Thursday February 19 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: 41° Overcast. Slight chance of an afternoon shower tomorrow more rain 

Snow storm update: Watching a potential winter storm Sunday into Monday . Periods of snow Chance of snow 80%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected.

- Lakewood Bnos Penina girls  school stays open after some people stepped up and  secured the funding to keep the school  from closing down.

- Iran, in a letter to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council members, said, "If attacked, all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region will be considered legitimate targets as part of Iran's defensive response. The United States will bear full and direct responsibility for any unforeseen and uncontrollable consequences."

- Wall Street Journal: President Trump is considering an initial limited military strike on Iran to force it to comply with his demands for a nuclear deal. This is a limited step that is not expected to cause widespread exchanges of blows.

- WSJ: Iran has rejected a sweeping U.S. nuclear proposal that required halting high level uranium enrichment, curbing its ballistic missile program, and restricting support for its regional proxies.

- Instead, Tehran countered with far narrower concessions, offering only limited adjustments to its nuclear activity.

- United airlines  Slashes Basic And Non-Cardholder Mileage Earnings, Increases Earnings And Discounts For Cardholders And Their Kids! Dansdeals  

- According to the New York Times, the second aircraft carrier, the Gerald Ford, and its three destroyer escorts could be in the Mediterranean by the weekend or early next week, military officials said. The Ford is likely to be deployed initially near the coast of Israel to defend Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities and towns, officials said.

- President Donald Trump indicates he’ll be making a decision on a potential strike against Iran in the next 10 days.

- Senator Lindsey Graham: The American decision regarding Iran has already been made. None of these ships is coming here just because the weather is nice at this time of year.

- Giyus: The Charedi parties are expected to receive the draft of the new conscription (giyus) law within the coming days, which will be presented to senior roshei yeshiva and rabbonim for final approval before moving toward a vote. A final decision has not yet been made whether to proceed with the current version, despite concerns it could face challenges and potentially be struck down by Israel’s High Court of Justice.

- Mir Yerushalayim Shabbos at Tallymawr in Toms River this week with Rav Yosef Elefanst shlita

- Bonei Olam Lakewood event tonight at Lake Terrace hall 

- US President Donald Trump says he’s going to be appointing his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to the role of “peace envoy.”

- Ahead of Pesach, the meat departments in several supermarkets across Lakewood have already transitioned to kosher-for-Pesach production, as stores begin early preparations for the upcoming Yom Tov.

- The Diaspora Yeshiva of yerushalayim marked its 60th anniversary last night with a celebration at Binyanei HaUma, featuring a reunion performance by members of its famed band. Watch the replay here

- President Trump, Vice President Vance and top administration officials take part in a group photo ahead of the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC.

- Prince Andrew of England was arrested on 'Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office' following Epstein files revelations.

- Student loan Borrowers allegedly harmed by the educational loan finance company Navient are beginning to receive payments from a $100 million compensation fund

- A recent letter dated chodesh shevat 5786 from gedolei yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and the USA including the Lakewood Roshei yeshiva “We are stating our opinion, that because the situation of the wigs in recent years is getting worse and worse, and the great Poskim have already declared that many of the wigs of today are forbidden by halacha, therefore certainly covering one’s hair with a headscarf is a big correction of this matter, and one must strengthen and encourage those who make the effort to do so.".

- Jackson: Voters in Jackson Township will decide this Saturday on millions of dollars in fire district budgets and commissioner appointments, as officials continue debating a possible consolidation of the township’s three fire districts, which together cost taxpayers over $16 million annually. The polls will be open motzei shabbos

- New Jersey ranked as the second-highest earning state in the nation for the second consecutive year, with a median household income of $104,294 in 2025, according to the American Community Survey. The figure marks an increase from $99,781 the previous year, trailing only Massachusetts, which topped the list at $104,828.

- BDE: Petirah of Reb Yitzchok Surkis, z"l, at the age of 62. He was a prominent Skverer chossid known as a masmid who could always be found with a Gemara, he was the cook for thousands of children over the years and was known for his humor and his kind words for everyone he encountered Levaya today in Skver 2 pm 

- Wildwood NJ mayor and deputy mayor are facing corruption charges alleging they improperly received government health benefits worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.The defense says were selectively prosecuted, singled out by authorities for accepting benefits that other elected officials in New Jersey also took.

Mishenichnas Adar Maaaarbin Besimcha