Strand Theater, Lakewood, Announces New Box Office Hours
The Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., has announced new Box Office hours. The Box Office will continue to be open on Fridays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Box Office will also be opening at the same time as the doors open for all shows. For more information, visit the Strand’s Event Page at www.strand.org or call The Strand Theater at 732-367-7789.
COVID POLICY: The Strand has continued to monitor local, county and state COVID-19 metrics and guidelines with the goal of reducing risk and maintaining the health and well-being of our audiences, artists, and staff. Proof of vaccination or a negative test will no longer be required; and masks will no longer be mandatory although STRONGLY recommended.
Many staff and volunteers may continue to remain masked, as will patrons. Please respect the choices of others no matter their decision. We, at The Strand, will continue to monitor recommendations from the State of New Jersey, the CDC, and local boards of health and will adjust our COVID policy, as necessary.
About the Strand Theater: The historic Strand Theater, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit at 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, was designed by world-renowned theater architect Thomas Lamb in 1922 and is listed on the N.J. and National Register of Historic Places. The Strand offers year-round entertainment in plush, air-conditioned surroundings. It is a perfect venue to showcase comedians, musicals, dinner theater, stars from television and movies, and legendary musical entertainers. Nationally renowned acts, including Milton Berle, Loudon Wainwright, George Burns, Don McLean, Louie CK, Taylor Swift, Charlie Daniels, George Carlin, and many more have all taken the state at the Strand Theater. The reception gallery includes a catering facility for 80 people, a dance floor, and restrooms. It is ideal for theater-in-the-round, smaller events and receptions.
Lakewood Fire Department Volunteer Recruitment and Open House
Lakewood Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr and the Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners have announced its Volunteer Recruitment, Open House Campaign, and free kosher BBQ for Sunday, July 30, 2023, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Firehouse, 1350 Lanes Mill Road. This event is aimed at inviting community members to join the ranks of volunteer firefighters and serve their community. No prior experience is necessary.
During the event, attendees will meet firefighters and emergency personnel; learn about the critical roles and responsibilities of a firefighter and the various departments in the Lakewood Fire Department; participate in demonstrations, showcasing the department’s advanced equipment and life-saving techniques; and gain insights into training programs. Probationary firefighters will receive fire academy, and ongoing training, equipment, uniforms, and a pager at no personal expense.
Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr said, “The Lakewood Fire Department encourages interested individuals to attend the Open House and discover the rewarding aspects of becoming a volunteer firefighter. Firefighting requires courage, dedication, and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges. The personal rewards and satisfaction of becoming a firefighter are often beyond description. Whether battling fires, mitigating many and varied emergency situations or teaching fire safety to others, the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment is enormous.”
Individuals interested in becoming volunteer firefighters are encouraged to visit the Fire District Website at www.lakewoodfd.org and submit the requested information expressing their interest through the “Join the Lakewood Fire Department” link. For more information, contact
Yehuda Beer, Fire District Administrator, at 732-364-5151.
Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center Opens Second Location
To better serve women in the western Monmouth county area by providing access to free pregnancy testing and ultrasound services, Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), 837 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, N.J., recently held a grand opening of its second location in downtown Freehold, 58 W. Main Street. (732-702-8181)
The goal of Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center is to ensure that every woman receives free pregnancy care and the resources she needs. Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center is dedicated to providing accurate information and compassionate care to all those seeking assistance.
John Kalli, Board President of Solutions, said, “None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of several key individuals and organizations. I want to acknowledge the unwavering support of our local churches and the tireless efforts of our incredible volunteers and staff. Moreover, we express our sincere appreciation to all the generous supporters of Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center whose contributions have made this dream a reality.
“First, I’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generous grant provided by the Messina Foundation, including Gil and Joyce Messina, and Charles Fallon who are present today.”
Also in attendance for the grand opening were Freehold Borough Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer and Councilman George Schnurr; Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Therese Rolke and board member Mitali Vasa.
Members of Solutions’ Medical Board who were present were Drs. Margaret Lambert and Jayne Neuman; and Executive Board members Patty Brock, Eileen DenBleyker, Wayne Relyea, Kedrick Brown, Josh Comins, and Helen Larkin; Pastoral Board members Pastors Chris Durkin and Joey Rozek; and the new Solutions Executive Director, Melissa Stephens.
For more information, contact Melissa Stephens, executive director, at (732) 747-5508 Ext. 111 or Director@solutionsphc.com. Also visit https://solutionshpc.com/ or https://solutions4life.org/
About Solutions Health and Pregnancy Center: Solutions Health and Pregnancy Center serves women facing unplanned pregnancies by offering free services, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting classes, baby necessities (clothing and diapers), STD testing, and post-abortion support.
Congregation B’nai Israel, Toms River, Installs New Officers and Board Members
Recently past president Phil Brilliant conducted an installation of officers of the executive board and board members of Congregation B’nai Israel, a Conservative Synagogue, 1488 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, N.J. Current president Michele Pardes and Rabbi Bill Gershon welcomed the new boards.
Officers of the 2023 Executive Board are president, Dr. Glenn Jacob, Toms River; Rubin Ackman, Lakewood, financial vice president; Penny Leifer, Manchester, membership vice president; Peter Kitay, Jackson, facilities vice president; Assaf Langer, Bayville, education vice president; Michael Falk, Lakewood, religion vice president; and Lisa Kassenoff, DO, Toms River, communications vice president.
The new 2023 board members of Congregation B’nai Israel are Alan Baxter, Lakewood; Elaine Collins, Toms River; Terri Gibbo, Toms River; Phyllis Kohl, Berkeley Township; Stephen Lieberman, Toms River; Dr. Kenneth Lipkowitz, Toms River; Robin London, Manchester; Janet Miller, Toms River; Michael Perks, Manchester; Caryn Phillips, Toms River; Robert Rabinowitz, DO, Toms River; Susan Schmeid, Berkeley Township; Fred Weil, Toms River; Allysa Weintraub, Toms River; and Sandy Welsher, Toms River.
For more information, call Michelle Goldman, 732-349-1244.
About Congregation B’nai Israel of Toms River: Congregation B’nai Israel of Toms River, a Conservative Jewish synagogue, was established more than a century ago. In 1920 Toms River was mainly a farming community, whose many Jewish families owned and operated chicken farms. In the early 1920s they established the Toms River Community of Jewish Farmers and a Jewish cemetery. The members constructed a building at the corner of Old Freehold Road and Whitty Road, which everyone called the Community House, a place to go for meetings, cultural events, and Jewish religious services.
On May 25, 1949, a group of thirty religiously-minded Jewish individuals, including some from the Community’s Religious Committee, gathered at the Community House to organize what is now Congregation B’nai Israel. Their objective was that the new congregation should satisfy the religious needs of all Jewish families living in Toms River, and it was to include Jewish education for adults as well as children. Instrumental in this effort were Dr. Solomon Soloff, an optometrist, and his wife, Yetta.
Congregation B’nai Israel was formally established in 1950. The original membership of B’nai Israel consisted of 120 families, including 28 young students. Its religious school was and still is referred to as the Talmud Torah. After a multi-year effort, the new congregation purchased two chicken farms directly across Old Freehold Road from the Community House and built a synagogue on that land. Its new building was dedicated on December 25, 1959. The Jewish community of Toms River continued to grow, as did the membership of Congregation B’nai Israel, eventually reaching 500 families.
In 1975 Cantor Daniel Green and Rabbi Richard Hammerman accepted positions with Congregation B’nai Israel. Under their joint leadership, the congregation grew and flourished. Together they conducted religious services, making it the norm—even to this day—for both women and men to be offered equal opportunities in all religious contexts, including being counted for a minyan and being honored with aliyot to the Torah. Hammerman and Green also officiated at weddings, funerals, shiva services and unveilings; visited congregants in hospitals and nursing homes; participated in interfaith services and forums; and much more.
In the early 1980s, Congregation B’nai Israel needed even more space. After a fundraising campaign, an addition to the synagogue building was constructed, doubling it in size. B’nai Israel congregant Lawrence Simpson, an accomplished commercial builder, oversaw the construction. The new addition was dedicated on October 9, 1983.
As the result of the foresight of B’nai Israel’s leadership, today the Education Endowment Fund generates enough income to sustain the Talmud Torah, enabling free education for the children of all congregants. That fund also enables the congregation to award scholarships to high school students for a summer program in Israel. Congregation B’nai Israel has always had, and continues to promote, its own local chapters of Kadima and United Synagogue Youth (USY), the teenage youth groups of the Conservative Movement.
In 2006, Rabbi Richard Hammerman retired after serving Congregation B’nai Israel for 31 years. Cantor Daniel Green, who had served B’nai Israel for 33 years, also retired at that time. Rabbi William Gershon, the current Rabbi, joined Congregation B’nai Israel in 2018.
The 46th All Shore Gridiron Classic – Ocean VS Monmouth Count – July 9
The 46th annual 2023 All-Shore Gridiron Classic, an All Star football game, featuring the top players from Monmouth and Ocean counties competing in one final epic battle of their high school careers, will take place at Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Avenue West, Long Branch, N.J., July 9, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
Super Bowl champ Vinny Curry is the host of the All Shore 46th Gridiron Classic 2023, Vinny Curry’s Rush 2 Victory Foundation SFCF (Sixth Form College Forum). Kickoff starts at 3:00 p.m. (Rain date is July 10 at 5:00 p.m.)
Rob Sickel of the Pine Belts in Lakewood, and Mike Trebino of the Pine Belts in Toms River and Keyport are sponsors of this event.
Tickets, sold at Pine belt Cadillac in Toms River and Pine belt Nissan of Keyport, are $10.00 each. Tickets are also available in bulk and can be donated to a local American Youth Football program or a Pop Warner program.
For more information, contact Brandon Settles at bsettles@pinebeltauto.com.
Help Save the Earth June 25 on World Environmental Day
In honor of World Environmental Day and part of the ASEZ Blue Carbon Campaign, ASEZ (Save the Earth from A to Z) university student volunteers from the World Mission Society Church of God will be partnering with Lakewood Police Department and Kean University students to clean up the waterways of Lake Carasaljo, 2955 Second Street, Lakewood, N.J., 08701, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 25, 2023.
The ASEZ Blue Carbon campaign is fulfilled through environmental waterway cleanups in areas worldwide. ASEZ volunteers, Kean University student volunteers, Mayor Raymond Coles, Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller, and Lakewood Chief of Police Gregory Meyer will work with Kean University students to participate in the cleanup. By preserving coastal, sea, and marine ecosystems, and by cleaning just one of these ecosystems, it will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and slow the pace of global warming. To learn more about ASEZ and its initiatives, visit asez.org.
For more information email Christine Arce at christine.arce@zionusa.org.
Participants Needed — The Lakewood Police Department to Hold Its 2023 Night Out Against Crime Fair
Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer has announced that the Lakewood Police Department will hold its 2023 Night Out Against Crime Fair on Tuesday, August 1 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Pine Park, off West County Line Road, Lakewood.
Chief Meyer said, “The purpose of this event is to have police, fire, EMS, those in professional services, and volunteer organizations get together to meet residents and enjoy an evening of fun, food, and entertainment.”
If your group or agency can provide demonstrations, any community-oriented activities, or giveaways, please contact the event coordinators ASAP Sgt. Kenneth Burdge at kburdge@lakewoodpolicenj.com or Ptl. Alex Guzman at aguzman@lakewoodpolicenj.com or 732-684-8515.
Tables and chairs, and a place to set up will be provided at no cost to those who will be participating.
Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 Scholarship Winners
Marina Papanikolas, C.E.O. for the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, Toms River, announced the annual recipients of the 2023 Chamber Foundation Scholarships at the Scholarship Cocktail Reception, Monday, June 5 at Bacchus Winemaking, 1540 Route 37 West, Toms River. This is the sixth year GTRCC members provided scholarships to deserving, local students.
Papanikolas said, “The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is driven by a single goal – to do our part in providing educational scholarships for students in our community. All of our scholarships are generously donated by GTRCC members.”
This year’s recipients are Jordan Motyka, Toms River High School South, $2,500, Andrew Borden Memorial Scholarship Fund; Abigail Williams, Manchester Twp., H.S.; $1,000, Community Medical Center Scholarship; Vivianna Onofrietti, Toms River H.S. North, $1,000, Denise Hughes Scholarship for the Arts & Science; Kira Jacobus, Toms River H.S. East, $1,000, Farro’s Tees Scholarship; Aidan Henbest, Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES), $200, Frost Science Scholarship; Grace Monetti, Toms River H.S. East, $1,000, GTRCC Foundation Scholarship; Meghan Carpentier-Kiernan, Donovan Catholic, John F. Peto, $500, Studio Museum Fine Arts Scholarship; Isabella Archiello, Toms River H.S. South, $1,000, Lucy Greene Scholarship; Alessandra Regenye, Toms River H. S. North, $2,000, Marie Wolff Memorial Scholarship; Alexander Primost, Central Regional, $1,000,Marilyn D. Brilliant Memorial Scholarship; Liana Merlo, Toms River H. S. South, $500, McGeehan Realty Group Scholarship; Cal Narvaez, Toms River H.S. South, $500, Narcissus Florals Scholarship Award; and Sofia Manzo, Toms River H. S. East, $1,000, NextHome Nexus Realty Group.
The Business Academy at Toms River H.S. South held their Tribal Council event this past spring. The winners were Trevor Kalb, 1st Place, Tribal Council Winner; $2000, M&T Bank; Paige Seitz, 2nd Place, Tribal Council Winner; $1500, Press Communications; and Mateo Guarin, 3rd Place, Tribal Council Winner, $1000.
For more information about GTRCC Foundation Scholarships, visit https://tomsriverchamber.com/the-gtrcc-foundation/. Those businesses interested in providing a scholarship for 2024 should contact Marina@tomsriverchamber.com.
Criteria to win a scholarship include: Students/residents are in the Greater Toms River area, such as Toms River, Manchester, Beachwood, Pine Beach, etc.; the sending school and home sending district also must be within the Greater Toms River Area. (Preference will be given to members of Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, their employees, and the children of either.) All scholarships are open to adults and graduating high school seniors; applicants must have a 3.0 weighted GPA at the time of application; applicants must rank in the top 50 percent in their high school class ranking if currently attending high school; a high school/college transcript is required for eligibility and an unofficial transcript can be accepted; applicant must have been involved in their community in some manner; applicant must have either work experience or school activities; at least (1) teacher/coach recommendation is required; Continuing Education applicants may use a professional reference; and an essay (250 word minimum) about How do you believe the GTRCC Foundation Scholarship will help you achieve your career goals? must be submitted.
Amerigroup Announces Evening and Sunday Hours to Assist Community with Its Insurance Needs
With the opening of its new Community Care Health Center, 100 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, (the corner of First Street and Clifton Avenue with plenty of area Township parking), Amerigroup NJ Health Plan displayed its commitment to the Lakewood community. Amerigroup has been giving back to Lakewood and working with residents and local businesses in many ways over the past five years.
Since becoming part of the Lakewood community, they have been partnering with the community to keep the Lakewood area safe and healthy, have cohosted many communal events, and have sponsored many local organizations. The opening of the Community Care Center was the next step in their commitment with the greater Lakewood community.
The Community Care Center has already become a headquarters for members of the insurance plan to meet with representatives and provide whatever assistance they need to find resources, referrals, doctor recommendations, medical professionals in the network, obtaining insurance cards, and more. The workers at the site assist with anything a member needs, providing in-person help rather than less personal over-the-phone service.
In the short time since the center opened, many residents have already made use of the services and relate that the staff members have been very helpful, citing they have seen their insurance services improve.
With the pandemic coming to a close, Medicaid is now sending letters to members and to have them renew their membership. This is the first time in three years that Medicaid users will need to reapply and assistance with this process is available at the Center.
To accommodate those who need Sunday or evening hours, Amerigroup is hosting events outside of the regular hours that they are normally open. The next five dates that events will be held are Sunday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Tuesday, July 11, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 23, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Monday, August 14, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, August 27, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Workers will be available during those hours to help with the renewal packets and any information members need within the community.
Lakewood Youths Are Invited to Attend the 2023 Lakewood Police Youth Academy This August
Lakewood youth ages 11 through 13 are invited to attend a free 2023 Youth Police Academy as cadets, August 14 through August 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily at the Ocean County Police Academy, 659 Ocean Avenue, Lakewood.
Cadets will receive lunch each day; and enjoy such activities as SWAT and K9 demonstrations, CPR certification, a tour of police headquarters, and trips, among other experiences.
Lakewood Police School Resource Officers said, “We look forward to developing relationships between police and the youth of our town through this exciting Academy.”
Parents must attend a mandatory meeting at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 9 in the Lakewood Township Municipal Courtroom, 231 Third Street. Registration for the Police Academy must be completed by June 30.
To register, visit lakewoodpolicenj.com. For more information, contact Lakewood Police School Resource Officers at SRO@lakewoodpolicenj.com or call 732-363-0200, Ext. 5360.