PRESS RELEASE LAKEWOOD COUPLE CHARGED WITH SIX COUNTS OF CHILD ENDANGERMENT
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lakewood Township Police Chief Gregory Meyer announced that on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Lakewood Township Police were dispatched to a residence on Spruce Street for a report of a social gathering. Responding Officers found a group of individuals, including children, on the front lawn and inside the residence. This gathering was in violation of Executive Order No. 107 signed by Governor Phil Murphy on March 21, 2020, which bans gatherings of individuals, whether they be at weddings, parties, celebrations, or other social events. The Officers made contact with the owners of the residence who hosted the gathering, an engagement party, Yaakov Kaufman, 47, and Eti Kaufman, 45. Both Yaakov Kaufman and Eti Kaufman were charged with Violating Any Rule or Regulation Adopted by the Governor During a State of Emergency in violation of APP.A: 9-49h, as well as six counts of Child Endangerment in violation of N.J.S.A. 9:6-1– each count relating to one of their six minor children who were in attendance at the gathering.
The following individuals were also charged with Violating Any Rule or Regulation Adopted by the Governor During a State of Emergency in violation of APP.A: 9-49h for their attendance at the engagement party hosted by the Kaufmans: Joshua Lichtenstein, 54, of Lakewood; Brocha Lichtenstein, 22, of Lakewood; Tzipora Wolfe, 24, of Lakewood; Shmuel Kaufman, 23, of Lakewood; Syril Lichtenstein, 54, of Lakewood; Samuel Wolfe, 27, of Lakewood; Michael Zimmerman, 99, of Lakewood; and Ruky Zimmerman, 21, of Lakewood.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Meyer extend their profound gratitude to the men and women in Law Enforcement who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of our citizens, enforcing the laws of the State of New Jersey in the face of extreme adversity during these very trying and perilous times.
The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond
a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Omg! When is it going to end?!?
there rabbis are dying and they still gather I totally don’t understand
Diana Lipman-Malko they think God will save them and if he doesn’t it wa Gods will. The problem is them not caring about other people’s beliefs and realities.
I am Jewish and Religious and I am completely appalled by these peoples’ actions. The Rabbis have expressly forbade any gathering, even for prayers. I’m happy that they were fined and frankly I hope the government stiffens the fine. This by no way represents even a fraction of our population. But even one violation is one too many.
Oh but they are claiming nothing is going on lmao
It won’t end. And nothing will be done, and they’re going to infect… thousands. And at the end of it all… “It was gods will.” Explain to me again how religion isn’t a mental disorder?
are you kidding
Gotta stop!!!
Remember it’s a gift and no Hasidic can get it ????????♀️????????♀️????????♀️????????♀️. I just can’t…they have zero boundaries, limits, and don’t care about Anyone…and clearly that’s in their own community. I just don’t get it
Arianne Kapandais Engroff they are under the belief that they are in God’s hands and God will protect them and keep them safe. It’s his will and his way and if it’s their time God will take them. The way they walk out into the middle of the street with no regard, the way they let their kids run rampant all over the place with no care is all because they are under the big protection umbrella of God. And they look down on us, They Don’t Care About Us or what happens to us. Their God is looking after THEM and take no responsibility
Beverly Reilly Ombres ????????♀️????????♀️????????♀️
I believe in God as well…but I don’t act this way. I just cant…there isn’t enough wine in this house to deal with the next 30 days
Arianne Kapandais Engroff haha I’m just saying they feel that they don’t need to worry about things we worry about because they are the chosen ones and God will handle it all.
Arianne Kapandais Engroff I sent you a PM
this is unreal what can be done they need to do something other then just charge them
Dot Winskey Leming Douglas I just feel like they should literally put guards there and control any move of theirs!!! Every single day they have gatherings getting broken up! Don’t they get the point?! I just don’t understand
They should put the national guard Murphy won’t do anything
This is very bad for Murphy votes to
I hope the Governor was informed immediately.
and theres no story with it
Funny thing is how are they charged with several accounts of endangering children but no where on the jail
Base app ????
Mel P nope but the person that threatened them is on jail base its bs all around
BillnShirlene Semon yup
Spruce Street must be the place to be. This is at least the second “violation” of the Executive Order that occurred there. ????????
Again?! Same people, second time in a few days. But is anything REALLY done about it???
Marni Peterson Kociban I don’t think so. They seem to have all the right people in their pockets. ????
Diane Studer Almada they do! It’s disgusting. I say we all go to Trenton and picket, 6 feet apart!
Since I suppose that’s not realistic, maybe it’s time we start calling our representatives about it. Someone needs to put some pressure on somebody. They have the 4th most cases in the state there, behind Jersey City, Newark, and Elizabeth, and yet Lakewood is a much smaller town. Plus if you add in Toms River and Jackson…they’re in 2nd place I believe. If you dare say anything, you’re being antisemitic. BS, I don’t care what religion anyone is! The people in Florida who held a mega church service Sunday should be in trouble as well, but I don’t think they’ve passed as strict rules against gathering as we have.
Every time law enforcement has to go out there to address it, they’re put at risk too! This has to stop!
Marni Peterson Kociban yes I agree something needs to be done. These people have no use for anyone but themselves. Neglecting their kids just proves that.
One of the people charged is 99! Are the rest of them purposely on accident trying to kill him?! Oy vey!
Put them in jail take the kids away and maybe they will stop
this was be a joke omg stop it lakewood
Good to see attendees are finally being charged! Now the prosecutor’s office needs to enforce the charges with stiff fines!
They are still doing it? Why does this specific group of people still keep getting away with this!!! Shit then the F down already, lock them in because they sure as shit cannot listen to authority
Again?? Enough of this crap. Bring in the National Guard and shut down Lakewood completely.
Thanks Cuomo, Thanks de Blasio,
Thanks Murphy. Thanks for putting my family’s and thousands of others lives at risk by not stopping this shit weeks ago.
thanks trump for disbanding the pandemic response team thanks trump for calling it a hoax
EarlHow is your family at risk when your supposed to stay inside. Are you inviting them into your home?
Darryl Haley the Orthodox community comes into neighboring towns to shop for groceries, speading the virus. If you’d like, you can invite them to shop in Waretown and see first hand.
Earl Creveling agreed! Yesterday Howell Walmart was jam packed with orthodox jewish families with all of their children. Children running up and down aisles touching everything. One person from each family should be shopping for food. Why bring an entire family with all of your children?
Tim Lawrence thank Trump for the check your about to cash and Pelosi for delaying it.
Earl Creveling Tim is a troll, who I’m sure will gladly cash his stimulus check from Trump.
Pamela Leigh Wesnitzer NOT TRUMPS MONEY
Pamela Leigh Wesnitzer NOT TRUMPS MONEY
Earl Creveling and what do after stopped China flights. He he should have taken that time to prepare instead he discounted it and said it was just like the flu you could go to work even with it or it’s the Democratic oats and he blame them and he did absolutely nothing for two months when he should have taken all that time to prepare so who’s at fault there
Tim Lawrence you clearly watch CNN
Earl Creveling and they still haven’t.
My daughter in NY was a Joyce
Leslie yesterday.
Things are still open.
Earl Creveling you’re an idiot. trump stopped all flights to china after every major domestic carrier did. and none of them were called racist. most of the population understands quarantine.
Earl Creveling exactly
Earl Creveling
Kim Tripsas Mileto no I clearly do not I watch the press conferences this moron holds
Earl Creveling money we have already “given” the government and will be taxed on for a second time! Gee thanks all the great people in Washington for giving back what they’ve already stolen and then stealing again
It’s not trumps money it’s ours
Donna Risner really? And what have the Democrats done for the last three years except waste millions on their failed Impeachment attempt and delay the financial aid many people desperately need? What did the Democrats do to prepare for this? Are you saying they didnt have a clue it was coming to the united states? Or are you saying they sat on their asses waiting for Trumps approval to get off their asses and actually do something for the people? Did the Democrats do nothing because they all believed it was a hoax and couldn’t think for themselves?
Earl Creveling you could ask Mitch that question. 400 bills are sitting on his desk
Earl Creveling
Tim Lawrence If your concerned about taxes, don’t cash it.
Donna Risner
Earl Creveling predicted response
Donna Risner typical Trump hater dodging the question.
Donna Risner still waiting. What have the Democrats done lately?
Another gathering… so what’s going to happen for passover? Everyone and there mother will be coming down from muncie ny, should the dispatch more cops who arnt on the Lakewood payroll
Lets stop complaining about this its doing nothing! As long as they pay off the twp. Nothing will be done, I dont blame the Jews at this point i blame the twp.
David Stebner there on the payroll, someone is paying the Lakewood police and government off. They get away slap on the wrist
Chris Palkowski this is what im saying the rather see ppl dead n allowing them to spread this then give up the votes n money
They are the Township…. Theirs only one or 2 gentile in the government of Lakewood lol
It’s the mindset…not isolated this is the group think. In nyc cops cant keep them under control…catch 5 then 20 more pop up somewhere else an hour later. We are not dealing with logical “people”
Don’t forget what stores they are using to get their party supplies and food. Some of you may shop those same stores. Plus all the employees at the stores interacting too. It’s already a terrible situation they’ve made it so much worse. Why is this being allowed ???? I’m praying for the national guard to step in. I’ve never been one to want something like that for our state but I live 10 miles from Lakewood!
Stacy Bozzett Mcfeeley I work in a food store near Lakewood.
ppl will take so much shit then rebel n u will see like nothing u ever seen b4
Lorraine Marie another one!
Those charges end you up in the county and they aren’t and we’re never charge #FAKENEWS
http://oms.co.ocean.nj.us:8087/IML
Mike Santonastasso bail reform
Mike Santonastasso not with bail reform
Lori McHugh not true they would be seen by the family court judge then cut free
Mike Santonastasso not necessarily. If they have no prior contacts with the Criminal Justice system they likely were charged on a summons and released.
This is why Murphy won’t stop it….
Chari Sena Moore obviously
Chari Sena Moore the prosecutor’s office won’t either. This will be a slap on the wrist for them
Fucking animals.
Chari Sena Moore he’s been to Israel several times and has a huge connection to the Jewish community, that’s a lot of votes ???????????? maybe they’re more important than other communities
They won’t stop because they don’t care if your family lives or dies.
Did you know that the Lakewood cult is now making their own private videos for their sites pretending this is not happening and it’s all persecution.
Pat Provolone why am I not surprised
Nonni Susan yep, driving around Lakewood showing everything is locked up.
Pat Provolone OMG I just saw this on http://www.app.com. Unreal !
Maria DeMagistris Fratello that’s the main video but not the only one.
Maria DeMagistris Fratello APP is garbage
someone hopes to achieve herd immunity
Daughleigh Fish because it worked so well with measles last year!
Something seriously needs to be done. This bs needs to stop. We’re never going to stop the spread of this if something isn’t done. Fine them out the ass.
Claire Rossi Tosoni call Fox 5 news
Patricia Nosiay Clarino
Their own are dying from this virus but yet they still continue to have their gatherings…unf*ckingbelievable!!!????
Didn’t a government official refer to them as a few knuckleheads ????
Colleen MacLean yep 100% and it’s bullshit it’s always in Lakewood
Colleen MacLean
My question is – what do they say when they are approached, arrested and charged? What is the explanation/ defense? Are they claiming ignorance or simply defiant? I’m really curious.
Lydia Sargent Gaeta….they hightail it outta there!????
they not arrested they just ging ticket big deal
Walter Krzyzkowski oh they run huh chicken shit
Lydia Sargent Gaeta it’s all a misunderstanding didn’t you know??
old murphy was on tv last nite they were asking him things they asked him about lakewood a few times and didnt asn then about hes not doing anything tired of there shit in lakewood
It’s a matter of time before people take things into their own hands and then we are in trouble. If only the national guard could step in before that happens!
Dena Cocuzza Michalkowski I’ve been saying that all along shits gonna get nasty over there!!
They wanted to overcome and they don’t care how they do it. Wait until next week with all if the Passover festivities. Turn their schools into locked up quarantined with guards. It has to stop!
Jane Avjean
Look i want my daughter to have a birthday party…i want her to have a graduation party…but for the safety of our community we can not…maybe one day when we are past all,of, this…but it it can wait…EVERY life is important despite of any race or religion, color…it doesn’t matter…we are all the same!! Let’s just protect one another…it’s the right thing to do!
I think it’s national guard time for Lakewood. It’s quite clear the residents continue to not follow the laws & think they are above them.
Surely this must be an April Fools joke. I thought everyone is conplying in Lakewood
Guess they did not see that 6 Rabbis died there. Seen it posted and someone took it down. Wonder why?
Mylie DonVera I saw it.. could have been prevented ????
Mona Tripodi
Shirley Figueroa they need to do more and should have been in the beginning when it was being reported that they weren’t following the rules!
Good! Accountability is important!
AGAIN??!!
I don’t understand, what don’t they get?!?
I’m really getting sick of this shit. They are being totally reckless!
while murphy sits at a press conference claiming that lakewood is in compliance, this is going on. again.
EVERY…GODDAMN…DAY….THEY DON’T CARE! Even while their own are dying….
ANOTHER party? Wtf?
So I cannot take my granddaughter to the park, the beach, told to stay inside, maybe I’ll convert to Judaism and go to a wedding in Lakewood being as Jewish people are immune to it, should be a good time.
When will they stop????? ????????????????
???????? for the police. When this is over I hope we remember who were callous and selfish
Hey .. Murphy .. They are laughing in your face …
It will happen again. Very selfish people!
Mayor Coles WHY and WHEN are YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING???!!???????
Teresa Jasinski absolutely..everyone is yelling at Murphy .. seems like Coles has been MIA
Katie DiSciullo Clarke he’s the Mayor its on his shoulders first then up to OCPO to go from there would love to see Federal DOJ get into this. They are watching us poll workers from 2015 over ADA. So hey have at it.
Simply DISGUSTING!!!!
SMH ???? ignorant like they laughing at the police oh sure give me a fine when it’s Court time that will be dismissed .. If they have no regards to their own lives how in the hell can we expect then to have regards to the fact that they are endangering other lives …..so sad so ignorant and it needs to stop fines aren’t helping obviously arrest them everyone at a party lock em up somone has got to teach these folks a lesson asap before others die ????
I think people need to stop slamming the Lakewood police. They’ve done their part, they are now charging the attendees as well as the homeowners, and are protecting the children. They’re putting their lives on the line every time they break up one of these gatherings. It’s now up to the prosecutors office and judges to give them maximum fines.
It’s time for Governor Murphy to deploy the national guard to patrol the streets as a deterrent and to notify the police when yet another gathering pops up. I wrote to his office stating this and I encourage others to do the same.
Governor Phil Murphy
Karyl Ann he doesn’t care, and unfortunately it’s pretty obvious he puts votes ahead of safety. Governor Phil Murphy remember, Ocean County is more than Lakewood, and we will come out in numbers to the voting booths next time around, and the vote will not be for you
The governor needs to give them back their checks and start arresting these idiots. They are infecting their own town and surrounding towns.
I have to wonder if this is part of the reason parks and the beaches of Brick are closed, because they cannot do one simple thing, maintain a safe distance?
Joyce Kramer
If this were a different community and this happened ALL the time, you know their asses would be in jail!! I can’t with these people..i mean Animals.
Andrea Magliocco-Reeves
They will bankrupt NJ
Them being charged doesn’t change the fact that they are putting the police and the rest of the people in the area at risk. We all know those charges wont stick and meanwhile people may die from the disease because of it.
So sad every gathering impacts everyone out side there group. Police, stores, family’s, there community, and other community’s, I can only assume that they cant be stopped. So the governor needs to be the only line of defense but maybe not.
STOP THE MADNESS!!
Wow..finally charging all present..Sad thing now is..that Attorney for Lakewood school board is threatening people making false accusations..how do we know they’re FALSE until they are investigated. These endless ..frivolous lawsuits to deflect from corruption will not take presidence over our safety and well being or our instructions to say something if you see something. Keep reporting to authorities any illegal activity and if it turns out to be a mistake..wonderful news for all! I will NEVER understand how and why reporting illegal activities..especially in this crucial time.. turns into targeting a group! Obey the law and no one will have to worry
Assholes
when will these jerkoffs stop with their bullshit and disregard for public safety? Is this how Germany felt right before WW2? Something will give, and it will be ugly if this continues. It needs to stop for the sake of everyone
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1126100814409307&id=100010281973197
https://www.senatenj.com/index.php/district10/holzapfel-mcguckin-catalano-bill-will-penalize-public-gatherings-during-emergency-with-15000-fines/47194
Carol Ferguson would be nice to see it get passed but I’m sure Murphy will say they are bullies and are targeting certain people. What gets me is they would have a man who is 99 come to this party. That should be attempted murder.
We have Easter coming up ! Which we will have to cancel! But the group in Lakewood still carrying on with their nonsense! Murphy does not give a shit! That is plain to see!! He worries more about the block vote! Well, if he does not pull out the hammer on this group good luck getting re elected!!
PASSOVER GONNA BE A PROBLEM
Does Murphy realize tickets are insignificant to them AND they look like martyrs now.
Guarantee charges are dropped and nothing happens