Tuesday December 31 Rosh Chodesh Teves News Updates Lakewood

א פרייליכן חנוכה א גוטן חודש 

Weather: 55° A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High near 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain

Zman Hadlokas ner Chanukah al pi minhag Hayeshiva for the 7th  night of Chanukah in Lakewood is 5:04pm candles should burn until 6:23 pm 

- Ami magazine: Lakewood resident and senior Whitehouse reporter Jake Turx will be leaving and assing of the torch to  Ami writer, popular YouTuber and social influencer Shloime Zionce who is now the senior White House Correspondent.

- BDE: Petirah Of HaRav Chaim Shulem Isaacson Zt”l, Nadvorna Rebbe Of Philadelphia who served as the Nadvorna Rebbe of Philadelphia for close to five decades. He was 85 years old. Levaya tomorrow 11am at his shul in Philadelphia with kevurah in Deans,NJ.

- A video was released yesterday of the Lakewood rosh yeshiva Rav Yisroel Neuman shlita lighting chanukah candles in his house from an old menorah. Many people offered to buy the Rosh yeshiva a new menorah and so tonight another video was publicized showing the R"Y lighting from a new silver menorah purchased by a donor. These videos have been released while the Adirei Hatorah chanukah campaign is underway but there's no word if there's any correlations as there were never videos posted before from inside the RY's home.

-New Jersey American Water says people who are complaining about a change in the taste and odor of the water in parts of Ocean and Monmouth counties, are correct.

However, the company says the issue is due to seasonal algal activity, which is typical for this time of year, and poses no health concern.

They expect it to be resolved by January 6th.(onejerseyschor)

- Congressman Josh Gottheimer made several stops in Lakewood on Tuesday as part of his campaign for governor in 2025. Gottheimer met with local residents at Gelbstein’s Bakery, Bagel Nosh, and South Side Sandwich Shop listening to their concerns.

Gottheimer, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District, has cited Lakewood’s challenges as examples of the broader reforms needed across the state. From infrastructure to education, he highlighted the importance of addressing the unique needs of Lakewood’s growing population.

- New Jersey Gov Murphy  has signed the bill requiring the 2025 primary race in New Jersey be rescheduled from June 3 to June 10 to accommodate the Jewish holiday of Shavuos.

- It is related that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev would sometimes wish others “Happy New Year” on January 1. This is based on the pasuk in Tehillim, “G-d will count in the register of the nations.” The Apter Rov would wish fellow Jews a “Happy New Year” and bless them on January 1. The reason suggested is because he wanted to draw a stark contrast in the way Jews celebrate their New Year, with solemn prayer and reflection, thus bringing Divine grace upon oneself.

-The woman who was burned alive aboard a New York City subway train, has now identified the victim as 61-year-old Debrina Kawam of Toms River, New Jersey.

- New Cheder Yeshiva Tiferes Hillel  To Open in Howell under the leadership of R' Eliezer Mandel

- New Cheder Bais Binyomin to open in Jackson under the leadership of R Shmuel Kamenetzky

- JCP&L scheduled a planned 10 minute power outage between 10am & noon today. Affected areas include Rt 88 btwn Ridge & New Hampshire/Joe Parker; 

- Kollel Choshen Mishpat and Even HaEzer of Lakewood will be having their annual Chanukah mesiba bhishtatfus HaRav HaGaon Eliyhaou Levin shlita tonight at Bais Medrash Kol Aryeh. This is the Kollel's one fund raiser of the year

- Chaveirim, Hatzolah, LCSW, search and rescue will continue to receive free gas from the township up to $2400 a month. Chavivim and Hatzolas Nefashos not on the list.

- Lakewood committee appoints members to township boards to be voted on at the virtual meeting on Thursday. Some members are not Lakewood residents.

- Hypocricy of Lakewood commiteemen called out for public menorah lighting atvtown hall but hiding behind their screens for swearing in ceremony to avoid facing the public in official meetings

Faa: On Monday morning, Lakewood committee members gathered indoors at Town Hall for the annual menorah lighting ceremony, speaking to the community and celebrating the holiday. But when it came to their swearing-in ceremony, those same officials chose to remain behind screens, opting for a virtual event instead.The decision to hold the menorah lighting in person while avoiding an in-person swearing-in has drawn sharp criticism from residents who feel the move reflects skewed priorities.“They’re happy to show up for a public celebration indoors, but when it comes to facing the public for an official event, they retreat to their computers,” said Sarah Johnson, a frustrated local resident. “It’s a slap in the face to the people they’re supposed to represent.”

- Audio by Rav Simcha Klein shlita Rav in Detroit on the issue of materialism  gvir fawning it needs a citifield type of asifa atop address the serious problem currently affecting the frum world as we are under attack from the wave of materialism that is a tzunami sweeping across our community causing ripple effects and unnecessary financial burdens. 

level 2 starts at minute 14:53

level 3 minute 19

level 4 minute 25

- New Jersey commuters will see higher travel costs starting in 2025 as tolls and transit fares increase across the state.Beginning January 1, tolls on major highways, including the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway, will rise by 3%. This translates to an additional 16 cents for the average trip within the state and a 2.6-cent per gallon gas tax hike will also take effect, further adding to drivers’ expenses. Starting January 5, the toll to cross from New Jersey into Manhattan will climb by 25 cents per trip. EZ-Pass users will pay $16.06 during peak hours and $14.06 during off-peak times. Drivers without EZ-Pass will see their toll rise to $18.31.Commuters heading into Manhattan south of 60th Street will also encounter a $9 congestion pricing toll. 

- Free Chanukah Celebration Thursday, January 2 at Leisure Chateu 962 River Avenue, Lakewood, light show 4:30 Concert Featuring: Uncle Moishy with Special Guest Cousin Nachum at 5:30 PM

- A critical budget bill passes its third reading in the Knesset plenum by the thinnest of margins after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves his hospital bed post-surgery to ensure that the legislation is approved despite opposition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and members of his far-right Otzma Yehudit party and some abstentions from one of the coalition’s ultra-Orthodox factions. Passing 59-58