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A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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At the very beginning of Parashat Eikev Moses tells the Israelites that: "[I]f you obey these rules and observe them carefully, the Lord your God will maintain faithfully for you the covenant that He made with your fathers. He will love you, bless you, and multiply you...".
At first blush we might look at the text and consider that it is yet another, "if/then" proposition. We are being told that if we follow the rules, then we will be rewarded.
However, there is an important underlying connection being made here that one might overlook if it were not specifically pointed out. God is not acting on a promise that He made to "these" Israelites, rather the covenant being maintained was made generations earlier to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses' speech is important because it forces the Children of Israel to recognize that the gifts bestowed upon them were coming to them through the actions of their ancestors. While they are reminded of how their lives have been impacted by Abraham's, Isaac's, and Jacob's relationships with God hundreds of years earlier, they are also forced to recognize that they hold their ancestors' legacy in their hands.
It is only if the Children of Israel perform well, that God's promise to Abraham, that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens, will come to fruition. But it was only by Abraham's good actions that the Children of Israel exist in the first place.
The intergenerational symbiosis is very real. It is so real, in fact, that the Children of Israel should have recognized that what they did would have an impact on their descendants. (But this does not always seem to have bee the case.) Torah never lets us forget that the future and the past are inextricably intertwined.
It is easy to read the Torah and see the connection. But there is a bigger lesson being taught by the Text. If we each lived our lives recognizing that, but for the actions of our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and all of our ancestors, we would not be where we are today, it would force us to garner respect and appreciation for those who came before us, and their ideals.
At the same time, if we are cognizant of the fact that our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all of our descendants, will be impacted by the things we do today, might we be prone to do things differently?
The Torah tells a story, but it is not a storybook. While the narrative is always important, and provides lesson upon important lesson, there is often (always) an underlying, larger, message. The Torah thus becomes a lens through which we can view the things we do. Our lives are not just about us. They are about the lives of those who preceded us and they are about the lives of those who will come after us. Torah provides the thread that binds us all together.
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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KOL HAKAVOD CAMPAIGN
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Please consider being a part of this campaign to supplement the clergy needs of our congregation. This is a separate, voluntary commitment and is additional to our low annual dues obligation. HERE IS THE LINK TO BRING UP THE DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD
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THE WEEK THAT WAS...
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 It was wonderful to see all the youngsters as last Friday night's SHABBAT ON THE BEACH in Loveladies. A crowd of 230 plus were on top of the new dune to view the ocean and the beach expanse and to participate in the service. Bags containing wine, candles, challah rolls and a challah cover were given out to all the families so that a bit of the Shabbat spirit could go home with them.
Our coffee COFFEE HOUSE was a great success. 50 people were outside for Havdallah and s'mores. They then came into the social hall, set up like a coffee house, to enjoy member Dr. Carl Steinberg play his guitar and sing some favorite tunes. Ice cream and fixings were served. Thank you to Skipper Dipper for donating the ice cream and to Carl for sharing his talents with us.
SISTERHOOD BOOK DISCUSSION. Andrea Seidler lead a very interesting discussion of "Saving Sarah" on Tuesday morning. Sisterhood members and guests shared their thoughts on the book and the important topics touched on by the author. It was a full house around the Library table. The next book review will take place on September 13 at 10:30 AM. The book chosen for discussion is:
"The "Bridal Chair"
by Gloria Goldreich
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MEN'S CLUB - IN FORMATION
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Men's Club Organizational Meeting at the JCC on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 9:00 am. Topics will include selecting an executive board, activities/events and dates for the year. Please RSVP to the office by Thursday, September 15th or contact Mark Cohen at lasv_us@yahoo.com.
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
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A TASTE OF MELTON "We Are What We Remember"
A 4-Part Class with Rabbi Jay
Sundays September 11, 18, 25 and October 9.
10 - 12 Noon
What is the Melton School?
The Florence Melton School of Jewish Learning is an international network of community-based schools offering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish literacy in an open, trans-denominational, intellectually stimulating learning environment. It is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world.
RABBI'S GARDEN DEDICATION
Sunday September 11 at 9:30 AM
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, September 11 from 10:00 AM - 12 Noon
Kindergarten - Post Confirmation
Meet the staff and students, Rabbi Jay and members of our community
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ONGOING ACTIVITIES
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Wednesdays 12:30 - 4:00 PM
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A TASTE OF ISRAEL
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The JCC of LBI and
The Jewish Federation of Ocean County
invite you to an exciting and unique evening of
ISRAELI CUISINE AND CONVERSATION
A TASTE OF ISRAEL
Cocktails, Cooking, Dinner and Dessert
Presented by Puzzle Israel
Sunday, September 11
5:00 PM
at the home of
Janet & Howard Cohen
42 Hideaway Drive
Beach Haven Park, NJ
Donation of $118.00 per person
Funds raised will be designated to bring as Jewish Family Children's Services Professional to Southern Ocean County for counseling sessions.
RSVP by September 1
Call the JCC of LBI at 609-492-4090
or email jccoflbi@gmail.com
Limited Space Available
Event Chairs: Arlene & Fred Schragger
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| COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
The Jewish Cultural Group at Mirage Presents...
WE WRITE THE SONGS...A Tribute to the Legendary Composers and Songwriters of the 20th Century
Thursday, September 22nd
6:00 PM
Deli Dinner and Desserts BYOB
$32.00 per person
Contact Helen Gross for ticket information
609-607-0005
SEE THIS FLYER FOR DETAILS: SONGS
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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50/50 RAFFLE
Our annual tickets have been sent out to our members. Please participate in this fund raiser. The drawing is at the end of Yom Kippur, October 12. Additional tickets can be requested from the JCC office.
MORRIS L. SHAPIRO ENDOWMENT FUND
All organizations should have a substantial endowment fund to insure its continuation. Except for dire emergencies, the principal amounts in the fund cannot be used to run the organization. Interest earned from the account may be used. As previously announced, Herb and Selma Shapiro have created a JCC Endowment Fund to honor Herb's father. It will be known as "The Morris L. Shapiro Endowment Fund at the JCC of LBI " The Shapiros have generously pledged a total of $50,000 to fund this. While initially established by the Shapiros, anyone may contribute to this important fund.
Join Herb and Selma in helping assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this Fund.
Your gift to the fund can be sent to the JCC Office. Please mark your check accordingly.
AUDIO/VISUAL PROJECT
We are very excited about the decision of the Board of Directors to pursue the enhancement of the audio system for the JCC of LBI as well as the purchase of a projection system. This multi-phased project will allow us to become a venue for expanded programming and opens us up to many wonderful opportunities for future planning. Your gift large or small is much appreciated. Please send your contribution to the JCC office: 2411 Long Beach Blvd., Spray Beach, NJ 08008 and note on the memo line A/V Project.
Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary. Here is the order form:
TREE OF LIFE (located in the Social Hall)
You can purchase a leaf in honor of an occasion or in memory of a loved one.
Here is the
Tree of Life Form:
TREE
PAVERS (in front of the Front Entrance)
Only 4 x 8 and 12 x 12 size pavers are available
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TD AFFINITY PROGRAM
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Easy money!
Do you have an account with TD Bank?
You can contribute to the JCC without it costing you a cent. TD Bank will pay us on the number of accounts in our TD Affinity Club. There is no minimum number of members. We automatically receive $10 for every checking account and .01% of the balance on Savings Accounts. In addition we receive $50 for any new accounts. This is strictly confidential and the JCC does not know the amount in any of the accounts.
We just received a check for $456.00 from TD Bank. So think about joining this program and helping the JCC to reap the benefits.
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NAME BADGES
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If you did not order a name tag, we will be putting in another order. Here is the link for the form to order your name tag: BADGES
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TEXT BLAST SIGN UP
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If you would like to receive JCC of LBI reminders and alerts via text message on your cell phone, please contact the office by email (jccoflbi@gmail.com) or phone (609-492-4090) We would be alerting you for example that "Services are cancelled" or "Last opportunity to sign up for Community Seder".
This information will not be shared and will only be used for JCC purposes.
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| DOCUMENTS AND LINKS |
| JUST CLICK AND YOU'RE THERE!!! SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER BULLETIN: BULLETIN
WEB SITE: JCC WEB SITE MEMBERSHIP FORMS MEMBERSHIP PAVERS: PAVERS TREE OF LIFE TREE SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP CATALOG GIFT JEWISH JOURNAL: JOURNAL YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM: PLAQUE KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD 2016 SUMMER CALENDAR CALENDAR |
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JCC INFORMATION
THE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT
2411 Long Beach Boulevard (24th Street)
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
ENTER THE BUILDING DURING OFFICE HOURS
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR.
PRESS THE ENTRY BUTTON ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ENTRANCE FOR ADMITTANCE.
Mailing Address:
2411 Long Beach Blvd.
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
Telephone: 609-492-4090
FAX: 609-492-7550
OFFICE HOURS:
MONDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
TUESDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
THURSDAY 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
FRIDAY - 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Office Staff:
Jeri Riffle, Executive Director
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Marcie Deutsch, Computer Admin.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Rose Valentine, JCC President
VIEW THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER BULLETIN
with this link
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
rvalen
1963@aol.com
"Like" Us on Facebook: Search for Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island and make sure the JCC of LBI: The Place to Be icon shown above shows up
or cut and paste:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Community-Center-of-Long-Beach-Island/345647489300?ref=br_tf
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THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
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8/26 - 9/2
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Rabbi's Class - Final Session
Tuesday
Sisterhood Wrap Up Meeting
11:00 AM
Wednesday
12:30 - 4:00 PM
Mah jongg
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SHABBAT SHALOM
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7:17 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
Friday, August 26, 2016
8:00 PM
RABBI'S SERMON:
Why isn't God always nice?
ONEG SHABBAT SPONSORS
In honor of their
children and grandchildren
ELYSE & STUART PEPOSE
LYNN & STAN BERMAN
In honor of the marriage of their grandson Moshe Berman
to Rivka Marchuck
on August 16
RABBI MICHAEL JAY
In honor of Sheri's
special birthday
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM
Eikev
Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25
PARSHAH
Isaiah 49:14 - 51:3
Here is the Haftorah
HAFTORAH
Torah Readers:
Howard Hait
Rabbi Michael Jay
Haftorah Chanter:
Don Pripstein
Last week's Kiddish was sponsored by Mary & Jacob Pleeter
9:00 PM
Drop-In Havdallah
S'mores & More
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The Jewish Community Center of LBI 
