Lakewood Township committee to Increase their Salaries for 3rd Year in a Row after Tax Increase

For the third year in a row the Lakewood township committee will increase salaries for some township employees including the mayor and committee members (see list below). They will vote on this ordnance first reading tomorrow at the virtual reorganization meeting  swearing in Mayor Ray Coles for an 8th consecutive term. livestream tomorrow Jan 1 12:00 pm 

The salary increase comes on the hills of 4 consecutive tax increases on Lakewood residents  this year it was over 4 million dollars for the municipal budget  while the BOE borrowed another 50 million from the state as Lakewood residents owe almost 200 million for loans.

 This salary raise of $20,000 for mayor and committee members comes on the heels of last two years significant raises for 2022 and 2023 with zero public support as many members of the public submitted letters against the increase. Taxes went up across the board this year in Lakewood 

 The Mayors salary will increase from $88,00 to $108,000 it was $80,000 in 2002,  $71,000 in 2021 and in  2018 the it was $34,00. 

Members of Township Committee salary will increase from  $73,500.00 to $93,500

Deputy Mayor  salary will go up from $68,250.00 to $88.250

Emergency Management Coordinator  $108,000.00

Aide to the Mayor/Committee will increase from $70,000.00 to $90,000

Municipal manager 225k -240k

(In 2022 the committee voted to give life time health insurance to all its members  who serve for 20 years 4 will qualify by next year and MUA members also increased their salary from 5k -10k which includes the mayor committeeman Lichtenstein and Deputy Mayors spouse)

Minimum to maximum salaries for 2024 HERE and below

Sunday Dec 31 Lakewood News Updates

Weather:  44° Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 44F

- A 12 year old boy was struck and seriously injured in an accident at Prospect and Williams Street this evening. Please daven for Yehuda ben Bracha Tova who was transported with serious injuries to Jersey Shore Williams st was closed off from James to Prospect.

- The days of שובבים ת"ת begins with various shiurim scheduled by Irgun shiurei Torah

-New years eve, Costco warehouses will be open until 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, Walmart until 6pm

- Rav Shimon Galei shlita is visiting Lakewood area giving chizuk to the community 

-Newly reds shidduch initiative launches with a grand event this coming motzei shabbos at Ateres Reva hall in Lakewood for all ladies and girls ages 19 and up an opportunity for everyone to share shidduch suggestions and have it redd. see more HERE

-A group of 28 balei batim from Lakewood were scheduled to attend the Torah Umseorah conference in Miami on Thursday for a special session discussing the infrastructure of chinuch in Lakewood, however due to technical difficulties some of the flights could not make it, it will be rescheduled at a later date in Lakewood it was announced.

-A  video food review of  a new upscale restaurant in Lakewood, NJ. has gone viral with over 80k views on  twitter and thousands more on other social media platforms

- Lakewood township reorganization meeting will take place on Zoom tomorrow at12:00pm  the public can send comments  live via Cisco-WebEx; via email up until 6 hours prior to the meeting at premeetingcomments@lakewoodnj.gov or during the meeting itself  comments@lakewoodnj.gov 

- Lakewood township committee increasing their salaries 4th year in a row this time by $20,000 after raising taxes on Lakewood residents by over 4 million this year alone.

The Mayors salary will increase from $88,000 to $108,000. It was $71,000 in 2021 and in 2018 it was $34,00.  Members of Township Committee salary will increase from $73,500.00 to $93,500.

The deputy mayor salary is $88,250 from $68,250 last year

Israel At War Sunday Dec 31

 Israel at war day 86

- Huge crowd of anti-Israel protesters moving toward Times Square in New York City in an attempt to disrupt to traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations there.

- More than 20 rockets were fired by Hamas at southern and central Israel just at the start of the new secular year at midnight 

- ABC News reports that the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group will leave the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 'coming days' and return to its home port of Norfolk, Virginia.

- After taking control of the North Gaza Strip, the IDF has been releasing full reservists brigades back home.

A

-Hamas 'to agree in principle' to hostage negotiation talks 'The clock is ticking very fast for these people, some of them are not in good health...things need to speed up' Director of Diplomacy for the Hostage and Missing Families Forum Daniel Shek says.

- An Joint-Statement is reportedly expected to be made in the coming hours by the United States, Britain, and an Unknown European Country, announcing that they are in Final Preparations for a Large-Scale Military Operation against the Houthi Terrorist Group in Yemen which will include the launch of Hundreds of Missiles and Airstrikes against Pre-Planned Targets in Western Yemen and the Red Sea.

-Two more soldiers killed in Gaza fighting, taking ground operation death toll to 172 

Eliraz Gabai, 37, from Petach Tikva, 

Liav Seada, 23, from Teveria.

- The US military returned fire and sunk three out of four Houthi small boats that had attacked a commercial ship and shot at US military helicopters, killing the crews on the boats.

- All signs are that Israel will shift from the “main war” (Stage 2) to a longer, lower-intensity conflict in Gaza (Stage 3) in the next two to four weeks due to world pressure and, most importantly, American pressure, and  pressure from reservists and their families to be able to return to regular life. (Jpost)

IDF says fighter jets hit Hezbollah sites in south Lebanon, terror group using civilians as human shield

Motzei Shabbos Vayechi 5784 Updates

Lakewood township committe increasing their salaries 4th year in a row this time by $20,000 after raising taxes on Lakewood residents.

The Mayors salary will increase from $88,000 to $108,000. It was $71,000 in 2021 and in  2018 it was $34,00. 

Members of Township Committee salary will increase from  $73,500.00 to $93,500.

The deputy mayor salary is $88,250  from $68,250 last year

The committee only meets once a month on a zoom call for an average of 10 minutes a petition was launched to resume in person meetings twice a month at a normal time that people can attend sign up anonymously HERE

- Melava Malka for khal Shedlitz Tonight at the Villas shul 901 E. Kennedy Blvd Lakewood 

 - Tefillos for Rav Yehuda Adas shlita Rosh Yeshiva Kol Yaakov in EY name Yehuda ben Chaya Esther

- Tefilos  zkan hamaahgichim Rav A room Pollak shlita of Slabodka yeshiva who was hospitalized name is Avrohom ben Tila

- Tefilos for The Skulener Rebbe, shlita, pf Boro Park Harav Yeshaya Yaakov Portugal,  was hospitalized while staying in Arizona. Name is  Yeshaya Yaakov ben Reizel.

BDE Petirah of The Bercher Rebbe, zt”l  of Boro Park Rav Menachem Pinchos Rokeach, zt”l. He was 97. The levaya will take place at 10:30 this evening at the Bercher Shul, corner 54 and 16th Avenue 

 Russia has called for an Emergency Meeting of the U.N. Security Council today to discuss the “Ukrainian Attack” launched against the City of Belgorod which they claim was caused by Britain and the United States’s support for Ukraine; they further requested that the 

Israel At War Motzei Shabbos Vayechi

Israel at war day 85

- Thousands gathered tonight for an atzeres refilah at the Kever of the Chazon Ish in Bnei Brak davening on behalf of the hostages in Gaza

- A large stockpile of Chinese weapons seized in Gaza

Two more soldiers killed in Gaza bringing death toll to 170

Constantine Sushko, 30 from Tel aviv

Harel Ittah, 22 from Netanya

Netanyahu ‘Possibility for movement’ on deal for hostages says he won’t resign, claims Israel ‘got stronger under my leadership’ 

- Mike Pence to visit Israel this week

Israeli tanks pushed deeper into districts in central and southern Gaza Friday overnight and Saturday under heavy air and artillery fire, pressing forward with the ground campaign in Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists.

Fighting late on Friday and early Saturday was focused in al-Bureij, Nuseirat, and Maghazi in central Gaza, and Khan Younis in the southern part of the Strip, backed by intensive air strikes.

A Hamas health official alleged the strikes had killed 100 Palestinians and injured 150 in the central Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours. The terror group does not differentiate in its reports between civilians and combatants.(TOI)

Lakewood Zemanim עש"ק פר' ויחי חזק תשפ"ד

 הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל אֹתִי מִכָּל־רָע יְבָרֵךְ אֶת־הַנְּעָרִים וְיִקָּרֵא בָהֶם שְׁמִי וְשֵׁם אֲבֹתַי אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ

 Friday, December  29, 2023 / ט"ו טבת תשפ״ד ערב שבת פרשת ויחי

-Candle lighting 4:21 pm

-Shkiah/sunset 4:39 pm

- weather:  shabbos day. High 46F.

שבת שלום, חזק חזק ונתחזק

Friday December 29 News Updates Lakewood

Friday, December 29, 2023 / י״ז טבת תשפ״ד ערב שבת פרשת ויחי

candle lighting 4:21 pm

shkiah/sunset 4:39pm

Weather: 54° sunny.  shabbos day 46 and cloudy

- Powerball drawing this motzei shabbos jackpot is $760 Million

- The New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee is now scheduled to hear the free lunch expansion bill, which, if enacted, would increase the income eligibility for children in public and nonpublic schools to qualify for free meals. The Assembly passed this bill in June (SSchorr}

- A man was killed and a Cranford police officer was shot late Thursday when a car chase ended in gunfire on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge, authorities said. Cranford officers chased a stolen vehicle onto the Parkway before it crashed near Exit 131, the state Attorney General’s Office said in a statement. After the crash, two police officers exchanged gunfire with the driver.

- Melava Malka Motzei shabbos for B"M Shedlitz of Lakewood at Khal Zichron Chaim E Kenedy 

- Russia launched 110 missles into Ukranian cities today a missile crossed into Poland from Ukrainian airspace and struck near the village of Wożuczyn-Cukrownia, around 25 km from the Ukrainian border. Polish President Andrzej Duda has just started an emergency meeting with the National Security Bureau

ואני בבואי מפדן

Chazan Laufer ואני בבואי מפדן

Israel At War Friday Dec 29

 Israel at war  day 84

- Washington post headline: Israel’s ultra-Orthodox, exempt from military service, now enlisting. Article details how over 2000 charedim have signed up to join the army after Oct 7th

Another soldier killed as Gaza operation toll reaches 168

Harel Sharvit, 33 of Kochav Yaakov

 troops expand operations around Khan Younis area demolish Hamas infrastructure in homes of terrorists who attacked Kibbutz Nir Oz 

-Missiles fired toward Israel from Lebanon 

-Four injured in suspected car-ramming attack in the West

- In a “frustrating” call over the weekend, Biden told  Netanyahu that his government’s decision to withhold Palestinian tax funds following Hamas’s shock onslaught on October 7 must be resolved, Axios reported

-Naftali Bennett is criticized after revealing in a WSJ op-ed that Israel bombed Iran directly in 2022. Something long suspected but never openly acknowledged, until now. 

Oif Simchas Thursday 16 Teves

Chasunas

Starshevsky - Braun Fountain Ballroom 

Rennert - Raitzik Bais Faiga

Lipschutz - Rubin Ne'emas Hachaim

Cheifetz - Freund Toras Menachem

Katz  Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

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

Petition to Resume In-Person Lakewood Township Meetings.

A Petition has been launched for Lakewood residents to sign on requesting the mayor and township committee to Resume In-Person Lakewood Township Meetings. Sign HERE

We, the undersigned residents of Lakewood, New Jersey, respectfully petition the Township Committee to reinstate biweekly, in-person township meetings (like other Townships) at the Township Courthouse post the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shift to virtual meetings or cancellations during the pandemic has disconnected many of us from our local government. With Lakewood's population exceeding 100,000, not everyone possesses reliable internet access or the technical proficiency required for virtual participation. Furthermore, a significant portion of the Lakewood community lacks access to smartphones, laptops, or smart devices, further hindering their ability to engage in virtual meetings.

In-person meetings foster a vital sense of community participation, providing a transparent and accessible avenue for residents to interact with local government. We firmly believe that in-person gatherings offer a more direct and meaningful platform for residents to voice their concerns.

We urge the relevant authorities to heed this plea. Let's revive our traditional town hall gatherings while ensuring compliance with essential health guidelines, now that the COVID-19 pandemic has long passed. Your signature on this petition signifies your belief in the power of community engagement and direct democracy.

Sign HERE

QR code below to help others easily find and sign the petition.

 

Thursday Dec 28 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: 54° Steady light rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 54F. Chance of rain 90%.

- Maine’s top election official has removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot, the second state to do so, in a surprise decision based on the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban.”

- Trump back on ballot in Colorado while state Republicans appeal ban to Supreme Court

- Dor Yesharim screening tonight at Yeshiva Ktana of Lakewood 120 2nd street 6:30pm - 8:30pm

- In an interview with Kol Mevaser, Lakewood deputy mayor Menashe Miller says his reelection and appointment of deputy mayor is indicative of the will of the residents of Lakewood to his care of the community 

- Day camp prices in Lakewood go up this year on average an additional $200 as camp registration begins soon

- A minyan on shabbos has recently formed in Freehold near the Jackson border with frum people moving in to the town 

- New York City Mayor Adams issues an "emergency executive order" to restrict bus arrivals amid migrant surge 

- The H3 business Halacha summit is underway in Chicago, Rav Yisroel Reisman R"Y Torah Vodaas spoke about the materialist culture and gashmiyis plaguing our community.

- The Magid Maysharim Rav Aaher Druk shlita is currently in Lakewood delivering divrei chizuk at yeshivos schools and shuls 

- Lakewood Democrat committee  hosted a celebration event last night for assemblyman elect Avi Schnall at Glatt ambiance in attendance were mayor Coles committeeman Lichtenstein zoning board members and others

- Grey Goose vodka kashrus in the news again more as per CRC list it is ok Here

Tax dollars As 2023 comes to a near end, here's a look at which Lakewood Township employees received the highest salarie faanews: See full list Here 

Israel At War Thursday Dec 28

Israel at war day 83

- Syria’s state-run SANA news agency says damage was caused in an alleged Israeli airstrike in southern Syria. Citing a military source, SANA says air defenses shot down “most” of the missiles launched by Israeli fighter jets from over the Golan Heights, but that there were “material losses.”

- Two people are wounded in a suspected stabbing attack at a checkpoint near Jerusalem, police and medics say it was at the Mazmuria checkpoint near the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa 2 terrorists were shot dead.

- Kibbutz of Nir Oz announced that Judi Weinstein Haggai - a dual Israeli-U.S. national has been killed and her body is held by Hamas in Gaza.

-Suspected drone infiltration sirens sound in the Upper Galilee, near the Lebanon border.

-Another three soldiers killed in Gaza yesterday, bringing the toll  since the start of the ground offensive to 167. 

Asaf Pinhas Tubul, 22, from Kiryat Motzkin. 

Neriya Zisk, 24, from Masu’ot Yitzhak.

Dvir David Fima, 32, from Kfar Yona.

- Northern towns rocked by heaviest Hezbollah barrages since outbreak of war No injuries, but buildings in largely evacuated Kiryat Shmona suffer damage as at least 34 rockets fired from Lebanon, day after Israeli strike kills Hezbollah man and 2 others

- Top Israeli political pundit: '45% of the fallen soldiers are religious' Amit Segal breaks his silence, noting that the religious Zionist sector is not given enough credit for its part in the war. "And no one even mentions it. No one says 'Maybe what we thought about those 'crazy' people on the hills in Judea and Samaria, with side curls, tzitzit, and an Uzi submachine gun, maybe we should stop and think again.' Forget it, you don't even have to think again, you don't even have to stop evacuating outposts; just say that sentence."

- October 7th Miracle!  from Binyamin, who spoke in a video who is originally from France

On October 7th, the holiday of Simchas Torah, two Hamas terrorists arrived at a synagogue and listened in, waiting to find the right moment to massacre the entire congregation inside. However, they were surprised to encounter complete silence when listening in from the doorway. Especially given that their own mosque services are typically very loud, with sounds expressed every few seconds, they assumed the building was empty, and didn’t bother even entering, choosing instead to move on to find a more populated building to attack. However, that synagogue was actually full of Jews!

Once the holiday ended later that evening, the Rabbi and members of the synagogue reviewed the synagogue’s cameras and observed the two terrorists at the door who paused to listen and then mysteriously left. Upon checking the time, it happened to coincide exactly with the point in the prayer service when all the synagogue members were praying the “Silent Amidah” (Shemonah Esrai).

Binyamin, the young man in this video (who is originally from France), was the chazzan and shared with the congregation that just before Rosh Hashanah , he had sought a blessing from his Rebbi in Bnei Brak, the Rebbe of Tchernobil.

The Rabbi encouraged him to pray with a deeper focus and to double the time he spent in his Silent Amidah, which according to the camera timing, may very well have ended up saving not only his life, but the lives of his entire community!

Oif Simchas 15 Teves

Chasunas:

Rieder - Landynsky Neemas Hachaim

Azarod - Herzog Ateres Reva

Grauss - Schwamenfeld Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Hoffman - Zelcer Fountain Ballroom 

Bodenstein - Zoldan Toras Menachem 

Wednesday December 27 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: 50° rain likely.  Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. 

- Powerball drawing tonight estimated jackpot $700 Million 

- Oral arguments to dismissed Eisenman case are set to begin on February 20th 11 Adar 1

- BDE: Petirah of Rabbi Chaim Herzel Kranz zt”l, zekan harabbanim of Washington, DC, and founding rov of the Silver Spring Jewish Center/Cong. Ahavas Yisrael shul and day school.  The levayah was held at the shul on Arcola Avenue in Silver Spring, MD. The aron was then flown to Eretz Yisroel for a levayah in Yerushalayim, with kevurah on Har Hazeisim. He was a selfless person who gave his life to the klal in all areas of Hachnosas orchim pidyon shvuyim bikur cholim and chesed. He was a talmid of Rav Elya Meir BLoch zatzal of Telz,he was a mechutan with Rav Chaim Greinman of Bnei Brak.

- Tackling high grocery prices in the kosher market a wholesale store called Meitiv has opened in Monroe selling bulk items at cost price the Satmar rebbe Rav Aaron paid a visit to the location on Rt 17M and gave a $8000 check. There are plans to open a similar concept in Williamsburg. 

- New laws going into effect in NJ for 2024

Raising Minimum Wage New Jersey's statewide minimum wage will increase by $1 to $15.13 per hour for most employees on Jan. 1, 2024. New Jersey pharmacists will be allowed to dispense self-administered  contraceptives to patients without requiring a prescription.

- School districts must provide menstrual products free of charge in every public school teaching students in one or more of grades 6 through 12.

 - New Jersey Legislature committee approved a bill to have NJ Family Care accept and reimburse claims for marriage and family therapists, and social workers.

-Latinos now outnumber non-Hispanic whites in the U.S. state of Texas, census data shows.

Lakewood Committee Continues to Hide

The last time the Lakewood Township Committee met in person at a public meeting  was March 5, 2020.  Since then, all meetings are virtually  via Zoom, requiring those who wish to speak to log on and wait their turn. This coming Monday is the township reorganization meeting which was always a celebratory event at town hall with all Lakewood movers and shaker in attendance  as new members are sworn in and the appointment of the mayor is voted on by the committee. Per the township schedule it will also take place on zoom. not only has the township meetings gone online but it was reduced from twice a month to once a month on average of 10 minutes held at a inconvenient time of 5:30 pm when most of the town is coming home from work in yeshiva or serving super to their children. Its obvious but apparently the committee does not want to face the public criticism directly to their face by Lakewood residents. The public comment has been reduced to submitting emails or logging in and waiting tp be called on zoom despite that officials make it sound like no big deal it is no comparison to in person opportunity to address the governing body directly and have a back and forth conversation In contrast neighboring Jackson has bi weekly meetings in person with the public attending as councilman show respect for the constituents, In Lakewood they they hide behind the screen once a month on a zoom call with some committee members not even showing their face. 

APP reported recently Lakewood is an exception. Nearly all local governments statewide have returned to in-person meetings, with many offering both online access and person-to-person gatherings.

so why are they doing it? The excuses do not really add up Mayor Coles told the APP  “It started with Covid and we realized that we actually get more participation this way than we were getting when it was live,” Mayor Ray Cols said. “People don’t have to come out in bad weather, we do it live and it is a reflection of the times." Well interestingly a large part of Lakewood residents do not have internet access at home or are available to tune it at that time. Some have questioned why cant the township meet in person with a hybrid component of a livestream and the ability to submit comments too. The U.S. Census reports that only 63% of Lakewood households had a broadband Internet subscription in 2021,  APP reports. There were instances of technical problems during the zoom meeting

As for the public comment it is usually an average of 3 emails read by the mayor submitted by the same people and rarely does anyone get online on the zoom call despite officials  saying that it increase public participation. Many seniors are not tech savvy to log into zoom calls and wait to be called during the meeting, almost no one does so anyhow. 

Israel At War Wednesday Dec 27

 Israel at war day 82

- IDF located and destroyed three terror tunnel shafts belonging to the Hamas terror organization near the Rantisi Hospital and in the nearby High School; the tunnel shafts, dozens of meters deep, are connected by an underground network passing under the hospital and leading to the heart of Gaza City

- An apparent explosive-laden drone crashed in the southern Golan Heights, local authorities said the “hostile unmanned aircraft” was located by IDF troops. It says there are no injuries in the incident. The drone is believed to have been launched from Syria.

- Netanyahu responds: Erdogan, who is committing genocide against the Kurds and who holds the world record for imprisoning journalists who oppose his regime, is the last person who can preach morality to us. The IDF, which is the most moral army in the world, is fighting to eliminate the most abhorrent and brutal terrorist organization in the world, Hamas-ISIS, which has committed crimes against humanity, and which Erdogan has praised and whose leaders he hosts.

-Three more soldiers killed in Gaza bringing total to 164

Yaron Eliezer Chitiz,23 from Raanana

Itay Buton, 20 from Petach Tikva

Efraim Yachman, 21  from Neve Daniel 

- 6 terrorists killed in Israeli airstrike in Nur Shams refugee camp during IDF raid,  nearly 300 terror operatives killed in West Bank during Gaza war, over 2,500.

-Rocket barrage from Lebanon on Rosh Hanikra, the IDF says it targeted the source of the fire. It says the Iron Dome intercepted some of the projectiles, while the others landed in open areas. Hezbollah had claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.

- IDF:  commando units are fighting Hamas “deep within Khan Younis,” killing many operatives and destroying the terror group’s infrastructure in the process, including tunnel shafts.

- Hamas-controlled health ministry says Gaza death toll at 21,110

Turkey’s Erdogan: ‘No difference between the actions of Netanyahu and Hitler’

Oif Simchas 14 Teves

Last chance for kiddush Levana tonight 12:02am

Chasunas:

Pomerantz - Cook Bais Faiga

Taubus - Kops Ateres Reva

Eisner - Weiss Toras Menachem

Adler - Lieberman Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Becker - Weg Fountain Ballroom 

Tuesday December 26 News Updates

Weather: 50° Morning fog, then cloudy this afternoon. 

- Lakewood mayor Ray Coles will continue serving as mayor in 2024 reappointed by the committee for an 8th consecutive term. It used to be a rotation among members but that has not happened. As it was during covid the reorganization meeting taking place and swearing in ceremony is scheduled to be done remotely 

- Lakewood car crashes have jumped 69% in 20 years. So what are they going to do about it? APP reports on Lakewood dangerous roadsIn an average year, over 1,100 people are injured in Lakewood accidents and seven people die.The percentage of crashes at intersections is higher in Lakewood than any other town in Ocean County. See full report

- Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlita will be coming to America on behalf of Skabodka yeshiva and will spend time in Lakewood 

- Playground and swingsets at the Lakewood township park on North Lake Drive and 2nd st on Lake Carasaljo street have been removed by the township for possible replacement of new equipment.

- Loft Strakhouse from Brooklyn opening Lakewood  location on Rt 70 within next few months 

- Borsalino hats opening Jackson store next to NPGS shopping plaza, current Lakewood location is at Seagull Sq mall

- Lakewood Shomrim has issued an urgent advisory to the community. They urge potential renters to be extremely cautious when engaging in rental agreements, especially those initiated online. After a recent incident where renters contacted a landlord on Facebook paid money and were instructed to enter a home via a backbdoor that did not belong to the so called landlord.  Tye homeowner who was alarmed to find a group of unknown individuals enter the home. Shomrim emphasizes the importance of verifying the identity of the landlord and the legitimacy of the rental offer.

- Burglars have been targeting and stealing luxury cars in Lakewood and Jackson,several stolen cars were recovered in Howell

Israel At War Tuesday Dec 26

 Israel at war day 81

- President Biden and the Qatari Emir discussed efforts today to broker a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages including American citizens.

- Israel reportedly returns the bodies of 80 Palestinians who were killed in Gaza after taking them from morgues and graves to check there were no hostages among them

- A statement from CENTCOM says the USS Laboon, a guided-missile destroyer, and an unspecified number of F-18 fighter jets shot down 12 attack drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles that the Houthis launched over a 10-hour stretch.

No ships were damaged and there were no reports of injuries.

- IDF chief Halevi: This war has necessary and not easy goals to achieve, it takes place in complex territory. That’s why the war will continue for many more months, and we will work with different methods, so that the achievement will be maintained for a long time,” the IDF is constantly learning and adapting its fighting methods to each area of the Gaza Strip it operates in. “There are no magic solutions, no shortcuts in the thorough dismantling of a terror organization, but stubborn and determined fighting. And we are very, very determined,” Halevi says.

- 3 soldiers killed bringing total to 161 in Gaza operation

Maor Lavie,33 from Swisa

Shay Shamriz, 36 Mercaz Shapira

Shaul Greengkick, 26 Kfar Saba

- Another soldier killed in Gaza yesterday 

 Yosef Gitars,25, from Tel Aviv

Soldier dies from his wounds up north after Hezbollah attack, Daniel Nachmani, 21 Kfar Saba

- Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel is being attacked from  seven separate locations Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran,” and have already responded and acted in six of these areas. Analysts point out Israel may have caused a cyber attack last week in Iran disrupting refineries.

- Rocket sirens sound in the southern Israel city of Ashkelon and across Gaza border communities for the first time in 13 hours.

- Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile from Lebanon at a church in northern Israel, wounding a civilian.

- Nikki Haley: “Hamas invaded Israel on October 7th, October 7th is Putin's birthday” Russian intelligence helped hamas breach the border in order to distract attention from the Russia Ukraine war

Oif Simchas 13 Teves

 Chasuna:

Hirsch- Dickman Fountain Ballroom 

Monday Dec 25 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 53° Areas of patchy fog early cloudy this afternoon. 

- The Powerball jackpot is up to $638 million for tonight's drawing

- Satmar Matzah bakery in Williamsburg resumed baking today after a fire broke out on Thur

-Banks and usps mail closed today Most major retail stores, including big-box retailers, such as Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Shoprite, Stop & Shop Costco, and BJ's will be closed.

- No transportation today expect heavy carpool traffic.

-Agra DPirka holiday learning program today at B"M Kol Chaim 618 Caranetta Dr Lakewood 10:40am shailos and Teshuvos in Halacha with RV Shmuel Felder shlita followed by  shiur on l and the Chilazon by Rav Meir Baruch Turin shlita

- Bagel king in Jackson  now under new management and new hashgicho too.  It was previously under the hashgocha of Rabbi Gissingers/Rabbi Neustadt Ches K supervision  and is now under the Hashgacha  Vaad Kashrus Mehadrin of Rabbi Tzvi Altusky. VKM  Vaad Kashrus Mehadrin (VKM) was founded in 2019 at the request of several prominent Rabbonim in and around Lakewood. VKM set out on a mission to create a hashgacha entity that would uphold to the standards of the Lakewood community and beyond, and implement guidelines and strategies to satisfy those concerned about the kashrus of a given vendor. 

- Strike 3? New allegations of prosecutorial misconduct against Deputy Attorney General John Nicodemo, again claiming he withheld evidence from a grand jury. All three accusors are former prosecutors. He was the prosecutor in theEisman case Nj Globe reports Earlier this week, Nicodemo faced a third allegation of deliberately withholding evidence from a grand jury while seeking an indictment of a prominent Lakewood Rabbi. His attorney, Leo Vartan, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, stated that there is “clear evidence that the state intentionally withheld exculpatory information from the defense.”In two prosecutions involving charter school officials, attorneys have also alleged that Nicodemo misrepresented statutes and lied to a grand jury. More

Israel At War Monday Dec 25

Israel at war day 80

- Level 3 mobilization called by the NYPD, with 4 being the highest, as Pro-Palestine protest ends in arrests and NYPD officer injured at midtown Manhattan tonight.

- Former president Trump in a speech about the events of October 7: They will not enter our country anymore, and I will cancel student visas for Hamas supporters on college campuses. The institutions of higher education in America were stolen and all the citizens who joined the Jihad supporting demonstrations will wait until 2025 then we will find you and expel every last one of them.

- Iran’s foreign minister warns that “Tel Aviv faces a tough countdown” after a senior officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed Monday in an alleged Israeli airstrike in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

Another soldier killed in Gaza

Yehonason Lober HYD,24 of Beit El he was a avreich at yeshiva Roeh Yisrael

- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Israeli officials that the United States could delay sending military aid to Israel due to more than just "technical issues,” channel 13 reported. The warning came following a rare phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

- The President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi has now Confirmed that Senior IRGC Commander and Associate of Qasem Soleimani, Reza Mousavi was Killed today in an Isreali Airstrike on Western Syria; he vows Revenge against and states Israel will “Pay the Price” for his Assassination.

- Israel on high alert expecting Iranian response to killing of high ranking commander. Missiles possibly from Syria and Lebanon 

- A Senior Leader with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, Brigadier General Reza Mousavi was Killed as a result of an Israeli Airstrike near the Syrian Capital of Damascus earlier today; General Mousavi was the Head of Unit 2250 with the IRGC’s Quds Force which conducted Logistical Operations for Iran across Syria and had been a Primary Target for Israel for several years.

- Hamas, Islamic Jihad said to reject Egypt proposal to give up power in Gaza, end war

- Over 50% (86 out of 155) of the houses in Kibbutz Manara in northern Israel have been destroyed by Hezbollah rocket fire from Lebanon. (Wallla)

- Approximately 80,000 Israelis have been forced to evacuate their homes in northern Israel alone.

- IDF strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon; missiles said fired at northern border town of misgav Am

- Troops operating in the Khan Younis area, raided a weapons manufacturing plant and concrete factory used by Hamas to build tunnels, the IDF says. The complex was later destroyed by combat engineers.

- Another 2 soldiers killed in Gaza bringing death toll to 156

Nitai Meisels, 30, from Rechovot

Rani Tamir, 20, from Ganei Am

- Heavy fighting reported in Jenin

- IDF said it carried out “wide-scale” strikes against Hezbollah targets Sunday after barrages of rockets from Lebanon targeted multiple communities in northern Israel. The IDF said fighter jets hit military buildings, rocket launchers, and other infrastructure belonging to the Iran-backed terror group in response to the rocket attacks. It also said it opened fire to “remove threats” at several areas along the border.

JHS: The History and Observance of Nittel Nacht in Modern Times

JHS: The History and Observance of Nittel Nacht in Modern Times

Sunday Dec 24 News Updates

 Weather: 52° Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. 

- There will not be transportation tomorrow for many schools

- Warehouse sale  1000's of items under $10 105 River Ave Lakewood 

- Minhag Nittel tonight until chatzos for those who observe it 

- In the past two weeks, hospital admissions due to COVID-19 have gone up 27% in New Jersey, a pocket shared by Monmouth and Ocean counties is seeing the biggest hike in hospital admissions due to COVID-19. The area includes Point Pleasant, Brick, Howell, Neptune, Ocean Township and their immediate surroundings. There, the rate of COVID-related hospitalizations per 100,000 residents ranges between 18 and 29.

- A shul Westgate files lawsuit for breach of contract in land purchase FaaNews 

- A electric fire broke out Thursday night at the Satmar Matza bakery in Williamsburg on Broadway. There was damage to a storage area with a small amount of matza that was burned, but the baking room was minimally damaged from sprinklers and operations are expected to resume this week.

- A tunnel has been found  underground under 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, according to CrownHeights.info. The discovery happened nearly three weeks ago after a series of incidents rang alarm bells with the gabboim of 770.  The workers in 770 investigated and got the shock of his life when he discovered the tunnel, burrowed from the mikvah on the corner of Union Street and Kingston Avenue. The tunnel allegedly extended from the mikvah under the Kingston Avenue women’s section of 770, where it exited into the building.

One rumor has it that a group unhappy with being locked out of 770 during COVID decided to create their own way in, with the tunnel being their attempt. 

Israel at War sunda Dec 24

Israel at war day 79

- Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly told the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas that he must Resign as President and Dissolve the current Government in order to Appoint a Saudi and UAE-Approved Government, or else they will Halt all further Financial Aid to the Palestinian Territories.

- Netanyahu: we are intensifying the war in the Gaza Strip. We will continue to fight until absolute victory over Hamas. This is the only way to return our hostages, eliminate Hamas and ensure that Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel. This will take time, but we are united

The war has a price, a very heavy price in the lives of our heroic soldiers, and we will do everything to safeguard the lives of our soldiers. However, there is one thing we will not do: We will not stop until we achieve victory.”

- IDF revealed a large Hamas tunnel network in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya camp, where the bodies of five Israeli hostages were recovered earlier this month. The entire network was around a square kilometer in size. Weapons and infrastructure used to manufacture weapons were also found in the tunnel.

- Another 2 soldiers killed during fighting in Gaza bringing the total of troops lost in the ground offensive to 153 as 15 soldiers were killed over the weekend

Roy Elias 21 from Tzofar. 

Aryeh Rein, 39 from Mishmarot

 Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea has practically Collapsed as France, Spain, and Italy have all announced their Withdrawal from the U.S. Command Structure for the Operation, with the Three Nations stating they will only conduct further Maritime Operations under the Command of NATO and/or the European Union and not the United States.

-Egypt has placed a new proposal for a truce and release of Israeli hostages in three stages.

The first stage would be a two-week halt in fighting, for the release of 40 hostages — women, minors and elderly men, especially sick ones. In return, Israel would release 120 Palestinian security prisoners of the same categories. During this time, hostilities would stop, Israeli tanks would withdraw, and humanitarian aid would enter Gaza.

The second phase would see an Egypt-sponsored “Palestinian national talk” aimed at ending the division between Palestinian factions — mainly the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas terror group — and leading to the formation of a technocratic government in the West Bank and Gaza that would oversee the reconstruction of Gaza and pave the way for Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections.

The third stage would include a comprehensive ceasefire, the release of the remaining Israeli hostages, including soldiers, in return for a to-be-determined number of Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli jails affiliated with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group — including those arrested after October 7 and some convicted of serious terror offenses. In this phase, Israel would withdraw its forces from cities in the Gaza Strip and would allow displaced Gazans from the enclave’s north to return to their homes.

Israel officials are studying it and not flatly rejected it

.

Motzei shabbos Vayigash 5784 News Updates

- Meleava Malka Yartzeit seuda for Rav Nosson of Breslov at Bnos Devorah hall 8:30pm hosted by B"M Breslov Of Lakewood 423 6th 

- Bingo, Breadberry, Kosher Villaage open tonight 

- Judge reversed and overturns the Lakewood Board's denial of the application for Bassadar holdings to build 9 homes on a cul-de-sac off 14th street The judge emphasized that the Township Committee decides what is permitted in Lakewood and it's solely their job to fix the Township's ordinances to curb continued unabated overdevelopment. Read Full story at Faanews 

- A resident in the Tallymawr neighborhood of Toms River woke up Friday night at 2am to find burglars in the bedroom lookiing for keys to steal their BMW. The burglars fled when the residents yelled and scared them off.

-  On Friday, the United States supreme Court has rejected special counsel Jack Smith's request expedite his case against Donald Trump

- Biden admin's top officials attempted to 'conceal' Chinese spy balloon from public, Congress exposed: NBC reports

Israel At War Motzei Shabbos Vayigash

Israel at war day 78

- Another 8 soldiers hyd were killed in Gaza over the weekend making it one of the deadliest with 13 killed and bringing total to 152

David Bogdanovskyi 18, Chaifa

Orel Bashan, 20 from Chaifa

Gal Hershko, 20 from Yiftach

Itamar Shemen 21, from Lapid

Nadav Issachar Farhi, 30 from Herzaliya

Eliyahu Meir Ohana, 28 from Chaifa

Elyassaf Shoshan, 23 from Yerushalayim 

Ohad Ashur, 23 Kfar Yona

-  A Drone which attacked a cargo ship off India earlier today was launched from Iran, Pentagon says.  The ship is Israel-linked and the attacked caused a fire on board.

- five soldiers killed during fighting in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, bringing the toll of slain troops in the ground offensive against Hamas to 144:

Nir Rafael Kananian, 20, from Beit Keshet.

Birhanu Kassie, 20,  from Beit Shemesh. 

Shay Termin, 26, from Rosh Pina.

Alexander Shpits, 41, from Karmiel.

Oshri Moshe Butzhak, 22, from Chaifa.

- Another five soldiers of the Givati Brigade's reconnaissance unit were seriously wounded in the battle in which Kananian and Kassie were killed.

- Biden and Prime Netanyahu discussed the “phasing” of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, as Washington’s desire for Israel to move toward lower intensity fighting against Hamas.

Biden emphasized “the importance of allowing civilians to move safely away from areas of ongoing fighting,” the US readout says, as the administration continues raising its concerns regarding mounting civilian casualties in Gaza.

- WSJ: President Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon days after Hamas militants’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel 

- Red Cross head says that Israel was also responsible for the fact that the Red Cross could not do its job in reaching the captives, the majority of whom are civilians, including children, the women and elderly. “Israel and Hamas need to agree on the modalities by which we can access and release the hostages,” she said.

Lakewood Zmanim עש"ק פר' ויגש עשרה בטבת תשפ"ד

 כה־אמר ה' צבאות צום הרביעי וצום החמישי וצום השביעי וצום העשירי יהיה לבית־יהודה לששון ולשמחה ולמעדים טובים והאמת והשלום אהבו -  זכריה פרק ח פסוק יט

  י׳ טבת תשפ״ד ערב שבת פרשת ויגש תענית עשרה  December 22 2023 בטבת

Candle lighting 4:16 pm

Shkiah/Sunset: 4:34

Fast is over 5:20 pm (50 minutes)

weather: Friday night -low of 29 shabbos day: sunshine. High of 48F. 

Friday עשרה בטבת 5784 news updates

 Friday, December 22, 2023 / י׳ טבת תשפ״ד ערב שבת פרשת ויגש תענית עשרה בטבת

Candle lighting 4:16pm

Shkiah/sunset 4:34

Fast over 5:20pm

- Minyanim for mincha at Kol Shimshom from 12:30pm every 15 minutes until 3pm 

- Yeshivas  mir Yerushalayim will have a shabbos of chizuk this week in Jackson in the meadow run Pitney Jackson Pines neighborhoods with the participation of Rav Binyamin Carlebach shlita

- Bde: Petirah of Rav Avrohom Nissan Neiman zt”l, Vizhnitzer Dayan of Monsey. He was 92.He was a  talmid of the posek  Rav Moshe Bick zt”l.

Levaya today in Monsey 11am at Vizhnitz Bais medrash

- NJ Senate votes for law that anyone under age 21 who has a learner's permit must log at least 50 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours after dark. The bill awaits Giv Murphy’s signature but won't go into effect for another 13 months.

- Owners of New Jersey properties for sale or rent will soon be required to fully disclose a property’s flood history and its exposure to possible future flooding.

Tribute upon the Yahrtzeit of Hagaon Reb Moshe Shapiro zt"l

A fantastic tribute upon the  Yahrtzeit of Hagaon Reb Moshe Shapiro zt"l, on Asara B'Teves by Horav Michoel Sorotzkin shlita

Israeli At War Friday עשרה בטבת

Israel at war day 77

- Rav Aaron Feldman shlita R"Y Ner Yisrael Baltimore currwntly in E"Y visited Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita and asked him what is the proper way to daven for the war should the Medina have hatzlacha he responded we should daven that no yidden should get hurt and that Hashems name should be sanctified.

- In Yemen's north, a general mobilization is underway by the Houthis to send fighters to the Gaza Strip.

Another soldier killed up north from a rocket attack by Hezbollah 

- Two more soldiers killed in Gaza bringing total to 139 

Shai Ayeli 21 ffom Ashlelon, 

Tal Shua 31 from Beer Sheva

- Kibbutz Nir Oz announces that 73-year-old resident Gadi Haggai, abducted on October 7, is dead he was murdered in captivity. It does not say how it received the information, but adds that Haggai’s body remains in the hands of Gaza terrorists.  His wife Judith remains captive and is believed to have been wounded during the attacks.

- IDF calling on residents of central Gaza’s Bureij to evacuate south

-The IDF struck targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon on Friday morning as several rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israel.

-Putin promises to continue to supply the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and urges a peaceful resolution to fighting between Israel and Hamas.

-Nikki Haley: I’ve seen antisemitism. I confronted it every day at the United Nations. And I know that the Jew-haters try to hide it by saying they only hate Israel. All it takes is 24 hours at the UN to realize that anti-Zionism is just a modern name for the ancient evil of antisemitism.

When Asara B'Teves Falls out on Friday this Year 5784

This year the fast of Asarah B'Teves comes out on Friday Erev Shabbos Vayigash. It is Unique since it is the only fast that is observed as a fast on a Friday. The last few times תענית עשרה בטבת fell out on a Friday was in 1996, 2001, 2010,2013,2020. The gemara in Eruvin 41a discusses how to conduct a fast on erev shabbos. According to the אבודרהם, if Asarah B’Teves would potentially fall out on Shabbos, we would all actually be required to fast on Shabbos but that is impossible according to the calendar. Meforshim explain since the siege on Asarah B’Teves was the beginning of the long chain of tragedies that ended with the churban Beis HaMikdash it has the ability to push off Shabbos.

Halachos  below from sefer  נטעי גבריאל  (for more halchos or insights see here)

-When the fast of Asara B’teves falls out on a Erev Shabbos, the fast must be observed until nightfall. We break the fast by making Kiddush friday night.

-Shachris om Friday is like any other fast day. 

-Mincha we lein ויחל and read the Haftorah, we recite עננו during shmoneh esrei. We do not say Tachanun or אבינו מלכנו. It is best to Daven Mincha earlier preferably Mincha Gedolah. (when we dont דוכן) 

-Since it's erev Shabbos it is permitted to take a Hot shower, Haircuts and all shabbos preparations (Mishna Berura 551:7)

-Those those who refrain from listening to music on fast days should refrain from music on Asara B’teves as well even after chatzos(Nitei Gavriel based on sefer Rokeach Kitzur shulchan aruch 121) 

- One who has the custom to taste the Shabbas food every Friday (טועמיה) may do so on Asara B’teves but one must careful not to swallow it be sure to only taste a small amount of food and to then spit it out (OC 567:1, Mishna Berura 567:6, Kaf Hachaim, OC 567:10)

- kabolas shabbos and Maariv begin earlier so people can get home and make kiddush at צאת הכוכבים.

- Zemiros that are sung before Kiddush may be deferred and sung during the meal.

-Those who have a minhag not to make kiddush Friday night between 6:00 pm-7:00 pm should disregard the minhag(Nitei Gavriel)

- The fast starts at alos hashachar as usual and it goes until tzeis hakochavim even if one has already come home from shul on Friday 

night4. Tzeis hakochavim in this case is based on the amount of time past shkiyah that one normally waits after a fast. For many, this is 

50 minutes after shkiyah. There is no concept of accepting an “Early Shabbos” thereby ending the fast early.

- Making kiddush on mezonos or drinking a coffe with milk before or after washing see below for reference only

קידוש בליל שבת על מזונות

.  מי שקשה לו להמתין להוריו או לסעודת הישיבה בליל שבת, יכול לכתחילה לקדש על  מזונות [הגר"ח קניבסקי]. 

קפה חלבי

אפשר לכתחילה לקדש על מזונות ולשתות קפה עם חלב, ואח''כ לאכול סעודת שבת רגילה עם פת, ואפשר גם באותו סעודה בתחילתה מיד אחרי קידוש לשתות קפה חלבי, אח''כ להחליף מפה, ולהמשיך בסעודה בשרית [רמ''א ומשנ''ב תצ''ד סקט''ז], וימתין חצי שעה עד שיאכל משהו בשרי [כך הוא המנהג, שבט הלוי והליכות שלמה] ויש שנזהרים, ולכתחילה יאכל וישתה משהו ביניהם [היות ואוכל יחד עם השתיה,   שלא לאכול בסעודה אחת חלבי ובשרי תשובות והנהגות ח''ב סימן ש''צ ד''ה ומיהו].

                                                           

The Chasam Sofer wrote that the reason Chazal established a fast for the siege on Asarah B’Teves, as opposed to every other time Yerushalayim was under siege over the millennia, is that on that day in the Heavenly courtroom it was decided that the Beis HaMikdash was to be destroyed a few years hence. There is a well-known Talmudic dictum that any generation in which the Beis HaMikdash has not been rebuilt is as if it has been destroyed again. Therefore, he explains, every Asarah B’Teves the Heavenly court convenes and decrees a new Churban. That is why the fast of Asarah B’Teves, even though it is considered a minor fast, nonetheless has the potential to possibly override Shabbos. These explanations would also certainly explain why we would fast on a Friday for Asarah B’Teves.

There a famous shtikle Torah from Rav Chaim Brisker on the above mentioned אבודרהם. See below

בדין תענית עשרה בטבת

Oif Simchas Thursday Dec

Tomorrow fast of עשרה בטבת begins at 5:48am and ends Friday night at 5:20pm 

Chasunas

Kenner - vickman Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Neustadt -  Steinberg Fountain Ballroom 

Goldberg - Munk Toras Menachem 

- Yartzeit seuda for Rav Nosson of Breslov at the Breslev B"M 944 E County Line after 7:30 maariv

- 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 December 21 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: 43° Sunny. 

- Tomorrow fast of עשרה בטבת begins at 5:48am and ends Friday night at 5:20pm 

-Now open again near Atlantic city Sharis bistro kosher restaurant under the OU supervision located at 6811 Black Horsepike Egg harbor 

- Accordingly to reports a American businessman purchased the shtreimel that was worn Rav Chaim Kanievsky for the large sum of $1.8 million 

- Property owned by Church of Saint Mary of The Lake has just been sold for development, FAA News has learned. The vacant lot, Block 175.01 Lot 13, is located on the west side of Ridge Avenue, right near the Township border with Howell - adjacent to other property currently owned by the same church. The parcel is 135 x 349 (47,115) sq feet in area. Faanews

- Bingo chicken cutlets $5.39 

- Cases of Flu and covid going around 

List of Write Ins for General Elections

 General Election Write - in votes for Lakewood 

November  7, 2023

Israel At War Thursday Dec 21

 Israel at war day 76

- The United Nations Security Council once again pushed back a vote to later Friday on a much-delayed resolution on the war between Hamas and Israel, diplomatic sources say, as the US has signaled its support for the draft resolution in its current form.

- IDF killed 2,000 Hamas fighters this month, 8,000 since war outbreak, spokesman says

- Rav Dov Landau was asked what action can be taken in America to be mechazeik the situation in Eretz Yisroel. Rav Landau responded, “Torah, Torah, and lomdei Torah, nothing else! Other things are bal yeiraeh and bal yematzei! All the new things they say, it’s all vanity! Strengthen only Torah. That is the essence of Am Yisroel!

“There are those who travel to America and say to give… I don’t want to say what they say, It’s foolish, it’s nonsense….“…Only Torah! Don’t pay attention to anything else. In the merit of Torah study everything will be good, with the help of Hashem.” 

Rav Landau called those who are trying to direct funds to other endeavors a “mazik gomur.”

“Yeshivos, kollelim….only that! What [others say] is just empty words!”

He added “You can publish in my name that [those who are engaged in other activities] are like a bor hamazik [a harmful pit], and their words are empty words! They ruin the essential things that all of Klal Yisroel needs! The Jewish world needs Torah and only Torah, nothing else! All other things are fantasies and foolishness!”(Matzav)

- Large rocket barrage fired at Tel Aviv and south from Gaza as Hamas claims to cut off hostage talks. Hamas head Sinwar the only deal is all for all after the fighting ends.

- Two wounded in Hezbollah missile attack, as northern border heats up

Civilians hurt in Dovev; missile causes damage in Avivim; drone alarm sounds in border towns as interceptor missile explodes over Safed; IDF strikes Hezbollah sites in response

- Jared and Ivanka Kushner have visited the Gaza border towns that were massacred on Oct 7th

-IDF says it has established full ‘operational control’ over Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood

- Nearly 5 Million Israelis had to Seek Shelter after  Hamas unleashed one of the most extensive rocket barrages since the onset of the conflict toward central Israel. According to Israeli sources, approximately 15-20 rockets targeted cities in central Israel. Footage from Kfar Azza captures the rockets being launched from central Gaza. 

- Another soldier killed in Gaza bringing total deaths to 137.Yaakov Elian 20 from Ramat Gan

Oif Simchas 9 Teves

 

Chasunas:

Kramer - Dessler Toras Menachem

Heller - Brus Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Umgarischer - Gorelick Ateres Reva

Engelson - Schonbrun Ne'emas Hachaim 

Steinharter - Leshinsky Fountain Ballroom

Tenenbaum - Gruenstein Lake Terrace

Simchawitz - Fidler Bais Faiga

Hashkafa Q&A

Hashkafa with Reb Gershon Ribner

One in a prestigious religious role can no longer to bear his guilt over his profanities

Distinguishing between flair and pride among our leading Roshei Yeshiva

Wednesday December 20 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 45° Abundant sunshine

- California Lt. Gov. writes Secretary of State to "explore every legal option" to remove Trump from the CA's 2024 ballot — Politico

- Ocean county crews install a new traffic light on Cedarbridge avenue intersection of Vine street  in Lakewood the light wont be active right away

-Video follow up on the viral shmuz by Rav Gewirtzman of Coventry Square In Lakewood watch HERE

-DWD is again selling ladies sweaters $15 each sizes xs-s-m- and large.Current seasons Wednesday night December 20 7:30-9:30 at 112 Chateau drive basement entrance please spread the word.

- BDE: Petirah of R’ Yechiel Michel  Chill zt”l,  from Monsey who recently moved to Lakewood residing in a country place.He was in his mid-80s. The levaya is today 12:45 pm at the Lakewood Chapel off 7th st there will be another levaya in Monsey at YSV girls 5:45pm with Kevurah  in Eretz Yisroel.

- Eggflation is back Egg prices are going up again as the US copes with a new outbreak of avian influenza averaging $3 a dozen

- The Lakewood Rosh yeshivah Rav Malkiel Kotler as well as the Mir Rosh yeshiva Rav Lazer Yudel Finkel traveled  to London to partake in a wedding of a Torah supporter R' Barry zyskind.

- The weekly financial column "open the shades" column in The voice of Lakewood has closed the shades and come to an end after 7 years. The author  R' Eli Fried will continue with financial advice, tips and more by signing up via email to geltguide.com a new website coming in 2024.

- Last night  The Lakewood Board of Education  presented a plan to the Planning Board to construct new parking spaces near the Middle School on Ridge Avenue. The new parking lot will have two-way access to/from Ridge Avenue. The site plans depict 38 new parking spaces. Per faanews.com 

- NJ state inspectors found inaccuracies at the luggage scales in Newark and Atlantic city Airport. Airlines charge overage fees for overweight luggage based on the scales. Inaccuracies were found in 100 of the 366 scales inspected at EWR; 81 of them significant enough for inspectors to condemn the scales and take them out of service, a failure rate of 22%. Since then, 94 of the scales have been serviced, re-inspected, and are now in compliance. Six scales remain out of service while awaiting repair parts.(faa)

- A 6ABC news helicopter from Philadelphia crashed Tuesday night in a heavily wooded area of Burlington County, killing the pilot and a photographer, authorities said. The crash occurred shortly after 8 p.m. near Quaker Bridge Atsion Road and Mullica River Road, a section of Wharton State Forest in Washington Township.

Israel At War Wednesday Dec 20

Israel at war day 75

-Chinese warships deployed in the Red Sea refused to assist Israeli cargo ships in Bab Al-Mandab and rejected their distress calls

-2 more soldiers killed in Gaza

Lavie Gahisi of Chashmonaim 

Omri Schwartz of Shadmot Devora

- The IDF is nearing the end of its ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip after dismantling most Hamas battalions in the area, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday.

The military has begun fighting Hamas in the Gaza City neighborhoods of Daraj and Tuffah, adjacent to Shejaiya, he said, nearly two months since the IDF began the ground offensive, which has focused largely on northern Gaza.

- Israeli and Lebanese Mediators fear that Time has almost Run Out to prevent a Full-Scale War in Southern Lebanon between the Israel Defense Force and Hezbollah, with Officials in Washington worried that the U.S. will likely be Directly Drawn-Into such a Conflict.

- Sirens sounding in Kiryat shmona

- WSJ:  Hamas rejected an Israeli offer to stop fighting for one week in exchange for dozens of hostages, saying it wouldn’t discuss releasing their Israeli captives until a cease-fire goes into effect first 

- Netanyahu amid reports of possible hostage deal: “We are continuing the war to the end. It will continue until Hamas is eliminated – until victory. “Whoever thinks that we will stop is detached from reality.”

- The White House says negotiations for the release of the hostages are quite serious, but there is no conclusion yet. President Biden says hostage deal is not near. US Secretary Blinken says both the US and Israel are interested in negotiating a hostage deal and ceasefire but Hamas isn’t showing interest.

- Reports swirl around possible hostage deal

Source says ‘intensive’ talks taking place  Hamas confirms proposal to free 40 hostages for weeklong pause. According to a report, Palestinian prisoners accused of serious offenses could be included among those released. Israel continues to insist that Hamas complete the release of women, as in a previous truce, and the infirm.

-Israel is considering a two-week ceasefire, the Washington Post reported. According to the report the purpose of this ceasefire would be to enable Hamas to collect all hostages from around Gaza and release several dozens of them. (Washington post)

- Another soldier killed raising toll during ground campaign to 134. Uriel Cohen,35 from Tzur Hadassa.

- New details about the killing of the three abductees: five days earlier, a IDF dog entered the building where the three were staying. Identified two dead terrorists. One of the hostages Alon Shimriz, knew that there was a GoPro camera on the dog and the three shouted at the dog that they were Israeli hostages. Only after the three were killed did they discover the video and documentation.

- IDF troops of raided several Hamas sites in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya this morning, discovering a truck with long-range rockets inside.

- Bloomberg: The US and its allies are considering possible military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, in a recognition that a newly announced maritime task force meant to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea may not be enough to eliminate the threat to the vital waterway.

- Yemen's response: “Even if America succeeds in mobilising the entire world, our military operations will not stop … no matter the sacrifices it costs us,” “Any escalation in Gaza, there is escalation in Red Sea; calm in Gaza there will be calm in Red Sea” ~

“We have capabilities to sink your fleet, your submarines, your warships,” a top Houthi official said, according to the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency. “The Red Sea will be your graveyard.“

Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies President Trump from 2024 Ballot

 The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified former President Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s 2024 presidential ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause.

The decision, which reversed an earlier ruling by a lower court in Colorado, was put on hold until Jan. 4 pending appeal. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign said it plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, calling the ruling a “deeply undemocratic decision.”

Activists have been pushing for Trump to be blocked from the 2024 ballot under the 14th Amendment, which says officials who “engaged in insurrection” are barred from holding office.

Trump expected to appeal to US Supreme Court

Trump Campaign Spokesman Steven Cheung wrote in a statement that an appeal would be filed on Tuesday night.

"Unsurprisingly, the all-Democrat appointed Colorado Supreme Court has ruled against President Trump, supporting a Soros-funded, left-wing group’s scheme to interfere in an election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden by removing President Trump’s name from the ballot and eliminating the rights of Colorado voters to vote for the candidate of their choice. Democrat Party leaders are in a state of paranoia over the growing, dominant lead President Trump has amassed in the polls.

Oif Simchas 8 Teves

Chasunas:

Tashman - Hess Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Fischer - Neuhaus Toras Menachem 

Chapler - Mandel Fountain Ballroom 

Weiss - Strum Bais Faiga

Goldkranz - Weiss Ne'emas Hachaim

Tuesday Dec 19 News Updates Lakewood

 weather: 42° A mix of clouds and sun

- The Colorado Supreme Court has removed Trump from the 2024 state ballot, citing the 14th amendment.

- Judge in prime apartment case  wondered aloud why the parties haven't yet filed legal action against Lakewood Township seeking for them to figure out what's going on with the Rent Control Board that was abolished and never reinstated  yet the town kept the hardship application ordinance intact which allows landlords to increase  rent  faa 

- WHO classifies COVID variant JN.1 as a Variant of Interest due to "rapidly increasing spread"

- Andy Kim  has an internal poll showing him with a 23-point lead over Tammy Murphy  in the  New Jersey Democratic U.S. Senate primary.  Bob Menendez is nearly at zero among likely 2024 primary voters.

- FAANews: MASSIVE LITIGATION IN ATTEMPT TO TAKE DOWN LAKEWOOD JOURNALIST CRUMBLES IN EPIC FAILURE. faa reports 5 years ago  commenced massive litigation against  Lakewood residents "who simply dared to voice the same concerns that everyone else thinks about Lakewood. This 5 year long battle has now come to a crumbling end, with the New Jersey Appellate Division granting a resounding victory to all the defendants! see full story HERE 

- Defense in Eiseman case  submit 4 more reasons for the case to be dismissed among them the defense notes that it is now clear that the information the prosecution withheld from the trial jury – the identity of the bookkeeper who made the QuickBooks entry that prosecutors alleged was criminal – was also withheld from the grand jury that handed down the indictment against Rabbi Eisemann.

- A proposed Assembly Bill requires New Jersey businesses of 10 or more employees to include wage or salary information, or a compensation range, to be included in a job posting, as well as a description of all job benefits. would still need to pass through both full chambers and Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk before the current lame-duck session ends on Jan. 8 next year. "With pay transparency, companies are required to make the first offer, and employees can simply walk away if they don't like it.

- Jackson Online B7T Form for First Half-Year AIL Payment is Now Available Deadline for First Half-Year Payment is Jan. 31, 2024 more

- Tax Dollars: LDC  meeting today will continue to host meetings in 2024 virtually tomorrow on the agenda appointing the director for 2024 at a yearly salary of $124,852 awarding UEZ funds to Lakewood Community Safety Watch for Acquisition of Mobile Command Center - $150,000 watch meeting livestream Here 1:30 pm

Israel At War Tuesday Dec 19

Israel at war day 74

11:00pm

- Another soldier killed in Gaza Lior Sivan,32, from Beit Shemesh.

- Israel offered deal to Hamas via Qatar: Release 40 hostages in exchange for week-long ceasefire. Qatar relayed Hamas' demand: Any hostage deal includes end of fighting. Mossad chief responds: War ends when Hamas disarms and surrenders.

- Roughly 1,500 tunnel shafts and underground passages were uncovered since the beginning of the war, most of them beneath civilian institutions.

-Linda Sarsour, one of America's most vile antisemites, has been arrested in Washington D.C. by Capitol Police after she and dozens of others staged an anti-Israel protest INSIDE the U.S. Capitol building a few hours ago.

- Hamas leader Sinwar said to narrowly evade capture by IDF two separate times

Military deploys additional brigade to Khan Younis, where Gaza terror leader is said to be hiding; troops declare operational control over northern neighborhood of Jabaliya IDF troops have twice managed to reach tunnels in Gaza in recent days where they believe Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was hiding just before they arrived, Hebrew media outlets reported Tuesday.

- Islamic Jihad publishes video of two hostages calling on Israeli gov’t to free them

- Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh is set to visit Egypt on Wednesday for talks on a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange with Israel,

-Another soldier killed in Gaza today, bringing the total loss in  ground offensive to 132.

Maoz Fenigstein, 25,from Susya

- IDF moves deeper into southern Gaza in search of massive terror tunnels where Hamas chiefs are hiding; army calls on residents in western & southern Khan Younis to leave homes as forces head toward more Hamas hubs; Israel believes hostages also held underground.

-Rockets fired at Tel Aviv and Gush Fan region by Hamas, no reports of injuries as several have been intercepted with falling shrapnel

-Hamas health ministry says that at least 19,667 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza since October 7.

- A atzeres tefilah will take place on Thursday erev asara Bteves in binyanei Haumah with the participation of Rav Shimon Galei shlita

- Hezbollah sends drones and other projectiles over Israel's North and warns of hostile aircraft intrusion 

- Rav Moshe Tzadka R"Y Porat Yosef said those who possess a trreife phone are responsible for those that got killed in the war.

- Houthi rebels in Yemen on Tuesday vowed to keep up attacks on ships passing through a vital Red Sea strait, declaring they would not be deterred by the announcement of an international naval coalition to protect the waters.

- Troops operating in northern Gaza’s Atatra and Jabaliya located Hamas weapons caches and manufacturing plants, the IDF says troops recovered a large number of firearms, rockets, and explosives.

- IDF says it killed top Hamas moneyman in Rafah strikes; who helped fund terrorists and explosives buildup.

- Police in New York City “insisted” that Elisha Wiesel put away an Israeli flag on Tuesday, as Weisel, son of the late writer and Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel, attempted to counterprotest a hundreds-strong pro-Palestinian demonstration in the city’s Penn Station, Wiesel said on X.

Hashkafa: How to feel Belonged

Hashkafa with Rav Gershon Ribner shlita.

Finding cohesiveness and belonging living in the oceanic metropolis of Lakewood

Oif Simchas 7 Kislev

Chasunas 

Feldman - Friedman Bais Faiga 

Landman - Saltz Ateres Reva

Prager - Lieberman Lake Terrace

Frey - Perkowski Fountain Ballroom 

Spinrad - Grunfeld Toras Menachem

Lieberson - Kahan Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Monday December 18 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 52° Windy with rain at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Higher wind gusts possible.

- MDY will now have a daily daf yomi shiur delivered in Hebrew by the nagid shiur R' Eli Stefansky 

- Staten Island shemira: Our members responded to a harrowing incident of a gunpoint robbery. 4 armed men forcefully entered a home while its occupants were asleep demanding money & jewelry, assaulting the victims including women & children. If you have any info, call 911 & Shmira

- United airlines Confirms To DansDeals: Reports That We Are Flying To Israel Next Month Are False “Our Tel Aviv flights will remain suspended until conditions allow them to resume.”

- New mesivta opening in Lakewood; Mesivta Tiferes Shaul will be opening for the coming Elul under the leadership of Rav Ezriel Jurkanski shlita former R"M at yeshiva Torah Temima Brooklyn

due to a ibbur  yuhr the mesivta acceptance season begins after Tu B;shvat 

- Lakewood received a little under 4 inches of rain as of this afternoon storm cleanup continues in Lakewood with trees down and flooded roadways power outages remain 

-  Is Covid back?: Lakewood township reorganization meeting which involves swearing in new members will take place virtually on January 1, 2024 at 12 pm in accordance with Governor Murphy’s Executive Order  during the declared public health emergency, The public will be able to participate virtually

- Tax Dollars: LDC will continue to host meetings in 2024 virtually tomorrow on the agenda appointing the director for 2024 at a yearly salary of $124,852

awarding UEZ funds to Lakewood Community Safety Watch for Acquisition of Mobile Command Center - $150,000

- Jackson school superintendent statement "The Jackson School District and Board of Education do not condone any speech that is - or is perceived to be - anti-semitic or hateful. The district believes any reference to genocide is unacceptable. We understand the hurtful impact this word evokes. As you stated, free speech is protected by the First Amendment. The Jackson School District subscribes to the guidance provided by the Anti-Defamation League that just as speakers have a right to express their views, school administrators have a right to express their disagreement with those words."

- A Brick resident  has been calling for killing of Jews on his social media account,authorities have been notified and monitoring it

 - Banquet hall litigation costing tax payers over 200k more

Israel At War Monday Dec 18

Israel at war day 73

11:00 pm

- Two more soldiers killed in Gaza bringing death toll in Gaza op to 131

 Daniel Yacov Ben Harosh,31 from Alon

Rotem Yoseff Levy 24, from Oranit

- A  pro Hamas mob of  500 gathered inside Penn Station in midtown Manhattan on Monday evening yelling violently, creating havoc and disruptions in the station. Later, they are seen conducting prayers, on the loud speakers

The group came from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and earlier marched down 42nd Street from Grand Central Terminal 

Cops initially stymied their efforts to enter by putting up barricades around the entrances of the massive train station.

-Israel is trying to initiate a "humanitarian deal" for the release of all the women and elderly men who remain in captivity. Hamas does not signal that it is interested in a deal, Israeli officials say: a long and complex negotiation is ahead of us.

The principles from Israel's point of view:

1. The release of all the women who remained alive in captivity

2. The release of all elderly men - who are not defined as "soldiers" according to Hamas

3. Similar to the previous deal, terrorists will be released with a temporary ceasefire 

4. Israel is ready for the release of "heavier" terrorists than the previous deal

5. The deal will only apply to alive prisoners

-The United States on Monday announced a 10-nation coalition against Huthi attacks in the Red Sea, with Britain, France, Bahrain and Italy among ten countries joining the "multinational security initiative."

-IDF says a member of Hamas’s elite Nukhba forces and another terrorist who participated in the October 7 massacre have been captured at a school in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood.

The pair, along with several other Hamas terrorists, were captured during a raid on the school on Friday, during which troops  killed “many” more operatives.

- Politico reports, according to intelligence sources: U.S. has been collecting information about the extent of Israel's compliance with the laws of war in the Gaza ground operation

- US Defense Sec. Loyd Austin on Gaza War: ‘This Is Israel’s Operation’ 'I’m not here to dictate timelines or terms,' the Pentagon chief further elaborated after meeting with Israeli leaders

- Rockets fired into kiryat shmona in the north caused damages but no injuries bh

-On Sunday, a survey conducted within the charedi community found a significant shift in its attitude toward Israeli society in general during the Gaza war. The survey highlighted a substantial increase in support for haredi enlistment in the IDF – from 9% to 29%. Furthermore, 70% agreed that haredi individuals not studying Torah should contribute by enlisting in the IDF or doing national service. (Jpost)

- Hamas released a video showing three of the elderly male Israeli hostages still in captivity. 

In the video, the hostages plead for Israel's help in securing their release, stating that they do not want to be killed by an Israel Air Force strike. The three also state that they are in poor health. The video ends with the three pleading, אל תשליכנו לעת זקנה  "Do not let us grow old here."

- Two more IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:Yarin Gahali, 22 from Rechovot, Netanel Silberg, 33 , from Namah, total deaths is 129

- Soldier  killed in Gaza Lidor Yosef Karavani, 23 from Eilat. Death toll in Gaza ground op is 127

WSJ Opinion: Israel’s military is taking more risks to satisfy U.S. demands on how to fight in Gaza, and taking more casualties as a result. 

- CIA director Bill Burns is meeting today with Qatari Prime Minister and the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency in Warsaw to discuss a potential new deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

- Yemen's rebels targeted two ships in the Red Sea The first ship they targeted was the Swan Atlantic, which was transporting oil for Israel. The second ship is the MSC Clara, which is loaded with containers.

-Mounting attacks by the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi militant group on ships in the Red Sea are disrupting maritime trade as leading global freight firms reroute to avoid the Suez canal costs of shipping goes up

- Israel prepares for military operation vs Hezbollah, Minister Gantz tells French foreign minister; IDF will take action if diplomatic efforts to push Hezbollah away from Lebanon border fail.

- Netanyahu is considering changing the name of Operation Swords of Iron to another name. arguing that "‘Swords of Iron’ is the name of an operation, not the name of a war. Netanyahu is considering names such as the Gaza War, the Simchat Torah War, and the Bereishis war.

- Terror Shooting Attack in the Binyamin Region: In an incident near Ateret north of Ramallah this morning, Arab terrorists fired upon an Israeli vehicle. A 27-year-old Jewish mother, accompanied by her month-and-a-half-old baby in the backseat, sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Fortunately, the armed husband, who was driving, retaliated, forcing the attackers to flee in a passing vehicle. The family proceeded until reaching Israeli medics, who evacuated the injured mother to the hospital. She is currently listed in light condition.