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
NJ governor election: Who is winning the labor union endorsements?
Watch Mikie Sherrill get Democratic primary win in NJ governor race
Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill accepts the primary nod in the gubernatorial race at Westin Governor Morris, Morristown, N.J., June 10, 2025.
New Jersey labor unions have started announcing their choices in the November election for governor.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly all favor the Democrat in the race, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-NJ. Democrats have traditionally garnered more union support than Republicans.
But an anomaly has emerged since the first such announcement June 11, the day after the primary: The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 declared for Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
It’s an unusual, but not unprecedented, move for Local 825 for pick a Republican for the job. The union supported outgoing Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in his two races, including a close one in 2021 against Ciattarelli.
These are the major union endorsements thus far.
AFSCME endorsement
On June 11, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees New Jersey Council 63 endorsed Sherrill.
“Mikie Sherrill has a deep respect for public service and a strong track record of standing with working people,” Executive Director Steve Tully said. “She understands the critical role that AFSCME members play in keeping our communities running, from public health and public safety to essential municipal and state services, and she knows that work is under attack.
AFL-CIO
On June 17, the New Jersey State American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations endorsed Sherrill.
“She understands the dignity of work, the importance of strong unions, and the role that labor plays in building a fair economy,” President Charles Wowkanech said. “As our next Governor, she’ll fight for quality and accessible health care for every family, for great public schools for every kid, and to make New Jersey more affordable for everyone.”
The state AFL-CIO has more than 1,000 affiliated local unions.
JNESO
On June 17, the Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization District Council 1, IUOE-AFL-CIO endorsed Sherrill.
“Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill knows how to keep people and our communities safe,” said Elfrieda Johnson, president of the JNESO Board of Directors. “She understands the need to protect health care workers and to ensure that affordable care is available to all New Jersey residents, especially our most vulnerable populations. She is committed to nurses and health care workers having the resources needed to protect their patients, and to continue providing the best quality care to keep patients healthy and safe.”
Council 1 represents approximately 5,000 nurses, technologists, dieticians, social workers, case managers, and respiratory therapists at 19 facilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Local 285
On June 19, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 285 endorsed Ciattarelli.
“We face an energy crisis, an affordability crisis, and a crisis of common sense,” Business Manager Greg Lalevee said. “The solutions are basic but may not be political popular. We need a governor that will tackle our challenges and not cave to the fringe political voices. Jack Ciattarelli understands New Jersey and what needs to be done to fix our great state.”
Local 825, based in Springfield, has more than 8,000 members in New Jersey and in Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Delaware counties in New York.
RWDSU
On June 23, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union endorsed Sherrill.
“Mikie Sherrill is the kind of principled leader working people need in New Jersey,” President Stuart Applebaum said. “From fighting for union rights in Congress to supporting critical investments in public services, she’s demonstrated that she understands both the dignity of work and the needs of working families. She’s shown up for our members — not just with words, but with action — and we know she’ll continue to stand up for workers as governor.”
RWDSU represents 15,000 workers in grocery, retail, warehousing, health care, manufacturing, transport, public service sectors and other industries.
SEIU
On June 25, the SEIU New Jersey State Council endorsed Sherrill.
“New Jersey’s working families deserve a Governor who will champion justice, opportunity, and the dignity of every person,” President Megan Chambers said. “In Mikie Sherrill, we see a leader with a clear vision for protecting our civil liberties, defending our democracy, and ensuring immigrant communities are treated with humanity and respect.
The council is composed of unions representing service employees, including healthdare, warehouse, laundry, and school cafeteria.
Council of Machinists
On June 25, the New Jersey State Council of Machinists, AFL-CIO endorsed Sherrill.
“The New Jersey State Council of Machinists is a diverse labor union representing over 20,000 New Jerseyans, but we have one mission: to support skilled laborers and make sure working families are being paid and treated fairly,” President Cristino Vilorio said. “We need a governor who will champion that mission, which is why we are so excited to support Mikie Sherrill.”
The council represents more than 20,000 state residents and is part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO.
32B SEIU
On June 27, 32BJ SEIU endorsed Sherrill.
“Mikie co‑sponsored the PRO Act to strengthen workers’ rights and fought to raise the federal minimum wage — real, tangible actions that prove she understands the struggles working families face,” President Ana Maria Hill said. “She doesn’t just talk about supporting unions—she fights for them. We need leadership that will keep New Jersey moving forward, and that’s exactly what Mikie Sherrill offers.”
The union represents about 15,000 property service workers in areas such as janitorial, security, airport, and school custodial in New Jersey.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
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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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