Thursday November 20 News Updates Lakewood

 Thursday, November 20, 2025 / כ״ט חשון תשפ״ו  ערב ראש חודש כסלו shkia 4:36 pm

Weather: 49° A mix of clouds and sun. High 49F. Winds light and variable.

Heavy traffic and road closures in Lakewood tonight on a busy Thursday evening . Central Ave closed off at Rt 9 other detours along rt 9

- Eric Trump said that if New York Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani tries to “showboat” during Donald Trump’s upcoming Oval Office meeting, it will “backfire.” He claimed that Donald Trump performs especially well in confrontational moments and would respond strongly if challenged. Eric Trump added that no one “showboats” better than his father, suggesting Mamdani should reconsider attempting anything of the sort.

- Torah Umesorah 69th Annual Convention underway this weekend at Kalahari Resort Pocono Manor, PA

- A meeting took place Thursday evening in Bnei Brak, as Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, arrived at the home  Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman to discuss the Giyus law. Rav Bergman who is on the moetzes of Degel HaTorah has spoken out strongly against any compromise or quotas on yeshiva bochurim. Rav Moshe Hillel a d Rav Div have given a green light to continue with the current version of the draft bill..

- President Trump addresses Israeli hostages and their families at the Whitehouse today: “You’re not a hostage anymore… today you’re heroes”

- A Kinus Zikaron will take place today in BMG to commemorate the yahrtzeits of Rav Aharon Kotler zatzal and Rav Nosson Wachtfogel zatzal. Divrei zikaron will be delivered by Rav Yerucham Olshin shlita and Rav Shlomo Eisenberger shlita in Beren Hall at 6:15 PM. A Melava Malka  and siyum Hashas will be held on Motzei Shabbos, featuring divrei zikaron from Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita and Rav Eliy Ber Wachtfogel shlita.at the Yeshiva dining hall 9:00 pm

-  The levaya of Habachur Elchonon Fasten z”l will take place at 1 PM today at 1206 Hickory Street in Toms River. Kevurah will take place in the Belzer Chelka at Har Shalom Bais Hachaim in Airmont near Monsey.

- Local supermarkets in Lakewood are warning customers to carefully review their credit card statements after skimming devices were discovered at several area stores.

- Trump calls for Democrats who told military to violate orders to be arrested as seditious traitors in response to a video by  by Sen. Elissa Slotkin and featuring Sens. Mark Kelly, Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander, stresses that personnel must refuse illegal orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Trump “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT”

 - Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were not invited to attend former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral  today at the National Cathedral. The snub underscores the deep rift between Cheney’s legacy and his daughter Liz Cheney  and Trump’s wing of the Republican Party

-The Lakewood Shopper newspaper is tackling the ongoing Lakewood traffic crisis, calling on residents to contribute ideas. The paper is urging the community to participate in a meeting with local officials to brainstorm solutions and explore what can realistically be done to ease congestion. see Here

-Ahead of Chanukah, consumers should expect higher prices on sufganiyot this year, especially with the introduction of Dubai-style, premium chocolate–inspired donuts. While olive oil prices have fallen by about half this November, the decrease may not be reflected in retail prices by Chanukah. In addition, tariffs are expected to drive up the cost of many Chanukah gifts, particularly consumer electronics, clothing, and toys.

- Attorney Mordechai Beitz, who represents the Ponovezh faction of Rav Shmuel Markovitz, says that the arbitration ruling issued by David Hashin in the Ponovezh Yeshiva dispute may be delayed. He described the latest decision as “devastating, baseless, something that could not possibly have been issued according to Torah law, and reflective of genuine malice.” According to him, the ruling — which orders the removal of hundreds of bochurim, avreichim, and families — is unprecedented and unlike anything ever seen in the yeshiva world. He added, “We will file a request to annul the arbitration ruling and seek a stay of execution.”

- Rav Moshe Sternbuch with a pleas to American Yidden: "Never be מוותר on Judaism! My Brothers in Chutz L'Aretz Don't Be Silent!" He warns those in chutz laaretz can also face a similar fate as authorities target yeshiva bochurim and arrest them see video below

- Giyus Update: Shas has been instructed by its Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah to advance the draft draft law in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, aligning with the Degel HaTorah faction. Other gedolei Yisrael have vehemently opposed any bill that would impose quotas, including on those who are not learning full-time.

- The protesters gather outside the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan to protest an event by Nefesh B’nefesh, a group that helps Jews immigrate to Israel

-NJ superintendent salaries:  Five NJ school superintendents earn over $300,000 in 2025, data shows The average salary for school superintendents across New Jersey increased less than 2% last school year, but some of the top earners made well over $300,000, the latest state data shows. Superintendent salaries local Ocean county

Howell Township  $256,900

Jackson Township   $232,615 

Lacey Township $212,000 

Lakewood Township  $245,140

Toms River  $219,300

Manchester Township $200,850

Brick Township  $235,500

- A group of Neturei Karta protesters gathered outside the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan to demonstrate against an event organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that assists Jews with immigration to Israel.

- Trustees of the financially struggling Maimonides Hospital in Borough park Brooklyn have filed a lawsuit to block a proposed government takeover of the 80-year-old institution. Hospital leadership plans to merge with NYC Health + Hospitals, which would convert Maimonides from a private facility into a city-run hospital overseen by officials appointed by the mayor. As part of the deal, Maimonides would receive $2.2 billion over five years in state funding. However, hospital trustees and many Borough Park residents particularly members of the Jewish community, oppose the merger, fearing that the quality of care would significantly decline under public management.

- A lucky Ocean County couple just won $3 million on a scratch-off ticket after already winning $1 million on a scratch-off back on April 1. No fooling!

- The New Jersey Lottery announced that a NJ couple with two children and a third on the way beat the two million to one odds to win the grand prize in the rewly-released Jackpot Millions game on Nov. 13. The couple purchased the $30 ticket at the Fischer Bay Exxon on Fischer Boulevard in Toms River.

- Satmar Event at Shneller in Yerushalayim 

Rav Moshe Sternbuch: "Never be מוותר on Judaism! ...My Brothers in Chutz L'Aretz Don't Be Silent!"