Friday February 20 News Updates Lakewood

 Friday, February 20, 2026 / ג׳ אדר תשפ״ו

ערב שבת פרשת תרומה

Candle lighting 5:20 pm

Shkiah/Sunser 5:38 pm

Weather: 44° Cloudy with occasional rain in the morning. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.

Friday night  36° Areas of fog  and cloudy

Shabbos day 47° Sunshine and clouds

- FJJ  newspaper this week's issue  extensive coverage commemorating the 40th yartzeit of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal

- US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, on Iran: If there is no agreement - and an agreement means no uranium enrichment and no ballistic missile development - then there is no agreement. If they don't believe President Trump will act militarily, they have a short memory.

- Trump: Effective immediately, all National Security TARIFFS, Section 232 and existing Section 301 TARIFFS, remain in place, and in full force and effect. Today I will sign an Order to impose a 10% GLOBAL TARIFF, under Section 122, over and above our normal TARIFFS already being charged, and we are also initiating several Section 301 and other Investigations to protect our Country from unfair Trading practices. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

- President Trump says he is 'Absolutely Ashamed' at some members of the Supreme Court for their rulings today. "The Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I'm ashamed of certain members of the court absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country..."Democrats on the court are thrilled, but they will automatically vote no... they're against anything that makes America, strong, healthy, and Great Again. "They also are a, frankly, disgrace to our nation."

"Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They're so happy and they're dancing in the streets. But they won't be dancing for long. That I can assure you."

-Snow storm update from NWS: Watching a potential winter storm Sunday night. Snow likely. Low 28F Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 3 to 5 inches. The initial storm total snowfall forecast is generally a widespread 2-6 inches across most of the area,” the National Weather Service said early Friday. “These amounts are still highly uncertain and will likely change in future updates.”

- President Trump reportedly called today’s Supreme Court ruling a "disgrace" and says he has to “Do something about these courts.”

- Mamchester, NJ In a unanimous vote last night, the Manchester Township Zoning Board of Adjustment denied an application to convert a residential home into a mikvah (Jewish ritual bath) in the Pine Lake Park section of town.FAA news reports The proposal, filed by Congregation Mikvah of Pine Lake Park, sought approval to transform a single-family home at 1209 Ninth Avenue into a ritual bath facility. The application required a D(1) use variance, along with multiple bulk variances, because the property is located in a residential zone where such a use is not permitted.(Faanews) 

- The Supreme Court on Friday blocked President Donald Trump’s use of an emergency law to unilaterally impose sweeping tariffs on most U.S. trading partners, delivering a blow to the president in a case centered on one of his signature economic policies  one he characterized as "life or death" for the U.S. economy. In a 6-3 decision, the justices invalidated Trump's tariffs. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. The U.S. government may have to refund over $175 billion in tariffs,

- Dirshu shabbos at hotel in Connecticut attended by roshei Yeshiva from EY and the US

- Mir yeshiva שבת של מיר Rav Yosef Elefant shlita will spend shabbos at the Tallymawr neighborhood in Toms River there will be a alumni melava Malka MOtaei shabbos in Manchester 

 

- Yeshiva Yaaros Devash will host a Hachnosas Sefer Torah this Motzei shabbos with the procession leaving from 715 Malin ave Lakewood to the new building at 1420 Oak street 9:00pm

-Reb Meilich Biderman spending shabbos in Teveria with Supporters of the weekly Beer Haparsha distribution.

- Reporter to Trump: Are you considering a limited military strike if Iran doesn't make a deal? Trump: The most I can say - I am considering it.

-Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: There is no military solution for Iran's nuclear program. That was tested last year... they couldn't kill our nuclear program.

- USS Gerald Ford  crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

- Israeli hospitals are preparing for emergency operations amid Iran war fears, with stable patients discharged to free beds and medical teams reinforced for possible mass-casualty scenarios, according to Yediot Ahronot.

- CNN, the US military will be ready by the weekend for an attack on Iran, but sources familiar with the details say an attack is not expected soon. It was also reported that Jared Kushner, Trump's advisor, is among those who believe the tension can be resolved with an agreement

- Belaaz reports that a  Hatzalah member responding to a high-priority emergency was delayed earlier today after being blocked by a school bus on County Line Road in Lakewood According to witnesses, the volunteer ambulance was stuck behind the bus for approximately 90 seconds while en route to the emergency call.

- Senior Americans told Reuters: "The US military planning in Iran is very advanced, with options ranging from direct strikes on senior officials to actions aimed at regime change."

- Lakewood , NJ Police have charged a Fresno, California man with stealing approximately $65,000 worth of slippers after allegedly failing to deliver a commercial shipment to a Lakewood business.The Lakewood Police Department said Kamal Singh, 24, faces two counts of theft by deception and remains at large. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the LPD (APP)

- An IDF spokesperson said the military is closely monitoring developments involving Iran and remains on high alert, but noted there are no changes to civilian instructions, urging the public to follow only official updates from the IDF and the Home Front Command.

- Israeli hospitals prepare for emergency mode  amid #Iran war fears  Yediot

 “Suitable patients” sent home to free up beds for mass casualties  Hospitals 'reinforced' with doctors

- Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

- A local frum resident  part of league scored a perfect 300 at Ocean Lanes bowling and received a $100 check

- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is monitoring an outbreak of bird flu throughout the state that’s causing disturbing mass deaths in wild birds. More than 1,100 sick or dead wild birds were reported last weekend, most of them Canada geese, according to state officials.

- Six Flags Great Adventure began building its newest roller coaster on Wednesday, which will be the “multi-world-record-breaking launch roller coaster” promised to fans after Kingda Ka was demolished in Feb. 2025.

מרבין בשמחה with Reb Hillel