Weather: 84° Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%
- Lakewood Boys elementary yeshivos begin cheder tomorrow.
- Trump: I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL! The great Keystone XL Pipeline, long ago killed by Sleepy Joe Biden, may be awoken from the grave! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
- BDE Petirah of Rebbetzin, Sarah Rochel Yisraelzon, a”h, daughter of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, and the almana of HaRav Yosef Yisrael Yisraelzon, zt”l, she fell Ill this week and was niftar at the age of 93.
- Trump moves to accelerate development of psychedelic drug ibogaine as a treatment for serious mental illness, particularly among veterans.
- GroupMe is ending its two-way SMS service. Starting August 17, 2026, users will gradually receive a 7-day notice before group messages stop coming by text. After that, users will need the GroupMe app or website to participate in groups. Verification texts and invitations will still work.
- After 44 years, the remains of Sgt. First Class Yehuda Katz, who went missing during the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon, have been recovered and returned to Israel. Katz was one of three Israeli soldiers who disappeared in the battle. The remains of his fellow soldiers Zachary Baumel and Zvi Feldman were recovered in 2019 and 2025, respectively. The IDF says Katz’s remains were located in an operation led by Military Intelligence with Mossad assistance and were positively identified before being returned for burial.
- Giyus: Israel’s Attorney General’s Office says Charedim still account for about 80% of draft evaders, despite an increase in Charedi enlistment. The office is calling for stronger enforcement, including economic sanctions and arrests, arguing that expanding the army is an urgent security need.
- Scientific study reveals TikTok videos deactivate key cognitive brain regions.
- 24 six Jewish music platform increases monthly premiums starting in September.
- FBI data for 2025 shows that Jews were the victims of 1,528 religion-based hate crimes, representing 63% of all religion-based hate crimes in the U.S. Muslims were next with 205 incidents. Overall hate crimes against Jews decreased from 2024, but Jews remained disproportionately targeted relative to their population size.
- One of the East Coast’s largest artificial intelligence data center projects is moving forward with its second phase after a controversial vote in New Jersey late Monday. The Vineland Planning Board voted 8-1 to approve the next phase of the massive DataOne campus after a meeting that stretched past 11 p.m. following hours of expert testimony and public comment.
- NJ Assemblyman Paul Kanitra: Our new report on the size, scope and cost of illegal immigration in NJ is now out. We’ve found a state so hopelessly compromised that we’ve officially requested federal intervention from the DOJ, DHS and House Judiciary Committee.
A staggering 8.2 Billion is being spent every single year on 737,000 illegal invaders in New Jersey. And it’s costing each of you $1,700 a year! If you rent, you can add another $1,000 annually onto that figure from illegals driving up housing costs. What’s even crazier is this is all despite an overall drop in illegals due to deportations.
- OHI and Wellpoint are hosting a free Back-to-School Community Day on Thursday, August 20, from 9:30 AM–12:30 PM at the Wellpoint Storefront, 100 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, NJ. Families can receive free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last), plus glucose, blood pressure, and vision screenings and information about OHI services. Fulfill NJ will also distribute food from 10:30–11:30 AM
- LPD Traffic Alert: New Central Ave closed between Gudz Rd & Miller Rd due to a motor vehicle accident with a downed utility pole and wires. Avoid the area.
Not surprised about TikTok
ReplyDeleteWhat about WhatsApp?!?!?!?
Pretty shocking how the frum olam in Lakewood normalized WhatsApp — forget about the shmutz. We became a zombie society addicted to our phones, while allowing unknown “influencers” to shape our hashkafa!!
Putting aside the scary allegations against some of these group members — this open acceptance of WhatsApp and smartphones is precisely what the Mashgiach foresaw in 2012. It’s scary, scary times.
I think everyone foresaw it then. It wasn't a secret that the internet was taking over.
DeleteHe foresaw that an organization like TAG would be a solution, and the question is still out there about that.
I think we should have another three organizations like that, and they can compete. I also think that forcing people to follow guidelines doesn't work and never will. I also think that people have to be honest about things - don't talk up a storm without living that way. If those who write and talk against AI will never use AI, we can listen to them. But now that everyone listening knows they are not serious, they have no influence at all.
Exactly the watsapp social media addiction is out of control and the administrators push bad middos and warped hashkafa along with the news and make media click bate rants that have desensitized people's ability to think straight
DeleteWhatsapp news groups are terrible but Yated's Matzav is perfectly kosher....
DeleteWhat will the frum velt do without SMS texts?
ReplyDeletewill this shut down the shul texting groups
Agreeing with problem. What might be solutions? Even tough solutions?
ReplyDeleteYeshivos and mosdos should not support it by advertising
DeleteHave some self control and leave
This needs to stop already. This is absolutely ridiculous. Boys need to be in camp until September 1st. Yeshivos and chadarim need to start September first. Enough with boys being home for a week and then school half day for a week and paying for busing with parents losing their parnasa, not to mention their minds. It is crazy and stupid and needs to stop already.
ReplyDeleteSo move to Passaic we start September 1st!
DeleteWhere at Har Sinai was this date called September 1 given?
DeleteIt's ridiculous that schools will start so soon before Rosh Hashana. Our tzibur is big enough; we need to have a Jewish year. Want to give two months off in the summer? Give Tamuz and Av. Why should the meshugassn of NY obligate us?
At least if the boys are starting which has created havoc in this town there should be an afternoon program. Call it yeshiva camp or whatever you want but the schedule is insane making people lose parnassa amd making parents pay and pay and pay some more. Whoever came up with this absolutely brilliant idea will have to answer for all the agmas nefesh they caused 1000s of parents
ReplyDeleteAs long as it dosent effect the power players and the decision makers nothing will change. That's how the world goes. They make takanos on the sheep while it dosent apply to them.
DeleteWhat about shulchan aruch? Does it apply to the ir hatorah? There's a complete section called hilchos melamdim which specifies when children can have off from school. Why doesn't any School even feel the need to explain themselves why they're giving off?? What about the educational aspect of having children running the streets up to who knows what hanging out
ReplyDeleteYou missed the complaint.
DeleteThey are worried about schools being open, not closed.
Updated link for a GroupMe petition https://www.change.org/keepgroupmesms
ReplyDelete