Saturday, October 31, 2020

Motzei Shabbos Lech Lecha October 31 News Updates Lakewood

 Reminder move clocks back tonihhy
- 69 new covid cases in Lakewood yesterday 16 reported on Friday. Totals 6084/210
-Over 3.25 million New Jerseyans have cast their ballots. mail in ballots can be post marked or brought to polling stations that will be open on Tuesday. 10 locations to open in Lakewood for provisional ballot.
- Shloshim event Hespedim for Harav Shimon Mandel ZT"L tonight 9:30 pm at Bais Shaindel 635 Route 9 Lakewood. Divrei Hesped by Harav Yehuda Levenberg shlita and Harav Yissocher Herzka sblita
 -Murphy: second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is now gripping NJ “all options are on the table” to fight the growing spread — “even draconian ones" like another round of statewide stay-at-home orders and business closings. He specifically warned that indoor dining could be shut down “if we were to take a step back.”
-Kiddush Levana can be said untill 9:00 pm tonight according to the chasam Sofer  who paskens like the Mechaber.(According to the rema the last night was shabbos some hold you van say without shem hashem)
-Just one of New Jersey’s 21 counties saw fewer new coronavirus cases this week than last. Ocean County, which experienced a significant outbreak within the past month, saw its number of new cases drop 39% from last week, down to 6.8 new cases per 10,000 residents from 11.1 the week prior.

- Holloween observed tonight.

-Travelers to NY Must Test for Virus, Nearby States Exempted
New York is now requiring travelers from non-neighboring states to test for COVID-19 before and after arrival in the state.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Lakewood Zmanim עש''ק פרשת לך לך תשפ''א

               ונברכו בך כל משפחות האדמה 

 Friday, October 30, 2020 / י״ב חשון תשפ״א ערב שבת פרשת לך לך

-Candle lighting 5:38 pm 
-Shkia/sunset 5:56 pm
Weather: Friday night - low of 31
Shabbos day - mainly sunny sky. High 49F.

"וקוי ה' יחליפו כח יעלו אבר כנשרים ירוצו ולא ייגעו ילכו ולא ייעפו" (ישעיהו מ' הפטרה פרשת לך לך"

There is מחלוקת  between the  אבן עזרא and the רד"ק how to pronounce the pasuk in the haftorah this week, either with a Tzeiri

Friday Ocrober 30 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather:  A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 48F.  Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. 
Friday night  Low around 30F.
- candle lighting 5:38 pm, Shkiah/sunset 5:56 pm

- NY Gov. Cuomo announces a plan to reopen schools yeshivos in hot spots that are in red and yellow zones. Before they can reopen, all the people going into a school will need to be tested and only those who test negative can go it. Then 25% would need to be tested each week.

-3,166,242 New Jerseyans have already cast their ballots that is 80% of total turnout in 2016.

- Change clocks back this Motzei Shabbos . This year DST will be after Purim on March 14, 2021 (1 Nisan 5781).

-NJ has 2,089 new positive cases today, "We haven’t seen daily case numbers in the 2000s since early May, says Murphy.

-Yahoo news reporter: How close is NJ to another lockdown? Murphy "We're not there yet "But all options are on the table. We have, over the past several weeks, leaned hard on a scalpel approach in Lakewood and will replicate to other areas.

-Since the end of September, the state deployed 33 pop-up testing sites in Lakewood Chemed   has performed 33,634 total tests according to reports

-Reporter asked Murphy  what data are you using to support the lakewood model as a success  since there’s no public reporting on rapid test data that has flooded the area as part of the plussing up strategy?  “How many tests were conducted in Lakewood, PCR, rapid in the weeks after the spike, and how many were positive for both?” Murphy responded  “On Lakewood, I think the evidence, I don’t know the amount of tests the evidence is in the spot positivity now in Lakewood and what it was at the end of September and it’s dramatically different and better, period. Judy can address that,” Murphy said.

-Officials from Jackson, and Howell address slow internet service with Optimum what they say is inferior cable and internet service  inadequate service, slow upload speed, poor network connections  Jackson officials have filed a complaint with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities  against Altice also known as Optimum.





-BDE: Petirah of Reb Shimon Brecher z"L, 58, of a noted Baal Tzedaka vachesed, who was close with gedolei Yisrael. He was hospitalized a few weeks ago with the virus. Levaya in Lakewood bais olam 11:00 am kevura in EY. 
Live stream on Zoom Here  ID: 878 6990 2441 Passcode: 621190 or  646-558-8656  Code  621190

- A Yekkishe minyan Kminhag Ashkenaz is forming om shabbosim. Minynim will take plaece at the choshen mishpat lollel Forest Ave and 7th street.

-Tefilos for Harav Dovid Soloveitchick shlita whose condition is critical משולם דוד בן אלטע הענדל . He tested positive for corona and is hospitalized.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Oif Simchas י''ב חשון תשפ''א

 Chasunas:

Statement of Agudath Israel On Frum Parties accepting the Jerusalem Program at the WZO

“Statement of Agudath Israel on Charedi Principles” 

Agudah: Recent organizational statements from representatives of the Zionist movement have implied that Chareidi Jews have accepted the Jerusalem Program of the World Zionist Organization. This Program, which is a statement of the Zionist ideology, declares Zionism to be “the national liberation movement of the Jewish people” and avers to “the centrality of the State of Israel . . . in the life of the nation.”

The Jewish people is a nation based on the belief in One Hashem and the Torah He gave us, and nothing else. By omitting this truth, the Jerusalem Program – and the Zionist ideology it embodies – attempt to redefine the essence of the Jewish people as a political entity similar to all other nations of the world. This redefinition goes against the essence of our emunah and mesorah.

Thursday October 29 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Periods of rain. High 59F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Locally heavy rainfall possible.

 -Chumash Shiur by HaRav Yeruchum Olshin Shlita 11:30 pm Call-in: 646-726-9977

-HaRav Yechiel Moskowitz Shlita will give a Shiur on Parshas Hashavua tonight at 10:30. To join, please call 605-313-5894 PIN# 783618#

-Yom Tefillah this Monday Agudas Yisroel and Torah Umesorah have joined at the behest of gedolim to call for a Yom Tefillah this Monday, November 2nd, the second Monday of BaHaB

- Lakewood school district cancels public school from Tuesday election day  through Friday Nov 6. Tues was already scheduled to close and Thu, Fri teachers have a convention.

- 5 new Covid19 cases in Lakewood totals 5999/209

-Tefilos for Harav Dovid Soloveitchick shlita whose condition is critical משולם דוד בן אלטע הענדל . He tested positive for corona and is hospitalized.

- Food distribution at Belz Bais Malka school 388 Chestnut 5:30pm -8:00 pm
- Bnos Melech 550 James 8:30 pm


 -New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli is laying out the administration's "Lakewood Model," which she credits to help control the recent outbreak, bringing down the positivity rate from 36% in late September to 5.6%.(S Schorr)

- Murphy: The Second Wave of coronavirus is no longer something off in the future. It’s coming in now. Double-down on the practices that helped us flatten the curve last spring – social distance, wash your hands, wear a mask.

-Behab Minyan mincha with krias Hatora of ויחל at 418 5th street 2:10 pm

-Flood Watch from Thursday 6:00 am until Friday12:00am 

-Food box distribution by Gelbsteins 3:30 pm-at Clifton Ave school 7th street and middle school on Somerset Avenue.
- United Airlines to start rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers at Newark airport for specific flights
-NBC news highlights Heimish twitter account with 200k followers analyzing election results Here
-Ocean county records 1000 covid19  deaths since pandemic negan.
- Igud Horim will hold inaugural meeting tonight 10:30 at yeshiva. 

-The Story Behind 13 Rabbanim’s Historic Letter of Appreciation to President Trump 
Hamodia: Margaretten chose not to publicize the letter. “The motivation behind this was for the rabbanim to show their gratitude, and that of the Jewish community, to President Trump. I had not intended this for any sort of publicity or pre-election endorsement purposes.

It was not until Motzoei Shabbos, October 24, when Mishpacha Magazine obtained a copy of the letter from a person close to the Trump Administration and tweeted it, that this unprecedented letter became public, and was reported widely across both Jewish and general media. Some people have expressed unhappiness that the letter was made public. Margaretten says he had decided not to speak about the letter until this week, when it made national news, and to correct any misconceptions surrounding it.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Oif Simchas י''א חשון תשפ''א

 Yartzeit of Rochel Imeinu - watch live event mosdos kever Rachel Here 
Engagements courtesy of Vivaser daily.

Trump Parade To Leave From Lakewood

Trump Supporters from Lakewood joining and meeting up with parades from other communities.The drivers will meet up at Blue Claws stadium Sunday morning and travel North on the GSP meeting other supporters.The route has not been divulged yet by organizers due to security issues.


 

Agreement Reached in WZO, Reform Blast Eretz Hakodesh slate

An agreement has been reached in the appointment of the major portfolios and positions of influence within the World Zionist Organization, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael -Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), and Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal. The agreement leans heavily in favor of the right-wing, religious-Zionist, and ultra-Orthodox parties, but it has been tempered somewhat from the original deal that drew so much fire from the center-left, progressive Jewish bloc. Crucially, the Yesh Atid Party will take control of the powerful Finance Committee within KKL which controls its extremely large budgets, unlike in the original agreement in which the Likud controlled that position. And the chairmanship of the KKL Education Committee will no longer be exclusively controlled by the ultra-Orthodox Eretz Hakodesh Party as stipulated in the original agreement, but will now be shared on a rotational basis with Blue and White. read more at Jpost.

 The progressive reform movement leader went on to call out the Eretz Hakodesh slate "Let us be clear: Eretz Hakodesh is a party that did not come to build the Zionist organization, but to diminish it. If pragmatic Zionist ideals are to survive, and if a Zionist organization in some form is to endure, the

Nichum Aveilim

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

Wednesday October 28 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: Cloudy. High 64F tonight  Cloudy with rain developing after midnight low of 51

-Six Flags great adventure 2021 seasons pass flash sale $59.99 HERE

- Lakewood Chaveirim has been renamed as "Chaveirim of Central Jersey" expanding to the surrounding neighborhoods 
-5 new covid cases in Lakewood totals 5994/209 +1 death
- Boris Epshteyn, a Senior Advisor for the Trump Campaign as well as their Jewish point-person, will be in Lakewood this afternoon for an event at Misameach (Reporter S Schorr)
-Trump Parade to take place from Lakewood this Sunday staging at Blueclaws stadium. 9:30 am in conjuction with Maga Drag in Brooklyn and other areas. 
-New Jersey is mandating private and public companies to implement uniform health and safety standards to protect all workers against the coronavirus. Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed an executive order establishing the guidelines. They require: Workers to keep at least 6 feet from each other “to the maximum extent possible.” Workers to wear a face mask, with limited exceptions. more at NJ  
- Yesodei Food distribution today  by OTL 
 Pine park 4:30, Sanz Town westgate 5:00, Aspen CT 5:30, Schi parking lot 7:00,Tashbar 6:45. 1400 prospect the center 8:00pm
-Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita has recuperated from the coronavirus and has tested negative according to his doctors. He is free and clear from all symptoms but is still a little weak. The tzibbur shouldcontinue to be mispalel and hopefuly he will return to full schedule within the next few weeks to attend brissim and have kabolas kahal.

-Hamodia article on  Reb Pinchos Gershon (PG) Waxman z”l HERE

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

List of Mosdos for 2021-2022 School Year

 List of Lakewood Boys and Girls schools to help those applying for next year. Printed in TVOL

Oif Simchas י' חשון תשפ''א

 Engagements Courtesy of Vivaser:

*Kiddush Levana*

Lakewood Planning Board Meeting

 Lakewood Planning board meeting today October 27 at 6:00 pm

-Watch Live stream Here 
-Agenda Here

BDE: Reb Pinchus Gershon (PG) Waxman z”l

 Matzav- It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Reb Pinchus Gershon (PG) Waxman z”l of Lakewood.

The Levaya will take place tonight 8:00 pm at the Lakewood chapel on 7th street kevura at the bais olam.

Reb Pinchus grew up in Monsey, NY and was a talmid of Yeshiva of Staten Island, where he learned under Rav Moshe Feinstein.

Reb Pinchus resided in Lakewood, where he established a successful real estate company, Waxman Realty, but his primary occupation was always limud haTorah. Blessed with a bright mind and the power of chiddush, Reb Pinchus was a veritable treasure trove of original Torah thoughts on numerous topics.

Tripping Kosher: Fish Grill Lakewood, NJ

Tuesday Oct 27 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Mostly cloudy. High 62F. Tonight- Increasing clouds with showers arriving overnight.

-COVID spike brings back lockdown-style restrictions rules in Newark, NJ  testing from October 11 to October 18 showed Newark’s positivity rate at more than 11%, a level not seen since May 23. In one neighborhood, the rate was over 25%. The state’s positivity rate is roughly 5

-15 New covid19 cases in Lakewood totals 5989/208

-The hidden Covid-19 health crisis: Elderly people are dying from isolation NBC

- Updated: Food box distribution tonight Yeshiva Mekor Hatorah 180 Sims 630 PM. ( Milk Pas pizza crust Shredded Pizza cheese Pizza sauce Bag of onion rolls 3LB bag oranges 2LB carrots Bag of taffys Sterns mini brownie blasts Turkey Kishkeh Chocolate cookies Box drink)

- BDE: Reb Pinchos Gershon (PG) Waxman Z"L Matzav

- Ocean county drops to #10 in NJ with 71 new positive cases.

- Speaking on radio station wcbs880 Gov Murphy  praises the approach used in Lakewood to control the recent coronavirus outbreak with what he described as a "scalpel approach" and says that Newark, which is now experiencing an outbreak of their own, will use a similar playbook. "Lakewood had a flare up recently and we exercised a playbook there - more scalpel then sledgehammer - and it appears to have worked.  So that is [increasing] testing, tracing, enforcement and working with the community."  (Reporter Shlomo schorr @OneJerseySchorr)

-Trump retweets a  video of NYC inspectors at Yeshiva Sharee Torah and a Tweet about Deblasio" He’s been very consistent in targeting the Jewish Community! Anyone know why?"

- BDE: Petira of R' Mattis Weinstock Z"L who was niftar in the hospital from the virus R"L Levaya will take place this morning 9:15 am at Pine River Village shul 38 Goldcrest Lakewood. Watch replay of Levaya here


-An annual report released earlier this month by the FBI shows that Island Heights as the safest municipality in Ocean County in 2019. It’s also one of the smallest towns, with a population of just 1652 residents. Lakewood, the largest community in Ocean County, reported the highest number of violent crimes. Of the 148 offenses, 91 were related to aggravated assault.

-City of Bnei Brak has been declared green by the health ministry as corona cases drop. Only 35 positives reported.

-British study shows evidence of waning immunity to Covid-19Researchers in England who sent out home finger-prick tests to more than 365,000 randomly selected people found a more than 26% decline in Covid-19 antibodies over just three months. Younger people who had recovered from Covid-19 had a slower loss of antibodies, compared to people older than 75 who had survived an infection, the researchers found. More

Monday, October 26, 2020

Oif Simchas ט' חשון תשפ''א

 Engagements courtesy of Vivaser daily

Monday Oct 26 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 64F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Crowds Protest and Riot in West Philly After Deadly Police Shooting Police said rioters set fire to cars and dumpsters and looted multiple stores late Monday night along 52nd and Chestnut streets.

-Yeshiva Sharre Torah: City Hall tried  getting the yeshivah administrator to remove video of the incident  with inspectors from social media in exchange for dismissing the summons,. The summons was ultimately dismissed. Hamodia

- Of 1223 reported cases in NJ today 410 cases are older than 7 days. 145 net cases added are more than 100 days old. This is a staggering amount of old cases. Additions on 135 separate days. Data

-Officials in brooklyn Blast City for Withholding COVID Data “We’re getting tagged as the diseased Jews, like they’ve been doing for 5,000 years, and you have information that can show that that’s not true,” Hamodia 

- 5 new covid19 cases in Lakewood totals 5974/208. Deaths-1

-NYC Inspectors Caught On Video Writing Summons For yeshiva Sharei Torah that is Closed Video here

-Murphy: "It’s time to legalize adult-use marijuana in New Jersey – for social justice, for racial justice, and for economic justice".

- Ocean county with 62 cases down to #8 in the state led by Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Passaic, and Union counties each reporting at least 110 cases today.

-Murphy: We’re not going to simply rush forward on COVID19 vaccines. We will be methodical and deliberate. Our health experts will be closely reviewing the science and will make the call as to when a vaccine, and which one or ones, will be acceptable for New Jersey.

-Newt Gingrich: 13 Grand Rabbis signed a joint letter in a historic first-time presidential endorsement praising President Trump for his leadership

- A call for the establishment of a Igud Horim:  "We now call upon the tzibbur to band together as a parents’-union of sorts. Any action taken will be negotiated with the Igud Horim first, before the community at large is coerced to follow this unchecked power. We are the ones who fund the schools, we are the one who supply the merchandise (the students), and we are the one who make the decisions. read more at FAA 
- NJ spent  $450,000,000 in test costs that is enough to give every family of 4 a $200 rebate in real estate taxes.

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Oif Simchas ח' חשון תשפ''א

 Engagements courtesy of Vivaser Daily:

Sunday October 25 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. High 54F. Chance of rain 70%.

-Selichos Behab tomorrow morning

-Tonight 8:00 PM, Agudas Yisroel will be hosting an Asifah L'hisorerus  providing guidance and chizuk to the Klal during this difficult period. Live stream HERE or call in,718.298.2077 x52.   

-President Donald Trump tweets " Thank You Rabbis" and retweeted the letter of support by Roshei Yeshiva from Lakewood, S. Fallsburg  and leading Admorim and Rebbes.

- Negative -2 corona cases  in Lakewood +1 Death totals 5969/209. Yesterday 36 new cases were reported by OCHD there are cholim in hospitals in need of yeshuos.

-NJ Data of 1140 reported covid cases today 373 cases are older than 7 days. 155 net cases are older than 1 month old. 108 cases added are over 100 days old.  Cases added on 122 different days.(source)

- Shloshim seuda for R' Moshe Harari z"l today 5:45 pm at KBT 304 Monmouth Avenue Lakewood.

-Chasdei Hashem: Harav Yaakov Fensterheim  שליט"א  of  Scranton yeshiva has returned home and is ב"ה recovering  May he have a complete רפואה בתוך שאר  חולי ישראל name to daven  יעקב הלוי בן חיה שרה
-Yeshiva Ohr Yehuda under The auspices of Rabbi Bender moved into their new building today on Franklin street off Cross street in Lakewood.

- Jews for Trump hold parade in Monsey on rt 59 and in the 5 towns area.

- Out of 1994 covid cases reported yesterday
 by NJ, 756 cases are older than 7 days. 272 cases added more than 30 days old. 184 cases  100 days old (data
- Orthodox Jews arrange Trump parade this morning on Coney Island Avenue and Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn hundreds of cars join. 
-BDE: Petirah of R' Avrohom Abba Cohen ZT"L a Lakewood youngerman who was sick for the last few years he was 32 leaves behind a child .A Son in law by Rav Mendel Kanarek shlita of Peekskill yeshiva. The levaya will be held today 1:00 pm at the Lakewood Bais olam on the 7th street. (Matzav)
-Israel moves clock back to winter time, USA will change clocks this coming motzei Shabbos. 
-Inspectors in Brooklyn this past Friday have approached children in the street under bar mitzvah age and asked them if they are going to yeshiva in an attempt to follow them.
-A Letter thanking President Trump was publicly released. The letter signed by Roshei Yeshiva and Admorim was given to the president in June 2020 expressing our deepest gratitude to Trump "in light of your recent declaration that houses of worship and religious institutions should be considered ‘essential’. Among the signatures Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rav Moshe Wolfson, both rebbes of Satmar,Admorim of Skver, Bobov, Vizhitz, Munkatch and Pupa, and Rabbi Osdoba of the Crown Heights Bais Din.. The letter was sent by Rabbi Moshe Margaretten founder of Tzedek Association who helped pass the first step act ending mass incarceration resulting in pidyon shvuyim. See letter Here.
 -Due to a severe driver shortage some public school bus routes have not showed up leaving students stranded while waiting for the morning bus since Tuesday. District officials did not respond. (APP
- New Jersey is the most-hated state in America. According to calculations by BestLife magazine, only 28 percent of New Jersey’s population has “state pride,” and it is loathed most by people in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut — giving it a “hatred index” of 818.

Friday, October 23, 2020

Lakewood Zmanim עש''ק פרשת נח תשפ''א

יוֹם שַׁבָּתוֹן אֵין לִשְׁכֹּחַ זִכְרוֹ כְּרֵיחַ הַנִיחוֹחַ יוֹנָה מָצְאָה בוֹ מָנוֹחַ וְשָׁם יָנוּחוּ יְגִיעֵי כֹחַ הָעָם אֲשֶׁר נָע וְכַצֹּאן תָּעָה יִזְכּוֹר לְפָקְדוֹ בְּרִית וּשְׁבוּעָה לְבַל יַעֲבֹר בָּם מִקְרֵה רָעָה כַּאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתָּ עַל מֵי נֹחַ

Friday, October 23, 2020 / ה׳ חשון תשפ״א ערב שבת פרשת נח

Candle lighting: 5:47 pm
Shkia/sunset 6:05 pm 
- Weather: Friday night low of 56 Shabbos day Mostly cloudy skies early later in the day. High 72F
-מברכים בה׳׳ב 
Who was the mother of נח? It is not mentioned in the Torah by there are 3 different names brought in a sefer from Harav Chaim Kanievsky

Re: Unmasked Mishpacha's Anti Trump virus19? Lakewood's Got Herd Immunity!

By: Y'min Losmol 
Erev Shabbos Parshas Noach 

When Meir Kahana got elected to the Knesset he promised Shulamit Aloni a heart attack everyday. Ocean county is sure to give Mishpacha's editorial board serious symptoms in the weeks to come- we're wall to wall Donald Trump country here. 

This magazine can not embarrass itself anymore than it has already.

Lakewood's yeshivaleit see through the debasement of our mesorah as self anointed spokesmen appeal to the masses directly from the newsstands with ideology that's Hashkafic fruitcake.

America has always purchased oil from abroad; Under president Trump lots of

Friday October 23 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: Mostly cloudy skies. Areas of patchy fog. High near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
-Candle lighting 5:47 pm Shkia/sunset 6:05 pm

-14 new covid cases in Lakewood total 5935/208

Chumash shiur 1:00 pm -R' Gershon Ribner shhlita 646-726-9977
-Tehillim: Please be mispallel for R' PG Waxman, Pinchas Gershon Ben Chana. His condition took a turn for the worse overnight(LNN)
-Hachtorah for HaRav Shaul Sinski shlita appointed as rav of Pine River Kehilla in Lakewood 

-LPD:  Lakewood residents please travel with caution this morning as there is fog throughout the town and surrounding areas. 
-BDE: Rabbi Yehuda Kolko Z"L niftar in EY read more at  Matzav
- Trump, Biden Debate Marked by Clashes, but Less Chaos more at AP 
-Of 1182 new cases reported yesterday in NJ 469, cases are older than 7 days. 40-50% of cases being past infectious is a losing battle for contact tracing. 140 net cases are more than a month old. 100 cases are 100 days ago (Source)
-Ivanka Trump was davening at the Ohel in Queens yesterday 10 days before the election of her father
Audio: Lakewood Election update      

- Shiva for Rav Yosef Weiss Ztl at 720 Monmouth avenue shachris 8:25, Mincha 1:45 Maariv 8:00 pm gettin up Tuesday morning

Lakewood Blue Claws Adding Insult to Injury. 20 years ago, the taxpayers

20 years ago, the taxpayers of Lakewood were kept in the dark, when Bob Singer and his buddies decided to build a stadium using 24 million dollars of Urban Enterprise money. Urban Enterprise money is the sales taxes set aside from Lakewood taxpayers to be used to promote businesses and build infrastructure  for Lakewood. Singer and friends decided to use all the money available to build a stadium for a new minor league team.

 The team was called the Lakewood Blue Claws. Promises were made that the stadium would be an economic engine and would bring prosperity to Lakewood. 

Of course nothing like that happened. Not one business in Lakewood receives any benefit from this 24 million dollar stadium. 

Surely there must be some profits from rent or property taxes? Advertising ? Naming and leasing for events ?

Thursday, October 22, 2020

JHS: From Minsk to Monsey: The Life of Rav Reuven Grozovsky

As a sequel to the story of Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz, it would be appropriate to profile the activities of his illustrious son in law and successor Rav Reuven Grozovsky (1886-1958). Growing up in Minsk, he convinced several of the youth to join him in the famed Slabodka Yeshiva. He'd eventually marry the daughter of Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz, assisting him in the running of the Kamenitz Yeshiva. Escaping the war to the United States, Rav Reuven assumed a position as Rosh Yeshiva in both Torah Vodaath as well as the nascent Bais Medrash Elyon in Monsey. At the national level, he was first an activist in the wartime Vaad Hatzalah, then the chairman of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel, as well as heading the new Torah Umesorah efforts in Jewish education. As a true leader in tune with the times, he voiced his clear opinion on all issues and challenges facing the Jewish people. In 1952 he sustained a tragic car accident under mysterious circumstances. This greatly inhibited his activities and he passed away six years later.

Oif Simchas ה' חשון תשפ''א

 Engagements: Courtesy of Vivaser Daily:

Pushback On A Initiative to Test

 A campaign was launched to get the Lakewood community tested for covid19 after serious pushback from parents, schools and residents who are not going along with it. There are ads PR articles and billboards introducing the Lakewood covid testing initiative. The Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva did not sign any letter approving of this. Customarily during the coronavirus the Roshei yeshiva attached their signatures to other letters on matters pertaining to covid-19 so far that has not happened. The Ad says that rabbonim and askanim urge the klal to test and the initiative is endorsed by Agudath Israel. In the ads it states clearly the testing is not to make sure that people who are not well should test to see if they are positive, rather specifically states in small leters on the bottom "for the safety of the public if you are experiencing any symptoms of not feeling well please refrain from visiting the testing sites". The testing is only for healthy people who hopefuly will have a negative result which will give govt officials a snapshot with data about the pandemic in the Lakewood community. The PR articles continue with a constant threat of fear that the only reason schools, shuls and businesses in Lakewood are allowed to remain open is because of the testing otherwise everything will immediately get shut down, need proof well they tell us to look across the bridge in NY and see what Cuomo has done. Finally they acknowledge the reluctance of the rest of the kehila to test not because people have brains and have valid concerns, not because people speak to their doctors who advise them, not because people speak to their local rav who advises them but as the press release states  " It is undeniable that in recent days voices have cropped up sowing confusion and misinformation about testing. There have been wild claims about testing that were debunked by public officials such as Rabbi Avi Schnall of Agudath Israel. We are indeed a generation that grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust, which may explain why our trust in authority is lower than in other communities. When parents are handed long documents to sign on behalf of their children, it is natural to panic". 

This discussion should be had with gedolim not random lay people. Public policy related to pandemics should only be set with those who have medical credentials and expertise in the field of  infectious diseases with no other motives but to protect the safety and health of  the community. There are schools that are not asking parents for consent to randomly test their children. There are many who hold halachically and hashkaficly not test or draw blood if there's no medical reason to do so. People do not want to be used as guinea pigs for someone's study especially that the rates in Lakewood have gone way downhill  while other parts of the state have gone up.

Brooklyn Kosher Cafe Owner Gets ‘Outpouring of Support’ After Erroneous Fine

Video: watch video below  Owner was interviewed on the Tucker Carlson show

 Hamodia  - A kosher café owner who received a wrongful summons from New York City amid the state’s controversial COVID shutdown, has experienced a national outpouring of support. Mixed Greens Café, on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue V in Brooklyn’s Homecrest neighborhood, was open Tuesday for takeout and delivery only, as required for restaurants in a “red zone” hotspot, when a man in plainclothes entered at 3:30 p.m., store owner Jacob Green told Hamodia Wednesday evening. 

The man asked if he could sit down and eat, but Jacob’s cousin Mike Green, the manager who was in the store at the time, said the store was only open for takeout and delivery. The man then identified himself as an officer of the City Department of Consumer Affairs, and proceeded to write the store a summons for keeping its doors open. The store manager, Jacob’s cousin Mike Green, can be heard pleading with the officer, “I’m struggling here every single day. It’s hard for me. There was nobody inside the store, obviously, because we don’t have dining, we only have takeout. There was nobody in the store and I’m only getting a ticket because my doors are open?”

Thursday October 22 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather- Areas of fog early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 71F.

- 22 new covid cases in Lakewood +2 deaths totals 5921/208

-Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged Thursday that he did not wear a mask — because he was eating and drinking  at an event where he came into contact with a senior staff member who later tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the governor to quarantine Murphy tested negative twice since the encounter and has shown no symptoms.

- Pro Alan Dershowitz: I grew up in Orthodox Brooklyn. We must apply the same COVID-19 standards for all and Jews must choose life. There has been far too much finger pointing at Orthodox Jews by civic leaders who should know better. I’m on your side of these legal and political arguments. But Please emphasize those parts of the Torah that deal with mandatory isolation of contagiously ill Jews. Please recall the Talmudic wisdom that he who saves even a single human life, it is as if he saved the entire world (JTA)

- Bnos Melech distribution 8:30 pm, Sanz Klausenbeeg weekend box 5:45 pm behind Evergreen Parkview & Edgecomb

-BDE: Petirah of R' Yosef Waldman z"L of Lakewood. he was 63. Levaya 8:00 pm at the Lakewood Bais Olam. He was a son in law by Rabbi Zecharia Fendel ZTL.

-Food distribution today by OTL

Pine park 4:30 pm, 140 Lehigh 5:00 pm, 100 James 5:30 pm, Bais Rochel 6:00 pm,,  1100 Cross 5:30 pm

 -In little over six minutes, the Lakewood Board of Education approved the agenda for its monthly meeting without a single mention of the recent COVID-19 cases among teachers and students in the public schools. The Lakewood Public School District has reported recently that at least 36 people, 20 staff and 16 students have tested positive for COVID-19. Dozens of staff members and students have been sent home to quarantine, as well. parents complained they could not as questions.(APP)

-Bikur Cholim- 130 Covid patients have been hospitalized since September 12. B”H 112 were discharged, 5 were niftar R"L. Currently 15 hospitalized, with 6 of them in serious/critical condition- Annual kinus Hashluchim Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries Moves Online Amid Pandemic will be an all virtual event.

-Harold Herskowitz reacts on Twitter to the Blueclaws dropping Lakewood. "Lakewood taxpayers paid for this scam stadium deal.  And now they don't want our name on it. We paid 24 million dollars for the stadium.  Thy got all proceeds. Paid us 25 grand a year in rent. We the Lakewood taxpayers paid all maintenance costs, which was in the millions for 15 years. It brought no business to the town. Was very profitable.  Put money in the politicians pockets. Lakewood had all our money that we could have used to fix our messed up town stolen by these politicians and their buddies. And now they dont even want to be associated with us. I think it's time for a lawsuit. We want our money back."

- Gelbstein food distribution: Today  3:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Middle School on Somerset Ave and Clifton Avenue Grade School. 

- Today the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee will be hearing bill S2814, which makes failure to wear a mask into a store with posted signage during the state of emergency a criminal trespass offense punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of $500 or both.  . If passed, the law will take effect immediately and shall expire upon the expiration of the state of emergency  “a person commits a violation if that person is not properly wearing a mask which at a minimum simultaneously covers the nose and mouth

-Final presidential debate will take place tonight

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

BlueClaws Drop "Lakewood" Rebrand as Jersey Shore BlueClaws extend lease with the Township

 The Lakewood Blueclaws Baseball team that plays in First energy park in Lakewood has rebranded and dropped the name of its host town. It will now call itself the Jersey Shore Blueclaws. At the same time the team announced that they’ve exercised a 10-year team lease option on the FirstEnergy Park lease with the Township of Lakewood. The current lease is $175,000 a year. 

In the press release Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles and Steve Reinman, the Township’s Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development, were in attendance at the event. “The BlueClaws have been a tremendous asset to our community, bringing over 7.7 million fans to Lakewood since 2001,” said Coles. “The Township could not be more excited continue our partnership with the BlueClaws and we look forward to this exciting new era in team history.”

Oif Simchas ד' חשון תשפ''א

 Kiddush Levana

Engagements courtesy of Vivaser daily:

Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah: עת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע

 We need to search for any possible methods to continue education of our youth spiritual danger is even higher than physical danger. We may not provoke through protests and unruliness against the government. Something that has already caused an appalling desecration of Hashem's Name, R"L.

Lakewood BOE Meeting Tonight

 Lakewood Board of Education public meeting today 7:30 pm

-Watch Live stream HERE 
-Agenda HERE
414,337 kosher meals served from Sep 1 - Oct 16

Wednesday October 21 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Areas of dense fog. High 74F.

- 13 new covid cases in Lakewood + 1 death totals 5899/206

- Just hours after being ordered by a federal judge to explain his shutdown of Jewish schools in court, Governor Andrew Cuomo held a press conference in which he reversed course and agreed to allow the schools to open in Far Rockaway. The announcement came on the heels of the lawsuit filed by Yitzchok and Chana Lebovits, who send their daughters to Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam (BYAM) – an Orthodox Jewish school for girls. The lawsuit alleged that Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio had illegally discriminated against the school, even though there had been no cases of COVID and both officials had previously admitted that schools have not been spreading the virus. More 

- Lakewood township to open municipal building in January 2021 if infection rates come down. Read full story at FAA.com 
-Asifa for the רפואה שלימה of the Mir Mashgiach, Hagaon Harav Aaron Chodosh Shlita. Harav Binyomin Finkel Shlita will give divrei chizuk at 4pm followed by Tehilim. call in #  929-219-1199
-Ocean county drops to #8 with 63 covid cases
-Gov. Phil Murphy abruptly stepped off the stage of a public event Wednesday moments after he learned somebody he was in contact with over the weekend tested positive for the coronavirus. Murphy said the last time he took a COVID-19 test was on Monday and that he tested negative. He will self quarantine by did not say how long.
-Cuomo makes adjustments to some zones but Brooklyn the red zone remains the red zone. The orange zone will go to a yellow zone .Rockland county red remains red. Yellow remains yellow. Orange county red remains red. Yellow remains yellow.
-Yesodei food distribution by Out To Lunch for kids not in school and weekend meals
Sanztown rd westgate 4:30 pm
SCHI parking lot 6:00 pm
Mekor Hatorah 180 sims 6:30 pm (off Pine street)
Tashbar 82 oak street 6:45 pm 
The center 1400 Prospect 7:00 pm
- Igud Harabonim Linyonei Corona in a letter dated yesterday 2 Cheshvan call for parents to test their children. " The Governor's office has made it clear that every  Mosad  have a testing protocol in place if they are to allow them to continue operating in light of the recent COVID-19 uptick. Therefore and after careful deliberation and consultation with the Roshei Yeshiva Shlita it is clear to us that in the current matzav it is appropriate that the Keilah partakes in the testing being conducted by their children's mosdos".
- continued tefilos for the Mir Mashgiach Rav Aaron Chodeosh who is hospitalized with Corona he is on a respirator. Name is Aaron Dovid ben Tzivia Leah 
The center 1400 prospect 7:00 pm 
-An atrocious antisemitic message was discovered at a Costco woman’s bathroom yesterday in Ocean Township, NJ.
-Latest Hashkafa shiurim uploaded at Rebgershonribner.com
Eating cheerios for Shalosh Seudos
LKWAT – Long term Kollel wife aptitude test

Zionist Groups fight Orthodox Right wing Takeover of the WZO at the World Jewish Congress

 The 38th world Jewish Congress is meeting this week for its annual conference. They meet every 5 years in Yerushalayim and this year are holding the proceeding online. The WZO was founded in 1897 at the World Jewish Congress by Theodor Herzl. After the WZO elections earlier this year The right-wing and Orthodox coalition increased their delegates led by World Likud and includes World Mizrachi, Shas, Yisrael Beytenu and Eretz Hakodesh. The progressive groups are fighting back with Hadassah president denouncing the WZO coalition agreement and Masorti director threatening  that they will leave Zionist institutions and establish new ones if we have no place at the table

 The progressive reform and conservative groups such as Hadassah, other groups delayed right-wing takeover of World Zionist Congress after a  Power shift at the World Zionist Congress may strip progressive and center-left parties of influence, unless a compromised is reached. Legacy Jewish groups like Naamat, Maccabi, B’nai B’rith International, the Women’s International Zionist Organization and Emunah stepped in to delay the contentious vote

-JTA — A coalition of Jewish groups including the likes of Hadassah and B’nai B’rith International has

ברוך דיין האמת

Live stream HERE or below 1:30 pm

Petirah of Rav Yosef Weiss Z"l, Menahel of Yeshiva Sha'agas Aryeh  in Lakewood who went into cardiac arrest after suffering from an illness. Levaya at the parking lot of Lake terrace hall at 1:30 pm Kevura at the Lakewood Bais Olam. The Levaya will be live streamed see below for the live feed. Phone hook up 1- 857-356-3300 or 612-398-0330

From Matzav- Rabbi Weiss served as the menahel at Yeshiva Shaagas Aryeh, as well as the principal of the Satmar Cheder of Lakewood. A veteran mechanech, Rabbi Weiss devoted himself to the field of chinuch with great dedication for decades. Rabbi Weiss was also the author of the popular Visions of Greatness series, published by CIS. Visions of Greatness contains hundreds of inspiring stories that have been enjoyed by thousands.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Oif Simchas ג' חשון תשפ''א

 Engagements: Courtesy of Vivaser Daily

Write in Ballot Results for Lakewood Primary Elections July 7 2020

See below for full list and results of write in candidates submitted for the Lakewood Primary Elections that took place by mail on July 7, 2020 (HT: Reporter Shlomo Schorr on Twitter,

Tuesday October 20 2020 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing.

- Please be mispallel for Yosef Yona Ben Rivka, a Lakewood Menahel who is in extremely critical condition. (LNN)

-Gov Murphy tonight: As cases continue to rise in our state and across the nation, we highly discourage to the extent practical – non-essential interstate travel. 
-Toms River with 15 new covid cases 
- Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged residents of New York about neighboring New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania to avoid all but essential travel between the states because of a spike in coronavirus cases in the Garden states. Cuomo said “non-essential” cross-border travel in the region “should be avoided”.

-Chasuna halls in Lakewood reinforce covid guidelines and regulations limiting guests to 150 demanding all attendees wear masks and no and holding by dancing. The wedding schedule has changed allowing a second shift to join with sinchas chosson vekallah. Authorities were at recent events to assure compliance.

-Ocean county down to #8 in List of cases in NJ with 55, led by Union 132. Middlesex 117, Essex 114, Bergen 103, Hudson 87, Passaic 67, Morris 60, who all have more cases. None of these counties are vilified by the Murphy administration as they did to Ocean county.

- 13 new covid cases in Lakewood totals 5886/205 + 1 death.

-Pizza on Wheels free lunch program daily 11:00 am - 1:00 pm 
-NYC mayor Bill de Blasio expressed regret on how the city overreacted in terms of enforcement on the jewish communities, and that it would enforce compliance in more measured ways.(BP24)
-Murphy signs bill to release thousands of N.J. prisoners early beginning the day after Election Day due to covid19 in prisons. NJ.com
-The state shipped 170,000 antigen (rapid) tests to Ocean county, but claim they aren't reporting the results because they aren't PCR.(Non rapid).according to NJ12 reporter. Yet there seems to be a disconnect as local health departments are factoring it in their count. 

- Numerous car accidents around Lakewood this morning due to slippery roads

-Tefillos for Harav Dovid Soleveitchick  shlita who suffered a bad case of pneumonia please daven for Meshulam Dovid ben Alteh Hendel for a refuah sheleima

-Tefilos for Rav Aharon Chodosh  shlitamashgiach  Mir Yerushalayim who was taken to hospital after not feeling well his condition is stable they tested him for covid19. Please daven for Aharon ben Tzivia for a refuah shleima

-LPD: Kent Rd closed between County Line Rd and the Howell border until further notice reoairs to the bridgewill keep the road closed for a while.
-At the zoning board last night the board denied a application to build 39 single family on Oak Street between Albert Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue. The board approved  4 houses on Spruce street corner Washington where only 1.5 houses(LNN)
-Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh  told his listeners yesterday “It’s tough to realize that the days where I do not think I’m under a death sentence are over,” after scans  showed the lung cancer was

Monday, October 19, 2020

Lakewood Zoning Board Meeting

 Lakewood Zoning board meeting tonight Monday October 19 at7:00 pm

-Watch Livestream HERE 
-See Agenda HERE 
-During the meeting, you may submit written questions and/or comments via e mail to the following e-mail address: zoningboardcomments@lakewoodnj.gov You must Include your name and address in your submission. 
OLD BUSINESS
Appeal # 4139A – Somerset NH LLC – New Hampshire Ave, Block 1248 Lot 1, B-5 zone.
 Subdivision for 30 duplex structures.
6. NEW BUSINESS

What's A NJ Provisional Ballot? How Does It Work?

  Patch- NJ - Ever since Governor Phil Murphy announced that the November election would be primarily vote-by-mail, there has been a flurry of concern about the voting in person which will be done by using a provisional ballot. According to Warren County Clerk Holly Mackey, in every election paper provisional ballots are supplied to the poll workers and are nothing new.

"They are commonly used for things such as a voter appearing in person but does not show up in the poll books, for a whole host of reasons, and for people who were issued a vote-by-mail ballot," Mackey said. "They are given the paper provisional ballot and the affirmation statement that they fill out."

Monday Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Oct 19 News Updates Lakewood

 weather: Partly cloudy skies. High 67F

-50 New covid cases in Lakewood totals 5873/204

- "I'm hearing horror stories of inspectors threatening to bust yeshiva doors, sneaking in through backyards, stopping kids and asking where they're going (creeps). (Reporter Yochon Donn on Twitter)

-The USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the continued extension of nationwide flexibilities allowing free school meals for all kids throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. That means parents will not have to pay for school lunch even if they are not eligible. No word yet if the weekly food distributions will continue past December. 

-Murphy: Many of the new cases we are tracking are coming not from our schools or businesses, but from gatherings inside private homes.Especially as the cooler weather pulls more of us back inside, we have to remain extra-vigilant.

- Five counties are reporting more than 100 cases today – Ocean with 154, Essex with 132, Union with 109, Middlesex with 108, and Bergen with 103

-New Jersey reported 1,192 positive coronavirus tests across the state The statewide positivity rate for all tests recorded on October 15th was 3.36%. The statewide rate of transmission is currently 1.14.

-Kipshuto restaurant opens a second location at the shopping center at 605 East Countyline Rd, 2, Lakewood corner of Squankum road near the Wawa. The other location is on South Clifton order online Here

-Case Update: On Thursday there was a hearing at the appeals court. It is estimated the judge will issue a ruling within 2 months. It is possible the judge will iy"h declare the case an unjustified prosecution and dismiss the entire case or ח''ו she will recommend that R Osher shlita be resentenced for a 12 year prison sentence ר''ל. Please continue to dave for Osher ben Chana Frumit. There will be weekly tehillim Thursday night 10:30 pm in Binyan Beren.

-Satmar releases the grammen for the mitzva tzntz ahead of the wedding tonight for all those who will be calling in to join along
-The Rosh Hayeshiva Rav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi shlita tested positive for coronavirus he is feeling well and continuing his daily schedule please daven for Boruch Mordechai ben Hinda Malka
-Starting today Monday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan HaRav Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita will continue daily Shaarei Teshuva Monday - Thursday 1:25pm-1:35 pmOn Chayeinu Hotline 732-301-4043 press 9 to hear it live and 6 for recordings

-Residents in Jackson speak up at meeting demanding closure of shuls video


Sunday, October 18, 2020

AUDIO: Cuomo Holds Conference Call With Jewish Leaders Sunday Night They Apologized for the Rhetoric

"Please remember that when you see some, pardon me, idiots doing silly things, don’t paint us with that brush. We are really beating up on them, we are doing everything in our power to stop these people. At the same time, you know, one thing you mentioned earlier [that] you were sued without anybody talking to you – that’s one thing I feel is unfair. We wanted to meet with you. We wanted to speak with you. We didn’t get the time". 

 Hamodia: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo a held conference call with Jewish leaders Sunday night. Several askanim from Borough Park declined to be on the call, after the tensions that arose from the October 6th call, including the fact that the governor muted them during the call, and only talk several prearranged questions. However, on this October 18th call,  it appeared that questioners were able to talk freely, and one person involved described the conference to Hamodia as much more “conciliatory.”

Rabbi Yaakov Bender: This is Yaakov Bender from Far Rockaway, New York.

Read full transcript and Hear the audio at Hamodia.com

Oif Simchas 1 Cheshvan 5781 Rosh Chodesh

Engagements courtesy of Vivaser Daily: To receive send email getvivaser@gmail.com

Audio: Election Update: Vote Column A straight Down

 Election message from R' Harold Herskowitz VOTE STRAIGHT COLUMN A

Reminder this election is by mail in Ballot. There will be no formal in person voting besides for a few

Sunday Rosh Chosesh Cheshvan News updates Lakewood

חדש עלינו את החודש הזה לטובה ולברכה, לששון ולשמחה, לישועה ולנחמה, לפרנסה ולכלכלה, לחיים ולשלום, למחילת חטא ולסליחת עוון

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 63F 10% chance of rain

-Authorities enforcing social distancing rules and mask wearing at simcha halls.

-NJ- The statewide rate of transmission declined to 1.15, even though number of cases jumped up. Essex County led the state in new cases Sunday, with 139, followed by Hudson (131), Ocean (121), and Union and Middlesex, both 107.

-117 New cases in Lakewood totals 5823/204

-The Yom Tefillah requested by the Rabbonim  in Boro Park will take place  Tuesday 11:30am by phone, will include all mosdos and communities. 
-Mosdos in Monsey were shut down by Govt officials over shabbos 
- Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva and the Vaad Harabonim linyanei corona call for increase in Torah and tefilla. In a letter released it states the current threat to the operation of yeshivos and Talmudei Torah especially that some were shut down in other cities. The rabbonim ask that tehillim be said after all 3 daily tefillos in shuls.

- Lakewood Vaad does not make an endorsement for president citing a decades long practice to focus on matters of local concern and not make endorsement in presidential elections. Lakewood was the Trumpiest town in NJ who voted in 2016. The vaad did express hakoras hatov to the president and have significant concerns about the policies of the Democratic contenders.

-Boro Park is holding a protest (yom tefilah) against the Cuomo lockdown on Monday, based on a decision tonight by rabbanim. This, according to my recall, is unprecedented. Never before has Boro Park sanctioned a protest. Then again, the governor's rhetoric these days is also unprecedented. (Yochonon Donn)

- Tehillim for שמעון בן הניא רייזל hospitalized with corona. רפאל אברהם יצחק בן גיטל, חיים יעקב בן פייגא בתוך שאר חולי ישראל

- Satmar releases statement it will hold wedding for close family only and blames media smear since the original plan was with social distancing guidelines.



Saturday, October 17, 2020

Motzei Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan 5781 Lakewood

- Chartered flights are heading to Israel the next few days with Yeshiva bochurim and Seminary girls going  to study and learn after not being allowed to enter. They will quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival.

-39 new cases in Lakewood  totals 5706/204

-Tehillim Edison rosh yeshivas name has been changed. Please be mispalel for  Chaim Yaakov ben Faiga בתוך שאר חולי ישראל

- Rav Chaim Kanievsky responded to those who asked that they should open the chadeorim and  yeshivos ketanos starting tomorrow after failing to reach a deal with the state.

-NY Gov. Cuomo signed an order to stop a planned wedding this Monday for the grandson of the Satmar Rebbe Rav Zalman  It was expected to draw 10,000 guest and held in Williamsburg outside the color zones You can get married, you just can't have a thousand people at your wedding. You get the same result at the end of the day -- you're just married. It's also cheaper."Abc

- Coronavirus cases increased in 17 of N.J.'s 21 counties. Ocean County was the state’s biggest hotspot last week, adding 17.6 cases per 10,000, a 19% rise from last week. The county had curtailed its rate slightly after eclipsing 20 cases per 10,000 two weeks ago.




Friday, October 16, 2020

Lakewood Zmanim עש׳׳ק פרשת בראשית שבת מברכים חודש מרחשון תשפ׳׳א


 
 חסידים היו אומרים: ״היכן שיהודי מעמיד את עצמו בשבת בראשית - שם הוא יעמוד בכל השנה כולה״
Friday, October 16, 2020 / כ״ח תשרי תשפ״א ערב שבת פרשת בראשית
-Candle lighting 5:56 pm 
-Shkia/Sunset 6:14 pm
-Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan is Sunday and Monday
-Molad: · Shabbos morning, 23 minutes and 0 chalakim after 3:00 am.
די מולד איז געווען שבת פארטאגס דריי און צוואנציג מינוט נאך דריי 
-weather Shabbbos day  A mainly sunny sky. High 61F

Minhag in some shuls to sell the first Aliya of shabbos Breishis
A story in which the Maharik relates that in his time (fifteenth century), the custom in many shuls in

Friday Oct 16 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: Periods of rain. Morning high of 63F with temps falling to near 55. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.

- Candle lighting 5:56 pm Shkia Sunset 6:14 pm Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan Sunday & Monday

- Over 25 local cholim in hospitals please continue to daven,

- Six NJ Counties have more cases than Ocean county that has 70. Essex has most at 99 Hudson 98.

-28 New covid cases in Lakewood totals 5667/204

-BDE:  Harav Ayreh Leibish Yitzchak Rubin, zt”l, Av Beis Din of Glaguv. He was approximately 70 years old.  levayah took place at his bais medrash on 55th Streetin Boror park

-Rav Moshe Shternbuch, rosh av bais din of the Badatz of the Eidah Hachareidis of Yerushalayim, has released a powerful p’sak against those who submit to authorities names and identities of Torah institutions that allegedly are not complying with draconian Covid-19 lockdown regulations.Rav Shternbuch, in his weekly shiur, stated that these “mosrim,” those who inform on fellow Jews to governmental authorities, may not be counted toward a minyan. read more at Matzav.com  

-Vaad Hapoel for Hatzolas hayeshivos and mosdos Hatorah in Lakewood: Since the awareness campaign not to do mass testing the numbers have  been reduced in the community.

-There is no state mandate to have students randomly tested in school.

-Murphy: “There have been some big realities. And again, I will say that our working relationship with elected leaders, faith leaders and others in and around Lakewood has been outstanding, but there’s no escaping the fact that that’s been a hotspot.. But for the most part, I’ll use baseball terms, forgive me, this is a bunch of singles and doubles, small ball stuff that’s a little bit here, a little bit there.”

- New Hampshire and Massachusetts add the state NJ to a travel advisory as one of the states to quarantine for 14 days if you come from there.

- Cuomo's health commissioner  Howard Zucker admits in a brief in the Brooklyn Catholic Diocese case that “there is no specific percentage threshold to determine when an area should be designated as an orange or yellow zone.” Basically, Cuomo is making up rules and maps based on mood.(OJPAC)

- A "super-spreader event" near Monmouth University led to positive coronavirus tests for more than 100 students and forced the school into all-online classes, officials said Tuesday. The outbreak was traced to a single off-campus private gathering that resulted in 125 positive Covid-19 cases.

- Jays busing dismissal at girls schools today 11:00 am due to limited drivers.
- Changing of the guard Lakewood Hatzolah Captains retire after 10 year term. New captain appointed by vaad Harabonim
-BD'E: Rosh hakahal of Satmar in Monroe Reb Meir Zelig Rispler Z"L 75, was niftar after catching the virus recently.

- LNN - Prime Apartments and the new Chateau Grande shopping center have applied to Lakewood Township to receive 5 year tax abatements on their new buildings.⁣
The tax abatements would begin once the buildings are deemed by the tax assessor as "complete and ready for use for their intended purpose". The first year after completion the owners would pay $0 in property taxes, the second year they would pay 20%, the third year 40%, the fourth year 60%, and the fifty year 80%. After the 5 years they will need to pay the full amount of taxes due.⁣ The Prime Apartments building is currently assessed at over $19 Million.⁣ Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein voted no to the Prime Apartments request, and he abstained to the Chateau Grande plaza request. Committeeman Mike D'Elia abstained on both requests.

- Hamodia: -A group of Catholics and Orthodox Jews filed suit Thursday against New York’s recent COVID-19 restrictions, alleging unconstitutional infringements on freedom of speech, religion and assembly. This is at least the fifth lawsuit brought against the regulations imposed last week.

The federal suit was brought by a group of Catholic priests, Orthodox Jews, and Catholic-school and yeshiva parents, over Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s closure of schools and limitation of houses or worship to as few as 10.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Oif Simchas 28 Tishrei 5781

 Chasunas: 

Thursday Oct 15 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: Sunny. High around 75F.
- potential for Heavy rainfall for Friday- put away the Sukka

- 11:30 PM - Chumash Shiur by HaRav Yeruchum Olshin Shlita Live Call-in: 646-726-9977
Past Shiurim: 732-363-6713 or Chayeinu Hotline: 732-301-4043

-Distribution 9 pm 180 Sims ave
-HaRav Yechiel Moskowitz Shlita will give a Shiur on Parshas Hashavua tonight at 10:30. To join, please call 605-313-5894 PIN# 783618# 

-6:45  Bais Tova distribution open
-At the Lakewood township meeting today the committee passed first  reading of tax abatements for Chateau grand plaza and Prime Apartments. Committeemen Lichtenstein and Delia Abstained on one and did not vote on the other because of a conflict. The public hearing will take place on November 12. Mayor Coles said they are working with businesses and schools to make sure people are properly socially distancing. 

- 55 New covid cases in Lakewood totals 5639/204. OCHD reporting 95 cases in the county but Murphy tweets it was over 100

-Dov Hikind Tweets "I just dispatched the attached letter to President lDonald Trump  asking for DOJ to investigate Tyrant King Cuomo's actions against the NY Jewish communities It's clear to any rational observer the governor is using COVID as cover for his vengeful incitement against Jewish ppl"
-Murphy  973 new positive COVID19 test results, Ocean, Bergen, and Essex counties all reported more than 100 cases today. 22 outbreaks traced back to schools affecting 83 people 9 cases linked to 3 schools in Ocean county.

- Gelbstein food box distribution today 3:30 -6:00 pm at Clifton Ave School and Middle school on Somerset
-Audio: Stoliner Rebbe shlita about being careful for others and for oneself

-Sanz klausenberg distribution 5:45pm -7:30 pm Edgecomb & Parkview behind Evergreen
-OTL weekend shabbos lunch box distribution
Pine park 4:30
Tiferes Chaya on Joe Parker 7:00 pm
Bnos Hadasa 140 Lehigh Ave 7:30 pm
Mekor hatorah 180 Sims 9:30 pm

- The group Vaad Hamosdos Linyanei Corona working with many mosdos issued a statement After many schools in Lakewood sent home forms to be filled out & signed to allow the school to test kids for corona at random. There is no such legal requirement and is against the opinion of gedolei haposkim including rav Moshe Shaul Klein shlita of Rav Wosners Bais Din. One should discuss with their Rov and Doctor before signing a form. A false positive can put the entire family in quarantine, jeopordise the Ruchniyus and close down schools.
- Tehillim for Rav Yaakov Busel shlita hospitalized for covid and developed a infection. Yaakov ben Faiga besoch shar cholei yisroel.
-  New Jersey appellate court will hear arguments today in the Eisemann case.
 seeking to overturn the two remaining convictions. The state is looking for a tougher sentance.  The case will  be heard virtually  at 10:15am. Tehillim and seder limud will take place as a zechus for Asher ben Chana Frumit.
 -Three shuls in Rockland County have filed a lawsuit against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s restrictions on houses of worship due to a COVID-19 uptick, alleging an unconstitutional violation of religious and other liberties. (Hamodia)
- Free Rapid COVID19 Testing today Oct 15 at OHI 101 Second street 9AM-4PM Results available quickly

- Cuomo signs executive order to withold funding from non public schools in red zones who defy his order and remain open.

Today: Lakewood Township Commmitee Meeting

 The Lakewood township committee meeting will take place today Oct 15, 2020 at 5:30 pm virtually
Watch live stream HERE  
See Agenda HERE
 Ordnance first reading Granting Tax abatements from local property taxes to:
-Chateau grand plaza at 939 River Avenue
-Prime Apartments at 7th and Madison former capitol hotel
-Street vacation, land sales.
-Public comment may be submitted via email at comments@lakewoodnj.gov before and
during the committee meeting.  see more

Twitter Thread: Understanding the NYC Orthodox Jewish community and the Covid Lockdown

"To conclude: We care for life more than Cuomo does. Much more. He’s responsible for the lost lives of thousands. But we also care for our liberties — especially our religious liberties. And Orthodox Jews aren’t about to give Cuomo control over the well-being. Period". 

In a long twitter thread D.Y Shor gives his perspective and informative narrative on the unprecedented attack on NY’s Religious Jewish Communities

We Orthodox Jews in NYC have been all the rage for a few weeks now, and I gather most people outside the community have no idea what’s really transpiring here, so allow me to try to clarify some stuff for you all. The Jewish community here is very big, and consists of hundreds of congregations. Each can be different. Obviously I can’t give an accounting for all, but I’ll try to give a general explainer on the broad happenings with COVID and the restrictions impacting religious life. 

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Oif Simchas Lakewood כ''ז תשרי תשפ''א

Chasunos:

Wednesday October 14 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: A mainly sunny sky. High around 70F.

-Tefilos for R' Asher ben Chana Frumit Eisenmann - tomorrow morning is a crucial hearing in the appellate court. A  kinus tefila will take place tonight 10:15 pm in yeshiva  hook up#  7128325656  500# 
- Some Schools sent home a consent form for parents to sign that they legally have to allow random covid testing of students in school.
-Mishpacha article "Shuttered Shuls Shattered Trust" -  Has Cuomo gone too far:
On Cuomo “He figures that when the election comes up, ‘I’ll go visit a couple of rebbes, I’ll throw some money in the budget and give a nice speech about how many times I visited Israel,’ ” the activist said. “I don’t think he’s worried down the road. 
On Murphy- “He was very impressed that here’s a Jewish holiday with customs that are thousands of years old, and the rabbis, the leadership, put out a letter changing those customs in a big way because of the situation,” Rabbi Schnall said. “And he showed his appreciation for that.” 

-Lakewood public schools,  announced three more staff members tested positive for the coronavirus this week NJ.com
- Dry the Schach put away Sukka rain in forecast for Friday.
- Dov Hikind I have a simple message for King Cuomo: I'm not sure what's motivating you to scapegoat the Jewish people every single day for more than TWO WEEKS now...But I can assure you of this: YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS!

-25 new covid cases in Lakewood total 5584/204. Gov Murphy tweeted a graphic showing Ocean county with 194 new cases but the OCHD website only reported 46 new cases in Ocean county as of 8:30 am.

- "Orthodox communities in New Jersey say they’re very satisfied with the authorities’ outreach after an uptick in coronavirus cases there". In a written statement to Haaretz, Murphy said his office has “sought to partner with communities all across New Jersey, including our Orthodox community in Lakewood, to promote social distancing, encourage mask wearing, increase testing and build trust to fight this deadly virus.“We know that we’re only going to get through this pandemic if we work together with religious and community leaders to slow the spread of COVID-19,” he added. Source

-Food lunch box distribution tonight at
Tashbar 7:00 pm
Yesodei distribution Schi parking lot 6:00 pm
The center on Prospect 7:30 pm

-NY Gov. Cuomo singles out the orthodox jewish community for having a spread of the virus and warns yeshivos that if they are open and caught he will withhold funding and shut them down. 
- The regional MVC /licensing center in Eatontown will be closed until Oct. 24 after an employee tested positive. The road tests are open

-Fund for family of Rabbi Mandel ZT"L Donate HERE 
-Leaked audio of  NY Gov Cuomo  admitting that the new COVID lockdowns in New York (targeting Orthodox Jews only) is not based on any science or medical expertise, but rather in his words is a “fear based response.” Hamodia
-Cuomo denies- "There was never a directive that said: 'We will send COVID positive people back to nursing homes.' but evidence shows it was scrubbed from the NYS website here
-Maimonides Reducing Visitation Due to COVID Outbreak in Brooklyn 
-LIC Lakewood industrial meeting 11:30 am Agenda here live stream Here

-According to a new poll conducted by Ami Magazine, 83% of Orthodox Jews will vote for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, while 13% of Orthodox Jews say they’re voting for former Vice President Joe Biden. The poll also found that 76% of its respondents believe that the President is unfairly portrayed by the media. The poll surveyed 1,000 Orthodox Jews in 22 states.

-Wedding halls limit crowd to comply with social distancing regulations. Format changed up to make room for shifts seuda for 150 bentching at 9 pm followed by second shift of simchas chosson vkallah.

-Lee Trunkey Farm responds in a long Facebook post to allegations that they closed only for Chol Hamoed and some called them out for being anti semetic-  some excerpts from the post: " If we were anti-Semitic, would we have allowed this holiday to continue on our farm for the past 30 years?  You really believe we all of a sudden decided that we dislike an entire population of people?  Or maybe, just maybe, do you think we’re concerned about Covid like much of the world?  We have hosted great Jewish customers all summer long.  Over the years  we host thousands of Jewish camp groups for tours in the summer.  This year, in fact, ALL tours and hayrides were cancelled due to Covid and the large group restrictions.  Not just Jewish tours, ALL tours.  Our own grandchildren are a quarter Jewish, for goodness sake! 

A self Imposed Deadline for 2 Year old Playgroup

In previous years attempts were made to hold off registration until Tu bshvat thanks to Mrs. Ziva Krieger A"H

A girl going to high school may not know which school she is going to until a day before but for 2-3 year old playgroups the deadline to apply was Isru Chag Sukkos, 10 months in advance.

If you don't get in quick enough you are told "Sorry We are full."  parents must apply for their 2 year old child 10 months in advance or they will miss the self imposed deadline. The culture of grabbing first only creates a artificial hysteria where parents and even morahs are forced to open registration early because they are scared of loosing out if they wait a few more months. Its not fair for the parents and for the children. So much can change in 5-6 months a child may be held back they may need special services among other factors. We created a panic that only serves the "oischappers" that always look to beat everyone to it, causing a ripple effect that no one gains from.



In previous years attempts were made to hold off registration until Tu bshvat but not everyone was on board and once a few playgroups start taking privately, others follow and break the agreed upon start time.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Oif Simchas Lakewood Oct 13

 Chasunas:

Tuesday Oct 13 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Areas of patchy fog early. Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 67

- 155 new positive Covid19 cases in Lakewood totals 5559/204

-The Levaya for R' Yoni Kohn Z"l will be held at Newark airport at United Cargo, 340 Airis Drive, Newark NJ 4;00 pm enroute to Eretz Yisrael. 

-Gov Murphy: Announcing $100 million in CARES Act funding to support small businesses in NJ rent relief and food assistance to food banks

 -New Jersey has 993 new positive cases, 7 new confirmed COVID-19 deaths

- Last day to register to vote in NJ Here

-Chadorim and mosdos schools start with regular transportation kids have to wear masks when on the bus.

-Tehillim request for Rav Yaakov Halevi ben Chaya Sarah (Rav Fensterheim Scranton Yeshiva)

-Prime Day on Amazon get latest deals at Dansdeals

-Shor Yoshuv update on the condition of the RY Harav Naftali Jaeger shlita: B”H, the Rosh HaYeshiva is continuing to make progress, and resting comfortably. The doctors are very optimistic, and feel he may be able to go home tomorrow or Tuesday. Of course, please continue to keep מורינו נפתלי בן חנה in your Tefillos.

- Senator Ted Cruz tweets "Why do NY Dems keep attacking Orthodox Jews?" in response to NYT article that Cuomo had a conversation with Orthodox leaders last week in which he said he'd allow 50% occupancy before announcing that he was dropping it to 25% hours later. 


Lakewood Planning Board Meeting

 Lakewood planning board virtual meeting October 13th at 6:00 pm

Watch Livestream Here

See Agenda Here 

To submit written comments, before or during the meeting, comments can be emailed to planningboardcomments@lakewoodnj.gov. You must include your name and address in your submission.

Letter from Bais Horaah

 Letter posted on LNN 

Monday, October 12, 2020

Oif Simchas Lakewood כ''ה תשרי תשפ''א

Chasunas:

Isru Chag Sukkos October 12 Lakewood News Updates

Weather- Periods of rain. High near 60F. 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.

-BDE: Matzav TRAGIC ACCIDENT: Yoni Kohn z”l, Two Others, Killed Yoni, who resided in Chicago, was a renowned baal chesed. He served as president of Tryko Partners, a private equity investment group based out of Brick, NJ. The crash happened earlier today in Michigan read more at Matzav

-77 New positive cases in Lakewood total 5404/205

-Update: Please continue to be mispallel for Refael Avrohom Yitzchok ben Gittel, a Lakewood Menahel hospitalized in critical condition. B"h his condition has improved slightly, however, he remains sedated on a ventilator.(LNN)

-A group called vaad to save the yeshivos and Mosdos hatorah of Lakewood took out ads to stop the mass covid19 testing, claiming there are false positives and it is driving up the numbers of positive cases. 

-Columbus day govt offices closed no Mail or garbage pick up. Chadorim cloed for Isru Chag

-Slight improvement in the condition of Harav Chaim Kanievsky shlita he is at home keeping to his daily schedule please continue to daven Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim ben Pesha Miriam

-Dr. Zev Zelenko:  "Hi. Out of Twitter prison again.  Hey Twitter planning a class action lawsuit against you. All lawyered up with the top lawyers and ready to go."

-Gov Murphy tweets before Yom Tov  "Grateful to Jewish community leaders who are doing everything possible to ensure safe holiday practices this weekend. We continue to work closely with religious communities throughout New Jersey to fight the spread of COVID19. We’re all in this together".

Yartzeit of Ribnitzer rebbe: The Visnitzer Bais Hachaim in Monsey, where crowds normally gather on 24 Tishrei for the yahrtzeit of the Ribnitzer Rebbe, zy”a, has been closed by the NYS Health Department to enforce Governor Cuomo’s Executive order barring gatherings. Earlier this evening, foot traffic was allowed, but the Ramapo Police began halting that as well.(Hamodia)

-Facebook is banning posts that deny or distort the Holocaust and will start directing people to authoritative sources if they search for information about the Nazi genocide.

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Motzei Simchas Torah Lakewood 5781

 A Gezunten Vinter (in its true meaning)

-After gorgeous weather over sukkos with no rain the forecast tonight has Rain Low around 55F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Tomorrow cloudy and rainy as well.


-Update: As per Agudah of NJ  Rabbi Avi Schnall, Lakewood's Mosdos are currently set to reopen as scheduled after discussions with the Governors office. There may be a protocol of testing for each school. If the numbers go up things may change. (Video on LNN)

152 New positive cases in Lakewood since Erev Yom Tov total. 5327/205

- No official word on schools opening right after yom tov as there are rumors swirling of closing for a week.

- Hakafos in Covid era: Shuls in Lakewood this year had a unique simchas Torah due to covid19. Some shuls had policies of masking and no holding hands or short hakafos outdoors. BMG had a unusual short Hakacos compaerd to a regular year.  Others only let one person holding the sefer torah dance around the bima while the crowd stayed in their place. Additional outdoor minyanim took place to acomodate those exposed ir social distancing. Many yeshivos did not have Hakafos for its talmidim. 

- NYPD arrest activist Heshy Tishler in Boro park tonight right after yom tov for allegations of in inciting violence.


Friday, October 9, 2020

Zmanim Lakewood עש''ק שמיני עצרת שמחת תורה תשפ''א

נגיל ונשיש בזאת התורה, כי היא לנו עוז ואורה

- Friday, October 9, 2020 / כ״א תשרי תשפ״א הושענא רבה

-Candle lighting 6:07 pm  Shkia/ sunset 6:25 Shecheyanu by Hadlokas Neiros/Vayechulu kiddush

-First day Yom Tov Koheles/Yizkor/Tefilas Geshem/Birchas Kohanim/ Mincha/ Shalosh seudos

-Second night ותודעינו by Maariv Yaknehaz Kiddush/ Simchas Torah

Weather: First day Yom Tov Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 77F 

Simchas Torah Day- Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers in the afternoon. High around 70F.  Chance of rain 40%.

" יהי רצון מלפניך , כשם שקיימתי וישבתי בסוכה זו כן אזכה לשנה הבאה לישב בסוכת עורו של לויתן".



Chol Hamoed Sukkos 5781

 Gut Moed 
- Hoshana Rabba 5780 Erev Shabbos Oct 9 
Weather Abundant sunshine. High 71F 
-Candle lighting 6:07 pm shkia 6:25
-Yizkor candle /Yaknehaz
ותן בלב המלכות, שריו ויועציו עלינו לטובה

- 3:55 pm AGUDAH UPDATE Crushing Disappointment: Judge denies TRO, allows draconian restrictions on religious worship in NY. 

-Continued tefilios for Harav Chaim Kanievsky shlita as his  temperature increased.
the  doctors explain that he is experiencing the "second and most dangerous stage of the coronavirus disease". the Rabbi is feeling good and continuing with his daily routine. Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim ben Pasha Miriam

-88 New coronavirus cases in Lakewood totals 5715/204

- Igud Rabbonim for Corona Guidelines (see letter in seperate post) call for shorter hakafos of 5 minutes each and toned down, everyone participating should wear a mask, women children should also mask, making one wide spread circle will help or everyone should dance in their seats. For Kol Hanearim, chosson Torah/Breishis people must not crowd together. A Kiddush can be made if it is short and not a social event. Each rav will determine more precise guidelines for their kehilos (antibodies etc..)  

-Early Morning Minyan For Shemini Atzeres and Possibly Simchas Torah. For those who do NOT have Covid issues and seek to protect themselves. At the old shul, Park and fourth. HaKail . . . Yishtabach at 7:10.  Indoors in the main shul, an airy area with tall ceilings and more than ample social distancing. Masks not required. Will move to Succa outside if not finished by 8:30, when the main minyan begins.

Simchas Torah Letter and Guidelines from the Igud Harabonim for Corona

 See full letter below. The rabbonim call on the kehillos to adopt a different approach and implement  real change this year.

 Guidelines call for shorter hakafos of 5 minutes each and toned down, everyone participating should wear a mask, women children should also mask, making one wide spread circle will help or everyone should dance in their seats. For Kol Hanearim, chosson Torah/Breishis people must not crowd together. a Kiddush can be made if it is short and not a social event. Each rav will determine more precise guidelines for their kehilos (antibodies etc..)  

As an aside, הרב אלי' דוב וואכטפויגל שליט"א said that the רבנים should say over בשמו that it is a 'vildkeit' to have yeshivishe hakafos and he has cancelled hakafos in his Yeshiva. He said the z'chus hatorah protects limmud hatorah and tefilla but not yeshivishe hakafos.