A rabbi in Ocean County is being sued by a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her when she came to him for financial help, then defamed her on a website and in fliers he posted near her children’s school.
New Jersey
Could you see the northern lights tonight, tomorrow in NJ? Here’s when, where to see it
Space weather: Solar flares cause stunning Northern Lights in US
Strong solar flares hurled plasma at Earth, causing amazing auroras. These storms are rare, but thanks to space weather tracking, impacts are minimal.
Reuters
A strong solar storm headed to Earth could produce dazzling displays of color over the night sky in states across the Northeast, potentially reaching as far south as New Jersey.
The sun emitted a burst of highly energetic particles on Sunday, called coronal mass ejections, that should reach Earth by tonight, thus triggering colorful geomagnetic storms across the northern U.S. states. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a storm watch for April 16, but said in a post on X on Tuesday they are monitoring the magnetic energy that could bump the storm to a higher level.
The storm, caused by a coronal mass ejection, or eruption of solar material, is developing tonight, with chances to view the dancing glow of the northern lights tonight, April 15, and on Wednesday, April 16. If it’s anything like last year’s majestical display in New Jersey, it might be worth heading outside for a potential peek.
Here’s what we know about the timing and potential to see it from New Jersey, as well as how to view it from your phone:
What are the northern lights? What is the aurora borealis?
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are the result of electrically charged particles from the Sun and gases in Earth’s outer atmosphere known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, often shades of green, red or purple.
Forecasters say electromagnetic activity is increasing as the sun continues to reach the height of its 11-year solar cycle, which is 2025, according to NASA. While we see the famous display as a striking sight, these solar eruptions bring potential impacts to power grids, satellite signals, radio communications, navigation and GPS, depending on their strength according to NOAA.
Aurora borealis forecast: When can I see the northern lights?
A geomagnetic storm watch for a “moderate storm” has been issued for April 16 by the Space Weather Prediction Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While still being monitored, the storm may be best viewed tonight, Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16.
Predicting the timing is difficult since experts have to monitor the strength and orientation of the magnetic energy, but the best time is after sunset and before sunrise.
Will NJ see the northern lights? See the list of states
The northern lights are expected to glow in the night sky over portions of the Northeastern states in areas as far south as Pennsylvania and New York. It also has the potential to reach into New Jersey; Accuweather said Monday if the geomagnetic storms are stronger than expected, “the aurora could be visible even further south.”
As of now, here are the best states to view the storm in the Northeast region:
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maine
Other states that may be able to view the storm are: North Dakota; Montana; Minnesota; Washington; Michigan; Wisconsin; Oregon; Idaho; Wyoming; Iowa; Nebraska; and Illinois.
How can I see the northern lights? Here’s some tips
Northern lights forecasts can be found on NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website, which provides short- and three-day forecasts for possible activity.
The best way to capture the northern lights is through your cell phone, even when they aren’t visible to the naked eye. Ensure your cellphone or camera is on long-exposure mode, point to the sky with a steady hand and snap the photo.
Also consider where you are; dark areas away from city lights are best, such as a local park. And be sure to check your local forecast; if there are clouds in the sky, it may just disrupt the entire show.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
New Jersey
NJ rabbi faces lawsuit for sexual assault after giving financial aid | The Jerusalem Post
Avraham Appel, of Jackson, abused his position as a trusted community leader to sexually assault and exploit the woman, an Israeli immigrant who came to him as a single mother struggling to pay bills, according to the lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of Ocean County.
Appel is a prominent rabbi and Rosh Kollel, or head of a Jewish institute for advanced Talmudic study, who is based in Lakewood and Jackson, according to court papers filed January 5.
Appel did not respond to calls to his home and cellphone seeking comment on the lawsuit.
The woman claims she confided in one of her children’s schoolteachers in early 2020 that she was in significant financial distress and having trouble paying for daycare.
The teacher suggested she contact Appel, according to the suit.
In February 2020, Appel arranged to meet with the woman at a local Starbucks.
“During that meeting, Appel presented himself to (the woman) as a rabbi, mentor, advisor, and friend whom (the woman) could trust, confide in, and depend on,” the lawsuit states.
Appel, who had experience in real estate, allegedly offered the woman an opportunity to solicit investments on his behalf and to “draw,” or advance, money against future commissions.
Rabbi issues payments to woman after alleged sexual assault
In June and July 2022, Appel issued six payments to the woman, totaling $20,000 and characterized as advances or loans. He also provided the woman with “financial assistance” so she could buy groceries and pay medical expenses and water bills, according to the suit.
The lawsuit claims most of the money was meant to buy the woman’s silence after he attacked her on June 1, 2022.
The suit alleges Appel visited the woman while she was alone at home and sexually assaulted her as she pleaded for him to stop.
“Appel was abusive and unrelenting. The more (the woman) pled for mercy, the more aggressive Appel became,” the suit alleges.
Before leaving her home, he allegedly ordered her to delete Ring camera footage that showed him arriving.
In the months after the assault, Appel “forced himself upon” the woman and took sexual advantage of her on other occasions, the suit claims.
Appel also allegedly bombarded the woman with demands for sexual acts and sent her a barrage of text and WhatsApp messages containing crude and graphic sexual content.
“I want to squeeze your breasts,” one text allegedly said. In another, he sent the woman a photo of his penis, the suit alleges.
In July 2024, the woman met with another rabbi and shared evidence of the sexual assault and “other incidents involving Appel,” the suit claims.
Woman offered $50,000 for therapy after sexual assault
Appel later contacted his attorney and the two offered the woman $50,000 to cover her future therapy expenses.
The money would be available only if the woman signed a release of any claims related to the assault and agreed to keep all incidents between them confidential, according to the suit.
The woman refused to accept the money or sign the agreement, the suit says.
Appel then launched a campaign to destroy the woman “personally and professionally,” according to the lawsuit.
On December 15, 2025, the woman became aware of a website with her photos that claimed she was “a danger to all Jews,” and warned the public to stay away from her, according to the complaint.
The website disclosed the woman’s address, claimed she stole money, and characterized her as a “thief.”
Moreover, Appel and possibly others posted signs smearing the woman. The signs were posted at public locations throughout the community, including the school her two children attended, the suit alleges.
The lawsuit claims sexual assault, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and conspiracy.
The complaint also alleges Appel breached his duty as a rabbi to conduct himself with loyalty and in good faith.
A shooting investigation in Camden County has prompted a large police response, according to a source.
Léelo en español aquí
The shooting unfolded in the area of Locust Court in Winslow Township in the evening of June 17.
SkyForce10 was over the scene of what looked like a residential complex as several police cars were visible lining the streets.
Police tape appeared to be blocking off the area as officers looked at a sedan that appeared to have crashed into another car.
No word yet on what led to the shooting or if anyone was hurt.
A New Jersey man pleaded guilty in connection to a car accident that killed a woman and a girl in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, last July.
Raul Luna-Perez, 43, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of assault by auto and aggravated manslaughter, on Monday, June 15, 2026, prosecutors said.
He is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 28, 2026.
According to Ocean County officials, on July 26, 2025, officers from Lakewood Township responded to a car crash with multiple injuries at the intersection of Cross Street and Hearthstone Drive.
In the investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Lakewood Township Police, and Ocean County Sherrif’s department, it was revealed that a Dodge Durango operated by Luna-Perez, also holding a passenger, crossed into an oncoming lane of traffic and collided head-on with a Nissan Sentra.
Maria Pleitez, 42, and two 11-year-old girls were inside the Nissan Sentra at the time.
Pleitez was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. One of the 11-year-old girls was transported to Monmouth Medical Center South Campus where she died from her injuries. The second 11-year-old girl was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) where she was treated for her injuries and eventually released.
The passenger in Luna-Perez’s Dodge Durango received minor injuries as a result of the crash, and was treated at JSUMC.
According to police, first responders at the scene detected that Luna-Perez was showing signs of impairment. He was transported to JSUMC, where his blood was drawn. The results of the blood test included a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.19 and traces of cocaine.
In New Jersey, operators of cars are presumed to be over the legal limit for alcohol consumption when their Blood Alcohol Content is 0.08 or greater. As a result of the blood test of Luna-Perez, his charges were upgraded to two counts of aggravated manslaughter and strict liability vehicular manslaughter on Aug. 7, 2025, investigators reveal.
That same day, Luna-Perez was taken into custody at an ICE detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, though he was transported to Ocean County Jail by detectives and has been detained there since.
Subsequently in the investigation, it was revealed that Luna-Perez was accelerating at approximately 60 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash and crossed the yellow line.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the State of New Jersey will be seeking two 10-year terms for each aggravated manslaughter charge of Luna-Perez, and an 18-month sentence for his assault by auto offense. The aggravated manslaughter sentences will run consecutively, while the assault by auto sentence will run concurrently.
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