Wednesday December 10 News Updates Lakewood

 Weather"48° Partly cloudy skies this morning occasional showers during the afternoon. Chance of rain 50%. 

- NYC Mayor elect Mamdani is at Satmer Reb Ahron Kuf Alef Kislev celebration in Brooklyn.

- Giyus: Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara warned in a position paper that the government’s proposed legislation on ultra-Orthodox military enlistment would reduce, not increase, recruitment. She argued that the bill prioritizes the interests of yeshivas and draft-exempt students over the Israel Defense Forces’ urgent manpower needs. According to her, the legislation would weaken the army’s ability to enforce conscription, worsen the burden on reservists, and entrench long-term inequality between communities that serve and those that do not. 

Likud and charedi politicians hit back at Baharav-Miara, accusing her of deflecting from an alleged scandal involving the leaked video of IDF soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee.

- TRUMP: "We have just seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, the largest one ever seized, actually."

-BDE: Petirah of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Widroff z”l Lakewood (A country place) Brooklyn,  he was 84. A  Renowned Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur Talmid Chochom and Marbitz Torah talmid of Tirah Vodaas. survived by ybl"c his wife and children. The levaya will take place  Thursday  11:00 am at the chapel off 7th street in Lakewood.

- Trump: THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE TODAY! A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent. Live Site opens in 30 minutes! https://trumpcard.gov

- The Federal Reserve just CUT interest rates by 0.25 points, lowering interest rates to 3.5%-3.75%

- Rav Shmuel Markovitz Shlita R"Y Ponovezh will deliver a shiur today in BMG Beren hall on the sugya of ערעור הבעל  He is currently in Lakewood for  a simcha.

- The Powerball jackpot hist $930 million drawing tonight at 11 pm 

- The OJBA Expo for builders is taking place today at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ

- Tonight: Dayan Rav Ahron Dovid Dunner shlita of London, who is in Lakewood for a grandchild’s wedding, will be speaking this evening as part of the “Hashkafa in the Workplace” series. The event will include a Q&A and will take place at the Torah Links Learning Center, 1301 Central Avenue, Lakewood, at 8:15 p.m.

- NJ lawmakers advanced a bill requiring dine-in restaurants to use reusable utensils and banning automatic distribution of single-use plastic  utensils or condiments. For take-out and online orders, disposable items would be included only upon request. the measure is aimed at reducing plastic waste in New Jersey’s landfills and waterways.

- BDE: Petirah of Rabbi Mordechai Gewirtz z”l, a longtime mechanech who served in Denver, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Queens before moving to Lakewood in recent years, he was 75. The levaya will take place today at 11 a.m. at the Lakewood Chapel on 7th Street. He is survived by his children: R’ Yossi, R’ Henoch, R’ Dovid, and R’ Naftali. Kevurah will be in Eretz Yisrael.

- A week after Agudath Israel’s Inaugural National Action Summit, Agudah published articles describing how the event “inspires, educates, and mobilizes participants to take action for Klal Yisroel.” Yet no concrete details were provided about what was actually discussed or what solutions if any emerged from the various tracks. Unlike the annual conventions, there are no video or audio recordings of the sessions, leaving the public unable to hear or review what took place.

- It was publicly revealed by a letter on behalf of Lakewood mosdos that more than 750 special-needs children were out of school due to an administrative overlap at the state level. According to a public letter, this situation continued for months and was resolved within a single day only after it was brought to the attention of one community member. Surprisingly, no one in the Lakewood community seemed aware that 750 special-needs children had been without schooling an issue that should have sparked public outrage and a communal campaign..

- Emergency services are on high alert as Storm Byron brings heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding from the North to the Negev, with risks expected to peak Thursday into Friday. Cyprus, Greece and Israel are searching for a missing Israeli yacht that vanished during storm Byron with four people on board and no distress signal.

- BDE: Petirah of Rav Shlomo Steinhauz, ZT”L, longtime R”M in Yeshiva Tiferes Yaakov in Gateshead, was niftar after suddenly collapsing while preparing his shiur today. He was 77. A veteran maggid shiur, he taught countless talmidim over the years. This tragic loss comes just a few months after the petirah of the mashgiach, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Dunner, ZT”L, at age 48 following an illness.

- With the ongoing construction and nightly road closures at James/Pine Street and Route 9, crews have installed new traffic lights featuring turn-only options to help ease congestion at the busy intersection.

- The Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yeruchom Olshin shlita, met with the Sadigerer Rebbe in Lakewood last week and personally inscribed a set of his seforim, Yoreach LaMoedim, which he presented to the Rebbe as a gift.

- Giyus: After consulting with its rabbis, Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party will support the coalition’s Charedi draft exemption bill. The rabbis cited concerns about the IDF’s ability to absorb frum recruits and stressed the need of keeping the government stable, despite opposition from Minister Ofir Sofer. The coalition is considering amending a clause allowing some Charedi recruits to serve in non-military security agencies to secure Smotrich’s full backing.

Naftali Bennett accuses Smotrich’s party of ‘betraying’ Zionism and Judaism by backing charedi giyus draft law

-A Lakewood child experienced an allergic reaction after eating a chocolate pretzel and was treated at the hospital. The child is BH now doing well. The mother reported that the product label did not indicate any allergens. The company is investigating, and parents are reminded to be extra diligent, as stores and manufacturers are responsible for clearly listing all ingredients on labels.(Kol Mevaser).

- Elon Musk now doubts whether his government-reform effort, DOGE, justified the turmoil it created.” he said the project was only “somewhat successful” and voiced frustration that despite uncovering an estimated $100–$200 billion in annual “zombie payments,” DOGE was able to eliminate only a small portion of them.

- A new study reveals that Instacart has been using an algorithm that charges different customers different prices for the same grocery items at the same stores, without disclosure. Examples include Skippy Peanut Butter at a Target in Ohio, where prices ranged from $2.99 to $3.59, and Oscar Mayer Deli Turkey at a Seattle Safeway, with five different prices spanning a 23% difference.

- Trump goes after Fake news NYT who reported he's in poor physical health and not as sharp as he used to be. "There has never been a President that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best. I’ve stopped Eight Wars, saving many millions of lives in the process, created the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country, brought Business back into the United States at levels never seen before, rebuilt our Military, created the Largest Tax Cuts and Regulation Cuts, EVER, closed our open and very dangerous Southern Border, when previous Administrations were unable to do so, and created an “aura” around the United States of America that has led every Country in the World to respect us more than ever before. In addition to all of that, I go out of my way to do long, thorough, and very boring Medical Examinations at the Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, seen and supervised by top doctors, all of whom have given me PERFECT Marks  Some have even said they have never seen such Strong Results. I do these Tests because I owe it to our Country. In addition to the Medical, I have done something that no other President has done, on three separate occasions, the last one being recently, by taking what is known as a Cognitive Examination, something which few people would be able to do very well, including those working at The New York Times, and I ACED all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts, most of whom I do not know.

- New Jersey lawmakers are again debating whether to eliminate the NJGPA, the high school exit exam required for graduation. The state Assembly voted 55–17 to end the test, reviving a push that previously stalled in the Senate. Supporters of ending the NJGPA argue that the standardized exam has created an unfair barrier to graduation, particularly for students from disadvantaged communities. The bill now puts renewed pressure on Senate leaders who blocked a similar effort two years ago.

Hashkafa Q&A

Hashkafa With Reb Gershon Ribner shlita 

Commendable policy of BMG leadership in raising funds for the Yeshiva Preparing a chosson who lacks common sense for marriage Selectivity in accepting financial support for avreichim How a shrewd father in law extracts the couple's true motives Protecting children from being the hockey puck in a contentious toxic divorce

Oif Simchas Tuesday 20 Kislev

Chasunas: 

Rockove - Pollack Ateres Blima

Goldberg - Kirsch Ateres Esther 

Gerber - Gindoff Bais Faiga 

Strasser - Gross Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Weissberg - Undsdorfer Fountain Ballroom 

Schwartz - Friedman Ne'emas Hachaim

- Shiur in Tanya by the Amshinov  Rebbe 910 E. Kennedy  10:00pm

- Hisvadus Yat Kislev at Chabad Lakewood 1309 Central A e 

Tuesday December 9 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 36° Sunshine and clouds mixed. 

 storm system will bring rain to most of the New Jersey on Wednesday, with a brief period of snow or a wintry mix possible in northwestern counties.

-Nightly  road closures art 9 and James Street  due to construction.

-Updated:All clear has been given no credible threat

Bomb Threats at Lakewood and Toms River hospitals tonight

Authorities are responding to simultaneous bomb threats at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Kimball in Lakewood and Community Medical Center in Toms River. Both hospitals received threatening messages Law enforcement is securing the facilities and assessing the credibility of the threats, while additional emergency units are on the way and precautionary protocols have been activated at both campuses.

- Giyus Updates:

 The Moetzes of Chasidic leaders of the  Agudas Yisrael  faction in EY  is expected to convene and issue a decision opposing the conscription law.

-Israeli media reported  that  In recent days, Rav Eliya Ber Wachtfogel  Rosh Yeshiva of Zichron Moshe in South Fallsburg has been working to convene leading Talmidei chachomim and roshei yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael to voice their position on the emerging conscription law. he reportedly held phone conversations with  Rav Aviezer Piltz of the Tifrach Yeshiva, Rabbi Dovid Cohen of the Chevron Yeshiva, and Rav Chaim Feinstein of the Ateres Shlomo Yeshiva.

- Yuli Edelstein said he does not believe the Conscription Law will pass, adding that Netanyahu will not “commit political suicide” over it.

- Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot said he would not support what he called a “draft-evasion law,” warning that the proposed Charedi conscription bill is a historic mistake that endangers Israel’s security. He delivered his remarks during meetings of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

- Dayan Rav Ahron Dovid Dunner shlita of London, who is in Lakewood for a grandchild’s wedding, will be speaking tomorrow evening as part of the “Hashkafa in the Workplace” series. The event will include a Q&A and will take place at the Torah Links Learning Center, 1301 Central Avenue, Lakewood, at 8:15 p.m.

- Pescada, the well-known Brooklyn restaurant, is expanding to Jackson, New Jersey, with a new location set to open next month. The restaurant will be located at 109 North County Line Road. Further updates, including the menu and additional details, are expected soon.

- Mikie Sherrill performed best in East Orange City, Essex County, winning by a margin of +91.2 points. Jack Ciattarelli’s strongest showing was in Lakewood Township, Ocean County, where he led by +80.7 points.

- A recent pashkevil criticized what it described as a double standard in the public’s reaction to military-related arrests: while a large protest was organized when a bochur from an Ashkenazi yeshiva was jailed, there has been little public response to the current arrest of a Sephardi yeshiva student. The notice argues that this disparity reinforces concerns that Sephardi bochurim may unfairly bear the burden of meeting quotas under the proposed IDF draft bill.

- Police departments across New Jersey have launched their annual holiday-season crackdown on drunk driving, supported by state grants. Lakewood received $10,500, and Howell received $7,000 to fund their enforcement efforts.

- Giyus: Top Knesset lawyer: draft bill falls short, won’t meet army demands

A draft proposal would allow up to 10% of annual conscripts to serve in agencies such as the Prison Service, Shin Bet, Mossad, and the police. Miri Frenkel-Shor, the legal adviser to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, told members Monday that counting national civil‑security service toward draft quotas, as currently proposed, does not meet security requirements and cannot easily be included in the targets.

- Giyus: Likud MK Ariel Kalner stated, “I am not unequivocally declaring that I will vote for the Bismuth enlistment law. The law does not fully reflect the aspirations of myself and many of my colleagues, and there are corrections that need to be made.”

- The scheduled Lakewood  Planning Board meeting for today  has been canceled.

- ICE agents have been active in Lakewood this week, making arrests and detaining undocumented individuals. 

- Zohran Mamdani’s transition team has faced backlash after the mayor‑elect appointed Bronx activist Mysonne Linen to a key advisory role. Linen, a former rapper whose career was interrupted by an armed‑robbery conviction over 20 years ago, was chosen to help shape criminal justice policy despite a history that includes two violent felonies.

- FDA recalls blood pressure medication over cholesterol drug contamination

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' tablets contained trace amounts of cholesterol drug ezetimibe

Israel News Tues Dec 9

 Day 795

 

- Former IDF Hostage Chief: Hamas Facing “Objective Difficulty” Locating Body of Fallen Captive Maj. Gen. Alon says chaos in Gaza after October 7th contributed to difficulty locating body of hostage. Ran Gvili is the last hostage remaining in Hamas captivity. ” “Nevertheless, we believe that it is possible to bring him back. There is a connection between the pressure applied to Hamas and the results, so we can’t give up.”

- Arabic media reported Sunday that Hamas and the International Committee of the Red Cross were unable to locate Gvili’s remains during recent searches in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City.

- Hamas official says no Gaza truce second phase while Israel ‘continues violations’ The second phase, which is supposed to see the deployment of an international force and the disarmament of Hamas, is supposed to begin once Hamas completes the handover of all the hostages. It still holds the body of one hostage, Ran Gvili, claiming it cannot find him.

- Despite Israeli opposition, Turkey claims that preparations have been completed for Turkish soldiers to join the international aid force in Gaza, and that the US wants them there.

- The IDF targeted a training and exercise base used by the "Radouan Force" unit, along with military buildings in various locations in the southern part of the country. Hezbollah used the base to conduct training and exercises for the planning and execution of terrorist attacks against Israel.

- Syrian sources report several casualties from IDF fire after IDF forces set up a checkpoint in the Khan Arnabah area to prevent the passage of a convoy of Syrian security forces.

Oif Simchas Monday 19 Kislev

Chasunas:

Leshinsky - Zimmerman Ateres Reva

Schustal -  Mueller Fountain Ballroom 

Weinstein - Jaffa Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Miller - Horowitz Neemas Hachaim 

Baum - Felder Ateres Esther 

Lax - Beer Ateres  Blima 

- Yat Kislev Farbrengen tonight at Ateres Leah Yehudis 971 Caldwell Lakewood 9:00 pm

- Yat Kislev Hisvadus/Farbrengen 56 Wadsworth Lakewood Oan n Vine 8:45 pm

Monday December 8 News Updates Lakewood

Weather:  32° cloudy during the afternoon. High 32F. Tonight will bring the coldest weather of the season so far with lows in the single digits and teens. While record lows are not expected, several sites could come close.

- Reporter: Alina Habba says she’s stepping down after the court disqualified her

Trump: She’s not disqualified. You got a blue slip thing that’s horrible. The Republicans should be ashamed of themselves… If I put up George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be U.S. Attorney in New Jersey or to be U.S. Attorney in Virginia, they will not approve them..

- The New Jersey Assembly unanimously approved Avi Schnall’s construction-inspection reform bill, adopting Gov. Murphy’s recommended four-hour arrival window. The bill aims to reduce delays by requiring inspectors to give a set arrival time instead of just a date. It now moves to the Senate before returning to the governor.

- Earlier today, a pipe burst in the Irv dorm, causing flooding as water leaked to the floor below. A full crew was on hand to clean up the mess.

- Rav Moshe Hillel HIrsch shlita paid a visit to Passaic during his current US trip 

- President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, Alina Habba, announced Monday that she will step down as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, ending her effort to remain in the role after an appeals court ruled she had been serving in the position unlawfully.

- Giyus: At a Hafgana today the organizers  claim there have been three ramming incidents at the protest on Highway 4. A vehicle drove several hundred meters with a protester on it, one protester was moderately injured, and a motorcycle ran over a protester and caught fire after being set alight.

- Gas prices in Lakewood at $2.89 a gallon gas tax will go up in January by 4 cents 

- Giyus: Netanyahu in the Knesset plenum on the draft law: "We laid down the draft law in the committee. This is the beginning of a historic process to integrate the Haredi public into the IDF". "The law also regulates the status of Torah scholars whose Torah is their profession. The world of Torah has protected us for years and it will continue to protect us".

- New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill plans to replace Col. Patrick J. Callahan as superintendent of the State Police. As a result, Callahan said he plans to retire at the end of the year.

- Commenting on the new phenomenon in which it seems like everyone today has a podcast and countless hours of shtusim and nonsense are spoken daily the famed mashpia, Rav Avrum Mordechai Malach, suggested a simple way to counter it. He advised that people should fill their Shabbos seudos with divrei Torah and other divrei kedusha to “mix it all up” and create a positive spiritual balance.

-  Trump: There must be only One Rulebook if we are going to continue to lead in AI. We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won’t last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS. THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS! AI WILL BE DESTROYED IN ITS INFANCY! I will be doing a ONE RULE Executive Order this week. You can’t expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!

- 2026-2028 New Jersey State Assembly Freshman Class With the largest majority since the Watergate era, 12 new members will be joining the majority party coalition in January. Five of those new members flipped seats held by Republicans in the 2025 election.

- The NJ gas tax increase will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026 adding 4 cents per gallon. This brings the total gas tax to nearly 50 cents per gallon. 

- Giyus: A Degel HaTorah official admitted that, according to him, there is an understanding with the IDF Military Police not to carry out arrests of bochurim in the major frum cities.

- Giyus: Rabbi Tzvi Friedman calls on his followers to join demonstrations, claiming there is a spiritual war against them. He warns that remaining passive would lead to defeat and declares strong opposition to military enlistment, saying they will not join the army under any circumstances. He emphasizes their commitment to preserving Torah life and frames the protest as an act of kiddush Hashem

- Yat Kislev Farbrengen tonight at Ateres Leah Yehudis 971 Caldwell Lakewood 9:00 pm

- A video showing how to curl payos for a chassidishe boy went viral on social media, racking up over 15 million views.

-A new petition is calling on Verizon to fix long-standing cell service issues in the Westgate area, where residents say weak and unreliable coverage affects daily life and even access to emergency services. The organizer describes the ongoing connectivity problems as both a quality-of-life and public-safety concern.

Sign Here 

- Jackson Township is introducing a new mandatory annual inspection, costing $100 per home, to curb the growing problem of illegal rentals in single-family houses. The rule—set to begin in January—will affect nearly 2,000 homes. Township Council President Mordechai Burnstein says improper use of single-family homes is widespread and a significant issue, noting that some houses in his own neighborhood appear to be used by multiple unrelated occupants. The new inspections aim to address this problem.

 

Oif Simchas Sunday 18 Kislev

Chasunas: 

Jacob - Fisher Ne'emas Hachaim 

Quinn - Jaffa Bais Faiga

Kozlowitz - Shwartz Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Singer -  Endzweig Lake Terrace 

Horowitz - Stern Fountain Ballroom 

Possick  Cedar Palace

Fisgus  - Willner Ateres Blima

- Parlor Meeting Kollel Mashkimim 11 Wood Avenue Lakewood donate Here

- Mirrer yeshiva Dinner the Palace Brooklyn 

Sunday December 7 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 44° A mix of clouds and sun

- House Speaker Mike Johnson visited the Skverer Rebbe in New Square on Sunday after attending a fundraiser in Stony Point with Rep. Mike Lawler. During the meeting, Johnson and Lawler told the Rebbe they are arranging a private White House meeting between him and former President Donald Trump, expected to take place soon

- Today marks the 81st  Yartzeit of Rav Shlomo Heiman ZTL there will be a minyan at his kever today in Mt. Judah cemetery in Queens led by Rav Yosef Savitzky shlita  the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas 2:45pm

- House Speaker Mike Johnson  paid a visit to the Skverer Rebbe this afternoon at his home in New Square 

- NJ Gov Murphy hosts early chanukah party today "Grateful to celebrate Chanukah with our Jewish friends and neighbors at Drumthwacket NJ ahead of the holiday next week. Light will always prevail over darkness. Chag Sameach, New Jersey!". In attendance Assemblyman Gary Shaer, Aguda NJ, Abe Friedman and others.

- Powerball Jackpot surges to $875 Million, next drawing Monday night.

- Israel is seeing an unusually early and severe flu surge, with hospitals reporting overcrowded pediatric wards and several infants in critical condition, some on ECMO. Health officials warn cases are rising faster than expected and urge widespread flu vaccination, especially for young children and vulnerable groups, as updated national guidance is being prepared.

- Chanukah Shopping today with sales in stores with chanukah starting next Sunday  evening. The cheapest advertised price for classic sufganiyot is $1.99 each. The BMG Mesiba is scheduled for Monday night.

- Giyus: This week, Netanyahu’s inner circle estimates, according to what charedi faction leaders have heard, that the conscription law will pass in its second and third readings. According to their estimate, three will vote against it: Ofir Sofer, Sharren Haskel, and Yuli Edelstein

- New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has appointed three well-known members of New Jersey’s Orthodox Jewish community to her transition team, aiming to include a broad range of perspectives in her upcoming administration. Shlomo Schorr of Agudah New Jersey, Dr. Dovid Friedman of CHEMED, and philanthropist Pinny (Phil) Bak were selected for advisory roles that will help guide the administration’s early policy decisions

- Brisk Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Avraham Yehoshua Soloveitchik,  in a recent chumash shiur spoke out attack against the initiators of the new draft law. He said: ‘When people do something, they are required to say from whom they have a mesorah to act in such a way. And if they cannot say from whom they received it  their opinion is worth nothing. One cannot build upon or rely on such people who in their Lives  were laughed at or dismissed.’”

  'תשועה ברוב יועץ He pointed out that important decisions must be made collectively, not by individuals acting alone without consultation. He criticized people who take action without considering potential consequences, contrasting this with the past, when decisions were made only after careful thought about possible outcomes.

- Lakewood ranks 3rd among top 10 cities of worst drivers in the northeast (the report does not factor in infrastructure.)

A new report says 4 New Jersey cities rank among the Northeast’s worst drivers — with Camden at No. 2 and Lakewood at No. 3.

Lakewood leads the region in fatal crashes involving positive BAC and speeding. Camden’s dangerous-driving fatality rate is 6× the national average.

Top 10 Northeastern cities with the worst drivers

Waterbury, Connecticut

Camden, New Jersey

Lakewood, New Jersey

Hartford, Connecticut

Cranston, Rhode Island

Springfield, Massachusetts

New Haven, Connecticut

Newark, New Jersey

Stamford, Connecticut

Trenton, New Jersey

Source

- Last night, a large asifah took place in Bnei Brak against the dangers of technology, attended by tens of thousands who came to hear words of chizuk from Rav Tzvi Meir Zilberberg shlita, who has taken upon himself the mission to fight for kedusha and raise awareness about this serious issue. Following the gathering, many of the attendees placed signs on their homes declaring: “This house is protected from all technological devices,” in keeping with the practice of safeguarding the holiness of the home and family.

BDE: Petirah of Rav Moshe Lieber zt”l, rov of Kehillas Ahavas Shalom in Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimmel. Former rebbe at Yeshiva Derch Ayson in Far Rockaway and Edison yeshiva. His father, Rav Aharon Lieber, a talmid of Rav Aharon Kotler and a renowned chazzan in the early years of Lakewood. Levaya in Yerushalayim this afternoon. More

- President Donald Trump pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife, wiping out their federal corruption case.

Soon after the pardon, Cuellar announced he would run for reelection as a Democrat, not switch parties. Trump reacted with fury, posting that Cuellar showed a “lack of LOYALTY” and accusing him of returning to work with the “Radical Left” that prosecuted him. Trump warned: “No more Mr. Nice Guy!”

Tonight in Lakewood Mikdash Me'at building homes of calm and connection event  at Estreia hall dicrei chizuk by Rav Uri Deutsch and others. 8pm 

-Camp reunions a d recruiting today expect traffic 

Israel News Sunday December 7

 Day 793

- Hamas's military wing resumed this morning the search for the body of officer Ran Goyeli in the Zeitoun neighborhood, accompanied by a Red Cross team.

- Israel to mediators: Hamas knows where body of last hostage is-Israel sends message to mediators, stressing that Hamas, Islamic Jihad, know where the body of Yasam officer Ran Gvili is located, and that Hamas can access it

- After Trump’s statement on moving to Phase Two, the family of fallen hostage Rani Gviali said Phase One is not complete until Rani is brought home. They called on Netanyahu and Trump to pressure Hamas and Islamic Jihad to return him immediately.

- In Gaza, reports of IDF tank fire near the Morg axis, north of Rafah

- Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Saturday that Doha does not consider the current situation in Gaza to be a ceasefire, until a Israeli withdrawal from the entirety of Gaza 

- PM Netanyahu: I will talk with President Trump about the next stage in Gaza in a meeting with him at the end of the month

-US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz will visit Israel and Jordan in the next 4 days as part of the Trump administration's push to implement the 20-point plan, the US mission to the UN announced.

- PM Netanyahu to Chancellor Merz: The first phase is almost over. We hope to move on to the second phase soon, which will be more challenging.

- The German Chancellor publishes on X after the visit to Yad Vashem: "I bow my head before six million men, women, and children from all over Europe who the Germans murdered because they were Jews."

- During recent raids in southern Lebanon, the IDF says it demolished a Hezbollah tunnel shaft and an arms depot it was “old infrastructures that are no longer active,” the army says.

The IDF says it demolished the sites “to prevent any possibility of future use.”

- The White House is looking to broker a summit between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, Axios reports. While Egypt has played a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas over Gaza, relations between the two leaders are frosty. 

-Over the weekend, 5 terrorists were eliminated in various incidents in Gaza. Yesterday, an IDF force identified several terrorists carrying suspicious objects approaching the fighters. After identification, the Air Force attacked the terrorists, 2 of them were eliminated. Today, several terrorists who crossed the yellow line were identified - the forces fired at them and eliminated 3. 

-Khaled Mashal, the Hamas leader in Gaza and the most senior figure in the organization today, in a speech that clearly clarified Hamas's intentions for the "day after": 

We must protect the "resistance" project and its weapons (Hamas will not disarm in any way).

We reject all ideas of "delegating authority" to others, the Palestinians are the ones who will govern themselves (Hamas is not willing to accept a strong national force that will control security on their behalf)

We must work to free the prisoners and detainees in the enemy's prisons (Hamas will continue to try to capture Israelis in order to free its own prisoners)

- The President of Syria, Ahmad al-Shara in a speech yesterday:

"Israel's attempt to establish a buffer zone in southern Syria puts us in a dangerous situation. It is Syria who is attacked, Israel has carried out more than 1,000 air strikes and more than 400 ground incursions into our territory in the past year."

"We are insisting on the implementation of the 1974 agreements (the separation of forces agreement, which defines the border and the buffer zone, i.e. a Syrian demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory)."

- American envoy Tom Barrack:

The story between Iran and Israel is not over yet.

-Lebanon is a completely failed state. . . 

- There is a real need to make progress in order to reach an agreement between Israel and Syria. First, a security agreement, and then steps towards normalization.

Motzei Shabbos Vayishlach News Updates Lakewood

 Weather: Low 25° A few passing clouds.

Powerball Jackpot $820 million drawing tonight 11pm.

- BDE: Petirah of Rabbi Meir Balsam Z"L at the age of 97.Was ki ing in Lakewood previously from Monsey long-time rebbe at Yeshivah of Spring Valley. Levaya at the Lakewood chapel off 7th st 10:00am Sunday morning. Kevura in EY.

- Khal yeshuos Dovid Shedlitz annual Melava Malka 8:30 pm at the Villas shul 901 E Kennedy Blvd

- Four corners Bagels E. County line location open tonight 

- Modzitz Melava Malka and Yartzeit gathering at the Modzitz shul in Lakewood commemorating the yartzeits of the previous Admorim 967 Ridge avenue 8 PM the niggun of Ezkara will be song followed by a drahsa from a lakewood Rav.

- Hachtara this motzei shabbos of Harav Yaakov Newman shlita appointed as The Rov of Beis Hamedrash Avreichim of FLAIR community in Jackson New Jersey, at the Bnos Esther Malka hall in Lakewood 

- Asifa about the dangers of technology will take place this motzei shabbos on conjunction with a asifa in Bnei Brak  by Rav Tzvi Meir Silberberg shlita at Skulen hall off Park Ave.

- On Erev Shabbos a wedding took place at the Beru hall in Lakewood/Tons River with a Friday Chuppah and the seuda on Motzei Shabbos.

- Jackson girl passes away after hit by bus in Lakewood last  week. Angeles “Angie” Nieto Gonzales, a 19-year-old girl who was struck by a school bus in Lakewood on Sunday, has tragically died from her injuries. The fatal collision occurred around 8 a.m. on West County Line Road near Hope Chapel Road. Angie was riding a scooter when she was struck by the school bus and sustained a severe head injury.

- Tzefas: Leading Rabbonim and poskim signed a sharply worded letter against  frum women who have become public  bus drivers, calling the phenomenon a ‘serious breach’ and a ‘degrading job.’ The letter calls on them ‘to return from their ways’ and to seek other employment.”

-NY Governor Kathy Hochul made clear on Thursday that New York City’s incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has no legal power to detain Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, directly contradicting Mamdani’s repeated claims that he would attempt to do so if Netanyahu sets foot in the city.

- Israeli forces blocked what could have been a devastating assault in the Chevron region this evening, when IDF paratroopers stopped two attackers who tried to ram their vehicle into Israelis at a police checkpoint. One Israeli sustained only minor injuries in the incident.

- A 1 million jackpot-winning ticket in the New Jersey Lottery's Cash 4 Life game was sold at County Farm, at 3335 Adelphia Road, in Howell.

- New Jersey EPA Commissioner Shawn LaTourette has issued a statewide water supply Drought Warning, urging residents and businesses to reduce water usage as a result of "persistent below-average precipitation and deteriorating water supply conditions across the state."(onejersey)

-The National Park Service will offer free admission to U.S. residents on President Donald Trump’s birthday next year which also happens to be Flag Day but is eliminating the benefit for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.

Lakewood Zmanim עש"ק פרשת וישלח תשפ"ו

Friday, December 5, 2025 / ט״ו כסלו תשפ״ו

ערב שבת פרשת וישלח

Earliest shabbos of the year

Candle lighting: 4:13 pm

Shkiah/Sunset: 4:31 pm

Friday night low 29° Cloudy.

Shabbos day 41° Cloudy. 

וְאַתָּה אָמַרְתָּ הֵיטֵב אֵיטִיב עִמָּךְ וְשַׂמְתִּי אֶת זַרְעֲךָ כְּחוֹל הַיָּם אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִסָּפֵר מֵרֹב.

Esav was coming with 400 men Yaakov Davend to Hashem

Is קטנתי Read with אזלא גרש or A רביעי

 The word קטנתי in this week's parsha vayishlach is commonly read with the trup of a אזלא גרש you can hear the crowd humming it along with the baal koreh. There is however several opinions among the baalei dikduk as to the  correct trup. The Koren chumash and others has a רביעי which recent baalei koreh have been reading it with. The new Torah Temimah chumash has both  אזלא-גרש & רביעי as  the trop for קטנתי. The Breuer Tanach which is used for dikduk has it with a אזלא-גרש based on older dikduk versions of chumashim. 

There is a vort that when Yaakov Avinu said katonti he was looking to make himself humble therefore the proper reading is with a revii since the Azla Geresh goes up and amplifies it instead of humbleness. The question is asked why would it have a Azla geresh then, if it is gaavah?

Some respond with the famous vort of the Vilna Gaon the Gemara says that a person is allowed to have "Shiminis ShebeShiminis of Gaavah" - 1/8 of an 1/8 (1/64) of arrogance. What is the meaning of this unusual terminology - "an eighth of an eighth"?

The Vilna Gaon explains, the Gemorah means the 8th pasuk in the 8th parsha. Parshas VaYishlach is the 8th parsha and "Katonti Mikal HaChasadim" is the 8th pasuk. A person's level of haughtiness must be on the level that he is unworthy of anything. - "I have been diminished by all the kindness and all the truth you have done for me." Whatever Hashem does and will do for me is not coming to me. It is a gift from Hashem, "Katonti" - I am unworthy!

For a more detailed view on the technical dikduk aspect see here

Friday December 5 News Updates Lakewood

 Friday, December 5, 2025 / ט״ו כסלו תשפ״ו

ערב שבת פרשת וישלח

Earliest shabbos of the year

Candle lighting: 4:13 pm

Shkiah/Sunset: 4:31 pm

Weather: 34° Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible

Friday night low 29° Cloudy.

Shabbos day 41° Cloudy. 

- Powerball jackpot $820 million drawing motzei shabbos

- A erev shabbos chupah wedding took place today at the  Beru hall Lakewood/Toms River

- Trump was awarded FIFA’s newly established Peace Prize, recognizing efforts to promote unity through sport.

- CDC vaccine panel votes 8-3 to stop policy recommending that all infants get the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.

- Rav Daniel Coren shlita of Scheiners shul in Monsey will be speaking at shalosh seudos this week in B"M Lev Avos 232 Iris rd Mincha 4:00 pm 

- Trump: I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America. Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries. They can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid. These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!! START BUILDING THEM NOW! Thank you to the DOJ and the Departments of Transportation and Environment. ENJOY!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP

-A Jackson teen, identified as Angie, is in critical condition and on life support after being hit by a school bus while riding an e-bike Sunday morning at County Line Road and Hope Chapel Road. Friends and neighbors have rallied to support the family.

- Trump: The Democrats number one policy push is the complete and total OBLITERATION of our great United States Supreme Court. They will do this on their very first day in office, through the simple Termination of the Filibuster, SHOULD THEY WIN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. The Radical Left Democrats are looking at 21 Justices, with immediate ascension. This would be terrible for our Country. Fear not, however, Republicans will not let it, or any of their other catastrophic policies, happen. Our Country is now in very good hands. MAGA!!!

- The Sadigura Rebbe shlita is currently in Lakewood and will be spending Shabbos with his chassidim at the Bais medrash on Holly Street in the Ridge area of Lakewood. 

Schedule. Tish Friday night at 9:30 PM

Mincha and Shalosh Seudos 4:20 PM

- Admor M'Kuzhmir will spend shabbos in Lakewood tefillos at B"M Tefilah Ledovid

- Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlita will spend shabbos in Monsey 

- Asifa about the dangers of technology will take place this motzei shabbos with the participation and drasha by Rav Tzvi Meir Silberberg shlita at Skulen hall off Park Ave.

- A hakomas matzeiva rook place yesterday at the kever of Rav Asher Deutsch ZTL upon his first yartzeit

- Last night, the Township Committee held its final meeting of the year, during which the members congratulated one another on a successful year in running the Township. Mayor Coles thanked both the committee and the residents of Lakewood for their support throughout the year. He noted that he is unsure whether he will be reappointed as mayor but stated that he is willing to serve in any capacity.

During the public comment portion, one resident called on the committee to follow the example of Toms River and try to abolish the MUA, describing it as a source of “no-show officials” receiving large salaries and benefits, with insiders being appointed to these positions. The mayor declined to address the comment.

A resident urged Lakewood to change its form of government to a council with an elected mayor similar to Jackson and Toms River especially given that Lakewood is now the fourth-largest city in New Jersey. They argued that the current system was created for a small town, not a major municipality. The mayor defended the current system as working well for Lakewood, even though he had previously supported a change to a structure similar to that of neighboring towns.

- Hachtara this motzei shabbos of  Harav Yaakov Newman  shlita appointed as The Rov of Beis Hamedrash Avreichim of FLAIR community in Jackson New Jersey, at the Bnos Esther Malka hall in Lakewood 

- Giyus: Hamodia newspaper editorial The current draft law by Boaz Bismuth  does not allow for the necessary basic principle: an exemption from army service for anyone who studies Torah.”

Giyus: Rav Zion Bouaron has stated that Sephardi bochurim are being deliberately targeted by the IDF military police. According to him, in the past six months, 110 boys have been arrested and spent time in military jail.

This follows an incident today in which a bochur from a Sephardi yeshiva in Ramot was randomly asked for identification at a bus stop in Maaleh Adumim and was subsequently handed over to the military police.

- The Lakewood Township Committe approves new “No Parking” zone on East End Avenue between East Harvard Street and County Line Road. The restriction is needed to support a newly added left-turn lane installed by Ocean County as part of a traffic improvement project.

- After six hours of public comment during the final public hearing on RWJBarnabas Health's application of need to relocate its Monmouth Medical Center hospital license from Long Branch to a proposed new hospital in Tinton Falls, the state's Health Advisory Board opted to defer on the vote.(App)

- Howell Township Council is considering an ordinance to grant a 30-year PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreement to Howell 360 LLC, a Lakewood-based developer helping the township meet its affordable-housing requirements. The proposed project includes 360 rental apartments in 12 buildings at 1400 Route 9, with 252 market-rate units and 108 affordable units. Hearing is Dec 16.

- Shiva for Mrs. Ita Hildersheim will be in Lakewood starting Sunday at 659 5th st.

- Pomovezh yeshiva under Rav Shmuel Markowitz raised 40 million  Shekel in New fundraising campaign.

- Giyus: NYT reports on latest giyus threat here

Oif Simchas Thurs 15 Kislev

Tonight we begin saying ותן טל ומטר לברכה

Chasunas:

Wikler - Moskowitz Ateres Reva

Feldma - Czermak Ateres Esther 

Katz - Adler Ateres Blima

Schulman - Wolf Fountain Ballroom 

Schulman - Fisher Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

- Farbrengen ahead of yat Kislev at Heichal hachasidus 501 Ocean avenue 9:30 lpm

Djd

Thursday Dec 4 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 42° partly cloudy this afternoon. A few flurries are possible. tonight low of 20° clear Near record low temperatures

 Tonight: מתחילין לומר ותן טל ומטר במעריב

-New Jersey will see its coldest weather of the season as an arctic air mass moves in Thursday night, with temperatures dropping to the single digits in the northwest and teens elsewhere. Light snow is possible late Friday.

-  Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlita paid a visit today to yeshiva darchei Torah

 - In a win for Republicans, the Supreme Court rules 6-3 that Texas can move forward with the 2026 Congressional redistricting map.

- Mikie Sherrill: I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: Pete Hegseth is wholly unfit to lead the Department of Defense and should resign or be fired immediately. His reckless decision to use Signal to share classified information not only broke the law but put the mission and U.S. pilots’ lives in danger. Our armed forces deserve better than his masterclass in incompetence.

- BDE: Petirah of Mrs. Ita Hildersheim A"H from Cleveland at the age of 101. She was in Lakewood recently. Almana of Rav Moshe Hildersheim ztl. Daughter of the Uzda Rav ZTL. Levaya is tonight 8:00 pm at the Lakewood chapel  off 7th with kevura in Cleveland tomorrow. Children are ybl"c R' Shimon R' Yosef Elchanan R' Shmuel Mordechai, R' Eliezer, Mrs. Sanders.

-The CRC Hisachdus has issued a new clarification regarding which beers that remain fully kosher and pose no kashrus concerns. Among the brands listed as acceptable are Blue Moon, Corona, Carlsberg, Coors, Heineken, Keystone, Miller, Modelo, Samuel Adams, and Stella Artois. This is only a partial list; the CRC noted that additional brands will be reviewed and publicized as verified information becomes available. However, any beer containing added flavors should be consumed only when it carries reliable kosher certification.

 - U.S. employers announced more than 1.17 million layoffs so far this year, up 54% from last year, and the highest level since the 2020 pandemic.

- A Satmar couple visiting Israel got lost while trying to drive from Yerushalayim to Shilo and accidentally ended up deep in Nablus (Shechem). As local arab residents attempted to attack them, an IDF unit intervened and rescued the couple.

-A Slabodka youngerman found 150,000 shekels hidden in a wall of the Bnei Brak apartment he bought. Rabbi Yehuda Silman ruled the money belongs to the seller, who hadn’t known about it as it belonged to her brother who lived there prior. The avrech returned it in a small ceremony, and the non religious woman was moved to tears. The Rav blessed him for his honesty.

- An 85-year-old Sefer Torah hidden during the Holocaust was returned last week to the Jewish community of Wisznice, Poland after being safeguarded for decades by a non-Jewish Polish farmer.

- Lakewood township committee meeting today 5:30 pm virtual only watch livestream Here

 see agenda Here public can submit comments during meeting via email to comments@lakewoodnj.gov

On the agenda

-Eleanor Levovitz Senior Apartments – Tax Exemption Extension Location: 500 Clifton Avenue Extend the tax exemption for the 150-unit senior housing complex until December 31, 2057, or until affordability requirements expire.

- A New Handicap Parking slot In front of Satmar Shul, 405 Forest Avenue

- 30 year Tax abatements for the new buildings going up in Cedarbridge Park

- The Township of Lakewood is selling several township-owned properties in Block 175 under the following minimum bid conditions they are located off E. Kennedy blvd in the Brookhill neighborhood.

Block 175, Lot 52: $1,380,000

Block 175, Lot 58: $1,380,000

Block 175, Lot 67: $500,000

Block 175, Lot 69: $1,320,000

These prices represent the minimum bids required for the sale of the properties. The 30 day bids begin after the ordnance reading at the township meeting.

- Last month, 17 Israeli rabbis spent a week in the United States on an Orthodox Union program aimed at helping them better understand American Jewry and the factors that make aliyah challenging. Some were surprised to hear U.S. Charedi rabbis claim that young religious Israelis lose their observance in the army a perception the visitors strongly rejected. During the trip, the group visited Lakewood, N.J., including Beth Medrash Govoha,They also attended the Chabad Kinus HaShluchim in Brooklyn, met leaders at Yeshiva University, Ner Israel in Baltimore, and Lakewood’s rabbinic leadership, visited the New Square Rebbe, and toured the 9/11 Memorial.

- Rav Sholom Ahron Ehrenfeld:  One Boy Locked Away For 6 Years All Bottles Locked Away For 6 days Of The Week listen here 

- Giyus: Agudas Yisrael party has warned Netanyahu that without changes to the draft law, they are prepared to head to elections.

- Giyus: Likud MK Avichay Boaron told Kol Berama that the draft law will be advanced carefully and thoughtfully, with agreements reached with the Charedi parties. He believes the law will pass.

- Baltimore's Seven Mile Market has announced that membership or photo ID will be required to enter the store beginning in January, 2026. due to several recent incidents

- Local  Lakewood restaurant owner shared a linkedin post that a major personal health challenge recently forced him to step back and fear for his career and business. Against expectations, he B"H returned sooner than planned and is now rebuilding slowly with deep gratitude for every customer. He invites people to come support the restaurant and offers encouragement to anyone facing tough times: take the next step you’re not alone. he asks that people continue to patronize the restaurant agripasstreet

-FBI makes arrest in Jan. 6 pipe bomb probe nearly 5 years after devices were discovered the alleged DC pipe bomber, arrested today in Virginia by the FBI, is expected to appear in court today identified as Brian Cole, 30, of northern Virginia 

- Thousands are expected tonight Thursday at the grand wedding for the 1st great-grandchild (4th generation) of Satmar Grand Rebbe Aron at the Duggal Greenhouse complex in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 

Israel News Thurs Dec 4

Day 790

- Anti-Hamas militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed in ‘internal clash’ in Gaza, Israeli sources say

- The IDF announces that it has begun a wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, after issuing evacuation warnings for sites in four towns.

-The IDF officially confirms that the commander of Hamas’s East Rafah Battalion, his deputy, and two other terror operatives were killed while trying to escape a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday.

- Israeli officials confirmed Thursday that the body returned from the Gaza Strip a day earlier was Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai agricultural worker who came to Israel to financially support his family back home. He was killed on October 7 in kibbutz Beeri.

The body of just one slain hostage remains in Gaza: police officer Ran Gvili, who was killed and abducted while battling terrorists in the border community of Alumim on the morning of October 7.

- Israeli and Lebanese representatives agreed to hold another meeting later this month to continue exploring economic cooperation. The Prime Minister office emphasized that “the disarmament of Hezbollah is mandatory, regardless of progress in economic cooperation.

- Defense Minister Israel Katz visits the soldiers wounded in yesterday’s attack by terror operatives on troops in the southern Gaza Strip.

“We will continue to act forcefully against any violation and against Hamas’s terror infrastructure in Gaza, until the last hostage is returned and until all Hamas capabilities are destroyed,” Katz says in a statement.

- Later on Wednesday, the IDF struck targets across southern Gaza as "a response to the ceasefire violation," the army said. 6 terrorists were killed according to reports.

Melodies of The Yeshiva World

Audio listen Here

ניגוני עולם הישיבות A Unique Musical Journey Follow the melodies of the yeshiva world  from R’ Chaim Volozhiner, Novardhok,  through R’ Boruch Ber Leibowitz, to R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l with moving narration telling the story and meaning of each song.

Oif Simchas Wed 14 Kislev

Chasunas: 

Goldberg - Feinzeig Ateres Blima

Weinberger - Klein Ateres Esther 

Berenbaum - Nussbaum Bais Faiga

Robinson - Kurland Ateres Chaim Elazar

Gubitz - Glick Ne'emas Hachaim

Greenspan - Segal Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Goldzweig - Friedman Fountain Ballroom 

Wednesday December 3 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 41° Sunny.

Some light snow is possible across much of New Jersey on Friday night after an Arctic blast of much frigid air could challenge record low temperatures.

- Agudath Israel of America commends the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for voting today in favor of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, President Trump’s nominee for Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, and urges the full Senate to act swiftly to confirm the nomination and allow the Ambassador-designate to promptly assume his responsibilities.

- A Lakewood man, Edwin Ramirez-Carranza, 21, pleaded guilty to eluding police in an October 2024 Lakehurst pursuit and to aggravated assault for an April 2025 Lakewood crash that seriously injured an off-duty officer. He is expected to receive two concurrent five-year prison terms, with the assault sentence subject to the No Early Release Act.

- Updated: Mordechai Ben Sara Rena, a 23-year-old Lakewood bochur, was sentenced Wednesday to six years in New Jersey State Prison without the possibility of parole for a 2022 drunken-driving crash that killed a 44-year-old woman. The NJ sentencing guidelines require that for certain crimes one must sit for 85% of the time before  they are eligible for parole.

Tzedek association Director Rabbi Moshe Margaretten bemoaned the verdict in a statement to Belaaz news: “It is with great pain that we share the difficult news that Mordy Berkowitz was sentenced today to six years in prison despite the judge noting several times how impressed he was with the accountability campaign supported by Tzedek.”“We believe this sentence is extraordinarily harsh and deeply unfair, and with Hashem’s help, and your continued tefillos, we will succeed!”

Rabbi Margaretten noted “Mordy has already spent the last three years on home confinement. The victims and their families themselves pleaded for mercy. In the neighboring county he would have likely faced zero prison time.”

“Our campaign generated nearly 50,000 pledges from people committing never to drink and drive again a true kiddush Hashem and a testament to real accountability. Yet the prosecutors still sought ten years.”(Belaaz)

- Powerball jackpot has climbed to $775 million, with the next drawing tonight.

- Tomorrow evening, Thursday night, December 4, 2025, Klal Yisrael in Chutz La’aretz will begin reciting V’sain Tal Umatar.

- Giyus: The Belz newspaper Bamachane ran a headline sharply criticizing the current draft bill, warning about the compromises and decrees that would impact the Charedi public as a result of the newly opened discussions on the conscription law.

- Toms River, Lakewood Among NJ’s Most Populated Towns

New Jersey remains a top destination for families, with over 9.5 million residents across 564 municipalities. According to Reader’s Digest, which analyzed state demographics, Lakewood and Toms River rank among the most populated towns in the state. Lakewood is 4th with 139,866 residents, and Toms River is 8th with 99,091. New Jersey continues to trade places with Rhode Island as the nation’s most densely populated state.

- Tefillos and nonstop learning today as a zechus for Mordechai ben Sara Rina, who is being sentenced today in Toms River at 1:30 PM.

Part-time MUA commissioners in Toms River and Lakewood are getting full healthcare and hefty stipends sometimes for just 1–2 hours of work a month. Critics call it a “gravy train” for political appointees. Many appointees are political insiders selected by mayors and township councils. Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick wants to dissolve the MUA to cut waste.

- The USDA will cut federal funding for SNAP in 21 states starting next week  including NJ, after they refused a February request for recipients’ addresses, Social Security numbers, and immigration status. Audits in cooperating states found issues like 186,000 deceased individuals on rolls, 500,000+ duplicate payments, and 800,000+ ineligible recipients removed nationwide. Non-compliant states, mostly led by Democrats, argue the request violates privacy laws. The lost funding, which covers roughly half of program administration costs, could cost each state tens of millions annually. Affected states include California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, and others.

-The Lakewood Township MUA on Tuesday approved a 2% sewer rate increase for 2026, continuing its annual water and sewer hikes. For a family of four using about 200 gallons a day, officials estimate that the cumulative adjustments since 2023 have added roughly $15–$20 to the average monthly bill.

- New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is reportedly backing a plan to raise the state sales tax to 7% before she takes office, allowing the increase to take effect without her bearing the political fallout.

- Howell Police have charged 18-year-old Jaden Thompson of Freehold Township for violently assaulting a young mother who was walking with her 2-year-old on Pinewood Road in Howell on November 17. Thompson is charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Simple Assault. He is already being held in the Ocean County Jail on separate attempted murder charges for an unrelated Thanksgiving stabbing in Jackson. The Howell case followed a two-week investigation after the attacker choked and slammed the mother to the ground before fleeing when she screamed.

A lottery player in union city Hudson County NJ won Tuesday’s $90 million Mega Millions jackpot.

that funding for the Section 8 rental assistance program will be delayed this month in the aftermath of the shutdown.

Only in Bnei Brak: Three brothers ended up in the delivery ward at Mayanei HaYeshua on the same day and at the same time, each accompanying his wife as she gave birth. Within just a few hours, all three became fathers and the grandparents were blessed with four new grandchildren (one set of twins!). Mazel Tov (M weisberg)

- Giyus: In Netanyahu’s circle, there’s a push for a “timetable” on approving the draft law. Coalition members are asking the legal advisor how much time is needed to review all clauses and how many more discussions are required to move the legislation forward. Despite opposition within the coalition, Charedi parties and Netanyahu’s circle are confident that the exemption-from-draft law will pass. “These are negotiation tactics; everyone has their own strategy,” said senior Charedi officials.

Israel News Wed Dec 3

Day 789

-  Trump: The second phase of the deal in Gaza is advancing; it will happen soon

- 5 soldiers wounded in Rafah, one seriously; PM: ‘Israel will not tolerate’ attacks on troops.

- An IDF soldier was seriously injured, and other soldiers were lightly wounded in the encounter in Rafah when A group of 3 Hamas terrorists exited from the tunnel and fired an RPG towards IDF forces. The IDF fighters engaged in a face-to-face battle and killed two terrorists; the third, who attached an explosive charge to an APC Namer, fled.

- iDF received the body and will be sent to identification. 

Israel set to receive apparent body of a hostage from Gaza as the body of the hostage was handed over to the Red Cross

- Israel says remains handed over by Hamas on Tuesday are not of the final 2 hostages

Forensic testing of remains delivered via Red Cross determines they are not of Ran Gvili or Sudthisak Rinthalak.

- IDF located rocket launchers and launch tubes in the yellow line area.

- Israel announced on Wednesday that it will reopen the Rafah Border Crossing in the coming days for the exit of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, though Cairo denied it was coordinating with Jerusalem on renewing operations at the facility.

- A motion to adopt US President Donald Trump’s 20-point “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” advances in the Knesset, passing its first reading with 39 votes in favor and zero votes against.

Oif Simchas Tuesday 13 Kislev

Chasunas:

Neuhaus - Frankel Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Fishman - Schechter Neemas Hachaim 

Solomon - Brisk Lake Terrace 

Reichenberg  -Kempler Ateres Blima

Barkani Ateres Esther

Schaum - Auerbach Ateres Reva

- Tonight Atzeres tefilah for Mordechai ben Sara Rena at BMG Ateres Esrher hall in Bais Yitxchok 10:30 pm ahead of sentencing. To help please take the pledge

Tuesday Dec 2 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 46° Rain. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.

- Today 12 kislev marks the 6th yartzeit of the Jersey city kedoshim

-Jersey City elected James Solomon, a two-term city councilman and a progressive outsider, as the city’s next mayor in its Tuesday runoff, rejecting former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s bid at a political comeback, the New Jersey Globe projects.

-Matt Van Epps (R) defeats Aftyn Behn (D) in the Tennessee 07 special election.

- Trump. Any and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts, signed by Order of the now infamous and unauthorized “AUTOPEN,” within the Administration of Joseph R. Biden Jr., are hereby null, void, and of no further force or effect. Anyone receiving “Pardons,” “Commutations,” or any other Legal Document so signed, please be advised that said Document has been fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

- Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita is visiting Baltimore for several fundraising events on behalf of the Adirei HaTorah campaign, supporting the Yungeleit of BMG.

-As the Get Covered deadline approaches, residents are facing very high health-insurance premiums, with no subsidies or updates yet from the Trump administration. Many are looking into health-share plans, but these often don’t cover preexisting conditions such as pregnancy or chronic illnesses

 - RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan to vote on ending vaccination of all newborns for hepatitis B and reexamine whether vaccines in the childhood immunization schedule are behind rising allergies and autoimmune disorders — WaPo

- Giyus: Prime Minister Netanyahu canceled a press conference on the conscription (Giyus) law, that he was to urge Likud rebels to support it. He called the law “complex but not an enemy law” and noted that many have praised it.

- Expo for designers Architects and developers taking place today at Bellworks

- New nationwide SNAP rules now require most adults ages 18–64 to work, train, or volunteer 80 hours a month to keep benefits, unless exempt. The administration cites fraud reduction and tighter enforcement as goals. All recipients must reapply under the new rules. SNAP serves over 40 million people, and the CBO estimates the changes will cut enrollment by 2.4 million over the next decade, alongside separate moves to restrict benefits for undocumented immigrants.

-Michael and Susan Dell announced Tuesday that they have committed $6.25 billion to fund investment accounts for some 25 million American children. The couple’s donation will be the largest ever devoted to American children A new federal program will let parents open tax-advantaged “Trump accounts” for children under 18, seeded with a $1,000 federal grant for all U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028. Parents can begin opening these accounts on July 4, 2026, once IRS guidelines are released. Separately, the Dells have pledged $250 for Trump accounts for children age 10 and under who were born before Jan. 1, 2025. Their commitment is expected to benefit 25 million children living in ZIP codes with median incomes of $150,000 or less.

-President Trump is set to make an announcement to the nation Tuesday at 2pm ET from the White House

-At last night’s Lakewood Zoning Board meeting, the board denied several applications, including a proposed shopping center and duplexes on Prospect Street, an office building on New Hampshire Avenue, and additional duplexes on Chestnut. In each case, strong opposition from local residents played a key role. Neighbors argued that the zoning changes would place inappropriate development in residential areas and worsen traffic and safety issues. A debate broke out over a traffic study on Prospect Street, which had been conducted Friday morning. Residents criticized the board for considering claims that there's not much traffic on Prospect street. It was also noted that homebuyers are increasingly avoiding Lakewood, choosing instead to move to Jackson, Howell, and other surrounding towns.

-Utility Rate increase: Lakewood Township MUA: The board voted today on a 2% sewer rate increase for both residential and commercial customers at the public meeting this morning. Lakewood MUA approved water rate hike for customers by 38% in 2024 over next 7 years on top of a 15% rate hike the last two years. The commissioners that include Mayor Coles and committeeman Lichtenstein and Wife of Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller received a salary increase from $5k to $15k annually; they are not employees but receive compensation for being a commissioner. See below article on mUA commissioner salaries.

- Leading Litvishe rabbonim in Eretz Yisroel issued a sharp letter opposing musical concerts altogether including those with separate seating — and especially events arranged for women. They called for the immediate cancellation of all concerts already scheduled for Chanukah.

-Vaad L’Mishmeres Shatnez warns that a Tiglio suit bought on Avenue J in Brooklyn—was found to contain shatnez due to a wool-and-linen stripe. They stress that even suits from Jewish-owned stores or “Bnei Torah” sales must be checked.

- Giyus: Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the IDF can take in 5,760 additional Charedi soldiers this year, and with advance notice could handle even more in the future. The coalition’s draft bill sets higher recruitment targets: 8,160 in year one, 6,840 in year two, 7,920 in year three, 8,500 in year four, and by year five at least 50% of the annual Charedi graduating cohort.

-NJDOT will close shoulders on Route 195 for maintenance Dec. 2–5, 7 a.m.–3 p.m., affecting mileposts 11–20 (Upper Freehold, Millstone, Jackson) and 30–34.17 (Wall, Howell). Drivers may face delays.

- Board of Education member Moshe Raitzik has resigned from his position following his recent election to the Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners, citing a New Jersey law that bars individuals from holding two elected public offices simultaneously. The Board has not yet announced a timeline for selecting his replacement.

-Records show Lakewood MUA commissioners each receive tens of thousands in benefits and stipends despite serving part-time and attending monthly meetings.

A newly filed state report shows Lakewood MUA commissioners receive tens of thousands of dollars in stipends and full medical benefits despite serving only part-time and attending monthly meetings. Chairman Sen. Robert Singer receives $86,976 with benefits, while Mayor Ray Coles receives the same base stipend but declines benefits. Several other commissioners and alternates also receive sizeable benefit packages.The findings come amid broader scrutiny of MUAs across the Jersey Shore after Toms River’s move to dissolve its own authority over similar issues. Critics say the Lakewood MUA’s compensation is excessive for appointed officials with limited duties, noting that benefits not stipends drive the high totals. The MUA’s executive staff also earn six-figure salaries. Growing taxpayer concerns suggest calls for reform are likely he budget lists “estimated amount of other compensation from the authority” including health benefits and pension costs as the driving factor behind the six-figure totals. While the commissioners’ stipends remain modest, their full-time benefits packages account for the bulk of their pay. Alternate commissioners Meir Lichtenstein, Samuel Flancbaum, and Yocheved Miller also receive payments and benefits, even though alternates typically attend only as needed. More .

-  A 19-year-old woman was hospitalized with a serious head injury after being struck by a school bus on West County Line Road near Hope Chapel Road, Lakewood on Nov. 30 around 8 a.m. The crash remains under investigation. APP

- Tonight Atzeres tefilah for Mordechai ben Sara Rena at BMG Ateres Esrher hall in Bais Yitxchok 10:30 pm ahead of sentencing. To help please take the pledge here

Israel News Tues Dec 2

Day 788

- Israel received unspecified “findings” from the Red Cross in Gaza that may belong to one of the last two hostages. Hamas had hinted to Reuters it was transferring a body, but offered no official announcement. The Red Cross said the items were “small remains, pieces” of a body. The IDF examined the remains, held a brief ceremony, and transferred them to the Abu Kabir forensic institute for identification.

- The IDF is seeing a dramatic rise in girls volunteering for combat roles. Although Israeli girls are automatically exempt, many are choosing to enlist in frontline units, driven by the impact of the past two years of war and a strong desire to help defend the country.

- Two soldiers were lightly injured Tuesday morning in a stabbing attack near the northern West Bank settlement of Ateret, the Israel Defense Forces said. The assailant was shot dead.

- During the elimination of the Hezbollah Chief of Staff, a very sensitive and intelligent bomb fell in a densely populated residential area and did not explode. The US administration is pressuring the Lebanese government to return the bomb to its hands before it falls into enemy hands.

Oif Simchas Monday 12 kislev

Chasunas:

Meisels - Gold Neemas Hachaim 

Steinmetz- Sprei Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Weiss - Horowitz Ateres Esther 

Coren - Feiner Fountain Ballroom 

-Bas Ayin event in Tzefas with R' Meilich Biederman live

- Toms River Bas Ayin seuda at Neimark shul

- Bas Ayin seuda this evening at Neustadt hall 615 E. County line with the attendance of R' Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin 8:30 pm

- Bas Ayin Parlor meeting  15 Oregon Ave Jackson Brookwood 1 9-11pm

- Minyan Shelanu 9:15pm

- Mordy's Shteibel 10:00pm

Monday December 1 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 43°Sunny to partly cloudy

Tonight 29° overcast

Tomorrow 44° Rain likely. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.

- President Trump is set to make an announcement to the nation Tuesday at 2pm ET from the White House

- Powerball  jackpot $740 Million drawing tonight 11pm

- Zoning board votes to deny prospect Street application as many area residents spoke up in opposition.

- Zoning board voted to deny office building off New Hampshire Avenue as many residents spoke up in opposition.

- New Jersey Gas Tax Rate Will Increase by 4.2 Cents Effective January 1, 2026

The Department of the Treasury announced today that New Jersey’s gas tax rate will increase by 4.2 cents per gallon beginning on January 1, 2026 to support the State’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) program. New Jersey’s gas tax is increasing in 2026 because a new tate law (Chapter 7) requires the gas-tax-funded Transportation Trust Fund to bring in more money each year to pay for road and bridge projects.

Since fuel consumption has gone down, the current tax rate won’t raise enough money to meet the required funding level. To close the gap, the formula in the law automatically triggers a 4.2-cent-per-gallon increase starting January 1, 2026.

- New Jersey hospitals are reinstating face mask requirements in response to the spread of respiratory viruses throughout the state. Hackensack Meridian Health announced Monday that anyone visiting an admitted patient will be required to wear a face mask.

hospital system serves close to 2 million patients annually at its facilities.

RWJ Barnabas Health, which operates 14 hospitals throughout the state, also announced this week that it’s bringing back masking protocols. Starting Monday

- Ponovezh Both sides agreed to extend the deadline to challenge the arbitration ruling in the Ponovezh Yeshiva dispute. The Rav  Markovitz faction’s new legal team needed more time to review the decision, and Rabbi Kahaneman consented. 

- Karoline Leavitt confirms practically no "refugees" are entering the United States right now."With the exception of Afrikaners fleeing persecution from South Africa." 

- Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has picked Dale Caldwell, the Lt. Governor-elect, as New Jersey's new Secretary of State. Caldwell is the president of Centenary University, a small college in Warren County, and a Methodist minister

- Toms River Bas Ayin seuda at Neimark shul

- Bas Ayin seuda this evening at Neustadt hall 615 E. County line with the attendance of R' Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin

-Cyber monday deals check out the latest at Dansdeals 

- Giyus: Likud Coalition Official: Draft Law DOA  “Dead On Arrival"

After the first discussions, senior coalition members say the draft law has lost majority support. Opposition comes from eight Likud and Religious Zionist MKs, led by Meir Porush. Any concessions to Charedi parties would alienate others, leaving the law politically unviable. Officials advise Netanyahu to abandon the effort (Amit Segal)

- Message from Lakewood Police:

A pole was struck on Route 9 between 14th & 15th. The road is open but reduced to one lane each way. JCP&L estimates 6-8 hours to replace the pole. Please expect delays.

- Lakewood zoning board meeting today 7pm watch livestream Here see agenda Here

• Office building proposed on New Hampshire Ave.

• Homes/duplexes + retail planned for 1501 Prospect (needs use variance).

• Two-family house requested on E. County Line.

• 2 duplex lots on Laurel Ave (lot size short).

• 4 duplexes proposed in R-40 zone (R-10A standards).

• Apple St home needs setback/coverage variances.

• Harbour Ave home needs reduced frontage (13.5’).

- A&B Famous has temporarily stopped producing its Original Gefilte Fish due to a shortage of the specific fresh fish varieties required for its high-standard recipe. Seasonal harvesting limits have made those fish unavailable, and the company says it won’t resume production until it can again obtain the premium, never-frozen fish that give the product its signature quality

-Judges have just disqualified Alina Habba from serving as U.S. Attorney in New Jersey. Former Trump personal lawyer Alina Habba is unlawfully serving as the US attrney for New Jersey, appeals court says.

-Tax Dollars Lakewood Development corporation meeting today on the agenda The Lakewood Development Corporation authorized a $1,000,000 funding request to the NJ UEZ Authority to support loans for local businesses, promoting expansion, improvements, and job growth.

- Water rates increase: The Lakewood Township MUA will hold a public hearing on December 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM to adopt the 2026 sewer rates. Starting January 1, 2026, residential, commercial, and industrial sewer rates will rise an additional 2%. The meeting, open for public comment, will take place at 390 New Hampshire Avenue. see notice Here 

- For those seeking Rhodes frozen dinner rolls at Walmart for Chanukah donuts, they are located on the end-cap of the freezer section.

- Yeshiva Chemdas Hatorah's legal battle to add 500 cars to Lakewood's James & Cross heads to trial. Faanews 

- Giyus: Likud MK Dan Illouz told Boaz Bismuth he cannot support the current Haredi draft-exemption bill, saying it fails to create real change and could even set back progress. He warned it may prolong non-conscription and called it unacceptable on a key security issue.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says his Religious Zionism party won’t back the current draft-law proposal unless it brings real, practical change. However, he notes the party will seek amendments and may support the bill later if it’s revised.

- A request was filed for more time to respond to Ponivez Yeshiva’s bid to approve the arbitration award, indicating a intention to contest the decision and pursue having the ruling annulled. Last night a fundraiser was held in Yerushalayim D City venue launching the והקמותי campaign to help the yeshiva continue under the leadership of Rav Shmuel Markowitz

-  The death toll from the Hong Kong fire has risen to 146, with victims found inside apartments and on rooftops where residents fled in desperation.

Israel News Monday Dec 1

 Day 787

 - Israeli officials said today that their security branches see the killing of al Joulani, also known as Ahmad al Sharaa, by Syrian opposition elements as a strong possibility, and are signaling that the region should brace for the kind of extremist power grabs once carried out by groups like ISIS

- Senior Israeli official in the security system to Channel 14: "Lebanon is likely to become the central stage soon. Hezbollah has tens of thousands of fighters, and less than 10,000 rockets, few of which are accurate. The elimination of Tabetbey is not necessarily the last - the elimination of additional Hezbollah leaders who operate against Israel is definitely on the agenda

- Israel Prime Minister's Office: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump a short while ago. The two leaders emphasized in their conversation the importance and commitment to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and discussed expanding the peace agreements. U.S. President Trump invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to a White House meeting in the near future.

-Trump sends a message to Israel: Scale down the activities and rhetoric  on Syria- I want to promote a security agreement and strengthen the rule of al-Sharaa in Syria.

- The United States has warned Iraq of an imminent Israeli operation against Hezbollah, which would continue until its disarmament, according to al-Hadath. A US warning was conveyed of a severe Israeli strike in Iraq if the pro‑Iranian militias intervene.

- Hamas terrorists exited a building in Jabaliya where they were searching for a hostage with a body hidden under a blanket Assessment in Israel: The body found is of a hostage, and Hamas is not willing to hand it over today

-Two Palestinian terrorists were killed after crossing Gaza’s Yellow Line demarcating the IDF’s withdrawal in two separate incidents in the territory’s north today, the military says.