Israel At War Friday Dec 1

 Israel at war day 56 

2:30pm

 

-Arab media: - Sirens sound near Yerushalayim south of Bais Lechem in Mafalsim, Sderot, Efim and Nir Am in the Gaza Strip - Sirens sound Tekoa settlement.

- Islamic Jihad say they fired rockets toward Yerushalayim 

- Several families of hostages have been notified that their relative held captive in Gaza are no longer alive they were murdered or died in captivity from wounds. Speculation is these are bodies the Idf removed from Shifa hospital or from freed hostages who were with them.

  3 members of Kibbutz Nir Oz  who were held captive in Gaza have been murdered by Hamas while in captivity 6-year-old Mia Goren, Ronen Engel, 55, His wife and two daughters were released this week. and Aryah Zalmanovich 85 HYD

- Rocket barrage on central Israel, over 50 rockets fired at south as Hamas extends range of rocket fire 

- IDF hits 200 Gaza targets

- Rockets from the north,  2 rockets fired at Kiryat Shmona by Hezbolllah intercepted,a as  IDF strikes terror cell in southern Lebanon

- 70 terrorists killed today in Gaza

- 5 IDF soldiers lightly injured from exploding mortar

- Negotiations continue despite restart of war

- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Israel’s war cabinet on Thursday that it likely doesn’t have months to wage war against Hamas in Gaza, as domestic and international pressure mounts on US President Joe Biden’s administration to draw an end to the fighting, an Israeli official said.

- Israeli airstrikes have hit southern Gaza, including the community of Abassan east of the town of Khan Younis. Another strike hit a home northwest of Gaza City.

- 30 terrorists eliminated

- Media reports that negotiations still going on despite the airstrikes

- IDF: Hamas violated ceasefire, we are renewing combat in Gaza

Cease fire collapses as Hamas fires rockets toward Israel in southern town of Holit

I

AF Air strikes resume in Northern Gaza strip

Is קטנתי Read with אזלא גרש or A רביעי

 The word קטנתי in this week's parsha vayishlach is commonly read with the trup of a אזלא גרש you can hear the crowd humming it along with the baal koreh. There is however several opinions among the baalei dikduk as to the  correct trup. The Koren chumash and others has a רביעי which recent baalei koreh have been reading it with. The new Torah Temimah chumash has both  אזלא-גרש & רביעי as  the trop for קטנתי. The Breuer Tanach which is used for dikduk has it with a אזלא-גרש based on older dikduk versions of chumashim. 

There is a vort that when Yaakov Avinu said katonti he was looking to make himself humble therefore the proper reading is with a revii since the Azla Geresh goes up and amplifies it. The question is asked why would it have a Azla geresh then, if it is gaavah?

Some respond with the famous vort of the Vilna Gaon he Gemara says that a person is allowed to have "Shiminis ShebeShiminis of Gaavah" - 1/8 of an 1/8 (1/64) of arrogance. What is the meaning of this unusual terminology - "an eighth of an eighth"?

The Vilna Gaon explains, the Gemorah means the 8th pasuk in the 8th parsha. Parshas VaYishlach is the 8th parsha and "Katonti Mikal HaChasadim" is the 8th pasuk. A person's level of haughtiness must be on the level that he is unworthy of anything. - "I have been diminished by all the kindness and all the truth you have done for me." Whatever Hashem does and will do for me is not coming to me. It is a gift from Hashem, "Katonti" - I am unworthy!

For a more detailed view on the technical dikduk aspect see here

Oif Simchas Thursday 18 Kislev

Chasunas:

Spinrad - Weissman Fountain Ballroom 

Shechter - Lapides Lake Terrace

Millman - Yurowitz Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Soberman - Sova Ne'emas Hachaim 

Agudah convention watch Live HERE 

Asking for a freind 10pm HERE

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

- Harav Yosef Dovid Korbman Rosh Yeshiva Yeshiva Gedola South Lakewood BE”H weekly Chumash shuir 11:15 pm in Bais Yitzchok (bmg) Ezras Nashim every Thursday night 11:15 pm

Moetzes: Let us Focus on Limud HaTorah, Tefillah, and Tznius

 Agudath Israel of America, today, shared a statement from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America:

17 Kislev 5784

To our dear brothers and sisters:

We are all still in great shock and mourning over the loss of so many of our brethren in Eretz Yisroel. Hashem yinkom damam - may Hashem avenge their blood! We cry for their families, and for the many who suffered injury in the Shmini Atzeres Simchas Torah attack, may they have a complete and speedy recovery. We daven for the safety of all members of the Am Hakodesh in the Eretz Hakodesh, and particularly the soldiers who are in the front lines of the war, whether on the southern border of Eretz Yisroel or on the north. We feel the pain of the numerous individuals and families who have been displaced from their homes and suffered severe losses. And while we welcome the release of some of the

hostages, we can know no rest until every one of them is freed from the clutches of their barbaric captors.

Across the globe, we are horrified by the alarming explosion of antisemitism all across Europe and even in the Malchus Shel Chesed of the United States. Most of the targets of anti-Jewish hate are anshei shlomeinu, fellow members of the Torah community. And it is particularly troubling that so many of the younger generation, in college campuses across America, have embraced the agenda of our greatest enemies.

Thursday November 30 News Updates Lakewood

 weather: 53°  Sunny to partly cloudy.

- New development coming to Locust street in Lakewood more 

- Agudah convention gets underway this evening 

- A Multi car accident  at corner of Rt 70 and New Hampshire in Lakewood this afternoon shuts down the area expect delays  this is the 3rd one in last few days 

- Yat Kislev Farbrengen tonight in Lakewood at Bnos Devorah with Rabbi Gershon Schusterman 9 pm for men w food with music

- Brooklyn bakery in Geula that closed last year will reopen again for chanuka in their location on Meah shearim

- Anthony Fauci, former chief White House medical adviser, is expected to testify before Congress early next year as part of Republicans' yearslong investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and the U.S. response to the disease.

- TAG Chanuka gift guide  buyers beware: The only thing removable from an MP3 player is the radio,and the SD card slot, done by physically removing the radio chip and the SD slot.

• Many MP3 players come with video/movie players that we are unable to block.

• Some MP3 models run on a software similar to a smartphone, enabling many issues of the smartphone without any of the solutions. There are a few such models that are unfortunately quite common, and there is no filter to safeguard them.

 - A nearly $300,000 federal grant will assist the county in constructing a new hanger at the Ocean County Airport, officials announced.

- App reports n Lang court victory: The Department of Education must create a plan for improved funding of the debt-heavy Lakewood School District by April 1, an appeals court ruled

Israel At War Thursday Nov 30

 Israel At War Day 55 refresh page

9:00pm

- Negotiations continue as cease fire will expire 7am Israeli time if Hamas does not provide list of 10 hostages to be released 

- NYT Reports: Israeli officials obtained Hamas’s detailed attack plan more than a year before the Oct. 7 attack but dismissed it as aspirational, considering it too difficult for hamas to carry out. The focument reviewed by the Israeli military was approximately 40 pages, nicknamed the “Jericho Wall.” It outlined the specifics of Hamas’ invasion that killed 1,200 people, the deadliest day in Israel’s history.

- Moetzes Gedolei hatorah of America issue a call for Torah tefilah and strengthening Tznius 

- Death toll from Terror attack in yerushalayim climbs to 4 after a civilian who shot the terrorists has died from being shot at by soldiers who mistook him for a terrorist 

- The 8 Israeli hostages confirmed released today:

 Aisha Alziadne, 17

 Bilal Alziadne, 18

 Shani Goren, 19

 Mia Schem, 21

 Sapir Cohen, 29

 Ilana Grichevsky, 30

 Nili Margalit, 40

 Amit Susana, 40

-  6 More hostages were now transferred to the red cross from Gaza

- This morning during shachris Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita requested that they blow a shofar and say the yud gimmel middos as Jewish blood cheapbin the hands of terrorists. The shooting attck happened a short while afterwards 

- Hamas’s Oct. 7 slaughter was “just a rehearsal,” the Islamist group’s leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar threatened on Thursday, in his first public statement since the terrorist organization massacred more than a thousand people in Israel. “The leaders of the occupation [Israel] should know, Oct. 7 was just a rehearsal,” stated Sinwar, according to the Maariv newspaper.

- The civilian who killed the 2 terrorists earlier today in Yerushalayim after they attacked was shot at by soldiers who mistaken him for a terrorist. He is hospitalized in serious condition

- Marco Rubio responds to calls for a ceasefire in Gaza: "I want them to destroy every element of Hamas that they can get their hands on. These people are vicious animals. Hamas should stop hiding behind civilians." People need to stop excusing hamas. They literally use their civilians as armor. Hamas will keep attacking until they're killed. If hamas cared about their Palenstinians, they would let them go.

- Blinken pressuring Israel not resume the war in Gaza. Netanyahu says they are on a mission to destroy hamas and will see it through

- Houthi rebels say they will resume firing missiles at Israel if cease fire expires

Islamic Jihad leader not optimistic to keep cease fire 

- Kibbutz Nir Oz says missing resident Aviv Atzili was killed on Oct. 7; his wife was released by Hamas last night

- Horrific: Hamas releases video of father of the Bibes family held in Gaza facing him to cry over his children by announcing they were killed and he wants to return home and bury them. News outlets are not showing the video

- Hamas releases 2 Israeli hostages Mia Schem, 21, and Amit Soussana, 40, another 8 are expected to be released later this evening 

- The two other victims of the terror attack in Yerushalayim:

 Mrs. Chana Ifirgan, Hy"d, 67, the wife of HaGaon HaRav Shimon Ifirgan shlita a noted talmid chochom She served as the principal of the Bnos Hadassah school, a Sephardi elementary school in Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph. She was a Ba’ales Chessed and ntil last week, she hosted evacuees from the southern cities of Ofakim and Netivot in her home on Rechov Rashi in the Mekor Baruch neighborhood of yerushalayim 

Mrs. Liba Dikman, Hy"d, 24, of Har Nof, husband Reb Meir shlita is a youngerman in Mir yeshiva and an only child to her parents Rav Yehudah and Michal Steinhaus of Har Nof and the wife of Meir, an avreich in the Mir. She was expecting her first child. She worked as a teacher in the Derech Emunah school and was on the way to work when she was killed .Levaya this afternoon in Har Nof.

- Under pressure Hamas  says that 10 more Israeli hostages will be released from the Gaza Strip on Thursday evening, two of them also holding Russian citizenship, as part of one-day truce extension.

- BDE: Rav Meilich Wasserman HYD a 73 year  old Belzer chosid Talmid chochom and dayan was killed in the attack as he waited at the bus stop in his way to Bais din.

- A soldier who was hitching a ride back to Gaa shot the terrorists who were brothers that both sat in jail for terror activity.

- Three people were killed and six other people were wounded in a shooting attack at the entrance to Yerushalayim on Thursday morning. A 24-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man were killed in the attack, while one other was in critical condition, three others were seriously wounded, and three others were in light to moderate condition. According to police, two terrorists from east Jerusalem carrying an M16 and a handgun arrived at the Givat Shaul junction  began firing at civilians at a nearby bus stop. The two terrorists were shot and killed by security forces and a civilian who was at the scene.

- Shooting terror attack reported near entrance to Yerushalayim, with at least 6 hurt. Happened on Weitzman street at Givat Shaul junction.

 - List of hostages to be freed today is only eight hostages six women and two children and that the two Israeli-Russian women released last night as a “gesture” to Russian President Vladimir Putin will count toward today’s list. Reports claim Hamas will also release 3 bodies of Israeli citizens.

Oif Simchas 17 Kislev

Chasunas:

Gluestin - Stern Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Beck - Katz Fountain Ballroom

Lehman - Lieberman Lake Terrace

Shoner - Dessler Toras Menachem 

Steinhardt - Kleinman Ateres Reva

Wednesday Nov 29 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 37° Sun and clouds mixed. High 37F

- Former secretary of state Henry Kissinger has died at the age of 100

- Atzeres zikaron commemorating the yahrzeit of Rav Yosef yOzel Horowitz Zatzal the Alter of Novardok tonight 17 Kislev at Yeshiva Bais Yosef of Lakewood 8:45 pm 300 Cross st Divrei zikaron and hisoirerus by Rav Yisrall Tzvi Nekritz shlita R"Y Bais Yosef and Rav Dovid Nekritz R'M Paterson

- Tough question posted on GKRF Facebook group about tipping in Lakewood restaurants:

"At a restaurant in Lakewood, NJ, the tab had an 18% tip already added. Was I correct not to add more? It felt strange adding zero where it called for me to write in additional tip, but that’s what I did. Was it acceptable not to add more too, if it was already added for me?

-Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone has scheduled February 20 as the date for oral arguments in Rabbi Eisemann's case. Analysts think it is likely the state will drop the case, which has become unwinnable for them. The upcoming hearing on February 20 is set to address Rabbi Eisemann's attorneys' motion to dismiss the case. 

- Kol Mevaser reports this past Sunday there were many accidents in Lakewood in a span of a few hours. Part of it was slick roads from the rain but the leaves on the roadways contributed to some of the accidents. The township leaf collection system leaves piles of leaves scattered across Lakewood roads sitting around for weeks taking up parking spots forcing pedestrians on the roadways and a hazard for drivers. 

- “Men ken nisht tantzen oif tzvei chasunas” the famous yiddish phrase this is the challenge that fundraisers and leaders have tonight as there are several weddings of Torah supporters and philanthropists taking place in the NY/NJ tri state area.

 - Yat Kislev Farbrengen will take place this motzei shabbos in Lakewood 

 - Lakewood Zoning board approves additional chasuna hall at Bnos Devorah the school said they will use an existing parking lot of over 120 spots for the new, second banquet hall. In exchange, they will terminate use of the existing banquet hall inside the existing school.

Faanews reports Board members Yair Stern and David Helmreich expressed numerous concerns with the proposal, including that adding 120 parking spaces for an entire second wedding hall will simply be insufficient. They added that the existing property "simply does not work."

They also highlighted that while this request was noticed to the public, it was coming under "correspondence" without full plans, and it certainly does not fall within the purview of the Board's written "correspondence policy" which states that "correspondence", is for "miniscule, insignificant changes which could really be approved administratively by the Board's professionals but the Board reviews such requests anyways to ensure that their professionals are carrying out the original intent of the board." Adding a second banquet hall does not appear to comply with the Board's written correspondence policy, they vehemently argued. The rest of the Board endorsed the application and it was approved. more 

-The Brazilian Armed Forces have reportedly been placed into a Heightened State of Readiness due to a Significant Movement of Military Equipment and Personnel in Eastern Venezuela on the Border of Guyana which has recently been Detected, with Officials believing that Venezuela may soon Invade the Small South American Country in order to Annex the “Guayana Esequiba” Region which accounts for over 60% of the Nation’s Territory and has been Claimed by the Venezuelan Government.

Agudah Convention Program Announced

The annual Agudath Israel of America national convention will take place this weekend Nov 30 Dec 3, 2023 at the Armon Hotel in Stamford, Ct.. The convention program scheduled has been announced  see below

Israel At War Wed November 29

Israel at war day 54 refresh page for updates 

8:30pm

- Israeli officials say Hamas proposed via mediators to release less than 10 hostages or to release hostages that are not women & children. The Israeli officials said that if Hamas doesn't produce a list that includes 10 women & children by 7am local time, the fighting will resume (Barak Ravid)

- 10 more hostages on the way home handed over to the red cross an hour before midnight 

The list of freed hostages:

Raya Rotem (54 years old, her daughter was freed a few days ago)

Raz Ben Ami (57 years old)

Jordan Roman (36 years old)

Liat Atzili (49 years old)

Moran Stella Yanai (40 years old, kidnapped from the party in Reim)

Liam Or (18 years old)

Itai Regev (18 years old, his sister Mia was released a few days ago)

Ofir Engel (17 years old)

Amit Shani (16 years old)

Gali Tarshantsky (13 years old)

- "We Feel Alone’: Chuck Schumer Calls Out Fellow Liberals Who Justified Hamas Attacks On Israeli Civilians Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, delivered a 40-minute speech on the Senate floor Wednesday morning against the rise of antisemitism in the U.S 

"I feel compelled to speak because I'm the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in America," Schumer said on the floor. "In fact, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official ever in American history." he cautioned progressives and young people against unwittingly embracing bigotry in the name of social justice. as one analyst put it he has, publicly, come to the stone-cold realization of mass antisemitism among minorities. and not the whites that the left was always pushing 

- Release of 10 hostages delayed

One of the released Israeli kidnapped kids, who was held for almost 50 days in the attic of a house, says he was held by an UNRWA teacher.

This teacher is a father of 10 children, who locked the hostage in the attic, didn’t provided him with any food or his medicine.

Another hostage was held captive by a a Gazan DOCTOR who continued to provide care to children in the hospital, but not the Israeli kid. 

Israel Channel 12

-2 Israeli women with dual Russian citizenship were handed over to the red cross. Crowds of Arabs yelled as they were going to the vehicle and were held back by hamas 

- IDF: "Three terrorists who violated the ceasefire rules and posed a threat to our forces were eliminated."

- IDF says chief of staff Herzi Halevi has approved attack plans for the continuation of fighting in the Gaza Strip.

- The 6th set of hostages to be released today includes 7 women and 5 children red cross heads to transfer poont

- Netanyahu vows war will resume after ceasefire the goal is to destroy Hamas

- After yesterday Hamas said that they gave the Bibes family to a different "organization"

Now they say they're dead  including the mother and 2 children one who is a 10 month old baby. IDF looking into it

- Israeli shipping company ZIM said they will divert  the route of cargo ships to avoid the red sea due to the threat from Houthi rebels. this will affect the shipments of goods and will delay it by 30 days 

- Hamas is willing to extend its truce deal with Israel for four days and release more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners.

- In addition to 10 Israeli hostages to be released today, Hamas will free 2 Russian nationals

- 9 children still remain in Gaza, 31 have so far been released 

- 85 year old freed hostages yocheved Lifshitz said in an interview with Davar website she asked Hamas chief terrorist Sinwar how he's not embarrassed to do what he did to those who were supporters of peace. He did not answer her. She also told the media that she was treaded humanely by the terrorists.

-Israel receives list of hostages set to be released by Hamas later today

- The remaining Israeli  hostages have been categorized into 5 groups: Older men,female soldiers, male reservists, soldiers currently serving, bodies of Israelis that were killed or died that are held by Hamas.

No one will hug us now. We will leave here alone and with our heads held high."

- Viral video of Israeli hostage staring down a hamas terrorist as she was freed. "No one will hug us now. We will leave here alone and with our heads held high." That's what Rimon Kirscht told the Hamas terrorists who tried to play nice for the cameras. She also said it to the Red Cross, who did not come to see any of the hostages while they were in captivity.

The UN calls on Israel to "liberate the Golan Heights"

-The United Nations Assembly adopted a resolution calling on Israel to "liberate the occupied Golan Heights", The document demands "Israel to retreat to the line that existed on June 4, 1967".

Oif Simchas Tuesday 16 Kislev

Cold Temps tonight low of 24 give boys rides

Chasunas:

Schwartz - Munk Ateres Reva

Meguira - Grossman Fountain Ballroom

Reich - Brecher Lake Terrace 

Rottenberg - Stengel  Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Elias - Penstein Bais Faiga 

Malka Toras Menachem

Tuesday November 28 News Updates Lakewood

Weather:  38°  partly cloudy this afternoon. A few flurries are possible

reports of flurries falling today in Lakewood 

- Free chanuka donuts today at Evergreen 

- Bde: Petira of R' Aron Yishai Unger Z”L, of New Square who was killed in a one crash on the Palisades Parkway when his  car hit a tree, he was 62 years old. Levaya tonight in New Square. 

- FAA report on the Lang court victory: This is a major victory for R' Lang's efforts as without the granting of this motion, the Commissioner would have dragged her feet much longer, and worse, she would have brought the Board of Education.... back into the matter, which would have further delayed fairer funding for Lakewood. Faanews 

- Lakewood Roshei yeshiva traveling to LA today to partake in the Naidoff - Rechnitz wedding 

-Lakewood Planning board meeting tonight 6pm at town hall  watch live stream Here see Agenda Here on the agenda:

Bnos Devorah  – request to remove condition permitting only one banquet hall

Sunset Rd Sephardic Congregation Inc   220 Sunset Avenue Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan for a synagogue 

- Side of salmon at Bingo $5.99 lb

- Gov Murphy says he is open  to make it legal to grow your own weed in NJ and suspects the change will happen eventually. as it’s still illegal to grow your own weed at home in the state.

- Motion in Aid of Litigants rights granted

R' Aaron Lang on the court Victory yesterday 

We won a resounding victory:

1. The Appellate Division has reassumed jurisdiction of the case as we asked;

2. The court granted our motion in aid of litigants’ rights; and

3. The court ordered the commissioner to comply with the remand order by April 1, 2024 (essentially four months from now and far earlier than she had proposed).

It is the same judge (and same day) that just SLAMMED the Lakewood BOE for $1.5 million. Their loss has NO RELEVANCE TO OUR CASE.

It was huge victory. The governor won't be able to kick the can down the road anymore.

- Preliminary data from the New Jersey AG Office show there were 380 bias incidents reported statewide in October, a significant increase from the monthly average of 199 during the previous nine months, Among the 380 bias incidents reported in New Jersey in October, 133 targeted Jewish people,  two dozen targeted Arab people  Incidents targeting Islam or Muslims were up 48%.

 - The Jon Bon Jovi Rest Area, formerly cheesquake located at Exit 124 on the Garden State Parkway, is set to close for extensive rebuilding and upgrades.The rest stop will remain closed until completion in 2024.

The planned upgrades include modern facilities, improved food and beverage options, and enhanced rest areas, aiming to provide a more comfortable and convenient experience for travelers. Fuel station will be open

- Thompson Bridge Road, Jackson, will be dedicated to Nicklas Shimonovich #392 & a memorial sign will be displayed at Thompson Bridge Road & W. Veterans Highway on November 30 at 11:00 a.m. to honor the 23-year-old fallen Lakewood Police Officer

- Lakewood Police Chief  says the LPD  has received over 700 gun permit applications so far in November, setting a new monthly record Over 200 applications were approved in the last week, Meyer added. (Onejerseyschorr)

Israel At War Tuesday Nov 28

Israel at war day 53 refresh page for updates

6:00pm

- Reports: Whitehouse pressuring Israel to refrain from military operation in Southern Gaza after cease-fire is over. Democrats call to condition US to Israel.

 - A reporter asked Biden his thoughts on calls to condition U.S. aid to Israel as a way to halt Israel's invasion of Gaza.  "I think that's a worthwhile thought, but I don't think if I started off with that we would have gotten where we are today."

- US Spokesman John Kirby: 

We do not support military operations in the southern Gaza Strip until the Israelis make it clear that they will not cause the displacement of civilians there. Israel needs the planning of their military action in southern Gaza to take into account the innocents who are there, including those who were displaced from the north and moved there.

- Hostages now handed over to Israel 

Ditza Heiman, 84

Tamar Metzger, 78

Noralin Babadilla, 60

Ada Sagi, 75

Merav Tal, 53

Rimon Kirsht, 36

Ofelia Roitman, 77

Gabriela Leimberg, 59

Daughter Mia Leimberg, 17

Clara Marman, 63

- 10 hostages released today are now in the hands of the red cross including 9 women and a 17 year old girl and an additional 2 Thai workers

- Egyptian sources say there's a deal to extend the ceasefire for another 2 days and the release of additional 20 hostages. That would mean a total of 90 hostages released by shabbos since the ceasefire went into effect.

- The IDF says that five soldiers were killed in one week of combat as a result of friendly fire, three more soldiers were killed in safety incidents in which a bullet was fired and an IED exploded, and dozens more were injured in operational accidents, including falls, injuries and damage from various means of warfare. Kaan news

-Minister Benny Gantz said after the ceasefire the IDF will have no choice but to resume fighting and drive out Hamas 

- The IDF released the names of 3 soldiers killed in combat on October 7th, their bodies are being held by Hamas in Gaza Staff Sergeant Tomer Yaakov Ahimas, 20 Sergeant Kiril Brodski, 19 , Sergeant Shaked Dahan, 19 HYD

- National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is pushing for Israel to scrap its ongoing truce deal with Hamas, after hamas breached the agreement by targeting IDF forces in the Strip with explosives. Ben Gvir urged Netanyahu to unleash an Israeli response and “order the IDF to resume forcefully crushing Hamas.” “We cannot wait for them to kill our fighters,”

- Hamas says it coukd release up to 20  hostages in the extended cease-fire time frame 

- CIA director Bill Burns will meet today in Doha, Qatar with Mossad director David Barnea and Qatar's prime minister to discuss a possible second extension of the pause in the fighting in Gaza if Hamas releases more hostages including men and soldiers 

 - The IDF says three explosive devices were detonated near Israeli forces in two separate locations in the northern Gaza Strip, "in violation of the truce agreements." It says that in one of the incidents, gunfire was also directed at troops. The IDF says troops returned fire. A number of soldiers are lightly hurt in the attacks In both cases, the IDF forces were within the agreed ceasefire lines.

The aunt of Eitan Yahalomi, 12, who was released from Gaza captivity last night, tells French TV that terrorists forced him to watch videos of the atrocities they carried out on October 7, and  that any time a child in captivity cried “they threatened them with rifles to shut them up.”

KolOlam: Rachem

 Recorded before Elul with hundreds of yeshiva Bochurim

Oif Simchas 15 Kislev

Chasunas:

Hershkowitz - Gringras Fountain Ballroom 

Pitterman - Forcheimer Ateres Reva

Gelbwachs - Weiss Ne'emas Hachaim

Moskowitz - Hirth Toras Menachem

Lazewnik - Blau Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Monday Nov 27 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Sunshine and a few clouds. High around 50F.

- Cyber Monday

- Sen. Robert Singer (R-Lakewood) wants the state attorney general’s office to carefully review its case against Osher Eisemann, a prominent Lakewood rabbi, and decide if it’s really in the public’s best interests to oppose the dismissal of the 2016 indictment. Singer noted that when federal prosecutors failed to win a conviction against U.S. Senator Bob Menendez in 2017, the Justice Department dropped the charges. “This has cost this man millions that people had to raise,” stated Singer.  “Does the state have unlimited, endless money?  I just don’t understand.” (NJ globe)

-Last day of right place suit clearance  sale 1364 River avenue open from 1:00p-m - 8:00 pm 

- NJ globe reports the NJ commissioner of education Angelica Allen-McMillan will depart in January

- Lakewood's new assemblyman Avi Schnall eyes education funding changes for 2024 NJ legislative session "We don’t have a plan yet but that is something that is important to us,” Schnall said when asked about school choice and vouchers. “Absolutely.” Senator Singer, who said he is ready to work with Schnall despite their party differences, believes he will have a difficult time getting school choice and some other issues handled as a Democrat “I think he’ll have a harder time only because the Democratic philosophy goes against a lot of things the community believes, whether it is abortion or their philosophy on what should be taught in public schools to a lot of other issues,” Singer said. “I support vouchers 100%. If he has a way of bringing vouchers, God bless him, I’m here. I would be curious to see how it would get done.” more 

- FAA report: The New Jersey Department of Education has alleged that the Lakewood School District's risk ratios for special education identification and placements were "significantly disproportionate." One category which is allegedly significantly disproportionate is the number of white students placed in separate education settings as compared to the number of total white students in the district overall. As a result, in accordance with federal guidelines, the state advised Lakewood that it would be required to allocate 15% of its IDEA funding - $1,442,938 - "to address the underlying causes of the disproportionality." More 

- Chasdei Hashem: Several yeshiva bochurim were involved in a car accident motzei shabbos on Cedarbridge ave near Airport rd  when they were hit from behind by a speeding passing car that caused  serious damage to their car they spun across the road  hatzolah took them for observation and BH all were released authorities told them they were lucky to be alive and that nothing  happened to them.  They will making a seuda hodaah

- Argentina's newly elected President Javier Milei visited the Ohel of Lubavitcher Rebbe in Queens.

- The New Jersey Senate Education committee will hear a bill today which would require school districts to allow students 5 absences a year for mental or behavioral health reasons, and would not count toward the 10% of days missed for a student to be considered “chronically absent”

Israel At War Monday Nov 27

 Israel at war day 52 refresh page for updates 

11:30pm

- Hamas will release an additional 10 hostages tomorrow, the families have been notified 

- Emergency phone lines in Israel have been down due to a glitch or possibly cyber attack. Officials said it was due to a power outage if a Bezeq substation

- Elon musk in Israel today:

We saw the joy expressed by terrorists that were killing innocent civilians, including kids and babies 

It's troubling to see massive protests in almost every city in favor of Hamas

We must stop the propaganda that is convincing people to engage in murder

 Israel must do in Gaza what the Allies did in Germany and Japan after WWII

- 10 month old baby hostage Kfir Bibas, his 4 year old brother Ariel, and their mother were transferred by Hamas to PLFP terrorists in Khan Younis (southern Gaza).

Hamas and PLFP terrorists are REFUSING to release them.

- According to the testimonies of the hostages, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, met them in a tunnel in Gaza and spoke to them in Hebrew. Sinwar studied Hebrew during his time in the Israeli prison.

- The list of hostages expected to be released today:

1. Sharon Cunio (mother)

2. Emma Cunio (child)

3. Yuli Kunyo (child)

4. Karina Engel (mother)

5. Mika Engel (child)

6. Yuval Engel (child)

7. Amit Shani (child)

8. Sahar Calderon (child)

9. Erez Calderon (child)

10. Or Jacob (child)

11. Yigil Yaakov (child)

- Ceasefire extended for 2 days

- 11 hostages have been transferred to the red cross

- Egyptian report 11 hostages will be freed today as part of the deal

- 4th hostage release held up, as Hamas seeking to again separate mothers from children 

- Egyptian, Qatari, and US negotiators are close to extending the Gaza truce expiring today which paused seven weeks of fighting. Hamas wants a four day extension, Israel prefers day-by-day extensions. Talks also cover the release of Palestinian prisoners.

- The British Daily Express reported from sources in Israel that Israeli intelligence knows where many Israeli hostages are being held, but there is no way to rescue them without risking more deaths among residents of the Gaza Strip.

- Elon Musk arrived in Israel today and took a tour of kibbutz kfar Aza together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  Musk was shown the horrors of the Hamas attack, 

- Roni Kriboy was kidnapped from the party in Kibbutz Re'im, where he worked. During his captivity after an IDF attack in the area of the building where he was being held, he managed to heroically escape for 4 days from Hamas, hiding and trying to reach the border with Israel until residents of Gaza captured him and handed him over to Hamas... yes those residents of Gaza, the  “poor and innocent" who could have handed him over to Israel, they chose to give him back to the terrorists.

- U.S. Central Command has now Confirmed that 2 Ballistic Missiles were launched by the Houthi Terrorist Group in Yemen last night in the General Direction of the USS Mason  while it was Responding to the Distress Call of the Israeli-Linked Chemical Tanker “Central Park” in the Gulf of Aden, but they further state that it is Unknown whether the Missiles were actually attempting to Target the Ship and that they landed in the Ocean roughly 10 Nautical Miles away not warranting any kind of Interception.

Oif Simchas Sunday 14 Kislev

Chasunas:

Mandel - Kuperman Toras Menachem

Greenberger -  Sauer Bais Faiga

Friedland - Goldsmith Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Felder - Tress Fountain Ballroom 

- Special shiur by Rabbi Meir Elkabas from Yerushalayim at Breslov shul 423 6th st 8:30pm ezras noshim will be open 

Sunday Nov 26 News Updates Lakewood

 - Weather: 52° Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. Chance of rain 100%

- Walmart “Cyber Monday Sale” starts online at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 26

- Slick roads numerous accidents 

-Hakomas Matzeiva shloshim for Rav Boruch Mordechi Ezrachi zatzal see below

- Man with the truck at Westgate simcha hall today 3:30pm - 8pm

Americans achieved a new record in online spending for Black Friday this year. Adobe Analytics revealed that shoppers spent $9.8 billion on Friday, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year. This surge began on Thanksgiving Day, with spending rising 5.5% to $5.6 billion.

- Prime Apts more seruvim issued by botei din here

- Jackson: A new PAC called “United Ocean County" was founded by two frum women According to their filings with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, their mission and business purpose is "to support and promote business and community friendly policies, legislation, and regulations at, with, and to, local, county and state government in New Jersey." This PAC got right to work recruiting donations.According to their January 3, 2023 ELEC filings, United Ocean County had received the following contributions: See full list Here on faanews.com 

- Alumni melava malka for yeshiva of S Fallsburg took place last night in Lakewood with hundreds of  talmidim came by divrei chizuk was said by the rosh hayeshiva shlita Tav Elya Ber Wachtfogel

Israel At War Sunday November 26

 Israel at war day 51 refresh page for updates 

5:00pm

- Elon Musk will visit Israel tomorrow meet with President Herzog and visit kibbutz Kfar Aza that was attacked on Oct 7th

- Protesters demanding permanent cease-fire block off Manhattan Bridge

Yesterday at about 5:00pm a popular NYC kosher restaurant, Pita Grill on 57th & 2nd, had its window smashed in. The restaurant was closed for Shabbos at the time. Police say "The motive is not known"

- Hamas had reportedly Accepted the Terms provided by Israel that in order to Extend the Ceasefire, they will have to Release at least 10 Hostages from the Gaza Strip every day.

- Red Cross in 1944: “We found no trace of installations for exterminating civilian prisoners in Auschwitz” 

Red Cross in 2023: “We found no evidence of weapons or hostages being kept in hospitals in Gaza”

- Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie reiterated his claim that former President Donald Trump has fueled the increase in antisemitism and hate across the country Sunday, saying Trump’s “intolerant language and conduct” has given people “permission” to act the same.

- Hamas announces in a statement that it is seeking to extend the truce beyond the initial fourday period in order to secure the release of additional Palestinian prisoners.

- Netanyahu visited soldiers in northern Gaza

- Biden: This extended pause in the fighting brings a critical opportunity to deliver much-needed food, medicine, water, and fuel to the civilians in Gaza. And we are not wasting one single minute

Mark Levin: Hamas-Nazi strategy is delay and survive. And Biden-Blinken are playing right into their hands. Intentionally. Biden-Blinken want Israel weak and internally divided so they can remove Netanyahu, replace him with an lapdog, and impose their deadly two-state final solution on Israel where Israel loses its territorial sovereignty over Judea and Samaria to the PLO and the ability to determine what comes of Gaza. 

- Biden confirmed that 4-year-old Abigail Edan was among the hostages released by Hamas a short while ago and she's now back in Israel. 

Biden said he's "hopeful" the other Americans would be released but added, "I don't have any thing firmly to tell you at this moment." And hopes the ceasefire will be extended.

- One of the hostages 84 year old Alma Avraham is in serious condition and taken by helicopter straight to the hospital 

- Update so far since the cease fire 40 Israeli hostages have been released including 22 children 17 women and 1 man plus 19 Thailand Citizens which means tomorrow another 8 children and 3 women will be released (Amit Segal)

- List of hostages released today 

Abigail Idan, 4

Ella Elyakim, 8

Dafna Elyakim, 15

Hagar Brodetz Ama, 40 and her 3 children

Ofri Brodetz, 10

Yuval Brodetz, 8

Oriya Brodetz, 4

Chen Goldstein, 48 and her children

Agam Goldstein, 17

Tal Goldstein, 9

Gal Goldstein, 11

Alma Avraham, 84

Adrian Aviva Siegel

Ron kriboi

- 17 hostages are now in the hands of the IDF including 14 israels one a dual Russian citizen and 3 Thai workers. Hamas still holds 177 hostages

- Hostages have been transferred over to the red cross in Gaza now

- 50,000 attend pro Israel rally in London

- Biden will talk with Netanyahu today in an attempt to prolong the cease fire and confirm that the Red Cross is expected to visit the hostages and provide information on their condition by tomorrow.

- Todays hostage list to be released has 9 children  including 3 year old Avigail Edan whose parents were murdered on Oct 7

- White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan: "We have reason to believe that at least one Amercian held by Hamas will be released today. We hope Avigail Edan will be released, but we can't know for sure until it happens."

- The Houthis have hijacked another ship in the Red Sea. The Central Park fuel tanker vessel is owned and managed by a UK-based, Israel-linked company allegedly belonging to Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. It entered the Red Sea today and was hijacked. This means that 3 ships are now under their control.

- At the request of Putn, Hamas will release a Russian citizen in addition to the 13 Israelis expected to be released today

- US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says there is “reason to believe” an American citizen will be released from Gaza today.

- A Qatar negotiating team in talks with Israel for  an extention of the cease-fire and the release of an additional 40 hostages

- Hamas  confirms that four of its senior terrorists, including the commanders of its rocket array and Northern Gaza Brigade, were eliminated in Gaza over the past few weeks

Israel says that the Hamas  is blocking the entry of aid into the northern Gaza Strip, posting an image of what it says is a checkpoint set up by the terrorist to divert aid trucks away from the civilians.

Motzei Shabbos Vayetzei News Updates

-Heavy traffic around Lakewood shopping centersvtonight with Black  Friday sales at clothing stores.

- Former President Donald Trump said a lack of respect for the U.S. and its leadership is why Hamas has not yet released any American hostages in its negotiated exchange during a temporary cessation of hostilities in its war with Israel.

- Outrage at tweet from Irish PM: Emily Hand a 9 year-old dual Israeli-Irish citizen was kidnapped by Hamas. Her step mother who raised her was murdered. For almost 50 days she was in a tunnel in Gaza without her parents. But for the Prime Minister of Ireland "she was lost and now been found"

- An out-of-control school bus hit eight parked cars in Lakewood. Police say no students were on board during the crash around 8:30 a.m. Thursday along Garden of Eden Street.

Officials say the driver had informed their dispatch office of an unknown medical condition prior to the crash. They say the bus driver was not injured due to the accident but was taken to the hospital for treatment related to their medical episode.(NJ12)

- Israel gets list of third group of hostages to be released Sunday, notifies families

- Today was  the 4th Yartzeit of kedoshei Jersey city Mrs. Leah Mindel Ferencz HY"D and Habucher Moshe Hersh Deutsch HY"D who were tragically killed by terrorists inside a Jersey City supermarket.

- Gov Murphy: Tammy and I are relieved to see the first group of hostages released. These women and children went through a horrific ordeal at the hands of Hamas. We applaud 

@POTUS and pray for the safe return of fellow0 New Jerseyan Edan Alexander. We won’t rest until all hostages come home.

- Details are emerging about what the hostages endured in Hamas captivity. Some of them survived on only rice during their last two weeks of captivity. When they were being moved yesterday, some of the hostages feared for their lives as Palestinian crowds hurled stones and other objects at their van.

- Hamas announced earlier" We have decided to delay the release of the second wave of the abductees until Israel is committed to the clauses concerning the introduction of aid trucks to the north of the Gaza Strip" 

Israel responds: We complied with all clauses of the agreement. It is important to note that just this morning almost 200 trucks of fuel and aid entered Gaza.

- Earlier today The IDF has announced they will Resume their Military Operations in the Gaza Strip as well as a Significant Escalation in Precision Strikes at Midnight if Hamas does not abide by the “4-Day Ceasefire” and Immediately Release the Hostages meant for today.

- Mom of freed child remains captive in Gaza Israel frees 39 Palestinian terror convicts

- 4 Thai foreign workers released

- One Israeli hostages taken to hospital but not life threatening 

- Israel has released a Statement announcing the Names of the 13 Israeli Citizens who have been Released from Hamas Captivity today, they include:

The Or Family from Be'eri:

- Noam Or (16 Years Old)

- Alma Or (13 Years Old)

The Weiss Family from Be'eri:

- Shiri Weiss (53 Years Old)

- Noga Weiss (18 Years Old)

The Avigdori Family from Be'eri:

- Sharon Hertzman Avigdori (52 Years Old)

- Noam Avigdori (12 Years Old)

The Haran Family from Be'eri:

- Shoshan Haran (67 Years Old)

- Adi Shoham (38 Years Old)

- Neve Shoham (8 Years Old)

- Yahal Shoham (3 Years Old)

- Hila Rotem Shoshani (12 Years Old)

- Emily Toni Kornberg Hand (8 Years Old)

- Mia Regev Jarbi (21 Years Old)

Zmanim Lakewood עש"ק פרשת ויצא תשפ"ד

וְהָיָה זַרְעֲךָ כַּעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ וּפָרַצְתָּ יָמָּה וָקֵדְמָה וְצָפֹנָה וָנֶגְבָּה וְנִבְרֲכוּ בְךָ כָּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה וּבְזַרְעֶך

 Friday, November 24, 2023 / י״א כסלו תשפ״ד ערב שבת פרשת ויצא

candle lighting 4:16 pm

shkiah/sunset: 4:34 pm

weather: Friday night low of 26° shabbos day 42° Intervals of clouds and sun

This shabbos is the 4th yartzeit of Kesoshei Jersey city HYD

Lonliness- Reflections on The Washington Rally

A 9 part essay reflecting on the before and after of the March for Israel Washington Rally 

By Rav Ron Yitzchak Eisenman- rav if Ahavas Israel in Passaic.

The Short Vort

Written Wednesday, the 9th of Kislev 5784,  November 22, 2023

Loneliness

Part One- To Go or Not To Go

I wanted to go.

I felt it was important.

Numbers count.

We live in a country where we are allowed and expected to express our feelings.

I wanted to go.

Yet, there were many reasons not to go.

A friend who is somewhat older and much wiser and also a Rebbe advised me not to go.

"You are not as young as you once were and are not in the greatest health. It will be a long, tedious day with lots of walking and many unknowns.

The Event is very critical, and you must encourage the Shul to go; however, you should not feel personally obligated. It's a very long trip."

That was on Thursday night, November 16.

I realized the person advising me had my best interests at heart.

I had already booked an airline ticket and a hotel room.

However, after my older friend's advice, I promptly canceled my airline ticket and hotel reservation.

I could drive.

However, driving seemed to me to be out of the question.

I could never imagine driving four-plus hours (each way).

(Full discretion, "even" driving to Lakewood is challenging and strenuous for me, and over the last few years, I rarely attend Chasunahs there. Please forgive me if you are one of those whose Chasuna, Vort, or other Simcha I missed in Lakewood. I have no driver and tend to fall asleep while driving.)

With a heavy heart, I decided not to go to Washington.

Part Two- What Changed?

Sunday was the Levaya (funeral) of Barry Stein, and Monday left me especially tired and emotionally drained.

My trip was canceled, I was emotionally drained, and it was Monday, and it was time to return to learning.

Beforehand, I again sent an email urging everyone to attend the Event- the Event that I would personally not be in attendance at.

I sat down to learn on Monday morning.

I had (sort of) come to grips with the fact that I would (unfortunately) not be able to participate in the crucial Event.

I began to learn and was soon immersed in the beautiful, blissful world of Shas and Pokim.

As the Stein family was sitting Shiva and another congregant was hospitalized,  I made the rare exception of allowing notifications of texts.

Suddenly, the slight ping of an incoming text awakened me from heavenly Torah learning.

The text was from a young Protestant minister in Dallas, Texas.

His wife wrote that after hearing my plea for as many people as possible to attend the Event and show support for the Jewish people, her husband and a group of young people decided to trek to Washington.

I looked at the text, and one thought entered my mind.

This was not a message from Texas.

Every year on Tisha B'av, when we read the Kinna about the destruction during the Crusader period of the German Jewish communities in the Rhineland, particularly of Worms (Kinnah 25)-I read the following paragraph to the Shul.

It is from the ArtScroll Kinnus:

 The Complete Tisha B'av Service;

A New Translation and Anthologized Commentary by Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer and Rabbi Avie Gold;

 Fourth Impression…June 1997; Mesorah Publications. ISBN 0-89906-878-2; pages 270-271

"The destruction of the Jewish community of Worms in the German Rhineland was the work of the Crusaders.

How ironic!

The Crusaders were willing to leave everything behind- homes, families, occupations- in order to conquer the Holy Land they called Palestine, while the Jews themselves were filled with no such zeal to regain their own homeland!

In heaven, this irony did not go unnoticed but aroused a terrible denunciation against the Jewish people, and especially against the Jews of Worms and her neighboring communities."  

As I looked at the text informing me of the self-sacrifice of our non-Jewish friends from Texas (!) to "leave homes, families, occupations" – to show their support for Israel and the Jewish people- I knew what I had to do.

Could our non-Jewish supporters be more willing to sacrifice for Israel than me?

I shuddered at the thought that Hashem might look upon me as he did the communities in Worms.

Could it be that non-Jews are willing to be "moser-nefesh" (self-sacrificing) "while the Jews themselves were filled with no such zeal to regain their own homeland!"

 

I knew what I had to do.

I knew without a doubt where I belonged.

There was no reason to call or take counsel; Hashem had texted me.

Part Three- I Am Going

Friday November 24 News Updates Lakewood

 Friday, November 24, 2023 / י״א כסלו תשפ״ד ערב שבת פרשת ויצא

candle lighting 4:16 pm

shkiah/sunset: 4:34 pm

weather: 49° Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. shabbos day 42° Intervals of clouds and sunshine

Yartzeit of the bas Ayi this shabbos many shuls will have a kiddush liluy nishmaso

Black Friday checkout deals on the Dansdeals website 

Cafe in Lakewood  $100 Patis eGift Card For Just $50 After Exclusive Black Friday 50% Off Code! Here 

- Gov Murphy after a bomb threat to the mall:  The matter is still under investigation, but law enforcement has determined there is no imminent threat to the American Dream at this time. The NJSP has reopened the mall. We will remain vigilant to ensure everyone stays safe this holiday season.

- Hundreds of Satmar Chasidim spent the day learning yesterday in the new Malone hotel in NJ

- Ocean county Health Dep says they are currently seeing an increase of  an unusually elevated spread of shigella in Lakewood (Lnn)

- A private phone call between 2 people has been making the rounds on social media of a conversation regarding the kidnapped signs in Lakewood the reaction online has caused a tremendous animosity and making fun of the Lakewood community. While ironically those posting the signs say they are doing so to spread ahavas yisroel the publicized conversation weather with permission or not has caused sinas chinom and hate against the Lakewood Torah community 

Israel At War Friday Nov 24

 Israel at war refresh page day 49 refresh page

3:00pm

- Biden says cease fire may extend: Today’s hostage release ‘only a start’; ‘real chance’ truce extends additional days calls for a two state solution for Israel and Palestine

- Biden has stated that they expect for the List of Hostages being Released tomorrow by Hamas to be announced in the next few hours, however he stated that he doesn’t know if American Nationals will be included in that List but that he hopes they will be Released “Soon.”

- Hanna Katzir, a 76 y/o Woman from Nir Oz who the Palestinian Islamic Jihad had announced on November 21st had Died from Medical Compilations while being held Hostage in Gaza is actually Alive and is one of the Israeli Hostages who have been Released today.

- Most Democrats praised the Israel hostage agreement, but many progressives still want Biden to push for an extended cease-fire (wsj)

- List of freed hostages

Adina Moshe, 72, from Nir Oz 

Channa Peri, 79, from Nirim 

Margalit Mozes, 78, from Nir Oz 

Yaffa Adar, 85, from Nir Oz 

Hanna Katzir, 77, from Nir Oz 

Danielle Aloni, 44, from Yavneh 

Emilia Aloni, 5, from Yavneh 

Ohad Mundar, 9, from Nir Oz 

Ruth Mundar, 78, from Nir Oz 

Keren Mundar, 54, from Nir Oz 

Doron Katz, 34, from Nir Oz 

Raz Katz, 4, from Nir Oz 

Aviv Katz, 2, from Nir Oz

- White House statement after the release of hostages: “We’re glad to see the process moving forward. Working by the hour to get those Americans included in this first group of 50, including little Abigail who turns 4 today." 

- 2 of the freed hostages are a 78 and 72 year old women 4 of the 13 are children

With shabbos beginning in Israel, news is coming from foreign media sources

- Israeli authorities met the hostages and have begun initial medical exams.  All are in good spirits and speaking to the officials

- American Dream mall given all clear and deemed safe after a bomb threat this morning

- 13 Israeli hostages have been freed  by Hamas they were transfered by the red cross to Egypt and currently handed over to Israeli authorities. They will be flown by helicopter back to Israel

- 12 foreign workers from Thauland  have been released

- American Dream Mall in E. Rutherford, NJ is being evacuated this morning due ro a bomb threat on the busy shopping day of Black Friday

- The 4-day ceasefire kicks in 1st release of hostages at 4 p.m. 

- All hostages were held in the southern part of Gaza

- Northern border quiet from Hezbollah rockets

-  The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, asked in a statement, on Friday, that Jews observe shabbos, as a support for the hostages, some of which are expected to be released an hour before Shabbos begins.

-Israel will release 39 Palestinian terrorists from Israeli jails including 24 women and 15 teenage boys

- IDF completes preparations to receive hostages with air teams, therapists, toys Once released from Gaza via Egypt, the hostages will be brought by the IDF to Hatzerim Airbase in southern Israel for an initial reception, where they will undergo a short physical and mental checkup. The military has prepared psychologists and mental health experts to greet the hostages, many of whom are expected to be children. The experts will explain to them what happened in their community on October 7 when they believe the time is right. The IDF has brought phones for the hostages so that they can call their relatives immediately upon arriving at Hatzerim  The released hostages will remain for up to two hours at Hatzerim before being taken to a hospital, either by helicopter or minibus. The helicopters will be flying in a more comfortable and quiet mode.

Those who need immediate medical attention will be taken straight from the border to a hospital, without going to Hatzerim. The families of the hostages are waiting at the hospitals, and hotel rooms have been reserved in the area.

- The IDF says it demolished the tunnel discovered under Shifa Hospital and completed its deployment on the ceasefire lines in the last hour. 

-Thousands of Gazans head north, in potential challenge to IDF’s campaign after truce. Israeli troops fatally shot two Palestinians and wounded 11 others as they headed toward the main combat zone in northern Gaza despite the IDF warnings to stay put. 

- Hamas broke the cease fire with firing some rockets  after it went into effect 

Oif Simchas 11 Kislev

Chasunas:

Roth - Rothman Neemas Hachaim

Rothkopf - Braun Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Woman - Levin Fountain Ballroom 

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

- Harav Yosef Dovid Korbman Rosh Yeshiva Yeshiva Gedola South Lakewood BE”H weekly Chumash shuir 11:15 pm in Bais Yitzchok (bmg) Ezras Nashim every Thursday night 11:15 pm

Thursday November 23 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 52° Some clouds  sunny skies for the afternoon. High 52F. 

- Watch live at 4pm Hilula of the Bas Ayin with R' Meilich BIdeman HERE 

- Hespedim for Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi Zatzal tonight in BMG Beren hall 6:20pm Divrei Hesped by Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita Rav Reuven Hechster shlita mashgiach Mir Brachfeld

- Thanksgiving day govt offices, banks, mail closed. Target, Walmart,Walgreens closed.

- Tuscany Cafe and Pizza opening in Howell, NJ  located at 6471 Route 9 North (next to Joseph &David) under hashgocha of KCL and Tartikov.The store was recently designed the owner owns the Bravo pizza in Woodridge,NY. The store will have water service with a full cafe with a extensive pizza selection. The pizza shop is now open daily from 11am-8pm including motzei shabbos. The Cafe will open soon

 - Agra Dpirka Thanksgiving day learning program at Bais Medrash Kol Chaim 618 Caranetta Lakewood 10:30am with Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen ,Rav Avrohom Snyder Rav Chaim Eeg

- Bais Faiga no school today,in service day for teachers

- NJ State senator Joe Cryan tweets following news that lawyers for Rabbi Eiseman want case dismissed: "Rabbi started a school 4 special needs & clearly didn’t do this. @NewJerseyOAG show some leadership &  drop this travesty. then clean house at the unethical, at best , OPIA . ( Kugler, M O’Donnell, Rabbi, more?) Time to lead. time to clean house."

-Armor M'Pittsburg will be visiting Lakewood today kabolas panim at 269 Ridge Ave 7:00pm

- Kidnapped signs in Lakewood  spur click bate articles in local Lakewood media 

- Several young Lakewood rabbonim to make debut as speakers at the upcoming Agudah convention next week

- Whole turkey at bingo $2.99  a lb

- Yartzeit of the Bas Ayin this shabbos 

- Tax Dollars: LDC budget  includes salaries of $124,852 to Executive Director David Klein, $78,052 to Joann Wilkes, and $25,990 to Anita Doyle (who receives an additional salary from the Lakewood Industrial Commission), as well as benefits (i.e. health insurance) for these employees for a total of $113,000. (Attorney Sean Kean receives $10,000 as his slice of the pie, an additional $22,000 covers the audit). more  

Thanksgiving: Harmless Holiday or חוקת הגויים

By Rabbi Yehuda Spitz Ohr Somayach

 One of the interesting aspects of being American and living in the ‘Medina shel Chessed’ is dealing with secular holidays. A day off from work, more time to learn, and suspended Alternate Side parking rules are always appreciated. Of these holidays, Thanksgiving is by far the most popular among Yidden, with many keeping some semblance of observance, generally as a way of saying ‘Thank You’ and showing a form of Hakaras HaTov to our host country. Although all agree that showing Hakaras HaTov is prudent, on the other hand, it is well known that many contemporary poskim were very wary of any form of actual Thanksgiving observance. This article sets out to explore the history and halachic issues of this very American holiday.

Why Thanksgiving?

Israel At War Thursday Nov 23

 Israel at war Day 48 refresh for updates

8:30pm

 - A junior Israeli officer in the elite 8200 intelligence unit warned over Hamas's plan of a mass infiltration event and was ignored by her commanders, N12 reported on Thursday evening.

- Hamas will not allow the red cross to visit the hostsges he holds although this is part of the hostage deal with Israel. According to the report, Hamas will notify the Red Cross on the hostages situation and health condition

- Hamas is reportedly planning on freeing 23 Thai hostages in separate deal with Thailand through Iran mediation

- IAF assassinates of the commander of the Hamas naval force in Khan Yunis.

- IDF Spokesman warns that there may be changes amid the hostage deal with Hamas, and that rhey will attempt to use “psychological terror” against the Israeli public.

“These will be complex days, nothing is final until it actually happens. And even amid the process, there may be changes at any moment,” 

“It is important to note that Hamas is a ruthless enemy. Difficult days are ahead of us, joy mixed with sadness,” he says.

- Israel media says remarks attributed  to Jonathan Pollard, He spoke out against the cease fire deal Israel should have silenced the hostage families! He also condemns the kidnapped posters, since it hinders the ability of a total war against Gaza. 

- Maayan Zin, mother of Dafna (15) and Ela (8) Elyakim kidnapped by Hamas: "I've been informed that Dafna and Ela are not on the list of the 13 hostages to be released tomorrow. This is incredibly difficult for me; I long for their return. I'm relieved for the other families and hopeful for the release of all the hostages."

- Pro-Palestinian protesters have shut down the  Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route. As Protesters and activists, demanding "Liberation for Palestine and Climate," blocked the Sinclair Oil Corporation Dinosaur balloon as they glued their hands on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. Reports of multiple protesters are being detained and removed by the NYPD.

- Israel says it received initial list of hostages to go free, has notified families asks media not to publicize  it until after hostages are returned 

- Qatar says the cease fire will begin tomorrow morning 7:00am and 13 hostages will be released at 4pm. List of Names have already been given over to Israel

- Netanyahu says that “we hope to get our hostages out  it’s not without its challenges, but we have to, we hope to get this first tranche out and then we’re committed to getting everyone out.”

- Amid delay, Qatar says announcement on hostage, truce deal to be made in coming hours

- Hamas hold-up on hostage deal as they demand that hostages not go with red cross but with Egyptian ambulances,they are also demanding that the red cross not visit all other Israeli hostages held in Haza something that Israel voted on by approving the deal.

-Wall Street Journal cites an Egyptian official saying that Cairo has received a list of the 10 hostages held by Hamas who would be released first, amid ongoing delays in realizing a truce deal.

- Hezbollah has fired a massive rocket barrage initial estimates of nearly 50 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel, the largest barrage since the beginning of the war.

- IDF arrests director of Shifa hospital and some doctors after proof that Hamas used the facility as a terror command center

- IDF  operating on the outskirts of Gaza’s Jabaliya area have located four “significant” tunnels dug deep underground, as well as a stash of weapons hidden under the beds of a senior Hamas member’s kids and in closets.

Oif Simchas 10 Kislev

Chasunas:

Lederer - Gluestein Ateres  Reva

Eisemann - Gut Fountain Ballroom

Wolpin - Moskowitz Toras Menachem 

Schiffer - Rosenfield Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Oelbaum - Hoffman Bais Faiga

- Shiur Hachana for חנוכה by Rav Yisrael Meir Galinski shlita grandson of Rav the maggid Yaakov Galinski ztl tonight at the Breslov shul 423 6th street Lakewood 8:30pm

- Chumash shiur tonight by Rav Millstein at B"M Ishay Yisrael 110 Miller rd 8:30 pm 

"MeHashem Yatza HaDavar"- Rebbetzins Roundtable Chizuk Event from Horav Michoel Sorotzkin-part 1

Shidduchim Rebbetzins Roundtable Roundtable Chizuk Event for Shadchante's from all over the country.

 A Roundtable Chizuk Event for Shadchante's from all over the country was organized by Oorah's Rebbetzins program the past Motzaei Shabbos by zoom. Rav Michoel Sorotzkin addressed the session with the most amazing Shidduchim stories and mesorah from Gedolei Yisroel about the topic of solving problems with Shidduchim.

 Besides for being a world renowned speaker, lecturer, Maggid shiur, Rosh Yeshiva and someone who has helped many many people with medical referrals, Harav Sorotzkin is also a successful shadchan for over 40 years and married off hundreds of couples. He had close connections to the past gedolei hador in Eretz Yisroel and America (including Harav Shach and R Chaim Kanievsky) and the advice he

Rebbetzin Chana Hershkowitz A"H

Matzav: It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Chana Hershkowitz a”h, wife of Hagaon Rav Meir Hershkowitz zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Binyomin of Stamford.

Levaya tonight Lakewood at the chapel off 7th street at 9:00pm. Tomorrow Levayabat Stamford yeshiva in Monsey at 51 Carlton ln 10:00am kevurabin Eretz Yisroel.

Rav Hershkowitz was one of the gedolei roshei yeshiva and gedolei hador of America. A prized talmid of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, Rav Hershkwitz had a profound impact on talmidim over many decades of harbotzas haTorah.

Rebbetzin Hershkowitz was a daughter of Mr. Harry Schiff z”l, a unique baal habayis of a bygone era in America who had tremendous esteem for Torah and talmidei chachomim.

Wednesday November 22 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: 60° Considerable cloudiness. Slight chance of a rain shower

- Bais Faiga and other schools including playgroups that follow that schedule will have no school tomorrow. Others will not have transportation to or from school due to Thanksgiving.

- SCHI: Alleging that state prosecutors deliberately committed a second Brady violation, attorneys representing Lakewood Rabbi Osher Eisemann are seeking a dismissal of a seven-year-old indictment. Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone determined that embattled Deputy Attorney General John Nicodemo intentionally withheld crucial evidence and disregarded a court rule requiring prosecutors to disclose important information in the government’s possession to the defendant’s lawyers. Nicodemo knew that there was evidence that could exonerate Eisemann more than a year before the trial, but chose to keep that secret, court records show.  Instead, Eisemann’s attorney claims, he ”misled the jury twice.” Paone ordered a new trial.

In a brief filed earlier today, Eisemann’s lawyer, Lee Vartan, said the indictment should be dismissed “based on the State’s intentional decision to withhold material exculpatory evidence from the defense not once, but twice.”(NJGlobe) 

- Artscroll book coming soon "Rav Nota" The Story of Rav Nota Greenblatt – Champion of Torah Judaism By Shmuel Botnick (Author)

- Update: Car erupted into a fireball after crashing into wall at high speed. Authorities say not terror related,driver may have suffered medical episodes 

Explosion on the New York-Canada border on the rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls was caused by a car bomb, according to Fox News

- Busiest travel day of the year today ahead of Thanksgiving 

- Car rally for Palestine today on the NJ turnpike from exit 8 north to Vince Lombardi rest stop 2:30pm

- Following the theft this past shabbos of a home in Toms River community members are discussing the option to start a shemira org as the PD has not been that much of a help

- Crema cafe opening in Tom River  

- Fundraiser launched to help family following the petirah of Hayeled Nathan Smadja Z"L of Toms River after suffering a medical episode the family recently moved to Toms River from France  donate HERE 

- The median teacher pay in New Jersey rose 5.1% during the 2022-23 school year, 

Median pay statewide was $77,943 last school year, up from $74,175 in 2021-22, according to the Taxpayers Guide to Education Spending.  Lakewood area districts

 Lakewood public school teachers salaries went up 21.2% from $56,621 to $68,610 

 Jackson  2.9%  from  $72,752 to  $74,827

Toms River 3%  from $71,395 to   $73,501  

Ocean Academy Charter School in Lakewood on Massachusetts ave salaries went up 29.3%  from $45,000  $58,200

- Newark creates a second zoning board  after a a development backlog of applications 

- Jackson resident demanded that newly instated Councilman Mordy Burnstein recuse himself from voting on a application for land swap deal due to the fact that he runs a political action committee (PAC) together with the developer more

https://www.faanews.com/2023/11/already-in-hot-seat-jackson-residents.html

- The Lakewood Development Corporation's Board of Trustees approved using a total of $1.6 million in UEZ funds for new ambulances and vehicles for the police department. UEZ funds are intended to be used to promote economic development within the Township's UEZ zone. LDC Executive Director David Klein confidently assured the Board of Trustees that "all of these new emergency response vehicles will be used in the zone to enhance economic development." more at faanews 

- Lakewood MUA increased water rates last year to 15% and now are planning another increase of 38% over the next 7 years. A monthly bill of $100 will cost an additional $43 when all rates kick in. There is a public hearing on December 5th for the increase. Last year the meeting was held virtually and the public was only able to participate by calling in.  Last year the MUA commissioners  voted themselves a 5k raise for the benefits. 

Israel At War Wednesday November 22

 Israel at war day 47 refresh for updates 

7:00pm

NY Gov: There is no sign of terrorist activity with respect to this crash,”. Investigators believe the car was heading from Niagara Falls, NY to Ontario when the driver suddenly began speeding and swerved into a barrier at a checkpoint on the US side, according to the sources.

- The son of a senior Hezbollah lawmaker was killed Wednesday in an Israeli counterstrike in south Lebanon, as well as a high ranking general in the Hezbollah Radoan force.

 - Israeli officials say there is a delay in the implementation of the hostage deal. Israeli national security adviser says the hostages won't be release before Friday

- Netanyahu: “I instructed the Mossad to eliminate the leaders of Hamas no matter where they are.”

- Defense Minister Galant: “Hamas leaders Mashaal and the Haniyeh are living on borrowed time. They will be hit, even those terror leaders who fly private kegs far away from the battle ground.”

- Iran says if Cease-fire is not extended the  war will expand

- Sources close to the matter said initial investigations found the explosion was caused by reckless driving,  after the car went airborne and smashed into a wall resulting in a fireba but there was no bomb.

- Two  male occupants who were in the vehicle that exploded at the Canada-US border are dead, a law enforcement source tells CNN

- Explosion on the New York-Canada border on the rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls was caused by a car bomb, according to Fox News

- FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force monitoring all points of entry to New York after car explosion in Niagara Falls, Gov. Hochul says

- Names of hostages to be released were given to Israeli mossad head

 

- IDF continues to reveal the subterranean Hamas headquarters underneath Shifa Hospital. Troops found items that belonged to the hostages indicating they were kept at shifa hospital  IDF reveals the continuation of the terror tunnel route, tens of meters of branching tunnel route, which also passes under the Qatari building in the hospital, combat rooms, hiding and residence of Hamas and two additional tunnel shafts that were uncovered near the hospital.

- Another soldier killed in Gaza Eitan Dov Rosenzweig HYD 21, from Alon Shvut bringing the death toll in the ground offensive against Hamas to 70.

- Mossad chief David Barnea will reportedly fly to Doha, Qatar today and meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to discuss final details of the hostage deal slated to go into place tomorrow morning.

- Authorities said Wednesday they had identified the body of Shani Gabay, a 25-year-old who had been missing since Hamas’s attack on Israel, and who had thus far been presumed a hostage.

 -IDF intercepted a cruise missile fired into Eilat, by Houthi rebels in Yemen 

- Hamas says truce to start at 10 a.m. tomorrow as sides gear up for hostage release Israel lists 300 Palestinian prisoners, mostly teens, eligible for release 

 - Cabinet vows to ‘continue the war’ against Hamas after pause in fighting

- 17 Palestinians to be released have been jailed for attempted murder including a 16 year old who tried stabbing a mother on front of her children in Yerushalayim and will be released back home near the victim (Amit Segal)

- Ben Gvir warns against ‘disaster’ of a hostage deal, slams ‘idiocy’ of war cabinet "You remember that we released Gilad Shalit, we let out [Yahya] Sinwar and his friends and brought this trouble upon ourselves,” Ben Gvir added.

- Order of hostages release

Hamas will give a list of 10 names tomorrow 

Israel will than provide a list of terrorists that will be released

IDF will have a cease fire in the morning 

The first batch of  hostages will be released to the red cross

Israel releases terrorists back to their homes

- Joe Biden welcomed the approval of a deal to free some of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, as European nations celebrated the agreement and urged a boost in aid to Palestinian civilians in the Strip.

“Jill and I have been keeping all those held hostage and their loved ones close to our hearts these many weeks, and I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls, who have endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented,” Biden said in a statement, thanking the leaders of Qatar, Egypt and Israel for their efforts to secure the agreement.

- Hezbollah says they too will honor the cease-fire agreement although they are not part of it but will strike back at Israel if hit 

List of potential hostages to be released. Provided by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office: