Keith Kaplan

01/11/2026

07/01/2025

Have you heard ANYONE demand we say her name?
That this life matters?

An Egyptian jihadist came to Boulder, Colorado to set American Jews on fire.

This is what “globalize the intifada” really looks like. Pure evil.

Karen Diamond is now dead.
Her body couldn’t survive what Mohamed did to her.

With Molotovs.
With a flamethrower.
At a peaceful rally.
In broad daylight.

06/17/2025

𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗝𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗜𝗖𝗘

𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨 (𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬)

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: A beloved longtime maintenance supervisor at the Glen Rock Jewish Center who's been living in the U.S. for more than two decades is suddenly in ICE custody, authorities said tonight.

Jorge Tomas Dager Aquino was in the middle of an asylum interview yesterday when he was seized "despite being in the country legally," Glen Rock Mayor Kristine Morieko said this evening (Tues., June 17).

"Jorge, who was accompanied by his attorney, was not shown any paperwork, informed of any charges, or given any explanation for his arrest," Morieko said. "This took place in direct violation of due process and without cause. He is now being held at the ICE detention facility in Elizabeth."

Dager's work permit expired on May 3.

He "paid for its renewal, which by current USCIS policy grants him an automatic 540-day extension—meaning his presence in the country is fully lawful," said Glen Rock Jewish Center Trustee Sarah Ann Stillpass Suntrup. "There appears to be no legal justification for his detention."

Dager has a hearing scheduled before an immigration judge on June 30 at 1:30 p.m., hopefully to resolve the matter once and for all, said his lawyer, Marcia S. Kasdan.

GRJC President Michael Needleman "has been working tirelessly" to try and rescue the center's beloved member, according to Morieko, the mayor.

She's been helping Needleman collect physical letters that can be given to Dager's lawyer tomorrow (Wednesday) for presentation to the immigration judge.

The letters, each with an ID attached, are all "from people in the GRJC community [who] have had direct interactions with Jorge," Needleman said.

At last count, they had more than 80.

Dager has been in the United States for more than 20 years since fleeing economic instability and extreme gang violence in Colombia, the mayor said.

Dager began working at the synagogue overseeing maintenance for Sunday school in 2014, then became the full-time maintenance supervisor in 2020, she said.

His wife, Nita, works at the center's pre-school. The couple lives in Union City and have three daughters and two grandchildren.

"Over the years, he has become an integral part of our community — not only through his work, but also through his relationships, his kindness, and his quiet contributions to the dignity of their shared space," Morieko said.

"As a forty-plus-year veteran of law enforcement, I can assure you that Jorge Dager does not pose a threat to our community or our country," Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann wrote in his letter.

Dager is "far more than just an employee who maintains their facility," the chief noted. "Jorge has touched the lives of our Jewish community through his dedication, integrity, kindness and humility.

"He has offered strength and compassion, making members of the Jewish faith feel support during heightened anxiety at troubling times," Ackermann wrote. "He is a man of good moral character with respect for law and order" and is "deserving of the same compassion he has consistently shown."

𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦

06/08/2025

Endorsement: Emil Yitz Stern and Rosemary Carroll for Bergen County Assembly

Find your Polliing Location and Voting times at the bottom of this post:
https://www.teanecktoday.com/blog/elections/endorsement-vote-stern-and-carroll-for-assembly/

This year, the Bergen County Assembly race presents a critical opportunity to elect seasoned, dedicated leaders who will truly serve our community’s long-term interests. I wholeheartedly endorse Emil “Yitz” Stern and Rosemary Carroll for Bergen County Assembly.

Vote 1B Emil “Yitz” Stern and 2B Rosemary Carroll for the Assembly

I have had the privilege of serving with Yitz on the planning board, and I have witnessed firsthand his unwavering dedication to Teaneck and its residents. His extensive experience at the state level, where he has served on multiple gubernatorial commissions, and his collaborative work at the county level with neighboring municipalities, as well as his affiliation with Fairleigh Dickinson University (where he is a faculty member), demonstrates a profound understanding of the complex issues facing our region. Yitz has a proven track record of working hard and delivering results for our community.

While other candidates in this assembly race may appear worthy of support, this year, above all others, demands a strategic focus on candidates who not only possess integrity but also demonstrate the long-term viability to withstand future primary challenges and secure victories in general elections.

Yitz’s running mate, Rosemary Carroll, is a deserving candidate. In an era where political norms have been eroded from the highest offices to the local level, her presence on the ticket is more vital than ever.

The elimination of “the line” in New Jersey politics marks a historic shift, opening the door for multiple challengers to take on sitting incumbents.

However, we must think strategically beyond this immediate election cycle.

Two years from now, when the political landscape shifts and potential gubernatorial candidates emerge from other towns, and the current support of a single candidate no longer exists, the likelihood of a successful assembly run for less-established candidates diminishes significantly.

We need long-term strategic thinking, a return to fundamental civic norms, and candidates who will consistently prioritize our community’s needs above all else.

Emil “Yitz” Stern and Rosemary Carroll are precisely those candidates. Their experience, commitment to civic responsibility, and understanding of the political landscape make them the clear choice to represent Bergen County in the Assembly. They will be proven leaders who will put our priorities first, today and for the future.

Keith Kaplan
Teaneck Today

04/23/2025

Rich Siegel said something that’s correct, last night.

03/04/2025

As an update to the routine traffic stop in February that ended with arrests for firearm possession,

“Suspecting that the vehicle may contain additional fi****ms and/or other contraband, Detectives applied for a search warrant. The warrant was granted, and a court approved search of the vehicle was conducted on February 14, 2025. The search revealed a 40-caliber G***k handgun in the passenger compartment.

“An inspection of the firearm revealed that the serial and model numbers were defaced/removed. Additionally, the firearm was found to be loaded with hollow-point bullets.”

Thank you again to the Teaneck Police Department

02/27/2025

While the entire world mourns the murders of jewish children — babies, the “people demanding peace” here in Teaneck, tear down the memorials.

Paula Rogovin and the others who would engage In this vile behavior have no shame.

01/19/2025

Don’t ever say this has nothing to do with us, here.

He killed a Teaneck resident.
And now he is being released.

Under any normal reality, we would be unified in our outrage that this person is outside a prison wall.

Teaneck resident Sara Duker was heinously murdered in 1996. Her memorial sits between the library and our municipal building.

Today, Mohammed Abu Warda is being traded for the return of hostages from the Nova music festival.

Abu Warda was responsible for the murder of 45 Israelis in two horrific bombings on Bus 18 in Jerusalem in 1996.

One of the dead was Teaneck’s Sara Duker.

In addition, he was behind an attack at the Trampiada in Ashkelon in February 1996, in which a woman was murdered.

Abu Warda never changed his views.

In 2004, he stood before an Israeli military court:

He said: “We are not the murderers.
We are the ones who have the right to this land, and you are the ones who should stand trial.
Our struggle against you will never stop.
On the contrary, we will stand firm and determined until you leave our land…
Inshallah, the end will be near, and it will come by our hands—by Hamas, by Jihad, and the other organizations.
As for the life sentences the prosecutor is asking for, you can add as many as you like, even a death sentence. I do not care.”