Va'ad Harabonim of Lakewood

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Va'ad Harabonim of Lakewood ("rabbinical council of Lakewood") in the town of Lakewood, New Jersey, is a rabbinical organization of Orthodox rabbis that decides upon matters relating to Jewish law of concern to the local Orthodox and Haredi Jewish residents.

Lakewood has many Hasidic and non-Hasidic Lithuanian Jews and their yeshivas for boys and men as well as Bais Yaakov-type schools for girls. It is home to the largest non-Hasidic Lakewood yeshiva. The rulings of the Lakewood rabbis reflects the stringent Haredi life-style of most of its Haredi citizens. This may appear as being too "harsh" for those who wish to lead a more Modern Orthodox Judaism or non-religious life-style. Some of the rabbis' opinions range from not allowing Internet access in all homes even for home businesses unless the computer is under a lock and key, to the singers that Lakewood's Haredi Jews are allowed to listen to, and recently Matisyahu was banned. These views are not unusual as most Haredi rabbis share this outlook. They may even threaten to "boycott" certain kosher fast food stores if they fear that the decor and ambience that will lead to a lowering of the standards of tzeniut (the required standards of "modest" behavior between the sexes).