Rabbi will Continue to Hold Services Despite Arrest for Violating Coronavirus Rules

“It looked like a scene out of a horror movie. I don’t condone the congregants yelling ‘Nazi’ and ‘gestapo,’ but it certainly reminded me of that,” Knopfler said. The ordeal was terrifying for the worshipers, including 13 children, Knopfler said, adding that his 17-year-old son was threatened with pepper spray.
"I don’t care about what officers say, they have no right to be in his backyard. It’s not Nazi Germany, it’s New Jersey,” Christopher Ferrara, a lawyer with the Thomas More Society who is representing Knopfler in the civil case, told NJ Advance Media.

- NJ Advanced Media- ' The rabbi accused of violating Governor Murphy’s executive order against gatherings said he will continue to hold religious services in his backyard, despite his recent arrest.

“Absolutely,” Lakewood Rabbi Yisrael Knopfler said to NJ Advance Media on continuing to hold Orthodox Jewish prayer services in the backyard of his home. Knopfler is part of a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey over the ban on religious gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, which he says unconstitutionally targets religions.
Knopfler, 44, was holding a ceremony with a large bonfire in his backyard Monday night when he was arrested for allegedly violating Executive Order 107, which bans groups of ten or more. He was also charged with resisting arrest and obstructing, court records show. Knopfler told NJ Advance Media there were about 40 people in his backyard for the ceremony, which he characterized as a "very harmless affair” with social distancing measures in place.

Wednesday May 13 News Updates Lakewood

        Donate to Corona Campaigns almost $18 Million raised for 58 Families
- Maariv/Sefiras Haomer   היום חמשה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות לעומר/בעומר

-Live shiurim on Bnei Torah phone line 646-726-9977
 8:45 pm Practical Halacha lmaaseh Rav Shlomo Stein
 9:30 pm Harav Shmuel Felder  on Kol Isha
10:05 Divrei Chizuk the Mashgiach Harav Don Segal shlita

 - Lakewood Township will receive $11,770,110  for Covid-19 School Funding for education for k-12 from the CARES  $13.2 billion in emergency relief funds. Township officials can disperse the money at they see fit as long that it complies with the laws. Other townships will receiving funding on a smaller scale, Toms River Regional $1,681,633, Brick Township $980,498, Jackson Township $680,936

- NPR: Jewish Americans Say They Are Scapegoated For The Coronavirus Spread -"Yet there's a pattern of specifically highlighting Jewish offenders. In Lakewood, N.J., where early on in the pandemic police made arrests at large Jewish gatherings, a local news station reported that a school bus was carrying children to a Jewish school that was open, illegally. The reporter later acknowledged that the bus was just delivering food to homebound families."

- Ocean Health Initiatives will be partnering with Chemed Health to offer COVID-19 and Antibody testing in Lakewood. Please call (732) 363-6655 to schedule your appointment.

-Bingo Lakewood/BP teams up with Mesamchei Lev offering support for the upcoming Yom tov of Shavuos promotions in effect from May 13 - May 28 no pre- orders necessary

-Lakewood:18 new cases total 2050, deaths 116, Toms River 1333/102, Brick 971/93, Jackson 740/34
- List of officials who sought to 'unmask' Flynn released: Biden, Comey, Obama chief of staff among them
- NJ Dept of Health  is investigating 18 children who possibly have pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, which is likely linked to COVID19.
-LPD motorcycle unit joined in on a memorial venture to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC.
-Viznitz Rebbe of Bnei Brak Met last night with Prime Minister Netanyahu at his home to keep status Quo before approving coalition agreement with the Agudah faction of UTJ
-ShabbosBox available from private vendors here or  email  Greenwaldathome2020@gmail.com
-Upper Crust Todd Plaza now offering Dairy Shavuos in a Box for $99
-Village cafe Lakewood with curbside pickup Pie of pizza for $12 order now 732-905-7411
-Murphy: The data we are seeing gives us confidence that we can begin the restart of our economy – to get people back to work, and set the stage for the steps to come. Gatherings of vehicles, such as drive-in movies or church services, are not a violation of my order prohibiting mass gatherings, as long as all participants remain in cars. If vehicles are closer than six ft apart, all windows, sunroofs, convertible tops must remain closed.
-New Jersey 141,560  corona cases and 9,702 deaths including 197 fatalities overnight.
-Murphy: Today, I will sign an Executive Order, effective 6:00 AM Monday, May 18, 2020:
Allow the restart of non-essential construction
Allow non-essential retail stores to reopen for curbside pickup only
Permit drive-through and drive-in events under social distancing guidelines

-Murphy expected to make statement about Religious services also expected to reopen non-essential retail stores for curbside pickup, and drive-thru attractions, which could include religious services. (NJ Globe)

-Coronavirus numbers in Eretz Yisrael:
Confirmed cases 16,539 only 13 new cases over the past 24 hours.
death toll stands at 262, up four since Tuesday morning.
61 patients are in serious condition 51 of whom are on ventilators.
12,173 people have recovered from the virus, baruch Hashem, while 4,104 are still sick. (Hamodia)

-In regard to the extra EBT benefits of $416 for the K-12 students. Please know that this program is for both EBT eligible and non-EBT eligible students. It is a temporary program called "P-EBT" (pandemic). Parents who already have cards will automatically receive the extra funds in their accounts. Parents who are not already receiving benefits will have special P-EBT cards mailed to their home address for use on behalf of their children. The schools will only be involved in providing the necessary information to the USDA about their non-EBT students.
[See Section 1101 of the FFCRA, P.L. 116-127, aka The Families First Coronavirus Response Act]
(Submitted via comment)

Oif Simchas י''ט אייר תש''פ

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Lakewood BOE Meeting Today

The Lakewood Board of Education will hold a virtual public meeting tonight May 13 watch live stream HERE at 7:30 pm
see agenda HERE
Some  Items on agenda

Important Points Regarding the New Pediatric Condition

From a Local pediatrician sent to his patients recently

Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome
But, as you may well have heard, over the last few weeks a new, potentially serious pediatric condition has emerged that caught doctors by surprise. The new formal name of the condition is “Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with COVID-19.” News reports have mistakenly called it "Kawasaki Disease."

Important Points Regarding the New Pediatric Condition

• It is rare.
• It is most probably an after-effect of the COVID-19 illness.
• It is not contagious and does not spread from person to person.
• Although it is a potentially serious condition, most children who
have had it have done well.

First, it is important to know that this condition is still rare. While many children with this condition have been hospitalized, and some required intensive care, the good news is that, to date, most children have done well.

This mysterious condition has presented with different patterns of illness. The common feature of this condition is a long-lasting high fever in a child
who feels and looks ill.

Photo: Shiur Klali in Social Distancing Era

The Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovez Rav Berel Povarsky shlita  delivers a shiur in his yard with social distancing  (Photo: Shuki Lerer)

Great American Jewish Cities: Crown Heights

Jewish History Soundbites With Yehuda Geberer
One of the many Brooklyn neighborhoods that was a center of diverse Jewish life for decades, Crown Heights is also unique in many ways. From its pre war days and the first JCC in America, to the influx of Chassidic Jews in the post war, it boasted a variety of shuls, shtiebels and schools.
Bobov, Skulen, Novominsk, Radzin, Yeshiva of Eastern Parkway and Kollel Gur Aryeh were just some of the many groups and institutions who had a presence in the bustling neighborhood.
With the arrival of the Rayatz of Lubavitch in the United States in 1940, Chabad headquarters were

Oif Simchas Lag Baomer תש''פ

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Tuesday Lag Baomer 5780 News Updates Lakewood

                                תורתו מגן לנו היא מאירת עינינו ימליץ טוב בעדנו רבי שמעון בר יוחאי
-Weather: Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High around 60F

-Hatzolah- thon raises $14.4 million in 24 hours on lag Baomer United for Protection campaign a total 79732 donors. Lakewood Hatzolah leads fundraising with $1.9 Million

-The Young Israel of Deerfield Beach in Florid express disgust in a letter against  some of its mispalelim who blatantly violated the Shul policy by davening in a private minyan on shabbos calling it a rogue Minyan. The shul said that the members who participated  will be stripped of any current positions in the shul and denied any forms of kibudim including aliyos, balei kriah, Shluchei Tzibur and  magidei shiur. (see on Matzav)

-Lakewood numbers: 2032/112, Toms River 1301/91, Brick  964/92, Jackson 734/36
- Jackson council begins process to  repeal  Jackson dorm ban ordnance but residents online complained they want a proper public hearing next time so they can be there physically they asked what is the rush now. The next meeting is scheduled for May 25th which will probably take place virtualy,
-Maariv/Sefiras Haomer היום ארבעה ושלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות וששה ימים לעומר/בעומר
-9:00 pm,
- Second round of Stimulus checks coming under new bill proposed The bill would provide another $1,200 payment to every American, up to $6,000 per household.
- 7:30 pm Night Seder America special Lag Baomer program ZOOM  ID: 8970634419 or 71913589090 (Password for both is 5780)  Call in option  929-436-2866 followed by 8970634419  or 929-205-6099 followed by second meeting id  (Pirchei Aguda)
- Hatzolah-Thon Live HERE
-Lakewood Fire District Meeting 7:00 pm watch live here
-Dr, Fauci: You'll Still Be Homeschooling Your Kids This Fall he said on Tuesday morning that a return to school in the fall "would be a bit of a bridge too far," during a Senate Committee hearing.

- VaHashayvosa Foundation Live Lag Ba'omer Event 6:30 pm Livestream HERE
-Lag Baomer drive thru event at Bais Tova 555 Oak street 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Live Music, Pekelach

-Jackson township will repeal the 2 ordinances that banned the construction of schools and dormitories  The township council will meet tonight  Tuesday and to vote on two new ordinances repealing the original bans,  see Agenda HERE the Meeting is at 6:00 pm on Zoom HERE

-Murphy: Assuming the curves continue to go in the right direction, the administration would “gently, to begin to reopen things.”New Jersey will not take a regional approach when it comes time to lift restrictions, Murphy said, citing the population density in the Garden State.

Monday May 11/2020 News Updates Lakewood

Donate to Corona Campaigns $18 Million donated to 58 Mishpachos

-Tehillim Avigdor Sasson Meir Ben Rochel Leah, Rav Gellerman in critical condition

 יהי רצון מלפניך שומע קול בכיות שתשים דמעותינו בנאדך להיות ותצילנו מכל גזרות אכזריות כי לך לבד עינינו תלויות
(Tefilas בה'ב)

- Maariv/Sefiras Haomer היום שלשה ושלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות וחמשה ימים לעומר/בעומר

-Chasunas: With NJ/NY restrictions still in place people are looking at other states with eased restrictions such a Pennsylvania
- Following Hadlaks in Meah Shearim and Botei Ungarin neighborhoods with huge crowds Prime Minister Netanyahu instructs  Israeli police to dispersed the crowds and vowed strict enforcement.
-Lag Baomer Chizuk truck will ride around the streets of Far Rockaway tonight 7:45-9:45 pm
- 6:45 pm - Reciting of Tehilim by Tenokos Shel Beis Raban with opening Divrei Chizuk by R’ Aaron Burstowsky on Bnei Torah phone line  646-726-9977

- The Vaad HaRabbonim of Greater Cleveland authorized yard minyanim on a pilot basis, beginning on Lag B’Omer only for Mincha/Maariv with restrictions. Block captains  will create specific groups of no more than 10-12 people, to attend only the minyan designated to them.
- Pennsylvania Sheriffs are denouncing Governor Tom Wolf’s orders to turn business owners into criminals. Cumberland County Sheriff Ronny Anderson says “I have no intentions of turning local business owners into criminals.” Resistance is growing against unconstitutional orders from Democrat governors around the country.
-Governor Murphy hinted he may announce more dates for lifted restrictions by the end of the week.
-NJ State police colnel clarifies Drive-by wave parades don’t violate coronavirus rules if you stay in cars, don’t congregate. A Lakewood family was charged a few weeks ago for a similar drive by
-NJ Senator Declan O'Scanlon explains his earlier tweet calling for a rebellion against Murphy's locksown: I'm obviously not calling for mass insurrection...but if the Governor doesn’t responsibly move soon the economic devastation we inflict will be irreversible.
- Latest NJ: 139,945 cases 9310 deaths including 55 in last 24 hours but Murphy says numbers may lag because of weekend reporting. Decreasing number of hospitalizations but data is incomplete.
-Occasional rain and HAIL expected in Lakewood  from 1:15 -2:00 PM
- Divrei Zikaron tonight 2nd yartzeit of Rav Nachum Eisenstein ztl former  rov of Forest Park shul. Divrei Hesped at 8:00 pm by Harav Uri Deutsch shlita, Rav Shacne Sommers shlita, Rav Akiva Brun son in law, on Zoom ID 829 5016 0778 Pin:940405 or call in 312-626-6799 or 646-558-8656 same ID
-Live stream Lag Baomer in Miron HERE
-Local Police departments drive by solute the workers at Kimball hospital in Lakewood HERE
-NJ Gov Murphy spoke with Israel's President Rivlin who expressed solidarity as they fight coronavirus. and  the governors combating antisemitism and commitment to the Jewish community,
-Tehilas Chaya Sarah on Cross street giving 5 day lunch boxes from 1-2 pm
- Yarchei Kallah Shiur: 12:00PM Rav Chaim Meir Roth on עיונים בעיקר וטפל bracha on Cheesecake on zoom here or by phone call 1646-558-8656 log in #83528677424
-Israel allows kollelim to reopen maximum 15 people they must check temperature before entering and keep 6 feet distance
-Orthodox communities donate Plasma: Lakewood residents make up about a third of the 320

Lag Baomer 5780 Virtual Events

Shiurim on Bnei Torah phone line Call  646-726-9977
-9:30 pm - Shiur בעניני ל״ג בעומר by HaRav Uren Reich Shlita
-10:15 pm - Shiur בעניני ל״ג בעומר by HaRav Uri Deutch Shlita

(Consult with your LOR regarding listening to music before the morning)
- 8:30 pm Hatzolah- Thon live stream Lag Baomer concert event  HERE. At 8:30pm Lag B'Omer Celebration with Shmueli Ungar, 9:30PM - An Inspirational Journey with Avraham Fried, 10:30PM - Chazan Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, 11:00PM - Kumzitz with Boruch Levine and Rabbi Jacobson

-8:45 pm Aish Kodesh Rav Moshe Weinberger Lag Baomer with Eitan Katz, R' Joey Newcomb Zusha watch live HERE or  HERE
-10:30 pm Live with Reb Yossie Zakutinsky and Reb Joey Newcomb on Zoom HERE 95097963496

Covid Update, Outdoor Activities

from a Lakewood Pediatrician to his patients

The COVID-19 illness situation is far better now than it has been. At the same time, we have many thousands of people in our kehilla who have come through this Pandemic not infected by the virus, still not immune to the virus, and still vulnerable to infection by it. This includes hundreds of entire families as well as the many elderly or other high-risk individuals who effectively secluded themselves during the entire Pandemic.

Livestream: Hadlaka in Miron with Boyaner Rebbe

(Sefira reminder music) to watch on Vimeo click here or below

Video: Our Gedolim Of The Past

News Updates Sunday May 10, 2020 Lakewood

Weather: sunshine. High 62F rest of week will be in the 60's
-High Pollen allergy level in Lakewood today at 9.7
-Maariv/Sefiras Haomer היום שנים ושלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות וארבעה ימים לעומר/בעומר

- Mincha/ shkiah 8:01 pm

-Lakewood cases 2006/111, Toms River 1307/98 Brick 956/90, Jackson 723/33 Manchester 575/70
-Yidden travel to Miron taking advantage before Lag Baomer when it will be closed to the public.
- Nordstrom will be permanently closing 16  stores permanetly, including the Nordstrom store at Freehold Raceway mall in response to the impacts of COVID19.
-Jersey Shore University Medical Center on May 6, celebrated the discharge of it's 500th patient from Covid19
 -Those who go to the kever of Reb Naftulcheh of Bobov on Lag Baomer,the cemetery will be closed and frozen zones set up at the perimeter to prevent large gathering. South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management announced the closure of the Washington and Floral Park cemeteries for Lag BaOmer, when thousands normally turn out to pray at the grave site of the former Bobover Rebbe: Deans Rhode Hall Road in South Brunswick, will be closed to traffic on Monday and Tuesday, for Lag BaOmer. (Reporter  S Schorr)

Live: Hatzolah of Central Jersey Campaign

Letter from Doctors: Antibodies Does Not confirm Immunity

A group of Lakewood Physicians write letter to remain vigilant on social distancing and not relax the  rules even if tested with anti bodies for covid19

Motzei Shabbos May 9 News Updates Lakewood

Donate to the CoronaCampaigns $17.5 million raised for 57 families

- CARES Act funding to the Lakewood Resource and Referral Center/CHEMED received additional  $819,484 for corona testing a total so far of $2,191,100 for chemed from various grants. OHI in Lakewood also received an additional $575,404 totaling $1,848,236 in grants since covid19.

- Dr. Anthony Fauci, member of the White House coronavirus task force will do a “modified” self-quarantine after two White House staffers, a  valet to the president, and Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller, tested positive for coronavirus.
-Those with NJ SNAP benefits up for renewal in March or April and due in May or June have been extended for 6 months.
-Agudah issues a Roadmap HERE for safely reopening our kehilos -Klal Yisroel is wonderfully diverse. However, the rabbonim of each city or community should communicate and collaborate with
each other and with local, respected infectious disease doctors and medical professionals.
Phase 1 begons After 14 days with positive metrics Local and state governments have allowed this practice Confirmed 14 day downward trend in COVID-19 cases as described and Local rabbonim have jointly condoned this practice.
Areas where large backyards or open areas are prevalent may hold backyard, shul parking lot, or porch minyanim:  Only 12 individuals may attend (but no more than 14 if needed).
 Minyanim should be organized under the auspices of a local shul and Rav.

-R' Avrohom Jeremias is discharged from the hospital after spending 6 weeks on a vent he  thanked the nurses for all their care in saving his life and was cheered  by the staff on after being discharged.The family in a statement thanks klal yisrael for their many tefilos "Every tefillah that each of you said has the power to help you too. May Hashem send everyone their own personal yeshuos and brochos".

-Lakewood cases 1990 deaths 109, Toms River 1286/91, Brick 952/89, Jackson 716/29
- Murphy: We are not out of the woods yet. The faster we can break the back of the public health crisis, the faster we can reopen the economy.” Daily number of cases and hospitalizations keeps dropping. But the state risks the numbers jumping again if reopening is rushed.

- NY Gov Cuomo extended New York’s stay-at-home restrictions to June 7, though regions of the state will be able to phase in re-openings sooner if they meet a series of benchmarks.

-N.J. coronavirus cases 137,085 deaths at 9116 including 166 new deaths.

-Two young children and a teenager have now died in New York State from a possible complication from the coronavirus involving swollen blood vessels and heart problems, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday. At least 73 children in New York have been diagnosed with symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease — a rare inflammatory condition in children — and toxic shock syndrome. Most of them are toddlers and elementary-age children. There is no proof that the virus causes the mysterious syndrome. Cuomos the children had tested positive for COVID-19 or the antibodies but did not show the common symptoms of the virus when they were hospitalized.


- 110 cases of remdesivir headed to New Jersey contain a total of 4,400 vials and represent a donation from Gilead Sciences, the California-based company that makes the anti-viral drug.

Officials are working on a plan to distribute the drug on an equitable basis, “consistent with need.

Lakewood Zmanim ערב שבת קודש פרשת אמור פסח שני תש''פ

                              תּוֹרָתוֹ מָגֵן לָנוּ, הִיא מְאִירַת עֵינֵינוּ, הוּא יַמְלִיץ טוֹב עָלֵינוּ, אֲדוֹנֵנוּ בַּר יוֹחָאי

Friday, May 8, 2020 / י״ד אייר תש״פ ערב שבת פרשת אמור פסח שני
-Candle lighting: 7:41 pm 
-Shkia/Sunset: 7:59 pm
-Sefiras Haomer day 30
Weather: Friday night some evening rain. Low 33F.  Chance of rain 100%. Shabbos day: Partly cloudy and windy. High of 50F. Winds at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could gust over 40 mph.

-Netz: 5:47 am
-sof zman Krias shema: Mg'a 8:33 am  Gra 9:20 am
-sof zman tefilla 10:31 am
-Pirkei Avos: Perek 'ד

וּסְפַרְתֶּ֤ם לָכֶם֙ מִמָּֽחֳרַ֣ת הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת מִיּוֹם֙ הֲבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם אֶת־עֹ֖מֶר הַתְּנוּפָ֑ה שֶׁ֥בַע שַׁבָּת֖וֹת תְּמִימֹ֥ת תִּֽהְיֶֽינָה  'עַ֣ד מִמָּֽחֳרַ֤ת הַשַּׁבָּת֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ת תִּסְפְּר֖וּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים י֑וֹם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֛ם מִנְחָ֥ה חֲדָשָׁ֖ה לַֽהֹ

Conservative Movement Files Suit to Disqualify all Votes for Eretz Hakodesh from WZO Elections

An official Complaint was filed by the Conservative movement, with the Tribunal of the American Zionist Movement, which supervised the WZO election, demanding that all the votes cast on behalf of Eretz Hakodesh slate be disqualified and that its delegates be annulled.  According to a article in the Lehovin newspaper the complaint is based on the WZO constitution that an individual wishing to vote in the election of Congress delegates is required to be a member of a body affiliated with the World Zionist Organization” (WZO Constitution, Article 22).”

The article continues "The Complaint makes it clear to all that Zionism is at diametric odds with Torah Judaism and that frum Jews have no business belonging to a Zionist organization and if they do, they’re simply deceiving others and fooling themselves".

News Updates Erev Shabbos Pesach Sheni 5780 May 8 Lakewood

-Weather: Rain showers early  a more steady rain for the afternoon. High 57F
Friday night a low of 33 degrees some parts of Eastern Pa and NJ may see a dusting of snow.

-NJ National Guard will do a flyover honoring healthcare workers next week they will fly up the Jersey shore from Seagirt and make the way around to Atlantic City.

- OU and RCA release guidelines on the eventual reopening of communal davening. It is simply a framework to guide the choices that leadership will need to anticipate and plan for. The first phase will be gradual with limited seating no kiddushim or communal simchas
Outdoor Minyanim should also not be allowed until the successful and verified safe completion
of the local government’s first stages of communal reopening. Every outdoor Minyan should be specifically authorized by the communal leadership that ensures compliance - even outdoors - with standards of masking, social distancing, and with limiting the Minyan to a small and consistent cohort of attendees. see full list HERE

-Snow in the Catskills: Those who are upstate for shabbos will be seeing some snow in the forecast as temps dip to 27  on shabbos on a brighter note, Orlando, FL will be 88 degrees shabbos day.

-NYC: Some parks will see stepped-up policing to stem the spread of the coronavirus, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday. He also announced that 2,500 members of a “test and trace corps”  to identify people who have the virus, isolate them in hotel rooms if needed and determine whom they’ve had contact with

-Yeast shortage: Local stores are out of dry yeast its not only a local issue but due to pandemic baking the manufacturers of Fleischmann’s Yeast, are reporting high demand as shoppers stocked up. They and have increased production it will take 2-3 months to restock.

-N.J. coronavirus cases 135,454 Deaths 8,952 including 162 new deaths, 1,985 hospitalizations continue to decline

-A School in Lakewood sent letter to parents offering to work with  them on tuition if they are currently  going through financial difficulty. Many schools received the PPP loans which is to protect payroll and the loans are forgiven.

-Bill To Establish Temporary Rental Assistance Program For Those Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic Clears NJ assembly Committee assembly. Lakewood township is working on a similar plan tp provide relief to tenants.

-More than 50% of those who have died in Ocean County were residents of long-term care facilities, said Freeholder Gerry P. Little. As of Wednesday, 254 coronavirus deaths out of 485 in the county had been patients in such places as nursing homes or assisted living facilities. (app)
.
-Live on Bnei Torah phone line 646-726-9977
10:45 am Vaad from Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen shlita
12:30 pm Chumash shiue RavGershon Ribner shlilta
1:15 pm Chumash shiur Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita

-Plasma donors: Red Cross change in policy- if you only had a antibodies test for covid19 but not a positive test you must wait 28 days from the test result before you can donate Plasma.

-Murphy on Summer Camps:  he “can see very clearly a lot of degrees of freedom in an outdoor camp what I can’t see are 50 kids and counselors jammed into a bus to get there in the morning and get back at the end of the day,” Murphy said. “Particularly given folks can spread this virus even when they’re asymptomatic unwittingly to a generation that’s more at risk or somebody with other health challenges.”

-Lunch distribution will be giving a shabbos box at some locations expect heavy traffic on Oak Street as schools are also giving lunch to students.

-Lakewood BOE approved the school budget that raised taxes and if the state accepts the 60 million loan request Lakewood will owe 140 million dollars to the state which the budget director called unsustainable. Board members did not say a word besides a unanimous yes vote to approve the budget.

-Bikur Cholim of Lakewood arranged a salute parade to the healthcare workers at Kimball hospital. Emergency vehicles from Lakewood first responders participated.

News Photos & Videos 5/7/20

Photo credits to the photographers

Shtender lending at BMG

Thursday May 7, 2020 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: sunshine  High near 65F  Tefilas בה'ב today ומתוך צרה המציאם פדות ורוחה

Maariv/Sefiras Haomer   היום תשעה ועשרים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות ויום אחד לעומר/בעומר

-Live shiurim on the Bnei Torah phone line 646-726-99779:00 pm Divrei Chizuk R' Lipa Geldwerth9:45 pm Shiur Hashlamas Krias Hatorah R' Uren Reich10:30 pm Shiur- Pesach Sheini R' Reuven Schwartz Mechaber sefer Pischa Ze'irah
11:30 pm Chumash R' Yeruchim Olshin


- Tonight, Harav Yechiel Moskowitz will be giving a Chumash Shiur on Parshas Hashavua, at 10:30 PM. Phone # is 605-313-5894 and access code is 783618!

- Night seder America for boys 6-8 grade on Zoom ID: 8970634419 or 71913589090 (Password for both is 5780)  Call in option  929-436-2866 followed by 8970634419  or 929-205-6099 followed by second meeting id  (Pirchei Aguda)

-Dr. Fauci to Orthodox Jews: Take it slow getting back to minyanim ‘How about once a day and five days a week as opposed to three times a day, seven days a week,’ if you could phase that part in,” that would be a good idea, Fauci said. In a webcast organized bu the OU Fauci siad Orthodox Jews should Ease into communal prayer as gatherings become possible. He also said the risk was likely to carry over into the High Holidays this fall, and that pandemic risk mitigation should continue to apply to worship at that time.(jta)

-Lakewood Shomrim covid19 Fundraiser HERE

-Lakewood Cases 1949 Deaths rises to 103, Toms River 1251/85, Brick 931/88, Jackson 705/28

-The association of Jewish camps which includes many sleepaway camps in the Catskills sent a letter to state officials notifyng of the restrictions that will be put in place this coming summer should they open. No visiting day, No out of camp trips, Staff will not be allowed to leave on off days and if there's a outbreak hatzolah would transport patients back to the city hospitals.

-Trump Tweets: Congratulations to former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, and all others involved, on a complete and total exoneration (with a 9-0 vote by the U.S. Supreme Court) on the Obama DOJ Scam referred to as “Bridgegate.”
-Gov Murphy says he is directing the New Jersey National Guard to deploy at long-term care facilities beginning this coming weekend to assist in corona mitigation efforts.

-Yeshiva Aderes Hatorah Rabbi Senters yeshiva of Yerushalayim will open up towards the end of the zman at a campus in New Bloomsfield, Pennsylvania with full social distancing. The Yeshiva has met the town council and worked out a plan for its  students and alumni to come learn at this campus. They are calling it Machane Talmud Torah watch video here

-We can file unemployment for you! Discount for playgroup Morahs. Call 732-305-0148 or email uiapplications1@gmail.com

-Overdose deaths skyrocket in Pennsylvania during COVID-19 pandemic
A pandemic inside of another pandemic is what  healthcare experts are calling the recent uptick in opioid-related deaths during the coronavirus emergency. A combination of fears and increased isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the rise in overdose deaths.
“They are disproportionately impacted by the loss of income and social isolation, (source)

-Murphy: “We continue to see the daily counts leveling That’s a very positive sign.” number of patients in New Jersey’s hospitals being treated for confirmed or suspected coronavirus  dropped to the lowest level since early April. “Having fewer than 5,000 people in the hospital for COVID-19 is a milestone,” Murphy said. “The reason it peaked at 8,270 is because of you. We cannot let up our social distancing.”

-New Jersey cases at 133,635 and 8,801 deaths including another 254 in last 24 hours

-Minaag Yeshiva to say Tachnun by Mincha erev Pesach sheni which s tonight (Sefer Noheg Bachochma)
-NJ MVC facilities extend closures until at least May 27
-Shiur  Yarchei Kallah 12:00 pm by Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum: Brocho on Shemen Zayis on Zoom HERE  via phone (audio only) call 1646-558-8656 log in #8352867742

- Moadim L'simcha Pickup today  3:30-9:00 PM By appointment only. Call 732.402.6956 , to hear your appointment time. at Blue Claws Parking lot

-BDE: Petirah of Rav Shmuel Binyomin Herzog Zt'l, Rav of Bnei Baruch in Lakewood (Hertzog's shul on 14th street.) He was 68. The Levaya will take place 10:45 am  Zoom link HERE Call in Phone#  646 558 8656 ID: 881 0884 3310 Password: 951664 -article on Matzav

Saying Tachnun on Erev Pesach Sheni

Tomorrow Friday the 14th of Iyar is Peach Sheni. Most people  dont say Tachnun Although it is not mentioned in shulchan Aruch to omit. The question is  does the rule  not to say Tachnun by mincha prior to a day that you don't say tachnun apply. There is a debate among poskim the minhag   hayeshiva in Lakewood is to say tachnun today. The reason given is that the simcha on pesach Sheni was only during the time that the Korban was brought and not all day.

Tonight: BOE Budget Hearing Tax Increase plus $60 Million Loan

Lakewood Board Of Ed public hearing on the budget for the 2020-2021 school year. Tonight May 7, 2020 Virtual meeting. Watch Live stream HERE  7:10 PM
Total budget is  $278,460,861
Taxes levied on  Lakewood property owners  $107,522,840. ($150 average yearly tax increase to Lakewood homeowners whose home is assessed at 300k but most homes will pay much more)
Request for a loan of $60 million against state aid district already owes $80 Million in previous loans
Watch Live stream HERE
Agenda HERE
Approved expenses:
Legal Services $750,000  Audit Services $100,000  Architectural Services $100,000

Great American Jewish Cities: Far Rockaway

Jewish History Soundbites seeks to explore the growth of various Jewish communities both within the great urban centers and across the golden plain.

Our pilot episode touches on the community of Far Rockaway, lying somewhere in between Queens and Long Island. This resort area which had a Jewish presence even prior to the War, began a growth

Hatzolah of Central Jersey Thank A Hero for Life

       36 hour campaign Donate at HatzolahHeroes.com  servicing, Lakewood,Toms River, Jackson

Heroes For Life - Hatzolah’s Heroes work for free, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t cost. COVID-19 has left us with hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills and expenses from the thousands of calls Hatzolah responded to. Hatzolah manned the front lines for you, now we need you to man the bottom line.

News Updates Wednesday May 6, 2020 Lakewood

Live shiur on Bnei Torah Phone Line 646-726-9977
- 9:30 pm - Shiur in Halacha in Even Haezer on the topic of Kol Isha by HaRav Shmuel Felder Shlita
10 pm - Divrei Chizuk by Maran HaMashgiach HaRav Don Segal Shlita 

Maariv/Sefiras Haomer      היום שמונה ועשרים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות לעומר/בעומר

-An initial survey by the New York State Department of Health has found 64 cases of children presenting with a new pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome likely linked to COVID-19. NBC

-12 new cases in Lakewood since yesterday. 1921, deaths 97, Toms River 1225/81, Brick 922/86, Jackson 686/28, Manchester 538/62

-Tomorrow night Lakewood  BOE vote on School budget of  $278,460,861 million, which  $107,522,840 will be paid by local property taxes. The district is asking for a additional $60 million loan from the state. Will cost tax payers average increase of $150. Public questions 6:00 pm-7:00 P.M. (Email to: boemeeting@lakewoodpiners.org,) district also approves $750,000 in legal expenses. Meeting is virtual will be live streamed.

-Murphy warns that the state will need "billions more from Washington to make up for lost revenue," and warns that without it, he will be "forced to make enormous cuts to our schools and health care facilities."

- NY Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York said Wednesday that he was "shocked" to find that 84% of novel coronavirus hospitalizations were occurring in people largely sheltering in place; staying at home 66% from “nonessential” or retired workers and 18% from nursing homes.

-Lakewood Planning board meeting today 6 pm agenda HERE watch live-stream HERE

-Satmar in Monroe in talks with health officials  looking into plan to open shuls and yeshivos only for survivors who have recovered from coronavirus or have antibodies against covid19.

-Israel officially bans all bonfires for lag baomer in all open areas even in private properties. In Lakewood the fire marshall said as of now they will not issue any permits

-Gov. Phil Murphy announced today he's extending the public-health state of emergency in New Jersey for another 30 days. Murphy said 439 new hospitalizations have been reported  a number that is up meaningfully from the past couple of days.

-N.J. coronavirus  cases at 131,890 and 8,549 deaths including another 308 fatalities
-Ocean county Freeholders: singles tennis/pickleball will be allowed at Ocean County Park, Lakewood

-Shiur by Harav Nissan Kaplan at 12:00 pm Yarchei Kallah on Brachos of Breads Mezonos Rolls,Pas Haba Bekisnin via zoom HERE via phone  call 1646-558-8656 log in #83528677424

- Petition here to NJ Gov officials for unemployment disaster as many are  unable to receive any COVID19 relief from unemployment and/or stimulus checks. They have filed for unemployment as far back as 2 months ago and are yet to receive any sort of disaster relief compensation.

-Yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael reopen today under the capsule plan with limited groups of bochurim.  yeshiva campuses will be divided into completely separate zones, for each "capsule" of students, so that the various groups do not come in contact with each other at all. In the first stage, to last 3 weeks, studies will be allowed only in selected institutions, those which have a closed campus allowing students to remain at the yeshiva without leaving its walls.

-BDE: Petira of Reb Menachem Halpert Z"L in his 50's who went into cardiac arrest at his home last night on Katie court  Levaya will take place at 11:30 am zoom link here ID 84067899151 Password 472668

-Lakewood Viznitz Rebbe Rav Lazer Hager shlita was temporarily told not to come back to Mt. Sinai Hospital in NY until the pandemic is over, Israeli media reports. The Rebbe has been a liaison and advocate for Jewish patients for 30 years. The story began when the rebbe made sure covid19 patients could communicate with their families through tablets. This angered the nurses who did not want to have a second set of eyes watching them. They told the rebbe not to set it up but he ignored them. Yesterday they had security tell the rebbe to leave. When upper management of the hospital found out what happened they apologized to the rebbe and asked him to return.


-BMG lending shtenders to talmidim learning at home. Schools also let students take home desks for at home learning.

-Viznitz Bais Olam in Monsey will be closed to the public on Lag B'omer

-Lakewood Planning board approved  an extension of Edgecomb Avenue to Argyle Avenue, off Vine Street. 19 duplexes 38 units will be built in addition to a shul and a Rabbi's residence.

Great American Jewish Cities: Baltimore

One of the most storied Jewish communities in the United States, Baltimore has a fair amount of "firsts". First ordained Orthodox Rabbi to serve in the US - Rabbi Joseph Rice, first Day School

Tuesday May 5 News Updates Lakewood

Donate to Corona Campaigns $16,688,110.25 raised for 57 campaigns by 192,546 Donations
-Maariv/ Sefiras Haomer היום שבעה ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות וששה ימים לעומר/בעומר

-Convoy of first responders, emergency vehicles from Lakewood including Hatzolah, Chaveirim, Lcsw salute the health workers at Jersey Shore medical center
-Lakewood cases 1909 Deaths up to 94, Toms River 1214/77, Brick 906/86, Jackson 679/ 27
-9:15 pm Sefer Hamitzvos Rav Chaim Tzvi Gorelick on Bnei Torah Phone Line 646-726-9977

-Tehillim:  Roiza Malka Chaya Bas Tzipporah Leah, a 6 year old daughter of a Lakewood Rebbe  on a ventilator who needs rachamei shamayim (Lnn)
- Jackson Township Councilman Barry Calogero has resigned from his post citing health and other issues. Calogero recently urged Governor Phil Murphy to deploy the New Jersey Army National Guard to Lakewood Township. (LNN)
- Murphy says he continues to evaluate whether nonessential businesses could operate with curbside pickup, similar to eateries that are allowed to stay open.
-Fun Project build your own shtender  Just $29! Free Delivery in Lakewood Area Call 732-908-0000 or email Shtenderkit@gmail.com
- Yannkel's Grocery clearance sale 25% entire store 50% off freezer items through Thursday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm 458 Locust Avenue Lakewood
-ShabbosBox update: You can now order online directly from the vendors, pick up will be at the store
go to Lakewoodbox.com for more info

-Lakewood Planning Board meeting today 6:00 pm agenda Here & Here watch livestream Here
During the meeting, you may submit written questions and/or comments via email to email address: planningboardcomments@lakewoodnj.gov. must include your name and address in your submission.

-Approximately 35 people may have passed away in Canada because their surgeries were not performed,” Health Minister Christine Elliott acknowledged last Tuesday, according to Toronto Star.
-Murphy: the ban on elective surgeries will be lifted sooner rather than later, though we are not there yet.
-NJ Cases 130,593 and 8,244 deaths including an increase of  334 deaths (some from the weekend). Hospitalizations are at the  lowest number of corona patients  in more than a month and a 36% drop from a peak of 8,293 on April 14.  Murphy said “We have avoided the worst of it by a lot, Let’s keep at it, because our vigilance is working, it’s paying off and it needs to keep paying off.”

-Tax Increase: The Lakewood  BOE is voting on the school budget this Thursday with a tax increase of minimum $100 for home assessed at 330K. Additionally they are asking for a loan of  $61 million loan request on top of  Lakewood already owes the state $80 million dollars in loans that have to be repaid Lakewood Taxpayers will owe the state $140 million dollars! the budget is  $204  million of which $105.8 million will be coming from the tax levy.

-Former Gov Chris Christie: “We have to start letting people get back to work. I can see in my own state the economic devastation is equally sad,” the medical community might keep us "locked in our houses for another year" until there is a vaccine.

-Lakewood Rabbi joins Priest in lawsuit against Gov Murphy for ban on religious gatherings, claims order violates Constitution. According to court documents Rabbi Yisrael A. Knopfler of Lakewood has joined Rev. Kevin Robinson as Plaintiff in the lawsuit.

-From a Lakewood  yeshiva on paying tuition: "The bulk of the Yeshiva budget is the salaries of Rebbeim, Teachers and Faculty. Our primary savings these past weeks has been on utilities and cleaning costs which make up for approximately 4% of our annual budget. To put this in perspective, since Yeshiva closed we saw a reduction of $60,000 of expenses out of our $11.6 budget. To contrast this with our income, In April alone we saw a reduction of $300,000 out of our projected April income. Needless to say, it is only you who can help us keep Yeshiva afloat. We will not be charging lunch fees for April-June and in the event you were charged, they will be credited to your account."