Every Purim brings with it a swoosh of creative energy that suddenly envelops a normally staid community. This year was no different. Mishloach Manos with themes ranging from elegant to hilarious. And of course costumes both common such as firemen and princesses to the ridiculous walking bananas or zombie chassidim. 

This year we had the honor of having the Purim Holiday gain national attention after New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind, an outspoken politician representing a largely Orthodox Jewish district, dressed up as a "basketball player type". Hikind, who is outspoken about the slightest anti Israel or Anti Semitic sentiments in politics, dismissed anyone that took offense as being overly sensitive. 

Legislation to stop “fake farmers” that get huge property tax Cuts for pretending to run farms solely to avoid taxes was sent to Gov. Chris Christie for consideration.

Many developers, millionaires and homeowners in New Jersey get 98 percent tax breaks, thanks to an easily abused farmland exemption law and a blind eye from enforcement for those with connections. Landowners can limit their taxes by selling $500 a year in goods, or simply housing a few cows or sheep for a couple of months every year. 

It’s official. It’s finally over. Online poker, as a business, is legal in New Jersey.

Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill Tuesday that authorizes casinos in struggling Atlantic City to eventually offer Internet versions of casino games intrastate — and one day beyond.

Christie’s action comes after he decided to conditionally veto the measure earlier this month, sending it back to lawmakers to vote on his proposed changes. They agreed with the governor, voting Tuesday to make the amendments and end years of debating the issue in Trenton.

I love Herschel, but I have serious doubts about this[his]website. What is the purpose of this[his] website? Is it to expose corruption within our township government or is it focused on merely embarrassing and bashing Steve Langert? If Steve and Herschel made peace wouldn’t it be proper for both sides to ignore each other and not make public statements about each other.

​I will admit that I agree with Herschel on many of his ideas and opposition to perceived corruption within the township. What I disagree with Herschel is his method. I believe this website is not the derech Hashem and I am publicly asking Herschel to do one of two things. Shut the site down or explain how this website does not constitute loshan hora.

After reading these rules set forth on how an elected official must govern, you will realize that certain members of our township Committee, Steven Langert in particular,  should resign immediately.

from NJLM

Some of the requirements of the “Local Government Ethics Law” are relatively straightforward and easy to understand. Local public officials must file financial disclosure statements, and members of independent authorities cannot do business with or appear before those authorities for a year after they leave the body.

New York assemblyman Dov Hikind who at first vigorously defended wearing blackface, an Afro wig and a basketball jersey to a costume party apologized today, saying he didn't mean to hurt anyone.

Hikind wore the basketball garb at his own party in his home to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim, for which costumes are commonly part of the celebration. For hours on Monday, Hikind was assailed by criticism that he initially dismissed as "political correctness to the absurd."

-politicker-

Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind hosted a massive Purim party at his home yesterday that featured over fourteen hours of food and drink and, as is customary on the Jewish holiday, elaborate costumes. Mr. Hikind said a professional makeup artist came to his home to transform him into a “basketball player” with a costume that consisted of an afro wig, sunglasses, an orange jersey and brown face paint.

“I was just, I think, I was trying to emulate, you know, maybe some of these basketball players. Someone gave me a uniform, someone gave me the hair of the actual, you know, sort of a black basketball player,” Mr. Hikind explained. “It was just a lot of fun. Everybody just had a very, very good time and every year I do something else. … The fun for me is when people come in and don’t recognize me.” 

The Assemblyman’s wife was dressed as a devil and his son was a trippy, yin-yang-faced “angel.” Mr. Hikind, a Democrat and power broker in the city’s Orthodox Jewish political scene, said he put a sign outside his house in the afternoon letting his neighbors know the door was open and a steady stream of revelers came in to enjoy the festivities throughout the day.