It’s snowing now!

Look outside. It’s sticking!

At about 4:30 pm this late afternoon it started snowing in Passaic. PCJN as always requests that everyone slow down and drive safely. Also leave lots of extra time for your morning commute.

Microsoft Issues Emergency Security Patch For Internet Explorer

Microsoft Issues Emergency Security Patch For IE

Microsoft is issuing an emergency patch for a critical Internet Explorer flaw.

JR Raphael, PC World Wednesday, December 17, 2008; 12:19 AM

Microsoft will issue an emergency security patch Wednesday for all versions of Internet Explorer. The patch is considered a critical fix for the security flaw currently plaguing the IE browser. So far, more than 2 million computers are believed to have been infected.

An advance notification of the patch published Tuesday describes it as protection for a “remote code execution” vulnerability. The move follows Microsoft’s security advisory posted last Wednesday and updated Monday explaining the vulnerability and suggesting temporary “workarounds” for protection.

The flaw can be used to let attackers steal personal data such as passwords if a user visits a compromised Web site, of which at least 10,000 are thought to already exist. Thus far, the vulnerability has been used primarily for grabbing gaming passwords for black market sales. The hole could, however, potentially also be used to steal more sensitive information such as banking passwords and other private information.

Some security analysts had gone as far as to suggest all IE users switch to a competing browser until Microsoft found a suitable fix.

Microsoft’s emergency security patch will become available Wednesday at 1 p.m. EST at the Microsoft Update site as well as at the Microsoft Download Center. All users of IE5, 6, and 7 are advised to install it. A separate patch is expected to be made available for users of IE8 Beta 2. Expect to see far more detail by midday Wednesday when Microsoft officially issues its security bulletin.

School’s In Passaic are open as of 9:00pm

Updated as 11;00 If any school in passaic county is closed we will have it. We will update as it will be come available.

Bais Yaakov Of Passaic P.T.A Reminder

Tonight tuesday night at 7pm is P.T.A. for grades 9-12.

GOVERNOR SIGNS NEW JERSEY MAIN STREET LEGISLATION

By Governors Press

TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed legislation creating the New Jersey Main Street Business Assistance Program, the latest in a series of initiatives established under his Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan to help the citizens and businesses of the Garden State weather the national economic downturn. The program will enable qualified small and mid-size firms and nonprofit organizations in New Jersey to access capital by providing State support for bank lending through loan participations and credit enhancements.

“There are a number of steps we can take to ease the burdens on businesses and provide key incentives, especially for small business enterprises having difficulty staying afloat during the current economic crisis,” said Governor Corzine. “This bill leverages New Jersey’s banks by empowering them to lend to small firms, further enhancing business growth and community investment.”

Developed in partnership with the departments of Banking and Insurance and Treasury and the state’s banking community, the Main Street Business Assistance Program will be funded by a $50-million State appropriation and administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA).
“As the economic engine of many of our State’s local communities, New Jersey relies on the economic success of our small and mid-sized businesses,” said Senator Paul A. Sarlo, (D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic). “However, as we come to grips with a nearly unprecedented national economic crisis, many of these businesses are finding that they don’t have the resources to get by without massive layoffs and down-sizing. This new law will ensure a vibrant small and mid-sized business presence in the Garden State, and will protect the jobs and services people depend on every day.”

Update: 4-alarm blaze under control

Firefighters are battling an intense blaze this morning at a meat market in Passaic.

The business — Procesadora De Carnes y Alimentos, a meat market — is located at 177 Passaic Street, at the corner with Market Street, police said.

The four-alarm blaze was reported at 6:33 a.m, said Passaic Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost. Ten to twelve employees were inside the shop when the fire broke out, Trentacost said. They were safely evacuated.

The business is wholesaler that sells meat to supermarkets and restaurants in New Jersey and Manhattan. It also does some walk-in business.

An investigation is not yet underway, but Trentacost said the fire appears to have started on the second floor, above a walk-in refrigerator. A formal investigation is expected to begin shortly.

Firefighters had to be pulled out after a short time because the flames were too intense. Heavy smoke poured from the building.

After the roof collapsed, firefighters switched to an exterior attack, dumping water onto the blaze from ladders above the building. Trentacost said there were concerns that the building would continue to collapse.

Three firefiighters were injured — one with an ear laceration — and treated at the scene.

Check back later for more information.

Halachos of Chanukah

By Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Question #1: My sister invited our family for Shabbos Chanukah, and we will be sleeping at her neighbor’s house. Where do we set up the menorahs, particularly since I do not even know the neighbor?

Question #2: My husband has a late meeting at work tonight and will not be home on time. What should we do about kindling Chanukah lights?

Question #3: I will be attending a wedding during Chanukah that requires me to leave my house well before lighting time, and I will not return until very late. Can I kindle at the wedding, just like the lighting that takes place in shul?

Question #4: I will be spending part of Chanukah in a hotel. Where should I kindle my menorah?

SOME BASICS

Each individual has a requirement to light Chanukah lights, or to have an agent kindle the lights for him (see Rambam, Hilchos Chanukah 3:4). In places where the custom is that the entire household lights only one menorah, which is the predominant practice among Sefardim, the person who kindles functions as an agent for the rest of the family and the guests. Even in places where the custom is that each individual kindles his own menorah, as is common Ashkenazic practice, married women do not usually light, and most people have the custom that single girls do not either (see Chasam Sofer, Shabbos 21b s.v. vehamihadrin, Eliyahu Rabbah 671:3, and Mikra’ei Kodesh #14 who explain reasons for this practice). In these instances, the male head of household kindles on behalf of his wife and daughters. A guest visiting a family for Chanukah can fulfill his or her obligation by contributing a token amount to purchase part of the candles or oil. By doing this, the guest becomes a partner in the Chanukah lights and now fulfills his mitzvah when the host kindles them. An alternative way to become a partial owner of the Chanukah lights is for the host to direct the guest to pick up some of the oil or candles and thereby become a partial owner.

N’shei and Kollel of Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic Annual Tea

N’shei and Kollel of Yeshiva Gedola of Passaic cordially invite you to join us for “Eishes Chayil Mi Yimtza” a morning tea, Sunday January 4, 2009 10 AM to noon at the home of Mrs. Meira Lebovits, 14 Dakota St., Passaic. Join us in honoring Mrs. Laurie Baum of Passaic and Mrs. Ruthie Nussbaum of Monsey. Program begins at 11 AM with introductory remarks by Rebbetzin Baila Stern. Featuring “Growing up in my parents home” by Rebbetzin Sarah Leah Weissman and “Challah Braiding Techniques” by Mrs. Reichel Lawrence. Sponsorships are available $18, $25, $36, $54, $72, $100, $180, $360 Please contact the Yeshiva at 973-472-6100 or 35 Ascension St. Passaic, NJ 07055 (

Report: Average North Jersey commute took 30 minutes

Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Last updated: Tuesday December 16, 2008, 7:14 AM

http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/Average_commute_half-hour.html

ASHLEY KINDERGAN

STAFF WRITER

North Jersey residents told the Census Bureau that their commutes to work take, on average, just under a half-hour, according to data from the American Community Survey from 2005-07.

Bergen County residents reported a mean travel time of 28.8 minutes, while Passaic County residents traveled 26.1 minutes every day, the data show.

Those who live in Hackensack and Paterson, the biggest cities in Bergen and Passaic counties, respectively, were more likely to take public transportation than in the county as a whole. In Hackensack, 21.5 percent of workers took public transportation compared to 12.6 percent of all Bergen County residents. Slightly more than 13 percent of Paterson residents used public transportation to get to work, compared to 9 percent of all Passaic County residents.

Compared to more rural counties, Bergen and Passaic residents also sleep later. According to the census data, 3.7 percent of Bergen residents and 5.4 percent of Passaic residents report leaving for work between midnight and 5:30 a.m. Warren County boasted the highest number of early risers — 8.4 percent of people there leave before 5:30 a.m., followed closely by Sussex County at 8.3 percent.

North Jersey residents told the Census Bureau that their commutes to work take, on average, just under a half-hour, according to data from the American Community Survey from 2005-07.

RECORD FILE PHOTO

Rush hour traffic on Route 46 East in Fort Lee.

Bergen County residents reported a mean travel time of 28.8 minutes, while Passaic County residents traveled 26.1 minutes every day, the data show.

Those who live in Hackensack and Paterson, the biggest cities in Bergen and Passaic counties, respectively, were more likely to take public transportation than in the county as a whole. In Hackensack, 21.5 percent of workers took public transportation compared to 12.6 percent of all Bergen County residents. Slightly more than 13 percent of Paterson residents used public transportation to get to work, compared to 9 percent of all Passaic County residents.

Compared to more rural counties, Bergen and Passaic residents also sleep later. According to the census data, 3.7 percent of Bergen residents and 5.4 percent of Passaic residents report leaving for work between midnight and 5:30 a.m. Warren County boasted the highest number of early risers — 8.4 percent of people there leave before 5:30 a.m., followed closely by Sussex County at 8.3 percent.

Discovery Seminar on January 11th

Tifereth Israel, 180 Passaic Ave. is hosting a Discovery Seminar on January 11th, 2009 from 10am to 4pm.

Jews walk away from Judaism every day, not because of what they know, but because of what they don’t know. The Discovery Seminar has brought over 250,000 Jews all over the world back for a second look. Discovery is an extraordinary, entertaining and insightful multimedia presentation that combines psychology, philosophy, history and computer science to take the audience on a voyage into the why of being Jewish.

This is a tremendous opportunity to reach out and invite your non-observant friends, family, co-workers to the first Discovery offered in Passaic. Space will be limited so registration is a must. Call 973-773-2552 or email office@tifereth-passaic.org to register, there will be $15 pre-register fee for the event, lunch and refreshments will be served. Flyers can be sent out to individual you want to invite. Contact russel@mail.com for more information”

Partners In Torah – 11th Annual Passaic Breakfast

On Sunday morning, December 14th, over 100 people gathered at the Tifereth Israel in Passaic for the annual Partner’s In Torah Breakfast. PIT is an international organization that attempts to link frum adults with those who beginning to learn about Yiddeshkeit using one hour a week by phone. PIT currently has over 11,000 participants. Rabbi Eli Gewirtz who has led PIT since it’s inception began the program and handed it off to David Blumenthal who acted as the Master of Ceremonies. There was a brief memorial for SHARON LEINKRAM of Blessed Memory. There was also a  segment for Shari Gershon who needs a refuah sheleima  she is battling cancer. Please say tehilim for her.SIMCHA ESTHER BAS CHAYA PESHA .

Kurt and Melissa Stein were honored with the Kesser Shem Tov award, Alan and Basya Gutman were the Guests of Honor, Dr. Hillel and Shoshana Iseroff were presented with the Chaver Tov award and Rabbi Menachem and Rebbetzin Ruchie Spira of Bais Medrash Zichron Eliezer were presented with the Rabbinic Leadership award.

Congratulations to all the honorees and all the participants and supporters of Partners In Torah.

PCJN appologizes for this error Thank You for sending an E-mail

Beth Medrash Govoha – Lakewood Parlor Meeting

Mr. and Mrs. Aharon Shmuel Buchler hosted a parlor meeting for Lakewood at their home. HaRav Dovid Schustal, Rosh Yesh

Parlor Meeting for Edison Yeshiva Held

On Motzei Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei, Mr. and Mrs. Dovid Ganger hosted a parlor meeting at their home to benefit Yeshiva Rabbeinu Jacob Joseph (RJJ) , also know in the Yeshiva world as Edison. HaRav Yaakov Busel, Rosh Yeshiva spoke at the gathering.

NJ Senate votes to ban elections on holy days

Patrick Diegnan

by NJJN Staff

December 2, 2008

Moving to avoid any repetition of a situation that angered Jewish residents of Edison, both houses of the State Legislature voted to prevent elections from being held on religious holidays.

The legislation allows state officials to change the dates of municipal elections if they fall on days when religiously observant voters might be unable to go to the polls.

The bill passed unanimously in the State Senate on Nov. 24. The Assembly approved a companion bill in September.

It now awaits signature by Gov. Jon Corzine.

The legislation was written after the Edison Public School District scheduled a bond issue referendum for Sept. 30, the first day of Rosh Hashana.

Officials said their hands were tied by state law limiting the dates on which such elections could be held, although they later relented — following protests led by the Jewish community — and postponed the vote until Dec. 9.

“Knowingly scheduling an election on a day of solemn religious observance is an insult to New Jerseyans everywhere who value the diversity of our state,” said Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Dist. 36), a cosponsor of the bill and the only Orthodox Jewish member of the Legislature.

“We simply cannot allow an entire segment of our society to be shut out from casting their votes,” said his colleague and cosponsor, Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-Dist. 18). “Even with our constitutional separation of church and state, no resident has ever been asked to shove their religious views in a drawer.

Schaer & Scalera on Passage of Bill to Prevent Another EnCap

Schaer & Scalera on Passage of Bill to Prevent Another EnCap

In this video commentary, Assemblymen Gary S. Schaer and Fred Scalera (both D-Bergen/Essex/Passaic) discuss the 77 to 0 passage of their legislation to enhance the protections and oversight surrounding public investments in private redevelopment projects. Schaer and Scalera crafted the bill (A-2650) in response to the disastrous failure of the EnCap Mixed-Use Redevelopment Project. The project, which aimed to remediate abandoned municipal landfills in the Meadowlands, collapsed earlier this year when EnCap declared bankruptcy after receiving more than $300 million in public money from state and Bergen County sources.

Shalom Bayis Lecture Presented by Somaich Achim/JFS

The 3rd Annual Somaich Achim/JFS community-wide lecture will be held on December 25th, 2008 at Tifereth Israel, 180 Passaic Avenue. The program will include multiple Workshops as well as a keynote address by Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser on the topic of “Shalom Bayis – What is the limit?” Doors open @ 8:30 am, Workshops begin @ 9:00 am, keynote address @ 11:00 am. For further details see: Suggested donation $10. Light breakfast will be served. Sponsorships are still available!

A Family Chanukah Celebration

Reb Gili Houpt, musician, songwriter and Jewish educator, noted for his “Carlebach sound,” will be featured at a Chanukah style breakfast Sunday morning, December 21st, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Congregation Adas Israel, 565 Broadway, Passaic. Part of the festivities will include a creative holiday crafts session for children 3-8 years old. This “Chanukah in Story & Song” will also feature some special treats for adults and children alike. Reservations are strongly recommended. Everyone is welcome. The cost is $12 per person, $25 per family in advance, $16 and $36 at the door. For more information call 973-773-7272.

Ahavas Israel Family Chanukah Mesibah

Come with your children to the Ahavas Chanukah Party on Thursday, the 5th night of Chanukah, Dec. 25 at 6:30 pm. Entertainment by the Budapest Jugglers and light Dinner.

Clifton Cheder Open House

The Clifton Cheder invites you to an Open House on January 1 from 9:30-11:30 Come learn about our curriculum and see our programs in action. Our talented rebbeim and moros foster a life-long love of learning. The Cheder educates the whole child – spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Our dual focus is mastery of Torah knowledge and character development. Clifton Cheder – Rabbi Hillel Mandel, Menahel, 181 Lafayette Ave (lower level), Passaic, For more information, please call (973) 472-0011

Bais Medrash Zichron Eliezer – Hachnosas Sefer Torah

Bais Medrash Zichron Eliezer invites the community to a Hachnosas Sefer Torah dedicated by Harry and Perl Brown of Beachwood, OH, on Thursday, January 1, 2009. Writing of the final letters will take place at 3PM in the Ahavas Israel’s ballroom (181 Van Houten Avenue) and the musical procession will proceed to the Shul (170 Main Avenue). For more information, please call the Shul at 973-685-4908.

Learn in honor of the people who were murdered in the Mumbai attacks.

Join in the community-wide Passaic-Clifton Siyum. Five years ago, over 300 people – representing every shul in the community – participated in a siyum on Torah, Neviim, Kesuvim, Mishna, and Shas Bavli. Take part in the upcoming siyum scheduled for Shavuos 5769. Demonstrate the Achdus and Ahavas Hatorah that is sure to have an impact on world, community and personal events

Passaic News

Passaic News

Experts speculate gas may drop below $1 a gallon

A worker lowers the price of regular unleaded gasoline in Independence, Mo. in November
How low can the price of gas fall? With drivers paying the cheapest price to fill their tanks in nearly four years, it is a question many consumers are pondering, with some experts speculating it is possible prices could even drop below $1 per gallon.
Prices already have decreased to below $1.25 per gallon in some parts of the Midwest. With the economy in a freefall, analysts do not rule out crude oil, which traded Friday in the mid-$40 range, sinking to $20 per barrel, a price that could translate to gas at $1 per gallon.

“Right now, you look at the way demand is retreating, it tends to predict lower prices,” said John Kingston, global director of oil for Platt’s, a provider of energy information. “A drop to $20 per barrel is not out of the question.”

In New Jersey, the price of unleaded regular fell to $1.60 Friday, the lowest it has been since March 2004, said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst for Oil Price Information Services in Wall Township. In July, the state recorded its highest ever average price for unleaded at $3.99.

“I’m not in the camp where we’ll see prices fall to $1 per gallon or less,” said Kloza, who thinks crude could dip below $40 per barrel, but if so, only briefly. “Here, (in New Jersey), we will see some numbers below $1.50 per gallon.”

St. Mary’s closes psych unit

PASSAIC — St. Mary’s Hospital officials said Thursday that they closed the inpatient psychiatric unit at 211 Pennington Ave. and transferred five remaining patients to Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville.

Hospital officials originally announced they would close the 38-bed facility in September as a cost-saving strategy. Mental health advocates who feared the closure would mean a decline in services for mental health patients protested the decision. St. Mary’s was the only place in Passaic County where patients could be involuntarily committed. Advocates also worried that Clara Maass, 11 miles from Paterson, would be too far for patients.

On Thursday, officials from St. Mary’s and Clara Maass sought to reassure the public that mental health services would not dramatically change.

“There really is no difference in the care that they will receive,” Tom Quinn, vice president of Behavioral Health for St. Mary’s, said in an interview Thursday. “It’s just going to be delivered in a different county.”

MaryAnn Donahue, a spokeswoman for Clara Maas, a division of St. Barnabas Medical Services, said the facility was looking forward to the transfer of patients.

“We really believe we can offer patients the next level of service,” she said.

St. Mary’s officials said that despite the inpatient psychiatric unit’s closure, 12 other psychiatric programs would remain open, including the permanent adult residences at the YMCA, the Adult Patient Hospital Program and psychiatric emergency services.

St. Mary’s will still be the state-designated screening center for psychiatric patients in Passaic County. But after initial screening, patients seeking to stay at a hospital for short-term care would be referred to Clara Maass. NorthJersey.com

Clifton’s well is closed

Clifton’s well remains closed and will undergo ultraviolet light treatment after testing positive for total coliform bacteriaThe City shut down the public water source last month after one out of five samples taken by the Passaic Valley Water Commission showed the presence of the bacteria. City Health Officer John Biegel said the source of the contamination has still not been determined.

Total coliform consists of a group of microorganisms that live in the intestines of most humans and animals as well as on plants and soil and is normally passed to wells from contact with outer surfaces, including groundwater that contains the bacteria.

The microbes are generally harmless and do not cause illness, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, however can pose a risk to individuals with weaker immune systems. The presence of the bacteria could also indicate the likelihood of other types of bacteria in the water including E.coli, a microorganism present in human and animal waste and can cause flu-like symptoms.

Biegel said tests showed no sign of E.coli bacteria in well.

The City is in the process of collecting bids for an ultraviolet disinfecting system that uses UV rays to kill bacteria in drinking water, Biegel said, adding that the well would re-open to the public after being treated and subsequent testing confirmed the bacteria were gone. The Passaic County Health Department must also approve the results.

“It’s really water quality at this point,” he said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection requires the well to be tested quarterly and the well has had a streak of positive tests for several years, Biegel said.

Over 40,000 customers with out power

An outage has knocked out power to almost all of Monmouth County and parts of Ocean County, according to a spokesman for the utility company that serves the area.

In Ocean County, customers have lost service in parts of Lakewood, Toms River and Barnegat, according to the website for Jersey Central Power & Light, which shows a map of affected towns.

“Calls are coming in like crazy,” said Peter Johner, a spokesman for the utility.

An alert sent to Middletown residents by local authorities said the cause of the outage was a transmission line failure in Neptune.

So far, the outage has affected more than 10,000 customers and shut down traffic lights on major roads including Route 36, just in time for rush hour, authorities said.

Johner said JCP&L is trying to determine the cause of the problem.

Further details about when power might be restored were not immediately available.

Hazlet police encouraged drivers who would normally take Route 36 to use local roads and said additional officers have been dispatched to monitor traffic.

Russell Holstein, a Long Branch psychologist, said he told his evening patients not to come in after he lost power in his office tonight.

“I can’t work in the dark,” he said.

Holstein, who lives in West Allenhurst, said he plans to take local roads home, avoiding backups on major thoroughfares where traffic lights have been disabled.

“When you get to a traffic light, that’s where people get confused,” he said. “I’m going to be very careful. I know where the lights are, and I’ll be watching.”

Holstein said he vividly remembers an outage several years ago that left his family without power for days. Still, he said, his family has taken no special precautions to prepare for this type of event.

“I’m like most people,” he said. “We count on the electric company.” NJ.com, PCJN

Capuana ops stay up and running in advance of next year’s contest

PASSAIC – It stands right across from City Hall, and although he came up 400 votes short in last week’s mayoral election, sources close to Vinny Capuana say his headquarters isn’t going anywhere.

It will remain open and active.

There is a mayor’s race next year, after all.

As mayor, Capuana’s conqueror, Alex Blanco, will enjoy the advantage of incumbency in next year’s mayoral contest for a full, four-year term.

But both Blanco and Capuana are trying to secure the backing of those other contestants in last week’s race to fill the unexpired term of Sammy Rivera: real estate developer Jose Sandoval, City Councilman Joe Garcia, and bail bondsman Carl Ellen.  PolitickerNJ.com

 

Free Parking In The City Of Passaic Starting The 15

Starting on December 15th and continuing until January 5th, the Passaic Parking
Authority in conjunction with Mayor Dr. Alex Blanco will offer free parking
throughout the city for the convenience of our residents, visitors and holiday
shoppers. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this yearly incentive and
visit our downtown area, do some holiday shopping and dine at our city’s many
restaurants.

The free parking program applies to the downtown parking malls and all of our
on-street parking meters. PCJN

Early Morning Accident

An early morning accident on eastbound Route 4 in Paramus sent two people to the hospital, police said.The express lanes on Route 4 eastbound are open, but the ramp from the Garden State Parkway to Route 4 remains closed while police investigate the single-vehicle crash, authorities said.

Motorists should expect delays in the area.

The condition of occupants was not immediately known. Theywere taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, police said.

The accident was reported around 2:30 a.m. Northjersey.com