Weather: 78° Rain ending this morning. Remaining cloudy  Chance of rain 70%.

New Jersey could get hit with multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms from Tuesday to Thursday. High winds, hail, flash flooding and a few tornadoes are possible.National Weather Service

18 Elul Yartzeitl R'Yehuda Loew, the Maharal (1525-1609). Chief Rav of Prague

- Back to School! A challenging work week islpp p ahead for many parents as girls schools begin the new year. The first few days may include orientation, half days, and early dismissals, making schedules a little more complicated than usual.  Many will  be Carpooling  Finally, LSTA transportation will begin, with adjusted routes serving neighborhoods as the new school year gets underway. Bus passes are available on the LSTA portal.

- Right wing political commentators criticize the upcoming meering with Trump and leading admorim. This is the headline on  social media. Trump to Meet Anti-Zionist Hasidic Rabbis in Oval Office Before Rosh Hashana. The gathering, arranged by White House Jewish liaison Martin Marks, includes rabbis from Satmar, Skver, Bobov, and Vizhnitz, who plan to discuss Israel's military draft of ultra-Orthodox students and New York religious education autonomy. Critics like Laura Loomer and Sid Rosenberg called it a misstep, labeling the rabbis anti-Israel and unfit for the president. Satmar leaders defended the meeting, pointing to their 98 percent support for Trump in Kiryas Joel during the 2024 election and their commitment to his policies as American Jews focused on U.S. issues.

Satmar Headquarters on Twitter responds to Loomer concerns about President Trump inviting Grand Rebbe Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum to meet with him. They argue that the Palm Tree/Kiryas Joel community strongly supports Trump, saying it voted overwhelmingly for him in the last two presidential elections more than any other Jewish community in the country. They encourage people to verify the voting data and say respectful dialogue could promote greater understanding and unity.

- Trump: The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can’t believe it is happening!pp

- Lakewood planning board meeting tommorow The Eagle Ridge golf course application will be heard it was initially approved for 512 homes now The developers come back to present the plans for the the new The Parke development off Cross st to create 129 lots for the initial phase.

- At least thirteen people were injured, including three seriously, after a shuttle bus crashed into a wall at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport. The crash happened outside Terminal B at the departures level early this morning, causing some nearby roadways to be shut down and leading to more than a dozen flight delays.

- Libs of TikTok: Not a single post from Governor Mikie Sherill about a baby who was kiIIed in his stroller by an illegal in her state. Your silence is deafening.

- Yomim Noraim seat reservations deadline in BMG. There will be a new added minyan this year at the Princeton B"M.

- Giyus: Netanyahu: Charedim who don't learn Torah, will be drafted into the military or will go to jail.

- The Manchester mikvah application is headed back to the Zoning Board for a special hearing on November 12, 2026, creating a possible path to a negotiated settlement and approval. Faa 

- LSTA: It has been speculated that Governor Sherrill is out to get Lakewood as a form of revenge for the community’s rejection of her as a gubernatorial candidate. The community voted overwhelmingly against her both in the Democratic primary and in the general election, and some prominent local advocacy groups strongly endorsed her opponents both times. During the primary, some activists urged everyone to become a “Democrat for a day” and vote for Josh Gottheimer, who had no chance of winning. Many believe that this angered Sherrill, and her vindictive actions are a result of that. Mayor Coles says, “I can’t say that for sure. All I can say is that we worked well with the state government for years until this year.”(Lakewood shopper)

- Hatzolas Nefashos held a community event in Jackson yesterday inaugurating new vehicles to their fleet. Rav Henoch Perl shlita of Lakewood was on hand for the ribbon cutting.

- Bobov 45  rebbe paid a visit to Lakewood last night to meet with chasidim ahead of the Yomim Noraim.

- Trump: Governor Kathy Hochul just released 7000 hard core criminals onto the streets on New York. What is wrong with her? She is grossly incompetent and must be voted out of office! President DJT

- Georgian Court University in Lakewood growing class of new students begin Tuesday, September 8, with freshman and transfer enrollment both increasing for the 2026–27 academic year.  The university expects to enroll approximately 2,000 students overall, with particularly strong growth in nursing and continued interest across a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. 

- The Lakewood Fire Department officially accepted delivery of our new 2026 Seagrave 75’ AerialScope Tower Ladder. The apparatus was ordered in 2022 and represents a major investment in the department and the safety of our community. Chief of Department Jonathan Yahr and Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Yakov Steinberg were on hand to accept delivery and welcome the new truck to the fleet. Cost is about $1.6 million.

- President Donald Trump says Washington will respond to Iran’s strikes last night on US forces in Jordan. “We’re going to hit them hard,” Trump tells Fox News. “There will be a response.”

- President Trump tears into the Iranian regime, saying the country "must be tried for war crimes against humanity" as he claims the regime has killed over 100,000 of its own people who acted out against the Islamic Republic. Trump says the country is in "total disarray" and a "failed nation" as he claims Iran is in freefall with soaring inflation and unpaid soldiers and police officers.

- Trump posts video blowing up Kharg Island in Iran: “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!! President DJT”

- Israeli airstrikes killed five people in Gaza City,  Israeli military says it targeted terror operatives.

- The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Our forces will not hesitate to exercise their legitimate right to self-defense and will respond appropriately and decisively to any military aggression by the enemy. Full responsibility for the consequences of new aggressive actions by the US and the continuation of the naval siege and economic war against Iran lies with the American regime and all cooperating parties"

- Lebanon’s Army Chief Accused of Backing Hezbollah: He Reportedly Rejected a Plan to Replace UNIFIL and Help Disarm the Terror Group

- Lebanese official source told the Lebanese newspaper Nadia Al-Watan: "What is happening in southern Lebanon is dangerous. No one can stop the advance of the Israelis"

Chasunas:

Stein - Rotberg Bais Faiga

Gruner - Marder Ateres Reva

Herzog  - Brandwein Lake Terrace 

Berger  - Bajnon Cedar Palace 

Kessler - Fruchthandler Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Kaszirer  - Fink Neemas Hachaim 

Rosen -  Neustadt Ateres Blima 

Solow - Friedman Ateres Esther 

Rawicki  - Mandelbaum Fountain Ballroom 

Marcus  -  Stein Ateres Chaim Elazar 

Admor Spink Toldos Tzvi Kabolas Kahal at the Bais Medrash in Lakewood tonight 

Weather. Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly this evening. Low 67F. Chance of rain 90%.

- The US military attacked Iranian launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz

- Reports of explosions in Jordan near US military  bases following the launches from Iran. 

- ¡Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vow response to US attack on Larak Island. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say a US attack on Larak Island killed and wounded several Iranian fighters and civilians, and vows to respond and punish those responsible

- 16 Givati soldiers sent to prison for refusing qq0 enter APC with female paramedic.

- The commander of the Hamas brigade that infiltrated Israel on October 7 was eliminated yesterday in the northern Gaza Strip after advancing terror plans in the immediate timeframe

Weather: 84° A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. Chance of rain 40%.

Only 2 Sundays left until Sukkos! Due to the way the calendar falls this year, Rosh Hashanah is on Sunday, Erev Yom Kippur is on Sunday, and Sukkos begins on Shabbos.

-  Giyus: Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva sign new letter calling on a increase in tefilah and to arrange minyanim for Tehillim due to the gezeiras Giyus as there's an uptick in arrests an against bnei Yeshiva. 

"The decree of drafting yeshiva bochurim into the army is hanging over the heads of the Bnei Yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel. They have intensified their persecution against those who devote themselves to Torah the pillars of the world—and seek to uproot Torah learning from the Bnei HaYeshivos and Kollelim. They are trying in every possible way to draft them into the army.

"The Bnei Torah in Eretz Yisroel are presently facing a very difficult situation, both b’ruchniyus and b’gashmiyus. The honor of Torah has been brought down to the dust, and we, the Bnei Torah who are moser nefesh for the honor of Torah, how can we remain silent at such a time? Therefore, we are calling upon every kehillah and every community to gather together to daven, to arrange Tehillim minyanim, and to pour out our hearts and plead before Avinu Shebashamayim, until He has mercy upon us and abolishes the gezeirah of drafting from upon the Bnei HaYeshivos.'

- Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has attacked National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who often visits the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, saying those who go to the Mount may “die in excruciating agony.”

- Libs of TikTok Exclusive report: The driver who kiIIed a 9-month-old baby in Jackson, NJ while driving without a license is an ILLEGAL ALIEN from Guatemala, DHS confirmed to us.

She was RELEASED into our country by the Biden admin in 2023. She received a FINAL ORDER OF REMOVAL just one month ago.

Another woman, Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, is also facing charges for allowing CobonGuzman to drive the car while knowing she didn’t have a license. DHS confirmed to us that’s she’s ALSO here illegally. She came here illegally in 2023 and is a Mexican national.

- Hanochas Even Hapina today at Hampshire Hills Jackson kerala for the new shul 

- State police conducting  traffic enforcement in Lakewood today. In recent days LPD has increased trafic enforcement on the roads.

Giyus: A father traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashana with his wife and child was detained on the way out of Ben Gurion Airport before boarding  as he was listed as a draft dodger.

- BDE: perirah of Rav Elyakim Friedman ZTL Rosh Yeshiva Beer Chaim in Modiin Illit  at the age of 64.

- The 2 women arrested for the death of a frum 9 month old baby in Jackson are citizens of Mexico and Guatemala while federal officials investigate their legal immigration status.

- Back to school:

No word yet if schools won't open in time as there's still girls not placed yet.

LSTA:  official tells The Voice of Lakewood 2600 kids opted out and  roughly 8,000 non-mandated kids signed up at $675  out of 10,600 which is 75 percent of those originally enrolled at $385. That means about 2,600 fewer riders on routes already bid out and finalized; some will need to be redrawn or dropped with a few days left before school starts.

  Capitol seforim is locates at the former post office building Clifton Ave and Main st.

Daily Deals on 2nd street briefcases starting at $5.99

- A מעמד הכתרה will take place this Sunday at Bais .edrash Chayei Yisrael in Lakewood appointing Rav Yitzchok Halevi Horowitz shlita as the Rav ro lead the kerala. The seuda will take place Sunday evening at the shul 11 Gudz Rd in Lakewood

- Trump Shares Post Calling on him To ‘Create Legal Pathway For Jewish Canadians Facing Antisemitism. The article says a Christian lawmakers’ group is urging the U.S. government to create faster, secure immigration pathways for eligible Jewish Canadians and their families, citing growing concerns about antisemitism and safety in Canada.

- Giyus: Charedi Draft Day in the IDF: This morning, Charedi recruits are enlisting in combat tracks with the Chashmonean Brigade, Netzah Yehuda, the Charedi “Chetz” Paratroopers track, and Charedi Border Police units. The IDF expects to enlist more than 500 Charedim in August, around 300 of them in combat roles, an increase compared with last year. The Badatz Eidah Hacharedis called for protests at the recruiting stations.

- Trump: One of the things I am going to do with the Venezuelan Oil is fill up the Strategic National Reserves which, because of Sleepy Joe Biden, has been virtually emptied. The “topping out” process will begin very shortly, and is a Gift from Venezuela to the People of the United States. Thank you! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Hatzolas Nefashos  community celebration and ribbon cutting event in Jackaon today at 10 Knight Rd 5pm

- Lakewood township  may cut trash removal services from schools and shuls.

Mayor Coles says in an article this weeks Lakewood Shopper, “We have to come up with money to cover the services that we are legally obligated to provide. We also really want to have money for expenses that we aren’t legally obligated to provide, such as the grant we give to the LSTA, but we cannot do that at this time.”

He adds that there are other non-obligated expenses that may have to be cut as well. One example is the township trash removal service provided free of charge to schools and shuls. While the township is not legally obligated to provide this service, they have always done so. This currently costs about $3.5 million a year. If no source of relief is found, this may be cut out of the budget as well

Nichum Aveilim:

Shiva for RavAaron Gertz Z"L is at 62 Birch st Lakewood Shachris 8am,Mincha 6pm,Maariv 9pm getting up Tuesday 

Shiva for Rebbetzin Frieda Fried A"H is at 425 Monticello Ln Lakewood In Enclave Shachris 8am, Mincha 7pm, Maariv 9pm getting up Tuesday 

- Shiva for Hayalda Chaya Herz A"H is at 156 Vintage circle shachris 8:50 am,Mincha 1:45pm, Maariv 9pm getting up Wed morning 

-  Update on  Gedolim meeting with Trump it is part of an outreach effort to the Jewish community ahead of the midterms.

As of now no gabboim will be allowed inside and the list ofbthe admiring who will attend is not finalized.

The Satmar Rebbe Rav Aaron addressed his talmidim at a tish on Motzaei Shabbos in Kiryas Yoel regarding the invitation he received from the White House to meet with President Donald Trump this Thursday. The Rebbe explained that he initially considered postponing the meeting because it is Elul and preparing for the Yomim Noraim. He emphasized that, in his view, the Torah learning of the talmidim in yeshivah is more important than the political meeting.

Nevertheless, he ultimately decided to accept the invitation after remembering a similar meeting approximately 30 years ago, through which it was possible to help a Yid who was in distress. The Rebbe noted that there are Yidden today who also need assistance, including regarding the issue of the draft of bnei yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel. At the end, the Rebbe asked the bochurim not to focus too much on the meeting, but rather to continue with their seder and remain focused on their Torah learning.

- The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reversed controversial guidance Friday that had instructed its journalists not to directly describe the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as terrorism, backing away from the policy after it drew sharp condemnation from political and U.S. officials.

- Death toll nears 800, 3,000 still missing in Nepal-Tibet flooding

- Two people were killed and nine injured early Sunday around 12:25 a.m. on the 100 block of Locust Street in Trenton, New Ners5 during a large unauthorized gathering of about 200 people. Police found 11 gunshot victims; the wounded are at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. No suspects or motive released yet.

BDE' Petira of The Komarna Rebbe of America, Rav Yehoshua Safrin ZTL at the age of 91. Levaya Sunday 11 am at shomrei hadas in boro park and kevura on har hazeisim. The rebbe was one of the last talmidim of Rav Reuven Grozovsky in Beis Medrash Elyon and was a great talmid chacham in his own right.

- Tonight Motzei shabbos there will be a community wide event with divrei chizuk at Neemas Hachaim hall a hachama for the Yom Hadin. 9:45pm  by Rav Yosef Elefant shlita of Mir Yerushalayim 

- Continued tefillos  for Golda Chana bas Leah Shaindel and her 5 year daughter Rochel bas Golda Chana who are in stable condition after they were hit by a  car on Erev shabbos in parking lot in front of NPGS Jackson, driven by unlicensed driver. 8 month old baby Yitzchok Rosenberg A"H who was niftar at the scene had a levaya right before shabbos 

Jackson: Police charge driver with .manslaughter  charges and arrested another. Prosecuters said 20-year-old Maria CobonGuzman was driving a Ford Fusion when she hit the baby’s stroller and the baby’s mother. The baby died, while the mother and her 5-year-old daughter were hospitalized in stable condition. CobonGuzman, who investigators say had never held a driver’s license, was charged with manslaughter and other offenses. A second woman, 22-year-old Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, was charged with allowing CobonGuzman to drive despite knowing she was unlicensed. Both women are being held at Ocean County Jail pending detention hearings.

- A few days before girls schools begin there's still an untold amount of girls not placed both in elementary and high school. In previous years Lakewood roshei  yeshiva would tell schools not to open until everyone was placed.  As of now no such order has been given with schools having orientation on Monday.

- Selichos begin next motzei shabbos

- Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef called Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara “crazy” over her concerns about election campaigning at Rabbi Ovadia Yosef memorial ceremonies. He said, “This will not pass quietly. God will give her the punishment she deserves” and “God will destroy her.

- NBC News crew reportedly beaten with clubs by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, leaving five journalists injured and their 

- Dozens of  yiddin demonstrated on Shabbs in Yerushalayim tzfas and Bnei Brak as buses drove in to the lots before  shabbos is over.

- Update scheduled for  this Thursday: Report: Roshei Yeshiva and Chasidishe rebbes to meet with president Trump. The report says that a group of Admorim and Roshei Yeshiva will be received by President Trump at the White House. They will use the opportunity to advocate for various matters and to thank the president for all the benefits enjoyed by the frum Jewish community. In recent days, the logistical details of the historic visit, which is expected to take place next week, have been worked out. Those reportedly invited include the Satmar Rebbes, the Skverer Rebbe, the Bobover Rebbe, the Bobov-45 Rebbe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, Rabbi Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood, and others. 

- Media coverage of the LSTA crisis raises serious questions about possible political retribution against Lakewood by Governor Sherrill’s administration. Lakewood voters overwhelmingly voted against Sherrill in both the primary and general elections, and since then, the State has taken actions that have made it increasingly difficult for Lakewood officials to secure alternative sources of funding.

Lakewood officials have therefore questioned whether the State is deliberately restricting the Township’s options because of its political opposition to the Governor. While there is not yet proof that Sherrill personally ordered these actions as retaliation, the repeated state decisions that have blocked or limited Lakewood’s efforts to obtain alternative funding raise legitimate concerns about whether political considerations are involved.

השקיפה ממעון קדשך מן השמים וברך את עמך את ישראל  ואת האדמה אשר נתתה לנו כאשר נשבעת לאבתינו ארץ זבת חלב ודבש

Friday, August 28, 2026 / ט״ו אלול תשפ״ו

ערב שבת פרשת כי תבוא

- Candle lighting 7:16 pm

- Shkia 7:34 pm

Weather Shabbos day Hi 80° Partly cloudy 

הקטן יהיה לאלף והצעיר לגוי עצום אני ה' בעתה אחישנה

(הפטרה פרשת כי תבוא)

The smallest shall become a thousand, and the least a mighty nation; I the lord will hasten it in its time.

סנהדרין צח: ריב"ל רמי כתיב בעתה וכתיב אחישנה. זכו- 

אחישנה, לא זכו- בעתה

Friday, August 28, 2026 / ט״ו אלול תשפ״ו

ערב שבת פרשת כי תבוא

Candle lighting 7:16 pm

Shkia 7:34 pm

Weather: 81° Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Chance of rain 60%

Shabbos day Hi  80° Partly cloudy

Mazel Tov there's over 70 Shabbos sheva Brachos taking place this week in the Lakewood area.

- Trump: BREAKING NEWS: The United States of America has just entered into an Agreement with the Country of Venezuela on, THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY! At my direction, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, working closely with Highly Respected Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, and, through a partnership with private business, have secured majority U.S. control of more than 65 BILLION BARRELS of proven Oil Reserves in Venezuela, at no cost to the American Taxpayer. This Historic Transaction MORE THAN DOUBLES American Oil Reserves, greatly increases our Oil Supply, and will substantially lower Gas Prices for all Americans, long into the future, while helping to continue to set Venezuela on a course toward Tremendous Success and Great Prosperity. This Transaction will greatly strengthen the already growing relationship between Venezuela and the United States! Thank you for your attention to this groundbreaking matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Update Levaya of Hayeled Yitzchok Rosenberg Z"L 8 month old son of R' Pinchos and Golda Chana shkita is today erev shabbos 5:45 pm at the Lakewood  Bais Olam.

Grandson of R' Sruly Rosenberg shlita of Lakewood. 

PSA: Remeber to pick up school uniforms from cleaners some stores not open Sunday 

- Report: Roshei Yeshiva and Chasidishe rebbes to meet with president Trump. The report says that a group of Admorim and Roshei Yeshiva will be received by President Trump at the White House. They will use the opportunity to advocate for various matters and to thank the president for all the benefits enjoyed by the frum Jewish community. In recent days, the logistical details of the historic visit, which is expected to take place next week, have been worked out.

Those reportedly invited include the Satmar Rebbes, the Skverer Rebbe, the Bobover Rebbe, the Bobov-45 Rebbe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, Rabbi Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood, and others. 

- Jackson Update: : Belaaz news reports  that per initial investigation, a woman driver, appears to have pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake as the mother and children were entering the store, causing the vehicle to strike them. The mother and daughter are both said to be in serious condition, with fractured bones.

- Governor Sherrill Signs Legislation Allowing Sale and Delivery of “To Go” Alcoholic Beverages.

- President Trump announces American astronauts will return to the lunar surface before the end of his term and plant a flag at the site of what he calls the first permanent American settlement on the moon. “They’re building a settlement up in the moon, and we’re not going to stop there

- BDE: Petira of 8 month old baby Yitzchok Z"L after he was struck by a car in Jackson  shopping plaza Parking lot. His mother and sister are hospitalized in stable stable condition. More details TBA per Balaaz news. Names for Tehilim Golda Chana bas Leah Shaindel and her daughtet Rochel bas Golda Chana.

- LSTA: Article in Lakewood shopper this week quotes Sources that no new money was found and no solution was discovered. However, once it became obvious that parents could or would not pay the $985 fee, the LSTA and askanim concluded that they would have to charge a lower fee that would cover their expenses to start the year and then to operate on a deficit, with the hope that either state money will materialize or the lawsuit against FEMA will succeed and that money will be passed on for busing.(Lakewood Shopper)

- Tehillim please daven for  a mother Golda Chana bas Leah Shaindel and her children Yitzchok ben Golda Chana,  Rochel bas Golda Chana

 Three Pedestrians were hit by a car at a parking lot near NPGS in Jackson today noon tine. One in critical condition 2 others hospitalized in stable condition. 

Update 8 month old  baby Yitzchok Z"L Passed away R"L

- שבת של מיר:  Rav Yosef Elefant shlita will be spending shabbos in Lakewood on behalf of the Mir Yeshiva Yerushalayim. He will be in the areas of Albert friday night,  Arlington  for shachris, a shmuez in somerset walk and Mincha at the Woods. On Motzei shabbos there will be a community wide event with divrei chizuk at Neemas Hachaim hall a hachama for the Yom Hadin. 9:45pm

- Selichos for Ashkenazim begins Next Motzei Shabbo

- Yom tov sale going on now at Bingo/Mesamchei Lev thru Sept 5

- A מעמד הכתרה will take place this Sunday at Bais .edrash Chayei Yisrael in Lakewood  appointing Rav Yitzchok Halevi Horowitz shlita as the Rav ro lead the kerala. The seuda will take place Sunday evening at the shul 11 Gudz Rd in Lakewood.

- A federal judge once again blocks President Trump's executive order limiting mail voting.

- The self serve Kosher sourdough Pizza vending machine at Lakewood Exxon to be operational soon.

- The White House is preparing for a potentially massive midterm campaign swing, with Trump expected to spend serious time in the most competitive states and districts.

- Swastikas were found  painted in the children’s play area at Governors Park in the Coventry neighborhood of Lakewood yesterday,police are investigating.

- LSTA: A few days before school transportation begins there's still areas where routes have not yet. Een picked up by bus companies.

- LPD has ramped up traffic enforcement around Lakewood.

- Trump to give U.S. farmers & ranchers the right to process their own food, targeting what he calls a “nasty monopoly” among major processors.

 - NYT: Trump is expected to miss the national memorial ceremony for the September 11 attacks at Ground Zero in Manhattan for a second consecutive year. Instead, Trump is expected to participate in events at the Pentagon this time as well. One of the reasons is that Trump wants to give a speech, and the main ceremony at Ground Zero prohibits speeches by politicians

- Some progress was made placing girls into high schools while there's still an untold amount still not placed.

- BDE: Petirah of R' Pesach Krishevsky Z"L the famous Yerushalmi Drummer "Poiker" at the age of 90. He survived a terrorist  car ramming in Geuka on Malchei Yisroel street 11 years ago.

- Israel elections Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism and Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut are in advanced merger talks. Feiglin is reportedly demanding an alternating-candidate arrangement on the joint electoral list. Likud Criticizes Ben-Gvir for Rejecting  alliance with Smotritz risking right-wing votes by refusing to unite with Religious Zionism ahead of the election. The party urged him to overcome personal considerations and show maturity and responsibility.

- Death toll in Nepal rises to over 550 after mudslides.

- 50,000 at the kosel last night for Selichos

A cassette recording of the shiur delivered by Rav Shneur Kotler shlita this week at BMG for those who use a tape recorder  The Rish Yeahi a Rav Yeruchom Olshin shlita listenes tobshiiurim in a "walkman" device.(photo credit M Weisberg)

    (הרה"ג רבי יהודה לב בעמח"ס לב המועדים (דרשו

                                  אמירת מזמור "לדוד ה' אורי וישעי"

חודש אלול הוא חודש הרחמים והסליחות וימים אלו מיוחדים לעשיית תשובה (טור תקפא), והטעם: משום שבו ביום עלה משה רבינו למרום לקבל לוחות אחרונות, ונשתהה שם ארבעים יום וירד בעשירי בתשרי, שהיה אז גמר כפרה, ומן אז הוקדשו ימים אלו לימי רצון, ויום העשירי בתשרי – ליו"כ (טור שם לבוש שם א, קצוש"ע קכח א).

ימים שבהם חל ר"ח אלול

לעולם ראש חודש אלול הוא ב' ימים, ואינו חל כי אם באחד מימות השבוע וסימנך אבד"ו, וקביעת יום א' דר"ה ביום שאחריו וסימנך בגה"ז. והטעם דהוי ב' ימים: לפי שאנו צריכים לעשות החודשים אחד מלא ואחד חסר, הסכימו קדמונינו לעשות לעולם החודש שהוא חשוב יותר-מלא, וקראהו החדשים מלכים (מטה אפרים תקפא ס"ק ד, אלף המגן שם ח, עיין לבוש תכח).

הטעם שנקרא חודש 'אלול'

לפי ש'אלול' משמעותו חיפוש, וכמו שתרגם אונקלוס את הפסוק "ויתרו את הארץ" – "ויאללון ית ארעא" (אונקלוס במדבר י"ג, ב'). דהיינו שבחודש זה אנו מחפשים אחר עוונותינו על מנת לחזור בתשובה כמו שנאמר (איכה ג', מ'): "נחפשה דרכנו ונחקורה ונשובה עד ה'" (תולדות האדם פרשת כי תבוא בשם מהרח"ו ז"ל).

דורשי רשימות אמרו: 'אלול' ראשי תיבות: אני לדודי ודודי לי (שיר השירים ו', ג'). שהוא רמז לתפילה שהיא 'רינת דודים', וסופי תיבות ד' יודים שהם ארבעים כנגד ארבעים יום עד יום כיפור (ב"ח תקפא ס"ק ב). כמו"כ ראשי תיבות: "איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים" (אסתר ט', כ"ב), והוא רמז להרבות בימים אלו בצדקה ובמתנות לאביונים ובגמילות חסדים בין איש לרעהו (א"ר תקפא, א).

ועוד ראשי תיבות: "ומל ה' את לבבך ואת לבב זרעך" (דברים ל', ו'), שהחודש הזה הוא זמן המסוגל ל'מילת הלב' שזו תשובה (בעל הטורים דברים ל, ו). ומוסיף השל"ה: "ומסתבר, מאחר שהוא החודש האחרון בשנה עושים בו תשובה על מה שפגם כל השנה" (ריש מסכת ר"ה).

'אלול' ראשי תיבות: "אשר לא צדה והאלקים אנה לידו ושמתי לך" (שמות כ"א, י"ג), ביאור, שאף השוגג צריך תשובה וכפרה בימים אלו, והם לו כמפלט היחידי להינצל.

ופסוקים אלו רומזים לשלשה דברים שהם: תשובה, תפילה וצדקה, שצרכים להזדרז בהם בחודש זה, "ומל ה'" – רומז לתשובה, "אני לדודי" – רומז לתפילה שהיא רינת דודים, "איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים" – רומז לצדקה (קיצור שולחן עורך קכח, א).

אמירת "לדוד ה' אורי וישעי"

"לדוד ה'": נהגו בני אשכנז לומר בתפילת שחרית וערבית מזמור "לדוד ה' אורי וישעי" (תהילים כ"ז, א'), ונוסח ספרד נהגו לאמרו בתפילת מנחה אחרי "עלינו לשבח" (מטה אפרים תקפא ס"ק ו, קצוש"ע קכח ב). יש שנהגו שלא לאומרו (הנהגות מהרש"א, מעשה ר"ב נ"ג)

וכן מנהג הגר"א, ונראה שהטעם משום טירחא דציבורא, וכמו שמצאנו בברכות (י"ב, ב) משום ביטול מלאכה, וכן במגילה (כ"א, א) שאין מוסיפים קרואים ביום שמותרים במלאכה, משום ביטול מלאכה (תפלה לדוד לבעל האדר"ת). וכן מנהג בני ספרד.

יש שנהגו לאומרו רק בתפילת שחרית, ואין אומרים בתפילת ערבית.

תחילת אמירתו: יש שמתחילים מיום א' (ספר תניא), ומנהגינו להתחיל ביום ב' דר"ח (קצוש"ע קכח ב). עד מתי אומרים זאת: עד שמיני עצרת (מטה אפרים תקפא ס"ק ו, ומשנ"ב שם ס"ק ב). ומנהג ליטא שבשמיני עצרת עצמו לא אומרים זאת (וכן נהג החזו"א), ויש שנהגו לאומרו אף בשמיני עצרת (קהילות חסידים בא"י, ליקוטי מהרי"ח).

הטעם באמירת מזמור זה:

ע"פ המדרש 'שוחר טוב', (תהילים כז פיס' ד) "אורי" – זה ר"ה, "ישעי" ["ישעי" מלשון ישועה, יום של סליחה וכפרה, יום של כפרת עונות, יום שאין השטן משטין ומקטרג לזה קוראים 'ישועה גדולה'] – זה יו"כ, "כי יצפנני בסוכה" –  זה סוכות (אלף למטה תקפא סק"ו).

יש שדחו טעם זה, והטעם דאטו כל הפסוקים בתנ"ך שנדרשים על ראש השנה ויו"כ יקבעו בסידור, לומר את כל המזמורים פעמיים ביום (ר' אברהם דוד לאוואיט בספרו שער הכולל).

טעם אחר: לפי שבמזמור זה יש י"ג שמות הויה, שהם כנגד י"ג מידות של רחמים, שהם מאירים בימים אלו (בפנים יפות בפרשת אחרי מות ויקרא טז כא בתוד"ה וכתב).

טעם אחר: דאמרינן בתענית (ח', ב) דאין לבקש על שני דברים כאחד דאינו נענה אפילו על אחת מהם, וקשה שהרי בר"ה ויו"כ מבקשים כמה בקשות, אך ביאור הענין: לפי שכל הבקשות כוונתן לדבר אחד: לעבודת ה', שלא תהיה שום מניעה בעבודת ה', וזה שאמר דוד המלך: אע"פ שבקשתי הרבה בקשות, אחת היא, אחת שאלתי מאת ה' ולא יותר: "שבתי בבית ה' כל ימי חיי", ולפיכך אמרינן אותו בחודש אלול ותשרי, שאז אנו מבקשים מהשי"ת הרבה בקשות, ובכך שאומרים "לדוד ה' אורי" ובו הפסוק "אחת שאלתי מאת ה'", מגלים אנו דעתנו שבקשתינו אחת היא, וכדאי שתתמלא (ספר שארית מנחם מהרה"ק מוישווא עפ"י פירושו של הפנים יפות על הפסוק אחת שאלתי).

טעם אחר: במזמור זה נאמר בפסוק י"ג: "לולא האמנתי וכו'", 'לולא' אותיות אלול (אוצר כמ"י סימן ס).

במזמור זה נאמר: "אם תקום עלי מלחמה בזאת אני בוטח". "זאת" בגמטריה 408, כמנין צום, קול, ממון, שהם תשובה, תפילה וצדקה, אשר בכוחם להעביר את רוע הגזירה, כנאמר בתפילות הימים הנוראים (הליכות עולם סימן תקפא סעיף י).

מקום אמירתו: ישנם מנהגים רבים היכן לומר פרק זה בתפילה:

שחרית: יש שאומרים אחרי חזרת הש"ץ ותחנון קודם חצי קדיש, ויש אומרים: אחר חצי קדיש (קצה המטה תקפא ס"ק טז), והטעם: לפי שטעם אמירת מזמור זה לפי שיש בו כוונת י"ג מידות של רחמים ולכן יש בו י"ג שמות הוי"ה, לכן אומרים זאת אחר שמו"ע, כמו שאנו אומרים בכל השנה י"ג מידות אחר שמו"ע (משמרת שלום תקפא א ג), טעם אחר: כדי שלא להרבות בקדישים.

אחרי שיר של יום (משנ"ב תקפא ס"ק ב) ובר"ח ובשבת אומרים אחר תפילת שחרית, יחד עם שיר של יום של שבת ור"ח, והטעם שנאמר אחרי שיר של יום: לפי שתדיר ואינו תדיר תדיר קודם (מטה אפרים תקפא ס"ק ו).

בדיניו: יש לומר קדיש בין שיר של יום לדוד ה', והטעם: כדי שלא יראה שגם "לדוד ה'" הוא חלק משיר של יום (מטה אפרים תקפא ס"ק ו, משנ"ב שם ס"ק ב).

אחר עלינו לשבח אחר תקיעת שופר: בנוסח ספרד ש'עלינו' הוא סיום התפילה – אומרים אותו אחר 'עלינו', והטעם: כדי להסמיכו לתקיעת שופר (קצה המטה תקפא ס"ק טז), ומנהג אשכנז אחרי "קווה אל ה'" ונראה שהטעם כלעיל.

קדיש אחר "לדוד ה'": יש שנהגו שלא לומר קדיש אחר "לדוד", והטעם: כדי לא להרבות בקדישים (הערה שעל פסקי סידור הרב).

ביום שמתפללים מוסף: נוסח ספרד שאומרים שיר של יום אחר שחרית, אומרים "לדוד" אחר גמר תפילת שחרית, קודם "אין כמוך" או "אתה הראת", ומקדים שיר של יום מפני שתדיר ואינו תדיר תדיר קודם (מטה אפרים תקפא ס"ק ו).

מנחה: (מטה אפרים תקפא ס"ק ז, משנ"ב שם ס"ק ב) י"א לפני 'עלינו לשבח', והטעם: כדי לא להרבות בקדישים, וי"א אחר 'עלינו'. והטעם: נראה לומר משום תדיר ואינו תדיר תדיר קודם (חיי משה תקפא כ).

מעריב: אחרי עלינו לשבח (אלף המגן תקפא ו) ומנהג הגאון לא לומר בערבית כלל.

קדיש בתרא: יש אומרים שיאמרו אחר אמירת לדוד ה', והטעם: לפי שברכו נתקן למאחרים לבוא לכן כל מה שאפשר לאחר אמירתו מאחרים (הגרח"ק בשם החזו"א הובא באורחות רבנו ח"ב ר"ה עמ' קסה).

ומנהגינו: לומר ברכו אחר עלינו לשבח, והטעם: להראות שאמירת לדוד ה' היא הוספה מיוחדת (דברי יוסף עמ' קפא בשם הגר"ש דבליצקי).

בסגולותיו:

כל האומרו מר"ח אלול עד שמחת תורה מבטל אפי' גזרה קשה ביותר שיש על האדם (מובא בשם הארי ז"ל).

עוד בסגולותיו: ראוי לומר מזמור זה והוא סגולה לשמירה ולהצלחה ואפילו כל השנה יש חשיבות לאומרו (מורה באצבע לחיד"א לו, קצה המטה על מטה אפרים תקפא).

כאן כיון שהוי רק מנהג בעלמא אין בזה שום פסול לא בשופר ולא בתקיעות.

הקדמונים נתנו סימן "אריה שאג מי לא ירא" (עמוס ג, ח) אריה ר"ת אלול: ראש השנה, יום כיפור, הושענה רבה, שהם ימים של רחמים וימי רצון (קיצור של"ה מסכת ר"ה).

Chasunas:

Rogovsky - Kaufman Bais Faiga

Metzger - Ungar Fountain Ballroom 

Biron  - Feder Ateres Blima

Busel - Weiss Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Gorelick - Marmorstein  Ateres Reva 

Adler - Klatzko Ateres Esther

Goldman  - Newhouse Neemas Hachaim 

Saalkind - Schonfeld Cedar Palace

- Chumash Shiur by Harav Yeruchom Olshin shlita 11:30 pm at B"M Ateres Bracha live 646-726-9977

 Weather: 82° chance of some strong thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Chance of rain 60%

Severe thunderstorms, high winds, flooding rains expected to slam state today. Flood watch issued for fhe area until 8pm

-  LPD Traffic Alert: Joe Parker Rd will be closed from Lanes Mill RD to Long Beach Rd for planned construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

- The Public Health Committee approved the proposed H+H–Maimonides merger despite strong opposition. However, the merger is not final, and the fight to stop it continues

- President Donald Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America," effective immediately.

- More than 40 Orthodox synagogues, or shuls, are serving Toms River's growing Orthodox Jewish population, per APP

- Eagle Ridge application to be heard at the Lakewood planing board next week. The former golf course property of 60 acres  has been approved for 512 residential homes the Parke application is for a subdivision to create 129 lots

 SD 2667 The Parke at Lakewood, LLC 688, 752 Cross Street & 2 Augusta Blvd Block 524; 524.23, Lots 1, 2.03, 77.02; 1 Preliminary and Final Major Subdivision to create 129 lots.

- With school uniform season here and the long lines at stores, there are two new stores to check out! Fraylich Uniforms has opened another location off Locust Street, and Pretty Pleats is now open at the Junee’s location on Route 9 South.

- NJ Gov Sherrill: Today, I’m signing legislation requiring data centers to report their energy and water use to the Board of Public Utilities every six months. Here in New Jersey, we're not going to let these developers operate in the shadows

- USPS confirms their new requirements for mail-in voting is officially in effect and applies immediately to the November 2026 election, after an activist judge DISSOLVED her block on Trump's order

- After visiting Lakewood, Crown Heights, and New Square in recent days, youtuber  Tyler Oliveira is now in Boro Park, knocking on doors and attempting to speak with residents. Askanim are urging residents not to engage with him in any way and to simply ignore him BP24

Nichum Aveilim:

Shiva for RavAaron Gertz Z"L is at 62 Birch st Lakewood Shachris 8am,Mincha 6pm,Maariv 9pm getting up Tuesday 

Shiva for Rebbetzin Frieda Fried A"H is at 425 Monticello Ln Lakewood In Enclave Shachris 8am, Mincha 7pm, Maariv 9pm getting up Tuesday 

- Assemblyman Avi Schnall sponsors a bill that requires the State to bear a partial cost of the transportation of certain homeless students to school and for the State to pay the amount above the average student cost.

After LSTA raises price of courtesy busing to $700 per child the Lakewood BOE says they will no longer provide free courtesy transportation to non mandated public school kids due to funding cuts from Lakewood township.

-PR: A  Large Turnout at Lakewood Property Tax Relief Filing Event Over 130 additional Lakewood area residents are now on the path to receive property tax relief for 2026, following their successful filing at the special ANCHOR event held Sunday at the Westwood office complex, near the Lakewood-Toms River border. The ANCHOR and related Senior Freeze and Stay NJ programs offer benefits up to $700 for renters; up to $1,500 for homeowners age 64 and under; and can run as high as $6,500 for senior homeowners. This event was hosted by the C.A.R.E.S. organization; and co-sponsored by Lakewood Township, and other business and non-profit partners. 

- The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation orders journalists not to refer to the 9/11 attacks as “terrorist attacks

- An Ocean County man was killed Wednesday evening in a three-vehicle crash on I-195.State troopers responded to the crash around 9:01 p.m. on eastbound I-195 in Jackson Township, officials said Thursday. William Wright, 73, of Brick, was driving a Ford SUV eastbound when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a second Ford SUV and then collided with a Toyota SUV. Both Ford vehicles overturned near milepost 23.6 during the collision. Wright died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Video: Sefardi Selichos hosted at the Belz Bais Medrash in Yerushalayim with the Tzohar virus organization

- The Trump administration has told mediators it won't return to a June memorandum with Iran, which sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, start nuclear talks, and ease sanctions in exchange for steps to end regional conflicts. Iran demands full U.S. compliance first, including sanctions relief, access to frozen funds, $300 billion in reparations, and an end to wars in Lebanon and Gaza before proceeding. Mediators from Qatar, Oman, and Pakistan held high-level talks in Tehran this week, but both sides remain firm, with the U.S. opting for tighter sanctions and no new negotiations planned.

- The IDF eliminated a Hamas commander who took part in holding Edan Alexander, Matan Zangauker, and Avera Mengistu hostage in the Gaza Strip

- Trump posts about Iran : “ Mission accomplished 2026”

- President Trump posts that, according to a USAID report, more than 100 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 massacre.

- British Times: President Trump threatened the British Prime Minister - "If you impose sanctions on Israeli settlements, including products from the settlements, this will open a trade war"

- During an assessment with the Israel Defense Forces, Defense Minister Katz stated: 'The deadline we set has expired. From now on, any launch of balloons or kites from Gaza towards southern Israeli communities will be met with a severe response.'"

- Bloomberg: US plans to revive a Civil War-era court to seize Iranian oil as war booty. The US Department of Justice is preparing to reactivate a dormant maritime legal mechanism that has been inactive for decades to streamline the military's seizure of Iranian oil tankers and their declaration as US war booty.

- The White House says the Iranian regime is already reeling, and President Trump is pulling "every economic lever" to increase the pressure. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says inflation in Iran is above 100% and the regime is struggling to pay its police and military, while also dealing with the damage inflicted during Operation Epic Fury. Trump's goal, she says, remains unchanged: making sure Iran "can never obtain a nuclear weapon, period."

- In response to the drone launch - the IDF began attacking in Lebanon

- IDF Spokesperson: During the night, the terrorist organization Hezbollah launched two explosive drones at IDF forces operating in the Ali Taar ridge area within the security zone in southern Lebanon. IDF soldiers shot down one of the drones, and contact was lost with the second drone. Our forces suffered no casualties. The IDF will not allow the terrorist organization Hezbollah to operate against IDF forces in the security zone. The IDF is currently acting and will continue to act with force against its repeated attempts to harm IDF forces.

- Israel is considering expelling British officials from the US-led coordination center for postwar Gaza, the Financial Times reported Thursday, amid a growing spat over the expansion of Israel’s controversial E1 settlements plan.

- IDF Says More Than 400 Hezbollah Sites Destroyed: The IDF said Golani Brigade troops under Division 36 destroyed more than 400 terrorist infrastructure sites and numerous weapons in southern Lebanon in recent weeks. The targets included anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, explosives, Kalashnikov rifles and mortar shells.

- Revolutionary Guards: Iran and Oman have reached an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz. The US must accept our conditions for it to be opened.

- Head of the Iranian Nuclear Department for the State Media: Iran is still in a state of war. The necessary security conditions have not been created to allow inspections at nuclear sites. The IAEA cannot demand inspections until a mutually agreed procedure for this is established.

-  Treasury Sec Bessent  announced sanctions on the following Islamist and far-left terror groups

 Palestine Action, a United Kingdom group

 Masar Badil, which operates as a front for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization

Autistici Inventati, an Italy-based entity that supplies specialized digital architecture, tools, and services for Antifa cells and other violent far-left extremists, including a foreign terrorist organization.

Chasunas:

Albert - Weiss Cedar Palace

Cohen - Levin Ateres Esther 

Friedman - Mandelbaum Ateres Chaim Elazar 

Herskowitz -  Winery Lake Terrace 

Dunn  - Falk Bais Faiga

Halberstat  - Todras Neemas Hachaim 

Kamenetzky - Taub Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Neustadt - Reich Fountain Ballroom 

Belitzky - Bernstein Ateres Blima 

Kiddush Levana Latest chance tonight

Weather:  83° A mix of clouds and sun. High 83F

13 Elul Yartzeit of the Ben Ish Chai.

- Satmar rebbe Rav Zalman Leib shlita  paid a visit today to the Lakewood kehila in Rockwell ahead of the yomim Noraim

- Delta Air Lines will resume daily nonstop service from New York JFK to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on September 6, using Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. “The safety and security of our customers and employees remain our top priority.”

- United plans to resume September 8. American remains suspended through March 27, 2027.

- Schools were urging parents to opt in to LSTA new busing fee by the 5pm deadline despite the steep increase since carpooling will mean more traffic and safety issues.

- BDE: Petirah of Mrs. Chanie Jacobs A"h (nee  Bresler) after a illness, wife of Rav Chaim Jacobs shlita from Forest Ave, rebbe in Kamenitz yeshiva. Levaya today at the Lakewood chapel off 7th st 6:30 pm with Kevura in Lakewood. She was in her 50's.

-BDE: Petira of Rebbetzin Frieda Fried A”H, wife of Harav Psachya Fried Shlita, she was suddenly Niftar at her home in Lakewood today.. The Levaya will take 5:00 PM at the Lakewood Chapel, followed by Kevurah in Eretz Yisroel.

- Bloomberg: Talks between Russia and Ukraine are at a dead end; Putin plans to escalate the war

- Admor M'Chernobyl shlita from Brooklyn will be in Lakewood this evening for kabolas Kahal ahead of the Yomim Noraim. At  Cedarview ave starting with 7:30 Mincha until 10:30pm.

- Biala rebbe shlita will be in Deal,NJ today for a short  visit.

- At the Jackson council meeting last night the Township passed an ordinance prohibiting data centers in all zoning districts of the town . Four council members voted in favor while one opposed it.

- Youtuber Tyler Oliveira is reportedly back in Lakewood today and has been approaching residents and schools, he was in other jewish neighborhoods in brooklyn yesterday trying to engage people for interviews with a film crew. 

- Over 40 girls still not placed yet in high school. In previous years the nashgiach Rav Mattisyahu Solomon would not allow schools to. Begin the year untill all girls were placed.

- Chavivim of Ocean county ads 9 new members to expand services for the community 

- Tomchei Shabbos of Lakewood dedicates the Fischl family warehouse in Lakewood  on Summer Ave, that will serve as a distribution place for the food packages.

- Moishes supermarket in Howell was set to open ahead of the yomim tovim shopping season, as of now there's no official opening date announced yet.

- LSTA deadline for opting in has passed there's no data yet about what percentage of parents decided, yet several parents of mesivta age boys have organized their own carpool as the morning  shacbris buses arrive too early with empty routes that are not utilized. 

- FAA news LSTA drama leaves more questions than answers. Lakewood residents are still seeking answers about the LSTA’s revised $675 busing charge. Where did the approximately $290 reduction come from, and was LDC, UEZ, or other funding pursued? What happened to tbe $1.6 million loan. Questions also remain about who approved the original $945 charge and the reduction, board member current role with LSTA and Igud, and whether any conflicts of interest exist. Most importantly, residents want a clear explanation of why courtesy transportation is funded differently for public and nonpublic students and who ultimately pays for each program. Here

- BDE: Petirah of Rabbi Aron Gertz zt”l, a longtime rebbi at Yeshiva Karlin-Stolin of Boro Park, who spent many years dedicated to the chinuch and growth of generations of talmidim Originally from Kensington area and relocated in the later years he suffereda beart attack a few weeks ago. Levaya in Lakewood today  11am at the chapel off 7th st.

- APP reports Families of non-mandated private and religious school students in the township are scrambling to adjust to a steep financial shock after the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority announced that courtesy busing fees will more than double for the upcoming 2026–27 school year.

- Hatzolas Nefashos Calls for Apology at Jackson Council Meeting. A representative of Hatzolas Nefashos called on a Jackson council member to publicly apologize for remarks made about the volunteer emergency medical organization two weeks earlier, including referring to it as a “copycat” ambulance service. The representative invited the council member to tour the organization’s operations, meet its volunteers and medical teams, and observe their training firsthand. He also disputed claims that Hatzolas Nefashos volunteers are improperly trained or primarily based outside Jackson, and said a video showing a vehicle running a red light did not involve the organization. The representative emphasized that Jackson residents volunteer around the clock to help save lives and provide emergency transportation, including free transports in some circumstances. “Judge us by our actions and not assumptions,” he said, adding that the organization is here to serve Jackson residents and deserves an apology for what he called inappropriate public remarks.

A Council member echoed the statement saying there's no need for competition among volunteers  everyone  should be welcomed to serve along with the EMS for the. Benefits of the community. The council member who made the earlier remarks took up the offer to get a personal tour of Hatzolas Nefashos.

- Toms River shul application  coming up at the zoning board in 2 weeks for a Shul building  on three lots totaling slightly more than two acres in size  at 2030 Whitesville Road. A 1.5-story home is located on one of the properties; total property taxes paid on the three parcels is $21,304 this year, according to Ocean County tax records. APP reports

- Yair Netanyahu was evacuated from Miami several months ago after an Iranian cell was uncovered that was spying on him and preparing to assassinate him

- Beginning October 1, 2026: Some non-citizen immigrants may no longer qualify for NJ FamilyCare

- Catastrophic flash floods and mudslides have struck Jilong Port in Tibet near the Nepal border. Three Americans are among the hundreds feared dead in the disaster.

- Jackson  Police are investigating a series of vulgar, threatening voicemails left for Jackson Township Mayor Jennifer Kuhn amid a heated mayoral race. No matter what side of the aisle you are, please don't do this at all Callers used extreme language, including death threats. Both Kuhn and her opponent Elliott Shem-Tov condemned the messages, saying real change happens at the ballot box. Authorities have stepped up presence around Town Hall because of this NJ12 reports 

- United Torah Judaism chairman Moshe Gafni drops a bombshell with his plan: “I know whom I will recommend for prime minister, and it won’t be Netanyahu.  Pundits say, With the left, it’s much easier to move forward.

Hashkafa With Rav Gershon Ribner Shlita

Program for increasingly common inspirational assemblies Chevron massacre Choosing which avreichim to invest in The parking problem near yeshiva Kollel wife expresses emotional cost of parental dependency

Chasunas: 

Wasserman - Lemberger Bais Faiga

Zeldes - Donath Lake Terrace

Backenroth - Herzka Ateres Chaim Elazar            Sunnes - Reidel Ateres Reva

Traub - Grossman Fountain Ballroom

Mermelstein  - Daum Ne'emas Hachaim 

Klein -  Jaraslowics Cedar Palace

Savir - Borenstein Ateres Blima 

Sussman  -  Ringel Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Talmid - Jadidi Ateres Esther 

Kiddush Levana

Weather: 80° Generally cloudy. High around 80F. 

12 Elul the 7th Yartzeit of Rabbi Shlomo Gissinger ZTL

- Trump administration pauses all immigrant visa applications worldwide.

- Over 40 girls not yet placed in high school a week before school starts

- Bingo/Menachem Lev Elul /Yom Tov sale going on now through September 5 side of salmon $8.99 see list below

- Tomchei Shabbos of Lakewood Chanukas Habayis and ribbon cutting ceremony at the new warehouse 503 Summer Ave. 5:30pm

- LSTA opt in deadline extended to tonight while parents decide their options.

- A massive fire broke out Tuesday morning at - Mordy’s Shtiebel, in Delaware Trail Rd at the Lakewood/Jackson border, heavily damaging the shul. Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 7:00 a.m. B’H all the Sifrei Torah were safely removed and found to be in good condition. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

-NYT reports on the ICE immigration raid on Clifton Ave in Lakewood 2 months ago. Federal immigration agents raided El Oaxaqueño, a Mexican supermarket in New Jersey, on June 24. Workers and day laborers tried hiding in bathrooms, upstairs areas and a walk-in refrigerator, but agents found and detained several people. One worker said she was traumatized after pleading with officers, explaining that she had a 2-year-old daughter.

- Trump: I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French! In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec. I love French Canadians! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- More U.S. employers are reportedly cutting coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs as healthcare costs soar.

- At last night’s Lakewood Zoning Board meeting, several applications were heard and approved. The Planning Board chairman sat in for several applications because of conflicts of interest involving other board members. The board approved a subdivision for BMG, which recently purchased a property on 5th Street and N. Lake Drive that includes a cemetery. The cemetery will be subdivided from the original lot and remain as is. Another application near Prospect Square, submitted jointly by nine property owners for a mix of duplexes and single-family homes, was approved with some future restrictions. The board also approved an application on Pine Drive, adjacent to the Hearthstone neighborhood, that includes a new 40-foot road connecting Route 9 to New Hampshire Avenue and will allow for 16 homes.

- Despite setting up parking spaces the Lakewood town square has homeless camping there.

APP reports Lakewood temporarily turned its town square into a 35-space parking lot because construction reduced downtown parking. Officials say they were not aware that the construction company painted it already it’s temporary and reversible, but residents, churches, and nonprofits oppose it because the square is a longtime public gathering space and fear the parking could become permanent.

- Trump: Canada has been “Ripping Off” the U.S.A. for decades. They have been charging our Farmers 400% Tariffs, and more. They have driven many wonderful U.S. companies out of business. For 10 years they wouldn’t certify Gulfstream Jets, until I got involved. They wanted 100% of the market for Gulfstream’s Canadian competitor. I deal with many countries, and Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable. They feel entitled, but they are not a State, and will be entitled no longer! President DJT

- LSTA report: From the NJ state report on the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority Funding. 

Funding for the LSTA comes from three major sources, The first is an agreement with Lakewood Public School District to provide transportation or aid in lieu for approximately 25,000 nonpublic school students at the maximum AIL rate per student. For FY 2022, this amount was $24,740,600. The next largest is fees paid by families for courtesy transportation designed to fill the buses. LSTA charged $260 per student for the approximately 10,000 students receiving this service. For FY 2022, the total revenue to the LSTA from families paying for in-district and out-of-district transportation was $2,513,364. The third and final revenue stream is a payment from the town to help ensure that nonpublic school students get seats on a bus. For FY 2022, this amount was $1,203,100. Total revenue for the LSTA (FY 2022) was $27,253,964. The LSTA’s expenses totaled $30,813,857 for FY 2022. Program expenses included $28,817,333 for contracted bus services and $869,994 for aid in lieu payments. The LSTA reported administrative expenses of $1,126,530, about 3.8% of program expenses, which is in line with what CTSAs charge (although the LSTA does not explicitly charge an administrative fee in the same way that CTSAs do). One concern is that the LSTA appears to be running at a loss each year and has a growing amount of receivables at the end. 

- President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States is seriously considering renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America,” escalating his war of words with Canada as a bitter trade dispute intensifies and Ontario’s premier threatens to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the United States. “The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don’t expect to [be] doing much business with Ontario any longer,” Trump declared on Truth Social Tuesday.

- Ivanka Trump/Kushner opens up about her conversion to Orthodox Judaism in a conversation with Miriam Adelson. “I actually converted before Jared and I became engaged.”She speaks about what a blessing Judaism has been in her life, how its values have strengthened her connection with her children, and how Shabbat and the Jewish holidays have added so much meaning to their family life

- Bingo Mesamchei Lev price list

- Trump: I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed. Through Space Force, we are watching every square inch of the Strait, as we are, also, with Pickaxe Mountain and the already destroyed three other Nuclear sites. There is a Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Trump: The failing Islamic Republic of Iran is not paying large segments of their military, while at the same time killing protesters, even when they are not protesting, at levels not seen before. It is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions, and must be stopped, NOW. President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Netanyahu: Following my instructions and in continuation of the law we passed, the eviction of the UNRWA compound in Kfar Akab, near Jerusalem, began today. The State of Israel will not allow an organization whose employees were involved in terrorism and the massacre of October 7th to operate within its territory, and it will take action against it using all available means.

- The Trump administration issued a $10 million reward for information on the whereabouts of the Commander of the Revolutionary Guard, the Commander of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Commander of the Revolutionary Guard Intelligence Organization, the Commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard, and the Commander of the Cyber Unit of the Revolutionary Guard.

 Iran attacked an oil tanker in Hormuz. After six days without reports of attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, it was reported tonight that a missile or a drone hit the engine room of an oil tanker moving in the waters off Oman - an event that caused the tanker to be disabled

NYT: The Trump administration is preparing to return diplomats to the US embassies in the Middle East that were evacuated before and during the war with Iran, a move that may indicate that the US is not preparing to return to combat in the near future

IDF and Shin Bet: Yesterday we attacked and destroyed five weapons depots and a launch site of the Hamas terrorist organization in several strikes throughout the Gaza Strip. The attacked depots stored rockets, weapons, explosives, grenades, and other combat equipment that Hamas terrorists used to promote terrorist plots against our forces in the Gaza Strip. The attacked depots were set up inside mosques and next to humanitarian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. This is another example of Hamas' cynical use of civilian infrastructure, including mosques and humanitarian infrastructure, in violation of international law and cynical exploitation of the civilian population.

- WSJ: Days before ordering an attack on Iran, Trump received explicit warnings from intelligence officials who cautioned that eliminating Khamenei would not topple the regime - but would instead lead to the rise of a more extreme and hardline leadership that would work to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

- The United Nations on Tuesday slammed Israel’s threat to evacuate people from areas where kites, drones and balloons are launched in Gaza, lamenting “unacceptable rhetoric” coming from Israeli leaders. “On the threat of expulsion due to children’s kite flying, I hope we can all agree that this is outrageous,” UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.

Kiddush Levana

Chasunas:

Ungarischer - Rivlin Bais Faiga

Frieman - Miller Ateres Reva

Friedman - Neuhaus Ateres Chaim Elazar

Lefkowitz - Sicherman  Lake Terrace 

Horowitz - Schwartz  Ne'emas Hachaim 

Shorr - Bender Fountain Ballroom 

Lopian - Godfrey Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Kalatzky - Estreicher Cedar Palace 

Ehrman  - Yankelove Ateres Esther 

Rottenberg - Benyowitz Ateres  Bluma

Opt out its not manageable, no Opt in it's cheap!

What is most insulting is not even the increase itself  it's the lack of explanation. People feel they were played.

The initial number families were already paying was $385. It was raised to $945. That price has now been reduced by $290, bringing the new total to $675 per child. But the statement never acknowledged that this $290 is on top of the $385 base parents were already paying it was presented as if the added cost was only $290, when in reality the total cost per child is now closer to $700. That omission is what many people find especially misleading.

The financials also make no sense. If the shortfall was $2.7 million, why was the increase set at a level well above that to begin with  and then what suddenly changed that allowed additional funding to be found? Regardless, this is still a steep increase for parents to absorb, and it raises real questions about transparency. There is no guarantee this new baseline won't rise again  especially considering that the cost was just $150 not long ago, and is now effectively $700.

People deserve answers. Was the original increase deliberately set high to create panic and make the final number seem more manageable? When was this actually known? Why were people told that those in charge had only recently learned about it? Was this planned in advance? How long before was this known?

This is not a game. These decisions affect families' emotions and finances. Those responsible owe the public more than an apology they owe a full public explanation of what happened and what is still happening.

There are also major unanswered questions about the justification for using municipal tax dollars to fully fund courtesy busing for public school students while not doing the same for non-public-school students. The public has repeatedly asked for a legal explanation and still has not received one.

And taxpayers are being told that budget cuts are responsible, with blame placed on Trump, FEMA, and the state. But Lakewood's municipal tax levy increased for 5 years in a row from about $72.2 million in 2021 to $97.2 million in 2025  an increase of roughly 35%. The Township is now proposing another $14 million increase for 2026, bringing the municipal levy to approximately $111.2 million.

So the question remains: Where is all the tax money going  and why is the public still not getting straight answers?

Would you let your child walk to school down Cedarbridge Avenue, Cross Street, County Line Road, Route 88, or any other hazardous road with no sidewalks and heavy traffic?

For many parents, the answer is obvious: No.

Most of Lakewood is not safe to walk to school with no sidewalks safe shoulders and crossing busy intersections.

And that is precisely the problem. There are roads in Lakewood that are recognized as hazardous for children traveling to and from school. New Jersey itself recognizes hazardous walking routes and allows districts to provide transportation for students who would otherwise have to walk along those routes.

Yet under current New Jersey law, a student who lives within the mileage threshold is not automatically entitled to transportation simply because the route is dangerous. Districts may provide courtesy or subscription busing and may charge parents for that service.

In Lakewood, the Township pays the Board of Education for courtesy and hazardous transportation for public-school students. Private-school families, however, are required to pay out of pocket when they opt into courtesy transportation through the LSTA. With the annual fee increasing to $675, families are being asked to pay for transportation because the alternative is for children to travel along roads that have been designated hazardous.

This should not be a question of whether a family can afford the bus. A child's safety should not depend on whether his or her parents can afford the transportation fee.

A distance measured on a map does not tell us whether a child can safely walk that route. Two miles on a sidewalk is not the same thing as two miles along a road with no sidewalk, heavy traffic, high speeds, blind curves, dangerous crossings, or other hazards.

This is why the fight should not stop with the Lakewood Board of Education or the Township. This needs to be fought in Trenton.

New Jersey legislators need to hear directly from parents, school districts, municipalities, and communities dealing with these dangerous routes. The Legislature has already recognized that this is a problem. Legislation introduced in 2026, S4327, would establish statewide criteria for hazardous school routes for purposes of courtesy busing for students who are not remote.

The State should establish clear, objective criteria for hazardous school routes and provide funding so that children who are required to travel along those routes can be transported safely, regardless of whether they attend public or nonpublic school and regardless of their family's ability to pay a courtesy-busing fee.

This is not simply a Lakewood issue. It affects communities throughout New Jersey where children live within walking distance on paper but face roads that no responsible parent would consider a safe walking route.

We should be asking our state senators and assembly members: Will you support eliminating the financial burden on families whose children cannot safely walk to school? Will you meet with Lakewood parents and community leaders to hear firsthand about the roads our children are expected to navigate?

This fight belongs in Trenton.

Lakewood families should not have to choose between paying thousands of dollars a year and putting their children in a situation that the school district recognizes as unsafe.

We should not be asking parents, “Can you afford the bus?”

We should be asking the State of New Jersey, “If a route is hazardous for a child to walk, why isn't safe transportation guaranteed?”

Our children deserve better. 

At a meeting January 6, 2021 to add amendments to the student transportation rules, the issue of bus safety under 2 miles was brought up but the state responded "traffic safety is not within the scope of the readoption with amendments".

In New Jersey if you are a private school student and don't qualify for mandated busing because you live less than 2 miles away you but it is not safe to walk you still have to pay for busing. NJ Law Whenever a district board of education agrees to provide nonmandated transportation to and from school for reasons of hazard, the district board of education shall adopt a

hazardous busing policy in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1.5. regarding the transportation of students who must walk to and from school along hazardous routes.  The policy shall include a list of hazardous routes in the district requiring the courtesy busing of students and the criteria used in designating the hazardous routes. On the NJ.gov website it states that "Boards of education are not required by law to provide busing for students who live less than remote from school "even for safety reasons".

"Q. Is it a district's responsibility to provide transportation for students who live less than remote from school when hazardous road conditions exist?

A. Boards of education are not required by law to provide busing for students who live less than remote from school even for safety reasons. However, boards are permitted, at their own discretion and expense, to provide transportation for students who reside less than remote from school and may charge the student's parents or legal guardians for this service. Municipalities may also contract with boards of education for this service and charge the parents. This transportation service is called Subscription Busing.

Bill S2975. Transportation for Hazardous Walking Routes Act; requires school districts to provide busing for students required to walk to school along hazardous routes

List of streets designated hazardous by Lakewood township and BOE

 1. Fourteenth Street (Across Madison)

2. Pine Street

3. Forest Avenue

4. Route 70

5. New Hampshire Avenue

6. Central Avenue

7. Cedarbridge Avenue

8. Kennedy Boulevard (East & West to Teaberry)

9. Route #9 (Madison Avenue & River Avenue)

10. Ridge Avenue (Brook Road over Lanes Mills)

11. County Line Road (West to East including Lanes Mills)

12. Park Avenue (From 2nd Street to County Line Road) – Elementary School Students Only

13. Ocean Avenue/Route #88 (From Lane Mills Road to Route 9)

14. Miller Road

15. Joe Parker Road

16. Cross Street

17. Hope Chapel Road

18. Chestnut Street

19. Squankum Road

20. James Street

21. New Hampshire Avenue

22. Locust Street

23. Washington Avenue

24. Kennedy Boulevard (Between Twin Oaks)

25. Vine Street

26. Clifton Avenue

27. Oak Street

28. Hillside Street

29. Williams Street

30. Prospect Street

Weather: 82° Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon 

- BDE: Petira of Sanzer Rebbe of Boro Park, Harav Hatzaddik Reb Boruch Halberstam, zt”l. He was 70 years old. The Rebbe, a descendant of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, zt”l, was widely known for his extraordinary dedication to chesed and hachnosas orchim and for his open door to Yidden from across the community.

- LPD Traffic Alert: E 4th Street will be closed from Cottage Place to Negba Street for planned NJAW construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

- Amazon plans to begin using drones to carry out deliveries around South Jersey starting in mid-October, according to a notice the tech giant sent to Mantua Township officals. According to the notice, the proposed operating area for its "Prime Air" service will cover a radius of around 15 miles from its facility at 240 Mantua Grove Road in West Deptford Township. NJ

- Trump:  The Radical Left Democrats are going CRAZY with Fake Polls. They’re putting them out at levels never seen before. They’re called, “Demoralization Operations,” where they try to demoralize Republicans so that they don’t go out and vote — But the actual Polls are tremendous, and the Spirit in our Country has never been higher. We’re winning against EVERYONE, including Iran, whose Country is in Economic and Military Death Spiral. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- LSTA update: Parents will have to "only" pay an additionl $290 instead. Total of $675 per child for courtesy busing. (While Lakewood township fully sponsors  public school courtesy busing.)

This is what schools are asked to send out

Important Update Regarding Non-Mandated Bussing

Dear Parents,

We are pleased to share an important update regarding non-mandated bussing for the upcoming school year.

Over the past several days, we have been working closely with representatives of the LSTA, together with our local and state government officials and dedicated askanim, in an effort to ensure that transportation for the children of our Kehila can begin on time and without interruption.

Baruch Hashem, through these discussions, the additional fee for non-mandated bussing has been reduced to $290 per student.

In light of this development, we are now recommending that parents opt in for transportation. Please note that the $290 fee is due at this time in order to secure transportation.

We fully recognize that this is still an additional expense for families. This arrangement is intended to allow bussing to begin on time while we continue our efforts to explore possible solutions.

We will continue to keep parents informed of any developments as they arise. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout this process.With best wishes for a successful school year,{Your Mosed}

- Rav Shlomo Eisenberger shlita R"Y Telz will be giving a Elul shmooze  at B"M Kol Aryeh today at 1:15pm

- Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the US if the trade war with Canada worsens.

- LSTA: With the Monday night deadline looming, there have still been no updates from LSTA, the schools, or elected officials, leaving parents wondering what to do about bus transportation for the upcoming school year. There is still hope that some source of funding will come through, but for now, families are being left with a wait-and-see approach as the deadline rapidly approaches.

- LSTA from the state report: Recent LegislationIn 2024, new legislation expanded the LSTA model and allowed additional transportation consortia to form. Unlike the 2016 pilot, the new law allows districts from multiple counties to participate, removes district-size requirements, requires savings  from mandated  funds to be returned to districts, and permits up to a 6% administrative fee for  busing.

Lakewood Student Transportation Authority functions similar to a coordinated transportation services authority (CTSA). However, a CTSA is a governmental entity and the LSTA is a non-profit limited-liability company.

More from the report: One of the LSTA’s advantages over Lakewood for operating nonpublic routes is its flexibility in charging for courtesy busing, which Lakewood cannot do because of the district’s free and reduced lunch percentages. A study performed by Lakewood, NJ CPA firm HFA Certified Public Accountants and Advisors in 2020 found that the LSTA saves the district over $11 million versus the district bidding and managing all routes.

- Man with the truck will be in Lakewood today  at BM Ohr Tuvia East End Ave hall 4:30 pm

- Tuition in Lakewood  survey from TVOL interview with Lakewood families: Tuition remains a significant financial burden for many families. Sixteen percent spend at least half their income on tuition, while 29% spend more than 25%. Despite this, 61% believe tuition is reasonable, and paying tuition ranks 4.6 out of 5 in importance. Still, 29% owe tuition from the previous school year, showing that families can consider tuition important and reasonable while still struggling to pay it.

- Giyus: IDF police ramps up activity as they arrested 2 yeshiva bochurim today. Major protests expected as the rt 4 Highway will be shut down

- Giyus: “I have a feeling that the state will give up on us. They’ll understand that this isn’t possible and back off from us.” Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, leader of Degel HaTorah, speaking to several activists about the issue of drafting charesim into the military.

Tonight Lakewood zoning board meeting 7pm watch livestream Here see Agenda Here

On the agenda

Rabin & Company: Nassau Street, Amsterdam, Columbus, and Nostrand Avenue  residential units.

1127 CL, LLC: 1127 East County Line Road  office building.

Arcadia Avenue side-yard setback variances.

1503 Sean Court  side-yard setback for an addition.

Beth Medrash Govoha: 678 5th Street  subdivision for cemetery, house of worship, and house.

Debroz Real Estate: 485 River Avenue  addition to service the facility.

Pine Blvd. —multiple setback variances.

Westmount Group, LLC: 270 Albert Avenue  used-car lot and sales office.

Congregation Tiferes Ish: 131–135 East 7th Street, triplex.

- Did you know approximately 37% of all pregnancies in New Jersey end in abortion, which is one of the highest proportions in the country? There have been about 2,204,400 abortions in NJ since it was allowed in the 70s.

- Keren Olam HaTorah delegation Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita joins the gedolim arriving this morning in Mexico.

- Iran tried to assassinate one of Netanyahu's sons, prime minister tells Israeli TV outlet Channel 14

- Trump: IRAN IS COMPLETELY COLLAPSING!!! President DJT

- Trump posted a Newsmax headline quoting a statement by Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament: “We are starving, we cannot survive.."

- The United States is preparing a sweeping new round of economic sanctions against Iran as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Tehran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calls the effort an “economic D-Day.” The move comes as Iran’s currency hits a historic low and Iranian officials threaten to halt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. officials say commercial traffic through the region has increased despite the tensions.

- At the Cairo negotiations, the United States and the Peace Council were presented with intelligence indicating that there are elements within Hamas planning to deceive and not fulfill the commitment to full disarmament

- The U.S. naval blockade remains in place as the USS Abraham Lincoln heads home after a record-setting deployment and the USS George Washington moves in to replace it.

-  October Council Warns of Renewed Security Failures: A comprehensive report based on testimony from observers, soldiers and security personnel warns that Hamas is testing the IDF, operational approvals are sometimes delayed and people are afraid to report threats. Families bereaved in the 7 October massacre demanded a state commission of inquiry, warning that without investigation and corrective action, another disaster could occur.

- Israeli Strikes Reported in Southern Lebanon: Lebanese media reported Israeli airstrikes in the southern towns of Houla and Al-Mansouri.

- IDF Strikes Hamas Operatives in Deir al-Balah: The IDF said it struck 2 Hamas operatives overnight in central Gaza who infiltrated Israel during the 7 October massacre, killing Nukhba operative Abd al-Nasser Jabr Abu Assad. According to the military, they had recently planned attacks, tried to rebuild Hamas capabilities and systematically violated the ceasefire

- After 78 years, the Irgon boat, the Altalena, has been found. Tonight, August 24, 2026, at 00:30, during a complex maritime search operation, the ship was located intact at a depth of 503 meters, west of the Israeli coast.

 In June 1948, shortly after the establishment of the state, the Irgun ship "Altalena" arrived at the shores of Israel carrying weapons and fighters. Ben-Gurion demanded that all the weapons be handed over to the IDF, but the Irgun demanded that a portion of them be transferred to their members. The dispute escalated into a violent confrontation, and the IDF fired at the ship off the coast of Tel Aviv. 16 Irgun members and three IDF soldiers were killed.

The incident is considered one of the traumatic events in the history of the state and a symbol of the struggle for the principle of "one army for one state

Kiddush Levana 🌙 opportunity  latest time to say is Wed night 

Chasunas:

Landau - Nelkin Ateres Esther 

Blumberg  - Sommerfeld Ateres Blima 

Ginsberg  - Birnbaum Cedar Palace 

Miller  - Suthon Fountain Ballroom 

Basch  - Kaminsky Bais Faiga

Elenbogen - Krupnik Ateres Reva

Ashkenasy  - Rosenblum Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Kaufman (Detroit) - Cohen Ateres Chaim Elazar

Mandelbaun - Dombrov Neemas Hachaim

Weather: 84° Sunshine and clouds mixed. 

- Ironic:  The gaboim of 770 have issued a public warning following reports of increased missionary activity in and around 770.

Reports say missionary literature has recently been found inserted into siddurim ans seforim.

- Lakewood police conducted traffic  enforcement in front of Satmar shul on Forest Ave.

- Jewish Summer Camp Locked Down After Neighbor Fires 20 Rifle Rounds; 23 Guns Seized, Suspect Now Out on Bail. More than 400 campers and staff at a Jewish summer camp in Maine were forced into lockdown after a neighboring man allegedly fired roughly 20 rifle rounds, with shell casings suggesting some shots may have been fired toward the camp’s basketball court. Deputies seized 23 firearms from the suspect, while court documents cite suspected antisemitic bias. He was arrested and initially held on $50,000 bail, but has since been released under strict conditions.

-Jackson  carnival at Johnson Park

- A Point Pleasant man was arrested in connection with a series of swastika graffiti incidents in Asbury Park, according to police.

- New era at BMG : Rav Shneur Kotler shlita son of the Lakewood R"Y Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita will deliver a shiur today for the first time  at 12:45 pm in the Yosshon BM on the sugya of תולדותיהם כיוצא בהן in Case he's בבא קמא.

The shiur is part of the phasing in process for the next generation of the chavrei hanhala of BMG. Last zman Rav Aaron Olshin gave shiur klali. N Rav Aaron Shustal and Rav Yehoshua Abba Busel delivered shiurim over the last year.

- Admor of Chernobyl shlita from Brooklyn will be in Lakewood this week Wednesday for kabolas kahal ahead of the Yomim Noraim.

- LSTA Update: Parents still lack clear guidance on the LSTA non-mandated busing changes. While some local articles warn that opting out could worsen mandated routes through longer rides or shortages, those claims need to be backed by facts. The bigger concern is transparency and timing: It appears Township officials knew about the funding increase and its impact earlier, why were parents only notified days before the deadline, leaving little time to understand the situation and make an informed decision?

- Keren Olam Hatorah delegation of gedolei yisroel from E"Y have arrived today in Mexico for a South American fundraiser trip.

- LSTA Audit in 2002 Raises Financial Oversight Concerns

A 2022 state audit of the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA) reported approximately $27.3 million in revenue and $30.8 million in expenses, a roughly $3.5 million shortfall. The audit reported about $1.13 million in administrative expenses, with salaries approaching $500,000.

LSTA transported roughly 25,000 nonpublic-school students, funded largely through aid-in-lieu payments, family transportation fees, and township contributions. 

$24.7 million in maximum aid-in-lieu payments for roughly 25,000 nonpublic-school students;

$2.5 million collected from courtesy-bus family fees ($260 per student); and

$1.2 million in Lakewood township contributions for public-school courtesy transportation.

While the state recognized LSTA’s innovative approach, it also raised concerns about oversight, potential conflicts of interest, data issues, federal ESSER funds, and unused resources that should have been returned to the district.

- A article with Lakewood Mayor Coles in TVOL says The New Jersey Local Finance Board officially denied Lakewood’s request to exceed the state’s maximum tax levy cap. This cap override was intended to cover a severe municipal budget shortfall. The Township Committee had voted to raise property taxes by 14.4 cents per $100 of assessed value. For a home assessed at $750,000, this would have meant an annual tax increase of $1,080.

In the above article Local officials suggest political retaliation may be at play. Over 90% of Lakewood voted for Governor Mikie Sherrill's opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, in the gubernatorial election. Mayor Coles noted that while former Governor Murphy provided millions in state grants to help bridge the funding gap, Governor Sherrill "ripped off the Band-Aid" and slashed that support down to $1 million.Consequences: Because the tax hike was rejected, town officials must review the budget to find alternative balances. Mayor Coles warned this will likely result in service cuts and employment layoffs across the township.

Mayor Ray Coles attributes the structural deficit to an outdated 1970s state aid formula. While Lakewood has grown to 141,000 residents, it receives only $5 million in state aid. By comparison, similarly sized or slightly larger NJ cities receive drastically more (e.g., Newark receives $110 million; Paterson receives $33 million).Collateral Financial Hits: The township's budget was further strained by FEMA's refusal to grant disaster aid for a historic winter snowstorm, alongside the state denying a separate $5 million Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) project for public safety.Political Tensions: 

- President Trump lashes out at Canada after trade negotiations between the two countries collapse, accusing America's northern neighbor of wanting the "benefits of being a State, without being one. “Canada wants the benefits of being a State, without being one!!! They have also charged our great farmers, for many years, massive amounts of Tariffs. No more!!! President DJT”

- Jonathan Pollard will be joining MK Sharren Haskel's Israel First party and will support it in the upcoming elections. 0Pollard said he chose the party because he believes it represents Zionist and nationalist leadership that puts Israel’s security first.

- Today Lakewood-area residents can get help applying for New Jersey’s ANCHOR prperty-tax relief program this Sunday, Aug. 23, from 1–5 p.m. at 1001 Route 70 in Toms River, near the Lakewood border. Representatives from the state Treasury will provide application assistance and answer eligibility questions in English and Yiddish.

- Agudah CEO currently in E"Y met with PM Netanyahu Defense Minister Katz and the Gerer rebbe.

Sign of Shiur at BMG (photo m weisberg)

Video: Lakewood Roshei  Yeshiva  walk Rav Yosef  Chaim  Shneur Kotler shlita into the Bais Medrash as he delivers shiur klali for the first time

.

- Joint Statement from the Israeli Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Israel Katz held a situation assessment tonight (Sunday) regarding the threat of launching drones, balloons, and kites from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. Israel warns Hamas that if the launches towards Israel do not stop immediately, the IDF will act to intensify operations against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate populations from areas from which kites, drones, and balloons are launched. The Prime Minister clarified that we will not return to the reality of before October 7. Israel will not allow the terrorist organization Hamas or any other entity in the Gaza Strip to return to threatening our settlements and undermining the sense of security of our citizens.

- Netanyahu on drones: This is an F-35 aircraft. Do you have a drone at home? It can be just as dangerous. If they are in large numbers, equipped with weapons, very accurate, and difficult to detect, they will be problematic. We have been trying to find a solution to this problem for years. We are the most advanced country in the world in this field, but this is a global problem. We have seen this in Ukraine Lebanon and Iran, and now they are trying to revive this technology and bring it into Gaza.

My directive to the security organizations and the Israel Defense Forces is to do everything possible to counter this dangerous tool: targeting the drones themselves, targeting their operators, and targeting the location from which they are launched.

- Trump on Iran: “They'd love to make a deal, but they're not ready to make the right deal”

- Terrorist stabs a frum young father in the Jordan valley. Elchanan Chanania was moderately wounded in a stabbing attack near the village of al-Auja in the Jordan Valley on Sunday morning, after stopping on the way to a family vacation in Tevaria for his wedding anniversary. Chanania’s pregnant wife, two daughters and father-in-law were waiting in the car when the terrorist attacked him from behind and stabbed him in the upper body. His oldest daughter witnessed the attack. He was taken conscious to Shaare Zedek Medical Center with a shoulder fracture and internal bleeding, while Israeli security forces continued searching al-Auja, Yericho and the surrounding area for the attacker.

- Defense Minister Israel Katz says he has instructed the IDF to “act forcefully” against the launching of kites from the Gaza Strip in recent days. Over the weekend, at least four kites flown from Gaza landed in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The army said nothing suspicious was found on the kites and there was no danger to the public, but many have associated the objects with Gazan kites and balloons carrying incendiary devices that plagued southern Israel in previous years.

- Saudi Al-Hadath channel reports: The Pakistani army chief will deliver US messages to Iran during his visit and will attempt to break the current deadlock and resume the talks.

- NYP: Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz is weakening: The New York Post reports a 400% increase in traffic volume in the strait. According to the newspaper, traffic on the strategic maritime route surged by nearly 400% in the last two weeks, amid increased use of vessels in the US-supported corridor to cross the strait.

- According to sources within the Israeli security establishment, Hamas has been exerting significant pressure on the mediating countries in recent days to blame Israel for violating the ceasefire agreement. This move has two main motivations: first, to halt any future process of the organization disarming; and second, to gain legitimacy to escalate operations against IDF forces operating in Gaza. (Channel 12)

- The reason for the IDF attack in Syria this week: Turkey was about to deploy air defense systems at the airport, which would have restricted Israeli operational freedom

- US Secretary  of Energy Chris Right: Iran is losing the effectiveness of its leverage in the Strait of Hormuz: The US Navy helped transport more than 15 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. 

As a reminder, before the war approximately 23 million barrels of oil (including Iranian oil) passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day

Weather Tonight low 68 kiddush Levana but cloudy

Tomorrow A shower is possible early. Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. High 84F.

- More confusion from local mosdos to parents regarding  LSTA

Over Shabbos, the latest LSTA increase was a major topic of conversation among parents, who had first received the news on Thursday. While the latest school email/Text before Shabbos instructed parents to opt out, confusing messages sent Motzei Shabbos told parents not to opt in or out, warning that doing so would delete and remove their information from the system.

Meanwhile, the original LSTA email stated that if no action was taken by Monday at 11 p.m., parents would be automatically opted out.

"If no action is taken by 11:00 pm Monday, your child will be opted out, and the routes will be adjusted and consolidated accordingly."

This was sent out by some schools on Motzei shabbos "Important clarification regarding the non mandated bussing. Our recommendation is to NOT opt in but also to NOT opt out. (Actively opting out will remove your data from the system and cause a big problem). “Shev V’al 

- At Yeshivas Brisk,  the Rosh Yeshiva Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, spent Shabbos in his new apartment adjacent to the yeshiva and participated in all the tefillos. During Krias HaTorah,  he eceived the aliyah of Levi and then recited Hagomel, breaking down in tears as he thanked Hashem following his severe illness and medical ordeal, which had left him critically ill and bedridden. (Bhol)

- Lakewood officials have turned the town square into a “temporary” parking lot and while the move pleases some local merchants, others are less than happy to see the historic town square gone. Over the years, charities have held food and clothing giveaways at the square for years and have held many protest rallies there as well. APP.

- Part of Morris County experienced a very small earthquake on Saturday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The 1.1 magnitude quake was recorded more than three miles southwest of Chester and at a depth of seven miles, the agency posted to its website.

- Tomorrow Lakewood-area residents can get help applying for New Jersey’s ANCHOR prperty-tax relief program this Sunday, Aug. 23, from 1–5 p.m. at 1001 Route 70 in Toms River, near the Lakewood border. Representatives from the state Treasury will provide application assistance and answer eligibility questions in English and Yiddish.

- 40  Lakewood area girls still not placed in High schools with a week left for the new year 

- RFK Jr. says Tylenol isn’t just linked to autismbut also ADHD and liver toxicity in kids.So why is Tylenol still on store shelves while Ivermectin isn’t? “Because Big Pharma owns our politicians,” RFK Jr. says. “And I’m telling them to get lost.

- Canada Announces New Tariffs After Trade Talks Collapse: Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will impose new tariffs on US products from 8 September after rejecting Washington’s demands, as new 50% US tariffs on Canadian goods take effect. Canadian measures will focus on sectors including steel and dairy, with further details expected in the coming days.

- Trump calls Tucker Carlson a loser and a low-IQ individual: 

"Tucker Carlson just met with Lightweight “Former” Congressman, Thomas Massie, and Marjorie “Traitor” Greene, LOSERS ALL! Tucker’s “Views” have fallen through the floor, and will only get worse. Nobody cares about him any longer in that he has become totally irrelevant, and happens to be, surprisingly, a very Low I.Q. individual. He could barely get out of College, and maybe he didn’t, but only really dumb people can’t make it through that wonderful four year time in life! Tucker wants to run for political office, but he should be required to take a cognitive test. He’s got no chance, but could probably take a couple of points away from whatever the Republican ticket happens to be! Tucker is a loser, and always has been! Marjorie Taylor Brown (Green turns to Brown under stress!), a highly neurotic young woman, went from Ultra Conservative to a Liberal “Fool,” all in a matter of weeks, because I refused to return her phone calls — Not because I didn’t like her, just because I had no time. She was way down in the Polls in Georgia (because I took away my Endorsement), and would have had no chance at winning, so she, just like everyone else, “QUIT!” Thomas Massie has turned out to be a failed politician, and a real JERK. He thought it was really wonderful to vote, “NO,” on everything, no matter how good, strong, or proper the Legislation would be. What a team this would be, THREE LOSERS, and a pocketful of change! The only chance they have is to join the Radical Left Dumocrats, and try breaking into the Primary System. To all of them I say, PRAISE BE TO ALLAH! President DONALD J. TRUMP"

Friday, August 21, 2026 / ח' אלול תשפ''ו

ערב שבת פרשת כי תצא חמישי דנחמתא

Candle lighting 7:27 pm

Shkiah/Sunset 7:45 pm

Weather: Tonight overcast Low 67F.

Shabbos day Cloudy skies. High 76F.

5787 is a leap year (for those makpid to have kavana by parshas Zachor this week) .

ברגע קטן עזבתיך וברחמים גדלים אקבצך

כי ההרים ימושו והגבעות תמוטנה וחסדי מאתך לא ימוש וברית שלומי לא תמוט אמר מרחמך ה׳

 Video: Kan tzipor by pirchei Yerushalayim

Elul 5786

A wave of frustration and panic has spread through the Lakewood community following the announcement of a major increase in transportation costs and an extremely short window for families to figure out what to do.

Families have been left scrambling to come up with money they don't have  or arrange carpools, private transportation and other alternatives, with only days to respond. For many, that simply isn’t realistic. Between multiple children, different school schedules and Lakewood’s already difficult traffic, finding a workable transportation solution on such short notice can feel nearly impossible.

And this isn’t the first time LSTA has given families a last-minute choice: pay more for transportation or opt out. 4 years ago the same shtick was pulled.  On July 31,2022, Yeshivos and private schools got short notice from LSTA to notify parents of courtesy busing increase from $180 to $260. Parents had until  12:00 pm August 1.

But this time feels different. The potential financial impact is enormous, raising a basic question: How can a change this significant be announced with so little notice and so little preparation for the families who will have to deal with it? Did they know this was coming or was this a last minute decision.

Across Lakewood, families are calling each other, posting in WhatsApp groups and online forums, comparing numbers and trying to figure out what their options even are.

Where is the leadership?

Families are especially frustrated by what they see as silence from nearly every corner of the community. School owners  Roshei mosdos have largely stayed quiet. Politicians who are often quick to speak up on community issues have not publicly stepped forward. And broader communal leadership has yet to offer clear answers, advocacy or even a meaningful acknowledgment of  nesius ol in what families are being asked to deal with.

The numbers 

People are struggling to understand how a reported transportation budget reduction of roughly $2.7 million could potentially translate into an $18–$19 million burden on families. The gap is staggering, and families want a straightforward explanation: How were these numbers calculated, and why does a relatively small reduction in the transportation budget result in such a dramatically larger cost being shifted onto families?

 A short deadline.

Families cannot build new transportation arrangements overnight. Carpools have to be coordinated. Private vans have to be found. Work schedules have to be changed. Children with different schools, pickup times and dismissal schedules all have to be accounted for.

For working parents and large families, this isn’t a minor inconvenience. It can affect whether they can get to work, whether their children can get to school and whether the family’s entire daily schedule is even manageable.

Families are being left to figure it out alone.

Lakewood kehilla is used to communal leadership stepping in when an issue affects thousands of families. Parents are not seeing that happen here. Instead, they are calling one another, trying to piece together while the people who could potentially provide answers remain largely silent.

The olam should be kept open about what is going on. They want the financial numbers explained and enough time to make arrangements that are actually workable for their families.

Right now, families are being asked to make major financial and logistical decisions within days.

And for many, the most troubling part is not just the cost it’s the feeling that when they need their community to step up, nobody is stepping forward.

Friday, August 21, 2026 / ח׳ אלול תשפ״ו

ערב שבת פרשת כי תצא

Candle lighting 7:27 pm

Shkiah/Sunset 7:45 pm

Weather Partly cloudy. High 78F.

Tonight overcastLow 67F.

Shabbos day Cloudy skies. High 76F.

This shabbos 9 Elul Yartzeit of R' Tzadok HaKohen Rabinowitz of Lublin (1823-1900). Talmid of the Mei HaShiloach of Izbhitz & R'Leibele Eiger.

- LPD Traffic Alert: Joe Parker Rd will be closed from Long Beach Ave to Brookfield Dr for emergency Verizon construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

- This message was sent late erev shabbos by Lakewood mosdos:

“Regarding the new LSTA fee for non-mandated students, the Mosed feels that this is a cost that should be covered through government funding and should not be placed on the parents,” Therefore, at this time, our recommendation is that parents NOT opt in to the Non-Mandated Busing program at the new rate. We will keep parents updated should there be any developments.”

- Update several schools instructed by the Igud Hamosdos have notified Lakewood parents not to opt in to LSTA busing. They feel the government should pay not the parents.

- This Shabbos simchas Beis Shvilei Dovid/ Zhiditchov in Oak n Vine Aufruf

will be held for the son of Rav Yitzchak Unsdorfer, Av Beit Din of Shvili David in Lakewood, kallah is daughter of the Zhiditchov Rebbe of Baltimore.

- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is publicly urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to concentrate on the day-to-day responsibilities of governing the nation’s largest city rather than continuing to focus attention on Israel, as his rhetoric and policies toward the Jewish state remain a source of controversy.

- High school girls: With school starting in 10 days there's up to 40 girls still mot placed in Lakewood high schools.

- Shemiras Shabbos: El Al canceled flight LY8 from New York to Tel Aviv after passengers had already boarded because the delayed departure would have resulted in the aircraft landing in Israel after the Shabbks began. 

- LSTA: State audit in 2022 shows they collected from yeshiva courtesy bus family fees at $260 per student at 10,000 students for a total of $2.5 million, while Lakewood township contributed $1.2 million for public school courtesy students. In FY 2022.

Reports say there are 20,000 non mandated students now, if all are paying $945 that equals $19 million dollars! Perhaps (Parents can pool money together and arrange cheaper transportation without LSTA)

- Schools  sent a message  to parents  they are aware of the LSTA’s latest notice asking parents to either pay up to $950 per child or opt out. However, schools have indicated that there is little they can do and are advising parents to choose whichever option works best for their families

- Shemiras Shabbos: El Al canceled flight LY8 from New York to Tel Aviv after passengers had already boarded because the delayed departure would have resulted in the aircraft landing in Israel after the Shabbks began. 

- New Jersey Governor Sherrill signed boll A2218/S2260, into law a pro Toeiva bill expanding legal protections for abortions. The legislation would make it a fourth-degree crime to interfere with access to clinics or hospitals and would prohibit insurers from denying or limiting coverage for abortion and gender-transition services. The law  could criminalize peaceful prayer and sidewalk counseling outside abortion clinics.

The law targets anyone accused of blocking access or intimidating people entering these facilities, with penalties reaching up to five years in prison if serious bodily harm occurs. Violators could also face civil lawsuits, attorney’s fees, punitive damages, and at least $1,000 per violation.

New Jersey Right to Life warns the law is written so broadly that prayer, signs, or simply offering help could be labeled “intimidation” by someone who claims to feel threatened.

- Jackson: Attorneys for the Jackson 21 homeowners association accused of segregating its community pool by gender say the HOA has the right to separate male and female swimmers because most residents are Orthodox Jews who follow religious laws requiring gender-separated swimming.

The dispute centers on whether the HOA may impose gender-specific pool hours or access based on the religious practices of the community's majority residents.

- LPD ticketing cars parked at BMG along Private way. Today  state troopers are in the area enforcing traffic laws.

- Turkey has requested Interpol to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and dozens of other senior Israeli officials. The legal action is being taken as part of a criminal trial being held in absentia at the 11th High Criminal Court in Istanbul. The charges relate to the armed interception of the Global Somud flotilla en route to Gaza in international waters.

- After 44 years, IDF soldier Yehuda Katz HYD has  been brought to kever Yisroel, with his kevurah taking place at Har HaZeisim. Katz went missing during the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon. His remains were returned to Israel following a special intelligence operation.q

50,000 attend selichos last night at the kosel

 Kavanah for Zechiras Amalek

This week’s Maftir, Parshas Ki Seitzei, discusses the mitzvah of Zechiras Amalek, which we fulfill annually through the reading of Parshas Zachor.

Since this coming year is a leap year, there will be 13 months between last year’s Parshas Zachor and the upcoming Parshas Zachor. The Chasam Sofer explains that the annual reading nevertheless fulfills the mitzvah. The reason is that the natural process of forgetting after a year is not determined solely by the number of days that have passed, but also by the cycle of seasonal events that we experience throughout the year.

Nevertheless, the Maharam Schick (Mitzvos, no. 604) writes that the Chasam Sofer himself instructed his students that in a leap year, they should have specific kavanah to fulfill the mitzvah of Zechiras Amalek during the Krias  HaTorah reading of Ki Seitzei. This ensures that a full twelve-month period does not pass without hearing the Torah’s account of Amalek.

Submitted: Anyone davening in a shul where a Bar Mitzvah bachur is receiving Maftir should have specific kavanah during Shvi’i to fulfill the mitzvah of Zechiras Amalek through the Torah reading. (Al pi Rabbi Shmuel Felder shlita.)

Selichos Minyanim in Lakewood for Sefardim Elul תשפ"ו. Most minyanim start 45 minutes before the scheduled time for shachris 

סליחות שחרית מקום Address

4:35 5:10 עץ חיים (ותיקין) 21 Cedar Street

5:10 6:15* מדרש תורת 108 E. Ninth Street

6:15* 7:00* עץ חיים 21 Cedar Street

6:15 7:00* ק' ספרדים בני תורה 48 Hickory Hill Road, Jackson, NJ

6:15* 7:00* ק"ק ספרדים חדש 495 Cooks Bridge Road, Jackson, NJ

6:20* 7:00* ק"ק ספרדים מנחם 294 Metedeconk Trail, Jackson, NJ

6:20 7:00 קהל בני תורה 304 Monmouth Avenue

6:25 7:10 מכון אברכים 500 Marc Drive

6:30 7:15 זכרון בנימין 701 Princeton Avenue

6:30* 7:15* קהילת ספרדים 2 Kew Garden Drive

6:30* 7:05* אהל שלומית 38 Spruce Street

6:35* 7:15* ק' ספרדים ד'לילך 310 Winchester Drive, Jackson, NJ

6:45* 7:15* בית יוסף 203 Williams Street

7:05 7:50 ישיבה משך חכמה 77 Williams Street

7:05 7:45 קהל בני תורה 304 Monmouth Avenue

7:10* 7:50* אהל שלומית 38 Spruce Street

7:15 8:00 ק'ק ספרדים 220 Sunset Road

7:15 8:00 עץ חיים 21 Cedar Street

7:20 8:05 מכון בני הישיבה 423 Sixth Street

7:20 8:00 אהל שלום 613 Madison Avenue

7:20 7:50 כולל יד רחל 10 Sylvan Court

7:20* 8:00* מכון אברכים 500 Marc Drive

7:25 8:05 תורה וחיים 703 Park Avenue

7:30 8:05 ישיבת בני עולם 24 Caranetta Drive

7:50 8:30 בימ אהל תורה 1009 Brook Road

NJ law says that when transportation is provided to students who live less than the required distance from school, families cannot be excluded simply because they cannot afford the transportation fee. Financial hardship is based on the same income standards used for free and reduced-price meals. Source 

The law also requires districts that provide courtesy busing to have a policy identifying hazardous routes. So the question for LSTA is simple: If it is taking on the district’s transportation responsibilities, why are families who cannot afford the fee being left without transportation and what hazardous-route protections apply to children who live under two miles from school

 Parents of yeshiva and other nonpublic-school students are questioning why they can be charged nearly $950 per child for transportation while Lakewood taxpayers fund courtesy transportation for public-school students. But the role of the Lakewood School Transportation Association (LSTA) raises an even bigger question.

The 2016 New Jersey law creating the Lakewood nonpublic-school transportation consortium states that: “The consortium shall assume the responsibilities of the eligible district under [N.J.S. 18A:39-1”](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2016/AL16/22_.PDF N)

The Legislature went even further in the 2023 consortium law, stating that: “The consortium shall assume all of the responsibilities of the school district under [N.J.S. 18A:39-1”](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/PL23/326_.HTM N)

That language raises a serious question for LSTA. If LSTA assumes the district’s transportation responsibilities, which transportation protections and requirements does LSTA believe it has assumed  and which does it claim do not apply?

LSTA has relied on a Lakewood School District age policy to deny transportation to some five-year-old children. If LSTA says it is not the district when parents ask why certain transportation protections apply, why is it relying on district policy when that policy is used to deny transportation?

And if LSTA can use district rules to restrict transportation, why should families be told that district transportation protections do not apply when those protections would help families who cannot afford the fee?

New Jersey transportation rules also recognize financial-hardship protections for certain transportation services, with financial hardship tied to the state's free and reduced lunch  income standards.

What protection does LSTA provide to a family that qualifies under those income standards but cannot afford a transportation fee approaching $950 per child?

What law authorizes LSTA's current transportation program and its fees? Which responsibilities under N.J.S. 18A:39-1 has LSTA assumed? 

Why is LSTA relying on a district age policy to deny transportation while claiming that district transportation requirements do not otherwise apply?

What financial-hardship policy is available to families who cannot afford the transportation fee?

The Legislature specifically gave the consortium the district's transportation responsibilities for eligible nonpublic-school students. If LSTA believes certain district protections do not apply, parents are entitled to know exactly which ones, and the legal basis for that position.

If LSTA can rely on the district's rules when those rules restrict transportation, why can't families rely on the district's transportation protections that would help them?.

(Current NJ transportation regulations HERE  NJ Department of Education  Student Transportation Here)

Chasunas:

Bendkowski - Rotstein  Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Nafoff - Miller Bais Faiga 

Panski - Schwinder Ateres Chaim Elazar

Karmel  - Drucker Fountain Ballroom 

Margeretan - Dreebin  Lake Terrace 

- Chumash Shiur by Harav Yeruchom Olshin shlita 11:30 pm at B"M Ateres Bracha live 646-726-9977 

Weather: Low 66° Thunderstorms, some strong this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near an inch. Localized flooding is possible.

- Shiur klali today at Lakewood Yeahiva, BMG R"Y Rav Malkiel delivering the pesicha shiur on Bava Kama credit (M.Weisberg)

Just days before the school year starts, LSTA dropped a bombshell: non-mandated busing costs are jumping and families have almost no time to prepare or decide.

Here are the facts:

The subsidy that funded this program for the past 10 years has been cut by the Township.

Cost per child is rising from $385 to $945

You must opt in by Monday, August 24 at 11:00 PM or your child is automatically dropped from the route. Opting out gets you a refund of the $385 but then you're on your own for transportation.

For many families, this adds up to $3,000+ in new expenses this year alone.

Meanwhile, the early morning shachris buses run nearly empty, with parents already organizing carpools to cope but many schools don't even allow carpooling, forcing families into thousands of dollars of new expense they can't absorb.

And the Lakewood Township committee fully funds non-mandated busing for public school students while yeshiva and private school families in Lakewood get none of that support. 

Where are our elected officials? Silent. Hiding behind monthly Zoom meetings while millions in tax abatements and years of budget surpluses go unexplained.

Lakewood families deserve transparency and they deserved more than a few days to prepare for a $3,000 hit to their budget.

Per New Jersey law Lakewood or any parents who qualify for the school lunch program do not have to pay if they can't afford it and can not be denied transportation according to NJ law. The schools and LSTA have so far not notified parents of this law and parents are given a form to either sign up or opt out.

 - NJ Law Students who are unable to pay because of financial hardship shall not be excluded from receiving services described under this section. The criteria used to determine financial hardship shall be the same as the Statewide income eligibility standards established for free and reduced-price meals under the State school lunch program.

Full Nootice from LSTA:

August 20th, 2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO LAKEWOOD NON-MANDATED FAMILIES

Dear Parent of Lakewood Non-Mandated Student,

You are receiving this notice because one or more of your children are considered non-mandated for transportation purposes. A non-mandated child is one of the following: an elementary student who resides 2 miles or less from school or a high school student residing 2.5 miles or less. The information below pertains solely to Lakewood students and does not affect students residing in Howell, Jackson or Toms River.

Overview and Background:

The state of New Jersey has and will continue to provide transportation funding for all Lakewood mandated students. However, the LSTA does not receive any state funding for non-mandated students.

In spite of this, for the past 10 years, LSTA together with Lakewood township has been able to provide busing to thousands of Lakewood non-mandated students at a deeply subsidized rate. This was accomplished through Township financial support and LSTA's transportation system.

For the coming 2026-27 school year, the State has significantly reduced its municipal aid funding for Lakewood Township. As a result, the subsidy that helped fund this program for the past decade has been eliminated. There will no longer be any subsidies for these students to allay the full cost of up to $1177 per seat on the bus.

Understandably, this will impact many Lakewood families. LSTA has been able to reduce the full price of the seat to $945 per child for the 2026-27 school year. The $232 reduction is not a continuation of the township's subsidy. Rather, this was made possible due to the size and density of the Lakewood transportation routing network, together with the efficiencies and marketable purchasing power created by the volume of Lakewood routes.

The $945 rate reflects the adjusted costs available for 2026–27. Future pricing will be determined based on the funding and resources available for each respective school year.

What This Means For You:

If you would like your child to remain on a bus, please log into your family portal at www.lakewoodsta.org and opt in by Monday, August 24 at 11:00 PM.

Because routes are awarded based on both AM and PM seat, consistent with LSTA's standard practice, opt-in transportation is available for round-trip service only.

Families who have already paid $385 will have that amount applied toward the $945 cost, leaving a $560 balance per student, payable in another three installments. (This will be automatically applied upon submission of your opt-in form.)

Families who opt out of transportation will receive a refund for the $385 previously paid.

For families who need assistance accessing the portal or completing the opt-in, kiosks at the LSTA office will be open today, Thursday August 20th until 6 pm, Friday August 21st 9 am until 1 pm and Monday August 24th from 10 am until 10 pm.

If no action is taken by 11:00 pm Monday, your child will be opted out, and the routes will be adjusted and consolidated accordingly.

The Monday deadline is necessary so LSTA can promptly adjust routes, follow State requirements for awarding transportation routes, and provide vendors with the time needed to prepare for service beginning September 1st.

Due to the Township's budgeting schedule, the LSTA was only recently informed of the subsidy cessation. As this notice is coming very close to the start of the school year and will create an unexpected financial hardship for many families, we regret the timing and understand the difficulty this will present.

We are grateful that together with the Township, the LSTA was able to provide this deeply subsidized benefit to thousands of Lakewood families for an entire decade. We appreciate your understanding as we work to keep transportation as accessible as possible under the current funding structure.

 Lakewood Student Transportation Authority

Weather: 84° Cloudy early then strong thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Chance of rain 70%. Localized flooding is possible.

Flash flood watch issued Issued By  US, National Weather Service from 12pm today until late tonight  flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. Rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are possible.

7 Elul 3rd Yartzeit of Rav Aharon Shechter ZTL R"Y Chaim Berlin.

Yartzeit of R'Reuven Margulios (1889-1971). Author of over 50 books & sefarim including Margoliyos HaYam on Sanhedrin.

- The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch in parts of New Jersey as waves of strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move across the region Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening. The tornado watch was issued at 3 p.m. and covers seven counties in southern New Jersey: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem.

- Frum Knesset member Threatens Consumer Boycott: United Torah Judaism lawmaker Meir Porush warned that the ultra-Orthodox community could leverage its annual spending of more than 52 billion shekels through a consumer boycott. He said religious leaders would issue instructions when necessary.

-  Today at Yeshiva South Fallsburg, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel shlita, announced that he will be limiting his daily shiur to three times a week. On the other days, his son-in-law, Rav Meir Weinstein shlita, will deliver the shiur. (Israel media)

- LSTA Raises price for non mandated to $945

- Lakewood Town Square has been transformed into a designated parking area, with the township painting individual parking spaces across the plaza. The change comes as Lakewood officials grapple with a growing homelessness problem along Clifton Avenue and in the downtown area. The square, which has historically served as a civic gathering space, has increasingly been used as an encampment by homeless individuals. The newly marked parking spaces appear to represent a significant change in how the township intends to use the property.

- Howell, banned data centers becoming the 33rd municipality in New Jersey to ban AI data centers. The ban was applauded by Howell residents, community leaders, and grassroots climate activists who worked with Howell Mayor John Leggio and township council members. The ordinance passed the all-Republican council by a unanimous vote.A data center proposal was submitted days before the ban was introduced, according to the Asbury Park Press.

- Jackson, officials demanded a second post office after a population boom, according to the APP

- The new charedi  “HaKahal” party  held primary elections for the list pf candidates final results with approximately 14,500 voters: Attorney Shlomo Alboim of Bnei Brak won the top spot.

- Shas leader Arye Deri met with Rav Yitzchak Yosef asking him to continue what his father started as spiritual leader of the party.

- More Than 1,100 Undocumented Immigrants Hold Driver’s Licenses in Lakewood according to the latest report from NJ Assemblyman.

- New Jersey recorded a sharp rise in bias incidents at churches, synagogues, temples and mosques during the first seven months of 2026, even as the state’s overall bias incident total held roughly steady, according to New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Reporting data. The state logged 42 bias incidents at houses of worship from January through July 2026, up from 16 during the same period in 2025, a 163% increase, the statistics show. 

Anti-Jewish bias was the single largest religious motivation statewide, accounting for 387 cases, or roughly 21% of all bias motivations recorded from January through July. Anti-Islamic, or Anti-Muslim, bias accounted for 49 incidents

- Mamdani official reveals NYC may give grants to local grocers struggling to compete with the mayor’s city-run grocery stores.

- 11,000 Non-Resident Voters Confirmed as New Jersey’s Illegal Voting Scandal Grows: New Jersey election officials have removed more than 5,000 additional voter registrations and referred another 1,650 for county review.

- List of top 10 Israeli Yeshivos that received mosst funding through Keren Olam HaTorah from Juky 2024 - December 2025.  There many more yeshivos and kolelim on the list. Data from Israeli journalist 

Update: Airport workers return to work as flights resume with delays

Prime Mister Benjamin Netanyahu says Ben Gurion Airport will “continue to remain open and operate as usual” after workers at Israel’s main international airport staged a surprise work stoppage on the busiest travel day of the year so far. n a post on X, the premier says “Ben Gurion Airport will continue to remain open and operate as usual. Anyone who stands in the way  will fly home.”

Ben Gurion Airport is experiencing major disruption after workers staged an unexpected stoppage on what is expected to be the busiest travel day of the year, with arrivals halted from 2 p.m. and departures operating on a revised schedule. Around 107,000 passengers and 600 flights were expected, with some flights already disrupted. The Israel Airports Authority blamed the workers’ union, while the Histadrut denied ordering a strike and attributed the chaos to severe staffing shortages and inadequate preparation. Transportation Minister Miri Regev threatened legal action against those responsible

Chasunas:

Hayum - Rubin Neemas Hachaim

Weissman - Neuman Bais Faiga

Rosenberg - Moscovics Lake Terrace 

Feigenbaum - greenfield Ateres Chaim Elazar 

Polinsky  - Braun Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Waidenbaum -Manowitz Fountain Ballroom 

Schwartz - Rottenberg Ateres Blima

Bittersfeld - Rothbaum Ateres Esther

· Trump: "No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal than me. TRAGICALLY, for them, they have failed to take it. Therefore, today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale. Their navy is gone, their air force is destroyed, their military factories are now rubble, their currency is worthless, and their country is hanging by a thread. Today, I am also announcing that ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences. Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies — It all needs to stop NOW. You know who you are. This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat. These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

- IDF: In a strike in the Al-Shati area: The IDF eliminated a company commander and three Nukhba platoon commanders in the Hamas terrorist organization. Yesterday (Tuesday), the IDF struck in the Al-Shati area and eliminated four Nukhba commanders from the Beit Lahia battalion in the military wing of the Hamas terrorist organization.

- Netanyahu: "We will not tolerate a Turkish military buildup in Syria that threatens Israel"

- Israeli officials directly warned Syrian officials in the days before the attack: "We know the Turks are on their way. This is a violation of the status quo." Israel realized relatively early on that the Turks apparently intended to create a permanent and significant military presence in Syria - and tried to avoid it through diplomatic warnings

- Trump on negotiating with Iran: "Maybe at some point, but right now, I think the situation is so good. But maybe at some point. Look, it's very simple. They have to get rid of them completely; they have to get rid of nuclear weapons. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. You know why? Because they use it. And we're not going to let them use it. So, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And they won't."

- Hamas terror infrastructure and 5 launch pits destroyed by Paratrooper Brigade combat team forces. 

- FT: Iran eyes military targets in Europe if U.S. President Donald Trump escalates the war.

- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee: "Washington is working to establish a mechanism to prevent conflicts between Israel, Turkey and Syria. Hamas has not yet delivered a single weapon; Trump may consider military action against Iran."

- Reports out of Gaza say six senior Hamas police officers were killed in the strike on the Hamas police station. Four held the rank of Akid, equivalent to an Israeli sub-commissioner. One held the rank of Ra'ad, equivalent to a superintendent. One held the rank of Amid, equivalent to a deputy commissioner. - N12.

- Iranian General Mohammad Reza Naqdi:The current president of the United States is extremely short-sighted and childish. He has no long-term vision. When he says something, he doesn't even think about what will happen 24 hours later. His statements have no foundation or consistency. I trust a taxi driver much more than I trust him. Don't take what he says too seriously 

-

 Weather: 88° Sunny to partly cloudy. Ret of week rainy forecast with thunderstorms through shabbos

6 Elul: The yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller  known as the Tosfos Yom Tov.

- Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimshon Chaim Nachmani known as the Zera Shimshon.

- Giyus. Finance Ministry data presented to Attorney General Baharav-Miara reportedly shows charedi families receive government subsidies at much higher rates than other Jewish Israelis from property-tax and rent assistance to childcare, mortgages, and public transportation. The figures were presented amid the dispute over enforcing the military draft on charedim. 

- New study reveals high smartphone screen time among parents is linked to slower vocabulary growth in young children.

- The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch in New Jersey including Ocean county because of the threat of rapid flooding from heavy rain that's expected on Thursday, Aug. 20.Twelve counties in New Jersey have been placed under a flood watch issued by the National Weather Service at about 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, and it will be effective from noon on Thursday through 2 a.m. on Friday.

- Aliyah Debate on social media over how Israel can attract more American Orthodox Jews. Jake Turx argues Israel should build large-scale communities with housing, schools, shuls, shopping and professional networks tailored to Yeshivish and Chassidic families. Critics say aliyah necessarily requires adaptation. The broader question: Should American olim adapt to Israel, or should Israel build communities that make it easier for them to come as they are?

- Dr Rich Roberts of Lakewood is sitting Shiva for his mother Mrs. Ruth Gordon A"H, at 120 Arbutus Drive, Lakewood, NJ. Visiting hours are Wednesday through Monday at designated times, with Shacharis at 8:30 am and Mincha/Maariv 7:35/7:30 next week. Visiting is 10 am -12 pm  and 2pm - 5:30 pm and after mincha until 9 pm and on Motzei Shabbos, from 9:30–10:30 pm. All tefilos will be held in the kollel room; please use the front porch, left door.

- Boys elementary schools start today  expect traffic around the chadorim from drop offs and pick ups. The cheder Hachodosh opened today at the new Jackson location.

- Two change.org petitions launched to keep GroupMe SMS. HERE and HERE. Shuls that have the shul space and other platforms are not affected as they have their own text messaging technologies.

- A new report by Assemblyman Paul Kanitra estimates that more than 1,100 undocumented immigrants hold driver's licenses in Lakewood.

- Giyus: Breslov Chasidim traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah are planning to begin enlistment proceedings with the IDF so that they will be permitted to leave the country. This comes after the IDF announced that, following a change in policy at the airport, draft dodgers will not be allowed to leave Israel. CH13

- President Trump shows reporters a rendering of the new White House helipad, touting sweeping renovations to the property and saying people should see the work underway. "The White House was in terrible condition." Trump says the upgraded grounds will be used for major meetings, celebrations and visits from foreign leaders, including an expected visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming weeks

- $26 Million of New Jersey tax dollars go to pay for the legal defense of people that came here illegally. 

- The Ocean County road crew is doing construction on Cedarbridge Avenue in Lakewood, reconfiguring the concrete barrier at the intersection with Avenue of the States

- New Jersey REJECTS Trump Administration’s New MMR Vaccine Policy  State Says It Will Follow Its Own Guidance.

- Lakewood township will vote on the budget September 5 with a massive property tax increase expected.

- DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin: Thank you, Gov Sherrill NJ We got news from your Secretary of State that New Jersey will participate with DHS in STOPPING aliens from illegally voting in your state. 
The 35,000 potential registered aliens we identified may only be the beginning look forward to helping NJ identify illegal voters and ensure election integrity

- Former Fauci adviser David Morens pleads guilty to conspiring to hide federal records about COVID-19 & its origins

- President Trump is celebrating Alex Vindman’s stunning Florida primary loss by reopening one of the biggest battles of his first term. “The most gratifying loss last night was that of a real treasonous creep, Alexander Vindman."The Dumocrats Fake Impeachment effort massively failed. Vindman should be prosecuted for what he did!" FOX

- Starting Jan. 1, about 540,000 New Jersey Medicaid recipients will face new federal requirements to maintain their coverage. Most adults ages 19 to 64 who receive Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act expansion will have to complete at least 80 hours per month of approved activities, such as work, school, vocational training, or volunteer work. Some parents, caregivers, and people with certain disabilities or medical conditions may qualify for exemptions. Affected NJ FamilyCare members will also have to renew their eligibility every six months instead of annually.

- On Monday, August 17, Lakewood Township EMS and the Lakewood Volunteer First Aid Squad participated in a joint training session on pediatric emergencies, led by the Medical Director, Dr. Matthew Letizia.

New Elul zman at Chevron Yeshiva

Chasunas:

Rubinfeld - Bleier Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Feldhamer - Holtz Ateres  Chaim Elazar 

Wertzberger - Kalish Lake Terrace 

Aahkenassy - Freedman Fountain Ballroom 

Busel -  Schwartz Neemas Hachaim 

Muhlgey Bais Faiga

Stern - Cohen Ateres Esther

Lipman - Lewinstein Ateres Blima

Kiddush Levana opportunity 

- Yartzeit seuda of the Zera Shimshon with the participation of Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser shlita at the Mesameach building off Cedarbridge Avaa⁰e in Lakewood

Weather: 84° Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%

- Lakewood Boys elementary yeshivos begin cheder tomorrow. 

- Trump: I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL! The great Keystone XL Pipeline, long ago killed by Sleepy Joe Biden, may be awoken from the grave! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

- BDE Petirah of Rebbetzin, Sarah Rochel Yisraelzon, a”h, daughter of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, and the almana of  HaRav Yosef Yisrael Yisraelzon, zt”l, she fell Ill this week and was niftar at the age of 93. 

- Trump moves to accelerate development of psychedelic drug ibogaine as a treatment for serious mental illness, particularly among veterans.

- GroupMe is ending its two-way SMS service. Starting August 17, 2026, users will gradually receive a 7-day notice before group messages stop coming by text. After that, users will need the GroupMe app or website to participate in groups. Verification texts and invitations will still work.

- After 44 years, the remains of Sgt. First Class Yehuda Katz, who went missing during the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon, have been recovered and returned to Israel. Katz was one of three Israeli soldiers who disappeared in the battle. The remains of his fellow soldiers Zachary Baumel and Zvi Feldman were recovered in 2019 and 2025, respectively. The IDF says Katz’s remains were located in an operation led by Military Intelligence with Mossad assistance and were positively identified before being returned for burial.

- Giyus: Israel’s Attorney General’s Office says Charedim still account for about 80% of draft evaders, despite an increase in Charedi enlistment. The office is calling for stronger enforcement, including economic sanctions and arrests, arguing that expanding the army is an urgent security need.

- Scientific study reveals TikTok videos deactivate key cognitive brain regions.

- 24 six Jewish music platform increases monthly premiums starting in September.

- FBI data for 2025 shows that Jews were the victims of 1,528 religion-based hate crimes, representing 63% of all religion-based hate crimes in the U.S. Muslims were next with 205 incidents. Overall hate crimes against Jews decreased from 2024, but Jews remained disproportionately targeted relative to their population size.

- One of the East Coast’s largest artificial intelligence data center projects is moving forward with its second phase after a controversial vote in New Jersey late Monday. The Vineland Planning Board voted 8-1 to approve the next phase of the massive DataOne campus after a meeting that stretched past 11 p.m. following hours of expert testimony and public comment.

- NJ Assemblyman Paul Kanitra: Our new report on the size, scope and cost of illegal immigration in NJ is now out. We’ve found a state so hopelessly compromised that we’ve officially requested federal intervention from the DOJ, DHS and House Judiciary Committee.

A staggering 8.2 Billion is being spent every single year on 737,000 illegal invaders in New Jersey. And it’s costing each of you $1,700 a year! If you rent, you can add another $1,000 annually onto that figure from illegals driving up housing costs. What’s even crazier is this is all despite an overall drop in illegals due to deportations.

- OHI and Wellpoint are hosting a free Back-to-School Community Day on Thursday, August 20, from 9:30 AM–12:30 PM at the Wellpoint Storefront, 100 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, NJ. Families can receive free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last), plus glucose, blood pressure, and vision screenings and information about OHI services. Fulfill NJ will also distribute food from 10:30–11:30 AM

- LPD Traffic Alert: New Central Ave closed between Gudz Rd & Miller Rd due to a motor vehicle accident with a downed utility pole and wires. Avoid the area.

- The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has confirmed, in a statement in English, the attack by the Israeli Air Force in Syria: "Israel and Syria had agreed to maintain the status quo on security matters, which Syria was about to violate by allowing TURKISH FORCES to operate at an air base near Aleppo. Israel repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would pose a threat to Israel's security. Syria chose to ignore these warnings. Israel will not tolerate threats to its security and welcomes a return to the status quo."

- IDF Says Gaza Port Strike Targeted Nukhba Commanders: The IDF said it targeted Nukhba terrorists meeting at a café in Gaza City’s port, including a company commander, three platoon commanders and other militants; Palestinians reported six people killed. According to the IDF, one target participated in the 7 October massacre, and precautions were taken to minimize harm to civilians.

- US Sanctions ICC President  The US Treasury announced new sanctions against International Criminal Court.

- Trump: There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Trump posts an image with the caption : “Strait of Hormuz - New US Territory” (see below) 

- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi Responds to Trump's post: "Soon His Illusion Regarding the Strait of Hormuz Will Be Corrected - Or We Will Correct His Illusions"

- The IDF eliminated an Islamic Jihad commander who infiltrated Kibbutz Be'eri and abducted an Israeli civilian during the October 7th Massacre.

- Reports of IDF warplanes attacking the Abu al-Duhur air base in eastern Idlib, Syria, in four airstrikes last night, targeting the runway. The attack came after footage was released of Su-22s conducting training flights over northern Syria.

- Senior Israeli official to Fox News when asked about the reported Israeli strikes in Syria overnight: “Highly sensitive intelligence was shared with the United States in advance, at the most senior levels of the various agencies and bodies," the official said. “Al-Sharaa understands that he cannot operate like the previous Syrian regime, which maintained proxy forces. It’s possible that he didn’t understand what was going on, or didn’t 

- Hamas not giving up weapons: Despite reports that Hamas has agreed to begin the process of disarmament, Khaled Qadoumi, Hamas' official representative in Tehran, declares that "the weapons will remain as long as there is occupation."

- Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian negotiating delegation, clarifies: We will not open the Strait of Hormuz until the following conditions are met: Lifting the naval blockade on Iran.  Releasing frozen Iranian assets. Lifting sanctions on oil. Cessation of threats and military operations on all fronts: Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen.  Fulfilling the other conditions set out in the memorandum of understanding.

- US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack:

We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability. The United States continues to believe that restraint and engagement offer the more constructive course. We encourage all parties to prioritize logical discourse over further military incidents.

- Trump: “Strait of Hormuz - New US Territory”

Chasunas:

Kanarek - Olshin Neemas Hachaim 

Fishman  - Blau cedar Palace

Lichtenstein - Halpern Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Kagan - Lokensky Bais Faiga

Stefansky -Silberberg Ateres  Chaim Elazar 

LPD Traffic Alert: Martin Luther King Drive will be closed from Wynatt St to John St for planned NJNG construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

Weather: 88° Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. 

- Likud Primary Vote Count Begins: Likud has begun counting ballots from 503 polling stations across 107 locations. Tens of thousands of forms are being reviewed by local committees before a general count at the control center, with final results expected in the morning and party officials predicting surprises in the candidate list. 

- AOC is distancing herself from past positions on defunding police, prison abolition, & decriminalizing border crossings ahead of a potential 2028 run. Axios

- Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Solovwitchik delivered shiur today for the new zman as he takes up a new residence closer to the yeshiva.

- The New Jersey Department of Treasury has started the process of sending eligible New Jersey residents their ANCHOR benefit confirmation letters. These letters are for homeowners and renters who meet the eligibility requirements for the tax year 2025

- Moadim LSimcha order deadline today for upcoming Yomim Tovim

- Lakewood residents can register their bicycles for free through the LakewoodPDConnect app. Registration helps police identify and return lost, stolen, or recovered bikes

- Rides today at Hearthstone park in Lakewood for a fee.

- Georgian Court University in Lakewood expects about 2,000 students for the 2026–27 academic year, with increases in both freshman and transfer enrollment. Nursing programs are seeing especially strong demand.

Moishas supermarket in Howell expected to open before the yom tov shopping season. No word yet on when.

- A Middlesex County resident has become New Jersey’s first confirmed case of Zika virus since 2020, according to the state health department

- BDE: A 7-Year-Old Dies After Beit Shemesh Stabbing: A 7-year-old boy critically wounded in a stabbing at his home in Beit Shemesh was pronounced dead at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. His 4-year-old brother was also stabbed and remains in serious condition. The Two children reportedly injured in attack by mentally disturbed neighbor, police on the scene as investigation continues.

- New Jersey - today is due date number 1 !! Voter records are due to House Representatives from New Jersey by 5:00pm. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and House Administration Chair Bryan Steil gave NJ Secretary of State Dr. Dale Caldwell until 5:00pm today to produce a massive trove of physical and digital records.

- BDE: Reb Hershel Landau Z”L, Rosh Hakuhol of Shenya and Longtime Proprietor of Landau’s Grocery in Boro Park.

- New Jersey’s food insecurity rate jumped 75% in four years

- Municipalities and school districts owed New Jersey’s public worker health programs nearly $50.5 million in arrearages earlier this year, months before experts recommended steep rate increases for health plans that insure hundreds of thousands of school and government workers.

- Jared Kushner to Fox News: “We could see progress in Gaza within a month, hopefully we'll start removing some of the weapons, and hopefully we'll close some of the tunnels in the next three months"

- Trump: The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Trump on the upcoming elections in Israel: I think it's best for me not to get involved in it, but I might enforse someone.

- Trump said the Israelis should not be striking in Gaza because he says Hamas has agreed to lay down their weapons after that meeting yesterday in Egypt between senior Hamas leadership and Jared Kushner, along with the American mediators on the ground.

- Netanyahu: Gaza reconstruction  will not  begin until Hamas is disarmed. The Prime Minister’s Office says Israel and the Board of Peace agreed to establish a working group focused on the prompt disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, to be completed before reconstruction begins. A second working group will address sanitation, clean water and other public-health issues affecting both Gaza and Israel.

- US-Iran MoU expires with no breakthroughs between Washington, Tehran. An Iranian official has claimed that no talks of an extension took place, that the United States violated the interim agreement just 48 hours after it was reached, and that it later withdrew from it.

- Trump: “There is a back channel with the IRGC. These are the hard-line officials inside of Iran, and the United States and officials in Washington are speaking directly with IRGC officials in Iran.” He said there is no timeline, so the 60-day window expiring today is largely irrelevant to the president's thinking on Iran. Again, he indicated the United States has a lot of mid-level weapons to use if they're needed in the future."

- Trump to Fox News: "Iran should raise a white flag and surrender. I have no timetable, I'm in no hurry." The president added that the midterm elections do not affect his decisions regarding Iran

- Iran reveals an “understanding” has been reached with Oman on a new Strait of Hormuz transit route.

-Senior Iranian official to Reuters: Tehran has decided to transition from a defensive policy to a full-fledged offensive policy. Iran has set a deadline of a few weeks to fully implement the memorandum of understanding with the United States.

- Israel officials are reporting that Netanyahu criticized Kushner for his meeting with Hamas leaders and emphasized that the security operations in Gaza will continue. After the meeting, Kushner and Mladenov met with President Herzog. According to the political source, the agreements reached stipulate: No reconstruction will be carried out in the Gaza Strip as a whole without the complete disarmament of Hamas; The first step towards disarming the Strip is that Hamas will hand over all its weapons for destruction under supervision; Maintaining the freedom of operation of the IDF and continuing the policy of preventative measures; Sanitation operations will be carried out in Gaza to prevent the spread of epidemics.

- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on Ending 60-Day Ceasefire with the United States: “There is no clause in the text of the Memorandum of Understanding titled "60-Day Deadline." The Islamic Republic of Iran never formulates its policy under pressure, ultimatums, or time constraints. What was stipulated in the memorandum was a mere 60-day period for discussions on two issues: "Removal of Sanctions" and "The Nuclear Issue." With the possibility of extending this period. Due to the blatant and widespread violation of the June 18 Memorandum of Understanding by the United States, just a few weeks after its signing, the talks did not even begin. As a result, the issue of the 60-day deadline has completely lost its meaning."

The boys are back from camp. The shofar has sounded, and so has the kol Torah, as Elul Zman 5786 begins.

A short chavrusah tumul took place in Bais Medrash Govoha, with the yeshiva learning Maseches Bava Kama, which appears to be a popular limud in other yeshivos as well.

Other yeshivos and mesivtos across Lakewood began last week, before Shabbos, while others began on Monday. Several new mosdos for both mesivta- and bais medrash-age bochurim have opened their doors for the new year, including new out-of-town mesivtos in Keyport, NJ, and Far Rockaway.

At BMG, renovations have been completed in the Forest Beis Medrash, and the new campus in Jackson has been added. Other yeshivos have also upgraded their facilities and expanded in preparation for the new zman.

Many youngeleit have moved out to out-of-town kollelim, joining existing kollelim or starting new ones, including in local and international communities such as Johannesburg, South Africa; Savannah, Georgia; Pittsburgh, PA; Columbus, OH; and more.

In Yeshiva of  Long Beach, the year begins in the Catskills at camp Morris until after labor day

In Eretz Yisroel, Ponovezh Yeshiva now counts over 2,500 talmidim. This year, the yeshiva administration constructed two new dormitory floors.

At the Brisker Kollel  in Yerushalayim the long time magid shiur Rav Simcha Maimon shlita has opened a new yeshiva, in his place 

Rav Yehoshua Soloveitchik Shlita (son of Rav Leibel) will deliver the shiurim on Kodshim.

At Brisk  yeshiva on Rechov Press, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchick shlita is hopeful to resume full time delivering shiurim after recuperating from health issues before the summer. 

Mir Yeshiva  plans to expand around the Bais Yisroel neighborhood  and a massive construction project that will connect the buildings to each other. What was once an open-door policy for American bochurim has now shifted, as the hanhalah has tightened admissions with rigorous farhers, making acceptance more competitive.

Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo headed by Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, Zman Elul opened with approximately 1,350 talmidim. The yeshiva constructed a new, spacious dormitory building with approximately 200 additional beds.

They also built a special dining hall for the kibbutz students, because of the overcrowding in the regular dining hall.

In Baltimore, Yeshiva Ner Yisroel continues to flourish with close to 1000 talmidim from Mechina through Kollel including 230 youngeleit. Some avreichim will be takibg on leadership loaitions and joining kollelim Indianapolis, Atlanta, Columbus and Passaic. The yeshiva upgraded facilities including the construction of a new gym for the talmidim. The annual budget is 14 million. 

Yeshiva mesivta Chaim  Berlin begins the zman in Brooklyn with a packed Bais Medrash 

Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn has an enrollment of over one thousand Talmidim. 

Night seder for baalei batim has resumed as well, with a new programs opening in the greater Lakewood  area. The hustle and bustle of the zman is back, as the quiet days of summer vacation draw to a close. Boys’ elementary schools will begin this Wednesday, while girls’ schools will start after Labor Day, on September 3rd.

Q&A

Questions posed to Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlita ahead of the new zman by his Talmid Rabbi Yitzchak Zicherman.

Q: When a child is sick, should the mother or the father stay home? The mother works, while the father studies in kollel.

A: The kollel should be understanding, but the family should first try to find outside help such as grandparents so the father can continue learning. The responsibility should not automatically fall on the father simply because the mother works

Q. Is it appropriate for a rosh kollel to reprimand a yungerman about maintaining  shmiras hasdorim the learning schedule, or about talking? And what about a yungerman who is sometimes late, disrupting the kollel’s schedule and causing a general weakening of standardsis it appropriate to dismiss him after he has been warned?

A: Dismissing him is out of the question. He’s not Achmad; these are Bnei Torah. How could you even think of such a thing? What needs to be done is to find out what lies behind his lateness and try to understand what is troubling him, and then try to solve the problem and help him. Above all, we need to explain to that yungerman that he has the ability to merit reaching status of a King.

Q: Should computers be allowed in kollel study halls for research? They can help find sources and answers, but may reduce the effort of studying Torah independently.

A: True Torah scholarship was developed for generations without computers. While computers can make research easier and may be helpful given the challenges of today, the ideal and authentic path is עמל התורה  the hard work and effort of studying Torah independently.

Q: Phones in Kollel Should an exception be made for an avrech whose wife is close to giving birth to bring a phone inside the B"M and wants reliable access?

A: Generally no. Only in an exceptional, very pressing situation may the rosh kollel allow a phone discreetly, on silent/vibrate.

Q: Should a rosh kollel learn with a weaker avrech Even if it takes time away from his own learning?

A: Absolutely. Sitting and learning with a struggling avrech is a great act of kindness and highly valued.

Q: An avrech who studies until 3 a.m Should lateness to kollel be excused because he was deeply immersed in learning?

A: No. Proper sleep is necessary. Staying up so late and disrupting the morning schedule is not the right approach.

Q: How much should a rosh kollel sacrifice for the kollel. Should he give up some of his own learning progress for the needs of the kollel?

A: Yes. The sacrifice for others is itself a great gain. Torah is acquired through chesed kindness.

Chasunas:

Samuels  Pashkes Neemas Hachaim 

Schreiber  - Benedikt Cedar Palace 

- Hespedim and divrei zikaron  tonight for the 2nd yartzeit of Rav Avrohom Ausband ZTL 8 30 pm  at Yeshiva Ohr HaTorah, 780 Vasser Ave, Lakewood, with the hishtatfus of Harav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Moshe Mayerfeld  shlita and the Rosh HaYeshiva of Riverdale Rav Eliyohu Ausband Shlita.

- 100th Yartzeit of the Ohr Sameach Rav Meir Simcha Hakohen ZTL of Dvinsk. There will be a evening of Torah and Chizuk with crashes by Rav Yankel Drill man shlita, Rav Uren Reich shlita Rav Lipa Geldwirth shlita at the Torah Links B"M 1301 Central Ave Lakewood 7:30 pm

- Selichos Minyanim in Lakewood for Sefardim Elul תשפ"ו. Most minyanim start 45 minutes before the scheduled time for shachris

 Weather: 83° Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. High 83F. Chance of rain 60%.

- Widespread showers and the potential for localized flash flooding will arrive in New Jersey Sunday evening and last through Monday morning. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are possible in some areas, which could lead to flash flooding, particularly in urban areas and locations with poor drainage

- Granola sold nationwide on Amazon is recalled over potential salmonella contamination.

-Trump: Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea. These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful. Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises! While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, “No thanks!” Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

- 3 Elul Yartzeit of R'Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz (1886-1948). Rebbe & Menahel in Torah Vodaas. Founded Torah Umesorah with a goal of setting up day schools in every major city in America. 

- Majority of U.S. voters say they are financially worse off since Trump took office, according to a Financial Times poll

- GSP North was shut down  to to an accident at mile marker 135.

- 100th Yartzeit of the Ohr Sameach Rav Meir Simcha Hakohen ZTL of Dvinsk. There will be several events in Lakewood. Rav Michoel Sorotzkin will speak at Lutzk B"M 1pm

- There will be a evening of Torah and Chizuk with crashes by Rav Yankel Drill man shlita, Rav Uren Reich shlita Rav Lipa Geldwirth shlita at the Torah Links B"M 1301 Central Ave Lakewood 7:30 pm

- Moadim LSimcha sukkos order deadline is Tomorrow August 17

- Frum Schools are tightening enforcement of unpaid tuition balances ahead of the upcoming school year. Some schools will not complete registration or reserve spots for students until outstanding balances are paid.

- Attorney General Todd Blanche announces that he has officially received the criminal referral for Anthony Fauci and an investigation is currently underway.

- Giyus: Reports that Agudah Yisroel party has offered the Bnei Torah Yerushalmi faction to join for the upcoming elections welcoming them and giving them a slate for  representatives.

- Meat prices soar. Besidea for the shortage i. Tge kosher market due to a fire at Agri processors. U.S. cattle herd plunges to a nearly 50-year low, sending beef prices to record highs.

- BDE: Petirah of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok “Avry” Juravel zt”l, one of the foremost experts in contemporary kashrus, whose extraordinary command of halacha, coupled with a rare mastery of the technical realities of modern food production, made him a trusted authority in the field for more than four decades. Rav Juravel, who was a resident of Monsey, NY, had battled illness and medical challenges the last few years with tremendous strength and fortitude. Rav Juravel was widely known through his longtime work with OU Kosher, where he served as Rabbinic Coordinator for Technical Services. Levaya inspiring Valley today 11am at Khal Zichron Yitzchok(Matzav)

- Ponovezh  a judge has enforced the arbitration notifying the yeshiva under the leadership of Rav Shmuel Markowitz shlita that they must vacate the current location by September as ler the ruling.

-  South Korea proposes talks with North Korea to formally end the 70 year old Korean conflict.

- Hurricane Lala is pounding Hawaii with torrential rain and dangerous winds after narrowly missing a direct landfall. The storm is far from finished, and at least one person has been killed. Meanwhile, historic flooding in Indiana has killed at least five people, prompting President Trump to approve an emergency declaration for the state.

- Those who ascend  the Har Habayis have now been  allowed to bring a siddur along with them by Israeli police.  Most poskim forbid going on the temple mount. 

Video: Habachur Yosef Levi  of Yeshivas Porat Yosef is released from IDF military Prison after 3 months. His father sat outside the jail for 42 days protesting his sentence.

- Trump: "Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way. Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned. THIS IS A BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP — WOW! President DONALD J. TRUMP"

- Details from the rare meeting: Senior Hamas officials assured Kushner of their commitment to disarming, according to a source familiar with the meeting. The source said that the meeting, which lasted 90 minutes, was "very productive" and that "it was important for Kushner to receive this commitment from them personally."

- The Israeli "Order 9" movement strongly condemns the decision by U.S. envoy Jared Kushner to meet with leaders of the Hamas terrorist organization before meeting with Israeli leadership: Following the October 7th massacre, there can be no legitimacy or justification for engaging with Hamas murderers. Simply sitting down with them at the table gives a reward to terrorism, while the organization continues to control the Gaza Strip and arm itself in violation of all agreements. Israel must clearly state to its partners in the United States: There will be no reconstruction of Gaza without the complete disarmament of Hamas and its removal from control of the Strip. We will not agree to any plan that allows this terrorist monster to continue to exist, control, and threaten the citizens of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF. The reality of October 6th will not return.(Jewish warrior)

- Trump: I will very soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory."

- Trump on the US attacking Iran: Q: What if it's right before the midterms? Do you care?

Trump: Could be. But people are looking at gasoline prices. They like the fact that I'm stopping this lunatic nation from having an atomic bomb. They can not have nuclear weapons

- Hamas planning talks with US, Board of Peace head to push Gaza plan nixed by Netanyahu

- The IDF announces that it eliminated a battalion commander in Hezbollah's "Radwan Force" unit last night - in response to Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire.

- Israeli strikes reported in south Lebanon as Defense Minister Katz vows to ‘settle scores’

Reported nighttime attacks come day after three soldiers were seriously injured by Hezbollah drone Lebanese media reported Israeli airstrikes in the Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon Saturday overnight, With fighting threatening to ramp up in Lebanon and in Gaza, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a Sunday morning post on X: “No score on any front will remain unsettled.”

- Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: No decision yet to resume negotiations with the US

- Three IDF soldiers were seriously injured in southern Lebanon. IDF attacks Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon in response, eliminating a commander in the organization.

- Al Jazeera, citing a Palestinian source: Kushner will meet shortly in Cairo with the Hamas leadership, in the presence of senior officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. Kushner decided to meet with the Hamas leadership in Cairo before continuing to Tel Aviv for a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister.

- Israeli Air Force Strikes Terrorist in Southern Gaza: The Israeli Air Force struck a terrorist in a displaced persons’ tent in Khan Younis, southern Gaza

- Lebanese Al Jadeed from official sources: Iran has conveyed a direct message that an Israeli attack on the Ali al-Tahrir ridge will be met with escalation from Iran.

- IDF Says Senior Hezbollah Commander Killed: The IDF said it killed Abu Hassan Alaa, a senior commander in Hezbollah’s Badr unit, in the Deir al-Zahrani area last night. It said he had helped advance attacks, including launching explosive drones at forces in southern Lebanon

- New York Times: Shortly after the start of the Iran war in late February, Iran attacked the US naval base in Bahrain and destroyed large parts of it, including a major logistics center. As a result, the US Navy in the Middle East moved its logistics center to the British island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, more than 3,500 km from the center of operations of the aircraft carriers stationed in the fight against Iran

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move into the state Sunday and linger into Monday, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding. The National Weather Service says precipitation is likely to arrive by mid- to late-morning Sunday, with coverage increasing through the afternoon and evening hours.

- Elul zman begins tonight in BMG

- Giyus: Major shake-up in the chareidi world: A new chareidi political party reportedly called “Tzeva Shachor” (“Black Color”) is expected to be formed. Rabbanim and roshei yeshivos from across the mainstream chareidi community Litvish, Sephardi, and Chassidish have reportedly decided to establish the party, whose sole focus will be the fight against mandatory military enlistment and for a draft exemption. The party is expected to target the nearly 100,000 draft evaders, along with their families and friends, in an effort to draw votes away from Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ).

- Trump tonight: The Senate must vote on the NO MORE CHANGING THE CLOCKS ACT as soon as possible. More sun later in the day is better (including for fighting crime!), but, even more importantly, NO MORE RIDICULOUSLY CHANGING CLOCKS AND WATCHES TWICE YEARLY, with all of the disruption and chaos it causes. FINALLY, GET IT DONE!!! President DJT

- SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket for US Space Force mission

- A deranged Lunatic attacked congregant at NYC reform Central synagogue on Friday night, spit at security guard in antisemitic attack. Relatives say he is mentally deranged and wants to convert to Judaism.

- The former Bass River Elementary School was approved to be converted into a private yeshiva religious school with dormitory space. The Bass River Township Planning Board voted 6-0-1 to approve a use variance for Maple River LLC, clearing a major land-use hurdle for the former school property at 11 North Maple Avenue.

-A Rare summer rain storm breaks Yerushalayim all-time August rainfall record in one hour. The Israel Meteorological Service says 11 mm fell in Ma’ale Adumim within 60 minutes, breaking the August record since measurement

- Missing Israeli Mother and Daughter Found Safe: Mali and Liel Yahalomi, who disappeared in Vienna last week, were found alive in Buenos Aires after an international search led by Lahav 433 and Israeli police intelligence teams working 24/7. Police said they left voluntarily, faced no danger or threats, and were released after questioning found no suspicion of criminal activity; their family expressed immense relief and thanked everyone involved

- Indonesia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 20: At least 20 people were killed and two remain trapped under rubble after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island. Waves below one meter were observed in several areas, and officials said some victims died under the rubble while sleeping.

בֶּן אָדָם, מַה לְּךָ נִרְדָּם, קוּם קְרָא בְּתַחֲנוּנִים. שְׁפֹךְ שִׂיחָה, דְּרֹשׁ סְלִיחָה, מֵאֲדוֹן הָאֲדוֹנִים

- Sefardim first selichos at the kosel

Belzer rebbe sings Hamavdil to the sefardi tune of the selichos חטאנו לפניך as Adot Hamizrachbegin saying selichos tonight

Friday, August 14, 2026 / א׳ אלול תשפ"ו ערב שבת פרשת שופטים ראש חודש אלול
- Candle lighting 7:36 pm
-Shkia/ sunset 7:54 pm

weather shabbos day High 83° Sunny

1 מה נאוו על ההרים רגלי מבשר משמיע שלום מבשר טוב משמיע ישועה אמר לציון מלך אלהיך

( מן ההפטרה ,אנכי אנכי הוא מנחמכם )

Friday, August 14, 2026 / א׳ אלול תשפ״ו ערב שבת פרשת שופטים ראש חודש אלול

Candle lighting 7:36 pm

Shkiah 7:54 pm

Weather : Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 85

Shabbos day sunny hi 83°

- Missing Israeli Mother and Daughter Found Safe: Mali and Liel Yahalomi, who disappeared in Vienna last week, were found alive in Buenos Aires after an international search led by Lahav 433 and Israeli police intelligence teams working 24/7. Police said they left voluntarily, faced no danger or threats, and were released after questioning found no suspicion of criminal activity; their family expressed immense relief and thanked everyone involved

 - Trump: “Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit by Spray Painting Vandals. THERE CAN BE NO GREATER INSULT TO THOSE AMERICAN HEROES WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II. First the Reflecting Pool, now this. We are on their trail! Where do these animals come from??? President DJT”

- Elul zman begins in BMG this Motzei Shabbos

Other Yeshivos in Lakewood started last night

- Last night, the Lakewood Township Committee held its monthly meeting virtually. The entire meeting lasted approximately six minutes.

There were no public comments submitted, and the Board approved all of the items on the agenda. Committeeman Ackerman was absent.

Notably, there was no discussion of the major tax increase that is coming. The committee will hold a final vote on the budget at an upcoming meeting.

- The Vizhnitzer Rebbe issued a clear directive that Vizhnitzer chassidim and the broader Chareidi public should not enlist in the Israeli military under any circumstances. He also called on parents and educators to strengthen children in emunah and mesirus nefesh.

- Giyus: The Vizhnitzer Rebbe issued a clear directive that Vizhnitzer chassidim and the broader Chareidi public should not enlist in the Israeli military under any circumstances. He also called on parents and educators to strengthen children in emunah and mesirus nefesh

- Jackson Township has officially adopted its 2026 municipal budget, delivering a 0% increase in municipal taxes for residents, Mayor Jennifer Kuhn announced Thursday. The budget’s approval concludes a lengthy process aimed at balancing the Township’s operating and service needs while limiting additional financial pressure on local taxpayers.

Joe Rogan on his podcast  alleges that Fauci knew COVID vaccines were causing miscarriages but publicly promoted vaccination anyway. He cites Fauci's private discussion of a possible cytokine-related risk, says he personally knows five women who miscarried after vaccination, calls Fauci a sociopath.

- A Middlesex County resident has become New Jersey’s first confirmed case of Zika virus since 2020, according to the state health department.

State health officials learned of the case on July 15. The risk to residents is extremely low, officials said

- Rav Binyomin Finkel shlita Mashgiach Mir Yeshiva is currently in Deal, NJ raising funds for the Yeshiva.

- A BMG sign has gone up on Hope Chapel Road at the former Jackson school, which BMG acquired earlier this year. While the property is now clearly being marked as BMG space, there are currently no plans announced for whether Talmidim will be learning there or what the campus’s specific future use will be.

- The pressure at Ben Gurion Airport is worsening, with disruptions affecting nearly every part of airport operations, including aircraft handling and baggage loading.⁣

⁣Sources familiar with the situation say hundreds of passengers’ bags are being left behind in Israel after ground crews were unable to complete baggage loading before some flights departed.⁣

For some travelers, the problem only becomes apparent after landing abroad: the plane arrives, but their luggage remains at Ben Gurion Airport.⁣ Passengers arriving in Israel are also reporting lengthy waits to receive their bags

- 

.

יעלה ויבוא

  אומרים לדוד ה' אורי וישעי יום ב' דר"ח אלול

Chasunas:

Gewirtzman - Matthew Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Isbee  - Leahinski Ateres Reva 

Katzenstein - Lederer Cedar Palace 

Reiss - Kohn Ateres  Esther

Friedman - Herman Bais Faiga

Alt - Spillman Fountain Ballroom 

Safdieh - Orgil Ateres  Bluma

Hashkafa With Rav Gershon Ribner Shlita 

Re-Join Yeshiva This Elul: Live Daily Iyun Shiur with Rav Gershon Ribner Shlita! Here 

Naive mistake many make in preparation for Bar Mitzvah

Being chauffeured by Tesla Type of questions invited to be addressed at this forum

The Israeli government’s power over yeshivos that accepted financial assistance Learning with your son can enhance or can strain a relationship  video: Being chauffeured by Tesla

 Weather: Sunny to partly cloudy. High 88F.

- Update: Bingo sold out of the Doona stroller

- LPD Traffic Alert: Joe Parker Rd will be closed from Lanes Mill Rd to Long Beach Ave for planned Ocean County construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

-$1.04 Billion Powerball Jackpot Won in Illinois

- בן אדם מה לך נרדם.  Sefardim will begin saying selichos Sunday morning 

- Moadim L'Simcha Sukkos order deadline August 17

- Traffic light coming to Cedarview and  county line rd. In addition the speed limit on county line rd  in Lakewood will be lowered.

- Sunday there will be a series of shiurim commemorating Tav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk on his Yartzeit at the Central Court shul in Lakewood 

- Bingo appliance furniture kids bikes sale going on now. Donna stroller for $300.

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

  On the agenda  a traffic signal for the County Line Road and Cedarview intersection would be added as well as the lowering of the speed limit on County Line Road within the Township of Lakewood, the County of Ocean 

Zoning  change update for CHEMED medical village Maximum Height - 75 feet (for parking structuresMaximum Building Height - 120 feet.Prohibited Uses, except these uses are permitted or needed for a for Medical Village:a. Schools, houses of worship, and institutions of higher education.  However, if an institution of higher education chooses to sponsor a medical laboratory, high technology industry office, research and development facility, or engineering offices and laboratories, such a use shall be permitted.

- Some girls schools have bounced they will start on Sept 1.

- BP24 Report: According to close sources, many grocery stores in Boro Park will temporarily stop accepting SCN following a collaborative meeting where the legality of the program was discussed. Although the stores have been operating legally, many have chosen to pause accepting SCN for the time being as they review the situation

- Ben Shapiro on a Marco Rubio run for President in 2028: “You run against JD and lose, you're done. You run against JD, you win, it's a rough election cycle, and the country is in the mood for something new, and you lose. You don't run, JD may pick you as his VP candidate, JD loses, you're next. JD does not pick you, and JD loses; you're also next

- In a letter to eight U.S. airlines, New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is requesting information on whether they’re using consumers’ personal data, also known as “surveillance pricing,” to set ticket prices. Pallone’s move comes just weeks after New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a pair of bills banning grocery stores from applying surveillance pricing on groceries and prohibiting landlords from using rent-setting algorithms.

- NJ's budget cuts $266 million from state Medicaid funding. Federal Medicaid funding to NJ increased $1 billion. Democrats spent the summer blaming Washington for Medicaid cuts. Their own Commissioner confirmed the truth. Their own Treasurer confirmed the truth."They cut Medicaid to pay for their own pork, then turned around and blamed Washington for it."(NJ Assembly)

- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Cuba: All options are on the table regarding Cuba, including military action. They are certainly not a worthy adversary for us.

- The Trump administration has proposed sweeping changes to Head Start that would make many of the preschool programs’ supports for families optional and bring big changes to New Jersey’s 191 preschool centers. Advocates say the changes could greatly diminish services for the roughly 12,400 New Jersey children, from birth through age 5, enrolled in Head Start programs. The Trump administration’s proposed reforms include sweeping new rules about how Head Start money can be spent — including reducing the funding that can be used for the administration of programs from 15% to 5%.

- Former acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba is among the "early front-runners" for the White House Press Secretary job following Karoline Leavitt’s departure at the end of the month, "sources within and close to the administration

Video: Hachzokas Mekomos at Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo as Elul zman begins

- US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is actively pushing for renewed US strikes on Iran, together with Israel, saying "the fighting in Iran must be renewed, to attack national infrastructure, including sites in the gas, oil and electricity industries," per Israeli Channel 13.

Cooper also told IDF senior officials "we may very well have no choice but to resume fighting and will need you for joint strikes."

Israel says the Trump administration's demand last week to "close all fronts" with Iran is not the plan anymore.

 - US Treasury Secretary Threatens Iran With Unprecedented Economic Isolation: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would impose measures “never before seen in Iran,” combining unprecedented economic isolation with the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to stop anything entering or leaving Iranian ports. Vice President JD Vance said goal number 1 is to keep oil and gas cheap for Americans, while number 2 is to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.

- IDF Female observers serving in two different sectors in the Gaza Envelope have warned in recent days that they are identifying Hamas suspects and terrorists who reach the "yellow line" and pose a threat every day, but the forces on the ground are not receiving permission to thwart them. The fighters explained that Hamas is taking advantage of the new reality and is examining the army's responses in a manner reminiscent of the period before October 7.

- US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee a strong supporter of  Israeli settlement of the West Bank condemns settlers besieging Palestinians in the town of Qusra as “Israeli terrorists” Huckabee: “IDF & Israeli Police have gone out at our request” to remove them.

- IDF strikes Hamas cell in Gaza's south, second in two days since Gaza deal pause After curbing its operations in line with US instructions since the July deal took effect, the IDF is confident on removing ongoing threats in Gaza, military sources said.

- Iran rejects Trump’s claim of total control over Strait of Hormuz The remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the US had "total control" of the strategic waterway.

- Tensions remain high in the Middle East with no diplomatic breakthrough in sight. Iran insists the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until its conditions are met, while President Trump says the U.S. has "total control" of the critical waterway.

- William Shakin, a 25-year-old lone soldier from New York who served for months in Gaza with the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion and later died by suicide after struggling with post-traumatic stress, will be brought to Israel for burial after the IDF said an initial review found that his death may be connected to his military service

Trump Announces House passed Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, says bill awaits final Senate approval

- @realDonaldTrump: For many years, the vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it properly done, until now. I am proud to announce that the House of Representatives has passed the Bill, and it has now gone to the Senate for final approval. People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year. It is foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly. For Cities and States with Watchtowers, and hard to reach places, it costs Millions of Dollars. A recent case was made that it is also bad for your health in the anxiety it creates. Leading Medical, Crime, and Economic Studies have shown that ceasing the biannual time change, giving us one extra hour of natural sunlight in the evenings, will help Decrease Robbery and Murder Rates, Reduce Car Accidents (especially those involving Pedestrians!), Lower Risk for Cardiac Issues, Stroke, and Seasonal Depression, Make It Safer for Children to Walk Home from School, Increase Time with your Family, Strongly Support Extracurricular Activities, Be a Big Boost to Sports, Fitness, Tourism, Retail, and the Restaurant Industries (and more!), and Save Money on Energy Bills, because everyone will be enjoying an EXTRA HOUR OF DAYLIGHT. In other words, leave it as it is now, and never change again. This is an issue that Republicans, Dumocrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

יעלה ויבוא 

Chasunas:

Weiss - Schustal Fountain Ballroom 

Greenspan - Neuman Ateres Esther

Bodenheimer - Hunger Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Levitz - Weiner Ateres Blima

- LPD Traffic Alert: Martin Luther King Dr will be closed from Lois Ln to Wynatt St for planned NJNG construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

Weather: High 88° Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible.

- BDE: Petirah of the Spinka  Rebbe Bais Shmiel Tzvi from Williamsburg, Harav Yosef Meir Horowitz ZT"L. He was niftar tonight at the  age of 58 after battling an illness.

- Trump: Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect! Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections. Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024. Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Reminder: those who don't cut hair or nails on rosh chodesh (Rav Yehuda hachasid) to do say today. Based on the he Mishna Berura 260:6 that one should not cut their nails on Thursday as they will begin to grow on Shabbos. It also mentions the Be'er Hataiv 260:2 based on Rabbi Yehuda HaChasid not to cut one's nails on Rosh Chodesh. Other opinions allow it. Follow your minhag

- Partial solar eclipse will be visible in New Jersey, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Begins at 1:11 Pm reaches a maximum peak w/ roughly 15% coverage at 1:54 p.m. & ends at 2:35 p.m.

- Elul zman in BMG Lakewood begins this Motzei Shabbos.  Ponovezh begins the zman tonight

- Rav Gershon Ribner shlita will be giving a live iyun shiur daily through Elul on perek 10 Bava Metzia on zoom. Mareh mekomos given every day Replay of the shiur also available later in the day.

- Bingo Event merchandise sale starts today selling appliances furniture kids toys etc. Donna's for $300. Kitchen aid for $150.

- Thousands attended the “Night Out Against Crime” event yesterday at BlueClaws Stadium in Lakewood. Throughout the evening, police raffled off 40 bicycles. Children who attended received wristbands with numbers printed on them, which were used for the raffle. However, organizers ran out of wristbands early in the evening, leaving children who arrived later without raffle tickets.

- Last night, the Lakewood Planning Board approved an application for a new school on Ridge Avenue that will accommodate up to 160 students.

 The board also stood by its previous approval of the Bais Reuven kamenitz extension, adopting the resolution despite an attorney’s objection that a neighboring property owner within the 200-foot notice radius did not receive proper notice from the township after purchasing the lot from the developer. The board’s response was essentially that the neighbor is welcome to challenge the approval in court and see whether a judge will overturn the board’s decision.

- Bike shop owners in New Jersey reported a drop in e-bike sales ranging from 20% to 90% since New Jersey’s new restrictive and confusing e-bike law took effect on July 19. NJ.com

- Ohel organization won Camp Lavi’s auction in Lakewood, PA but agreed to let the second-place bidder take over. That bidder backed out before the deal became official, leaving Ohel as the winner. Ohel is now working with parents to find another buyer who will keep the camp operating as it is. EJP

- Giyus: Protesters blocked a main highway outside Bnei Brak in response to the police arresting a bochur and handing him over to IDF military police for draft evasion.

- Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlita at event for yeshiva  bocurim in Bet Shemesh “Drastic Change Is Needed Ahead of Rosh Hashanah”. The Rosh Yeshivah said that in light of the gezeiros and challenges facing the Torah world over the past year, everyone must make a serious cheshbon hanefesh ahead of Yom Hadin. He stressed that general kabbolos and superficial chizuk are not enough. To merit a better year, each person must undertake a meaningful and substantial change.

- Flock cameras popping up across New Jersey. A vast network of surveillance cameras has popped up up not all over New Jersey, but across the country. The cameras are automated license plate readers, logging the make, model, and color of passing cars as we traverse the Garden State. Law enforcement agencies say these cameras have become crucial to investigating crimes. But many across New Jersey believe they create a surveillance state, violate privacy and rights and can easily be misused. 

- New Jersey is no longer the “armpit of the nation.”In fact, the Garden State ranks No. 2 among the best states to live in the US, driven by strong scores in safety, healthcare and education, according to a new WalletHub study. The state boasts the lowest crime rate in the country, and ranks high in quality of life, health and education. It also has some of the highest-performing public school districts in the country. (NYP)

- Tesla has recalled 20,349 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles because their low-beam headlights may be too bright and exceed federal limits, potentially creating a safety risk for other drivers. The recall was reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

- Last night at the Jackson township meeting councilman speaks out against Hatzolah copy cat organizations

- Trump: The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, “A WALL OF STEEL,” and there is nothing Iran can do about it. They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, their remaining soldiers are unpaid, the IRGC is decimated and fleeing, and their “Leadership” is uncertain, at best! They have No Money - Their country is “shot.” All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Peace Council Director General: The claims about a financial agreement between the Peace Council and Hamas are false. The big question will be: how will it be examined who will receive the money, which employees and which companies. Mladenov also announces: In the coming days, a mechanism will begin to operate to monitor violations, every violation will be addressed.

- NYT: Behind the reason for moving Trump on a secret plane back from the NATO summit in Turkey - US intelligence identified a targeted threat of launching a surface-to-air missile at Air Force One

- Trump: “It's only up to the Secret Service. I just follow what they'd like to do. So, I go by the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane. I guess there was a threat out there. I didn't really ask too much about it."

- A senior Iranian official told Reuters ahead of the end of the 60-day ceasefire as outlined in the MOU: There are no discussions about extending the ceasefire between Iran and the US. From Iran’s perspective, there is no start date for the ceasefire, so there is nothing to extend

- CBS: Secretary of War was on the plane on which Trump escaped from Turkey - On the Air Force One plane, which was a "decoy" following the threats, there were 2 ministers: Secretary of State Rubio and Treasury Secretary Bessent. The two knew that Trump was not on the plane.

Several senior White House officials were also on Air Force One, without the president, including Stephen Miller, Will Scharf, Stephen Chung, Mike Needham, Ross Worthington and Monica Crowley. The plane, whose identity was not revealed, on which Trump flew after being transported with the help of a catering truck, also had Natalie Harp, Dan Scavino and Walt Nauta.

- CNN Report: The US State Department has ordered US embassies in the Middle East to prepare plans that will allow them to continue operating with a limited number of staff, amid fears of a return to war with Iran. In addition, staff members who have been evacuated from their posts in missions in the Middle East are increasingly being given options to end their missions

- Report: The "Gaza Peace Council" will pay off Hamas' debts. As part of the agreement reached by the Peace Council and the mediation countries with Hamas, it turns out that a commitment was reached to pay Hamas' debts - up to $400 million. This is vaguely worded in section five of the document, according to which the money will be transferred to suppliers and contract holders. A source in the Peace Council confirms this. It explains that this is money that will be transferred to public employees 'who have not received payment, or suppliers and contractors who provided services to the population - and who still deserve money.' The Peace Council promises that each claim for payment will be examined individually, and that this is not a commitment to cover "corruption by Hamas or other financial mismanagement related to its rule in Gaza, or anything related to Hamas's record of terrorism and oppression," the source said, adding: "The Peace Council will not pay any commitment related to Hamas' record of terrorist activity." - Yisrael Hayom

BDE: Petirah of Rebbetzin Esther Paler a”h, wife of Rav Binyomin Paler zt”l, longtime rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Mekor Chaim she was nifter in Lakewood at the age of 99.

She was the daughter of Rav Shmuel Ehrenfeld zt”l, the Mattersdorfer Rov, and devoted her life to supporting her husband’s Torah leadership and raising a distinguished Torah family. Rav Binyomin, a close talmid of the Brisker Rov, survived the Holocaust after fleeing with the Mirrer Yeshiva to Shanghai and later founded Yeshiva Mekor Chaim in 1965.

After nearly 50 years in Brooklyn, the yeshiva moved to Lakewood in 2012. Rebbetzin Paler also suffered the tragic loss of her son, Rav Yitzchok Paler zt”l, in 2020.

She is survived by her children, including Rav Simcha Bunim Paler  shlita and Rav Zechariah Paler shlita, roshei yeshiva of Mekor Chaim, as well as Rebbetzin Olshin wife of Rav Shmuel Abba Olshin Shlita R"Y Eitz Chaim Hillside, NJ and Rebbetzin Horowit wife of Rav Shmuel Simcha Horowitz shlita R"Y Emek Hatalmud, Brooklyn,p grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

 The levayah is today 10:30am  at Yeshiva Mekor Chaim, 160 Locust Street, Lakewood.

See more here

עננו  העונה בעת רצון ער"ח אלול כ"ט אב תשפ"ו

Minyanim: Mincha/Yom Kippur Koton  ער"ח אלול  תשפ"ו Lakewood Wednesday, August 12, 2026 כ"ט אב תשפ""ו

Rosh Chodesh Elul is Thursday & Friday

Please post additional minyanim or corrections in the comments section.

Shkiah 7:57 pm

- See more zmanim HERE 

BMG 1:45 pm in the Botei medrashim  Bais Yitzchok, Ateres Shmuel Forest, Bais Sholom, Bais Shmuel. Maariv, 6:55 in the Yoshon B"M,Bais Shalom, Bais Shmuel Princeton. 

- Woodbourne Shul  in the Catskills Yom Kippur Katan at: 1:45, 6pm,7pm,8pm with additional minyanim as needed  on the hour.

- Satmar Forest ave 1:33, 1:40, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 7:30

- Lutzk 1:45 B"M ,300, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00,6:55 (Simcha hall)

- Shemen LMincha Brook hill 1pm

- Zichron Shneur Oak Knoll 1:35 & 6:00 pm

- Chayei Yisroel 11 Gudz 1:35 pm

-Meor Chaim R' Herzka shul Adams  1:10 pm

- Babad Toms River 1:10, 6pm Whitesville rd

- Lev Avos 1:30

-Kol Shimshon 1:45 and 7:00 pm in the Otzar

- Mordys Shteibel 1:20 pm

- Kahanow shul 185 Miller rd 1:05

- Ishay Yisrael 1:10 pm 110 Miller Rd

- Chasam Sofer Ridge 1:30 pm

- Central court shul 1:15 and 6:30 pm upstairs

-Viyalipol 1142 E County Line 1:35 pm

-Gissingers  175 Sunset 1:35pm

- Shvilei Dovid Oak&vine 1:30 pm and 7:00 PM

-Somerset walk-  1:35 and 7:00 pm

-Lakewood Commons  1:35

- Coventry 1:35 downstairs

- Spruce st 1:40 bm/7:00 bm

-Hearthstone Tiferes Shmuel 1:15 (941 Princewood Ave)

-B"M Westgate 1:35, 2:00pm & 6:00 pm 7:05

- Sterling Forest 1:30 and 7:00 pm

- Kol Arye 1:30 pm in B"M

- Leifers Nadvorn 1:35

- Hearthstone  1:40 pm, 6:15

- Prospect Square 1:30 or 6:15 at 317 Blanch

- Spruce street 1:40 bm/7:00 bm

-Williams street shul 1:40 Ezras Nashim open

- Old Shul 1:45

-Alumni B'M 1:45 pm

-Arlington 1:45 and 7:00pm

- Bais Shabsi Pawnee rd 1:45

-Prospect Heights 1:45 pm

-B"M Kelmwoods westgate 2:45 pm (Ezras Nashim open) 7:15 pm

- Kollel Choshen Mishpat 625 forest 3:00 pm

- Stolin E 7th st 4pm

Sanz Klausenberg Oak and Vine 5:30 ,8:15

- Central Court  shul 6:30pm

- Chateau Park Sefard 6:30 pm

- Breslov 423 6th street 6:45 pm

- Breslov 944 E County Line 6:55pm

- Hampshire Heights 6:15

-Hearthstone 911 Heartstone 6:15

-Sterling Forest 7:00pm

- Skulen 7pm

- Rachmastrivka 7pm

Ner Yisroel Ridge 7:15 pm

- Lakewood Residence courtyard shul 7:10 pm 1st between forest and madison-direct entrance to shul 45 minutes before shkia (ezras nashim too)

- Spinka Ridge Linden Ave 8:10 pm 

- Shaarei Ish 518 E Veterans Jackson 8:10 pm

- Sanz Klausenberg Oak and Vine 8:15

Chasunas:

Ambilu - Masalton Ateres Reva

Eisenberger - Harbestatdt Bais Faiga 

Eider - Zell Ateres Blima

Shapiro - Kushner Fountain Ballroom

Greenwald - Serebrowsky Cedar Palace

Weather: Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.

LPD Traffic Alert: Martin Luther King Dr will be closed from Wynatt St to Lois Ln for planned NJNG construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

Weather: 89° Thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours in the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds  Chance of rain 100%.

Today 26 Av 25th Yahrzeit of Rav Avrohom Yaakov Pam ZT'L:

- Tehillim for A 24-year-old Lakewood yungerman in BMG in critical condition after drowning in a swimming pool on Sunday.The family is asking the public to increase their tefillos for Daniel Baruch Ben Hadassa Orit, for a complete refuah sheleimah. There will be a atzeres tefillah tonight at Bais Medrash Ozer Yonah, 124 Gudz Road in Lakewood. Maari 9:00 p.m followed by Tehillim.

- A partial solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the eastern and northern United States on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The event begins around 11:34 a.m. ET, peaks near 1:46 p.m. ET, and will only show a small crescent "bite" missing from the sun since the U.S. is not in the path of totality. Visibility from NYC will be 9%.

- Search Intensifies for frum Israeli Mother and Daughter Missing in Vienna: Israeli authorities are searching for Mali and Liel Yahalomi, a mother and daughter who lost contact while traveling in Vienna on 7 August. They were scheduled to fly from Prague to Israel tonight but had not checked in, according to an Israeli official.

- Trump: Today, at my direction, Dr. Mehmet Oz announced that Medicaid will NO LONGER fund gender transition surgeries and hormones for minors. We are not going to pay for our innocent children to undergo these barbaric surgeries and practices, which result in unthinkable and irreversible harm to their young bodies. Thanks to our strong position and pressure on this issue over the past year and a half, dozens of U.S. hospitals have already ended this so-called “gender-affirming care,” and we expect many more to follow. Just think about all of the young, innocent, and perhaps confused children who will be spared! While the Dumocrat Party wants your kids to be able to chop off their reproductive organs before they are old enough to vote, President Donald J. Trump (ME!) and the Republican Party say that is ABSURD, and we will protect America’s children. Please remember this when you are casting your vote in the Midterm Elections in November. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Jackson township meeting tonight 6:30 pm large crowd expected.

- Today Lakewood Police  Dept national night out at Blueclaws stadium 4pm -8pm

- No winner in Powerball lottery Jackpot rises to $975 million drawing tomorrow night 

- Manchester Township residents packed Monday’s council meeting to demand a ban on AI/data centers, after concerns spread that a large “hyperscale” facility could be developed near the Renaissance community. The council did not have a data-center proposal on Monday’s agenda, and officials said there is currently no active application for one. However, a developer is reportedly considering using part of an already-approved warehouse development for data-center purposes.

- While some routes have not yet been picked up or finalized with LSTA, parents have already been charged for busing

- Bein hazmanim buses and luggage trucks arriving  back from Camps the boys are back , tomorrow is Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul. Some yeshivos will begin the zman Thursday night Rosh chodesh

- Agudas Yisrael Challenges Election Monitoring Decision: Agudat Yisrael petitioned the Central Elections Committee to reconsider a decision preventing the monitoring of voting. The party argued that the measure would reduce voter turnout and disputed Judge Noam Sohlberg’s privacy concerns.

- Lakewood planning board meeting tonight watch livestream Here on the agenda 1244 & 1250 RidgePreliminary and Final Major Site Plan for a school 

Brook Road Block 204, Lot 1 Minor Subdivision to create three lots

- Trump on the Israel lobby: "The biggest change I've seen over the last 10, 15 years is what's happened to Israel and Jewish people. They had a very powerful lobby. You go back 20, 25 years ago, they had the most powerful lobby in Washington. Now everyone is, you know, just large numbers have--if you look at the House, it's the Democrats, but you look at the Democrats in the House. Look at guys like Schumer. He's become virtually a Palestinian. It's pretty amazing, actually. I've never seen anything like it.

- BDE: Petirah of  Rav Tzvi Zev Berger ZT"L Sanz Klausenberger Dayan in BP,  who didnt wake up today while away in Switzerland at the age of 43. He was known for his clarity in Torahband delivering shiurim. Levaya details TBA.

- Trump: The NYC Pied-a-Terre Tax is costing New York City and State a fortune in that the money, eventually to be gotten, is very little compared to to the TAXES PAID by the tens of thousands of people who are fleeing the City, never to return. Florida, Texas, and numerous other States, are making an absolute fortune! This dangerous political “experiment” in New York will destroy what was once a great City and State. It is pure Amateur Hour, and it’s hard, as President of the United States of America, to sit back and watch it happen, especially to a place I once loved. Financial, and then Social, RUIN, is a 100% certainty - And then the Radical Left Jihadists charge Congestion Pricing on top of everything else. This doesn’t work in America, and must be stopped, NOW! I am looking to see if the Federal Government has any legal right to avert this disaster, before it is too late, for the millions of people who cherish New York and want to see it thrive, as opposed to becoming a filthy, crime ridden, decrepit place of mockery and scorn. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT

- Trump Announces Robert Gilman’s Release from Russia: US President Donald Trump announced that 32-year-old former Marine Robert Gilman, imprisoned in Russia since 2022, had been released on humanitarian grounds following talks with Vladimir Putin. Trump stressed that no prisoner exchange took place

Videos at the End of Bein Hazmanim Ichud bnei Yeshiva event in Bet Shemesh 

Rav Dov Landau on gezeiras Giyus

A display of a father jailed  prison 10 at the Vizhnitz gathering at the Ger B"M in Yerushalayim

- Wall Street Journal: Israel briefed the Trump administration on intelligence that included an Iranian threat to use shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to hit Air Force One - which is what led President Trump to carry out the diversion using a Turkish catering truck and a military aircraft

- IDF Fires 3 Shells Toward Syrian Village: Arab and Syrian media reported that the IDF fired 3 shells at agricultural land near the village of Al-Hamidiyah in northern rural Quneitra..

- Iran Sets Regional Conditions for Reopening Strait of Hormuz: Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the US changed its conduct, accepted Iran’s conditions, released frozen Iranian funds, and ended wars across the region, including in Lebanon and Gaza. He added that any Iran-Oman agreement on passage through the strait would be separate from the closure issue.

- Delta airlines will resume flights from New York to Israel on September 7.

Three killed in Houthi attack on cargo ship in Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Israel said to tell US it will keep targeting Oct. 7 terrorists as Gaza disarmament stalls

- Trump on Iran: We have three strategies. Do what we’re doing now--just bop along and look how bad they’re doing, because they’ve got 300% inflation. Their currency has almost no value. They’re not paying their soldiers. Their soldiers are leaving. So just keep that going because that’s not sustainable. Hit them really, really hard, or--really, the third is just beat them economically. But we’re doing that anyway. That’s sort of a part of the first. So economically, they are a mess. They can’t borrow money. We control their money, what they had, which is a lot. They had a lot, and we have total control of it. I’m their banker. I am their banker.

- Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen says he visited Iran’s Fordo uranium enrichment facility several times in the past, without saying when the visits were. “Its bombing by the Americans was the fulfillment of all my dreams,”.Cohen also states “that 60% enriched uranium is still far from a bomb,” 

- Lebanese security source: "The IDF has begun a secret operation to take over the Ali Taher ridge. The situation of Hezbollah and Revolutionary Guard terrorists is bad, because the IDF controls the ridge and the supply routes; its fall may be a matter of time." Hezbollah, on the other hand, is working to dig tunnels and underground passages along the ridge to create alternative supply lines.

- Trump on the Strait of Hormuz: “It's open now. The only one that has control of the Strait is the US Navy. Our blockade is a steel wall. We let people in who we want to let in. They're coming in and going out.

- Washington Post: Trump was smuggled out of Turkey in a deception operation at the end of a NATO summit in Turkey, due to an Iranian assassination threat. An Iranian assassination threat led to a secret presidential rescue from Turkey last month, when Trump was secretly transferred from the veteran presidential plane, the Boeing 747 Air Force One, to a C-32A (the Boeing 757 in the picture). This was while the White House publicly claimed that he remained on Air Force One. According to the report, Trump left his 747 via an airport catering truck and boarded the C-32A, which flew to Britain under the call sign "Reach 18." The veteran presidential plane, carrying journalists and staff who thought Trump was on board, served as bait and continued to Britain under the call sign AF1.

A video supposedly shows the smuggling operation. Food trucks (marked with white squares) are parked under the original (not the Qatari) Air Force One.  The journalists climb the stairs at the back, but shortly afterward one of the trucks transfers Trump to the replacement plane (C-32A), which is parked at the back. It is also marked in the video.  Until the new release, the thought was that Trump was transferred to the UK on the old Air Force One, and there he transferred to the Qatari plane.

Chasunas:

Azoolay  - Bassala Ateres Chaim Elazar 

Shachnow - Levenson Ateres Esther 

Wiesel -Yufra Ateres  Blima

Abramson  - Mendlowitz Ateres Reva 

Ritz - Rosenman Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Jonas  - Glustein Fountain Ballroom 

Norman - Twersky Ne'emas Hachaim

Kaplan - Steinharter  Bais Faiga

LPD Traffic Alert: Martin Luther King Dr. will be closed from Lois Ln. to Wynatt St. for planned NJNG construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

 Weather: High 93° Mostly sunny early then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Chance of rain 40%

- NIH director Bhattacharya BLASTS Fauci.

Jay Bhattacharya accused Anthony Fauci of failing to be transparent about his private concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Bhattacharya says Fauci owed the American public greater transparency. The controversy is now fueling renewed questions about Fauci’s handling of vaccine safety concerns and public transparency during the pandemic.

- Parents can now SUE states if they don't allow their children to opt out of vaccines by using religion exemptions.

- President Trump with RFK Jr. at his side establishes a new US vaccine schedule that decreases the number of jabs from 72 to 11 and spreads them out over multiple visits, rather than pumping the child all at once. Effective immediately, the Trump administration will recognize Gold Standard childhood vaccine recommendations for just 11 core vaccines for young children. "In many cases, we were requiring 72 jabs for our beautiful, healthy, lovely, delicate little children.""Effective immediately, my administration is recognizing gold standard childhood vaccine recommendations for only 11 core vaccinations against the most serious and dangerous diseases

- In a 6-1 decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that municipality is not required to specify the purpose for seizing property through eminent domain, and can simply acquire property for the "public good." The case involved an attempt by Seaside Park Borough to seize a shuttered motel which was previously condemned and saw nearly 1,000 police-related calls to the property over a six year period, for all sorts of complaints including assaults, dead bodies, drug overdoses and sales, noise complaints, stolen vehicles, criminal mischief, and a counterfeit money operation.(Onejersey)

- Dr. Fauci privately warned of miscarriage risk linked to COVID vaccine while publicly claiming no issues, newly released texts show. Nypost

- A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for all 21 New Jersey counties through Monday evening, with the potential for wind gusts up to 75 mph, heavy downpours and hail.“Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms possible, with damaging winds being the primary threat,” the National Weather Service said Monday afternoon. “Brief heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and hail are also possible.”

- Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 111: Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said 111 people were killed, 87 injured and 61 buildings collapsed. He said rescuing earthquake victims was the top priority.

- Satmar Rebbe  Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, condemned Orthodox attacks against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani “We must remember that we are in Galis,“To denounce the mayor and brand him an antisemite constitutes a true provocation against the nations.

- NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced a plan last week to bring together educators, families, lawmakers and advocates to reform one of New Jersey’s most controversial systems the school funding formula. The complex formula  which calculates how much state funding each of the state’s more than 600 school districts get each year  will be rewritten to be more predictable, transparent and accountable, according to the state Department of Education.

- Powerball lottery jackpot $905 million drawing tonight 

- A 7.4 magnitude earthquake has been reported in columbia. Significant damage to buildings and numerous injuries have already been announced, with the exact scale of the damage still being clarified. Reports of 20 dead with death toll rising.

- JCP&L proposed rate hike would raise monthly bills over $14 in 2028 to pay for storm repairs and electric system upgrades and costs.

- Lakewood Police night out against crime will take place tomorrow Tuesday August 11 at Blue Claws stadium 4pm -8pm

- Poll: Likud Strengthens, but Netanyahu Bloc Still Short of Knesset Majority

- Airlines such as United Airlines, KLM, and Lufthansa plan to resume and expand their routes to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport between August and September. Additionally, the Israeli airline Israir is seeking to launch a new route to New York.

- Lakewood planning board meeting tomorrow on the agenda Ridge Avenue RE HOLDCO, LLC 1244 & 1250 Ridge Avenue Block 189.03, Lots 169 & 170 Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan for a school00

- Report: The leaders of Degel HaTorah, Rav Dov Landau and  Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, have recently been discussing the possibility of removing the party’s two veteran Knesset members, chairman Moshe Gafni and MK Uri Maklev. This comes amid a feeling within the ultra-Orthodox community that, after decades in office, the two have exhausted their ability to exert influence particularly in light of the resounding failure to secure an exemption from military service for yeshiva students Haaretz

- A 125-unit apartment complex in Ocean County has sold for $33.75 million in an off-market transaction arranged by The Kislak Co.

The Hope’s Crossing apartment complex was built in 1994 and consists of 14 two-story buildings spread across 12.6 acres on Vans Way in Toms River. The units are primarily two- and three-bedroom apartments.

- Trump announces the U.S. will seek compensation from Iran for Americans harmed by Iran & its proxies.

Trump: I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict (started because, THEY WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON), even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings! But it is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts, for which they are famous, as led initially by General Soleimani, including the families of those killed on the USS Cole, and thousands of others killed in combat. Additionally, compensation should be paid to the families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protestors that Iran has killed over the last 50 years, not to mention the 52,000 that have been killed in the last five months. I have instructed my representatives to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Officials in one Middle Eastern country advised another regional state to pursue an agreement with Israel as a tactical move while preparing for a broader future confrontation, Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the report, the officials suggested reaching an agreement in order to lower Israel’s guard, with the intention of violating it later as preparations for war continued. Kan said military censorship prevented it from identifying the countries involved.

- President Trump told Axios the U.S. is only "semi-negotiating" with Iran and signaled he would allow economic pressure to pile on Tehran. Iran set out new demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz that include compensating Iran for war damage.

- Senior Israeli official - There is no way we will agree to Qatar and Turkey monitoring our conduct in the Gaza Strip.

 - Iranian TV: "The Strait of Hormuz will not be opened following a decision or tweet by the US President. The management and control of this waterway is in the hands of Iran, and any party that tries to bypass this will be considered a legitimate target

- Iran attacked a tanker last night as it passed through the southern Omani waterway, where the US is escorting vessels. The tanker is on fire

- Tehran says Iranians have shown “they are professional chess players” in response to remarks by US President Donald Trump comparing his dealings with Iran to the board game. Trump yesterday signaled he was prepared to let economic pressure mount against Iran, apparently backing away from more military strikes after Tehran issued a list of demands for opening the Strait of Hormuz. “Lights out or lights on, Iranians showed they are professional chess players,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says.

- The commander of an Israeli-backed militia fighting Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip, tells The Times of Israel that Israel should reject the implementation of the second-stage ceasefire agreement, because Hamas will never hand over its weapons.“Hamas knows that if it hands over its weapons, it will no longer be in power.”

Chasunas:

Feldman - Krupnik

Gartenhouse - Rosenbaum Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Hammer Ateres Chaim Elazar

Cohen - Salem Fountain Ballroom 

Kornblau - Kaplan Ateres Reva 

Kravitz Bais Faiga

Weather:  High 92° Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. Hot

- Trump: Black and Brown Voters don’t want Communism or Socialism — Not surprisingly, they are flocking to the Republican Party! They remember that Abraham Lincoln was a Republican! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- NORAD fighter jets were scrambled in the last few minutes following the intrusion of two uncrewed aerial vehicles into the restricted airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, where PresidentTrump's private golf club is located - which he is expected to arrive at today.

- Bein Hazmanim: Several local and county parks have recently upgraded their playground areas with new, fun equipment for kids and families. Among them are Ocean County Park in Lakewood and  Patriots Park in Jackson, along with other parks throughout the area. The upgrades include modern climbing structures, slides, swings, sensory features and other equipment designed to make the playgrounds more exciting, accessible and family-friendly

- Powerball lottery jackpot now at $905 Million next Drawing Monday noght.

- WNBA Commissioner announces the league is meeting to review what a woman is, after multiple former NBA stars announced plans to join the league.

- New York City law enforcement officials are preparing for an extensive security operation ahead of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations next month, with police sources arguing that Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s repeated criticism of the Israeli leader has heightened tensions and increased potential risks for officers and the public, the New York Post reports.

-BDE: A 16 Year old bochur was killed in a rappelling accident at the Keshet cave in the western Galil region 

- BDE: Tragedy in Jordan River:12-year-old Elchanan Karni z״l, a talmid at a Breslov Talmud Torah in Modi’in Illit, tragically drowned in the Jordan River after falling from a boat. Rescue teams conducted a search before locating him, but he was found without signs of life. 

- Chabad Takes Leadership Role at Historic Park East Synagogue Chabad of the Upper East Side and the historic Park East Synagogue announced Friday a broad new partnership that will bring Chabad’s rabbinic leadership and a number of its growing programs into the 136-year-old congregation, marking a significant new chapter for Jewish life on the Upper East Side. Beginning this Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Ben-Tzion Krasnianski, who has led Chabad of the Upper East Side for 35 years, will serve as Associate Rabbi of Park East Synagogue alongside its longtime Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Arthur Schneier. Anash news

- The New York police charged a New York City man with reckless endangerment in the death of two passengers, including an infant, who died after a boat capsized off the coast of Liberty Island late Saturday night, according to the Department's public information unit.night

The tune the Satmar rebbe wouldsing while he learnt Gemara.

- Wall Street Journal Report from US Officials: Trump is considering declaring “Victory" in the war with Iran even without a nuclear deal.

- Trump has privately told senior aides he may be willing to end the Iran war without a nuclear deal if Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s sweeping new demands, however, are complicating his search for an exit. - WSJ

- Netanyahu rejects a 15-point plan for Gaza by Trump's Board of Peace, says IDF will not make "any withdrawal" from Palestinian territory until Hamas fully disarms, and warns as long as he is PM there will be no Palestinian state in Gaza or the West Bank

- Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: "As of now, we have NO negotiations with the US. Yes, there are message exchanges through intermediaries. This is not called negotiations, but message exchanges. The intermediaries continue their efforts to recreate the conditions and groundwork for resuming negotiations"

- The Pentagon is pressuring the defense industries to accelerate the pace of weapons production, according to a report in The Washington Post. U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg addressed heads of the defense industry this week, demanding they submit plans within 21 days to increase production and significantly shorten delivery times for critical weapon systems. "We must dramatically accelerate the timelines; development cycles lasting years are not acceptable

- Tonight marks the 47th yartzeit of the Satmar Rebbe ZTL thousands expected to visit the tziyon in Monroe.

- Strong thunderstorms and gusty winds caused scattered power outages across the state on Shabbos, with more than 5,000 homes and businesses without electricity by 8 p.m.North and Central Jersey: Downed trees and power lines were reported in areas including South Plainfield, Newark and surrounding communities, while storms also affected parts of Essex, Union, Bergen, Passaic and Middlesex counties.

- Todd Blanche was confirmed as Attorney General by a vote of 50-49.

- Former President Biden's son Hunter: The cancer has spread to my dad's bones

- Giyus: Rav Yigal Rosen R"Y of Ohr Yisroel was asked if the situation with gezeiras giyus will get better he reapondes Under normal circumstances, there is no course of action, and things will get worse. And don’t let anyone tell you stories about a course of action that will solve this problem. What you should do, however, is prepare yourselves for the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

- Prowlers try the doors of many houses this past Friday night. Make sure your doors cars are always locked. Submitted.

- Road crews spent the weekend paving several streets in the Pine St area in Lakewood, hopefully bringing an end to the construction work that has caused traffic and delays for motorists

- JCP&L is proposing an 8.8% electric bill increase starting in January 2028 if approved. For a typical customer paying $162/month, that’s about $14 more per month. The proposal still needs approval from the NJ Board of Public Utilities

- For the 5th shabbos in a row Yidden  demonstrated shabbos morning in Yerushalayim in front of a café on Agripas street that remains open on shabbos. Police kept them away from the store. New reports say the establishment is owned by Jews for J. With a limited police presence secular Israelis attacked the protesters.

- The Friday crash in Ocean County that shut down a large portion of the Garden State Parkway was fatal, claiming the life of a New York woman, New Jersey State Police told NJ.com. At 3 p.m. Friday, a Toyota sedan driven by Johan Mendez, 26, of New York, veered off the road at milepost 75.8 in Lacey Township and hit the left guardrail, state police said. The Toyota, carrying four passengers, reentered the road and collided with a Hyundai sedan, ejecting its back-seat passengers.

- BDE: Hayeled Shalom Saginer A"H, 4 year old grandson grandson of Breslov mashpia Rabbi Shalom Arush, drowned in a pool during a family vacation in Mexico.

- A suspicious incident occurred Friday night at the Lomdei Torah Shul on Zulti Street in Ramat Shlomo, Yerushalayim. Mispallelim noticed a man acting suspiciously while dressed in a black suit and frum style hat. His unusual manner of wearing the hat raised concerns, and police were called to the scene. According to reports, police determined that the individual was an Arab man who had entered the shul dressed as a frum Yid, allegedly with plans to steal.

- According to Israel’s Channel 13, the Israel Defense Force is preparing for the possibility of resuming independent strikes against Iran without the approval or support of the United States.

- Hezbollah launched a drone towards our forces - no casualties

- Iranian president threatens to resign if his country does not sign an agreement, as he claims the economic situation in the country is catastrophic.

- As of Aug. 8, CENTCOM redirected 53 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2. The U.S. military has also permitted more than 30 ships to pass through the blockade for humanitarian aid.

- Financial Times: The US blockade on Iran is highly effective: Since July 31, no oil exports have been observed from Kharg Island – no tankers have loaded oil from the island for over a week. The report is based on satellite image analysis and tracking of ship movements in the area.

- Tehran issues drastic new demands for deal to reopen Hormuz, says US must ‘correct its behavior

- CNN: The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, has been trying to lead a quiet move in recent weeks to find a way out of the war in Iran. Kaine made it clear in closed conversations with Trump's close advisers that Washington must find a way to end the confrontation with Tehran - as the military options for escalating the conflict could "boomerang back"

 J.D. Vance addressed the possibility of reaching a deal with Iran in an interview with Fox News: They are hurt and want it to end, the question is can they give us what we need. That still needs to be determined, but there has been progress recently

 שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ אֶת הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לְטוֹבָה וְלִבְרָכָה, וְתִתֶּן לָנוּ חַיִּים אֲרוּכִים, חַיִּים שֶׁל שָׁלוֹם

Friday, August 7, 2026 / כ"ד אב תשפ"ו ערב שבת פרשת ראה  

Candle lighting 7:45 pm                                          

Shkiah/sunset 8:03 pm

- Rosh chodesh Elul is Thursday & Friday

- The molad will be Thursday morning, 15 minutes after 8:00 am

Weather Shabbos day 91° mostly sunny A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Heat index values as high as 101.  Chance of rain is 20%

               הפטרת פרשת ראה - עניה סערה לא נוחמה                   

                                                                 הסגולוה המיוחדות בשבת הקרובה, שבת מברכין חודש אלול

רבי אהרן מקרלין כתב במכתב לבנו כי "היות ואין מברכים את חודש תשרי בשבת שלפני תחילת  החודש, יש לכוון בברכת חודש אלול גם על חודש תשרי" רבי אלימלך בידרמן שליט"א כותב על כך: "ולפי זה, חיל ורעדה  יאחזון, ביודעם כי הנה עתה מברכין את ראש חודש תשרי – ראש השנה שהוא המשפיע לכל השנה הבאה, ונמצא שבברכת חודש זה נכלל כל שנת תשפ'ה וכל אשר יתרחש בה

"ידועים דבריו של רבי ישראל מסלנט: "מלפנים כאשר ידעתי – כל איש אחזו פלצות מקול הקורא קדוש אלול'"

(אור ישראל איגרת יד)

 Sbabbos Medleys

shabbos with Meshulem Zusha

Friday, August 7, 2026 / כ״ד אב תשפ״ו ערב שבת פרשת ראה מברכים חודש אלול 

Candle lighting 7:45pm

Shkiah 8:03pm

Weather: 92° Sunny  A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 20%.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Chance of rain is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Shabbos day 91° mostly sunny A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Heat index values as high as 101.  Chance of rain is 20%.

Rosh chodesh Elul is Thursday & Friday 

- Governor Mikie Sherrill: 

Every mom and baby deserves access to the care and support they need to thrive.

My Administration is expanding our nurse home visitation program to all 21 counties – putting New Jersey on track to become the first state in the nation to offer universal, free nurse home visits and helping more families get a healthy start

- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that the state Division on Civil Rights has opened an investigation into Delaney Hall, the ICE detention facility in Newark, which is owned and operated by The GEO Group, Inc.  The investigation will focus on whether any action or inaction by GEO Group employees violated the civil rights of people detained at the facility, following several reports of recent deaths.

-  Chabad Takes Leadership Role at Historic Park East Synagogue

Chabad of the Upper East Side and the historic Park East Synagogue announced Friday a broad new partnership that will bring Chabad’s rabbinic leadership and a number of its growing programs into the 136-year-old congregation, marking a significant new chapter for Jewish life on the Upper East Side.

Beginning this Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Ben-Tzion Krasnianski, who has led Chabad of the Upper East Side for 35 years, will serve as Associate Rabbi of Park East Synagogue alongside its longtime Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Arthur Schneier

 Awash news.

- The Justice Department is appealing the new ruling against President Trump’s White House ballroom project, escalating the legal fight just hours after a federal appeals court sided against the administration.

- A federal Appeals court has just ordered President Trump STOP all construction on the White House ballroom before he gets Congressional approval

- The Skulen rebbe shlita of Lakewood will be spending shabbos in Yerushalayim for a family simcha and the birth of a einikela kiddush will take place at the Skuken BM in Yerushalayim.

- Again, road closures and construction in Lakewood around Pine Street and Cedarbridgehave created unnecessary gridlock. Drivers were trapped on streets that suddenly closed, with no sensible detours and little to no notice. This ongoing lack of planning is hurting residents' quality of life. Township officials are AWOL.

- United Airlines is expected to restart service to Israel on September 8 with two daily flights between Newark and Tel Aviv

- For the 3rd shabbos in a row Several Yerushalayim kehillos, including Perushim, Breslov, and Zichron Moshe, have announced a joint Shabbos protest against Shabbos desecration. The hafgana is scheduled for Shabbos at 10:30 a.m. outside a coffee shop on Rechov Agripas that is operating on Shabbos

- Powerball lottery Estimated Jackpot $856 Million drawing motzei shabbos 

- There's no Yated Neeman  or Lakewood shopper newspaper this week publication will resume next week

- BDE: Tragedy in Yerushalayim mizrachi Singer and paytan Avishai Levy Z"L, 46, was killed Friday after his vehicle rolled backward and pinned him against a pole on Adoniyahu HaKohen Street. According to initial reports, he had exited the vehicle to help unload passengers' belongings when it began rolling. Magen David Adom crews performed CPR and transported him to Hadassa Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police are investigating the circumstances of the accident.

- The director of the Freehold borough’s public library was fired Wednesday night for what the Board of Trustees alleged was her failure to address employee safety and security concerns before and after a shooting at the facility on April 30. APP

Giyus: Video Satmar billionaire  meets the Gerrer Rebbbe to discuss petitioning ICC against draft dodger arrests by Israeli military.

- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Iran deal: We have them by the throat. They are dealing with 150%-180% food inflation, and they can't pay their soldiers. I think very soon, maybe even today or tomorrow, we will see an agreement, a ceasefire for 30 to 60 days, and the Strait of Hormuz will be opened

- United Airlines is expected to restart service to Israel on September 8 with two daily flights between Newark and Tel Aviv

- Multiple sources inside Iran confirm that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been rushed to the hospital and is in critical condition. -C14

- Trump, on a deal with Iran: I think the war will be over very soon. I don't think they can go on much longer. I'm involved in negotiations with Iran. We're making good progress. There may be a deal soon.

- A defense pact has been signed in Mecca between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the countries say in a joint statement.

- WSJ: Trump is furious about media reports on the US arms crisis and frustrated by it, and has ordered an investigation to identify the leaker. According to the reports, Trump was aware of the crisis danger on the eve of the war and of the stockpile situation during the war and was not surprised by the situation, but was angry that the information was revealed precisely at a turning point in the war, and at a time when he is seeking to project strength toward Iran.

 - The Saudi-led coalition announced that 11 civilians were injured in a Houthi attack in the southern part of the country. According to the report, among the injured is a 4-year-old child.

- Israeli Ministers, security chiefs said to discuss potential defiance of Gaza roadmap by resuming strikes.

- A Palestinian terrorist who invaded Israel during the October 7, 2023, onslaught was captured by the IDF earlier this week while working as a truck driver who arrived in the Israeli-held portion of the Gaza Strip to collect goods, according to security sources.

Chasunas: 

Elbaum - Ezekiel  Fountain Ballroom,

Kitay - Grossman Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Ullman - Cohen Bais Faiga

Weather Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Watch Camp Ruach Chaim Live Siyum in Livingston Manor, NY HERE

At a kumzitz with Shmulik Greineman for yeshiva bochurim at kibbutz chofetz Chaim with Rav Yitzchok Ezrachi and Rav Shimon Galei

Weather: 92°  chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 102. S Chance of precipitation is 30%.

- Heat advisory in effect from 10am this morning thru Motzei shabbos 8pm Heat index values up to 103 degrees expected.

- New in Lakewood kosher pizza vending machines. Now located at the ExxonMobil station Rt 9 and Countlyine. Hot pizza vending machines store fresh or chilled unbaked pizzas inside a refrigerated internal compartment and bake them on demand using high-speed convection or micro-ovens. They dispense a hot, boxed pizza in about 3 minutes after a user pays.

- A newly released report on Israel  channel 13 alleges that the Gur Rebbe held a private meeting with Satmar philanthropist Yoeli Landau, during which opposition to the State of Israel and possible legal and political efforts abroad were discussed. The report claims the conversation included a halachic discussion regarding cooperation with non-Jewish authorities and presents the meeting as evidence of growing anti-Zionist activism within parts of the charedi community.

- NJ Governor Sherrill posted her housing so-called "affordability achievements" today. Also today: Redfin reports NJ families need $56,000-$94,000 MORE than they earn to buy a typical home — 2.5 to 4 times worse than the national gap. Both NJ markets in the study got less affordable over the past year.Timing is everything.

A young family buying a $450,000 home in New Jersey will pay roughly $10,890 a year in property taxes alone. The same home in Florida: approximately $3,600.That's $7,290 MORE a year. Every year. For as long as they own it. New Jersey has the highest property tax rate in America. We just raised taxes $800 million more. (NJ assembly GOP)

- Rav Dov Landau paid a visit to the Belz rebbe at his home.

- Traffic light at Cross st and White St has been activated.

- Trump strongly defends Pete Hegseth and dismisses recent media reports as false. Trump highlights Hegseth's major military successes in Venezuela and Iran while praising his ending of DEI in the military and record recruitment!

- Authorities in Asbury Park are investigating a series of bias incidents after neo-Nazi symbols and swastika  were spray-painted this week at multiple locations, including a nonprofit agency.

- Updated LPD Alert: The issue in Westgate has been resolved. Earlier today Police activity in the Westgate development. No public safety threat. Avoid the area until further notice.

- Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul moves to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he repeatedly refused to answer questions about his COVID-19 decision making under subpoena."All he had to do was tell the truth more than 100 times. Though he refused.""The chair ruled that Dr. Fauci's assertion of the Fifth Amendment privilege was unsupported in light of the pardon and the testimony he offered in his opening statement."

 - Washington Post reports Trump told donors he wants to see JD Vance elected president in 2028, saying at an Oval Office meeting about two weeks ago, “At the end of the day, we need to elect JD

- Fox News: Senate Candidate Abdul A-Sayed Received More Than $115,000 From Members of Organization Linked to Hamas. The campaign of Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul A-Sayed has received more than $115,000 from 41 people who work for or have served in leadership positions at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR has been designated a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates, and has also been designated or classified as such in the states of Florida and Texas. According to various sources, the organization has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.

- Mk Gilad Erdan announced the launch of a new right-wing political party and immediately criticized the charedim: "We will not join any narrow government. A true right-wing government means military enlistment and sharing the national burden."

- The Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA), a AEA member, recently closed on a $4.9 million loan with the New Jersey Water Bank to construct a public sanitary sewer conveyance system. The MUA is expected to receive $3 million in principal forgiveness at long-term closing

- A court settlement will cancel about $23 billion in federal student loans for more than 170,000 borrowers who said they were misled or defrauded by certain for-profit schools. Although the settlement was reached in 2022, implementation was delayed, and eligible borrowers are now receiving the loan forgiveness required under the agreement.

The many derachim in Mesorah (Social media)

- Iranian source to Reuters: Iran intends to demand 5%-7% of the cargo value of every ship requesting entry into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, and Oman intends to request 3%

- Trump: The Fake News, as usual, is spreading false and completely unfounded rumors. I am extremely happy with the job that Pete Hegseth is doing. Everything has been extraordinary, including our attack on Venezuela, where the result was accomplished in less than one day, allowing us to bring one of the worst criminals anywhere in the World, Nicolas Maduro, to Justice! Likewise, Iran, where the country has been decimated for the purpose of NOT ALLOWING IT TO EVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, is going very well! Pete is highly respected within the Military, and has made tremendous improvements, including getting rid of DEI, and increasing recruitment to historic levels. This rumor was started by The Washington ComPost, one of the worst Media Outlets in the business, despite our telling them their story is completely FALSE. In actuality, I really believe their fake “reporting” is treasonous! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Trump: “The U.S. has massive amounts of “munitions,” especially of certain types. Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history. The “leakers” of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought! President DJT”

 -A journalist asked President Trump why he thinks things will be different this time with Iran. Trump: It might be different, and it might not. We were ready to attack. You know when you are truly ready and when you are bluffing. We were ready for an attack

- The condition of four IDF reservists injured from yesterday's incident has improved slightly. A booby-trapped house exploded when the force entered it. Israel still does not know if it was booby-trapped before or after the ceasefire

- US House Speaker Mike Johnson of the Republican Party: We will win the midterm elections, whether we resolve the Iranian issue before the elections or not.

- Washington Post: Trump fumed at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Camp David meeting over the weekend over the U.S. military's missile shortage crisis. The incident occurred on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Friday, when Trump expressed his anger at Hegseth and said he thought the ammunition stockpile problem had "already been solved

Hashkafah with Rav Gershon Ribner shlita

The modus operandi of Curious George is prevalent amongst us

The preferred method of livelihood: The shver, wife, kollel The shidduch that broke up over a sports debate Susceptibility to the lure of an illicit relationship while engaged in kiruv Crediting early master builders of Torah in America Taking on government officials for alleged discrimination against Jews

Chasunas:

Kaplan - Kleinman Ateres Reva

Zuckerman - Neuman Fountain Ballroom 

Zelishovsky - Schnell Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Adler - Cweiber Cedar Palace

Tendler  Bais Faiga 

Heat advisory Heat index values up to 100 to 104 expected across New Jersey. From 10am tomorrow to 8pm Friday night.

LPD Traffic Alert: Joe Parker Rd will be closed from Spyglass Dr to Lanes Mills Rd at the Dwulets side for planned Earle drainage repairs . Plan alternate route if possible.

Weather: Hi 83° A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 3pm and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 30%

Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rain could cause flash flooding across parts of New Jersey on Wednesday starting a stormy stretch that will continue into the weekend.

22 Av 1st Yartzeit of Rabbi Berel Wein

- Mayor Zohran Mamdani tried to speak at an NYPD event in Staten Island. He got booed offstage

- Riders were  hanging upside down after an amusement park ride malfunctioned on the Ocean City, New Jersey, boardwalk leaving passengers suspended upside down for an estimated 5-7 minutes before they were safely brought down.

- Likud MK Dan Illouz joined Yisrael Beytenu and backed chairman Avigdor Liberman, the party announced Wednesday Rabbi David Katz, Executive Director of Heritage, responded: “I’m extremely disappointed. I thought Dan had better Torah values

- NJ elected officials seeking reelection could be forced to report taxpayer-funded newsletters, social media posts, & other official communications as campaign spending -- or face fines up to $11,600. ELEC’s sweeping 90-day rule before November is now in effect.  NJ Globe.

- Trump: Great news for the Republican Party. El-Sayed, a Communist loser who hates Jews and Israel, is the projected winner in his race with the Socialist. As usual, the Polls were way off on this one. She was not expected to do nearly as well as she did. Now, the Dumocrats crazy policies will only get worse!

- President Trump is now expecting gas to plummet toward $2.50 per gallon if a deal is struck with Iran "If we have no friction, I think it'll go down to $2.50 per gallon. It was $1.85 before I made this little journey to the Islamic Republic of Iran. I had to make it."

- Traffic: Construction at pine and Washington

- Jackson Township police are investigating a string of bias incidents in the past few weeks.The incidents include a break-in and antisemitic vandalism at a school recently purchased by a local yeshiva and possible shots fired at the window of a Jewish health advocacy group (Chai Lifeline). APP Reports.

- Armed Man Arrested Near Trump Golf Course While Monitoring Security Ahead of President’s Visit

- Giyus: Bagatz freezes Knesset committee transfer of funds for Charedi schools

- A Israeli Chabad attorney Nechama Tzivin petitioned a beis din to address the soaring cost of sheitels (wigs), some of which reportedly sell for up to $16,000. She proposed that rabbonim regulate the market by setting maximum prices, limiting profit margins based on halachic principles, banning artificial price floors, and encouraging manufacturers to produce affordable wigs for women with limited financial means. The goal is to make sheitels more accessible while discouraging excessive pricing.

- Just one day after the Lakewood UEZ approved a $500,000-per-year Clean Team for the downtown Clifton Avenue area, homeless individuals were seen camping and sleeping in Town Square and other locations along Clifton Avenue. 

- Far-left candidate Abdul El-Sayed holds a razor-thin lead over Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat a race many expected progressives to win decisively. If elected in November, Abdul El-Sayed would make history as the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate.

- Rabbi Yehuda Gerami chief Rabbi of Iran tells the Wall Street Journal that war and state restrictions have complicated Jewish life, but says the community maintains synagogues, ritual baths and religious institutions and remains deeply connected to Iranian culture

- Rand Paul: Anthony Fauci is fully protected by a sweeping pardon, immune from prosecution, and he still refuses to comply with a lawful subpoena. That's the very definition of contempt for the American people. On Thursday, the HSGAC will vote to hold him in contempt

- More than 90,000 Israelis left the country in 2025 for a period of at least three consecutive months, according to a new study by Tel Aviv University, continuing a trend of rising emigration in recent years. Behind the numbers are families who say they made the difficult decision to leave because of a combination of security concerns, rising living costs and a desire to provide their children with a different future. Several Israelis who recently emigrated told ynet they do not regret their decision.

- A controversial advertising campaign for a museum that has appeared prominently on New York City buses for months will be removed from the MTA’s fleet far sooner than originally planned, following sustained pressure from parents, religious organizations, and elected officials who argued the displays were inappropriate for public spaces frequented by families and children.

- NJ Assembly GOP: New Jersey in 2026:

Banned plastic bags

Banned plastic straws

Banned automatic plastic utensils

$20M legal fund for illegally registered non-citizen voters

Fought DOJ and DHS on voter roll access

49th in fiscal stability

49th in economic outlook

Worst state to retire, 2nd year running

Still no voter ID

Still no Special Legislative Committee

- American Dream has expanded its entertainment lineup with the recent opening of a new performing arts center and a 60,000-square-foot event venue. The new Dream Live Performing Arts Center officially opened July 25, while the new Event Center debuted July 19

- The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an active investigation into antisemitic hate crimes in New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism over allegations that Jewish residents have received unequal treatment. The federal investigation comes amid growing concerns about antisemitism and the safety of New York City's Jewish community.

- Two IDF soldiers were killed by a Hezbollah explosive device and 4 reservist seriously wounded in Southern Lebanon. Names 

Harel Birenstock Hyd, 34, from Nokdim, a Tamir Vaknin Hyd, 33, from Eilat, .

- A source in the Israeli negotiation team: Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter asked the Americans to halt the talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome, about three hours before their scheduled conclusion, following repeated intentional leaks by the Lebanese delegation. The talks are expected to resume tomorrow.

- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: The US returning to its commitments under the MOU is a necessary condition - but not sufficient for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA

- President Trump says a deal with Iran could happen as early as today after talks continued Tuesday, warning Iran would face severe consequences if it backs out and again saying it cannot have a nuclear weapon. CENTCOM said the Strait of Hormuz remains open, with U.S. forces helping protect commercial shipping as talks between Iran and Oman continue.

- The Israeli military says it has launched “precise strikes” in southern Lebanon in response to a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire by Hezbollah.

- Trump on Iran: “If they back out again, they're going to get hit really hard. They know that; they understand that. I have no choice. They can't have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple."

- Yemen’s Houthis say they attacked Saudi oil tanker in Red Sea

- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran will support any initiative or decision made by Palestinian leaders in ongoing indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, Iranian state media reports.

Chasunas:

Beane - Bendkowski Ateres Chaim Elazar 

Meyer  - Shefftel Fountain Ballroom 

Stein - Kuziner Kesser Moshe Yehuda

Teitelbaum Bais Faiga 

Yankelowitz  Ateres Esther

- LPD Traffic Alert: Joe Parker Rd will be closed from Lanes Mills rd @ Dwuletts to SpyGlass Blvd for planned sewer construction. Plan alternate route if possible.

Parlor meeting evening of song to benefit yeshiva Zev HaTorah with the participation of Rav Shmuel Brazil shlita 170 Liberty bell rd Toms River

Bein Hazmanim 5786

Weather: 82° Mostly sunny.

Today 21 Av is the 108th Yartzeit of Rav Chaim Halevi Soloveitchick ZTL of Brisk

A Masterful Shiur on His Unique Derech in Psak Halacha by Reb Michael Sorotzkin Here

-BDE: Double Tragedy in South Bend Indiana: Chana Malka Zweig, 21, and her brother Yosef Yehuda Zweig, 18,  A"H were tragically niftar after a boating accident on Lake Michigan. The children of R' Yehoshua and Hadassah Zweig, they are grandchildren of Rav Yochanan Zweig, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva V'Kollel Beis Moshe Chaim in Miami Beach. Levayah details have not yet been announced. Baruch Dayan HaEmes

- Trump: Make Daylight Savings permanent.

"For many years, the vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it done, until now. I am proud to announce that the House of Representatives has passed the Bill, and it has now gone to the Senate for final approval. People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year. It is foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly. For Cities and States with Watchtowers, and hard to reach places, it costs Millions of Dollars. A recent case was made that it is also bad for your health in the anxiety it creates. Leading Medical, Crime, and Economic Studies have shown that ceasing the biannual time change, giving us one extra hour of natural sunlight in the evenings, will help Decrease Robbery and Murder Rates, Reduce Car Accidents (especially those involving Pedestrians!), Lower Risk for Cardiac Issues, Stroke, and Seasonal Depression, Make It Safer for Children to Walk Home from School, Increase Time with your Family, Strongly Support Extracurricular Activities, Boost the Sports, Fitness, Tourism, Retail, and Restaurant Industries (and more!), and Save Money on Energy Bills, because everyone will be enjoying an EXTRA HOUR OF DAYLIGHT. In other words, leave it as it is now, and never change again. This is an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to release their holds, and allow the hotline to clear on the Republican side. LET’S PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Giyus: Satmar philanthropist R' Yoel Landau recently visited the Gur Rebbe in Yerushalayim where he pledged to establish a $1 million fund to support the fight against the gezeiras giyus. He also contributed a substantial sum toward two new community simcha halls in  Yerushalayim and Arad.

- Daylight Saving Time: Agudath Israel representatives met with more than 20 Senate offices in Washington to oppose making Daylight Saving Time permanent, citing concerns about children traveling to school in darkness and difficulties for Orthodox Jews with early morning Shacharis and minyan attendance. Senators indicated they are reviewing the issue and considering constituent concerns.

Mayor Mamdani's administration team has clarified there will no longer be a "library card-esque" ID requirement for the proposed city-owned grocery stores. after he was criticized for hypocrisy by allowing people to vote with no ID

- Moadim L’Simcha now taking orders for Succos 2026 Lakewood order deadline is August 17, 2026.

- Lakewood Shuttle: At yesterday’s LDC meeting, several residents urged the township to improve shuttle services, including adding GPS tracking for arrival times and providing printed schedules. The township website still lists a 2003 schedule : With many teenagers home for the summer, shuttle routes and schedules primarily serve the south heimish section of Lakewood, while many residents remain unaware of available schedules and there is limited access to senior developments.

- A Jewish family visiting Zoom Flume Water Park in E Durham, NY said they were confronted by staff over bringing kosher food into the park, despite claiming they had previously been told it was allowed. They said staff announced over the radio that “no kosher food [was] allowed,” and raised concerns about discrimination and the lack of allergy-friendly food options. The park’s outside food policy and the incident remain disputed.(GKRF facebook)

- The Jackson Township Police annual National Night Out event tonight Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Johnson Park (192 Kierych Memorial Drive, Jackson , NJ

- Howell Police National Nigh Out tonight August 4th from 5 to 8pm at Soldier Memorial Park in Howell, NJ

- Frum builders show taking place today in the new expo center at American dream mall

- Jackson: Authorities are investigating a hate-motivated vandalism incident after several suspects broke into the former Christa McAuliffe Middle School, recently purchased by BMG, and left behind swastikas, Nazi imagery, and racial slurs. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and investigating the latest in a series of reported antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish properties in the area.The incident follows other recent antisemitic acts targeting Jewish properties and last week's swastika vandalism at a shul in Lakewood. (5 townscentral) 

- Lawrence, NY: A two-alarm fire destroyed the popular kosher restaurant Jerusalem Pizza (J2) and a neighboring vacant storefront early Tuesday morning. About 150 firefighters responded, no injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation.

- SNAP: More than 4 million Americans have already left the federal food stamp program as President Trump's overhaul of SNAP begins taking effect, according to preliminary U.S. Department of Agriculture figures.

- COVID-19: Former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said he now believes the pandemic most likely began with an accidental lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, marking a shift from his earlier position.

- Kosher meat Supply: Following the AgriStar plant fire, OU Kosher CEO Rabbi Moshe Elefant warned that kosher beef and chicken supplies will tighten, leading to reduced availability. The OU is working with suppliers to increase production elsewhere and is urging consumers to verify kosher certification and package integrity.

- The Knesset Finance Committee approved more than 267 million shekels ($88 million) in coalition funds for the Charedi education system, including transportation, teacher training, cultural programs, and funding to prevent yeshiva dropouts. Critics called the allocations improper during the legislative recess.

- The Senate Judiciary Committee advances Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General.

After reaching an agreement with the administration, Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn who had previously withheld their support — voted to advance Blanche's nomination along party lines. The full Senate is expected to vote on his confirmation in the coming days.

- Under the guidance of the Israeli political echelon: After the last targeted elimnation last night in the Gaza Strip, the IDF forces received instructions to act only when a threat has been removed and targeted elimnation only with the approval of the IDF Chief of Staff.

- A source familiar with the details told i24NEWS: The Peace Council was informed of the Israeli decision to stop targeted elimination and move to attacks to thwart immediate threats only. A 14-day ceasefire began as part of preparations for Hamas' disarmament

- Rubio: Progress has been made in the talks on the Strait of Hormuz. They hope an agreement will be reached "very soon."

- Secretary Scott Bessent says there could be a deal reached with Iran on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by today or tomorrow.

- Reporter: this is the 5th time you've called off strikes on Iran.

Trump: leakers exposed how big the attack would be, so Iran knew there'd be "essentially very little left." That's why they're talking now.

- Iran has until Tuesday to finalize a Strait of Hormuz agreement with Oman or face devastating air strikes, per Bloomberg.

- Reuters: The U.S. Army has used up “virtually all” of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during the last five months since the start of the Iran War - munitions which would be crucial in any conflict with China - including most of its stock of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), three people familiar with the data tell Reuters.

- NYT: Iran and Oman are nearing a deal on the Strait of Hormuz that would reopen the waterway but hand Iran unprecedented control over it, The New York Times reports. The pact would reportedly have ships entering the Persian Gulf cross the strait in a route close to Iran’s coast and controlled by the Islamic Republic. They would be required to pay “service fees,” with revenue divided equally between Iran and Oman, Iranian officials are cited as saying. Vessels leaving the area would use a route near Oman’s coast.

- Qatar calls on the international community to pressure Israel to live up to its commitments under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, placing the blame for the delay in its implementation squarely on Israel. “Israel has obligations to fulfill under the ceasefire agreement,”  

“While Hamas has met its obligations, the international community must pressure Israel to fulfill its obligations,” says Qatar spokesman Ansari.

- The deal offered by the "Peace Council": Israel will stop the targeted eliminations of Hamas for two weeks. During this time, Hamas will stop training and rehabilitation processes, and begin disarming. As long as Hamas does not do its part, Israel is not required to withdraw from the yellow line. But if Hamas does what it is required to do, Israel will be required to withdraw.

The principle according to which the council proposes to act is step by step, and the test is in actions and not in words. Also, Mladenov emphasized yesterday that the disarmament also includes Hamas's heavy weapons. The fate of the weapons is still unknown. Israel wanted all the arms to be removed or destroyed. Hamas wants to keep it in Gaza under the "government of technocrats," that is, within its reach when needed.

Hashkafa With Rav Gershon Ribner Shlita

The cheeseburger rages on The beneficiaries of a successful Aderai event The fate of the Rayatz’s constituents who resisted the communists A Chazzan hogging the Amud The Czar of Russia closes the doors of Volozhin

Chasunas

Green - Sassoon Ateres Esther

Kohn  - Weinberg Ateres Blima

Friedman  - Hershkowitz Bais Faiga

Blonder  - Bodenstein Kesser Moshe 

Klein -  Shashoua Fountain  Ballroom 

Jacobovitch - Stefansky Lake Terrace

Weather: high of 82°F and a low of 64°F. There is an 80% chance of thunderstorms, so expect periods of rain, possible lightning, and a few gusty winds, especially later in the day. 

Flash flood warnings were issued until 2:45 pm for Ocean county northern and central New Jersey, with the heaviest rain and severe thunderstorms still expected later today. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected, and localized amounts of 4 to 5 inches are possible.

NWS: “Showers and thunderstorms remain across the area today with the potential for areas of heavy rain leading to a risk of flash flooding,“There is also some risk for strong to severe thunderstorms.”

- Mamdani's New York Hate crimes have jumped 9.4% under Mayor Zohran Mamdani this year, with Jewish New Yorkers targeted in more than half of all confirmed incidents, according to unsettling new NYPD statistics released Monday. Thirty-three incidents were confirmed in July alone. Anti-Jewish offenses accounted for 56.9% of the citywide total, even though Jewish residents represent approximately 10% of New York City’s population.

- Michigan reports the first two U.S. deaths linked to the cyclospora outbreak blamed on contaminated lettuce.

- American dream mall closed  due to power outage. PSE&G  said the outage "an issue with equipment internal to American Dream's electrical system," they are working to restore power.  Many feum camps have scheduled trips there.

Parts of the American Dream mall lost power during the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 3 causing rides at the amusement park to be evacuated.

"Due to a localized power outage, some areas of the center are currently without power," an American Dream spokesperson said in an email just after 5 p.m.. "All guests were safely evacuated from park rides."The mall is working with the utility company to restore power as "as safely and quickly as possible."

- New Jersey's Statewide Voter Registration System was taken offline last night and will remain inaccessible through tomorrow as the state works to remove 6,600 noncitizens from the voter rolls

- New poll with security cameras  installed at Rt 9 and E. Kennedy blvd and Lakewood 

- JCP&L about 500 customers in Lakewood out down 14th state Estimatesd restoration 7:30

- BDE: Bein Hazmanim tragedy Petirah of a 21-year-old bochur Meir Shaar z"l, a talmid of Yeshivas Ponevezh who was killed in a ATV rollover accident in an open area near Neveh Erez in the Binyamin region. He just became a chosson last week engaged tovhis kallahvfrom Har Nof.

- The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness says at least two water systems in New Jersey were hit by cyberattacks similar to those reported in at least six other states in recent days. According to the NJOHSP, the attacks affected some automated controls, but did not cause any interruption in service(Onejersey)

- Update: All patients who were initially reported to be in critical condition following the Palisades Parkway crash involving a vehicle carrying special needs children have now been stabilized and are reported to be in stable condition.

- Visiting Monsey: Beis Medrash Ohr Chaim-Sheiner’s at *18 Forshay Road* announced that improvements to its parking lot are underway this week. Over the next 2½ weeks, one entrance, one exit, and a row of parking spaces will be temporarily closed while construction is underway to improve traffic flow and parking for the thousands of mispallim who use the shul daily. Rockland daily)

- Joseph's Dream Burger is now opened in Lakewood under KCL Hashgacha

Located at: 1700 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey by Gourmet Glatt plaza Nort hat the former Delux location

Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 12pm-1am

Thursday 12pm-2am.

Motzie Shabbos 1hr after Shabbos

- Power outages JCPL customers 

 Jackson 4,201 customers restoration 4:00 PM

 Lakewood 14th street area 1,197 customers out restoration 4:30 pm 

- Tax dollars as Lakewood increases property taxes LDC meeting today on the agenda

Lakewood Development Corporation increasing the budget for the Downtown Clifton Avenue UEZ Clean Team Project Year II from $440,000 to $500,000 after a review of updated staffing and personnel costs. The revised budget includes $305,000 in salaries for five employees, $195,000 for health benefits, and $15,000 for overtime.

This $500,000 UEZ Clean Team project is in addition to the regular Lakewood DPW operations, meaning another significant expense funded through public dollars. Critics may question the added cost and whether this creates duplicate services already provided by the township

watch livestreeam HERE 4:30 pm .

- NYC Mayor Mamdani reveals ID will be required at city-owned grocery stores to prevent non-residents from accessing discounted food.

- Multiple water rescues have been reported in parts of New Jersey, and several highways have been forced to close Monday morning because of a slow-moving storm system that has dumped heavy rain across the region.

- Alan Dershowitz said Dr. Anthony Fauci was legally entitled to invoke the Fifth Amendment despite his presidential pardon, arguing Congress could compel his testimony by granting immunity.

- Shiva for Rav Avrohom Yaakov Levin Z"L baltimore/Yerushalayim, his son Rav Moshe Eliezer Levin is sitting shivah at 154 Williamsburg Lane, Coventry Square, Lakewood Shacharis, 7:15 a.m Mincha, 15 minutes before shkiah followed by Maariv.

- BMG Yarchei Kallah gets underway for being hazmanim 

- Report: New Sefardi party im formation

Israel's new Achi party is reportedly in advanced talks with several prominent Sephardic rabbanim, including a current member of Shas' Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, in an effort to gain support ahead of the next Knesset election. If successful, the move could significantly boost the party's standing among Sephardic Chareidi voters

- LFD: Members of the Lakewood Fire Department recently trained in an acquired structure using simulated smoke to create realistic fire conditions. Training like this prepares our firefighters for the emergencies they face every day.If you have a house or building that is scheduled for demolition or if you’re interesting in joining the Lakewood Fire Department. Contact us today at Lakewoodfd.org 

- New York has introduced a bill that would require grocery stores to give customers a 10% discount for using self-checkout. The idea is that shoppers who scan, bag and pay for their own items are doing work that would normally be handled by a cashier, while the store saves money on labour. Under the proposal, supermarkets and other food retailers with self-service kiosks would have to reduce the price of goods bought through them by 10%. That means a $150 shop could cost $135 simply because the customer checked it out themselves.

- After months of providing grocery benefits to many Boro Park families, the Tri-State SCN program is showing signs of a possible slowdown or temporary pause. Several stores in Brooklyn and upstate New York have stopped accepting certain SCN providers, leaving many families uncertain. Residents are encouraged to check their benefit balances and confirm their provider is acc{555epted before shopping. (BP24)

- Iran attacked U.S. military base in Kuwait using 3 drones. - i24

- Unverified reports of Iranian drone strikes on US bases in Kuwait.

- Senior officials in Jerusalem: We will not withdraw under any circumstances before Hamas is disarmed. This was not agreed to in the original Trump outline - and it will not happen

- Trump on Iran: The talks with Iran will move forward quickly, one way or another. It is not a particularly complicated matter. Tomorrow we will discuss the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz. After that, we will discuss Iran's nuclear capabilities

- Amidst tensions with the US, a political source insists: "Israel will continue to thwart a threat to our citizens and soldiers." The IDF emphasizes that freedom of action is assured; sources in Israel: "A confrontation with the US administration is also possible. We will not fall into Hamas' trap, as long as it does not disarm - we will not move a millimeter from the yellow line - and the attacks will continue"(Jewish warrior)

- President Donald Trump claims the current talks with Iran are its “last chance to sign a good document.” “I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” Trump says

- Israeli Paper Mocks Trump’s Flip-Flops on Iran The Israeli paper Yedioth Achronoth expressed Israelis’ frustration with President Trump with an illustration of the president pulling the petals off a daisy, saying “To strike, to strike not” beneath a headline proclaiming “You Drove Us Crazy.”

- Trump lashes out at Iran for denying his claim that talks would take place today on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that negotiations have already begun and that more are scheduled imminently.

- Trump: Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous! They ask for a meeting, some would say “beg,” talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with “Oman.” They then go on to give their usual blather in saying, the Strait of Hormuz will be operated powerfully by them, when it is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our “Blockade” or, as some say, “The United States Wall of Steel!” Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished. Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades. It is very simple, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Iranian source to Lebanese Al-Mayadeen: "Iran rejected the latest US proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz - until the complete end of the war"

- Israeli Political source: Israel will not retreat from the current line in the Gaza Strip and will continue to thwart any threat to our citizens and soldiers.

- The IDF eliminated an Islamic Jihad terrorist who raided Israel on 10/7 and took part in holding Rom Breslavsky captive and participated Captive in the Handover Ceremony of the Kidnappers

- CNN: A senior officer at CENTCOM sent an email last week to a large group of analysts, writing, "We are looking for new, creative, and non-routine ways to pressure Iran and punish it." According to two sources, this is a relatively unusual move, in which a decision was made to conduct a broad "brainstorming" session via email

- The Faras News Agency reported that Iranian authorities executed two people who were accused of working for Israel

- Trump: Negotiations with Iran begin tomorrow afternoon

- Trump announces that Iran found out just how terrifying his planned strikes were, and immediately begged him to stop "It would've been the biggest attack since World War II. It would've been disastrous for them. They didn't want us to do it. Frankly, Saudi Arabia didn't want it either.""They KNEW the extent of the attack, because they saw it FORMING.""Negotiations begin tomorrow afternoon.""I don't even think it would've been buildable back."

- Trump: "I was asked to by Saudi Arabia, by UAE, and by Qatar, and by Iran. We were all set to go, just about at this time right now, and it would've been a massive attack... The reason they asked [to call it off] is they think there's a deal. There's a deal on Hormuz and then there will be a deal on the denuclearization of Iran... So, we're holding it. We'll just see."

- Israel has expressed concern to the United States about Hamas' disarmament plan, Prime Minister Netanyahu's spokesman told Reuters

- N12: In the hours preceding Trump's announcement, Israel tried to find out through CENTCOM what Trump was planning - and even there they could not tell them that the president was preparing to cancel the attack

 - Israeli Defense officials on the cancellation of the American attack on Iran: "For hours, we were in real uncertainty. President Trump left us in the dark. The feeling was simple - they forgot us behind"

- Iranian Foreign Ministry: American threats are nothing new, we ignore them. Tehran acts in accordance with its interests and is not affected by threats. The opposing side knows that our response will be strong to any adventure it undertakes against us

- Wall Street Journal: Gulf states are frustrated by the lack of a US strategy against Iran. US allies in the Gulf have asked Washington to provide them with more air defense missiles, and to ensure that the US military will protect them if the exchange of blows continues

-The Americans were surprised by the continued elimnation in Gaza. Israel, they said, had accepted the conditions, including the cessation of targeted elimnstions, so that Hamas would be committed to the next step — handing over its weapons. “These are the fruits of eight months of negotiations designed to bring about the demilitarization of Gaza — why continue the elimnation now and give them an excuse to withdraw?" the sources said. “This further isolates Israel in the Middle East, as all the mediating countries see this as proof that Bibi does not keep his word or is interested in peace."

Chasunas:

Mansour -  Levy Kesser Moshe Yehuda 

Greenberg - Wartelsky Fountain Ballroom 

Halevi  - Eisenshtadt Ateres Chaim Elazar

Press Ateres Esther 

Ehrenreich Toras Aaron 

Weather Tonight:

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Bein Hazmanim Summer 5786

Weather: High: 84 ° Mostly Cloudy then Chance T-storms Tonight. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms and heavy downpours that could trigger flash flooding are expected to begin tonight and continue through Monday across New Jersey. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. 

- Due to the heatwave in Arizona several bochurim camps have canceled scheduled hikes. Earlier today a bochur was hospitalized after dehydration at Bryce canyon he is B"H ok.

- A Earthquake  in Egypt measuring a 5.9 on the Eichterscake was felt in the Yam Hamelach region and other places in Israel. 

- Tehillim: Tefillos for Rav Pinchos Brody Shlita, Rav of Spruce st shul R"Y Yaaros Devash, who suffered a heart attack and is in critical condition at Columbia New York-Presbyterian Medical Center. Name for Tehillim Avrohom Pinchos ben Chana. There will be a live conference tonight The 10:15 PM to recite Tehillim by calling 605-475-4700, PIN: 6739.

- American Airlines has extended its suspension of flights to Israel until March 27, 2027

- Free carnival today in Pine Park 1-4pm three event is promoting apartments at a new housing development in Yerushalayim near Ramat Eshkol. 

- No winners for powerball 700M Jackapot, next drawing is Monday night 

- Giyus: Netanyahu at a closed session “The temporary detention law was intended to lower tensions and increase the number of enlistments from the charedi community. In practice, it did not succeed, and therefore there will not be such a law in the next government. After the elections, we will establish a broad national government that will immediately pass a comprehensive conscription law that meets the needs of the IDF. Anyone who is not studying Torah will be drafted, or go to prison

- Lakewood Driver Alert: Use extra caution at Route 9 & Main Street. A newly installed median has caused more than 10 flat tires and several damaged vehicles because it's difficult to see, especially at night. Chaveirim has placed temporary reflective cones until the state completes the project. 

- Senate committee to vote on holding Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he pleaded the Fifth 111 times.

- Arson attack in Montreal: Nöam, a popular kosher restaurant in Montreal, was burned down last night at 3 am. Surveillance video reportedly shows a mean pouring something before walking away. Police are investigating it as arson. 

- Lakewood Tax increase wont go down because of land sales.. While Lakewood residents are facing a significant property tax increase, the township is also set to receive approximately $28 million from the sale of airport property to CHEMED for its planned medical village. While residents wonder why those proceeds can't be used to offset the township's budget deficit and reduce the tax burden. According to a Lakewood official, as reported by The Voice of Lakewood, because the property belonged to the airport and was acquired with federal aviation funding, federal regulations require that the proceeds remain dedicated to airport purposes. The money must be used within the airport system, such as replacing runways, improving infrastructure, or constructing airport-related facilities, rather than being deposited into the township's general fund.

- A chosson from Eretz Yisroel who was seriously injured in a car accident near Monroe has been flown back to Eretz Yisroel after being hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center. He will continue his rehabilitation there. He is still in need of a complete refuah sheleimah. Please continue to daven for Meir Pinchos ben Hadassa Esther.

- The Vivaser daily news bulletin in Lakewood will not be published on Sundays of bein Hazmanim.

- 50 years after the Entebbe hostage, Uganda has unveiled a statue honoring Lt. Col. Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu at the old Entebbe Airport terminal, the site where the Israeli commander was killed while leading the IDF mission that rescued dozens of hostages in 1976.

- "Skip the Stuff" law takes effect in New JerseyA new law now in effect in New Jersey prohibits restaurants and other food businesses from automatically giving customers napkins, plastic utensils and condiments. Now, customers have to request them.

- Dr. Simone Gold: Six-foot “science” invented out of thin air. Masks as theater. No clinical trials. Contradictions stacked on top of contradictions. Fauci and the entire medical bureaucracy treating the American people like lab rats while the truth was censored.We said it from day one. They called us dangerous. They destroyed careers, silenced doctors, and harmed millions.The greatest public-health fraud in modern history will not be memory-holed. Accountability is not optional.

- A New NJ bill could potentialy shut out Teslas Vehicles from Jersey. S1677/A3968 would require every autonomous vehicle in New Jersey to use LiDAR and radar. That would effectively block camera-only systems like Tesla's unless they're retrofitted, making autonomous vehicles more expensive and limiting consumer choice.

- Mordechai Ben David MBD on a recent interview  on the teef teef podcast was asked if its true that the Ribnitzer rebbe who he was close to served as the mohel to MK Avigdor Lieberman back in Russia. MBD said he dosent know but he quipped in Yiddish that they should have cut his head, adding her hopes he does teshuva. The Yisrael Beiteinu party strongly condemned the statement, saying: "The Rebbe would have been ashamed that his name is being used to incite murder. This is a moral disgrace.

- UTJ lMK Yitzchak Goldknopf criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the issue of ultra-Orthodox military draft legislation, saying Netanyahu failed to fulfill commitments to regulate the status of yeshiva students. Goldknopf said his party would only join a future government that passes a law addressing exemptions and protections for Haredi religious students.

- Over 250 Yidden from the Surrounding Zichron Moshe neighborhood demonstrated shabbos morning in Yerushalayim in front of a café  on Agripas street that remains open on shabbos. Police kept them away from the store. New reports say the establishment is owned by Jews for J.

- Today  in the Catskills Hanochas Even Hapina for a new Kollel in Woodridge  under the leadership of Rav Avrohom Gurwitz ahkitaof Gatshead. 2 pm on Silver Lake rd.

- Iran claims: There is no agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz; the published reports are false

- Senior Iranian regime advisor, Marandi: “By now everyone knows this is fake news. Trump backed down.”

Trump calls off major attack on Iran in favor of peace open straits and no nuclear weapons, says Israel joining him.

- Trump tonight: The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat. Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

- Israeli source tells N12: President Donald Trump is "closer than ever to a major attack on Iran, but it's not certain yet. There are extremely high tensions; it's on the verge of an explosion”

- White House spokeswoman Leavitt: "As President Trump said today at his cabinet meeting, the United States will prevail, and Iran will not have nuclear weapons during his term"

- Senior advisor to the Iranian government Marandi: “Based on statements from the Trump regime, it seems quite possible that after months of barbaric threats, tonight will be the last night of normality in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and possibly Oman. If strikes are carried out against Iran's civilian infrastructure, the critical infrastructure of these complicit regimes - along with that of the Zionist regime and perhaps Jordan- will be demolished. People in these regimes should immediately prepare for evacuation.”

- Senior advisor to the Iranian government Marandi: “Based on statements from the Trump regime, it seems quite possible that after months of barbaric threats, tonight will be the last night of normality in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and possibly Oman. If strikes are carried out against Iran's civilian infrastructure, the critical infrastructure of these complicit regimes - along with that of the Zionist regime and perhaps Jordan- will be demolished. People in these regimes should immediately prepare for evacuation.”

- U.S. Embassies across the Middle East including UAE, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt  issue security alerts advising U.S. citizens "consider departing or be ready to  depart if there is an escalation."

כי ה' אלהיך מביאך אל ארץ טובה ארץ נחלי מים עינת ותהמת יצאים בבקעה ובהר ארץ חטה ושערה וגפן ותאנה ורמון ארץ זית שמן ודבש ארץ אשר לא במסכנת תאכל בה לחם לא תחסר כל בה ארץ אשר אבניה ברזל ומהרריה תחצב נחשת  

Friday, July 31, 2026 / י"ז אב תשפ"ו ערב שבת פרשת עקב-  שני דשבעה דנחמתא

Candle lighting 7:53 pm 

Shkia/sunset 8:11 pm

Weather: Shabbos day 86° Partly cloudy.

Weather Shabbos day Sunshine  High 83F

 כִּי נִחַם ה׳ צִיון נִחַם כָל חָרבֹתֶיהָ וַיָשֶם מִדְבָּרָה כְּעֵדֶן וְעַרבָתָה כְּגַן ה׳ שָׂשׂוֹן וְשִמחָה יִמָצֵא בָה תּוֹדה וְקול זִמרָה

הפטרת עקב

Video

Lesaken Olam - Naftali Kempeh.  With the arrival of Bein Hazmanim, when many of you will probably be sitting around some kumzitz, here’s another song to add to the list Composer: R’ Chaim Gershon Davis Music Production: Eli Klein & Yitzy Berry.

 Friday, July 31, 2026 / י״ז אב תשפ״ו ערב שבת פרשת עקב

Candle lighting: 7:53 PM 

Shkiah/sunset 8:11PM

weather 87° Mainly sunny and a few afternoon clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower.

Shabbos day 86° Partly cloudy.

A  slow-moving storm system brings heavy rain and thunderstorms starting Sunday night.

No Yated Neeman, FJJ, Lakewood shopper thos week.

- Iran claims it will target regional US energy infrastructure and Israel's critical infrastructure if new US or Israeli strikes hit Iran's energy sites, according to Tasnim

- WSJ: Trump has ordered a fresh full bombing campaign against Iran, including strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and oil refineries, with the strikes beginning as soon as this weekend and in cordination with Israel, per WSJ

- Kamala Harris calls for revisiting the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court, & granting statehood to Washington, D.C., & Puerto Rico.

- MBD  talks about his upbringing, his musical career, and the legacy oyIf his mentor; the Holy Rivnitzer Rebbe see full interview Here 

- Bein hazmanim travel Over 1,191 flights delayed, 108 canceled as travel disruptions impact U.S. airports due to forecasted summer thunderstorms. 

- President Trump announced that more than 7 million children have been enrolled in the new tax-free investment savings accounts launched under the “Great Big Beautiful Bill.” He said many accounts include $1,000 from the U.S. Treasury or private contributions aimed at investing in children’s futures.

- Kosher meat prices are expected to rise significantly due to a shortage, though local stores say they are working with new suppliers to ensure shelves remain stocked. Retailers say they are committed to maintaining the same strict kashrus standards while adjusting to the supply challenges.

- Starting August 1, restaurants in New Jersey will no longer automatically include single-use utensils, napkins, or condiment packets with takeout and delivery orders. Customers must now specifically request these items. Businesses that do not comply will face a graduated penalty structure within a 12-month period

- Several Yerushalayim kehillos, including Perushim, Breslov, and Zichron Moshe, have announced a joint Shabbos protest against Shabbos desecration. The hafgana is scheduled for Shabbos at 10:30 a.m. outside a coffee shop on Rechov Agripas that is operating on Shabbos.

- TRUMP: "We heard in Minnesota there was a cyberattack and they blame it on Iran. I don't think so. I blame it on Minnesota because they're grossly incompetent. Iran's got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota."

- This shabbos 18 Av is the yartzeit of The 1929 Chevron Massacre where 67 Jews were killed, 24 of whom were from the Chevron Yeshiva.

- A Middlesex County, NJ, police department used an officer disguised as a shrub to crack down on distracted driving Wednesday, issuing 74 citations. The Dunellen Police Department conducted a distracted driving enforcement operation on the 100 block of North Washington Avenue, an area with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The goal was to enforce New Jersey’s handheld cellphone law and increase safety in the community.

- New Jersey renters are facing rising housing costs, according to a new report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The state's 2026 housing wage increased to $43.89 per hour, up $3.90 from last year, meaning that's what a full-time worker must earn to afford a typical two-bedroom apartment without spending more than 30% of income on rent. Meanwhile, the average renter earns just $24.92 per hour, highlighting a growing affordability gap.

- Israel Minister Ben Gvir: "My congratulations to the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, for his strong commitment to welcoming immigration and 'human diversity.' As someone who has shown great concern for Hamas and the residents of Gaza, I call on him to turn words into action: open Spain's doors and grant refuge to Gaza residents seeking to emigrate. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute a little more to Spain's 'human diversity.'"

- RFK Jr. reveals Fauci’s diary was found in emails after he sent years of government-computer journal entries to himself for a planned book.

- Spanish Interior Ministry: Approximately 49,000 migrants arrived in the Spanish city of Ceuta in the last 24 hours

- New Jersey ranked the safest state for drivers in a new national study, earning the top overall score for low crash rates, traffic fatalities, speeding-related deaths, and alcohol-related fatal crashes. The state had the nation's lowest share of fatal crashes involving impaired drivers, with alcohol contributing to just 21.8% of fatal crashes. Researchers credited New Jersey's road design, enforcement, and infrastructure, while cautioning that the busy summer driving season remains the year's most dangerous period.

- Spanish authorities now say at least 34 people died after tens of thousands of mostly Moroccan migrants surged into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, prompting the military to deploy as officials called the situation unsustainable. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez blamed criminal networks and human traffickers, saying Spain is working with Morocco to return those who entered illegally while calling for additional measures to prevent future crossings. President Trump called the situation "terrible," warning, "Remember that picture. That's going to be us in three years if the wrong side gets in."

- Following the bankruptcy of Simad Holdings, the 30 sleepaway camp portfolios, entered a court-supervised sale process. Several camps have already found buyers, including Camp Achim in the Catskills, sold for about $7 million, while Camp Lokanda, Camp Chen-A-Wanda, Camp Echo, and others reached agreements with operators and organizations. A $68 million bid was submitted for Camp Mohawk by a group connected to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Camp Mesorah a frum camp is also under agreement with a new buyer.

The sales are aimed at preserving camps for the upcoming seasons, with many buyers being current operators or community groups familiar with the camps.

- This coming Sunday, Lakewood will host a promotional event for the new Nachal residential development in Yerushalayim, located near the Ramat Eshkol, Sanhedria, and Givat Hamivtar neighborhoods. The event will feature a community run and walk through Pine Park, followed by a free family festival with finisher medals, branded T-shirts and visors, complimentary food, carnival games, snow cones, popcorn, photo magnets, live music, and a festive finish-line celebration for participants and their families. 

-  Dr. Simone Gold: 

Fauci was wrong about virtually everything. We were right all along.

-Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine worked—safe, early treatments that were deliberately suppressed.

-Masks were theater, not science.

-Lockdowns caused far more harm than good.

-Remdesivir was, and remains, harmful.

-The mRNA injections carried serious risks that were never honestly disclosed.

-Six-foot “social distancing” was an arbitrary invention with no rigorous basis.

-PCR testing was massively overused and produced huge numbers of false positives that were treated as real infections.

-The case fatality rate for most people was low.

-COVID originated from the Wuhan lab, and NIH funding flowed into gain-of-function research there.

Fauci funded and defended that research while publicly denying it.

He lied to protect his position, his funding streams, and his power. He harmed ordinary Americans patients, families, children to advance his own money and control.

This man should face real accountability. Put the villain in prison.

- Iran claims it will target regional US energy infrastructure and Israel's critical infrastructure if new US or Israeli strikes hit Iran's energy sites, according to Tasnim

- WSJ: Trump has ordered a fresh full bombing campaign against Iran, including strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and oil refineries, with the strikes beginning as soon as this weekend and in cordination with Israel, per WSJ. 

For weeks Trump has been telling aides "the Iranians are crazy," complaining the interim peace deal was "ultimately meaningless" and that he "always knew it wasn't going to work."

Trump's frustration was on full display during today's meeting at Camp David when he exploded for a second time in recent days, shouting and accusing Iranian diplomats of being "very dishonorable" to deal with.

- CBS: The United States and Israel are planning what would be one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date against energy infrastructure targets in Iran, multiple sources told CBS News, with strikes possible throughout the weekend.

- Fox: The Pentagon is confronting a growing reality after months of fighting in Iran.

America’s stockpile of missile defense interceptors is shrinking so much that military planners are weighing whether they can continue the current cycle of limited retaliatory strikes.

Iran’s strategy appears to be targeting U.S. bases, forcing the U.S. to deplete its advanced missile defense interceptors, such as Patriot and THAAD systems, and compelling the Pentagon to accept greater risk in defending U.S. troops as the conflict drags on. Iran appears to believe this is its best hope of outlasting the U.S. military.

- President Trump says something will happen regarding Iran.

- Saudi Al-Hadath channel: Washington has directly committed to Hamas not to allow Netanyahu to sabotage the agreement and that it will force him to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and implement it. It was also claimed that the US informed the terrorist organization that it would not give up the agreement and that it would guarantee it.

- U.S. official warns Trump will be “very, very disappointed” if Israel blocks his Gaza plan.

- Trump: "We're in there for 5 months, and if you look at Vietnam, they were in there for 20 years."

- Israel has reiterated that there will be no withdrawal of the IDF from the current yellow line without the actual disarmament of Hamas."

senior Israeli official” “In response to various publications this morning about political progress in the Gaza Strip, Israel has reiterated that there will be no IDF withdrawal from the current Yellow Line without the genuine disarmament of Hamas,” the senior Israeli official says.

- Washington Post: US intelligence agencies estimate that Iran is likely behind a coordinated cyberattack on more than 30 municipal water systems in the state of Minnesota earlier this week

- National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir slams as “unacceptable” a deal agreed by Hamas that includes the group handing over its weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

- An Israeli source told CNN that PM Netanyahu is not expected to publicly oppose the disarmament agreement, as he "assesses that Hamas will ultimately violate its terms and not fulfill its obligations." The source said Netanyahu is not expected to order a withdrawal from Gaza before the October elections

- The Revolutionary Guard seized two tankers en route to the Strait of Hormuz; four additional tankers changed course.

- Hamas in an official statement: "Israel's commitment to stop the killing and end the aggression is the basis and the first step towards implementation, and the beginning of formulating the framework and timetable for what was agreed. It should be emphasized that the implementation of the second phase of the agreement depends on Israel's commitment to implement all the clauses of the first phase"

- The US and Israel are discussing the possibility of imposing a land blockade on Iran, according to a report in the British Telegraph. According to the report, this is one of several options being considered by President Trump and PM Netanyahu to increase economic pressure, after months of attacks and a prolonged campaign have failed to bring about a change in its behavior

- Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamed: "We will not take any steps related to disarmament before Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip. We will not implement any steps if the Israeli forces do not fulfill their obligations under the agreement. The issue of weapons is related to other issues, such as Israel's withdrawal and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Israel will not interfere in the issue of disarmament, and the National Committee will be responsible for this task."

- The Peace Council publishes the "roadmap" for the implementation of the agreement to disarm Hamas in Gaza and withdraw the IDF from the Strip

Israel and Hamas will immediately cease all military action (i.e., stopping the Israeli targeted eliminations in Gaza that have been carried out daily in recent months)

The technocratic committee will enter the Strip and confirm that both sides - Israel and Hamas - are fulfilling their commitments

 Hamas agrees to transfer all governmental and civilian functions to the Peace Council and undertakes not to interfere in its decisions.

Within 3 years, the Peace Council will complete all processes of seizing power in the Strip.

 Newly trained police forces will enter Gaza. All existing police officers in Gaza (=Hamas police officers) will undergo comprehensive examinations - those found unsuitable will be transferred to alternative civilian positions or retired. Police weapons will be transferred to the authority of the Technocrat Committee.

The process of handing over heavy weapons (rockets), military production sites, weapons depots and tunnels will begin after the completion of the remaining obligations in the agreement, the entry of the Technocrat Committee and the deployment of the multinational force. This process will depend on the Israeli withdrawal, in stages, from the areas under Israeli control and the deployment of the armed multinational force. No weapons will be transferred to Israel or to non-Palestinian entities. Only the Peace Council will possess, store, and control weapons in Gaza: "Implementation of this plan will create appropriate conditions for a credible path to achieving Palestinian independence and a state."

“Citizens” in Gaza will be allowed to possess "personal weapons" in accordance with rules to be determined by the Peace Council.

The Israeli-backed militias will be disbanded, and their members will not be integrated into the security and policing forces in Gaza.

 The multinational force will separate IDF forces in the Gaza Strip from areas controlled by the Peace Council. The multinational force will not carry out policing missions in Gaza. It will train the Palestinian police, monitor the agreement's implementation, and ensure the transfer of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.