Chasunas
Monday, February 28, 2022
Monday February 28 News Updates
weather: Plentiful sunshine. High 38F
- Belzer Rebbe was menachem Avel the Toldos Aharon rebbe on the loss of his wife. Fhis was the first visit of the Belz rebbe to the Toldos Aharon Chasidus as the rebbw toured the bais medrash
- Rav Chaim kanievsky shlita was asked about the Ukraine Russia war and said to strengthen in Tefillah and to learn Torah with hasmada he quoted a medrash in Bereishis Rabba 42
אמר רבי אלעזר בר אבינא: אם ראית מלכויות מתגרות אלו באלו צפה לרגלו של משיח. תדע שכן, שהרי בימי אברהם על ידי שנתגרו המלכויות אלו באלו באה הגאולה לאברהם
If you have seen kingdoms provoking one another, look for the foot of Mashiach
- Last night at the dinner for Yeshiva and Mesivta of Long beach the plans were shown for the new campus building and relocation of the yeshiva to the town of Chestnut Ridge near Monsey
- OCHD has not updated the covid cases since Thesday.
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Releases Kol Korei on the Situation in Ukraine
There are hundreds of thousands of Jews in Ukraine (among them, many Orthodox Jews), who are in peril as a result of the Russian invasion into Ukraine. They face the dangers of war, as well as the danger of increasing antisemitism. These Jews of Ukraine are in a state of fear, and in many situations without food, without shelter, without transportation, and without security from anti-Semitic attacks.
The Jewish Nation is one organism; when one limb of a body hurts, the whole body is in pain. Every one of us is obligated to feel the pain of our fellow Jews as if each of us would be in the same situation of being forced to leave home without preparation or bare necessities.
Sunday February 27 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Sunny with gusty winds. High 48F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph.
-BDE: A Frum woman was R"L hit by a car tonight after 9 pm in the White Rd area of Jackson and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was was identified as Sabrina Ben-Porat A"H Levaya details when available (Kol Haolam)
- Sadigura rebbe of Bnei Brak will be coming to Lakewood this week to attend the wedding of a relative on Wednesday night. The rebbe will stay over shabbos in Lakewood at his Bais Medrash on Stirling place.
- Hot Bagels from Brooklyn open at 232 2nd street Lakewood
- NPGS sale prices on purim items shalach manos nosh today
- Shidduch alert PSA: There is an Event at Bell Works and at The Sheraton Eatontown Hotel Tonight! Plan your dates accordingly
- Donald Trump appears to indicate that he will run for president again in 2024 in a speech last night at CPAC."We did it twice and we'll do it again. We're going to be doing it again, a third time."
- Former Attorney General Bill Barr says Trump “has neither the temperament nor persuasive powers” necessary to lead the U.S., urges the Republican Party to move on from him.
- A career-low 37% of Americans approve of President Biden’s job performance, with 55% disapproving, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll today.
- Levaya of Rav Zevulun Dovid Liebb zt”l. at the chapel on 7th street Lakewood kevurah at the bais olam
Badatz Eidah Hacharedis: say 3 Kapitlach Tehillim daily after Shachris for Yidden in Ukraine
Saturday, February 26, 2022
Motzei Shabbos Vayakhel 5782 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Mainly clear. Low 27F.
BDE: Matzav petirah of Rav Zevulun Dovid Liebb zt”l. Rav Liebb served as a marbitz Torah his entire life, serving as rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ishey Yisroel. in Brooklyn He is survived by his children, Rabbi Avrohom Shmuel Liebb, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchok Liebb, Rabbi Shragie Liebb, Rabbi Yeruchem Liebb, Mrs. Sara Gittel Anisfeld (wife of R’ Avrohom Anisfeld), Mrs. Chana Rochel Tabak (wife of R’ Yossel Tabak), Mrs. Leah Malka Abraham (wife of R’ Dovie Abraham) and Mrs. Raizel Nissenbaum. The levayah will be held on Sunday at 11 a.m. in Lakewood at the chapel on 7th street kevurah in Lakewood
-Hatzolah of Central Jersey Auction event watch Here
-Yeshiva Tiferes Boruch of Springfield dinner tonight at Kesser Moshe Yehuda hall
- 223 crashes reported in Lakewood Feb. 1-14( LNN)
- Tehillim Areyeh Leib ben Rivka Shoshana a lkwd resident in critical condition after mot feeling well last week
- Novi shiur by Rav Michoel Sorotzkin at KNA 104 Arbutus drive 9:00 pm or watch on Zoom PW 168485
- LRRC: The 2022 income limits for NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) eligibility have been released. For families that narrowly missed qualifying for NJ Family Care previously, this change in the guidelines may make the difference and deem them eligible. See new income chart Here
Video update from Rabbi Bleich
Video (taken by a goy) of Kiddsuh Friday night as the group from Odesa traveled to the borderFriday, February 25, 2022
Friday Feb 25 News Updates Lakewood
Candle lighting 5:26 pm shkiah/sunset 5:44 pm
- Phone message in the name of Rabbi Forcheimer to say Tehillim even on shabbos for yidden in Ukraine who are in סכנת נפשות and are traveling on Shabbos to get away from the danger
CDC Drops Universal Indoor Mask Guidelines.
Weather: Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 48F. winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
- Flooding and pot holes around Lakewood roads
- eWIC is now here participants in the program will now be using a credit type card instead of the paper checks.
- Reb Elya Ber Wachtfogel shlita commented on the kabbalh of his father re Russians crossing the straits from turkey. He said that ever since he was a kid his father would say over from what he heard in kelm "ven dee russen shiffen velen durchgein dee dardanelin fun tarkai darf men untuhn bigdei shabbos" When the Russians will go through the dardanelles straits from Turkey we will put on shabbos clothing. The R"Y explains that the russian ships headed from the mediterranean to the black sea ports of Odessa for the attack on Ukraine.
- Jackson board of Ed tells parents they will be revamping the transportation system after complaints from mom public parents about the busing applications. Parents will be notified by May 6th about their options for the coming school year.
- Rudy Giulliani tweets: Is it now clear that electing a mentally deteriorating man, who was of limited intelligence even before his dementia, constitutes a ‘CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER” to our safety and security.
- Ocean county Health Dept will now count individuals who had covid twice. COVID-19 case information reported on the website represent unduplicated individuals. If an individual recovers and later tests positive again, the number of cases does not increase. As of 2/23/2022, the Ocean County Health Department will now also report the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases as well.
- President Biden expected to nominate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court. If confirmed, Jackson would become the first Black woman to serve on the court. At 51, She is a defense lawyer and Harvard grad.
Agudath Israel Statement on Current events in Ukraine
Agudath Israel of America views with grave concern the danger to the people of Ukraine, and specifically the large Jewish population – one of the largest in Europe – who find themselves trapped in a dire situation. War, traditionally, has not been kind to Jews, and we ask our constituents to include the Jews of Ukraine in all their prayers. Agudath Israel is working with trusted partners in Ukraine to facilitate aid and evacuation efforts. We encourage all who can to contribute generously to our Ukraine Relief Fund, by going to Agudah.org/Ukraine or by calling 917-795-4414.
-Rabbonim in Kiryat Atta write letter to the community about the war on Ukraine, to say tehillim even on shabbos and that ladies should daven when they lite shabbos candles
Lakewood Zmanim עש׳׳ק פ׳ ויקהל - שבת שקלים מברכים חודש אדר שני תשפ׳׳ב
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| מחצית השקל |
-Candle lighting 5:26 pm
-Shkiah/sunset 5:44 pm
- Rosh Chodesh Adar ב is Thursday and Friday March 3-4
- Molad will be Thursday morning, 51 minutes and 17 chalakim after 3:00 am.
Weather Friday night low of 22 Shabbos day Partly cloudy. High 39F.
מפטירין הפטרת פרשת שקלים מנהג הישיבה נוהגיים לומר יוצרות אחר חזרת הש''ץ לפני קדיש תתקבל בתפלת מוסף אומרים באמצע חזרת הש''ץ
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ואם בפרשת שקלים עסקינן, כדאי לשים לב, כי המסכת היחידה שהיא רק 'ירושלמי' ומצאה את מקומה בש"ס 'בבלי' זו מסכת שקלים, כי כאשר 'ירושלמי' זקוק לשקלים הוא הולך לגלות 'בבל' לקוששם. ולכן מובן למה מודגש שם התנא 'רבי נתן הבבלי' שאם הוא 'נתן' הוא 'בבלי', כי ירושלמי הוא ר' לקח ולא רבי נתן
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Oif Simchas/Shiurim כ''ד אדר א' תשפ''ב
Weather tonight: Showers steady rain overnight. Low 32F Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch
Chasunas:
Thursday Feb 24 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Mainly cloudy with a mixture of rain and snow showers developing during the afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s.
- OC Sheriff Alert: Fort Dix is conducting training exercises at this time and can be heard all over the county.
- Harav Dov Landau shlita gave a shiur today at Yeshiva Pnei Menachem under the leadership of Rav Shaul Alter shlita see photo below
- Mike's chicken increase prices on chicken items after shortage more
- Masks are optional in the Lakewood school district starting March 7 after the school mask mandate expires in NJ.
- Yeshiva Bais Yosef of Lakewood campaign to purchase property for the new campus Here
- The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of 14-year officer Matthew Horton, who died Tuesday after a two-month battle with the coronavirus, the agency announced Wednesday.
- Hatzolah of central Jersey auction this motzei shabbos enter here
- NJ State Police prep ‘heavy wreckers’ to tow convoy truckers if they stop on N.J. highways. The convoy, according to organizers on Facebook, have north and south routes. The north route starts in Mahwah and proceeds on Route 17 south to interstates 287, 295 and 195 and concludes with a welcome rally at the New Egypt Speedway in Plumsted. trucker organizers said that no blockades are planned.“We do not plan on doing anything that would hurt anybody. It’s peaceful. We’re just trying to put an end to some of the things that are, we feel, jeopardizing our freedom (NJ)
Video: Shachris at Chabad Kharkov’s Choral synagogue with artillery in the background. They are singing שיבנה בית המקדש
Rav Dov Landau shiur at Yeahiva Pnei Menachem
- Video Rabbi Bleich chief Rav of Ukraine Updates
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Inflation, Worries for Pesach
Jewish consumers across the world are bracing for inflated prices this coming pesach. In England Rabbonim are taking action (see letter below) by announcing they are lowering the price of the hashgacha and kosher certification on meats for Pesach thus making it possible for store owners and butchers to sell it at a lower price
article in Koshertoday Kosher consumers in many parts of the world share a concern that inflation will make this Passover more costly than in the recent past. In the US, many kosher food items including meat, poultry, and matzoh are expected to be as much as 15% -20% higher than just a year ago. There is also a concern that some items may be in short supply due to the ongoing supply chain problems. Israelis were reeling from proposed price increases from food giant Osem but received a reprieve when the company caved into pressure and postponed increases until after Passover
Wednesday Feb 23 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 67F.
- Wintry mix of snow, ice in forecast for Thursday night south Jersey will see mostly rain Some mixed winter precipitation possible.
- 37 new covid cases in Lakewood totals 23704/366
- Jackson Covid ases revised down by 6 in totals 12512/140
- 2 new covid cases in Toms River totals 21195/422
- 6:00 pm Ukraine Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich update on Kol mevaser says that at this point all the jewish communities in the country are in touch with each other in case one of them will have to evacuate. Some communities are staying put, others are telling people in the larger cities to evacuate. His kehilla has a place 100 KM from Kiev in case they have to move. Situation is fluid putin can attack from 3 sides and shoot missles into kitv. Davening that nothing bad should happen.
- The Kremlin said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine asked Russia for military assistance Wednesday to help fend off Ukrainian “aggression”
- Truckers freedom convoy heads out from California going to Washington DC
- BDE: 5:30 pm petirah of Rebbetzin Hinda Kohn a"h Wife of ybl''c Admor M' Toldos Aharon shlita she was 74. Levaya in Yerushalayim tomorrow morning in meah Shearim.
- Sadigura Rebbe of Bnei Brak the yenuka will be visiting Lakewood next week and spend shabbos parahas pekudei at his new B"M on Sterling Ave.
- Israeli PM Bennet and minister Ayelet Shaked met today with the Am Echad delegation to discuss the kosel reforms and they were told You have nothing to worry about, there will be no change that is not agreed upon by everyone.
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- NYT: The prosecutors leading the Manhattan district attorney’s inquiry into Donald Trump have resigned. The D.A. is said to have doubts about the case.
- NJ Dept. of Health releasing updated masking guidance, including recommending a return to school masking if conditions call for it.
- The Badatz of yerushalayim held a massive rally and hafgana protesting the construction of the light rail on Bar Ilan street in Yerushalayim
- Sign in Kosher village supermarket in Lakewood notifies shoppers of a shortage in kosher chicken especially cutlets, it tells then not to chicken out and try something else until the issue is resolved
Updated nichum avelilim:
- Shiva for R' Nathan Mermelstein Z"L at 146 W. Caranetta Terr, Lakewood getting up Friday Mincha/Maariv 5:25 pm
- Shiva for Rav Yaakov Landau ZTL is at 191 S. Nicholas ave Lakewood getting up Friday
- Shiva for Rav Aharon Schwartzman ZTL is at 610 8th street Lakewood Mincha 1:45 Maariv 7:30 getting up Sunday am
- Shiva for R' Moshe Yitzchok Zuckerman Z"L is at 2119 Orion Rd Toms River getting up Friday
Mincha 1:45 Maariv 7:30
- 9:30 am US warns Ukraine of full-scale Russian invasion within 48 hours US Intelligence officials told Zelensky that Moscow plans to invade with airstrikes, cruise missiles, ground troops, cyber attacks (Newsweek reporting) Ukraine hit with cyber attacks on government and banking institutions.
- Gasoline in New Jersey is up 21 cents per gallon from a month ago to an average of $3.61 per gallon.
- Covid-19 hospitalizations in New Jersey have now fallen below 1,000 for the first time in over three months
- Traffic signal coming to intersection of Miller road and Hope Chapel in Lakewood. Ocean county taking bids for the construction project
- Trump: “Putin is playing Biden like a drum. It is not a pretty thing to watch!”
- Russia begins evacuating diplomatic staff from Ukraine and removes flag from embassy in Kiyv
- Ukraine tells citizens to leave Russia immediately
- Kremlin warns Americans will face financial “consequences” of U.S. sanctions
- Tehillim for the Rebbetzin of Toldos Ahaaron Rebbe she is in critical condition הינדא בת איידל מרים
- The Rosh Yeshiva of South Fallsburg Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel shlilta donned shabbos clothing last week when he heard news of the movement 0f Russian warships based on a kabbalah that is said over in the name of Rav Chaim Volozhiner from the villna Gaon when the Russians will cross the Dardanelles river it will be the start of events before mashiach comes men ken shoin untun shbosdike Kleider
- Lakewood BOE public meeting today on the agenda Lakewood Middle School Cafeteria Addition
Cost Estimate: $2,750,000.00 To be paid through ESSER II Funds
Princeton Avenue Office Upgrades/Renovations Cost Estimate: $500,000.00 paid through Capital Reserve
LECC, Campus 1&3 Parking Lot Cost Estimate $350,000.00 To be paid through Capital Reserve
- Video: R' Hillel brings simchas Adar to Yerushalayim
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Public Comments: Letters submitted at Township Meeting
Minutes of the meeting public comment emails that were submitted during the Lakewood township committee meeting held virtually on January 13th when the committee voted on three separate ordnances to raise the compensation for MUA members from $5k to $15k annually (after the MUA raised water rates on Lakewood residents by 15%). Another ordnance raising the salaries of the township committee members and all employees across the board. A 3rd ordnance to give free life long healthcare for committee members who served for 20 years. While several residents objected the the first 3 ordinances of the year, they were ignored and the committee voted to approve it all.
See official minutes on the township website Here
Summitted emails below
Tuesday 2/22/22 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. High 62F. Chance of rain 80%.
- OCHD revises Lakewood cases by negative 18 since Friday +1 death totals 23667/366
- 25 new covid cases +1 death in Jackson totals 12518/140
- 47 new cases in Toms River +4 deaths totals 21193/422
- US Secretary of State Blinken says Ukraine's "invasion is beginning. NATO says Russia is planning a full scale attack on Kyiv, and warns of a 'real risk' of full-blown war in Europe.
- Ukrainian president Zelensky issues order to call up military reservists, but no general mobilization at the moment.
- Kayleigh McEnany: Biden turns his back to the American People, taking no questions after warning about the "COSTS" Americans should be prepared to pay because of the Russia invasion he paved the way for!
- NYP headline: BIDEN SLAPS PUTIN as he in increasing sanctions on Russia in response to Russia recognizing the independence of the Donbass region
- Russia's upper house gives Putin authorization to use armed forces outside the country.
- The Agudah's Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah is underway, a group for Agudah will join the delegation to present Israeli PM Bennett with 150,000 signatures opposing changes at the kosel which are widely supported by Reform and Conservative movements
- On Online poll by the koshercrawler food critic on instagram, asked followers about the quality of food in Lakewood compared to other major Jewish cities after he gave Lakewood a bad grade. 57% said it is not up to par while 43% said it is better. He explained that Lakewood establishments need to step up their food game, not that there is no good food but a town that size should have more options and quality food more quality in the middle to lower end market good food and a few high end food to compete. Having better variety will increase competition to have everyone make better quality products.
- Jack Ciattarelli met with Lakewood business leaders yesterday at the pizza shop in the Jackson Crossing Plaza as he plans to launch his 2025 campaign for Gov
- Germany halts the certification of in Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia as West takes punitive measures against Moscow over Ukraine.
- Israel passed a grim milestone on Tuesday when it counted 10,001 Israelis who died of the COVID-19 complications since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country just over two years ago.
- Russia says recognition of independence for areas in east Ukraine extends to the territory now held by Ukrainian forces,
Monday, February 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Abundant sunshine. High 56F
Presidents day post offices most banks closed
- Chief Rabbi Bleich in interview with Kol mevaser: Hashem should help that things should be quiet but next 12 hours things could flare up
U.S. urges Ukrainian President Zelenskiy to head to Lviv, in the western part of the country, for his own safety
Ted Cruz: “Europe is on the verge of war because of the weakness, the fecklessness of Joe Biden.”
- Putin orders Russian armed forces to enter rebel territories in eastern Ukraine for "peacekeeping operations."
- Parlor Meeting for mishpacha of R' Moshe Yitzchok Zukerman z"L at 511 MLK , Lakewood 7:30 pm
- Jack Ciattarelli is spending the day in Lakewood today, meeting with community leaders and others. (OneJerseySchorr)
- Biden will sign an order banning investment, trade and financing of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.
- Putin says Ukraine plans to unleash a war against Russians in Donbas
- 1:00pm- Putin has informed Germany and France, he will sign a decree recognizing independence of separatist republics in eastern Ukraine a move that would ratchet up tensions with the West amid fears that Moscow could launch an invasion of Ukraine imminently.
- At the Levaya of Rav Yeruchom Kaplan zatzal at Yeshiva Bais Hatalmud in Bensonhurst Here
- The Kremlin said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden could set up a call or meeting any time but there were no concrete plans yet for a summit.
- NPGS purim sales on shalach manos items will begin Feb 27
-President Trump’s social media app, “TRUTH Social” is now available in the App Store.
- Breadberry Is scheduled to open a branch in Lakewood later this year.
- Kosher Today: Super Bowl Sunday Latest Holiday for Kosher One store owner said: “10 years ago I did a handful of orders for Super Bowl Sunday; today over 750 orders and then there are the many walk-ins.
- Hot Bagels open now at 2nd street, opening second location next to Rita's at Route 9 and Spruce street
- Twenty-four sworn officers in Monmouth and Ocean counties received major discipline in 2021, 19 from Monmouth County and five from Ocean County. Lakewood police chief Greg Meyer received a six-day suspension for an unspecified policy violation. Meyer came under scrutiny when controversial statements on politics and immigration that appeared on his Twitter account came to light in September 2021. Lakewood officials said at the time that Meyer's account had been hacked. Township police opened an investigation, and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office also reviewed the incident. Lakewood Mayor Raymond Coles said he could not comment since it was a personnel matter. (APP)
- Shiva for Rav Yaakov Landau ZTL is at 191 S. Nicholas ave Lakewood getting up Friday
- Shiva for Rav Aharon Schwartzman ZTL is at 610 8th street Lakewood getting up Friday
- Shiva for R' Moshe Yitzchok Zuckerman Z"L is at 2119 Orion Rd Toms River getting up Friday
Sunday, February 20, 2022
NYT Blames Ocean county Low vaccination rate on Politics & Religion
The New York Times on Friday wrote an article about the low vaccination rates in Ocean county, NJ the author senior writer David Leonhardt has written about “Red Covid,” referring to people living in Republican areas that die in higher numbers than those in Blue covid areas that are democratic. He blamed the high death rate in Ocean county due to the low vaccination rate because of politics and followed up on Twitter blaming it also on religion "A secondary factor explaining Ocean County’s low vaccination rate is religion". Local journalist on social media called him out with facts about Lakewood that he simply did not mention, pointing to the high vaccination rate among the 65+ population, 92% are vaccinated. 20% of the population are under 5 years old and over 50% of Lakewood's population are younger than 18 years old, as a reason for the low vaccination rate here. Another point made is most people who did not vaccinate did not blame it on religion rather the town was hit hard initially giving high natural immunity to many.
A year ago March 1st 2021 the death count in Lakewood was at 278 that was the same time as the vaccine rollout now it is at 365. most of those deaths did not happen in the orthodox community. In The latest Omicron wave to his the USA when hospitals were full and over run, the Lakewood community who had many covid cases sent only few patients to the hospital, that is with the NYT low vaccination rates.
The deaths in Lakewood per the OCHD is currently at 365. In the first wave of covid Lakewood was hit very hard with about 80 -100 deaths in the orthodox community with another 25 deaths in the 2nd wave the rest were in the Hispanic or senior communities, again nothing to do with religion. Other towns in Ocean county with much smaller populations than Lakewood had a higher death rate obviously due to the older populations.
Manchester 440
Berkley 360
Brick 347
Toms River 418
Jackson 139
Lakewood 365
Tweet
A postscript: The newsletter focuses on Ocean County, which is New Jersey’s most Republican county and one of the least vaccinated in the Northeast. Its total Covid death rate has been higher than Mississippi’s and higher than that of every country in the world except Peru.
— David Leonhardt (@DLeonhardt) February 18, 2022
I would disagree with this. Of the hundreds of people in Lakewood I asked over the last 12 months why they wouldn't get vaccinated, almost no one cited "religion" as a factor. https://t.co/XFQznPazYr
— Shlomo Schorr (@OneJerseySchorr) February 18, 2022
Article from the New York Times
Ocean County, in central New Jersey, is a mixture of beach towns like Barnegat Light and exurban towns like Toms River and Lakewood. Household income in the county exceeds the U.S. average.
Yet Ocean County is among the least vaccinated places in the Northeast. Only 53 percent of residents have received at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine (or one dose of Johnson & Johnson). Only 26 percent have received a booster shot.
The large number of unvaccinated residents in Ocean County has led to a horrific amount of Covid illness and death. Nearly one out of every 200 residents has died from the virus. That is worse than the toll in Mississippi, the U.S. state with the largest amount of Covid death per capita, and worse than in any country except for Peru.
What explains the vaccine skepticism in Ocean County? Politics, above all. The county is heavily Republican. Donald Trump won it by almost 30 percentage points in 2020, and many Republicans — including those who are older than 65 and vulnerable to severe Covid illness — are skeptical of the vaccines.
This partisan divide has led to the “red Covid” phenomenon that I have described in previous newsletters. Today, I have an update.
Blue, then red
First, some background: In the pandemic’s initial months, Covid cases and deaths were higher in Democratic areas, probably because they are home to several major international airports. The virus entered this country on the West Coast and in the Northeast. But it didn’t stay there. By the end of Covid’s first year in the U.S., the virus had swept across the country, and there was no significant partisan divide in deaths.
Only after the vaccines became widely available, in early 2021 — and liberals were much more willing to get shots than conservatives — did Covid become a disproportionately Republican illness. By the summer of 2021, the gap was soaring:
As the chart makes clear, the toll has been even worse in counties where Trump won by a landslide than in counties that he won narrowly.
This phenomenon is an example of how the country’s political polarization has warped people’s thinking, even when their personal safety is at stake. It is a tragedy — and a preventable one, too.
A new study by four Harvard epidemiologists estimates that 135,000 unvaccinated Americans died unnecessarily in the last six months of last year. The Texas Tribune recently profiled a young unvaccinated couple: She spent 139 days in intensive care; he asked, “Was this my fault?” They have both since been vaccinated.
Natural immunity
There is one big new development. When I last wrote about red Covid, in November, I told you that the month-to-month partisan mortality gap might be peaking, for two main reasons.
One, the availability of highly effective post-infection treatments, like Pfizer’s Paxlovid, has been expanding; if they reduce deaths, the drop may be steepest where the toll is highest. Two, red America has probably built up more natural immunity to Covid — from prior infections — than blue America, given that many Democrats have tried harder to avoid getting the virus.
Sure enough, the partisan gap in Covid deaths is no longer growing as fast it had been, as you can see from the new closeness among these lines:
Credit...In Trump and Biden counties, one candidate won at least 70 percent of the vote; in swing counties, both won at least 45 percent.
During the Omicron wave, deaths have risen less in red counties than in blue or purple counties. The most likely explanation seems to be that the number of Trump voters vulnerable to severe illness — which was still very large earlier last year — has declined, because more of them have built up some immunity to Covid from a previous infection.
But don’t make the mistake of confusing a gap that’s no longer growing as rapidly as it was with a gap that is shrinking. The gap between red and blue America — in terms of cumulative Covid deaths — is still growing. The red line in that second chart is higher than the blue line, which is a sign that more Republicans than Democrats or independents have needlessly died of Covid in recent weeks.
Another point to remember: Even in deeply blue counties, an outsize number of deaths are occurring among people who are unvaccinated or unboosted. The vaccines offer incredible protection from a deadly virus, yet many Americans have chosen to leave themselves exposed.
Sunday Feb 20 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 38F.
- Ukraine’s Defense Minister: Russia has not yet formed any assault groups in regions bordering Ukraine. Invasion is not going to happen “today or tomorrow”
- US Embassy warns American citizens of possible terrorist attacks in Russia.
- According to US intelligence, Russian military officials have been given the order to go ahead with an invasion of Ukraine, NBC news is reporting.
- BDE: Reb Yerucham kaplan Zt"l of Brooklyn son of Rav Mendel Kaplan zatzal rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva Mikdash Melech in Brooklyn he was in his 80s. Levaya today 3:00 pm at yeshivas Bais Hatalmud in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
- Israel: All tourists will be permitted to enter Israel, regardless of vaccination or recovery. Non Israelis will be required to present a negative Covid test prior to travel to Israel. It is unclear what the quarantine requirements for unvaccinated foreigners will be. All passengers (Israeli and foreign) will be required to undergo a Covid test upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport.
- Hachnosas Sefer Torah to Yeshiva Kneses Bais Aharon R"Y Rav Isser Olshin shlita procession 2:30 pm an 1904 New Central Avenue Lakewood
- BDE: Rav Aharon Schwartzman ZT"L A talmid chochom and close talmid of HaRav Shmuel Berenbaum zt”l, He was a longtime Flatbush resident who recently moved to Lakewood. He was a mispalel at the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn. The levaya is at 11 am at the 7th Street Chapel in Lakewood, Kevurah in Eretz Yisroel.
- Hamodia article on Harav Yaakov Landau, Zt”l
- Tonight Rebbetzin Rena Tarshish event for married womenThe Gift of being present gaining clarity for ourselves and our children in this digital age. at Orchos Chaim hall 410 Oberlin doors open 7:45 pm
- BDE: petirah of R' Moshe Zuckerman Z"L from Toms River who passed away at the age of 54 after suffering a stroke last week. He worked at the take out dept in Seasons kosher supermarket in Lakewood. Levaya is scheduled tomorrow at khal Zichron Yechezkel 1871 Old Freehold rd in Toms River 10:30 am. Kevurah in EY
-:Chicken shortage people in the industry experts say that it is a panic reaction due to the upcoming pesach season and many weddings that caterers are stocking up anf hording chicken products out of fear there will actually be a shortage because of supply chain or other factors
Saturday, February 19, 2022
ברוך דיין האמת Harav Yaakov Landau זצ׳׳ל
The levayah is scheduled for Sunday morning 10:30 a.m. at Chanichei Hayeshivos, 142 Hollywood Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. Kevurah in Lakewood.. Large Heated tent set up at the levaya.
Live stream of Levaya Here will be posted.
Call in 732-839-3003 ID 7763828466#
The Rav's family asked that anyone who plans on helping to carry the Aron should please be toivel before the levaya.
Matzav.com - It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Hagaon Rav Yaakov Landau zt”l. He was in his 70s. Rav Landau was one of the gedolei Torah of the American Torah world, a maggid shiur who instilled ahavas haTorah in thousands of talmidim over a lengthy career of harbotzas haTorah, and a rov who led his kehillah through his example of gadlus in Torah and avodas Hashem. Rav Landau served for decades as the ninth-grade maggid shiur at Yeshiva Torah Temimah in Brooklyn. While his stature as a talmid chochom would have warranted that he deliver a higher level shiur or become a rosh yeshiva in his own right, Rav Landau humbly remained in that role for so many years, recognizing the unique opportunity to light the spark of ahavas haTorah and cheshkas haTorah in young bochurim just entering mesivta.
Motzei shabbos Ki Sisa 5782 News Updates Lakewood
Weather tonight . Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low near 15F. Winds Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph
- BDE: petirah of R' Moshe Zuckerman Z"L from Toms River who passed away at the age of 54 after suffering a stroke last week. He worked at the take out dept in Seasons kosher supermarket in Lakewood. Levaya is scheduled tomorrow at khal Zichron Yechezkel 1871 Old Freehold rd in Toms River 10:30 am. Kevurah in EY see more at LNN
- BDE: Petirah Harav Yaakov Landau Zatzal R'M Torah Temima for many years, Mesivta Tiferes Shmuel and Rav of Chanichei Hayeshivos in Lakewood. He was niftar over shabbos Levaya Sunday morning 10:30 a.m. at Chanichei Hayeshivos, 142 Hollywood Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. Kevurah in Lakewood. Livestream Here
-Tonight Yeshiva ktana of Lakewood annual dinner at Ne'emas Hachaim hall
(Springfield Yeshiva dinner is next motzei shabbos. Please place ads in the journal)
-Evening of appreciation for every Morah teacher and principal at Ateres Reva hall by Torah Umesora.
- Shabbos afternoon there were snow squalls in Lakewood for 10 minutes with wind winds gusts of 40 mph
- The White House believes Russia will attack Ukraine in the coming days and use a fabricated pretext to justify an invasion.
- Boris Johnson of the UK says Russia plans biggest war in Europe since 1945
Ukrainian military officials report a tenfold increase in shelling by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, The Washington Post reports
- Ukraine’s foreign ministry said that Kyiv is not planning an offensive in the eastern region after pro-Russian separatists said such an attack was imminent
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him and seek resolution to the crisis, The AP reports
- Hundreds of mourners gathered in Lakewood at Ocean county park to remember Ocean County Sheriff's Officer Brian Stockhoff, who was killed in a car crash last weeknd
Friday, February 18, 2022
Lakewood Zmanim עש׳׳ק פרשת כי תשא תשפ׳׳ב
Friday, February 18, 2022 / י״ז אדר-א תשפ״ב ערב שבת פרשת כי תשא
Candle lighting 5:18 PM shkiah/sunset 5:36 PM
Weather Friday night A clear sky. Low 21F Shabbos day Mostly sunny early then partly cloudy and windy later in the day. High around 45F. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
ויהי בעלות המנחה ויגש אליהו הנביא ויאמר ה׳ אלוקי אברהם יצחק וישראל היום יודע כי אתה אלקים בישראל ואני עבדך ובדבריך עשיתי את כל הדברים האלה
Friday Feb 18 News Updates Lakewood
Weather Rain showers this morning with some sunshine during the afternoon Morning high of 56F with temps falling to near 35. Chance of rain 40%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. tonight low of 22 Shabbos day hi of 44 and windy
ערב שבת פרשת כי תשא Candle lighting 5:18 pm shkiah/sunset 5:36 pm
- 36 new covid cases in Lakewood totals 23685/365
- 6 new cases in Jackson totals 12493/139
- 27 new cases in Toms River totals 21156/418
- Baby formula recall: The FDA is advising that people should avoid using Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formulas if the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; the code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2, the expiration date is April 1, 2022 or later. amid reports of hospitalizations and one death. more
-U.S. officials warn of imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine with tanks, fighter jets, cyberattacks. (WSJ)
- This motzei shabbos evening of appreciation for every Morah teacher principal at Ateres Reva hall by Torah Umesora.
- NJ State troopers are enforcing traffic in Lakewood pulling over cars.
- Inside New Jersey’s Orthodox boomtown This ‘company town’ is home to the largest yeshiva in the U.S., and its business community is booming. Now Lakewood’s small airport is getting a state-of-the-art makeover. Jewish Insider
- Mike's chicken and Snaps Kosher have no chicken for now. Mike's is closed today and will reopen on Monday.
- NYT: Ocean County is among the least vaccinated places in the Northeast. Only 53 percent of residents have received at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine Only 26 percent have received a booster shot. The large number of unvaccinated residents in Ocean County has led to a horrific amount of Covid illness and death. Nearly one out of every 200 residents has died from the virus. That is worse than the toll in Mississippi, the U.S. state with the largest amount of Covid death per capita, and worse than in any country except for Peru.
-J CP&L several hundred customers without power in Lakewood/Toms River due to storms trees down in some roadways estimated restoration 10:30 am, Severe thunderstorms swept through the area at 6:45 am
- Citing an "industry-wide shortage of chicken," Mikes chicken in Lakewood is closing until Monday. There's been similar reports across the region, though the cause is unclear. Suppliers are hopeful it'll clear up end of next week.(Kol Haolam)
- High end restaurant coming to Lakewood airport "As a result of all this growth, “the lifestyle has changed,” said one prominent Lakewood businessperson who requested anonymity because of his connection to major local economic dealings. ”There are quite a few people that are making a lot of money, and they’re living very affluent lifestyles.” more
- Lakewood mayor responded to public comments at the meeting said there will be a traffic light coming to Pine street at either the Vine or Washington intersections. The Vine street project will be getting underway shortly
- Kshrus alert ALDI stores products constantly lose or switch a hechsherim me careful to look for the certification and not rely on it having one previously. Chof-K Kashrus Alert: Aldi - Baker's Corner Keto All-Purpose Baking Mix is now chof -k Dairy
US diplomat: Russia likely to have "massed between 169,000-190,000 personnel in and near Ukraine. US says Russia plans to manufacture justification for war
Video: Rav Shaul Alter tells his chasidim that he is not a rebbe and should not be called a Rebbe for sure not Gererr rebbe as there is currently a Gerrer rebbe but they should only refer to him as Rosh Yeshivas Pnei Menachem since that is his job
Thursday, February 17, 2022
A Teacher from Slonim: The Nesivos Shalom Part I
The Slonim Rebbe, Rav Shalom Noach Berezovsky (1911-2000) was known by his popular work the Nesivos Shalom. Having grown up in Baranovich in the center of the Slonim chassidic dynasty, he was appointed by the rebbe the Bais Avraham to record his weekly discourses. Following his marriage and move to Tverya in 1935, he first found
Oif Simchas/Shiurim י''ז אדר א' תשפ''ב
Tonight: Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Chasunas
Thursday Feb 17 News Updates Lakewood
- Weather: Cloudy skies. High 62F. Wind advisory Tonight 6:00 pm Showers Windy. Low 52F Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph
- 42 new covid cases in Lakewood +1 death totals 23649/365
- 3 new cases in jackson 12487/139
- 10 new covid cases in Toms River +5 deaths 21129/419
- Tehillim: For Naftoli Ben Chana, a Lakewood Bochur that was seriously injured in a skiing accident yesterday.(Belaaz)
- Bobov Rebbe (45) is currently in Lakewood raising funds for a new B"M building in Lkwd. The rebbe paid visits to several offices and buisnesses.
- Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich Updates from Ukraine American freinds of Kiyv help support the Jewish community at this time HERE video below
- Russia has expelled the deputy U.S. ambassador Biden Says he believes Russia will invade Ukraine within the next several days
-Name added to chosson who fell off table at his wedding Itai Chaim ben Ahuva still in critical condition
- Toms River resident in critical condition after suffering sudden stroke Moshe Yitzchok ben Shulamis (LNN)
- Hespedim tonight for the end of shiva of Habachur Shlomo Sorotzkin Z"L ben Ybl'c Rav Chaim Dov shlita at B"M of Pine River after Maariv at 9:00 pm divrei hesped by Rav Elya Chaim Swerldloff shlita, Rav Shaul Sinski shlita
-Lakewood township committee virtual meeting today 5:30 pm starting forst with Board of Health Meeting watch live stream Here see Agenda Here public comment can be made during the meeting via email comments@lakewoodnj.gov
On the agenda - Opening bids for the properties behind High Point starting at $900,000.00 per acre
-250k to place 4 garbage compactors in the downtown area along Clifton Avenue,
- No stopping or standing on 14th street, rom Cedar Row westerly direction to Curtis Lane.
- Increase in price of documents from $10 to $15 for . Certified copies of birth certificates, marriage, fetal death, domestic partnership or civil union records
- Emergency Temporary Appropriation For 2022 Budget a total $5,474,000.00 for the current fund since emergent conditions have arisen with the respect of payment of bills in number accounts and no adequate provision has been made in the year 2022
- Submitted: Why in the world does Lakewood twps require you to wear a mask outside when you are dumping recycling from your car into the outdoor bins ? I went there and the guy didn't want to let me put stuff in because I wasn't wearing a mask OUTSIDE!!
Video updates from Ukraine
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
LFD Taxes Up In Addition to $1.6 Million Approved by Voters
The Lakewood Fire Dept budget for 2022 was approved last month by the board at $8,892,315 Million up $600k from last year. However this comes after the Dept raised an additional $1.6 million in taxes to purchase a new ladder fire truck by asking it as a ballot question in the general elections this past November. Lakewood residents voted YES to spend the money by 65% - 35% (8191 - 4277) that money is separate from the yearly budget. In 2020 the LFD budget was $7 million and in 2017 it was $5 million. Up until this year the budget had to be voted on by a separate election,that has changed and the public no longer votes on it. See budget resolution here in Latest documents section
Ballot question from the November general election that was approved by the voters.
Wednesday Feb 16 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Sun and clouds mixed. High 47F.
שושן פורים קטן תשפ''ב א''א תחנון למנצח
- OCHD revises Lakewood numbers down to negative 52 from yesterday totals are 23607/364. Monday was 23606 making it 1 new case since Monday
- 18 new covid cases in jackson total 12484/139
- 2 cases in Toms River totals 21119/414
- Israel considering dropping all covid mandates by the end of the month and reopening the country to non vaccinated tourists. Cabinet will meet tomorrow to present the plan
- Mesivta farhers moving along quickly with some yeshivos closing registration.
- Rabbi Milstein’s weekly Chumash shiur is tonight at 830. Come and bring a friend. At Ishay Yisroel 110 Miller Rd
- Sources told ABC News that there are Russian troops being put into firing positions along the Border with Ukraine
- 253 car crashes in Lakewood during the last 2 weeks of January resulting in 18 injuries and 5 pedestrians struck. The first 2 weeks of January there were 211 (LNN)
- Khal Anshei Tallymawr and B"M Bais Bracha at Hickory Pines have filed a lawsuit against Toms River to overturn the townships religious zoning restrictions and allow the construction of their shuls by granting a variance on the 2 acre restrictions. The Tallymawr kehila is looking to build a 4500 sq ft shul on whitesville on a 1 acre property off Whitesville Rd and Bais Bracha is building a 4680 sq ft shul on Hickory near Vermont on a parcel that is a little under 2 acres. (TVOL)
- Project Veritas released a video Tuesday of an executive in the FDA exposing the Biden administration's plans for annually required covid vaccine shots, mandatory vaccines for children, and a mission to "inoculate as many people as possible." "I mean, it hasn't been formally announced yet because they don't want to, like, rile everyone up." See video here
- NWS: Thursday weather will be in the 60s, but gusty winds will pick up in the afternoon that could top 40 mph into Friday morning. with rain and isolated power outages are possible, especially in Atlantic and Ocean counties.
- Lakewood township will hold its now monthly committee meeting tomorrow taking place virtually. Planning & Zoning have held in person meetings for the last 3 months.
- The Lakewood township will pay $17,500; for Covid-19 Antigen Testing Kits due to the ongoing pandemic.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Hashkafa Q&A
Hashkafa by Harav Getshon Ribner shlita Rebgershonribner
Sensitivity to coarse language by Talmidim
I perceive a steady decline in my husband’s commitment to yiddishkeit
Tuesday Purim Kotton 5782 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Abundant sunshine. High 32F
פורים קטן י'''ד אדר א' תשפ''ב א''א תחנון למנצח נכון לנהוג בהם מקצת משתה ושמחה
- 53 new covid cases in Lakewood totals 23659/364
- 6 new covid cases in Jackson 12466/139
- 25 new covid cases +2 deaths in Toms River 21117/414
- Biden says Russian attack on Ukraine remains a possibility.
- A series of cyberattacks on Tuesday knocked the websites of Ukrainian government offices and major banks offline, Ukrainian authorities said, attacks that came amid strong tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine.
- Planning board meeting cancelled for tonight. Applications posponed to next meetings March 1 or 15.
- A strong winter storm system will be moving across New Jersey on Thursday, night bringing steady rain, gusty winds and some isolated thunderstorms, with gusts over 40 mph possible at times especially in Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties, where “windy conditions may cause isolated instances of tree damage and power outages”
- U.S. coronavirus death toll hits 925,000 since pandemic started
- Tehillim today will be said in all Botei Medrash of BMG before Mincha at 1:25 pm today Purim kattan for a יום תפילה in light of the currrent gezeiros against charedim and רדיפת הדת by the govt against the Torah
- Traffic: Pine street North backed up all morning from route 9 to New Hampshire due to crews running wires. Lakewood township said construction crews are not to begin work prior to 10:00 am.
- Russia says it is withdrawing some troops from the Ukraine border and are returning to their bases after completing their drills. The Russian FM said "Feb. 15, 2022 will go into history as the day western war propaganda failed. They have been disgraced and destroyed without a single shot being fired." Ukrainian Foreign Minister “We won’t believe when we hear, we’ll believe when we see. When we see troops pulling out, we’ll believe in de-escalation".
- Hot Bagels of Boro Park opening 1st Lakewood location tomorrow on Second street see video below. The store plans to be the cheapest in town will carry pastries from Patis Bakery in NY.
-Update: Meeting Cancelled. Lakewood planning board meeting today 6:00 pm see Agenda Here Watch live stream here request to create nine lots on 14th st
- A municipal court case pertaining to the yeahiva gedolah of Brick will be held in March, after it was adjourned Monday. (App)
- BDE: Petirah of Rabbi Moshe Handelsman zt”l. He was 92. Reb Moshe was the longtime beloved executive director of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Flatbush, Brooklyn. The levayah will be held This morning 9:00am at the Lakewood Mesivta 801 Kennedy Blvd where his son ybl"c Rav Michel shlita is a R"M followed by a levayah at Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, NY at 1:00 pm. kevurah in EY on Har Hamenuchos.More at Matzav
- Bobov Rebbe (45) will be spending the week in Lakewood beginning Tonight with a Purim Kotton tish at 902 E. county Line. The rebbe will be here to inaugurate the building campaign for a new Bais medrash in Lakewood.
- Video Purim Kattan Tish last night in Monroe with the Satmar Rebbe
Monday, February 14, 2022
Oif Simchas פורים קטן תשפ''ב
אין בין אדר הראשון לאדר השני אלא קריאת המגילה ומתנות לאביונים
Chasunas:
Monday February 14 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Sunny to partly cloudy. High 29F.
- 21 New covid cases in Lakewood +4 deaths since Thursday totals 23606/364
- 29 new covid cases in Jackson totals 12460/139
- 51 new covid cases in Toms River +1 death 21092/412
- Kremlin spokesperson said Russian President Vladimir Putin is "willing to negotiate," with the west adding the Ukraine crisis was only one part of Russia's larger security concerns
- Gov Murphy announced support for legislation to cap the out-of-pocket costs of emergency drugs, specifically Insulin at $35 per month, Epi pens at $25 Asthma inhalers at $50. But the measure would fail to reach the majority of New Jersey residents since the state can only enact insurance laws that apply to state-regulated insurance carriers. These plans cover about only one-third of New Jerseyans.
- Canada's Deputy Prime Minister: "If your truck is being used in these illegal blockades, your corporate accounts will be frozen, the insurance on your vehicle will be suspended."
-An off-duty Ocean County Sheriff's officer who started the office's mounted unit died in an early morning crash in Lakewood. According to the investigation, 41-year-old Officer Brian Stockhoff of Jackson was driving south on Shorrock Street when he hit a brick wall outside of the Leisure Village East community. The car came to a stop near Dumbarton Drive. Stockhoff succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics.
- New Jersey Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin was sworn in this morning with an artscroll English Tanach.(SSchorr)
- Ukraine: President Zelensky addressing the nation, says "we are told that February 16 will be the day of the attack. We will make it the Day of Unity
- Washington DC to drop vaccine mandates effective tomorrow
- Starting March 1, all children under the age of 12 can enter Israel even if they are not vaccinated, so long as their parents have gotten the Covid jab.(ChaimVchesed)
Matzav reports on court overturning Lakewood Zoning Board Approval “Deep-pocketed developers often get whatever approvals they need, while neighbors are often too poor or too busy to hire attorneys to defend their neighborhoods and their quality of life,” a neighbor involved in the lawsuit told Matzav.com. “This decision is a big win for every Lakewood resident, as it reaffirms that the Land Use Boards in Lakewood are legally mandated to be considerate towards the best interests of everyone in mind, not just a select few.”
- Israeli chosson injured in serious condition at his wedding in Modiin after falling 10 feet off a table that his friends carried him on. Musicians launch a campaign to end this practice and said they will stop the music if the chosson is lifted high on a table. Please daven for Itai ben Ahuva. The wedding photographer said upon reviewing the film the choson lost his footing as he began to sit back down and fell hard on his head.
- Convoy of trucks and vehicles arrives in Yerushalayim, to protest Covid restrictions.
אין בין אדר הראשון לאדר השני
-Purim Koton Seuda hosted by Reb Chaim Eluzur Klein shlita 174 Village Path Lakewood washing 9:30 pm Badchanus at 10:30 pm
-Seudas Purim Kotton at B"M breslov 423 6th street with Rabbi Lev Moshe Leventer after maariv 9:30 pm followed by music and dancing
- Bobov Rebbe (45) will be spending the week in Lakewood beginning Tuesday night with a Purim Kotton tish at 902 E. county Line. The rebbe will be here to inaugurate the building campaign for a new Bais medrash in Lakewood.
- Mir Rosh Yeshiva Rav Lazer Yudel Finkel spoke this morning in Lakewood at Kollel Ohr Shmuel in Lutzk B"M. The R"Y is in the US ahead of the upcoming dinner at Bell Works. The yeshiva formed a new young leadership alumni board to help support the yeshiva.
- Rabbi Steven Burg CEO of Aish Hatorah tweeted this and it caused a fire storm "Just had a disappointing visit to the YU Seforim Sale. They were carding everyone for vaccinations & walking around telling people to put on masks. A reminder why the MO community has had such a hard time getting past Covid. YU needs to do a better job or become irrelevant". He followed it up with a facebook post explaining his tweet "In short I am triple vaxxed and wear an Israeli Sonovia mask when required. I was pointing out a policy that seemed to be outdated and inconsistent. I am surprised by the overwhelming feedback but I don’t regret my comments. A Jewish community where one can’t respectfully state their opinion is not one that I cherish to belong to. I hope the YU administration will hear some of what is being said and start a meaningful dialogue with their students and their parents".
- Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain on Monday backtracked on remarks suggesting that Kyiv would reconsider its attempt to join NATO as Russia masses a huge force within striking distance of its neighbor, but said other concessions could be on offer. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the situation “very, very dangerous.” Despite having positioned more than 100,000 troops near to Ukraine’s borders, Moscow denies planning to invade and has accused the West of hysteria.
- Video: R' Hillel Yarmov with daily simchas Adar
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Oif Simchas י׳׳ג אדר א׳ תשפ׳׳ב
Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low near 15F Chance of snow 80%.
Chasunas:
Sunday Feb 13 News updates Lakewood
- Weather: Snow will end by midday Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s.1 to 3 inches of snow expected tonight low of 16 slush will freeze
- Trump responds to Clinton campaign spying: “This is a scandal far greater in scope and magnitude than Watergate and those who were involved in and knew about this spying operation should be subject to criminal prosecution,”. “In a stronger period of time in our country, this crime would have been punishable by death. In addition, reparations should be paid to those in our country who have been damaged by this.”
- Bde: Habachur Kalman Sofer Z"L, ben Ybl"c R' Yonasson, 23 from Williamsburg was tragically killed in a snow mobile accident upstate NY in Lewis county after hitting a tree.
- President Zelensky invited Biden to visit Ukraine this week if he wants to stabilize the situation
- Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Rabbi Bleich says in interview with Kol Mevaser that those who plan on visiting kivrei tzadikim should make sure that airlines are flying to and from since as some airlines such as KLM have cancelled flights to Ukraine. As for the pending war all was calm in the Jewish communities before shabbos. The mood changed motzei shabbos when the US put out alarming statements and Israel called on citizens to evacuate. The main thing now is to stock up on food and hire security to protect the Jewish community from anti-Semitic attacks that can happen if the Russians invade. He believes not much will happen but if they do attack it wont be a long drawn out campaign and will be cyber attacks first but civilian areas will not be attacked.
- Local supermarkets put out Purim selection for moshloach manos Purim Kotton is tomorrow evening.
- Stoliner Rebbe shlita instructs his shluchim in Ukraine to leave kiev and go to a alternate location until the crisis is over.
- Bde: Levaya of Mrs. Sima Solomon a"h wife of Rav Refoel Lipa Solomon Zt"l (talmid of the Chofetz Chaim) at the Lakewood chapel on 7th st. 11:45 am kevura in Long Island
- Breslov community in Uman sets up fund to cover costs of the current emergency situation stocking up food and caring for the community Here
- A young frum man walking Friday night on Avenue L between New York Ave and East 32 in Brooklyn was assaulted in an unprovoked attack, Flatbush Shomrim tell Hamodia a minivan pulled up and someone in the car got out and asked the young man where the nearest gas station is located. The young man replied that there were none in the area. The person kept following the young man, then punched him and went back onto the vehicle all while the driver was filming what had transpired. (Hamodia)
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Motzei Shabbos Tezaveh News Updates Lakewood
-Weather tonight low 31F 2-3 inches of snow expected in the Lakewood area early this morning as NWS has issued winter weather advisories from 1:00 am - 4:00 pm in 10 NJ counties including Ocean county in advance of a weekend storm system that is expected to bring 1 to 3 inches of snow.
- Pinya Gittel Bas Rochel Shaindel the Lakewood girl who was hit by a car has been released from the hospital and is now in rehab improving daily. The family in a statement thanked everyone for their tefillos and chesed and ask that they continue davening for a complete refuah (LNN)
- Wordle online word puzzle has been moved to the NYT website after they purchased it. They fixed a glitch that reset peoples streak.
- Flu A and Covid in the Lkwd kehilah are gone for now, Dr's say this could be a lull before next flu shows up, time will tell.
- Yeshiva of Monmouth county R"Y Rav Dovid Wasserman, parlor meeting melava Malka at 10 Cedar ct Lakewood 9:00 pm
- Yeshiva of Staten Island alumni Melava Malka at Mesoras Avos 230 Ocean Ave Lakewood 8:00 pm. Spread the word.
Novi shiur by Rav Michoel Sorotzkin at KNA 104 Arbutus drive 9:00 pm or watch on Zoom PW 168485
- Groups of Israeli bochurim on chizuk trip currently in Ukraine are attempting get out on flights right after shabbos. The Israeli foreign ministry will be arranging rescue flights. Chabad chief Rabbi of Kiev Rav Yonason Bimyomin Markowitz said they are stocking up food medicine and mattresses for the local Jewish community in Kiev but says they are keeping calm as the panic and pressure builds up.
- President Biden warned Putin today in a phone call that the United States and its allies "will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia" if it invades Ukraine.
Haaretz: US informed Israel that Russia could invade Ukraine by Tuesday. PM Bennett called on Israeli citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately. Israel is also evacuating families of diplomats
- Special Counsel John Durham Lawyers for the Clinton campaign paid a technology company to "infiltrate" servers belonging to Trump Tower, and later the White House, in order to establish an "inference" and "narrative" to bring to government agencies linking Donald Trump to Russia more
- British health officials are investigating a new coronavirus variant which combines features from the highly-contagious Omicron strain with the more dangerous Delta variant, according to an initial report.
Friday, February 11, 2022
Lakewood Zmanin
Friday, February 11, 2022 / י׳ אדר-א תשפ״ב ערב שבת פרשת תצוה
- Candle lighting 5:09 pm
- Shkiah/sunset 5:27 pm
- Zman Krias Shema getting early Gra 9:32 am
- weather shabbos Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High around 60F.
הפטרת פרשת תצווה נקראת מספר יחזקאל (מג,פסוקים י-כז) מידות בית המקדש השלישי חנוכת הבית
"וְהָיָה בַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי וָהָלְאָה, יַעֲשׂוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים עַל-הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אֶת-עוֹלוֹתֵיכֶם וְאֶת-שַׁלְמֵיכֶם, וְרָצִאתִי אֶתְכֶם, נְאֻם ה' אלוקים"
Leil Shishi
Friday Feb 11 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Mostly sunny high of 58
Erev Shabbos Parshas Tezaveh
- Candle lighting 5:09 pm Shkiah/Sunset 5:27 pm. Shabbos day high of 60F.
- The U.S. believes Putin has decided to invade Ukraine and communicated those plans to the Russian military and will make its move next week 'US officials anticipate a horrific, bloody campaign that begins with two days or aerial bombardment and electronic warfare, followed by an invasion, with the possible goal of regime change.(Reporter for PBS)
- Israel evacuating relatives of embassy staff in Ukraine, Reuters reports. Earlier today, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands advised citizens to leave the country.
- Skulen Rebbe shlita of Lakewood will be spending shabbos in Route 9 south areas of town.Tefillos will take place at Sterling forest. presidential estates and the Friday night tish will be held at YTT on Vine street.
- As several Lakewood Rabbonim have testified, today the European Medicines Agency's (equivalent to the FDA) is looking into reports of problems with women's menstruation tied to the use of mRNA covid vaccines, it said Friday investigating both cases of heavy bleeding, as well as missed periods(Reuters)
- Greg Kelly from Newsmax tweeted out yesterday “It’s gonna be KAMALA on the Supreme Court.”. Senator Ted Cruz made a silllilar speculation a few days ago that rhe VP will go to supreme to get her out of the way as Bidens numbers plummet
Jnews- Board members disdain for בני תורה? "discourages a resident from speaking; tells him “Go back to your chavrusa ”yells at a Yungerman “don’t give us lectures about it” did not allow a resident to read a letter from Satmar Dayan שליט’א. More
- A fire at Camping World in Lakewood has shut down Route 9 in both directions fromp pp Cross st to Rt 70 Officials say it broke out around 6:30
- Forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches of snow for southern N.J beginning Sunday morning.
- Daf Yomi makes siyum on Moed Katan begins Maseches Chagiga today.
- No trash pickup today in Lakewood, town offices closed for holiday.
- A man who called 911 refuses help from Orthodox Jewish EMTs in Lakewood more
- Israel covid numbers 1,074 hospitalized in serious condition 267 on ventilators 23 on ECMO nachines 198 deaths this week.
- Howell township paid $560,000 in legal fees over five years battling with Congregation Kollel to stop a proposed yeshiva before reaching a settlement.
- Lakewood Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Yeruchom Olshin shlita celebrated his granddaughters wedding last night easing the covid restrictions he had been practicing since the onset of the pandemic. Watch Video at chesuna Here
Video: Crowd welcomes Rav Chaim Kanievsky at a Dirshu Siyum in Yerushalayim last night
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Why Is This Okay?
No, not the Superbowl ads in the local papers which is not ok. They even got brazen this year by not even hinting but spelling it out in full. Yet, Something else that takes place this time of year. A local kosher supermarket was selling balloons associated with a current holiday that is of Christian origin. A quick Google search says the day originated as a Christian feast day honoring Saint Valentine. Even if this was an oversight on the stores part it shows a total lack of sensitivity to the Lakewood community. If you understand that frum stores dont sell holiday trees this should be for the same reason.
Update: to their credit the store has removed the items.
Hashkafa Q&A
Hashkafa Q&A by Harav Gershon Ribner shlita Rebgershonribner.com
Who is responsible for improper mingling in workplaces
Feeling inadequate over his wife being the breadwinner
How to react to negative media coverage of Bnei Torah
Pontificating drives children away from the Shabbos table
Thursday Feb 10 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a shower late. Low around 30F.
- 40 new covid cases in Lakewood totals 23585/360
- 14 new covid cases in Jackson totals 12431/139
- 21 new cases in Toms River 21041/411
- CIA has been secretly conducting massive data collections programs that capture Americans’ private information, newly declassified documents reveal. AP
- Asifas chizuk at B"M Chanichei Hayeshivos
divrei hisoirerus by Harav shlomo Feivel Schustal shlita followed by Tehillim for a refuah and yeshuah due to the current matzav of the Marah D'asra Harav Yaakov Landau shlita who is in need of rachmei shamayim. 142 Hollywood 10:30 pm
שמחה יעקב בן בלומא
- Phil Murphy signed an executive order Thursday to extend the public health emergency at least one more month, the 17th time he has done so.
- Bde: Petirah of 3 months old hayalda Penina Rotkin A"H more at LNN
- The price for a מהודר ספר תורה is now costing up to $200k. People in the industry say brokers are telling sofrim to charge more as it is in high demand. This is causing the price of tefillin and mezzuzos to skyrocket due to a shortage of sofrim writing them.
- The average U.S. household is spending an additional $250 a month because of inflation that is rising at its fastest rate in 40 years, a new economic analysis showed. The squeeze stems from higher prices across a range of products and services, including cars, gasoline, furniture and groceries.
- U.S. inflation jumps to 7.5% year over year in January, a 40 year high and more than expected.
- “Governor Murphy insisted his decision to lift school mask mandates was influenced by nothing but public health data,” said state Senator Testa (R-1) on Wednesday, reacting to the NYT report. “In truth, his announcement was driven by concerns over polling data and growing public outrage over his mandates as he prepares to run for president. Anyone who continues to think Governor Murphy isn’t playing politics with the pandemic is delusional.”
- Kids will have to still wear masks on school buses in N.J. even after mandate is lifted, state says “School buses are subject to federal masking regulations,” which require masks on all public mass transportation. (NJ)
- LIC set to announce opening date for Park n Ride on Swarthmore near Cedarbridge
- Moadim Lsimcha will be accepting EBT as a form of payment for the Pesach orders this year
- B"H Ruchoma Yiscah Miriam bas Tzirel Bracha, a young mother has been released from the hospital.
- Fund set up to help local family who lost their baby HERE
- Guy behind the Counter Book review " Blood, Sweat and Tears", Memoirs of a Talmid of Rav Eliyohu Meir Sorotzkin Zatzal Here
- Audio: Brisk R"Y RA"Y Soloveitchik Chumash shiur on recent events in E"Y
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Wednesday Feb 9 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Plentiful sunshine. High 48F.
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- 50 new covid cases in Lakewood 23545/360
- 12 new covid cases in Jackson +1 death 12417/139
- 39 new cases in Toms River +2 deaths totals 21020/411
- Hespedim and Divrei Zikaron on Maran Rav Shmuel Auerbach tonight in Vizhnitz Hall on Clifton. Divrei Zikaron by Rav Lipa Geldwerth Shlita.
- President of Ukraine believes Russian invasion unlikely (WSJ)
- Tehillim: Please daven for Yaakov Ben Tamar Malka 5 year old boy in critical condition who was hit by a car in Flatbush
- Gas priceeshoot up again $3.50 a gallon inp Lakewood
- Hafganos against the giyus law took place today in Bnei Brak
- Murphy lifted mask mandates in schools was not about the science but about the politics: NYT reports "The effort began last fall, after he was stunned by the energy of right-wing voters in his blue state, who nearly ousted him from office in what was widely expected to be an easy re-election campaign." Arranging a series of focus groups across the state to see what they had missed, Murphy’s advisers were struck by the findings: Across the board, voters shared frustrations over public health measures, a sense of pessimism about the future and a deep desire to return to normalcy.(H/T onejerseyschorr)
-Tehillim: A Lakewood Mother in critical condition after she suddenly collapsed.please be mispalel for Sarah bas Yehudis Rechil. (LNN)
- NY Gov Hochul announces New York's statewide mask-or-vaccine mandate to be lifted tomorrow, for indoor businesses.
- Toldos Avrohom Yitzchock rebbe asked his chasidim not to wear shtreimels that are more than 5 inches tall. The rebbe commented on the new shtreimel trends that get taller and taller making it hard to differentiate from a spodik and that it no longer is similar to the original nostalgic shtreimel.
- Viznitz chasidim from across america gathered this sunday at the Ritz arena in Elizabeth, NJ for a asifa on Tznius the dais was graced with 7 vizhnitz rebbes, the brother from London is not well and undergoing treatments. As a zechus for refuah sheleima some women took upon themselves to shorten the length of their sheitel.
- NWS: We've heard the many reports of a loud boom or shaking sound in portions of southern New Jersey yesterday afternoon. USGS does not indicate any seismic activity, and as far as we are aware, it was not of meteorological origin.
LIC meeting today 11;30 am watch live stream Here
- Forecasters are keeping an eye on for Sunday - Monday for potential snow storm as of now it looks like the area will just miss the a bigger impact but close enough to throw light snow.
- Mesivta Farhers begin today hatzlacha to all the boys
- Bde: Tragedy 23 year old chosson Yaakov Yitzchok Grozinger Z"L from Boro Park was suddenly niftar during a visit to Eretz Yisrael 3 weeks before his chasunah he was hospitalized with pneumonia or from a onfection. He was to marry the daughter of R' Yoli Lebovitz the badchan/singer who just got up from shiva for his brother. The chosson learned in the Chaburas Geldzhaler of Mir yeshiva in Yerushalayim. Levaya 11:30 am watch here
R' Yoely Lebovits tweets "I’m shattered to pieces. I was supposed to marry off my daughter to Yanky and walk him down the aisle in a few weeks. Instead we’re walking him to his eternal rest. Yanky we loved you".
- Judge overturns approval by the Lakewood zoning board. Superior Court Judge Marlene Lynch Ford presiding over a case ruled in favor of the plaintiff's and overturned the approval of the board to build on 6 lots by Spruce & Vine.
-NJ Dept. of health pulled a series of ads geared for the Lakewood community after backlash to the bad depiction of orthodox Jews. They are redoing the ads.
- Shiva for Habachur Shlomo Sorotzkin Z"L is at 12 Sequoia (Pine River) Lakewood shachris 8:00 am Mincha 5:00 pm, Maariv 9:30 pm
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Tuesday Feb 8 News Updates Lakewood
Weather: Mainly sunny. High near 45F.
1 new covid case +1death in Lakewood totals 23495/360 (93 cases reported over weekend)
- 35 new covid cases in Jackson totals 12405/138
- 21 new cases in Toms River +2 deaths 20981/409
- BDE: petirah of Habochur Shlomo Sorotzkin z”l. He was 19 years old, son of R’ Chaim Dov and Mrs. Sara Aliza Sorotzkin of the Pine River kehillah in Lakewood. He battled illness for several years, fighting valiantly while thousands davened for his refuah. The levayah is 10:30pm tonight at the Lakewood Bais olam (zoom) see more at Matzav.com
- Update: Reporter @OneJerseySchorr . The New Jersey Health Department tells me they are discontinuing the ad in Lakewood to boost vaccines with actors dressed as orthodox Jews.
- Moadim L' simcha will be accepting EBT as a form of payment for the Pesach orders beggining in March.
- Eric Trump spoke at the eCap Summit for the healthcare industry at the Trump Doral in Miami, he said “I’m actually a minority in this room “You know, my sister always called me ‘the Shabbos goy.’ Everybody knows this. Because I’m actually…I’m half Jewish. I think everybody knows this. Ivanka and Jared are Jewish. I’ve had more Shabbos dinners and more great events. You know, occasionally they’ve asked me [on Shabbos] to push the button in the elevator to bring them up.” (Matzav)
- BDE: Rebbetzin Chava Hecht a"h, wife of Rabbi JJ Hecht and founder of Camp Emunah, was niftar at 96. She was the oldest member of Chabad's shlucha corps(Kol Haolam)
- Last night the zoning board approved a cell tower on Clifton Avenue on top of the Eleanor Levovitz building despite opposition from residents.
- Hespedim for Rav Shmuel Zev Rotkin ztl tonight at Yeshiva Ktana on 2nd street following Marriv @ 9:20 pm Maspidim R"Y Harav Malkiel Kotler shlita, Rav Gershon Ribner shlita, Rav Asher Dovid May shlilta Rav Yechezkel Panet shlita
- NJ dept of health campaign to boost vaccinations in the Orthodox Jewish community see photos below of dressed actors.
- 10 counties in New Jersey are most at-risk for a housing downturn, including Ocean county. Listed are Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Ocean, Passaic, and Sussex counties. Housing that is unaffordable for average workers, higher levels of foreclosures, and larger portions of homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages. See more
- New Sefer Biography on Rav Dovid Soloveitchik zatzal "אחרון לדור דעה" written by the Brisk biographer Rav Shimon Yosef Meller
- Several school districts in New Jersey including Newark, Manalapan say they will keep mask mandates in school even after it expires on March 7 as Murphy leaves option for schools to extend it.
- Biden says he would advise Americans living in Ukraine to leave the country, acknowledging Russia has the capacity to invade Ukraine. He said he's not certain whether Putin will follow through. Moscow has denied any attack plans