Friday January 2 News Updates Lakewood

 Friday, January 2, 2026 / י״ג טבת תשפ״ו

ערב שבת פרשת ויחי חזק

Candle lighting:  4:25

Shkiah/Sunset:  4:43 pm

Weather: 32° Cloudy skies. Tonight low °19

Shabbos day hi of 33° Partly cloudy 

- NYC Mayor Mamdani Criticized for Repealing Antisemitism Orders

On his first day in office, Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked several of former Mayor Eric Adams’ executive orders, including New York City’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Critics, called the move “troubling,” warning it could weaken protections against antisemitism

- Israel has updated its intelligence assessment of the protests in Iran, concluding that the protests now pose a 'real threat' to the stability of the government and could potentially lead to its collapse. Israeli Channel 13

- Iranian Foreign Minister: Our forces are fully prepared and know exactly where to direct their arrows in the event of any violation of Iranian sovereignty.

- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said in an interview that he is ready for a "serious" dialogue with the United States, its investment in the country's oil industry, and cooperation in the war on drug trafficking

- At the Lakewood Township committee meeting held via Zoom this morning, Committeeman Isaac Akerman was sworn in to another three-year term. The committee also voted to reappoint Ray Coles as mayor, marking his 10th consecutive term in the role.

The committee likewise reappointed Menashe Miller as deputy mayor, again without rotating the position to other members. Lakewood’s five-member committee holds a 3–2 Republican majority, and residents do not vote directly for mayor or deputy mayor; those posts are chosen internally.

The meeting, conducted remotely with officials joining from their homes or offices as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was not even one public comment submitted or made live during the meeting. Committee members congratulated one another on their work on behalf of township residents. Issues such as traffic congestion and this year’s significant tax increase were not discussed.

- BMG Increases Kollel Stipends

Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ, announced a $49 raise in monthly kollel stipends, with yungeleit now receiving $1,140 per month (up from $1,100) and the Yom Tov bonus increased to $942 (from $850). The raise applies to all 5,449 eligible yungeleit, bringing the annual kollel disbursement to about $83 million. This step continues the Adirei HaTorah initiative, launched in 2021, which aims to provide financial stability and dignity for those devoted to full-time Torah learning.(Matzav)

- Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim fundraiser campaign reaches $2 Million goal.

- Trump: If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J.TRUMP

- Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick delivered their first baby in New Jersey six minutes into the new year.

- In Lakewood, some parents have faced similar transportation disputes with the LSTA. In another New Jersey case, the Parsippany–Troy Hills school district wrongly denied busing to a student attending a private Christian school after a disagreement over route maps, a state administrative law judge ruled. The dispute centered on whether the student lived within the required distance from the school.

- B”H, Rav Meir Greinamam shlita has been released from the hospital and has returned home in Bnei Brak, where he has resumed his daily learning.

- Giyus: A major protest against the draft law is scheduled for this coming Tuesday on Rechov Yirmiyahu. The demonstration will be attended by the Eidah Hachareidis, the Bnei Torah faction, leading Sephardi roshei yeshiva, and Hasidic admorim and mashpi’im, including Rav Meilich Biderman, Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter, Rav Tzvi Meir Zilberberg, and others.

- Giyus: Yediot Commentary: The Lithuanian leadership has urged the Chasidic factions not to shut the door on the draft law. Some are banking on a split within the Chasidic camp with MK's Goldknopf and Tessler expected to abstain, while Porush and Eichler vote in favor. However, if the Moetzes convenes in its full composition, party discipline would prevail, a move that could significantly shorten the government’s life expectancy.

- Mr. Sam Ellenbogen, a frum resident of Toms River, was sworn in as an Ocean County Commissioner. He used a Chumash during the swearing-in ceremony.

- The new Toms River council rules limit how elected officials can speak or protest during meetings, bar members from leaving meetings early as a form of protest, and allow penalties for violating meeting decorum. The mayor says the rules violate free-speech rights, while council leaders say they are meant to maintain order.

- Trump: Tariffs are an overwhelming benefit to our Nation, as they have been incredible for our National Security and Prosperity (like nobody has ever seen before!). Losing our ability to Tariff other countries who treat us unfairly would be a terrible blow to the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President Donald J. Trump

- Trump: The White House Doctors have just reported that I am in “PERFECT HEALTH,” and that I “ACED” (Meaning, was correct on 100% of the questions asked!), for the third straight time, my Cognitive Examination, something which no other President, or previous Vice President, was willing to take. P.S., I strongly believe that anyone running for President, or Vice President, should be mandatorily forced to take a strong, meaningful, and proven Cognitive Examination. Our great Country cannot be run by “STUPID” or INCOMPETENT PEOPLE! President DJT

- Switzerland: Three Jewish women are missing one of them also holds Israeli citizenship. Two sisters from the Jewish community are missing in a disaster in Switzerland, and another woman with Israeli citizenship is also missing. ZAKA’s international unit is working with local authorities in an effort to locate them.

- Following the Stoliner Rebbe’s recent remarks permitting limited smartphone use under strict conditions, senior mashpi’im have clarified and reinforced the guidelines. The Rebbe compared smartphone use to driving a car: permissible when necessary and used with caution, safeguards, and discipline. He emphasized that young men are not required to purchase a smartphone upon marriage and should avoid public display or casual use. Mashpi’im have reiterated that the longstanding guideline discouraging smartphone ownership before age 25 remains in effect, and all use must avoid chilul Hashem and be strictly limited to genuine needs.