Wednesday December 31 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 33° Sunny to partly cloudy. 

New Jersey could see up to an inch of snow on New Year’s Eve, with only light flurries reported early Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

- 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.

- Today in Surfside, FL The packed crowd at the Shul of Bal Harbour stands up and cheers for Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, as the band plays 'Yamim Al Yemei Melech' for him.

- HHS freezing child care payments to all states until they prove funds 'being spent legitimately

The Trump administration is freezing federal child care funding in all states until they prove the money is being used legitimately, with extra documentation required from Minnesota and all states suspected of fraud.

- Trump: The United States has set a World Record on investments being made into a Country, and it is Trillions of Dollars more than number two, China. This is singularly because of TARIFFS, and the fact that if you make your product in the U.S., there ARE NO TARIFFS. Hence, factories and businesses are being built all over our Country - At a level never seen before. Congrats to the USA on this incredible achievement!!! President DJT

- Bingo sale  a dozen eggs for .99 cents until Jan 5 

- The hardest Wordle of 2025 was “inbox” (April 19), challenging players in 24 U.S. states, including New Jersey, and the UK, according to Preply.

- Trump: "There is more FRAUD in California than there is in Minnesota, if that is even possible. When you add in Election Fraud, then they are tied for first. Two Crooked Governors,two Crooked States

- Lakewood Township plans to appoint non-residents to several township boards. These members will have the authority to vote on zoning and financial decisions affecting local residents, despite neither living in Lakewood nor paying local taxes.

- As the mesivta farher season approaches, the takanos from last year appear to be holding so far, with no mesivtas beginning farhers before the agreed-upon date. The 8th-grade rebbeim are playing a key role in this, as they are not sharing student information until the allotted time. As for out-of-town mesivtos, the farher season is already in full swing.

- The Township of Lakewood approved agreements with Chaveirim, LCSW, Hatzolah, and Lakewood Search & Rescue, allowing each group to receive up to $2,400 per month in gasoline from the Public Works Department to support their volunteer services. Fuel use and activities must be logged for review by the Chief of Police. The agreements run January 1–December 31, 2026.

 New volunteer organizations such as Chavivim have not been added to the list

- According to the recent Township of Lakewood resolution establishing remote meeting procedures, the Township Committee will continue to hold only remote public meetings. Although officials claim this format increases public engagement, in reality, there is an average of only one public comment per meeting, usually from the same individuals. In contrast, neighboring towns like Toms River and Jackson hold in-person meetings, where politicians show respect to residents through face-to-face conversations.

- Giyus: MK Yitzchak Goldknopf said that draft evasion among secular Israelis in the Gush Dan area exceeds that of the entire Haredi population, citing comments by the head of the IDF Manpower Directorate during remarks on the draft law to students at Ulpanat Raaya in Beit El.

- The persecution of the Torah world in EY shows no signs of stopping: State Attorney Gali Baharav-Miara has instructed the IDF to immediately prepare a plan regarding enforcement measures against Torah students by the end of January, with an emphasis on “transition from disciplinary to criminal proceedings.” She also demanded that updated data on the enforcement actions taken be submitted to her within six days.

-Tolls on New Jersey’s Parkway and Turnpike will rise 3% on Jan. 5, the fifth increase since March 2020, despite opposition from the National Motorists Association. Garden State Parkway mainline tolls will go from $2.30 to $2.37 for cash and $2.17 to $2.24 for E‑ZPass, with various exit and entry ramps seeing smaller increases.

- During this year, IDF says 151 soldiers were killed. Among the data includes 21 soldiers who took their own life, the highest figure recorded in nearly two decades.

- Bochurim from mainstream yeshivos, including Chevron, are now demonstrating and blocking the busy Route 4 highway, following earlier protests in front of the military prison. Not affiliated with the Bnei Torah faction, these bochurim are taking matters into their own hands after a fellow Chevron yeshiva student was arrested and the leadership has taken no action.

- BDE: Petira of Mrs. Fraidel Hendel Rennert, a”h, wife of R’ Avraham Rennert shlit”a, The levaya was held this morning at the Lakewood Chapel. Kevurah will take place in Eretz Yisroel.

- Iranian Regime Gunfire Kills Teen Protester, First To Die as Nationwide Uprising Gathers Momentum

- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services halted all federal child care payments to Minnesota about $185 million yearly after Nick Shirley's viral video exposed Somali-run centers that appeared vacant yet billed heavily, like Quality Learning Center's $1.9 million this year. 

- The Lakewood MUA is facing criticism for paying its commissioners high compensation despite meeting only once a month. Budget documents show that politically appointed board members receive generous stipends and benefits, with chairman Robert Singer’s total compensation nearing $87,000. He was just appointed for  an additional 5 year term

- New Jersey has 4,111 licensed child care centers and 1,378 registered family child care home centers.  

- Trump: "Much of the Minnesota Fraud, up to 90%, is caused by people that came into our Country, illegally, from Somalia. "Congresswoman" Omar, an ungrateful loser who only complains and never contributes, is one of the many scammers. Did she really marry her brother? Lowlifes like this can only be a liability to our Country's greatness. Send them back from where they came, Somalia, perhaps the worst, and most corrupt, country on earth. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

- Tensions in Toms River escalated as Mayor Daniel Rodrick’s Dec. 30 council meeting to vote on changing the township’s insurance was canceled. Council President Justin Lamb and three council members refused to attend, leaving no quorum and preventing any action. App

- NYC: Zohran Mamdani announced he will be sworn in on the Quran when he takes office, becoming the first NYC mayor to do so.

- Mr. Evgeny Alexandrovich Bondar Z”L,84, a Holocaust survivor and member of the Jewish community in Kherson, Ukraine, passed away after being critically wounded in a Russian missile attack.

- Supreme Court Halts 2 Billion Shekel Budget, Blocking Charedi Education Funding

Israeli Supreme Court Justice Yael Vilner issued an interim order on Wednesday to freeze the budget of approximately 2 billion shekels approved by the Finance Committee a few days ago, about 1 billion of which was earmarked for Charedi education. Vilner ruled that, until further notice, no funds may be transferred under that decision, which was challenged in the Supreme Court by Yesh Atid MKs, claiming the approval was made illegally.