The trials of the boys jailed in Japan, Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava, are coming to a close. On March 28, closing arguments for Yaakov Yosef will be presented, and on April 5, Yoel Zev’s lawyers will present their final arguments. The verdict will be announced 5-7 weeks later. 
 
Tefila and support are urgently needed at this critical time. The Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva and Rabonim urge all to attend the atzeres tefilla this Motzoei Taanis Esther, at Bais Faiga Hall at 9:45 p.m.

The event will feature the participation of Lakewood rabbonim and roshei yeshiva, Divrei chizuk will be delivered by Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah.

Rabbi Aba Dunner, Executive Director of the Conference of European Rabbis, will provide a firsthand report regarding the current situation in Japan. Rabbi Dunner has personally visited the boys in jail and plays an active role in seeking the funding needed for the boys’ defense.

A unique guest speaker at the event will be Mr. Michael Levine, a forty-year veteran of the US Drug Enforcement Agency, including undercover law enforcement positions at JFK and Miami International Airports. Mr. Levine traveled to Japan earlier this year to testify on behalf of the boys in Japan. Judging from his years of experience, Mr. Levine unequivocally stated that the behavior of the boys was typical of “blind mules”, innocent drug couriers that have no idea of the illegal contents in their possession.

A special video presentation will provide a small glimpse of different aspects of the case. Dayan Chaim Yosef Dovid Weis, Rabbi Aron Nezri, and Rabbi Meilech Bindinger are coordinating the effort to help the boys jailed in Japan.

Join the Lakewood community at the asifa to be held this Thursday night, Motzoei Taanis Esther, at Bais Faiga Hall at 9:45 p.m.

Here is an update on the current situation:

All eyes are turned to Japan in trepidation, closely following their desperate attempts to contain radioactive materials at the badly damaged nuclear reactors in the Fukushima – Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant following last week’s earthquake and tsunami. Already, several explosions have caused radioactive fallout to be released, and there are fears that if the air gets contaminated, then the potential clouds could spread the radiation to other areas of Japan and elsewhere.

Askonim are following the situation regarding Yoel Zev and Yaakov Yosef, and they are B”H healthy and well. However, many countries, including the United States and Israel, have advised their citizens to leave the country due to the state of emergency.

The askonim are in contact with the Israeli Foreign Office to make sure that if there are any potential risks, then the detainees should not be put at any higher risk than any other individual who is free to leave the country. The Israeli Foreign Minister is in contact with their Japanese counterpart regarding the situation, and are closely following events in Japan.

Your urgent tefillos are needed. Please be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!!

(YWN Desk – NYC)