Thursday, March 19, 2026

Iran War Updates Thursday March 19

2:00 pm


- EL AL announced a limited flight schedule for March 21–28 ahead of Pesach due to security restrictions. Flights will operate to 12 destinations (including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, major European cities, and select Asian locations), with passengers automatically reassigned if applicable. Flights to Rome, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Warsaw are canceled, with possible additions if restrictions ease.

- Japan Reporter: Why didn’t you inform allies before attacking Iran?
Trump: We wanted surprise who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?

- Trump: I'm not planning to send ground forces anywhere. We're advancing in the war faster than expected.

 - Trump: “We are seeing defections at all levels as they're starting to sense what's going on with the regime... The regime will probably collapse within itself. There's a lot of military defections also... I don't blame them

- Trump about Bibi attacking oil fields : “I told him (Bibi), 'Don't do that' and he won't do that. We're independent, but get along great. It's coordinated, but on occasion he'll do something and if I don't like it so we're not doing that."

-Four people are injured in a Hezbollah rocket attack on a residential building in Kiryat Shmona.
MDA says it treated a man in his 60s in serious condition who sustained a shrapnel injury, a woman aged 68 who was injured in the head, and two men in their 20s who were lightly hurt by a blast.

- Latest barrage from Iran: hit on the refineries in chaifa from a interception debris 

- Israel Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen: "The damage to the electricity grid in the north is localized and not significant. The Electric Company teams are already on the ground and have restored electricity to most of those who were disconnected. Additionally, in the northern barrage, there was no significant damage to infrastructure sites in the State of Israel."

- Incoming missiles from Iran alerts issued for Yerushalayim and Central regions 

- Flights out:  there's still many Anericans trying to get home for Pesach and the cancelations are making it harder to find tickets for outgoing flights. Lalechet has a planned charter flights leaving next week  with a stop over in Bucharest for $2400

-Israir notes that cancellations apply only to regularly scheduled flights and do not include repatriation flights that are currently continuing to operate to and from Ben Gurion Airport, according to the outline determined by the Transportation Ministry.

- Oil, gas prices soar after strikes on energy sites

- Iran fires 8th barrage at Israel since midnight

- Since this morning, Iran has attacked energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait

- United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that the US will today carry out “the largest strike package yet” “To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. That is not incremental. That is overwhelming force applied with precision.

- Israir announces the cancellation of the original flight schedule that was planned prior to the war, until March 31, 2026.

- Saudi Arabia threatens military response against Iran.

- Reuters report: The Yanbu port on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, currently the country's main port for oil exports and located more than 1,000 kilometers from Iran and the Persian Gulf, was attacked from the air this morning. According to the report, minor damage was caused

- Senior Israeli sources believe that the Iranian regime is nearing collapse amid ongoing targeted eliminations and strikes, with leadership reportedly in chaos. These sources say “unusual and powerful actions” are planned to further destabilize the fanatical regime and demonstrate to the Iranian public that the Ayatollahs’.(Marc Zell)

- Washington Post: Drones were spotted during one night in the last 10 days over the US military base Fort McNair in Washington, DC, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reside

-Treasury Secretary Bessent: In the coming days, we may unsanction Iranian oil that’s on the water.

- Hegseth: The media wants you to think 19 days in, we're spinning toward an endless abyss or a forever war. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

- WSJ: Gulf countries say "the only acceptable outcome of the war would be an Iran so defanged and enfeebled that it could never imperil its neighbors again."

Hashkafa Q&A

Hashkafa with Rav Gershon Ribner shlita

The Rov who wouldn't comply with shul policy to disconnect cellphones Arousing Divine assistance when purchasing a lottery ticket Reaching out to one who partially abandoned yiddishkeit due to loneliness Rav Solomon demonstrated how every Mashgiach must execute his role When to deviate from the noble tradition of baking Challah When, how, and who may point out deficiencies of Gedolai Yisroel

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Oif Simchas Wednesday ראש חודש ניסן

יעלה ויבוא 
Margolies - Ginzberg Cedar Palace 
Spira – Schoen Lake Terrace
Landinsky – Rand Fountain Ballroom
Brander – Posen Ateres Reva
Wenger – Nadoff Bais Faiga
Wiegder – Horowitz Ateres Esther
Fisher – Blum Ateres Chaim Elazar
Phillip – Ilowitz Ne'emas Hachaim
Kaufman  - Silberberg Ateres Bluma
Shoshana - Revach Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

 

 

 

Wednesday March 18 News Updates Lakewood

                            ערב ראש חודש ניסן תשפ"ו
 Weather: 36° Plenty of sunshine. shabbos and Sunday temps will be in the 60's but than gets cols again next week in the 50's and 40's


- Tragedy  in Bloominburg, NY A 64-year-old man R' Yitzchok Dovid  ann Z"L waa niftar fro a house fire in Bloomingburg. He was found in critical condition by responders and later died from his injuries. Three  Sifrei Torah ls in his home were saved, and he is survived by a daughter in Israel. He lived in the community for 15 years

-New Jersey Assembly is now scheduled to vote two ICE-related bills during its March 23rd voting session. The two bills, which former Governor Phil Murphy pocket-vetoed on his final day in office, aims to codify the Attorney General’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive into law, an order that restricts when state, county, and local law enforcement can aid federal immigration authorities, while the other limits information‑sharing with federal authorities.(one jersey) Assemblyman Schnall previously voted yes to both. 

- World Health Organization officials prepare for a "nuclear catastrophe" if U.S.-Israel war with Iran escalates Politico

- Coming soon to other towns in New Jersey, Grubhub has launched a three-month pilot program in New Jersey, introducing drone-powered food delivery for the first time in the state. The service operates out of Wonder in Somerset County, about 30 miles southwest of Manhattan. Eligible customers within a 2.5-mile radius can order through the Grubhub app and select drone delivery at no extra cost beyond standard fees.

- Pesach cleaning service lawn signs are beginning to appear along roadways, advertising help for the busy pre-yontif season, as bochurim return home and many yeshivos conclude the zman tomorrow. 

- Tefillos for the Rav of Bnei Brak Rav Shevach Rosenblatt who underwent emergency surgery and is in need of rachmei shamayim name for Tehillim שבח צבי בן דינה מרים
 
- Tragedy in Egypt a  Israeli  breslover yid on the way to Uman was killed in a car accident in the Sinai heading to Sharm El Sheikh  while his friend was injured no more information at the time 

- The YWN yeshiva world news  website was hacked seemingly by pro Iranian hackers.

- Shiva for Reb Mair Wolofsky Z"L will be at 230 Crest Hill Rd Toms River, NJ shachris 8:30am MIncha/Maariv 7:00 pm please avoid visiting after 10 pm 

- Bolini Hats located at Marcy's in Lakewood has opened a new location in Crown Heights called Maestro. The store is led by Chaim Mizrachi, a well-known figure in the hat world for over 20 years the store is located on Kingston Avenue .

- Amazon Rolls Out 1-Hour Delivery and 3-hour delivery options across the U.S., bringing tens of thousands of products to your door in record time… for a price.

- Tulsi Gabbard confirms that the man who attacked the Michigan synagogue had familial ties to a Hezbollah leader.

- More than 56% of New Jerseyans were projected to opt for cremation in 2025, instead of traditional burial according to a recent National Funeral Directors Association report, a figure expected to surge to 78.8% by 2045. Nationally, 63.4% of Americans were expected to choose cremation in 2025, with projections reaching 82.3% by 2045.

- Secretary Marco Rubio The United States congratulates Argentina as it begins its presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. At a time of rising Holocaust distortion and denial, IHRA's leadership is vital. We commend President Milei’s commitment to sharing truth and honoring survivors.

- Summer travel from Israel is expected to be expensive and uncertain due to limited flights, slow airline return, and high demand. If conditions improve, flights may gradually resume, but continued conflict could lead to major disruptions or even cancellations for much of the summer season.



Zmanim of Minyanim for Mincha and Yom Kippur Koton ערב ראש חודש ניסן תשפ'ו

 Minyanim Mincha Yom Kippur Koton ער"ח ניסן Lakewood
 Zmanim of Minyanim for Mincha and Yom Kippur Koton ערב ראש חודש ניסן תשפ'ו 
 Rosh Chodesh Nissan is Thursday

 Please post additional minyanim or corrections in the comments section. For more zmanim see Lakewood Luach Here 


- Satmar Forest ave 1:35 , 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 5:00 6:00 7:30

- Lutzk 1:45 BM, 3:00, 4"00 5:00 6:00 in the simcha hall

Iran War Updates Wed March 18

11:30 pm. Refresh for updates 

- Sirens again activated in north as Iran launches another missile attack. Alerts are activated in communities across northern Israel as Iran fires another ballistic missile salvo toward the country

- Axios reports Contrary to Trump’s statements, below, senior Israeli and U.S. officials said that the United States had prior knowledge of the Israeli strike and even approved it in an attempt to pressure Iran. After the Iranians retaliated against Qatar’s gas fields, Trump is now changing course

- Trump: “Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen. Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar’s LNG Gas facility. NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar - In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before. I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar’s LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

- Incoming missiles from Iran red alerts issued for central regions.

- After Missile Damage To Private Planes, Israel Resumes Passenger Cap
El Al update: “Following a directive from the Home Front Command to reduce the number of passengers departing on flights to the United States by 50%, to approximately 130 passengers per flight, about half of the passengers currently booked on these flights are expected to receive cancellation notifications El Al’s 787-9 Dreamliners have a capacity of 293 passengers, so that means many passengers will be receiving cancellation notices shortly. per DD

-Impacts in Tel Aviv and Lachish  from cluster bomb missile one injured in serious condition 

- Report of impact in Arab town of Jaljulia in central Israel as Iran launched cluster warhead missile 5 injured.

-Iranian cluster bomb attack in central Israel Impacts reported
A foreign worker in his 20's from Thailand was killed by falling fragments  in moshav Adanim Police and medics say they’re responding to reports of impacts in central Israel after Iran’s latest ballistic missile attack. with a cluster bomb warhead 

- WSJ reports President Trump opposes further strikes on Iranian energy facilities after Israel attacked a key gas field.

- 4 women killed in a bridal salon in the Arab Village of  Bet Awwa near Chevron from a Iranian missile.

- Reports of a few Palestinian arabs killed in Har Chvevron area from an Iranian rocket (Hillel Biton Rosen)

Iranian missile hit southern areas a house in Moshav Neta was heavily damaged no reports of injuries 

- Lalechet will be operating a charter flight out of Ben gurion airport to JFK next week march 25 and 26 starting at $2,395.00 the flight will have a 4 our stopover in Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport on Romania 

- Qatar expels Iranian diplomats following tonight's attack. Following the Iranian attack tonight on the oil and gas facilities i

- Multiple explosions are reported in the Iranian port city of Bandar Anzali, on the coast of the Caspian Sea, as the Israeli Air Force carries out strikes in the area. According to Israeli officials, the strikes are targeting Iranian Navy vessels

- Israeli airspace is now closed for non-rescue flights until at least noon on Tuesday, 3/31.

- Hezbollah rocket fire targets Gaza border area for first time in current conflict.
Sirens sound in several Gaza border communities amid long-range Hezbollah rocket fire from Lebanon. The long-range projectiles struck open areas no injuries reported, according to the military. It apparently marks the first time Hezbollah has targeted the Gaza border area, located 124 miles from Lebanon. Hezbollah has been known to possess missiles that can reach practically everywhere in Israel. (TOI)

- After the threat from Iran, in Qatar, they report an Iranian attack on the world's largest natural gas export facility

- Vice President Vance and senior officials in the Trump administration will meet tomorrow with senior figures in the US oil industry, in an attempt to curb the temporary rise in fuel prices following the war with Iran (Bloomberg)

- Missiles in the north several impact sites one in Korean Bialik with no injuries reported.



- Tesla announces that the use of superchargers across Israel will be made free “temporarily” amidst the war. 

- Three people are lightly injured by Iran's latest ballistic missile attack on Israel, medics say.
In Petah Tikva, the Magen David Adom ambulance service says it is treating a 44-year-old man and two children aged 13 and 12, who were hurt by a blast. Several cluster munition impact sites were reported in central Israel, one of which caused damage to a home.

-Trying to escape a harsh consequence after Israel attacked Iranian energy infrastructure?  
Qatar condemns Israel: The attack on gas facilities in Iran is a dangerous and irresponsible step.(Amit Segal)

- Incoming missiles towards Eilat area

- El Al has announced that due to reduced operations, all flights departing from Israel between March 22–28 to certain destinations will be canceled, including routes to Tbilisi, Budapest, Zurich, Barcelona, Belgrade, Berlin, Boston, Batumi, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Heraklion, Krakow, Larnaca, London Luton, Lyon, Marseille, Bucharest, Paphos, Prague, Chisinau, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Salzburg, Podgorica, Tirana, Tivat, Venice, and Vienna. Both the outbound and return flights on these routes will be canceled, and at this time the airline is unable to offer alternative flights to those destinations. However, passengers whose original destination was in the United States may be rebooked to other active U.S. gateways, subject to availability.

- Over the last few days, Iranian missile shrapnel caused damage to 3 private jets, one of the jets caught fire. As a result, Israel’s transportation authority is considering reducing the number of passengers on each departing flight

- Israel attacked the gas plant in close coordination with the US. It is the largest plant of its kind in Iran. The assessment is that the operation is part of a new and broader course of the war to break the terror regime.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are now issuing evacuation warnings for the refineries in Chaifa, Israel  as well is other energy facilities across the middle east.

Iran is likely to respond by attempting to target energy infrastructure in Israel and possibly across the region.(Israel Hayom)

- Trump: “I wonder what would happen if we “finished off” what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called “Straight?” That would get some of our non-responsive “Allies” in gear, and fast!!! President DJT”

- An elderly couple, identified as Yaron and1 Ilana Moshe HY"D were killed early Wednesday morning in Ramat Gan by a cluster missile as Iran continued to fire salvoes at Israel through the night and into the morning.
From midnight to 8 a.m., there were four rounds of missile fire that caused injuries and damage to property.

-  Israel says it killed Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmaeil Khatib, was killed in an airstrike in Iran overnight and hit internal security forces

- United Airlines canceled all direct flights to Israel through June 14.

- Hezbollah launched a barrage of dozens of rockets at northern Israel and the northern West Bank Tuesday evening, one of which hit a home in the city of Karmiel, though nobody was hurt.

- Defense Minister: Significant surprises are expected today across all fronts, which will escalate the war to a higher level.

- A Igud flight through Egypt left this morning from Yerushalayim on the  way to NY including hundreds of American bochurim seminary girls and adults.

- Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter: It is inappropriate, and what is really immoral and unacceptable, is to resign and then blame the Jews. To blame the Jews for everything you don't like has a name. It has a history. And both are ugly. We will continue to do what is right. 

- The IDF is preparing to attack the bridges crossing the Litani River and cut off Southern Lebanon from the north

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Oif Simchas/Events Tuesday 29 Adar

Chasunas:
Gutwein -Steiner neemas Hachaim
Klinger - Adler Cedar Plaace
Kaplowitz - Heller Ateres Chaim Elazar 
 Stern - Kenzer Ateres Reva
Hershko - Bloch Kesser Moshe Yehuda 
Eiginer - Rossman Fountain Ballroom 

-Divrei Hesped for Habachur Refoel Chaim Shar Yashuv Scheinerman Z"L at Somerset Walk shul after the 8pm Maariv

- Divrei hesped commemorating 40th Yartzeif of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky ZTL at Yeshiva Ktana

Tuesday March 17 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: 41° Sun and clouds mixed. High 41F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.


- Fire at Evergreen plaza on top of J2 pizza in Lakewood this evening, big emergency response

- Yom Tefillah tomorrow erev Rosh chodesh Nissan  in Yerushalayim with signs calling on everyone to say kapitlach Tehillim.

- All non-essential personnel have been ordered to immediately depart Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst in New Jersey and the base has been raised to Force Protection Condition (FPCON): Charlie; following reports that “multiple suspicious packages” has been found on base, with a major police response underway

- Gas prices at the Jersey Shore have jumped nearly 60 cents, with the local average hitting $3.89 per gallon.

- Bingo Pesach sale deadline today 

- Mysterious shaking reported in N.J., cause unknown . Residents on social media are reporting mysterious shaking felt in Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties, and the source remains unknown. So far, there have been no earthquakes in our region confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition, there are no reports of large meteors seen or heard today by New Jersey residents. Nick Pittman, a weather forecaster based in South Jersey, says the shaking may have been caused by a sonic boom, although there’s no way to know for sure.

- N.J. weather: No tornadoes confirmed despite snapped poles, downed trees, other storm damage County Line Road has been closed all morning between Somerset Avenue and Twin Oaks Drive due to the downed poles and utility wires from last nights storm

- A special asifah in Lakewood will mark the 40th yahrtzeit of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Yeshiva K’tana of Lakewood. Prominent rabbanim will speak, and Maariv will follow. An Ezras Nashim will be available.

-BDE: Petirah of R’ Meir Wolofsky z”l, formerly of Flatbush and later of Toms River following an illness. The levaya will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Chapel, followed by an additional levaya at 6:00 p.m. at the Boston Bais Medrash in Flatbush (2822 Ave. J). Kevurah will be in Eretz Yisroel.He is survived by his children and was the father-in-law of the noted baal tzedakah R’ Chuny Herzka of lakewood 

- Jackson officials announced that the first day of in-person inspections by the township’s newly established Rental Safety Bureau resulted in multiple rental violations and the discovery of suspected criminal activity. Mayor Jennifer Kuhn said inspections conducted on March 16 marked the first day bureau staff carried out in-person checks of rental properties across the township. According to township officials, 50% of the properties inspected were found to have rental violations.

- There is growing anger and frustration directed at El Al, and the state dept as many feel the airline has not met expectations despite receiving special funding support from the U.S. State Department for evacuation flights.Numerous travelers remain stranded with limited options to return home, People are urged to call their representatives in Congress and ask them to pressure the State Department to resume operating rescue flights out of Tel Aviv.

- Antisemitisim in New Jersey Paradise lost? Waves of anti-Zionist protesters targeted Teaneck after the Oct. 7 attack, surrounding synagogues and municipal buildings while shouting antisemitic threats.Mayor Mark Schwartz says the incidents marked the start of a sustained rise in antisemitism, changing the character of what was once known as a diverse and harmonious community. a NJ.com report 

- First statement by President Trump on Joe Kent following his resignation today as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, citing the Iran War and Israel:
“Well, I read his statement. I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security. I didn't know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy. But when I read his statement, I realized that it's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat. Every country realized what a threat Iran was. The question is whether or not they wanted to do something about it. And many people, many of the greatest military scholars are saying for years that the President should have taken out Iran because they wanted a nuclear weapon.”

Iran War Updates Tuesday March 17

10:40 pm

- Ballistic missile interceptions with shrapnel falling. Reports of cars on fire in Cholon from impact.  Several other areas with falling fragments reported.

- Another salvo of incoming missiles from Iran. Alerts issued for central regions Yehuda Shomron and Bet Shemesh 



 -All clear given
Sirens sounding in Beer Sheva
- Incoming missiles from Iran alerts issues to the south and never region 

Centcom: A few Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

- BDE: Two Israelis killed  tonight  by iranian missle that fell in Ramat Gan The two murdered - a couple in their 70s. HYD

- Direct hit in Bnei Brak in front of a  home on Anilevich Street B"H no injuries as onlookers come by to see the miracle dancing and thanking Hashem.

-Damage, including at Tel Aviv train station, petach Tilva, reported after Iranian missile attacks

                    At the scene in Bnei Brak



- The US State Department Passed The Buck To An Overloaded El Al, Now It’s Time For The State Department To Pull Its Own Weight; Here’s What You Can Do! see more at Dans Deals

-The Jerusalem Post Scores of Americans who fled Israel through the evacuation non-profit Grey Bull Rescue have come to its defense after criticism of it by one mother on social media went viral.

- Russia is expanding the scope of its assistance to Iran, providing the regime with satellite images and upgraded drones to improve the accuracy of strikes on American forces in the region (Wall Street Journal).Amit Segal 

-Senior political source: There is a growing assessment in Israel and the United States that toppling the regime in Iran is once again realistic (i24)

- Israel estimates it will take "a few weeks" to destroy the ballistic missile threat from Iran. "It will take a few weeks more," a senior Israeli military official told Fox News. "They still have the capability to launch missiles." The official added that Iran aimed to launch tens of missiles a day at Israel, but aren't able to do so. This is due to Israel and the United States striking the missiles and launchers belonging to the regime. "We are hunting them," the official added. Fox News Trey Yingst

- A major barrage of rockets (over 40) from Hezbollah at Israel

- President Trump is preparing a major operation to secure the Strait of Hormuz that could last several weeks, an Israeli source told Kan News. Israel is expected to increase activity in the area as well. 

 -Trump" “If they got a nuclear weapon, I would say they would have used it within 24 hours after having it, and they would have had it if we didn’t bomb them out from there.”
“You would have had a nuclear war in the Middle East and maybe beyond. I think it would have hit Europe.” - President Trump
- Trump on Joe Kent’s resignation: I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security—very weak on security. But when I read his statement, I realized that it’s a good thing that he’s out.

- White House spokeswoman in response to the letter from the head of the U.S. Counterterrorism Center: "The absurd claim that President Trump made the decision under the influence of others, even foreign countries, is insulting and ridiculous.

- Trump on Iran: “We're not ready to leave yet, but we will be leaving in the near future. We're leaving pretty much in the very near future."

-Trump: “The United States has been informed by most of our NATO Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran...I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one-way street We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need."

-Trump on Macron: He’ll be out of office very soon

- The IDF is briefing military reporters: Hezbollah is planning to fire increased barrages toward the north “once every few days” in order to create fear among the public.

- Delta has stopped sales on Israel flights until 6/1, and United has stopped sales of Newark-Tel Aviv flights until 6/15 and other Tel Aviv flights until September. Expect cancellations to follow in the coming days.(DansDeals)

- Trump's Director of National Counterterrorism Kent resigns: "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."

- Arkia and Israir add  more tickets available on existing flights as restrictions have eased. Travel agencies have bought out these seats and charging an additional $165.

- No injuries are reported in Iran’s latest ballistic missile attack on Israel, the sixth since midnight. However fragments fell in several cities in central Israel causing damage in Rishon,Lod, Herzeliya and Gush Dan region.

- Red alert incoming Iranian rockets towards center of country.

- Defense Minister Katz: 
"I was just updated by the Chief of Staff that the Secretary of the National Security Council to Larijani, and the Basij chief – Iran’s central repression force – Soleimani, were eliminated last night. They have joined Khamenei, the head q the annihilation program, and all the defeated members of the Axis of Evil in the depths of hell."

- IDF confirmed killing Gholamreza Soleimani, who commanded Iran's Basij force for six years and led violent suppressions of civilians. The same operation targeted Ali Larijani, a top Iranian security official.

- Israeli Security official: We attacked 8 checkpoints of the Basij in Tehran a short time ago. 

- Hundreds of French yeshiva bochurim returned  home today for Pesach bein hazmanim on a charter flight from Egypt arranged by ichud bnei Hayeshivos.

- 2 more El Al flights took off this morning to NY
The Israeli airlines Arkia Israir and airHaifa are the only companies flying out of Ben Gurion Airport. With limited seating due to restrictions  the flights are not full. People are waiting all day for standby tickets to get out.

- The U.S. State Department has suspended its special evacuation flights following its arrangement with El Al. In response, El Al has increased the number of its planned flights to the United States from six to eight.
These flights are intended to accommodate both passengers with existing El Al tickets and those without tickets or holding tickets on other airlines. However, at this time, only El Al ticket holders have been assigned seats on these flights. Non–El Al passengers have not yet been successfully ticketed, although El Al has reportedly committed to the U.S. State Department to accommodate all U.S. citizens.(Matzav)

- The Israel Defense Forces said today that it has pushed even more forces deeper into southern Lebanon to create an expanded buffer zone, as Hezbollah attacked towns in northern Israel with rockets and drones.

- Reuters: Gulf states are pressuring Trump to continue the attacks on Iran and even to increase the pressure. 

Monday, March 16, 2026

Oif Simchas Monday 28 Adar

11:50 pm NWS Tornado warning for the Lakewood area take shelter in basement immediately 

Chasunas: 
Ehrentreu - Waldman  Bais Faiga
Eisenberger - Kamelhar Cedar Palace
Weitman- Saurymper Lake Terrace
Brach - Horowitz Ateres Chaim Elazar
Rothman - Bochner Kesser Moshe Yehuda
Kohen - Levin  Ateres Esther 
Lisauer - Berkowitz Ne'emas Hachaim 
Moskowitz - Ruzhorsky Fountain Ballroom


Weather: 31° Windy with rain, heavy at times, early.Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Monday March 16 News Updates Lakewood


Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Toms River NJ, Lakewood NJ and Perth Amboy NJ until 1:00 AM EDT

Reports of a funnel cloud over Lakewood   earlier. Several trees down utility pole down on E  County Line Rd power outages in the area. 

Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Until Tue 1:00 am issued By
Philadelphia - PA, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
Ocean County
-11:50 pm NWS Tornado warning for the Lakewood area take shelter in basement immediately until 12:15 am.

 Weather: 61° Becoming windy. Cloudy skies with periods of rain developing this afternoon. Chance of rain 90%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. 
Tonight 31° windy with showers and thundershowers this evening, Chance of rain 100%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

Dangerous thunderstorms, wind gusts up to 50 mph and heavy rain are in the forecast for New Jersey on Monday. The National Weather Service said isolated tornadoes are also possible.

NWS: A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania until 7pm

- Judge Strikes Down Kennedy’s Vaccine Policies Ruling on a lawsuit brought by several prominent medical organizations, a district court said the federal government did not base its decisions on science in limiting Covid shots and changing the childhood immunization schedule.

-Trump will sign an executive order creating a national anti-fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance, with the administration saying it will focus on alleged abuse in state-run benefit programs. The move expanded a broader White House “war on fraud” push after earlier administration actions tied to a Minnesota benefits-fraud case.

- Trump "The crazed Democrats are not allowing TSA Agents to get paid," "The deal was made a long time ago."They broke it in order to get money for sanctuary cities and illegal aliens, many of them hardened criminals. The Radical Left Democrats are hopeless!!!"



- Gas prices climbed again Monday, with the US average at $3.72 per gallon of regular, according to AAA. Prices are expected to remain high until the Iran conflict ends, though there’s no clear timeline.

-Youtuber released a video after visiting Lakewood. "In this video I travelled to Lakewood NJ to show what Tyler Oliveira refused to show 3 weeks ago.watch HERE 

- A new poll released today found that one in five university students in the United Kingdom would be reluctant or unwilling to share housing with a Jewish student.

-Pesach 2026 Complete Price Comparison Bingo Wholesale vs Gourmet Glatt Here 

- A juvenile has been charged after attempting to rob a Jewish resident Friday night in the Pine Lake Park section of Manchester Township, New Jersey. Police say the victim, who was walking to shul around 7:15 p.m. near Hannibal Street and Seventh Avenue, was approached by a suspect with a knife demanding money. The victim fled and ran into a nearby home for safety.

- The New Jersey Assembly Labor Committee approved a bill which would expand the state's Family Leave Act to allow an employee take "family leave" due to the death of the child, miscarriage, stillbirth, or termination of a pregnancy for medical reasons.The bill also permits leave due to an unsuccessful adoption that had been pending and planned by the employee or due to an unsuccessful fertility treatment.(Onejersey)

- Jackson Township, officials announced the new Bureau of Rental Housing & Inspection is fully staffed and will begin inspecting rental properties Monday. The program will require annual inspections to ensure rental homes are properly registered and meet safety and maintenance standard.

- Lakewood, DPW announced extended hours at the township’s bulk trash drop-off site ahead of Pesach The site at 1 America Avenue will be open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from March 16–30, with a special overnight period from March 31 until April 1 at 3:00 p.m. for residents to dispose of bulk trash.

- NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparking conversation after appointing the first lttbq to lead a newly created 'Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.' in NYC

- A new housing project near Yerushalayim is being marketed to the Lakewood community. Givat Hashalvah, a gated residential development on the outskirts of Givat Ze’ev, offers spacious apartments about 20 minutes from the city center near Route 443. The prices range from 1 million and up 

-President Trump announces that Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage of cancer. "She has an outstanding medical team, and the prognosis is excellent."

- A new report from the Private School Review finds the average cost for a year of private school in New Jersey is $18,825 in 2026. Private high schools, specifically, cost New Jersey parents an average of $23,783 a year in 2026, according to the report. Elementary schools were slightly less expensive, with an average cost of $18,301 per year. APP (not frum schools)


Rav Moshe Shternbuch grinding wheat kernels for  Pesach Matzos 

Iran War Updates Monday March 16

5:00pm


- No injuries are reported in Iran’s latest ballistic missile salvo on Israel, the seventh since midnight. A small number of missiles were launched, which were likely intercepted or struck open areas, according to initial military assessments. Some shrapnel fell in Brachfeld area there were interceptions over Yerushalayim

- Trump: on when the war will end "It'll be wrapped up soon. We're going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this... you want to see a stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes, okay?"

- The British Telegraph: Mojtaba Khamenei went out to the garden to "do something" moments before the Israeli missiles destroyed the bunker where his father was.


- Many travelers are still trying to book connecting flights out of Israel, but seats are scarce. Arkia, Israir, and El Al have no availability this week, and next week’s flights are mostly full. Prices are averaging around $450 just to reach a connecting city.
The U.S. State Department has scaled back rescue flights to Athens after El Al announced six evacuation flights to the U.S. Traveling out through Egypt remains an option, that people are utilizing as was done 3300 years ago. 

- Incoming Iranian rockets alerts issued for central and valley regions. Missiles intercepted.

- Ch 12 News: In Israel, they estimate that the war is extending beyond what was planned - and it will last at least another month.

- Arkia is canceling its regular flights until March 28, 3 days before Pesach. 

- Wizz Air airline announces that it is suspending its operations until April 7 - the end of the Pesach 

- After Maariv, the Boyaner rebbe addressed Chassidim following the shrapnel strike inside the bais medrash, urging them to thank Hashem for His kindness and to daven that the upcoming chasunah of an einikel in the shul should pass without any issues. He then began singing “Hodu LaHashem Ki Tov

- Trump: “Today is a big day. We're pounding a certain area that has very much to do with the Strait, and I think we'll get it going very soon”

- Reporter to Trump: Your advisor, David Sacks, said Israel may contemplate the use of a nuclear weapon.Trump: "Israel wouldn't do that. Israel would never do that."

-Trump: “We're hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more than 30 mine laying ships destroyed.... We've hit all 30 of their ships and destroyed them. They're all at the bottom of the sea."

- Trump: If Iran places mines in the Strait of Hormuz, "it's a form of suicide."

 -Marco Rubio will soon announce which countries will send ships to free the Strait of Hormuz.  

-Trump says he predicted Iran would weaponize the Strait of Hormuz, adding, "I predicted all of it. I predicted Osama bin Laden would knock out the World Trade Center. I made that prediction a year before he did it."

- Trump: “More than 100 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk or destroyed over the last week and a half. That HAS to be some kind of a record” : “We've also attacked the manufacturing plants where the places where they manufacture the missiles and the drones. And that's going on today. We just hit three of them today. It's getting very hard for them to manufacture”

-Trump on Iran's new supreme Leader: “So that could be for a lot of different reasons. We don't know if he's dead or not. I will say this, nobody's seen him!"

- Direct hit on Home in Nahariya from Hezbollah rocket. Several injuries reported  three lightly injured.

- El Al : Limited Sale From U.S. Gateways To Israel For departures through March 21, 2026
After successfully bringing all customers whose U.S.-Israel flights were canceled back to Israel, we’re turning the page and launching a limited sale for anyone wishing to travel to Israel. Enjoy special fares through March 21. Economy one‑way fares from U.S. gateways for only $699
Sale ends March 21. from NY (JFK & EWR) LA and Miami 

- IDF Home Front Command: Wartime rules unchanged until Wednesday night, most schools remain closed.

-  Flights:
The first of 6 direct ElAl flights is set to depart today to the US there are large crowds at the airport waiting on standby for cancelled tickets to open up. Bochurim and seminary girls are leaving via connecting flights to Europe and Athens. 

- Iran warned it could strike U.S. industrial sites across the region within hours and urged civilians near those facilities to evacuate immediately.

- Iran launches a drone attack at Dubai International Airport, sending a massive plume of smoke into the sky after hitting a fuel tanker. The repeated attacks by Iranian drones at Dubai International Airport forced the global travel hub to suspend all flights "until further notice."
                 Rocket remnant in Tzefas

- Shrapnel from an intercepted missile fell a few meters from the Prime Minister's office in Yerushalayim 

      Interceptor fragments In the old city

- Trump on Kharg Island being hit: "Kharg Island is out of commission except for the pipes, which I left. I didn't want to hit the pipes because, you know, it's years of work to put them together."

- Trump to NPR: A "very small price to pay" after years of terror from the regime and "the oil prices will drop like a rock as soon as it's over." When I asked for a timeline on those dropping, he said, "Well, as soon as the war is over... I don't believe it will be long."

- U.S. military: 100 Iranian Navy ships have been destroyed so far – “and we’re not done yet.”

-U.S. Central Command update for day 16 of Operation Epic Fury from commanding officer Admiral Brad Cooper. More than 6,000 combat flights have been completed in support of the operation, striking thousands of targets across Iran, including missile and drone storage and manufacturing facilities.

- IDF 9900 intel official: We destroyed Iran's base for attacking satellites to keep space supremacy
According to the officer from the IDF's clandestine satellite intelligence division, the goal of the attack was to maintain Israel's supremacy in space, especially regarding satellite surveillance.


Fragments fell in Yerushalayim and Bet Shemesh and in the Old city Jewish quarter

                     Fragment Near the knesset

              In Bet Shemesh
 

Fragment in the Old city Rova parking lot

A shrapnel from a missile lands inside the Boyan Bais Medrash in Yerushalayim 
                           In East Jerusalem 


- Several impact sites reported from falling fragments including in Bet shemesh industrial zone  no reports of injuries one of the rockets was a Fajir missile

- Red alert Incoming missiles from Iran sirens sound in Central regions of Israel sirens also in Yerushalayim and Ashdod

- Iran fires 4 missile salvos at Israel, injuring one in apparent cluster bomb attack. Sirens sounded in Yerushalayim. A woman was lightly injured in Rishon Letziyin. A house in Shoham was destroyed. A fragment fell in Tzefas near the cemetery and Mikva Ari
Fragment fell in the old Bais Hakvaros Tzefas
B"H an unexploded munition in Yerushalayim 


- IDF begins ‘targeted ground operation’ to expand south Lebanon buffer against Hezbollah

- Beginning today, Israeli airlines flying from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport to North America will not have to limit the number of passengers per flight. ĹThe directive applies to El Al, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa.

-The IDF has started another wave of attacks in Iran. The targets: the Iranian regime's infrastructures in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz

- The Mossad in a message to the Iranians: "The final battle will begin soon, we are with you."

- President Trump hails Operation Epic Fury for thwarting Iran's manufacturing capabilities, grinding their missile and drone production to a halt. "Their missiles are down to a low number. You see, they're shooting very few of them. You know why? Because they don't have very many of them."

 -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: We will not be dragged into a war in the Middle East; a reliable and sustainable plan is required in the Strait of Hormuz


- Israeli Defense Minister Katz on IDF operations in Lebanon: “The IDF has begun a ground maneuver in Lebanon in order to remove threats and protect the residents of the Galilee and the north. Hezbollah will pay a heavy price for its aggression and its activity in the Iranian axis aimed at destroying Israel.  If Naim Qassem misses Nasrallah and Khamenei so much, he will be able to meet them soon in the depths of hell together with all those eliminated from the axis of evil.”


Sunday, March 15, 2026

Oif Simchas Sunday 27 Adar

Cיasunas:
Shain - Segal Fountain Ballroom 
Zweig - Fischer Kesser Moshe Yehuda 
Levin - Tropper Lake Terrace 
Yeganeh - Munk Bais Faiga 
Landerer  - Weingot Ateres Reva
Birnbaum - Landwirt. Ateres Chaim Elazar

Shuvu dinner at Bell Works

Sunday March 15 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: 46° Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower.

N.J. weather: ‘Significant’ thunderstorms with flooding, dangerous winds, tornado threat in Monday forecasts 



- In the three years since the U.S. Supreme Court Bruen decision,  92,417 New Jersey residents were approved for a permit to carry a handgun, according to data from the Attorney Generals office.
In the three years prior to the decision, which limited the state’s ability to deny such applications, a total of 1,548 applications were approved.
Toms River (population: 95,000) leads the state with 1,738 applications approved, or 180 per every 10,000 residents.
Newark, the state's most populous city (population 311,000), is right behind with 1,717 permits approved - but only 55 per every 10,000 residents.
Lakewood had  700 gun permits approves  since
@OneJerseySchorr
·

- Trump says U.S. and Cuba "will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do... we're talking to Cuba, but we're going to do Iran before Cuba."

Pesach shopping price comparison here

- Daf Yomi  The daf on shabbos had a pasuk from the end of  parshas  Pekudei and the daf today had a pasuk in  the beginning of Parshas Vayikra

- Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to meet with some Jewish leaders Monday amid concerns he and his wife have been hostile to worries about anti-Israel rhetoric  but critics say it’s nothing more than a “photo op.’’The sit-down is expected to cater mainly to Orthodox Jewish community leaders, including at least one who endorsed Mamdani for mayor, as opposed to mainstream Jewish advocacy groups  and last just 15 to 20 minutes. (NYP)

BDE:: Petirah of Mrs. Yaffa Eisenstein, Veteran Mechaneches and wife of Rav Tzvi Eisenstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion and the longtime legendary chazzan of Yeshivas Ponovezh. She was 89. Levaya took place today in Bnei Brak

- Rav Shimon Galei shlita is in Lakewood today
Attending several meetings and fundraisers. He will be at the Shuvu dinner later this evening in Bellworks.
-Erev Pesach shopping Bingo/Mesamchei Lev pesach sale going on thru March 17

- Chasdei Lev Pesach distribution today at Blue claws stadium 

Petirah of Mrs. Tamar (Kairey) Mizrahi A"H woodmere/Lakewood following a lengthy illness. She was 49. Daughter of R Eliyahu Muzrahi and Shifra Mizrahi. Levaya today at t
he  Lakewood chapel 12:00pm

- Dime bank will be opening a branch office soon in Lakewood at 500 Boulevard of The America's

 - ĺBMG deadline to apply  for the summer zman of 5786 is  Thursday March 19 Rosh chodesh Nissan 

- Uncle Moishy will be at Judaica Plaza today to celebrate the launch of his new book and music album! From 12pm. - 5pm

- Assemblyman Avi’s new role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Agudas Yisroel of America has been approved by both the Moetzes of Agudah and the ethics committee. This approval allows him to keep his current position as an Assembly member and l the new job, according to a report from TVOL.ll
Initially, when he first ran for Assembly, the Moetzes ruled that he could not retain his position as the New Jersey Director of Agudas Yisroel. However, with the ethics committee’s approval now in place, he is allowed to move forward with his new role without any conflicts

- Ten years after New Jersey voters rejected a referendum to allow casinos to expand beyond Atlantic City, new legislation has been introduced to authorize two new casinos at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks to compete against the three new casinos planned for New York City.(One Jersey)

Iran war Updates Sunday March 15

11 30 pm

- Emirates airlines: All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended.
Please do not go to the airport. Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience. The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised.

 -Trump: Israel helps secure the Strait of Hormuz

- Update  All clear it landed in open areas.
IDF says it had detected a ballistic missile launch from Iran.Sirens subsequently sound in southern Israel, including Beersheva. Meanwhile, incoming rocket sirens sound in several Lebanon border towns in the north amid Hezbollah attacks.

Trump: "Is there another leader in Israel who could do what Netanyahu has done? No, I really don’t think so. You wouldn’t even have Israel right now if he weren’t the prime minister." 
 I'm all for Bibi." (CH14)

- Trump: "The fact is, Iran is being decimated, and the only battles they “win” are those that they create through AI, and are distributed by Corrupt Media Outlets. The Radical Leftwing Press knows this full well, but continues to go forward with false stories and LIES"

- Trump: "The prices are gonna come tumbling down as soon as it's over — and it's gonna be over pretty quickly."

- Flight Update Dansdeals: El Al confirms to DansDeals that starting tomorrow, they can fly all inbound and outbound US flights at full capacity. They are still limited by the number of flights allowed per hour, but they are now rebooking eligible passengers with cancelled flights to fill flights to capacity instead of the 100 passenger cap. Flights to Europe will be allowed with up to 170 passengers.
Only Israeli airlines (Air Haifa, Arkia, El Al, and Israir) are currently allowed to operate Tel Aviv flights.

Update, 3/15 at 3:15pm: Israeli media is reporting that a tentative deal will allow all flights from Israel to the US to operate at full capacity starting tomorrow! Flights to Europe will be allowed to carry up to 170 passengers. Dans Deals



- President Trump is on the verge of announcing a coalition of countries to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. WSJ

- IDF says Israel hit more than 200 targets in western and central Iran in past day

-fragment of an Iranian missile struck a residential building used by the US consul in Yerushalayim, although the US State Department says there were no injuries to US personnel.

A State Department 
 - Israir is revising its route: announcing the closure of sales for the original flight schedule for regular flights planned prior to the war up to and including April 12, 2026. Special flights operated in accordance with the framework set by the Ministry of Transport, Airports Authority, and Civil Aviation Authority will proceed as planned. The flights are available on the Israir website.

- Ambassador Mike Huckabee Sud his wife is volunteering at Ben Gurion Airport helping Americans Citizens fly back home.

- When asked about rumors that he’s dead, PM Benjamin Netanyahu responded with a smirk, “I’m dying for coffee… you want to count my fingers?” after online photos showed he had 6 fingers.

The IDF sums up two weeks of war in Iran:
-Thousands of regime forces killed and tens of thousands wounded, alongside a drop in morale and refusals to follow orders.  
-The Iranian regime has lost its missile production capability thanks to significant strikes. About 70% of Iran’s missile launchers have been put out of use.  
-The IDF views Operation “Roaring Lion” as far more significant than “Rising Lion”: “The operation is meant to remove the Iranian existential threat in the ‘foreseeable future,’ including Iran’s nuclear program.”

-IDF intelligence reveals brother of terrorist behind US attack on Michigan Synagogue  was a Hezbollah  terrotist. Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazali was responsible for managing weapons operations within a specialized branch of the Badr Unit. The unit is responsible for launching hundreds of rockets toward Israeli civilians throughout the war. His brother, Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, carried out the terror attack in Michigan this past Thursday. Ibrahim was eliminated in an IAF strike on a Hezbollah military structure last week.

 IDF spokesperson told CNN that Israel plans to continue the campaign against Iran for at least another three weeks, with "thousands of targets" remaining to be struck.  Israel is prepared, in coordination with the US, with action plans at least until Pesach, in about three weeks, and even beyond that.

- Fragmens fall over Central Israel  with several impact sites in Ramat Gan, Petach Tikva. One moderate injury in Bnei Brak 2 lightly injured.

Scene in Bnei Brak




Scene in Bnei Brak

- Iran targets Israel with 7 ballistic missile salvos since midniight as Hezbollah fires rockets, drones

-  An Iranian missile fragment hit the residence building of the US Consul in Israel

- A missile from Iran hit Tel Aviv, 3 people were lightly injured it fell very close to pedestrians.

-  Revolutionary Guards: For the first time in an operation, we launched a Sejjil missile at Israel

- After reports that  Israeli former strategic minister and advisor to PM Netanyahu  Ron Dermer visited Saudi Arabia last week to discuss  talks with Lebanon 
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denies reports that Israel and Lebanon are set to hold direct talks in the coming days amid fighting with Hezbollah, speaking to foreign media at the site of an Iranian missile impact in the northern town of Zarzir.

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Motzei Shaɓbos News Updates Lakewood

Weather tonight low 33° Partly to mostly cloudy. 

- Pesach shopping Bingo open tonight until 12am
 Judaica stores open too.

- Melava malka dinner at Skulen Bais Medrash of Lakewood

- Tomorrow Sunday march 15 the Chasdei Lev Pesach distribution for rebbeim will take place at BlueClaws stadium from 1pm - 6 pm

- An explosion outside a Jewish school in Amsterdam early Shabbos morning is under investigation after the blast damaged part of the building but caused no injuries, Dutch authorities said.

- An 18-year-old male was shot todat on East 4th Street in Lakewood, New Jersey, prompting a response from emergency crews after reports of gunfire. Authorities say the victim was hit during the incident, but his condition has not yet been released. Police have not identified a suspect, and it’s unclear if the shooter has been found. Investigators are looking into whether the shooting is connected to a deadly shooting in Lakewood last Sunday, possibly as retaliation

- At least two of bullets from a Lakewood shooting in 4th Street area struck a Jewish home, but nobody inside was hit – it struck a painting and multiple walls. (Kol Haolam)

-  Youtubers were seen over shabbos in Lakewood downtown and yeshiva area trying to interview residents.

-False alarm at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (York Ave). Former employee dropped a bag in the lobby around noon claiming it had a bomb, then left. Bag contained a cement statue only no explosives. Suspect arrested nearby, charges pending. NYPD bomb squad responded, York Ave shut for hours, 

Iran war Updates Motzei Shabbos March 14

- El Al has started booking passengers on the rescue flights to the U.S. So far, those who were previously booked with El Al have been placed on the flights leaving Monday

All clear  missiles intercepted
- Red alert incoming rockets from Iran south and Bet Shemesh regions

News over Shabbos 

​- El Al announces the extension of its regular flight cancellations until March 21st. During this time, the airline will continue to operate exclusively under a schedule of special flights only.

- President Trump says the U.S. has defeated Iran.

- President Donald Trump says he is hearing that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is not alive. “I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender." - NBC

-Axios reported that Israel is planning a large-scale operation aimed at pushing Hezbollah north of the Litani River and destroying its military infrastructure

- President Trump: "I might hit Kharg Island a few more times just for fun."

Israel is running 'critically low' on interceptors, according to reports

- Rumors from pro-Iran sources claimed Netanyahu's death, but fact-checkers and his March 12 speech confirmed he remains active, 
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a statement today rejecting online speculation that the Israeli leader had been assassinated.

-Iran fired several missile salvos at Israel on Shabbos, with one impact injuring three people in Eilat, and a few other impacts in the country’s center causing damage but no injuries, as the Israel Defense Forces continued to pound the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, the Home Front Command eased guidelines to allow schools to resume in areas deemed to be under a lower threat level.

Six volleys, consisting of a small number of missiles each  some carrying cluster bomb warheads  targeted most parts of the Jewish state, including southern, central, and northern Israel, as well as the Jerusalem area and West Bank settlements. Most were intercepted or hit open areas.

- President Donald Trump has said the US “obliterated” military targets on Iran’s key Kharg Island oil shipping hub, and threatened the US would “wipe out” oil infrastructure there should the Islamic Republic impede maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

- The Israeli government has telephonically approved the allocation of 2.6 billion NIS for an "urgent and classified security procurement" related to the Iran War.


Friday, March 13, 2026

Lakewood Zmanim עש"ק פרשת ויקהל-פקודי פר' החודש מברכים ניסן תשפ"ו

                                חזק חזק ונתחזק 
Friday, March 13, 2026 / כ״ד אדר תשפ״ו ערב שבת פרשת ויקהל-פקודי פרשת החודש מברכים חודש ניסן
Candle lighting 6:43 pm
Shkiah/sunset 7:01 pm

- Molad  Wednesday evening, 34 minutes and 13 chalakim after 4:00 pm
Rosh Chodesh is Thursday 

weather Friday night low of  41° Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower.
Shabbos day hi of 53° Sunny with gusty winds. 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

יחדשהו הקדוש ברוך הוא עלינו ועל עמו בית ישראל לחיים ולשלום, לששון ולשמחה, לישועה ולנחמה ונאמר אמן

 'פרשת ויקהל: וביום השביעי יהיה לכם שבת שבתון לה.   Raza D' habbos chazan Yaakov Shtark

Friday March 13 News Updates Lakewood

Friday, March 13, 2026 / כ״ד אדר תשפ״ו ערב שבת פרשת ויקהל-פקודי פרשת החודש מברכים חודש ניסן
Candle lighting 6:43 pm
Shkiah/sunset 7:01 pm

Molad  Wednesday evening, 34 minutes and 13 chalakim after 4:00 pm

weather  today 46°  cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower.
Friday night low of  41° Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower.
Shabbos day hi of 53° Sunny with gusty winds. 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Please note new zmanim due to daylight savings time adjust shabbos clocks 

Rosh Chodesh Nissan is Thursday 

Today is the 18th Yartzeit of Rav Elya baruch Finkel ZTL 


- More youtubers showed up today to Lakewood  shopping stores on Monmouth Ave and downtown.

- Families in the 5 towns and Linden,NH will be hosting passengers arriving from EY as the flights are xoming in after 5pm.

- Yeshiva University fans  are spending shabbos in Atlanta after the men’s basketball team playing in the Sweet Sixteen round of March Madness, lost the game. 

- An unspecified threat against a Jewish institution in Hoboken, New Jersey prompted a law enforcement response late Thursday, but has been deemed not credible following a joint investigation by the Hoboken Police Department, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey Transit Police and the Port Authority Police Department.

- 200 yungerleit and their wives attended a historic event in NJ last night announcing business opportunities and rapid housing and mosdos development for the new Lakefront Yishuv in Okeechobee, Florida. Many of them already placed deposits, with others close behind.(Kol Haolam)

- The Flatbush Shatnez Laboratory has released the following notice:
"Many local merchants have recently started selling clothing made in Turkey. Turkish clothing is more likely to contain shatnez. A new men's suit brand, "Daniel Tissu," sold in Boro Park and Flatbush, has been found to have linen armhole tapes. As you may know, armhole tapes are very difficult to completely remove."

- Shomrim, the Orthodox Jewish volunteer security organization, issued a warning inside the Jewish community in New York: every synagogue should hire armed security guards. That is the reality of the world we are living in.

- Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams Every Jewish institution is a potential terrorist target. If your school or synagogue does not have security, you are putting your community at risk.
Our police are doing everything they can. But as a former police officer and your former mayor, I can tell you the truth: the police cannot be everywhere. I am asking my Jewish communities in NYC and around the country: do not wait for tragedy to force action. Make sure tonight that your institution has a real security plan in place.

Some flights will be arriving close to shabbos in the NY metro area prompting authorities to expedite the airport exit so they can make it home in time.

- EL AL announced it will operate six special non-stop flights from Tel Aviv to New York starting March 16 for American citizens whose flights were canceled due to the war with Iran. The flights are part of an arrangement with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Eligible passengers will be contacted by EL AL and offered seats at no additional cost, with the possibility of more flights if government approvals are granted. register HERE
Non  EL AL ticket holders will pay a fare $900 for economy $2000 business $4000 premium

- Skulen Rebbe shlita will be holding a tish this shabbos for the yartzeit of the previous rebbe  בעל ה'מאור ישראל' מסקולען זצ"ל at the BM on Park Avenue 10:30 pm with a shalshidis and Melava Malka 

- This Sunday march 15 the Chasdei Lev Pesach distribution for rebbeim will take place at BlueClaws stadium from 1pm - 6 pm 

- Oif Simchas: Friday erev shabbos Wedding today at Eagle Ridge 

-Talmidim of Rav Elya Svei zatzal will gather this shabbos for shalosh seudos at khal Lev Avrohom Gudz Rd. to commemorate his yahrzeit this coming Thursday Rosh chodesh Nissan

- At last night’s Lakewood  township committee meeting, members conducted business as usual and made no mention of the construction scheduled to take place on Route 9 over the next two weeks right during the busy Pesach bein hazmanim shopping season. The committee also voted to remove three properties from the tax rolls after they were recently purchased for religious use. The combined assessed value of the properties is over $800,000.

- Following the attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, New Jersey Attorney General Davenport has directed all 21 county prosecutors to continue increasing patrols at houses of worship throughout the state.

- A YouTuber  will be releasing a video this Sunday, documenting his recent 2 day visit to Lakewood NJ, showing the positive non bias view of the community 

- Google Maps has introduced a new 3D navigation view that makes the map more realistic. The update shows buildings, overpasses, and terrain in 3D, while also highlighting key road details like lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs to help drivers navigate more easily

- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer describes yesterday’s synagogue attack as antisemitism: “It was hate, plain and simple.” “We will fight this ancient and rampant evil.”

- Authorities have announced new restrictions at the Kosel ahead of Shabbos due to the current security situation. Entry to the plaza will be limited to 50 people at a time to match available protected areas. In addition, pedestrian routes to the Kosel will be closed Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., affecting those planning to arrive before Shabbos.