Wednesday February 11 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 47° Sunshine and clouds mixed Higher wind gusts possible

Watching a potential winter storm. Rain and snow showers Sunday evening into Monday morning Chance of rain 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch

- New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order prohibiting ICE and other federal agencies from using state-owned property to stage civil immigration enforcement operations. While agents may access public areas and make lawful arrests, they cannot base operations on state land or enter non-public state facilities without a judicial warrant. Sherrill also launched an online portal for residents to upload photos and videos of ICE activity to help the state monitor enforcement actions.

The State is also launching a new website to make sure people know their Constitutional rights when interacting with federal agents and information about pro-bono legal services.

- The Mashgiach of BMG Rav Reuven shlita will deliver a sichas mussar for yeshiva bochurim during mussar seder this evening 

- Giyus: Channel 12 reports that Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch now says the current version of the draft (giyus) law is not what was promised to him by the IDF and the prime minister, and he is considering withdrawing his support.

- Giyus Rav Dov Landau shlita declares in a video statement : "We declare with a loud voice: whether the authorities agree to this or not, even a single avrech, even a single yeshiva student, will not go to the army, not in this manner nor in any other manner; the place of Torah scholars is solely within the halls of the yeshivas and kollels. Let all know, both those who understand this and those who do not, this is the fact, so it was and so it shall be."

- Trump: I have just finished meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of Israel, and various of his Representatives. It was a very good meeting, the tremendous relationship between our two Countries continues. There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be. Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer — That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible. Additionally, we discussed the tremendous progress being made in Gaza, and the Region in general. There is truly PEACE in the Middle East. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

- JD Vance just said: “If the Iranian people want to overthrow the regime, that's up to the Iranian people. What we're focused on right now is the fact that Iran can't have a nuclear weapon.”

- Lakewood roshei yeshiva issue letter calling on woman and older girls to attend the asifa about AI tonight to be held at the Lakewood high school in the letter they write 

For years, yirei Shamayim have fought the challenges of internet and smartphones. Now, AI chatbots present an even greater nisayon, accessible in many ways and posing serious spiritual risks. Mothers and working women especially must understand the danger and learn practical steps to protect themselves and their children. All are urged to attend the Hineini Asifah on Wednesday of Parshas Mishpatim for chizuk and guidance, with tefillah for rachamei Shamayim and bracha for their families.

- Return Again: The Ballad Of A Husband  new comedy song by ben Miller listen Here 

- MasaUmatan rental list here

- Giyus: By 2050, almost one in four Israelis will be ultra-Orthodox, study indicates

Charedim constitute 23.5% of those eligible for military, which expected to rise to 40% by 2050, says Israel Democracy Institute; if the Charedim don’t integrate, GDP could fall by 10%

- U.S. military shoots down Mexican cartel drones that breached U.S. airspace near El Paso, using electronic warfare from Fort Bliss

FAA lifts airspace closure over El Paso; “no threat to commercial aviation”.the decision to close the airspace was triggered by Mexican cartel drones breaching US airspace.

- The average New Jersey property tax bill hit another high last year, topping $10,000 for the second year in a row, new data from the state Department of Community Affairs shows. The average homeowner paid $10,570 in property taxes last year, an increase of $475 compared to the year before.

- The new mashgiach in BMG has began scheduling appointments for youngeleit  seeking guidance and chizuk

- Faanews Jackson officials claimed a court victory over a zoning ordinance, but the judge only dismissed the first lawsuit as moot after the township repealed the law. The court did not rule on the merits, and a new lawsuit challenging the replacement ordinance is still ongoing.https://www.faanews.com/2026/02/mootness-masquerading-as-merit-kuhn-and.html 

- Trump: GREAT JOBS NUMBERS, FAR GREATER THAN EXPECTED! The United States of America should be paying MUCH LESS on its Borrowings (BONDS!). We are again the strongest Country in the World, and should therefore be paying the LOWEST INTEREST RATE, by far. This would be an INTEREST COST SAVINGS OF AT LEAST ONE TRILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR - BALANCED BUDGET, PLUS. WOW! The Golden Age of America is upon us!!! President DJT

- BDE: Petira of Rav Aviezer Asher Zelig Shapira, zt”l, longtime mashgiach of Yeshiva Ketana Kol Torah in Yerushalayim, was niftar at age 81. Appointed in 1978 (5738) in Bayit Vegan, he guided and shaped thousands of talmidim. A descendant of the Saraf of Moglenice and the Ruzhin dynasty, he learned at Kol Torah and Chevron Yeshiva. He was known for his nightly visits to the Kosel and helped establish the widely observed minhag to recite recitation “Nishmas Kol Chai.” at Chatzos. The levaya was held in Geula, with kevura at Har Hazeisim.

- Toms River: A burst pipe caused major flooding at Toms River Town Hall on Monday, impacting all three floors and forcing the building to close. Mayor Dan Rodrick said the town hall will remain closed for at least two days while repairs are made, and Wednesday’s township council meeting has been canceled.

- The Lakewood Industrial Commission meeting was held virtually today, but the video recording does not appear to be working on the township website.

- New Jersey drivers could pay just over $3 per gallon this spring, with 2026 gas prices projected to range between $2.81 and $3.07, even though prices have recently fallen to their lowest levels in years.

-PSA Kashrus Update

More on Salmon and fish from CRC Chicago

o, we've gotten great feedback on our salmon posts. Here's some background information: In the wild, salmon develop their red color from carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, found in foods like shrimp, lobster, and krill. Today, most salmon are farm-raised in large ponds where their diet lacks these natural sources, so their flesh would be pale without additives. Because consumers expect the familiar natural red color, farmers add carotenoids to the feed to restore the characteristic color. What about other fish? When other fish (besides salmon) eat the same synthetic carotenoids, even large quantities, they do not produce the same effect. Therefore, there is no practical concern that a fish which appears to be salmon is perhaps another species.Artificial dye to resemble salmon? Doesn’t work. There would need to be multiple needle injections, leaving clear puncture marks. And it would need to be soaked in saltwater brine. Also, there is currently no reliable method to prevent such dyes from leaking during cooking.So, throughout the ages until today, salmon remains the only fish clearly identifiable without fins and scales! Here’s a comprehensive Hebrew article published in Ohr Yisroel: Here