Wednesday December 17 News Updates Lakewood

3rd day חנוכה תשפ"ו

Weather: 48° Sunshine and clouds mixed.

A storm is expected to blast New Jersey with 50 mph winds, up to 1.5 inches of rain Thursday into Friday

- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today she will sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act, making New York one of the states allowing terminally ill patients to seek doctor-assisted suicide after years of legislative debate.

- NJ Gov Murphy announced he is pardoning another 15 individuals, and commuting the sentences of 9 more. 

- President Donald Trump will deliver a live address to the nation from the White House at 9:00 pm

- Wednesday night's Powerball lottery drawing jackpot is worth $1.25 billion, with a cash option of $572.1 million.

-A Planned Chanuka concert by MBC has been canceled after Roshei Yeshiva Letter 

Lakewood roshei yeshiva signed a letter opposing a planned Chanukah concert in Jackson, calling it a new breach. They note that the Gedolei Yisroel have previously spoken out against such venues, and especially against holding such events in Lakewood and the surrounding towns. They emphasize that even with separate seating or family seating, it is prohibited for anyone to attend this event.”

- The levaya of Rav Yitzchak Abadi, zt”l, in Eretz Yisrael will take place tonight at 7:30 pm in Beit Shemesh, with kevurah at the local Beis Hachaim.

At yesterday’s levaya in Lakewood, the Roshei Yeshiva of BMG were in attendance. Shiva will be observed at 119 Carasaljo Dr., Lakewood.

- The Stutchin Rebbe, Rav Mottel Silber, shlita, will host a Chanukah celebration tonight at the Yeshiva Ketana hall in Lakewood.

- Chanukah mesiba tonight to benefit Kollel Choshen Mishpat at B"M Kol Aryeh. B'hishtatfus HaGaon Rosh HaKollel Rav Eliyahu Levin shlita and HaRav Uren Reich shlita 9:30 pm

- Rabbi Tovia Schulzinger Rav in Kiryat Ata issues a letter opposing davening in shul accompanied by musical instruments and music.

- Lakewood industrial commission meeting today on the agenda Strand Theater / Apartments: Rental income of $167,832.36, expenses of $103,353.58, plus $26,189.24 in NJNG reimbursement, resulting in net income of $90,369.74. after spending hundreds of thousands in capital improvements 

- Chavivim of Ocean County delivered donuts to local police departments as a gesture of appreciation for the dedicated officers who serve the community.

-President Donald Trump said during a White House Chanukkah reception that his proposed ballroom could cost up to $400 million, about double the original estimate, adding that the project has faced legal challenges despite long-standing demand for such a venue.

- Mark Levin puts his arm around President Trump during the Chanukkah reception, gives him a glowing praise "6 years ago, I was up here, I said, this was our first Jewish president. Now he's the first Jewish president to serve 2 non-consecutive presidencies. We thank you for everything. You are the greatest president. God Bless you. I miss you."

- Giyus: A yeshiva bochur from Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Ozer in Bnei Brak was arrested yesterday at his home in Ramat Gan, near the Bnei Brak border, after military police lay in ambush for him, following a failed arrest attempt three weeks ago. He was sentenced to 17 days in military prison.

The newspaper HaPeles criticized the total silence of those who had vowed to “move and shake the world” if any bochur were arrested. Although the bochur is not affiliated with the Bnei Torah faction, they announced plans to demonstrate in response to the arrest.

- Families in Waterbury, CT woke up Wednesday morning with running water for the first time in days as the city continues to recover from a major water main break that occurred a week ago.

- Hundreds gathered at Chabad of Bondi Sidney Australia on Wednesday morning for the Levaya of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the 41-year-old assistant rabbi murdered Sunday evening while hosting a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach. His father-in-law, Rabbi Ulman, said Schlanger accomplished in 41 years what many do not achieve in a lifetime, and announced that on the final night of Chanukah, Sydney’s rabbis will gather at Bondi Beach to light the menorah together.

- Boro Park: A child and two adults were injured, and a firefighter was burned when he became trapped in the flames at a fire that broke out at the Boro Park Matzoh Bakery on 36th Street in Brooklyn. They are all in stable condition.

- Crown Heights: Video shows a visibly Jewish man stabbed multiple times in an unprovoked attack on Kingston Ave, Crown Heights. Police say the victim was stabbed multiple times, the suspect fled, and the victim is in stable condition.

-BDE: Petirah of Mr. Murray Koval Z"L from Cleveland levaya 2 pm in Cong.J LX Cleveland zoom link Here 

- Attention travelers flying on Chanukah who will miss menorah lighting: FAA regulations require any flashlight on board to be less than 7 inches.(Yudelstake)

- Developers of Adventure Crossing USA in Jackson, the partially-built sports and entertainment complex, are accused of defaulting on a $14.4 million loan from a Delaware-based bank, according to a new lawsuit.

- New Jersey workers are getting a pay bump. The state’s minimum wage will rise by 43 cents to $15.92 per hour on Jan. 1, continuing a steady climb that began under Gov. Phil Murphy. Seasonal and small employers will be required to raise their minimum pay at the start of 2026, though their rates will remain lower. Their minimum wage will move from $14.53 to $15.23.

- Trump: "If you go back 10, 12, 15 years ago at the most, the strongest lobby in Washington was the Jewish lobby. It was Israel. That's no longer true. You have to be very careful. You have a Congress in particular which is becoming antisemitic. You have AOC plus three, you have those people."