Lakewood Alerts on Tuesday shared footage of a YouTuber who was seen walking around Lakewood interviewing residents. Based on limited information at the time — and in light of recent incidents in which outside YouTubers entered Lakewood looking to provoke controversy or publish misleading content about the Orthodox Jewish community — the post suggested that the individual may have been engaged in similar activity.

It was later clarified that the YouTuber was actually Caleb Snyder, a social media commentator who had come to Lakewood with a very different objective: interviewing residents and highlighting the positive reality of the community.

After removing the earlier social media posts, Lakewood Alerts made contact with Snyder and met with him in person on Thursday to discuss his visit and his impressions of the township.

Snyder said he spent two days visiting local organizations and speaking with residents throughout town.

“The organizations, the charities I’ve been to — Hatzolah, multiple organizations — are absolutely incredible,” he said. “This town is amazing for both Jews and non-Jews.”
He added that while Lakewood’s traffic stood out to him as a challenge, his overall impression was strongly positive.

“My biggest takeaway from the last two days here in Lakewood is the assimilation of Jews and non-Jews,” Snyder said. “I’ve interviewed dozens of Jews and dozens of Gentiles, and the way they get along and the way they talk to each other has been incredible.”

Snyder said his goal in filming was to highlight those interactions and present a more accurate picture of the community. The video is expected to be released sometime next week.