Monday December 29 News Updatea Lakewood

 Weather: 55° Rain likely. Becoming windy in the afternoon. Chance of rain 80%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

- Fast of Asara B'Teves tomorrow morning begins at 5:51 AM or at 6:06 AM dawn fixed minutes and ends at 5:30 pm with 50 minute zman

-  Tefillos for HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlota who has been hospitalized name is Shalom Reuven ben Shima.

- Soft opening today at Gourmet Glatt Jackson 

A Lakewood man was assaulted in a road-rage incident after stopping for pedestrians at a flashing yellow light at Clifton ave and 1st street. The attack left him with injuries to his ribs, neck, face, and knees, and the suspect fled the scene.

-For the first time in 25 years, Jews will be allowed daytime access to Kever Yosef, staying until 8:00 a.m. and able to daven Shacharis, under a new policy announced by Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

- Secretary Kristi Noem says Homeland Security Investigations and ICE are on the ground in Minneapolis right now conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud. More is coming

- Winds picking up during the afternoon

- Helicopter pilots identified 

Officials confirmed that Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carneys Point, has died from injuries sustained in a mid-air helicopter collision over New Jersey yesterday. The other pilot, Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell, was pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday.

-Yeshiva Tiferes Torah (YTT) Campaign Video Skit  2025/26. HERE Donate Here

- IRS 2026 changes:

EITC: Max for 3+ kids rises to $8,231

Federal taxes: Single $100K W‑2 filer pays ~$13,114 (down $335)

HSA limits: $4,400 self / $8,750 family

- Tefillos for the Spinka Rebbe Naftali Tzvi ben Perel undergoing a medical procedure today in Manhattan 

- Filler Up: Gas prices in New Jersey have dropped to a record low of about $2.70 per gallon. That relief may be short-lived, however, as prices are set to rise by four cents per gallon on January 1 after the Assembly voted to increase the gas tax.

- The Lakewood Township reorganization meeting will take place this Friday morning, when the Township Committee is scheduled to vote on a new mayor. Assuming all is the same Mayor Ray Coles is expected to be reappointed again. Township officials frequently stress that Lakewood is the fourth-largest municipality in New Jersey and argue that its size warrants greater attention and resources from Trenton. Yet despite those claims, the township’s governance continues to resemble that of a much smaller town. The swearing-in ceremony will once again be conducted virtually via Zoom, a practice that began during the COVID era. The online-only format stands in sharp contrast to the township’s repeated assertions of Lakewood’s prominence, replacing what was once a well-attended public ceremony at Town Hall with a limited, remote event

- NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced that Maimonides hospital in Boro Park will join NYC Health + Hospitals, pending final approvals. The move faced opposition from local frum residents and community leaders, who worry the merger could compromise the hospital’s independence and its long-standing mission serving the neighborhood.

- Giyus: The Admor of Slonim declared there is no compromise on the current giyus law, calling it a threat to Torah and Jewish continuity. He stressed a firm “NO” to the government, army, and courts, urging mesirus nefesh to protect Torah and chinuch ha’banim in the ways of our forefathers.

- Giyus: Maariv reports that Netanyahu ordered an additional review of the Knesset vote on the conscription law. The tally still shows a majority in favor, but legal counsel and the IDF oppose the current bill, arguing it is legally flawed and unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny. As a result, there is speculation the law could be invalidated even if it passes.

- Viral footage of a Minnesota fraud scandal has hit 110 million views, showing alleged misuse of state funds at empty childcare centers and sparking national scrutiny. Elon Musk shared the video on X and called for prosecution of Governor Tim Walz, arguing the case highlights broader abuse of government programs.

oann.com

- Elon Musk criticized Democrats over immigration policy, claiming that government benefits act as a “money magnet” for undocumented immigrants. He argued that if those incentives were removed, immigrants would leave and Democrats would lose political support. Musk further alleged that Democrats encourage immigration in order to expand their voter base.

- Heavy rain and strong winds caused flooding and hazardous conditions in Yerushalayim today, prompting emergency responses and road disruptions as a major winter storm swept across Israel.

- Silver shot up to $83 because of high demand for solar panels, electric cars, and AI tech. Then it fell 10% after the exchange made traders put up more money. Rumors about a big bank losing money are unconfirmed, but there’s still not much silver available, and China plans to limit exports next year.

- Hachtara took place  for Rav Menachem Indich shlita who will serve as the rav of the Reserve neighborhood kehila in Jackson.

- New Jersey's most relaxed cities

These cities rose to the top for low-stress living in 2026, ranked according to city size:

Jersey City (250,000+ population)

Newark (250,000+ population)

Elizabeth (100,000 to 249,000 population)

Paterson (100,000 to 249,000 population)

Clifton (under 100,000 population)

Trenton (under 100,000 population)

- For the first time in Lakewood a business networking event was held exclusively for the heimish chassidish community. Organizers called the event a success and say they plan to hold an even larger gathering in the future.