.”“I demand that everyone in my administration hold themselves to the highest standards and put their obligations to public service first,” she said.

- ICE activity in Lakewood today

- Rav David Yosef sefardi chief Rabbi paid a visit to the Skver rebbe yesterday while he's in the US ahead of Yomim Noraim.

The former yeshiva chofetz Chaim building in Radin was bought back and a chanukas Habyis is planned after Sukkos with a kollel expected to open there.

- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on Tuesday announced an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the West Bank, as well as sanctions against specific individuals and businesses that provide services such as construction, instruction, financing or real estate for settlement expansion. The announcement was carried out in coordination with France and Canada.

- Israel announced counter sanctions on Britain: The closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, which has been operating since the 19th century, and the expulsion of British representatives from the headquarters in Kiryat Gat that handles Gaza.

- Internal turmoil within Degel HaTorah party. The chatter of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlita denies that the RY saw pr approved the letter in the Yated Neeman or supported the ouster of MK Gafni and Maklev.

 Reporter for CH 13 says It’s hard to get over the twisted way they are trying to rewrite history here: Gafni and Maklev are ousted in the dead of night and in a humiliating manner, and then they are “thanked for their contributions and service.” After that, their aides and associates, who were simply trying to defend their bosses and their livelihoods, are publicly blamed and dismissed. Then a video is circulated claiming that all these steps were supposedly taken with the approval of Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch. Only one small mistake was made along the way: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch did not approve this forceful document.

- Icecream House in Lakewood has added more parking spaces with two additional parking lots behind the building to accommodate the customers (feder status)

- A growing dispute within the Agudas Yisroel faction of Yahadut HaTorah could lead to a major political shakeup ahead of the next Knesset election. MK Porush and Belz MK have announced they will run on their own party within UTJ  a procedural move that allows them to not be beholden to Gur. The conflict centers on Ger’s demand to remove Sanz representative Moshe Shimon Roth from the fifth spot because he would not commit to following Ger’s Central Faction on every vote. The dispute has become so serious that other Agudah factions are now considering running with Degel HaTorah without Ger or forming their own electoral bloc, and negotiations on a joint Degel-Agudah slate have reportedly been delayed.

- Uman Rosh Hashana: Hundreds of Breslover Chassidim traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah were left without their luggage after HiSky flights from Ben Gurion Airport to Kishinev, Moldova, departed without passengers’ suitcases. The missing luggage contains clothing and other essential supplies, leaving many travelers scrambling to manage ahead of Rosh Hashanah.

- Trump holds phone call with Putin, telling him he wants the war in Ukraine ended “as soon as possible.”

- NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will attend Friday’s 25th-anniversary 9/11 ceremony at Ground Zero, despite former Mayor Rudy Giuliani criticizing his attendance. Mamdani said the event should focus on the nearly 3,000 victims, their families and the first responders who responded to the attacks.

- Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of Britain: "This is truly a dark day for British Jews. Today, our government chose to ignore the deep concerns expressed by so many of us. The steps announced today are nothing more than a political flag-waving for false rhetoric against Israel and those who hold a dangerous obsession with the Jewish state. These steps will only succeed in strengthening the very extremism they claim to be combating

Iran Israel Updates Tuesday Sep 8

- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Claim Attacks on 2 US Vessels and 8 Tankers: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they attacked 2 US vessels and 8 oil tankers in the Gulf in response to a US strike that destroyed 5 Iranian tankers. They claimed the 10 vessels had tried to cross an area of the Strait of Hormuz designated “prohibited and unsafe.” 

- Jordan says it intercepted 18 of 20 missiles, with no injuries reported. Iran says there was heavy damage.

- Iranian missiles explosions over Jordan were seen in Israeli skies including from Yerushalayim 

- Israeli official: Israel had a warning regarding a planned strike by the Revolutionary Guards into Jordan, but was surprised by the scale there had been no warning of an attack of this magnitude.

- US announces it destroyed 5 Iranian crude oil tankers tonight, in response to the IRGC attack on the US nuclear aircraft carrier with ballistic missiles, per CENTCOM.

- Iran launched barrage of  missiles at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan; a large number of interceptors were fired. Explosions at the Muwaffaq Salti and Prince Hassan US air bases in Jordan minutes ago, the first targets. Initial reports of direct impacts at Muwaffaq with cluster munitions

- The US military is currently striking Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island, a US official says, with Iranian media reporting multiple loud explosions heard near Kharg in the past minutes. Initial reports from Iran say the US struck 2 more oil tankers near Jask, +800km southeast from Kharg.

- Iran's IRGC warns all crews serving US oil tankers in and around the ports of Kuwait and Bahrain to "immediately leave their vessels whether at anchor or at the ports" because the tankers will be targeted, citing the US strikes on several Iranian oil tankers, in a statement just released. The IRGC names Kuwait and Bahrain as hosts and partners of the US military in the strikes, widening the imminent response from the US bases Iran named an hour ago to US shipping sitting in two Gulf states' ports.

- Netanyahu’s Office Denies UAE Warning Before 7 October: Netanyahu’s office called reports that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned him before 7 October “false,” saying any relevant information would have been shared through intelligence channels. The UAE declined to address the reports directly, stating that it does not comment on speculation about conversations and that both countries maintain open communication and share relevant intelligence when necessary.

- Trump on Iran: "And I will tell you, we're right now fighting because we have a certain nation that wanted a nuclear weapon; they were very close to getting it, and now they have no chance of getting it. They will never have a nuclear weapon; Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. And they've been punished greatly"

 - Days before Oct. 7, UAE leader warned Netanyahu Hamas was planning war, but PM did nothing with the info.  Some 10 days before Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally warned by the leader of the United Arab Emirates that Hamas was planning a major offensive move against Israel, but did not update Israeli security leaders and did nothing with the information, according to a report on Tuesday in Haaretz.

- Israel announced counter sanctions on Britain: The closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, which has been operating since the 19th century, and the expulsion of British representatives from the headquarters in Kiryat Gat that handles Gaza

- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announces a sweeping sanctions package targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank as well as a range of other punitive measures, during a speech in the House of Commons featuring Britain’s strongest-ever criticism of the settlement enterprise. Denouncing Israel’s entirely “unlawful occupation” of the West Bank, Miliband decries spiraling instances of settler violence against Palestinians, saying “settler terrorism is rampant,” and citing United Nations reports of an “average of six violent settler attacks against Palestinians per day this year, the highest on record.”

- Bloomberg: British diplomats updated the US that the sanctions planned by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband against the “settlements” are "largely symbolic and will not have a real impact on the broad relations between Britain and Israel in trade and security

- 12 countries jointly declare support for European measures against West Bank settlements. After UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband announced wide-ranging sanctions against Israeli West Bank settlements, a group of Western states jointly declare their intention to support European measures against settlement products and to introduce new sanctions. Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK release a statement confirming their “intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements which are illegal under international law, or that they are actively considering these and other measures, in accordance with their national procedures.”The 12 countries underscore their commitment to a two-state solution. They call on Israel to “immediately halt the expansion of settlements and civilian administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations against Israeli forces.

- US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee” This is an irrational action... if the UK is really interested in dealing with issues they feel are wrong, where are the sanctions against North Korea, China, Russia?

- Israel Foreign Minister Saar: The Labor Party's move is particularly absurd, especially given the Balfour Declaration by the British government, which officially recognized the right of the Jewish people to establish the State of Israel in the Land of Israel, including Judea and Samaria

“Too Dangerous to Walk”: Mayor Responds to Parent’s Hazardous Busing Concerns

Hazardous Busing: A Safety Issue for Every Child

Tomorrow  the Lakewood Board of Education will have a special meeting on hazardous bus transportation. The agenda includes a resolution authorizing up to $14.88 million for the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA) to provide hazardous-route transportation for eligible nonpublic-school students. The funding is based on up to 12,642 students at a maximum of $1,177 per student, with the final amount subject to verification.

At the Lakewood Township  meeting last Thursday, Mayor Raymond Coles addressed the issue of hazardous busing in response to a parent who had sent emails to the Township and spoke up during the meeting online about the safety of children traveling to school.

According to Mayor Coles, the Board of Education will be paying for courtesy busing for non-mandated public-school students who live on hazardous routes. However, approximately 300 students will still not be covered.

As for hazardous busing for yeshiva and private-school students, the mayor said they are looking into the issue and indicated that the money should go “across the board.” to both private and public school.

A parent, who has children attending a yeshiva on Cross Street, pointed out that the route is too dangerous for children to walk. He questioned why parents are being forced to pay exorbitant amounts for LSTA transportation while there is no money specifically allocated in the new budget for the safety of children getting to school.

This raises a fundamental question: If a road is considered too hazardous for children to walk, shouldn't safe transportation be provided equally to all students public, yeshiva, and private?

Would you let your child walk to school down Cedarbridge Avenue, Cross Street, County Line Road, Route 88, or any other hazardous road with no sidewalks and heavy traffic?

For many parents, the answer is obvious: No.

Most of Lakewood is not safe to walk to school with no sidewalks, safe shoulders, and safe crossings at busy intersections.

And that is precisely the problem. There are roads in Lakewood that are recognized as hazardous for children traveling to and from school. New Jersey itself recognizes hazardous walking routes and allows districts to provide transportation for students who would otherwise have to walk along those routes.

Yet under current New Jersey law, a student who lives within the mileage threshold is not automatically entitled to transportation simply because the route is dangerous. Districts may provide courtesy or subscription busing and may charge parents for that service.

In Lakewood, until a few weeks ago the Township paid the Board of Education for courtesy and hazardous transportation for public-school students. Private-school families, however, are required to pay out of pocket when they opt into courtesy transportation through the LSTA. With the annual fee increasing to $675, families are being asked to pay for transportation because the alternative is for children to travel along roads that have been designated hazardous.

This should not be a question of whether a family can afford the bus. A child's safety should not depend on whether his or her parents can afford the transportation fee.

A distance measured on a map does not tell us whether a child can safely walk that route. Two miles on a sidewalk is not the same thing as two miles along a road with no sidewalk, heavy traffic, high speeds, blind curves, dangerous crossings, or other hazards.

The mayor's response is an important step, but the question remains: Will the new budget provide funding for hazardous transportation for every child who needs it, regardless of which school they attend?

Oif Simchas Events Monday 26 Elul

Chasunas:

Neiman - Kurz Neemas Hachaim 

- Kabolas Panim reception  for the Roshei yeshiva of Torah Vodass Rav Yisroel Reisman, Rav Yitzchok Lichtenstein  Rav Yosef Savitzky shlita Hachana for Yomim Noraim at 227 Autumn Rd Lakewood Maariv 8:40pm Kabolas Kahal 9:30pm

- Adirei HaTorah Parlor meeting at Jackson 21

- Yartzeit of Rav Menashe Klein ZTL and Kabolas Kahal with the Ungvar Rav Shlita 1002 W. Kennedy Blvd Lakewood Maariv 8:40 p.

- Fundraiser for Keren Hatzolah Satmar at 47 Arosa Hill Lakewood 

Selichos Stolin B"M 9:45 pm

Neimark Toms River 10:00pm

Lutzk 10:15 Simcha Hall

Chestnut shul, Kol Shimshon, Satmar, Lutzk, Alumni 12:45am

Iran Israel Updates Monday Sep 7

- Israeli officials admit: "We have no idea when the 'spark' that will ignite the protest in Iran will arrive - but it will arrive"..

- Iran launches multiple waves of anti-ship cruise missiles and Shahed-136 drones from Sirik, southern Iran, toward vessels under US Navy escort in the US-backed southern Omani corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, per initial reports.

- UK set to announce ban on trade with Israeli settlements in West Bank. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the House of Commons last week the UK needs “a comprehensive reset of our policy” when it comes to the West Bank.

- Jared Kushner on Gaza and Israel: "We are working on several political issues in Israel. I think we agree with them on the desired end state. It's just that they have crazy elections, and that makes them a bit irrational in certain aspects.

- Iran: IRGC Deploys in Isfahan: IRGC and Basij forces are deploying in large numbers across Isfahan Province. This move precedes a petrol price hike scheduled to take effect at midnight local time.

- Strait of Hormuz: Mine Clearance OperationThe US Navy spent four months secretly clearing Iranian naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Divers, robotic boats, and underwater vehicles located and neutralized mines, though commercial shipping remains cautious due to ongoing threats.

- Jizan: Aramco Facility StruckSaudi Aramco's Jizan oil facilities were struck, marking the second attack in just over a month. NASA FIRMS detected three thermal anomalies at the facility, which has not fully operated since late July.

Monday September 7 News Updates Lakewood

Weather:  80° Abundant sunshine.

Labor day major retail stores and grocery chains are open on Labor Day, while government offices, banks, and mail services are closed. Costco is closed.

Today The 25th of Elul marks the anniversary of the first day of creation, of the ששת ימי בראשית 

- Trump: Oil prices will drop precipitously, like everything else is dropping (but more!), when we WIN the war with Iran. Three Dollars a gallon, but ultimately, below Two Dollars a gallon. It will all happen quickly, and Iran will never have a Nuclear Weapon. MAGA! President DJT

- Update on White House Admorim visit 

Repprt: Jared Kushner called Rabbi Yisrael Moshe Spitzer, the mayor of New Square, and told him that President Trump had read the letter from the Skverer Rebbe, shlita. Trump then told his daughter, Ivanka Kushner, that the letter was an extremely warm and heartfelt letter, and that it was a beautiful and wonderful letter.

- BDE: Petirah of Rebbetzin Sarah Bressler A"H wife of  Ybl"C Rav Chaim Bressler shlita  rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Moshe of Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Levaya tonight in Lakewood 10pm at the chapel she was 87.

Rav Bressler along with Rav Schnaidman arrived in Scranton as young talmidim of Rav Aharon Kotler in 1965 to establish the yeshiva Rebbetzin Bressler accompanied and supported that mission throughout. Recently Rav and Rebbetzin Bressler  relocated to Lakewood, New Jersey, where they settled in the A Country Place neighborhood. Rebbetzin Bressler leaves behind her husband, Rav Chaim Bressler, as well as their distinguished family of children and grandchildren who continue in the path of Harbotzas haTorah  The levayah will be held in Lakewood tonight, Monday night, at 10 p.m. at the  Chapel,  off 7th street. 

Zoom link HERE Passcode 622300

- MK Moshe Gafni will remain as party chairman after he was removed off the list from serving as a knessset member after the elections. MkUri Maklev will remain with the party in a supporting role.

- New Jersey’s Democratic governor Sherrill is facing heat over her immigration policies after an illegal immigrant fleeing a targeted ICE operation crashed into multiple vehicles, injuring the wife of a Democratic mayor. The incident is renewing criticism from Republican lawmakers who have opposed New Jersey’s restrictions on cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. 

- Polymarket Centrist former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot is now projected to be Israel's next prime minister, unseating Benjamin Netanyahu.51% chance.

- Hashkafa in the work place Labor day learning event with Q And A panel at the Beru hall in Tims River today.

- President Trump appears to be switching up his signature look, and social media is taking notice. Trump stepped off Air Force One in New Jersey with his famously blond hair appearing noticeably darker, sparking a wave of speculation online over whether the president debuted a new color.

- The NJ GOP is now calling for Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell's resignation following a report about an ethics investigation of inappropriate behavior that was kept secret for  a while.

- Infestation updates for Rosh Hashonah here

- Belz  chasidus announced that MK Yisroel Eichler will not run on United Torah Judaism’s Agudas Yisrael slate and will be replaced by Rabbi Eliakim Stark. Eichler has served almost continuously as a lawmaker since 2003 and recently held the post of deputy communications minister. Israeli political reporters note this was a last minute switch the hospitalization of the rebbe was a factor.

- White house meeting with Admorim, activist Yossi Gesterner in a  interview from behind the scenes leading up to the historic meeting says very powerful forces tried stopping it up to the last minute. The Complicated Path to the Historic White House Visit watch Here

- For the girls who are still not placed in school Submitted: Beautiful initiate for girls out of school. This is a temporary program for girls currently waiting for school placement — iy”H they’ll all be in schools very soon! We’ll be running Monday–Thursday, 10–2, with Monday & Tuesday at Dr. Suss Stables and Wednesday & Thursday at Rosenfeld Ranch. Just heard about this and it would be a chesed to share with those out of school.

- Kosher Pizza vending machine at Exxon kosher, to go live this week

- Trump: Happy Labor Day to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics, Communists, and Dumocrats who will do anything possible to destroy our Country. These Deranged People, after fighting for 10 years, should finally acknowledge that your Favorite President (ME!), knows how to WIN! They should be exhausted by now but, sadly, they’re not. They’re going to give it one last shot at ruining America, but we’re not going to let that happen. We’re going to win the Midterms, BIG, and SAVE AMERICA! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- First Delta airlines flight arrived in Israel as the company resumes flights since October 7th.

- Israir Airlines will begin selling tickets tonight for its new Tel Aviv–New York route after investing $85 million in two Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. The first flight from Tel Aviv is scheduled for September 15, with the first return from New York on September 17.

- Lakewood busing NJ 12 reporter joined students who are now walking to school since courtesy busing was cut "According to an attorney for the Lakewood School District, Lakewood Township previously paid for courtesy bussing. However, the township has stopped funding the service and the district's council said the school system cannot afford to cover the cost on its own."

There will be a Special  BOE meeting this Wednesday open to the public to discuss Hazardous busing for both public and private mon mandated students.

- Uman Rosh Hashana thousands have arrived already ahead of RH. Earlier today near Uman air sirens went off of possible Russian attack  forcing people to seek shelter.

- President Trump posted a video of him changing New Mexico State to New America

- A Hafgana is planned tomorrow at Kikar Shabbks for an American Yeshiva bochur who is in jail for 3 months following protects against the light rail construction in Yerushalayim.

The annual pre Rosh Hashana cleaning of the paper kvitlach from the Kosel

Hashkafa Q & A

Hashkafa With Rav Gershon Ribner Shlita

 

The Shaila that stumped the great Posek of all time Failed initiatives to solve shidduch crisis Halachic and ethical boundaries for Rabbinic interactions with women
 The one student who built up HG”R Nochum ז”ל The State of Israel's scorn of the chareidim

Essence of cantorship: voice, character, spirituality Generals of faith choose which battle matters most

Sunday September 6 News Updates Lakewood

 יום א סליחות שבוע של ראש השנה

Weather: 74° Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day.

24 Elul:  The 93rd Yartzeit of R' Yisrael Meir Kagan HaKohen of Radin, the Chofetz Chaim (1838-1933)

Last full Sunday before Sukkos due to calender schedule this year.

Bingo Yom Tov sale going on thru Sept 8

-Trump: Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico, one of the great vote cheating states of all time, to NEW AMERICA. So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Trump declares "The Moon is ours"

- Channel 13 reports: The drama within Degel HaTorah party Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, the senior rabbinic authority of Degel HaTorah, is refusing to sign today on the removal of Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev. Rav Berel Povarsky, head of the Ponevezh Yeshiva, is also refusing to sign. They believe that ulterior considerations are behind the move to oust Gafni and Maklev.

- Update 5 killed and 5 injured. An Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 cargo jet overran the runway at Miami International Airport, crossed a perimeter road and caught fire. Heavy black smoke is visible across the area. The FAA has issued a ground stop. The flight was arriving from San Juan. Details on the crew remain limited. 

- A Cargo Plane Crashes Near Miami International Airport Runway unconfirmed reporte say  3 Dead & 1 Ground Fatality after it overruns the runway.

- The Belzer Rebbe was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for medical tests after not feeling well. He did not attend Selichos.  ישכר דוב בן מרים לרפו"ש

- Hanochas Even Hapina at Yeshiva Heichal  Hatalmud R'Y Rav Moshe Weiss shlita today 3:00pm Bellevue corner Newport st Lakewood

- Chanukas Habayis at Rachmastrivka  aisle Medrash in Lakewood on Oak and Vine intersection.

- Hachnosas sefer Torah to Bais Medrash Shvilei Dovid Oak n Vine procession leaving 4pm from 101 Oak st to the Bais Medrash 74 Broadway.

- Hachnosas Sefer Torah to Bais Medrash of Pine Street LKewood procession leaving from 1 Treeside at 5:30pm to the B"M.

- Hachnosas sefer Torah at BM Ohev Yisroel Opta at Oak N Vine procession leaving from 82 Wadsworth Lakewood at 6pm

- Breslov rabbonim urge those with draft issues with IDF to not attempt going to Uman but to spend Rosh Hashana in Miron instead.

- Trump: Canada’s (currency) Dollar imbalance with the U.S. is unacceptable. It has been that way for years - but no longer! President DJT

- The Lakewood BOE is set to hold a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to address courtesy busing and hazardous routes, The special session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 4:30 p.m., with the Board expected to discuss transportation for both public and private school. Meeting will be open to the public.

- Pre yom tov semi annual warehouse sale for women's and girls clothing will take place at American Dream mall tomorrow and Monday Labor day at the brand new event center 11am -8pm

- Shas moetzes keeps all incumbent knesset members for upcoming elections and adds new names

- Degel ousts MK Gafni and Maklev amid internal  turmoil followed by a letter sent motzei shabbos from Rav Dov Landau notifying of their  termination. Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch has not issued any statement or signed the letter.

- Agudah Ger rebbe instructed party that MK Goldknopf will remain in the kneesset.

- Deal, New Jersey known for its luxury estates, tops the list as the borough with the greatest increase in home prices, followed by Bay Head and Sea Girt all three Jersey shore towns the towns with the fastest growing home prices in Monmouth and Ocean counties: 

Deal Typical home value: $4,570,316

1-year price change: +$615,185 (+15.6%)

5-year price change: +$1,876,391 (+69.7%)

- Naftali Bennett announces B’Yachad list for October elections Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party is running on a joint list with Bennett, and the final list will include a merger between the two parties' members,

- Submitted: Some phones got an update over shabbos, asking people to sign in to their SMS. This is security vulnerability, it is NOT recommended to sign in or to give over any information; as this allows the app to see all your text messages.

- US peace envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv today Sunday as the Trump administration renewed its push to end Russia's four-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine, Report informs via Reuters.

Kushner and Witkoff travelled from Moscow, where ‌they held three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Shabbos but did not appear to secure a breakthrough in the conflict.

- President Trump and JD Vance are making it Possible for Stay Home Parents to Collect Federal child-care Subsidies, Possibly up to $9,000 per Child The Trump administration is drafting a rule change that would let married couples collect federal child-care subsidies if one spouse stays home with the kids while the other works. Critics say 9k is not enough to replace a salary plus childcare cost savings 

Selichos at the newly renovated Satmar  Rodney Bais Medrash in Williamsburg

Iran Israel Updates Sunday September

- US President Donald Trump posted two inverted maps of the Middle East on Truth Social, one showing Iran in its real shape while the other shows the country in the shape of his head's silhouette.

- Energy Secretary Chris Wright: "A nuclear deal with Iran may not happen; we will simply continue to destroy their ability to achieve it. Any agreement may have to wait for the next government in Iran; we don't know that yet."

- Ali Abdullahi, commander of the Iranian armed forces: "The expectation of the United States that Iran will surrender is an illusion that will never come true."

- Hezbollah fired drones at Israeli soldiers. Israel responded with fire. The IDF describes the coming days as “particularly sensitive,” partly due to the operation in the Beaufort area and the fact that Hezbollah and, to a certain extent, Iran as well have threatened to respond to the advance of ground forces beneath the Ali Taher Ridge.

- IDF Chief Warns of Tense Period During Surprise Drill: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a General Staff assessment as part of the surprise exercise “Dawn 2.0,” which began this morning. Zamir said the situation across all arenas is tense and volatile, stressing that the IDF is preparing for the upcoming holidays and maintaining readiness for a surprise attack.

- Israel Security Council issued a warning to Israelis traveling abroad: Iran’s Quds Force and Hamas abroad will intensify efforts to harm Israelis during the holiday period in countries around the world

 New York Times report: Iran has gained confidence in its ability to strike targets in the Middle East and appears determined to continue the confrontation for months to frustrate the United States, according to recent US intelligence reports.

- U.S. forces have destroyed three Iranian oil tankers after Iran attempted to fire ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships, according to CENTCOM. An aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer were targeted but not hit. 

No Americans were injured.

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper: “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost  taking out three of yours.”

- US Central Command: Thanks to the precision and professionalism of US service members, the oil tanker M/T Kylo sank today in the Gulf of Oman and joined the Iranian fleet on the seabed.

- NYP: “The Islamic Republic is allegedly plotting to repeat Hamas’ barbaric Oct. 7 attacks  which saw more Jews killed in a single day than any time since the Holocaust but this time with full coordination of their sprawling terrorist network, which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials have sought to revitalize its “Axis of Resistance” terrorist network and have held multiple planning meetings with leaders from Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iraqi militias about an escalation against Israel, the outlet reported.”

Motzei Shabbos Nitzavim Vayelech News Updates

 Tonight 64 clear tomorrow Cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day. High around 75F. Chance of rain 30%

Tomorrow is the only full Sunday before Sukkos.

                     במוצאי מנוחה קדמנוך תחילה 

- Selichos Motzei Shabbos in BMG at the Yoshon, Princton, Forest, Bais Aaron, Bais Sholom starting at 1:00am. Harav Yeruchom Olshin shlita will speak in Bais Aaron at 12:30 pm 4:35am in Zemel BM,5:15 an vasikin ,6:40am Carey BM

Lutzk motzei shabbos 12:45 Sunday morning before the 7/8/9 minyanim

- Khal Bnei Yissosscher Toms River 1767 Whitesville Selichos 10:00 pm,12:15am and 12:45 am and tomorrow Am minyanim

In light of the letter by gedolei EY against the musical selichos some have changed to are selichos kumzitz followed by with regular selichos.

- Political  Shakeup in Degel HaTorah party as Mk Moshe Gafni and Mk Uri Maklev are forced out after a lengthy career. Rav Dov Lando, sent letters to Moshe Gafni,  and Uri Maklev, thanking them for their years of service in the knesset citing the need to "refresh" the party's presence in the Knesset as the reason for the two members' departures and requested that Gafni remain the party's chairman.

-  The Lakewood Board of Education is set to hold a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to address courtesy busing and hazardous routes, The special session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 4:30 p.m., with the Board expected to discuss transportation for students attending nonpublic schools and, in particular, how Lakewood’s policies governing roads deemed hazardous should be applied under New Jersey law. The issue could have significant implications in Lakewood, where thousands of children who live within the state mileage limits for mandatory transportation nevertheless travel along heavily trafficked roads that the district itself has formally classified as hazardous. “A hazardous road is hazardous regardless of what school a child attends. Matzav.

 - The mayor of Jackson Township, New Jersey, is calling for the state’s sanctuary policies to be rolled back after an illegal immigrant struck a family in a grocery store parking lot, killing a 9-month-old baby. Mayor Jennifer Kuhn reveals that local police cannot contact ICE when they encounter someone who is undocumented — and that has to change.“Condolences at this point are not enough. Leadership needs to step in.”

- Trump officials draft plan that would pay parents to stay home & raise their children using federal child care funds. The program could be $9K per year for these families The goal: make it easier for married Americans to let one parent take care of the children, rather than both work and pay others to take care of the children This could create an incentive for parents to "stay at home with their chilren"

- Pre yom tov semi annual warehouse sale for women's and girls clothing will take place  at American Dream mall tomorrow and Monday Labor day at the brand new event center 11am -8pm

 - NYP: “The Islamic Republic is allegedly plotting to repeat Hamas’ barbaric Oct. 7 attacks — which saw more Jews killed in a single day than any time since the Holocaust — but this time with full coordination of their sprawling terrorist network, which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, according to the Jerusalem Post.Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials have sought to revitalize its “Axis of Resistance” terrorist network and have held multiple planning meetings with leaders from Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iraqi militias about an escalation against Israel, the outlet reported.”

Wearing the tallis of his his Grandfather, the Imrei Chaim the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rav Yisroel Hagar Shlita, led the first night of Selichos in the Beis Medrash Hagadol in Bnei Brak tonight.

Lakewood Zmanim ‌עש"ק פרשת נצבים וילך שביעי דנחמתא

Friday, September 4, 2026 / כ'ב אלול תשפ"ו ערב שבת פרשת נצבים-וילך
-Candle lighting: 7:05 pm
-Shkia/sunset: 7:23 pm

Weather shabbos tonight 66° Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible.

Shabbos day 81° Partly cloudy

Pirkei Avos 6

The Bris Avrohom of Slonim would say: Since Chazal write, “One day of the year can be considered like the complete year” (Rosh Hashanah 2b), it is possible for one to rehabilitate the entire year even on its final day. Certainly the same applies to the last Shabbos of the year: It is possible to elevate the Shabbosos of the entire year on this final Shabbos. His son in law, the Nesivos Shalom adds: Aside from the restoration of the past year that can be achieved on this final Shabbos, this Shabbos serves also as the gateway and preparation for the awesome Yomim Noraim of the following year

פרשת ׳ניצבים׳ נקראת תמיד בערב ראש השנה, כדי להנחיל מסר חשוב: ״אתם ניצבים היום כולכם״ - כשאתם יחד, באחדות, במצב של ׳כולכם׳ וכאיש אחד או אז אנו מובטחים כי נתייצב איתן ביום הדין, יום הרת-עולם, וניכתב לשנה טובה ומתוקה. ״ברכנו אבינו״ - כאשר ״כולנו כאחד״

Friday Sept 4 News Updates Lakewood

 Friday, September 4, 2026 / כ״ב אלול תשפ״ו ערב שבת פרשת נצבים-וילך

Candle lighting 7:05 pm

Shkiah/Sunset 7:23 pm

Weather: 86° Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. 

Tonight 66° Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible.

Shabbos day 81° Partly cloudy

Last shabbos of the year The Nesivos Shalom adds: Aside from the restoration of the past year that can be achieved on this final Shabbos, this Shabbos serves also as the gateway and preparation for the awesome Yomim Noraim of the following year.

Selichos begins this Motzei Shabbos. Rosh Hashana is next shabbos and Sunday. This coming Sunday is the last regular  Sunday before Sukkos.

This shabbos 23 Elul is the 25th yartzeit of the yidden who were killed in the September 11 attacks.

- Admor M"Kaliv will be spending shabbos in Lakewood at the Stamford Meadows community and selichos motzei shabbos will be in New Square.

- Rachmastrivka Oak and Vine will have Selichos at the new B"M building corner Oak and Vine Lakewood 

Sefardi chief Rabbi the Rishon L'Tzion Chacham David Yosef will be spending shabbos in Deal, New Jersey 

- Bingo/Misachei Lev Yom Tov sale going on now thru September 8. Side of Salmon $6.99 a LB

Wooden Sukka panel $35

Electric small car $5k at the Lakewood store

- Toms River’s zoning board has approved Rabbi Moshe Rotberg’s plan to expand Khal Zichron Yechezkel, an Orthodox synagogue on Old Freehold Road. The project will add 4,000 square feet to the existing 3,000-square-foot building, bringing it to about 7,000 square feet. App

- The Skver Rebbe’s son who was at the meeting with Trump said after learning 99.9% of New Square voted for him, Trump jokingly asked who the remaining 0.1% were.

- From the township meeting last night

Hazardous Route Busing: Mayor Coles said the Lakewood BOE will pay for courtesy busing for non-mandated public school students who live along hazardous routes. However, approximately 300 students will not be covered.

As for hazardous-route busing for yeshiva and private school students, the mayor said officials are looking into the issue, adding that the funding should go “across the board.”

A parent whose children attend a yeshiva on Cross Street told the mayor that the route is too dangerous for children to walk, while parents are still required to pay for LSTA. He questioned why the new budget does not include funding to help ensure the safety of children traveling to school.

- Budget Vote Delayed: The Lakewood Committee did not vote on the budget tonight. The budget still requires approval from the Division of Local Government Services and must be advertised again. The committee hopes to vote on the budget next month, before the fourth-quarter tax bills go out.

Terrorist attack thwarted near the kosel after selichos last night A 33-year-old knife-wielding attacker attempted to chase and stab Jews and Border Police officers in the Old City early Friday near shaar Shchem at Damascus gate. Police shot the terrorist, preventing casualties.

- Giyus: A Charedi dual American-Israeli citizen was arrested while attempting to leave Israel over alleged draft refusal, hours after rabbonim  met with President Trump about this specific  scenario  asking for diplomatic intervention on the arrests of American citizens by IDF military police.

- State employees in New Jersey next year will pay about 13.3% more for their health insurance premiums and local public workers will pay an average of 22% more under rate plans approved Thursday. This is the fourth consecutive year the 450,000 state, county, and local government workers and retirees who belong to the State Health Benefits Program have faced double-digit premium increases. This will increase property taxes across New Jersey.

- Trump: Great jobs number just announced, breaking all estimates (except mine!) by double and triple - And you haven’t seen anything yet! EMPLOYERS ADDED 162,000 JOB IN AUGUST. Lower the interest rates because the U.S.A. is a much stronger credit than it was just a short time ago! A STRONG COUNTRY MEANS A LOWER INTEREST RATE - IT’S A BETTER CREDIT…Very simple! We should have the LOWEST RATE of any country in the World, like “the old days.” Without the United States agreeing to allow them their big surpluses, and we could stop that immediately, they would no longer be considered financially ELITE! LOWER THE RATE OR I’LL STOP TRADING WITH COUNTRIES WITH WHICH WE HAVE A DEFICIT, which the U.S. Supreme Court, in its ridiculous and very costly Tariff decision, strongly acknowledged “the President” has an absolute right to do. ITS BETTER THAN TARIFFS! The Fed Board, with its great new leader, must get smart - BE PATRIOTS for a change. High interest rates put the U.S.A. at a very unfair disadvantage, and I won’t allow that to happen! President DONALD J. TRUMP

A Cordial and Historic White House Meeting: Chassidic Leaders Bring Community Concerns Directly to President Trump

Inside the White House Meeting: Reb Gedalia Segedin of Kiryas Yoel shares new Details of the Historic Gathering

                         White House photo 

A delegation of leading Chassidishe Rebbes, Roshei Yeshiva and community representatives met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, September 3, ahead of Rosh Hashanah. The gathering brought together senior rabbinic leaders representing major Chareidi communities in New York and New Jersey.

Among those present were the two Satmar Rebbes, the Bobover Rebbe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, and Rav Aharon Mendel Twersky, who represented his father, the Skverer Rebbe. Community representatives included Reb Gedalia Segedin and others. 

Kosher Food for Jewish Prisoners

One of the issues raised with administration officials was the difficulty Jewish inmates in federal prisons face in obtaining edible kosher food. The delegation explained that the kosher meals currently being provided can be problematic for frum inmates, while kosher meat and other kosher food products are more expensive than the standard daily food allowance allocated per prisoner.

A proposal was therefore presented to prepare ready-made kosher meals in Kiryas Joel kitchens. The community has facilities capable of producing large quantities of prepared food, and the delegation suggested that meals could be produced at a cost that would remain within, or close to, the government's existing per-inmate food allowance.

The proposal would potentially address two issues at once: providing Jewish inmates with genuinely edible kosher meals while avoiding a substantial increase in government expenditures.

Appreciation for the COVID-Era Reopening of Yeshivos and Batei Medrash

During the Oval Office meeting, the Kiryas Yoel Satmar Rebbe expressed appreciation to President Trump for his actions during the COVID-19 period that allowed batei medrash and Jewish institutions to reopen. The delegation emphasized the importance of being able to resume Torah learning and communal religious life at a time when many institutions were facing restrictions.

Vaccine Requirements and the Schools

Another subject discussed was New York State's vaccine requirements for children and their impact on yeshivos and Jewish schools. The delegation explained that the community should not be characterized as "anti-vax." Rather, the concern being raised was specifically about vaccination schedule and the practical consequences for schools and families

They thanked the president for the newly introduced child vaccine protocol lowering the amount of shots per well visit. Some Satmar schools had received fines from New York State for failing to comply with the state's vaccine protocols. The delegation explained that the new approach to the vaccination schedule would work substantially better for the schools and the communities they serve.

A Discussion About New York Politics

President Trump also asked the rabbinic leaders about voting patterns in New York, particularly why Democratic candidates continue to receive significant support in parts of the state. The response was that the community has to be pragmatic about politics.

The Chareidi communities do not have enough votes by themselves to flip or control every state legislative or congressional seat, and therefore their political approach must take into account who actually holds power in Albany and Washington. The explanation was essentially that political engagement is based on the practical interests of the community rather than simply on party identification.

The Question of Netanyahu

According to Segedin's account, President Trump also asked the Satmar Rebbes about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Jared Kushner was present during the discussion and reportedly waved off the subject, indicating to Trump that the Satmar leadership does not involve itself with Israeli politicians.

The publicly reported accounts confirm that Kushner joined the Oval Office meeting at Trump's request, but the specific Netanyahu exchange has not been independently reported in the sources reviewed here. 

The IDF Draft and Religious Freedom

A major issue raised with the president was the situation facing Chareidi yeshiva students in Israel amid the IDF draft crisis. The rabbinic delegation signed a letter asking President Trump to protect religious freedom for those who are being compelled to serve in the Israeli military despite their religious commitments. The appeal also raised the situation of American citizens who hold dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship and who have faced arrest or other restrictions connected to draft evasion.

The Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Malkiel Kotler, personally delivered the letter to President Trump. 

Trump Came Prepared

One of the more striking details from inside the meeting was the preparation President Trump had made beforehand. Trump reportedly had a card prepared for each Rebbe and Rosh Yeshiva who was attending. Each card included a photograph of the rabbinic leader as well as information about him and facts about the community he represents. The preparation appeared to impress the delegation and demonstrated that the president and his staff had made an effort to familiarize themselves with the individual leaders and the communities they represent.

Trump also appeared familiar with the communities' voting patterns. According to the reported account, he was told that he received approximately 98% of the vote in Kiryas Yoel and 100% in New Square.

The Meeting With Trump

Rav Aharon Teitelbaum first had a private meeting with President Trump, accompanied by Gedalia Segedin. The discussion lasted approximately 10–15 minutes and focused primarily on pidyon shvuyim and other urgent communal concerns, including the Chareidi draft crisis. 

The remaining delegation subsequently entered the Oval Office. At one point, Rav Aharon recited the traditional Hanosein Teshuah prayer for the welfare of the government. Segedin translated the prayer into English for President Trump. Trump then asked that Jared Kushner be brought into the room, reportedly saying that Kushner "must be here" for such distinguished guests. The meeting continued with discussions of the various communal issues and requests.

Additional Details from the White House Meeting

Preserving Jewish Cemeteries and Kevarim in Europe

Another issue brought before the president was the condition of Jewish cemeteries and kevarim throughout Europe. The delegation explained that many historic Jewish burial sites have been vandalized, neglected and allowed to fall into serious disrepair. These cemeteries are the resting places of generations of European Jewry and, for many communities, contain the kevarim of prominent Rabbonim and ancestors.

The delegation noted that previous U.S. administrations had recognized the importance of preserving Jewish cemeteries and had established efforts and committees to address the problem. They specifically referenced the administrations of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and asked President Trump to continue and strengthen those efforts.

The request was presented not simply as a historical or preservation matter, but as an issue of kavod ha'meis and the responsibility to protect Jewish burial places that remain vulnerable across Europe.

The Atmosphere Inside the White House

There had also been considerable discussion on social media beforehand about how the meeting might be received by various political groups, including elements of the right wing. According to those who were present, however, none of that was felt inside the meeting itself. The atmosphere was described as extremely friendly, cordial and respectful. The discussions were conducted in a calm and constructive manner, with the president listening to the concerns brought by the rabbinic delegation and engaging directly with the Rebbes and representatives.

Those present said there was no sense inside the room of the political controversy or social-media reaction that had surrounded the meeting from the outside. Instead, the focus remained on the issues affecting Jewish communities and on the opportunity to bring those concerns directly to the president.

The hope expressed afterward was that the meeting would ultimately have a positive practical effect and lead to concrete assistance on some of the issues raised particularly matters affecting frum Jews and Jewish communities in America.

For the delegation, the purpose of the meeting was not simply the symbolism of having Rebbes in the Oval Office. It was an opportunity to bring specific communal concerns to the highest level of government and to advocate for the needs of Jewish families, schools, prisoners, religious institutions and communities.

A Broad Representation of the Chareidi Community

The participants emphasized that the Rebbes and Roshei Yeshiva represented communities numbering well over 250,000 Jewish residents. The delegation's message was that these communities constitute a significant voting population, while at the same time their political strategy in New York is shaped by practical considerations and the realities of the state's political landscape. The meeting therefore served not only as an opportunity to express hakaras hatov to President Trump, but also to place a broad range of communal concerns directly before the president and senior administration officials.

LSTA Calls for Patience After a Disastrous Start to the School Year

The Lakewood School Transportation Association (LSTA) is asking families for patience ahead of the first Friday dismissal of the school year amid ongoing transportation challenges.

The first week of LSTA transportation has been disastrous for many. Families have reported buses not showing up, major delays, skipped and ignored stops, students being dropped at the wrong schools, and children arriving early at locked schools without adult supervision. Some children have been left waiting for more than 90 minutes, while others have had to walk along dangerous roads or rely on parents for last-minute carpool transportation. There have also been reports of drivers not knowing their assigned routes or stops, ignoring scheduled stops, and students from different schools riding together and struggling to get along, creating additional challenges that drivers were not prepared for. 

LSTA said in a message sent to parents  that last-minute changes to Lakewood’s non-mandated transportation subsidy forced a major redesign of the transportation system in approximately 10 days, with much of the rerouting completed within 72 hours. Routes were consolidated, vendors were reassigned, and driver schedules had to be rebuilt.

According to LSTA, vendors received their final routes Sunday night after the opt-in/opt-out process was completed. Despite the compressed timeline, vendors and drivers worked quickly to put the new system into operation.

LSTA said there had been discussion about delaying transportation, but officials ultimately decided it was better to begin on schedule, even if the initial rollout was challenging.

With Friday’s first dismissal approaching, LSTA cautioned that Friday transportation can be difficult even under normal circumstances and asked parents to remain patient and understanding while the system stabilizes.

The organization noted that it faced a similar challenge about 10 years ago and eventually worked through it. LSTA emphasized that the current situation will not be resolved overnight but said its focus is now on getting routes and schedules back into a normal rhythm.

LSTA also thanked parents for their patience and expressed appreciation for the vendors and drivers working to keep transportation running during the transition.

Oif Simchas Thurs 22 Elul

Chasunas:

Ribiat - Bass Ateres Esther

Portnoy  - Zlotowitz Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Chazon - Aizekovich Fountain Ballroom 

Gutterman Cedar Palace

Silverman  - Schreiber Ne'emas Hachaim 

Chumash Shiur by Harav Yeruchom Olshin shlita 11:30 pm at B"M Ateres Bracha live 646-726-9977

LPD Traffic Alert: Joe Parker Rd will be closed from Cedarwood Dr to Brookfield Dr for planned County construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

Iran Israel Updates Thurs Sept 3

- Israel is preparing for a possible resumption of war with Iran. Officials warn of serious signs that Tehran may be considering renewed hostilities. A political source says the Iranian regime may see a return to war as its only way out, while Defense Minister Israel Katz holds a situation assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and senior defense officials.

-IDF: A short while ago, fire was identified toward IDF troops operating east of the Yellow Line in the northern Gaza Strip. No IDF injuries were reported. The IDF struck in the area.

This constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The IDF views with severity the attempts by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to advance and execute attacks against IDF troops operating in the area.

- IDF announces: Our forces have achieved operational control over the Ali Tahr ridge, both above and below ground, and have cleared the area of Hezbollah terrorists. Some of the terrorists were killed, while others fled the area.

-  PM Netanyahu before the IDF General Staff Forum: "I am convinced of our ability to topple the Iranian regime. This is the central mission, and it is close."

- Vance on Iran: "I wouldn't call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting. I recognize there have been places where this has flared up. Major combat operations lasted about six weeks. You're asking me a question, like, when will the Iranians stop shooting at ships? I think the reality is, I don't know the answer to that question... You would have to ask the Iranians

- IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the military must expand its personnel pool, force structure, and advanced capabilities to meet growing missions. He said that since 7 October, Israel has fundamentally changed its security doctrine from containment to eliminating threats in advance.

Lebanese Reports: IDF Strikes Southern Lebanon: Lebanese media reported Israeli strikes in Al-Mansouri near Tyre and in the Ali Taher ridge area.

Thursday Sept 3 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 87° Sunshine and clouds mixed.

Heat advisory in effect from 11am to 8pm today Heat index values up to 100 degrees expected.

Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low near 70F. Chance of rain 50%.

- Traffic Tonight on Central  Ave and Rt 9 following a 3 car accident with a women in serious condition that had to be extracted from her vehicle. This follows a string of serious accidents and pedestrian struck in the last few days

- Lakewood BOE will be paying courtesy buaing for Non mandated public school students for hazardous routes according to Mayor Coles. A total of 300 students won't be covered. As for hazardous busing  for yeshiva and private school students the mayor says they are looking into it as the money should go across the board. The mayor responded to a parent who hs children in yeshiva on Cross St that it's too dangerous to walk yet we are forced to pay for LSTA  why is there no money allocated for safety of children getting to school in the new budget he asked.

Lakewood committee did NOT vote on the budget tonight at the meeting since there needs to be approval from the Division of Local government and it has to be advertised again. The committee hopes to vote on it next month. Before the 4th quarter tax bills go out.

- Three people were killed by illegals in car accidents in the Jackson Lakewood area in the  lat year including a mother and daughter by a DWI accident and last week a 9 month old in Jackson. NJ law that was recently passed prevents local police from sharing information with ICE about criminals that could have them taken off the streets. Assemblyman Schnal voted in favor of the bill. Assemblyman Sean Kean voted against it.

- ICE agents made some arrests today in the Toms River area.

- Recap of Historic neeting of Admorim and Rosh Yeshiva today with President Trump at the Whitehouse.

The delegation met with senior U.S. officials and President Trump, where they discussed major concerns facing the Jewish community, including education, antisemitism, security, Jewish cemeteries in Europe, prisons, and the issue of military conscription in Israel. Vice President J.D. Vance also joined the meeting. In the Oval Office, the rabbis were introduced to President Trump, and the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel delivered a blessing before raising the issue of giyus. President Trump also spoke about his support for Israel.

- A Chanukas Habayis will take place for the New Rachmastrivka Bais Medrash in Lakewood at the corner of Oak and Vine streets. The shul will open motzei shabbos for the first selichos with a chanukas Habayis event on Sunday.

- Lakewood township committee meeting today and vote to adopt the 2026 budget with major tax increase. Virtual only watch livestream Here see Agenda Here Items on agenda land sales, vacating street at N.Monterey, asking a waiver from finance board to raise taxes. Comments may be made live via Cisco-WebEx; or during the meeting via comments@lakewoodnj.gov Please include your name and address for the record.

- LSTA the school year has started with major transportation problems, including buses not showing up, significant delays, skipped stops, students being dropped at the wrong schools, and children arriving  early at locked schools without adult supervision. Some children have been left waiting over 90 minutes, while others have had to walk along dangerous roads or have parents scramble for last-minute transportation. Families are frustrated and concerned about student safety and the lack of reliable communication.

- Turmoil in Degel HaTorah party as there's a push from within to replace MK Gafni and Maklev with others and promoting MK Asher and Pindrus. A final ruling by gedolim is yet to come.

- At a chasunah in Lakewood this week , NJ Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Dr. Dale Caldwell was given a special honor placing the glass on the floor  at the chossons feet that he would break  under the chupa.

- The Basimta café in Yerushalayim will close for shabbos following weeks of hafganos by ehrliche yidden from the surrounding neighborhoods. The owner said it 'Became a focal point of friction and danger and he wants to lower the flames.

- Giyus there are currently 46 sitting in jail for draft dodging.

- Giyus: The Bagatz high Court Strikes Down Law Freezing Arrests of Charedi Draft Dodgers: All 9 High Court justices ruled that the amendment must be repealed because it had not properly passed a first reading under Section 85 of the Knesset rules. A majority of 8 also found that it severely violated the constitutional right to equality by shielding charedi draft dodgers while others remained subject to arrest.

- Newark Airport in New Jersey has just launched Facial Recognition Check Ins. It is a biometric eGate that allows travelers to pass through security checkpoints using only a facial scan being introduced for united Terminal C. Before arriving at the airport, you must opt into the program. You upload your passport details and Known Traveler Number (KTN) into your active United Airlines profile via their app.

- NJ Gov Mikie Sherrill: Ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to reflect on a day that forever changed our nation. We mourn the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including nearly 700 New Jerseyans, and remember the families forever changed. We honor the extraordinary bravery of the first responders who ran toward danger. 25 years later, we carry their memory forward through remembrance and service.

- Governor Mikie Sherrill: Once again, Donald Trump is using the federal government to punish those he sees as his political enemies, and everyday New Jerseyans are paying the price. Natural disasters don’t care about political parties. When FEMA agreed that disaster relief was warranted, Donald Trump overruled the experts – and common sense – leaving New Jersey taxpayers holding the $84 million bag. During a winter of unprecedented, back-to-back extreme storms, our workers and towns rose to the occasion and got their communities up and running again, and they should not be punished for doing so. While the President may be willing to turn his back on communities for his petty politics, my Administration will continue fighting to ensure New Jersey communities have the resources they need to prepare, respond, and recover when disaster strikes. 

- At least 93 towns across New Jersey have banned the construction of data centers over the past several  months. However, the Sherrill administration is resisting calls from groups pushing for a statewide moratorium on data centers, favoring instead a piecemeal approach

- Trump: For the treasonous SCUM that refuses to accurately report on our Military Operation in Iran, we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War (which is highly unlikely!), that could improbably take place. In addition, we are producing Munitions at levels never seen before. We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that could happen. We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again, begin. Also, please let it be known, that the Biden Administration gave far more Munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

- Four Toms River Township Council members have had their pay suspended after failing to complete a local government course required under township law, according to Mayor Dan Rodrick’s administration. At issue is whether the elected officials satisfied a township requirement for training on local government.

Historic White House Visit: Leading Chasidishe Rebbes and Roshei Yeshiva Set to Meet President Trump Ahead of Rosh Hashanah

Five prominent American Torah leaders including the Rebbes of Satmar, Bobov and Vizhnitz, Rav Malkiel Kotler, and Rabbi Aharon Mendel Twersky representing the Skverer Rebbe are scheduled to meet privately with President Trump at the White House today ahead of Rosh Hashanah. The meeting will be an opportunity to express appreciation for the President’s support of the charedi community and to advocate for key issues facing the community. Reports say there's a possibility to raise Israel's yeshiva draft crisis directly with the president.

They have departed  this morning from area airports  including  Belmar near Lakewood, Teterboro, NJ and  Stuart  airport near Monroe and scheduled to arrive at the White house by 12pm. The White House listed the meeting for 12:30 p.m. as a “policy meeting.”

The Jewish people are accompanying the Rabbonim with heartfelt prayers to “Hanosen Teshuah LaMelachim” the prayer for the welfare and success of kings that their words should find favor in the eyes of both God and man, and that the visit should be crowned with success for the benefit of the Torah-observant Jewish community.

Updates:

Headlines on social media: Trump Hosts Anti-Zionist Hasidic Rabbis at White House.

- The White House has yet to publish the official photos of the visit.

-Reporter Aryeh Erlich Satmar rebbe Reb Zalman Leib asked the president to keep our brothers in Israel regarding the military draft.

- New report from Yossi Geatetner

Some new details from today's historic Oval Office meeting:

In the Oval Office seating arrangement, Rav Malkiel Kotler was seated first, followed by Satmar Rebbe Reb Zalmen Leib and then Satmar Rebbe Reb Ahron.

Vice President JD Vance joined the meeting midway and personally greeted those seated around the table. 

Vance praised the Jewish community’s strong emphasis on family and education, saying both are issues close to him. 

At one point, he asked about the different colors of the Rebbes’ bekitches. 

Yossi Gestetner jokingly replied that “it depends on their bank account balance,” drawing laughter from the room. 

Congressman Mike Lawler and Jared Kushner were also present.

Martin Marks, the White House Jewish liaison, opened the meeting, followed by remarks from White House staff secretary will scharf

Yoeli Rosenfeld of Bobov, Rabbi Segedin of Satmar, Skver Mayor Yisroel Moshe Spitzer and others raised community concerns, with significant attention given to conditions facing Jewish prisoners in federal and state prisons across the country.

Upon arriving at the meeting, the two Satmar Rebbes warmly greeted each other and exchanged brachos. Reb Ahron also wished his brother Reb Reb Zalmen Leib  Mazel Tov on the engagement of a grandchild that was finalized the previous night.

Discussion points included protecting Chareidi educational independence from New York state requirements.

The Viznitz Rebbe of Monsey arrived slightly late and therefore missed the official White House group photo. 

Later, Satmar Rebbe Reb Ahron held a private roughly 10-minute meeting with President Trump together with Jared Kushner, after which the other Rabbonim were brought into the Oval Office. 

Reb Ahron made the bracha on President Trump, which Rabbi Segedin translated for the president.

White House Jewish liaison Martin Marks organized the gathering over several months as a chance for New Year greetings and appreciation of administration support for Orthodox institutions.

-Trump presented  the rabbonim with a token presidential coin after the meeting. 

- Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva was asked to say a few words in English by the Satmar rebbe ,the RY declined  and took out a letter in a envelope and gave it directly to  president Trump. 

The president was in a good mood and cracked some jokes throughout the conversation with  the rabbonin per reporter Jake Turx on Kol Mevaser. He listened to the issue of Giyus but didn’t respond.

Recap: The delegation met with senior U.S. officials and President Trump, where they discussed major concerns facing the Jewish community, including education, antisemitism, security, Jewish cemeteries in Europe, prisons, and the issue of military conscription in Israel. Vice President J.D. Vance also joined the meeting. In the Oval Office, the rabbis were introduced to President Trump, and the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel delivered a prayer before raising the issue of giyus. President Trump also spoke about his support for Israel.

The satmar rebbe of Monroe was the only one to have a private meeting for 10 minutes.

The IDF draft gezeiras Giyus was brought up at the meeting with president Trump.

3:50 Meeting concludes Rabbonim leave the West wing of the WH and head back home to the airports. Reports say the Satmar rebbe brothers shook hands and wished mazel tov on a family simcha and a ksiva vachasima Tova.

Trump asked the Stamer rebbes if they are twins, they responded we are brothers.

- Satmar rebbe Rav Aaron recited the Tefillah of Hanosen Teshuah Lemelochim  followed by a Bracha in English by Monroe Askan Gedalya Segedin. Both met privately with Trump in the Oval office for 10 minutes. 

Jared Kushner was in attendance at the meeting. 

Vice president JD Vance met with the delegation and inquired about the different types of Bekitches the rebbes wear someone quipped it depends on what's in the bank account. 

- 3:30 pm Meeting  underway per kol Mevaser interview with Yossi Gestetner. The rabbonim are seating opposite each other on 2 sides of the table. Both Satmar rebbes are sitting on the same side with the Vizhnitz and Skver among others. Opposite them is Rav Malkiel Kotler  sitting closer to the door of the oval office and The Bobover rebbe.

Reporter Jake Turx on kol mevaser said the meeting van go longer based on the questions and conversation set by the president. There's no phones or reporters allowed inside so no information will come out until after the meeting.

- Meeting  with Trump was scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm

- Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva was asked by reporter Jake Turx if he will make the Bracha recited for kings the RY responded that he's not planning to say with Shem Umalchus after he consulted with poskim.

- Reporter Aryeh Ehrlich says the White house staff told the Delegation of Rabbonim not to bring up the IDF military draft and gezeiras giyus with the president following pressure from Jewish and Israeli organizations 

Photos  Admorim visit to Washington (credit to the photographers) 

                   Satmar rebbes with Trump

Credit  JDN

                             White house schedule