Wednesday April 29 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Today 61° Overcast. tonight Rain. Low 47F Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall is possible

Update: Benji from Smash House with a strong message after some stories circulated around social media.watch video Here 

 he said Smash House is intended as a family-oriented restaurant, not a teen hangout. He noted that hours will not run late Thursday night until 2am but close 12am, and security has been hired to prevent loitering. for now it will be closed motzei shabbos until things are figured out.

Addressing recent concerns, about a mix-up involving a non-kosher order, corrections were made and the kosher status on Uber Eats has been updated, while customers are expected to verify proper hashgacha indicators on delivery and look for simanim that the hashgacha makes them do.

He added that menu listings were also adjusted, including removing "cheese" labels even for vegan items, and emphasized that the goal is to serve the Lakewood community respectfully. He apologized for any confusion and said the store aims to provide a positive experience for the community.

- Giyus: AG Gali Baharav-Miara ruled that yeshivas whose students do not comply with military draft orders will no longer be eligible for tax-exempt donations, arguing that such benefits indirectly support draft evasion. In a filing to the High Court of Justice, she said the state cannot continue financially supporting these institutions. However, implementation will take time, with the Finance Ministry given until May 28 to outline how the policy will be carried out. Frum knesset members strongly condemned her actions accusing her of waging a “war” against the Torah world and the Haredi community.

- Giyus: A bochur from Yeshivas Banecha Shavim was arrested earlier this week and sentenced to 20 days in military prison. His Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yehuda Menachem said he was taken from his home early in the morning, leaving his family unaware for a full day of where he was, and described him as gentle and unprepared for detention. The yeshiva is supporting the family and organizing tefillos for his release.

- The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged, remains at 3.50% - 3.75%. Market reacted with a small pump after the announcement.

-  Yartzeit of Rav Meir Ben Yehuda Feist Z"L a early talmid of Lakewood yeshiva who didnt leave over any children the bnei hayeshiva are asked to learn mishnayos for his neshama

- Gas prices shoot up by 30 cents with an average of $4.30 a gallon in Lakewood area 

- Giyus protests continue today at the entrance to Yerushalayim following the arrests of 2 yeshiva bochurim this week by IDf military police sprayed skunk water and tear gas at the protestors.

Yesterday 12 bochurim were arrested for protesting in Ashkelon and trespassing into the courtyard of a Military officer who is in charge of the enforcement on yeshiva bochurim 

- Adirei haTorah registration begins today for talmidei Hayeshiva ahead of the 5th annual maamad amudei Olam adirei hatorah that will take place in Philadelphia 

- The Keren Olam HaTorah campaign will continue for a third year following budget cuts to yeshivos mandated by Israel’s High Court. Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch will lead the delegation as they travel globally to raise funds for Israeli yeshivos. The first stop is scheduled for South America in the coming weeks, including a new visit to Argentina, following last week’s visit by Javier Milei to Chevron Yeshiva.

- The Lakewood planning board approved a new housing development along Route 9 in the Oak & Vine area. A resident raised concerns about how it might impact any future expansion of Route 9, but the board said a revised plan reduced by one unit addresses those concerns. As part of the approval, the development will also be limited to one basement entrance instead of two.

- Outdoor dining is officially open at CharQ restaurant in Lakewood overlooking the golf course at Eagle Ridge 

- Viva La Dough French bakery and cafe soft opening 1700 Madison Ave Lakewood at GG plaza 

- Lakewood area at over 100 restaurants and counting 

- The chief rabbi of England has told BBC News that visibly Jewish people are not safe on British streets after the attack in Golders Green. "I'm sad to say that today's event proves that if you are visibly Jewish you're not safe, and far more needs to be done," says Sir Ephraim Mervis

- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill will attend the wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City later this afternoon, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla also expected to participate.

- FAAnews insider rent scheme? lawsuit claims Jackson Township ordinance was written by politically connected residents to benefit themselves more 

- Officials in Jackson Township proposed a 2026 municipal budget that maintains current spending while expanding services, despite rising costs. Mayor Jennifer Kuhn said the plan boosts services like sanitation, snow removal, parks, and policing while preserving fiscal stability. However, the school tax may increase. 

- Jackson Township is increasing enforcement against illegal use of e-bikes, scooters, and other motorized vehicles in parks due to safety concerns and property damage.

Officials say the activity is already banned under existing laws, and the focus now is on stricter enforcement, added signage, and public awareness.

- James Comey Former FBI Director has surrendered to law enforcement at federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia today.

- Ocean township,NJ has placed a for-sale sign at the Logan Road school, the former Hillel day school the town purchased seven years following contentious zoning board hearings where a group sought to turn the school into a mesivta bais medrash with dorm rooms. APP reports Single-family houses will likely become its future use. The school and property will be sold at public auction. the starting price is $2.75 million.

- The DOJ released new images of Cole Allen, who attempted to assassinate President Trump. Here is a mirror selfie he took about 30 minutes before charging past the magnetometers.

- New Jersey Education Association issued a public statement on April 24, calling Lakewood's potential paraprofessional layoffs disrespectful and saying that reducing their hours or benefits disregards the value they bring to public schools. The district's presentation shows paraprofessional benefits cost nearly $6.4 million annually and proposals under consideration include shorter work weeks, no health benefit eligibility and outsourcing.

 Meanwhile NJ Schools in Free Fall: Layoffs, Closures, Tax Hikes Hit 10+ Districts more 

- Today is the Yartzeit of the Brother of Reb Shayala of Kerestirer, Rav Yehuda Tzvi Steiner ZTL, he is buried in Staten Island at The Baron Hirsch cemetery 2 minutes off the SI Expressway going to Brooklyn or coming back to Lakewood. It is said over that Reb Shayala appeared in a dream and told someone that you can go daven at my brothers kever in New York and will be helped just as if you came to me in Kerestir. The address for GPS is 1125 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. Exit 7 off the SI expressway. The kever is located on second street and avenue c in the Bais Hachaim a 5 minute walk from the entrance. Volunteers are on hand guiding the public to the tziyun there is hot food and refreshments for those visiting it will be open for 24 hours.This event will take place tonight from shkiah until shkiah tomorrow at the society grounds of Hungarian Brotherly Love Yehuda Yorkville, in section F8 

- Miron proposal, for Lag Baomer each designated section at Meron will be limited to crowds of up to 1,500 participants at a time. These areas will be spaced apart and properly organized, including the Rashbi kever, the Bnei Akiva complex, Moshav Meron, and the expanded celebration zone known as compound 89. Visitors will be admitted in staggered time slots lasting up to two hours. Capacity limits will factor in required safety perimeters to ensure that crowd control measures remain effective throughout the day. Davening, dancing, bonfires, and hospitality setups will take place across multiple locations to help distribute attendees and minimize overcrowding. Organizers say the aim is to maintain the spirit of the traditional celebration while adhering to current safety restrictions.