Weather: 53° Abundant sunshine temps will be in the 70's on thursday but for the next few weeks will be in the 50's and 60's
Today. ד אייר is the 5th Yartzeit of Rav Dov Kreiswirth ztL see video The Life and Legacy of Rav Dov Kreiswirth ZT"L - Rosh HaYeshiva - Toras Chaim
Today is the 134th Yahrtzeit of the Bais Halevi Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik of Brisk
- Amid escalating Iran-related developments, Mike Huckabee has been recalled to Washington for urgent White House talks, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
- Attorney Alan Dershowitz is officially leaving the Democratic Party, with the longtime liberal now registering as a Republican
- Virginia voters headed to the polls in a election to decide on a controversial redistricting measure that could shift the state's congressional split to 10-1 in favor of Democrats, with supporters arguing "there has to be a counter balance" to Republican-led efforts in other states
- BDE: R' Berysz Aurbach Z"L, one of the last surviving Jews to have witnessed the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, has passed away at the age of 104 in Melbourne Australia. He made a siyum bechorim every year on Erev Pesach up to this year.
- Ottimo cafe on rt 9 Howell/Lakewood border is currently closed with a new owner and rebranding coming to the location. Feder status
- President Trump calls for someone to buy Spirit Airlines TRUMP: "I don't like having them merge. It's just like all of these aerospace companies." "We used to have hundreds of them. And now we have like a very small number."
- The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is testing new sticker-style E‑ZPass tags to replace traditional windshield transponders. The stickers are cheaper and tamper-proof, and could roll out by late 2026 if testing is successful.
- Commercial real estate firm Avison Young announced that First Priority Group (FPG) signed a 75,000-square-foot industrial lease from Sudler compannies at 1719 Oak St. in Lakewood Township. The move will nearly double its previous space and expand production capacity for emergency vehicles, with occupancy expected in June 2026.
- The summer zman is getting underway at Beth Medrash Govoha with a major upgrade, as seating charts have been computerized to streamline chaburah arrangements across all botei medrashim. The system will notify talmidim of their placements as the yeshiva welcomes hundreds of new students this zman.
- Synagogues across New Jersey are spending millions on security upgrades—such as cameras, guards, and reinforced infrastructure—amid rising antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. While state and federal grants help offset costs, Jewish leaders say funding is still insufficient as institutions balance safety with maintaining an open, welcoming environment.
- Just under 69,000 New Jersey residents dropped their health insurance plans this year following the expiration of federal subsidies that allowed many to obtain coverage for low prices, according to the state Department of Banking and Insurance. Since open enrollment on the state’s marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey, closed on January 31, 68,830 enrollees who initially obtained exchange-traded health plans for 2026 have dropped their coverage, a 14% decline. Additionally, many of those who remained have moved to cheaper plans with higher out-of-pocket costs.(Onejersey schorr)
- Construction is underway for the new Moisha's Supermarket at the former Stop & Shop location in Howell Township. The store is expected to open sometime during the summer, ahead of the busy Yom Tov season, according to “Feder” status updates.
A short distance north on Route 9 in Howell, another kosher market is also set to open, as Ouri's Kosher is expanding with a new location in the former Lidl/Pep Boys building. The chain currently operates stores in New York and Deal, New Jersey.
-Trump: “Never allow the Traitor Democrats like Low IQ person Hakeem Jeffries, or Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, or the totally corrupt Fake News Media such as the phony and decaying Wall Street Journal, the Failing New York Times (Subscriptions way down!), or dying “60 Minutes,” to demean or criticize Operation Midnight Hammer, which totally obliterated the Nuclear Dust locations to the point where bloodthirsty Iran has been unable to get to it, or dig it out. Space Force has cameras on every inch of the 3 sites that were so brilliantly hit last June! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT”
- Assemblyman Avi Schnall said in a podcast interview that it is time for establishment voices to appear on such platforms, arguing that anti-establishment figures often dominate the conversation while representing mainly newer or younger residents who were not part of building Lakewood Township.
He criticized those who complain about traffic, suggesting many of the most vocal critics moved from places like Brooklyn for more affordable housing, and said that increased traffic is a sign of the town’s success. He added that residents moving to nearby towns such as Jackson Township should influence in local development to stop the development and therefore if there will be traffic the blame is on them for their voting choices.
Schnall said the establishment is often taken for granted, pointing to services like LSTA busing, which he described as essential in preventing larger issues. He suggested that if such services like busing were halted even for a month their importance would quickly become clear.
He also criticized “Monday morning quarterbacking” of organizations like Agudah over meetings with NYC mayor Mamdani, saying those critics lack responsibility and achrayus for the broader community and Agudah has to deal with whoever is the mayor
Of course mostly anti establishment voices appear on the podcasts. Those are the ones being hurt and taken advantage of by the original establishers of lakewood. They don't have the civilians in mind they only worry about their own pocket. Hence the overcrowding and numerous other things that go on in this town "unter the tish". Don't cry about LSTA some guy established LSTA cuz he needed a real job!!! The bussing hasn't only gotten worse since LSTA took over just fyi!!
ReplyDeleteYes Avi we realize traffic is a sign of growth but there's a smart way to grow and then a dumb way.... and then we vote for leaders who are supposed to be smart and for some reason growth is happening in the dumbest (by friends for friends naturally). Why isn't traffic front and center of our priorities? Lsta is a great Band-Aid but why can't we work out or at least try to work out to get proper equitable funding so we don't have to pay so much out of pocket. Where's the effort? Let's forget about the past show us what you can do
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI saw this podcast interview and was frustrated by what felt like many lies and distortions. The host, who has never stepped foot in Bais Medrash Govoha, has no real knowledge of what goes on in Lakewood and was unable to ask Avi any tough questions or challenge him.
The traffic framing is not only misleading but also a shameful attempt to downplay a serious issue. It is a slap in the face to every decent person in Lakewood who suffers from it. Even those who grew up in and helped build the town are, in many ways, victims of the resulting strain and what some see as unchecked growth and greed.
Since when is Lakewood affordable for housing, when duplexes are asking around $1.5 million and many families cannot afford to buy homes?
While Avi defended dealing with Mamdani, he had no issue with Agudah attacking President Trump constantly while he was in office, despite his support for the Jewish community.
This interview came across as a PR puff piece filled with distortion and spin, and even the biggest question the so-called free tuition scam that was used as an election talking point was not addressed nor was huis voting record that is in stark contrast with the culture and Torah hashkafa of the Lakewood community . What else can you expect from a politician?
Aguda is run by the Moetzes and ANY and EVERY decision taken by their askanim and shtadlamim was approved by the Moetzes which is Daas Torah, Reb Avi is right that we should criticize them.
ReplyDeleteTypical vaad talking points, instead of apologizing and be נושא בעול they attack the victim more while deflecting the results of their actions
ReplyDeleteWhy are we mainstreaming or giving legitimacy to these podcasters? Many of them have little to no real-life following and largely represent themselves only. They often interview guests with questionable hashkafos who are not figures the community generally looks up to or would trust.
ReplyDeleteIt raises a broader concern about why these platforms are being treated as credible spaces for serious community discussion in the first place.
Like Rav Malach said in yiddish yeder chamor hut a podcast
They are more honest & frank likely than 'official' alternatives. Therefore they are just as legitimate.Or more so.
DeleteThough to be fair don't personally have much familiarity with them.
Give some examples of questionable guests who they have interviewed
Why stop with only the podcasts, the frum media is just as bad and getting worse with filth shmutz and full modern orthodox hashkafos being pushed on the frum world
Delete“Assemblyman Avi Schnall said in a podcast interview that it is time for establishment voices to appear on such platforms, arguing that anti-establishment figures often dominate the conversation while representing mainly newer or younger residents who were not part of building Lakewood Township.”
ReplyDeleteWhy should younger residents not have a voice? Why should their views carry less weight simply because they are newer to the community? And why should a small group of long-established figures—particularly those who may have benefited from the existing system—retain disproportionate influence over the direction of the entire township?
"younger students" who don't donate (or have father-in-laws who donate) have no voice and never had a voice.
Delete“He criticized those who complain about traffic, suggesting many of the most vocal critics moved from places like Brooklyn for more affordable housing, and said that increased traffic is a sign of the town’s success. He added that residents moving to nearby towns such as Jackson Township should influence local development to stop development, and therefore if there is traffic the blame is on them for their voting choices.”
ReplyDeleteHow does moving from Brooklyn mean that they should not care about the quality of life?
The “sign of success” claim is so foolish and low IQ that it is an embarrassment to have to answer it. How does “sign of success” explain why planning committees should allow cul-de-sacs all over town? If they had enacted a rule 20 years ago prohibiting new cul-de-sacs, our quality of life would have increased significantly, with no less profit for developers and no shortage of housing.
Did Reb Avi criticize Agudah?
ReplyDeleteShould we ignore his email to donate to Agudah?
Of course, makes little difference, the big guy$ are the ones who really count.
“Schnall said the establishment is often taken for granted, pointing to services like LSTA busing, which he described as essential in preventing larger issues. He suggested that if such services like busing were halted even for a month, their importance would quickly become clear.”
ReplyDeleteLSTA is another example. The state was legally obligated to provide busing; LSTA did not create that obligation. What they have done, however, is insert themselves into the process in ways that have created additional problems.
The alternative to LSTA is not “no busing,” but efficient busing. Nobody is suggesting that busing be stopped. Rather, there should be better updates, clearer schedules, and stronger oversight—especially given that this is funded with public money.
Or let the schools run it, including the responsibilities.
DeleteOf course, they don't want it, unless it's very lucrative for them. Like in Brooklyn, or like the chassidishe schools here (where everything is built on the Brooklyn model.)
It's easy to go on a podcast and not get questioned by the public while you criticize the public
ReplyDeleteWhat a phony.
ReplyDelete“Monday morning quarterbacking” of organizations like Agudah
Same what Agudah some months ago stated against re:Satmar??
Virtaully All those who built/destroyed this Township came after my family
ReplyDeleteincluding obvs big little Schnall
We Hate who conquered & took over as the "establishment"!
"Avi Schnall said in a podcast interview that it is time for establishment voices to appear on such platforms, arguing that anti-establishment figures often dominate the conversation while representing mainly newer or younger residents who were not part of building Township."
Avos 2:7
AVI- WE NEED TO FIX THE FORMULA
ReplyDeleteGaslighting.Of the worst pernicious sort
ReplyDeleteAS is well aware " the most vocal critics" are the long term residents ,not the newer arrivals,yet he spun it on a dime
The new restaurant is called Brick & Basil and should be amazing!
ReplyDeleteI asked the Mayor and Committee People the following :
ReplyDelete"Route 9 at the lake is the worst bottleneck in the town and can cost the average driver 30 minutes in traffic. There is a simple fix. I suggested it to the State of NJ Highway Authority, but they said that it needs to be done on the local level .
If you build walking bridges along Route 9 at the lake, this will give enough space to convert the sidewalks currently there, into regular roadway, so that you can have 4 lanes from the Lake through the area just past 7 - Eleven.
While this wouldn't fix the problem entirely, it would open up northbound traffic significantly, and it will also help somewhat for southbound traffic, further up the road.
Is this something you would consider?"
Mayor Coles responded that this is something they suggested to DOT but the DOT is dragging it's feet. If people want this easy fix to happen they should contact local and state officials (maybe Chris Smith). Maybe we can make this a community project to pressure officials to get the DOT to take this seriously?