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
LIVE UPDATES: Blizzard-like conditions, power outages impact New Jersey
Major snowstorm grips New Jersey with blizzard-like conditions
Helpful resources:
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm
11:17 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Middlesex County during major winter storm
11:17 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Middlesex County as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.
DoorDash temporarily suspends operations in New Jersey due to snowstorm
9:56 PM: DoorDash says it has temporarily suspended operations across New Jersey as of 9 p.m. Sunday as a major winter storm moves across the state.
The food-delivery company says that the suspension will last until at least noon on Monday.
The suspension also impacts Philadelphia.
“We’re suspending operations across impacted areas to keep our community safe. This is a serious storm — we’ll resume when it passes,” said DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley.
The company says it will monitor the conditions to determine when service can resume.
WATCH: Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks about snow conditions in Lacey Township
9:56 PM: Lacey Township Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks with News 12 about the snow conditions in the township. A major winter storm is impacting the New Jersey coast.
A look at the snow conditions outside News 12’s studio
9:27 PM: News 12’s Eric Landskroner is outside the News 12 studio in Edison to check on the snow conditions in the area.
Landskroner also speaks with Les – a snowplow driver who has been clearing out the roads and parking lots near the studio for the past 30 years.
Mandatory travel restriction now in effect; NJ Transit rail service suspended
9 PM: Mandatory travel restrictions are now in effect for New Jersey.
The restrictions prohibit all non-exempt vehicles from traveling on state, county, municipal and interstate roadways. The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.
Violators may face penalties if they are caught on the roadways during this period.
The restrictions will stay in place until 7 a.m. Monday.
NJ Transit has now suspended all rail service. Bus, light rail and Access Link services were suspended at 6 p.m.
“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.
JCP&L spokesman joins News 12 to discuss winter storm impacts
7:44 PM: JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig joins News 12 to discuss the latest impacts of this major winter storm on New Jersey and how utility crews are dealing with outages.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm
7:26 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Edison during major winter storm
7:25 PM News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Edison as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.
NJ Transit to suspend rail service by 9 p.m.
5:30 PM: New Jersey Transit says that rail service will be suspended by 9 p.m. due to the potential blizzard impacting the state.
“Some service will end prior to 9 p.m. however no trains will begin a new trip after 9 p.m. from their origin point,” NJ Transit officials wrote in a statement.
All bus, light rail and Access Link services will be suspended at 6 p.m.
“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.
WATCH: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joins News 12
6: 14 PM: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joined News 12 to discuss the major winter storm impacting New Jersey.
The mayor urged residents to stay indoors and to keep their cars off the street so that crews can plow
Newark residents urged not to park in the street; City Hall to be closed Monday
5:24 PM: Newark residents are being told not to park on the street tonight as a major snowstorm moves into the state.
Double-parked cars and cars parked on streets with “No Parking When Road Is Snow Covered” signs will be towed at the owner’s expense, according to officials.
Newark officials say that all city buildings, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday due to the storm. All non-emergency municipal services will also be suspended.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!
4:00 PM: We want to see your winter storm pictures and videos. Send them in, as long it is safe to do so, to News 12. You may see them in the show.
MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF TALKS STORM PLAN
3:45 PM: News 12 talked with Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden on how they are preparing for the storm. Monmouth County has over 300 DPW crews and 200 plow vehicles.
MIDDLETOWN MAYOR DISCUSSES STORM PREP
3:20 PM: News 12’s Jack Ford spoke with the mayor of Middletown about how the city is preparing to bear the brunt of the storm, with up to 24 inches of snowfall expected.
EDISON MAYOR TALKS STORM PREP
2:40 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally spoke with Edison Mayor Sam Joshi about the township’s storm preparedness. Edison has over 130 crews and 85 vehicles and plows ready to be deployed, according to Mayor Joshi.
UNIVERSITY CLOSINGS
2:05 PM: Monmouth University offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23. All classes will be conducted remotely.
Montclair State University will be fully remote on Monday, Feb. 23, due to the winter storm.
NJ TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE
1:45 PM: NJ Transit is suspending bus, light rail and Access Link services beginning 6 p.m. Sunday. Trains are currently running but service adjustments are expected later Sunday evening.
VEOLIA WATER RELEASES BLIZZARD RESPONSE PLAN
1:27 PM: Veolia Water is preparing crews and alerting customers to resources should they lose service during the approaching blizzard. The water company serves approximately 1.1 million NJ residents.
AIRLINES ISSUE TRAVEL ADVISORIES
12:57 PM: Air India has issued a travel advisory for the Tri-State area Sunday and Monday, with all flights from New York and Newark cancelled on Monday.
JetBlue will temporarily suspend operations at several Northeast airports during the periods listed below. Customers traveling during this time should expect significant disruptions and cancellations.
New York (JFK)
February 22 at 1:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM
Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA)
February 22 at 4:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM
GOV. SHERRILL PRESS CONFERENCE
12:30 PM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill held a press conference Sunday afternoon to update the state on the major winter storm descending on New Jersey.
All 21 counties in the state are under a blizzard warning for the first time in 30 years, Sherrill said. The governor warned that this is likely to be the worst storm in New Jersey since 1996. There is a 90% likelihood of the whole state getting a foot of snow or more.
The governor said the worst is expected Sunday night into Monday morning.
“These are considerably worse conditions that we are facing,” compared to the winter storm that hit the state last month, Sherrill said.
A speed restriction of 35 mph on state highways will be in effect as of 3 p.m. NJ Transit buses, Access Link and light rail trains will run until 6 p.m., when service will be suspended.
A total of 101,000 tons of salt is ready for the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, and 350,000 tons for other state roads.
NJ Transit trains are expected to run into the evening, but will likely be suspended tonight pending a later announcement, said Sherrill.
“Don’t travel tonight. It’s dangerous,” she said.
Power outages are also expected around the state.
“We also anticipate that wet, heavy snow will cause power outages throughout the state as branches and trees fall,” said Sherrill.
State offices are closed on Monday.
HOUR-BY-HOUR WEATHER FORECAST
9:40 AM: A potentially historic snowstorm with blizzard conditions is in the forecast for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut through Monday. Isolated spots in the tri-state area could see up to 2 feet of snow. News 12 meteorologist Alex Calamia is here with an hour-by-hour forecast to show you when impacts could be at their worst and most dangerous.
Gov. Sherrill appears live on News 12, warns of life‑threatening blizzard
8:48 AM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill said New Jersey is prepared for the approaching blizzard as a state of emergency begins at noon Sunday. Sherrill said blizzard conditions are expected in all 21 counties. “We’re anticipating an incredibly dangerous storm, the likes of which we have not seen since 1996,” she said. Forecasts show two to three inches of snow an hour overnight in some areas, along with heavy, wet snow and winds up to 50 mph, especially along the coast.
STORM RESOURCES
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS
8:50 AM: Commercial vehicles will face travel restrictions on multiple N.J. Interstate highways starting at 3 p.m. Sunday due to a severe winter storm forecast, says NJDOT Acting Commissioner Priya Jain.
AAA warns of power outages and dangerous travel as nor’easter approaches
8:30 AM: AAA Northeast is urging drivers to stay home as snow and blizzard‑like conditions move into the Northeast late Sunday into Monday. The storm brings the possibility of power outages, and drivers are encouraged to charge phones, portable chargers and other essential items before the worst conditions arrive. Road travel may become difficult, and drivers are advised to stay off the roads during and after the storm when possible.
8:40 AM: Mayor James Solomon says Jersey City is bracing for major winter storm
Rider University is closed Sunday and Monday, with no classes held.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
8:10 AM: Flight cancellations are piling up in the area due to the snowstorm. Newark Liberty Airport has hundreds of delays and nearly a dozen cancellations already. Airlines are gearing up for the storm, but it’s likely to get worse. If you’re flying, check with your airline for updates
NJ TRANSIT UPDATE
8:10 AM: NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri says trains and buses will keep running Sunday, but Monday’s morning rush is still up in the air. No official cancellations or changes are announced yet, but that’s likely to change given the storm forecast.
Here are current service changes:
- Bus route 197 will originate and terminate at Greenwood Lake Park and Ride due to the inclement weather. NJ Transit rail will accept NJ Transit bus tickets and passes on Port Jervis Line trains to and from Harriman, Tuxedo and Sloatsburg stations. Short Line Bus will accept NJ Transit tickets and passes in Orange County.
- Rail service (except ACRL) is operating on the Portal Cutover weekend schedule. Midtown Direct service will operate to/from PSNY with no diversion to Hoboken. No cross honoring in Hoboken.
SHARK RIVER CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC
7:50 AM: The Route 71 drawbridge over the Shark River is closed to all marine traffic between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea. The channel is being closed so the bridge can be lowered and secured ahead of the winter storm.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHILE SHOVELING
7:45 AM: As the region prepares for significant snowfall, safety experts are reminding residents to take simple steps to avoid injuries while clearing walkways and driveways.
Many of the most common winter injuries happen during shoveling, which can strain muscles and increase risks for people with existing health issues. Officials say a few small habits can make the process much safer.
- Stretch before you start to reduce the chance of muscle strain.
- Take rest breaks every few minutes, especially during heavy or wet snow.
- Don’t overexert yourself — stop immediately if you feel pain or shortness of breath.
- Be careful when walking on snow and ice, which can be extra slippery under fresh accumulation.
- Offer to help neighbors who may have difficulty clearing snow on their own.
- If you have a heart condition, be extra careful and consider asking someone else to shovel for you.
7:30 AM: PSEG’s tips for power outage safety:
- Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines
- Create an emergency kit
- Stock up on bottled water and nonperishable food
- Charge your phone before the storm hits
See the Roxbury warehouse scouted by ICE as possible deportation site
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were in Roxbury recently apparently scouting a Rt. 46 warehouse as a possible migrant deportation facility.
Federal officials are considering abandoning plans for a controversial immigration detention facility in Roxbury, New Jersey, according to a June 18 report by The New York Times, prompting local leaders and state officials to declare a victory after months of legal and political opposition.
The proposed facility, a warehouse property purchased to serve as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, faced intense criticism from local residents, environmental advocates and elected officials who argued the site was unsuitable for housing detainees.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the Department of Homeland Security appeared to be backing away from the project following legal challenges that halted development.
“Today the New York Times is reporting that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is backing down on its mass detention center in Roxbury,” the statement said. “That is a big win for public safety, for the township of Roxbury, and for New Jersey.”
According to the Times report, the Roxbury facility is one of seven ICE is planning to dispense with by transferring ownership to other federal agencies or selling them.
Opponents argued the warehouse was designed as a logistics facility and lacked the infrastructure necessary to support a large detention center. They also raised concerns about the potential strain on local water and sewage systems and the impact on environmentally sensitive land surrounding the site.
State officials said they joined Roxbury Township in court to challenge the project, contending that federal plans violated local regulations and posed risks to the community.
“DHS’s plans were always illegal,” the statement said. “The Roxbury warehouse is a logistics center fit for packages, not thousands of people.”
Rep. Rob Menendez said in a statement on Thursday: “We are working to confirm reporting that ICE is abandoning its Roxbury warehouse plans, but if true, this would be big news. From day one, we have fought to stop this facility, bringing together thousands of New Jerseyans in opposition. Now we are on the cusp of an important win for our state.”
The detention center was expected to become part of the federal government’s broader immigration enforcement and detention network. However, the project became a flashpoint in New Jersey, drawing opposition from both local officials and residents concerned about public safety, environmental impacts and the facility’s compatibility with surrounding land uses.
Federal officials have not publicly confirmed whether the property will be sold or formally removed from consideration. The Department of Homeland Security has not commented on the reported change in plans.
Opponents vowed to continue monitoring the situation until the project is officially terminated.
“This isn’t a partisan issue,” the statement said. “We’re grateful for our partnership with the Roxbury community as we keep DHS’s feet to the fire to ensure this facility is never opened.”
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.
-
News10 minutes agoLuigi Mangione’s lawyers withdraw plans for psychiatric defense
-
New York1 hour agoVideo: Knicks Fans Celebrate With Ticker-Tape Parade
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoArmed, dangerous CHP pursuit suspect tied to double homicide in Pomona
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoFirst responders honored after rescuing 12 people from capsized sailboats near Belle Isle
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoOakland man faces hate crime charges for Castro District attack
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoAt least 4 injured after vehicle drives into Dallas crowd, driver arrested
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoMiami Central students prepare for life changing trip to Zimbabwe amid funding challenges
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoGiannis to Boston is a possibility. Should the Knicks be worried?
