Thursday October 8 News Updates

Weather: Sunny. High 77F. Winds

Rosh chodesh Cheshvan is Sunday & Monday 

- At tonight’s Lakewood Township Committee meeting, members of the heimishe communitie logged in and expressed concern about changes to the current shuttle bus system. The mayor explained that state regulations no longer allow municipal workers to be paid with UEZ funds for this service. The township is seeking state approval to bring in another transit company to expand and improve the service, including personalized pickups instead of fixed bus schedules. The plan still requires state, UEZ, and township approval.

- BMG will be opening a Bais Medrash in Jackson for this coming winter zman with a chabura learning maseches Berachos.

- Hundreds of bichurim at Hachnosas Sefer Torah in Bais Yitzchok Bais Medrash this afternoon 

- Agudath of New Jersey is calling on New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to opt the state into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, which could provide thousands of dollars in additional tuition assistance annually to families sending their children to yeshivos and other private schools.

- Millions along the Gulf Coast are facing a potentially dangerous hurricane threat, with forecasts warning of storm surge reaching 7 feet and winds up to 75 mph. Fox weatherreports that roughly 30 million Americans are in the potential impact zone as residents from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle prepare for heavy rainfall, flash flooding and possible power outages. Forecasters warn that 5 to 8 inches of rain could fall, with coastal flooding posing a particularly serious threat. Rain Sunday in New Jersey. 

- President Trump just posted that the blockade stays, the oil is moving, and the U.S WILL NOT STRIKE Iran until after the Midterms. “We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran. I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily. “and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait (22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!)” “we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”

- Giyus: Major protests against the arrest of yeshiva bochurim began Thursday afternoon in Yerushalayim and Gush Dan, causing heavy traffic on major roads. Police blocked Route 4 southbound near Bnei Brak, while near the entrance to Yerushalayim, there were reports of an attempted vehicle ramming during the protest with police using stun gernades. Police brutality on display beating an avreich mercilessly and a policewoman was seen dragging a bochur by his tzitzis.

Thousands of bochurim and avreichim are participating, following the call of their Gedolim and rebbeim.

Israeli media pundits have also called out Degel HaTorah and Shas party's for their silence as yeshiva bochurim are being arrested in their homes. They point out that just a few months ago, as the elections approached, the Yated Ne'eman ran a front-page call for a “war” against the draft. Now, they say, there is silence.

- More than 70 million U.S. children are now enrolled in Trump Accounts, special tax-advantaged investment accounts for kids, But it will be up to parents to activate those accounts and claim any federal seed money on the Trump account APP. The $1,000 in seed money is not automatically deposited under the auto-enrollment process. Parents or guardians will still have to request the money and claim their child’s account before they can make a deposit. Accounts are set up by filing Form 4547 with the IRS with taxes or at any time during the year. The IRS estimates it takes five to 10 minutes to establish an account.

- A Hachnosas Sefer Torah will take place today in memory of 3 Lakewood yeshiva bochurim who were killed in a tragic car accident last year, Dovid Yitzy Handler Z"L ,Chaim Zelig Berl Z"L, Refoel Faham Z"L will take place today 45pm Thursday in BMG with kesivas oisiyos in the Maarav B"M from 2:15 -4:15 With a procession to Bais Yittzchok across the street,followed by a seuda in Lake Terrace hall 8:45 pm.

- Courtesy busing reinstaed for non mandated public school students while Yeshiva and private school children must pay $700  per child to LSTA. Lakewood public schools reverse course on courtesy busing after protests. The Board of Education this week reinstated  “courtesy” busing to more than 300 public school students who had lost the free service last month after dozens of parents and students demanded the action at Wednesday's board meeting. In a unanimous 9-0 vote, the board agreed to fund the non-mandated service at a cost of $245,000. The transportation will be provided for 307 students. APP Reports.

 This comes on top of a record property tax increase on Lakewood residents that just went into effect costing another 700-900 a year.

- Chanukas Habayis today of Bais Medrash Chasdei Avos in Jackson at 922 Hyson Rd dedicated By the Stern family. Beginning with a Hachnosas Sefer Torah at 5:30 pm followed by Maariv and a seuda.

- Lakewood township committee meeting today 5:30 pm watch livestream Here see Agenda Here 

On the agenda Lakewood township is asking to use up to $4 million of its existing UEZ funds to improve local transportation. The proposal would combine Lakewood’s current fixed-route shuttle system with a new on-demand microtransit service is basically a small public shuttle that you request when you need a ride, rather than waiting for a bus that follows a set route and schedule. There's no money for courtesy busing Though.

- TAG Lakewood is now blocking Internet in cars! We have set up dedicated resources to help provide solutions to the tzibbur as Internet in cars becomes more and more commonplace.

There is now a dedicated information line for cars: 732.952.4TAG (824). You can find out if your car has Internet or speak to a TAG representative to find out what options are available for your car. A representative is available from 12:30-4:30PM Monday-Thursday. Otherwise, leave a message and someone will return your call. You can also email cars@tag.org to get more information, or sign up below to receive updates

- New Jerseyans see state becoming less affordable, poll says. No real difference between Democrats and Republicans in new Rutgers-Eagleton poll. Affordability problems worsen in New Jersey, with a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll released this morning finds 65% struggle with housing costs and 77% give state economy poor or fair ratings. New Jersey’s affordability problems are getting worse, with majorities of residents struggling to pay for housing, food, transportation and health care and more describing those expenses as very difficult to afford.(NJGlobe)

- Today marks the 1st Yartzeit of the four yeshiva bochurim who were killed in a tragic car accident on the NJ Turnpike .

Habachur Shlomo Abba Cohen Z”L

Habachur Chaim Simcha Grossman Z"L 

Habachur Yaakov Kilberg Z"L 

Habachur Aharon Nosson Lebovits Z"L