Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
January 1, 2021
17 Tevet 5781
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A MESSAGE FROM
OUR PRESIDENT
MICHAEL BABST
Happy New Year to you all;
As you read this 2020 will be approaching its end, like many of you, I am glad to be closing the book on 2020, and looking forward to what 2021 will bring. To be fair however, as bad as 2020 was, there were some good things that came out of it as well.
We all know the bad, Covid 19, 10 months of not being with our JCC family, the loss of 345,000 of our fellow Americans, and 1.81 million people worldwide lost the battle with the Corona virus. The United States lost more Americans since Covid began last January, then we did in 4 years fighting during WWII, which had 291,557. The only war that took more lives was the American Civil war which had taken 620,000 lives from all causes, and sadly, if the trend does not turn, we could lose almost that many before the virus is considered over. To put it into the perspective of another pandemic, the Spanish Flu killed 675,000 Americans back in 1918-19. When comparing the numbers, the loss of life is staggering. But I am dwelling on the bad, like I said there were some good things that came out of this as well.
We have learned that we can pray together virtually, and get our members to join us in numbers that none of us would have ever thought possible. We have had evening services since the onset of the JCC closing, and daily morning services since September without having to cancel one because we have not had a minyan. We were able to bring you the High Holidays, virtually, and with great attendance numbers. We were able to raise more money through our HH appeal, then we had since I was president. We have been able to break bread with our Friday night Shabbat services and dinners, were we could talk and laugh with our JCC friends. People that would normally not be connected to us in the dead of winter, can enjoy being part of the JCC. We have even been able to increase membership because of our virtual programs, and services. We have made the difficult easy, and the impossible, possible. Yet, some of you, still have not joined us. If you are not sure how to be part of this, please let me know, and I will get you help in becoming part of our Zoom nation.
Like I said I am looking forward to 2021, and beginning a new chapter for the JCC. With the development of better treatments and vaccines I truly believe that we will reopen sometime in 2021. We will still be using masks and social distancing for that time, but we should be able to open. When that happens, lets make preparations for that event. Let me and the board know what you would like to do to celebrate our coming together again. In the meantime Irene, Boots and I which you and your loved ones a healthy, happy and covid free new year.
Mike
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Candle Lighting Time
Friday evening,
January 1, 2021
4:24 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
ON ZOOM
Friday evening
January 1, 2021
6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Saturday morning
January 2, 2021
NO Torah Study THIS WEEK
Services
10:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Torah Portion
Parashat Vayechi
Genesis 47:28-50:26
Here is the Parshah
Haftorah
I Kings 2:1 - 2:12
Here is the Haftorah:
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Havdallah
Saturday
January 2, 2020
6:00 PM
Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Sunday - Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
NO SERVICE 1/1
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Rabbi Jay is on a well-deserved vacation and will be returning Monday, January 4. Many thanks to those who conducted and participated in the daily minyans and Shabbat services in his absence. |
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D'VAR TORAH
We read the final parshah in the book of Genesis – Vayechi - this Shabbat. We say goodbye, for now, to our Matriarchs and Patriarchs and the many lessons we have learned from them in our study of Torah.
In this portion, Jacob calls his sons and two grandsons to him to give them a final blessing before he dies. In a Midrach, according to our rabbis, he fears when he dies his sons will forget God. The sons respond to his concern by saying “Shema Yisrael (hear us father (Jacob was also called Yisrael) Hashem is our God, only Hashem.” On hearing this, Jacob responses in a whisper “Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’alom va’ed” (Blessed is the glorious Name whose kingdom is forever and ever)!” Jacob, the father, is grateful that the lessons he has taught his sons have not been forgotten. When we say the Shema during prayer, we cover our eyes for the first part so we are not distracted from the words and whisper or say silently the second part. Let us remember each time we say the Shema this valuable lesson.
It may not be a coincidence we say goodbye to the book of Genesis at the same time we say goodbye to the year 2020. There are many lessons to be learned from this year: the importance of family and community, to take care of our health and protect ourselves and others from harm and to be grateful for this electronic age that allows us to stay in touch and see each other even if it is not in person.
“Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek” – the phrase said at the conclusion of each book of the Torah. “Be strong, be strong and we will be strong.”
RGV
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MONDAY 1/4 @ 10:00 AM
Chumash Class (Peoplehood) with Rabbi Jay
THURSDAY 1/7
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
7:45 PM Movie Discussion of the
Trial of the Chicago 7 following Maariv Services
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HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR THE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK |
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MOVIE NITE - THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 7:45 PM
Discussion of the film
"THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7"
available on Netflix
The Trial of the Chicago 7, a Netflix film from writer and director Aaron Sorkin, dramatizes the prosecution of eight anti-war activists—yes, eight—for their activities during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where protesters were beaten and tear-gassed by the Chicago Police Department.
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JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
THE 3RD WEDNESDAY, AT 4:00 PM
CONTINUES....
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Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 4:00 PM
The dramatic final book in the epic historical trilogy about the lives and loves of the three daughters of the great Talmud scholar Rashi
Rachel is the youngest and most beautiful daughter of medieval Jewish scholar Salomon ben Isaac, or "Rashi." Her father's favorite and adored by her new husband, Eliezer, Rachel's life looks to be one of peaceful scholarship, laughter, and love. But events beyond her control will soon threaten everything she holds dear. Marauders of the First Crusade massacre nearly the entire Jewish population of Germany, and her beloved father suffers a stroke. Eliezer wants their family to move to the safety of Spain, but Rachel is determined to stay in France and help her family save the Troyes yeshiva, the only remnant of the great centers of Jewish learning in Europe.
ORDER YOUR BOOK NOW AND START READING TODAY!
Click here to purchase all 3 books in the series on Amazon. Click here to go to the Ocean County Library. A zoom link will be sent shortly before the event.
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THIS WEEK'S YAHRZEITS
The following names will be read at Friday night services.
Paul Sidel
Ruth Albu
Sidney Bitton
Ruth Grossman
Julius Rapaport*
Janet Runko
Sophie Silver*
Walter Blumberg
Rose Gerstenblatt
Evelyn Davis Kolsby*
Arnold Brasch
Rose Dondershine*
Margie Miller
Katy Poster*
Abner Silver*
Sam Beckerman
William Carey
Laura B. Dicicco
Leo Labran
Melvin Margolis
Shirley Slomovitz
Beatrice Chazin
Jeanne Goldstein
Robert Heller
Edna Katz
William Markowitz*
Edward R. Spencer*
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In this Zoom era, we have been able to have a daily minyan at 8:15 AM and at 7:30 PM and on Shabbat. We encourage you to join us on the day of your loved one’s yahrzeit. In the morning, the service is about ½ hour beginning at 8:15 and in the evening at 7:30 until about 7:45. Rabbi will be glad to say the traditional El Malei Rachamim prayer for you, which is recited during the funeral, going up to the grave of the departed, Yizkor remembrance day and other occasions on which the memory of the dead is recalled. You are also welcome to share with the minyan some special memories of your loved one.
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MISHABERAH LIST
The current Mishaberach list is being purged for the new year. Please contact Leslie if you want to keep a name on the new list. CLICK ON THIS:LESLIE
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David Hendler
January 2
Josepha Bzezensky
January 3
Jeanne Goldberg
January 3
Gary Morgenstern
January 3
Eileen Powitz
January 3
Max Scheer
January 3
Joel Rosenberg
January 4
Charles Schleifer
January 4
Howard Treatman
January 5
Patricia Block
January 7
Scott Ranani
January 7
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
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CARING COMMITTEE
This committee acts as a support system for congregation members facing illness and other personal situations that need to be addressed.
Please contact Chairperso for a holiday party, Myrtle Beachn,
Debby Schweighardt
if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member
that needs our help.
973-634-5349
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A LONG TIME AND MOST GENEROUS MEMBER HAS CHALLENGED US TO RAISE $50,000 BY MARCH 15 AND IF WE DO—HE WILL MATCH OUR FUNDRAISING WITH HIS OWN NEW $50,000 GIFT TO THE JCC!!
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Phil Rosenzweig, JCC First Vice President
Chair of Fundraising Committee
610-263-0124 (direct)
610-263-0115 (main)
215-754-4139 (efax)
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
PAVERS
Inscribe a paver at the front entrance to the building
8" X 4", 8" X 8" and 12" X 12"
SEE UPDATED ORDER FORM:
Become a permanent part of the JCC landscape.
Purchase a personalized paving stone
in honor of your family or in memory of a loved one.
Please contact Diane Hoffman
with your order or with any questions:
PRAYER BOOKS
There are still High Holiday Prayer Books and Chumashim available to be purchased in memory or honor of someone or something. The cost of a Prayer Book is $72 each and $120 for an Eitz Hayim Chumash. The donation includes an affirmation sticker in the book and an acknowledgement letter or letters.
TRIBUTES
SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF
TREE OF LIFE
Add a leaf (leaves) to our beautiful Tree of Life located in the Social Hall. See the order form here: TREE OF LIFE
Bronze Leaf $90
Silver Leaf $126
Gold :Leaf $180
ENDOWMENT FUND
Join Herb and Selma Shapiro z"l to help assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full- congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. Judith z"l & Donald Pripstein have joined the Shapiros with a $50,000 donation and have established The Pripstein Family Endowment Fund.
A donation of at least $50,000 to the endowment fund will allow the donor to name one of the funds as the donor wishes. All such name funds will be joined together to be part of the endowment fund portfolio.
All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this fund whether as a specific named fund, or as a general donation. Your gift to the fund can be sent to the JCC Office. Please mark your check accordingly.
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary.
Here is the order form:
KOL HAKAVOD
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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JCC FUNDS
Your gift to the JCC support our Clergy, our Congregation and the Community.
ENDOWMENT FUND
This fund was established to assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. While a donation of any amount is encouraged, a donation of at least $50,000 allows the donor to name a special or specific Endowment Fund in memory or honor of a specific person event, or family.
GENERAL FUND
Donations to this fund are not earmarked but placed in the general administrative account. Donations to this fund can be in honor or memory of a person, event, or family.
KOL HAKAVOD FUND
Donations to this campaign supplement the clergy needs of our congregation.
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
This fund, managed by the rabbi, allows donors to enable the rabbi to do the work of tzedakah in response to the needs of individuals, organizations and the community.
ZENA & JERRY JAY KIDDISH FUND
The Zena and Jerry Jay Kiddush Fund was established in memory of Rabbi Jay's parents to help provide funds for our Saturday morning kiddushes.
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THE JCC OF LBI IS LOCATED AT
2411 Long Beach Boulevard (24th Street)
Spray Beach, NJ 08008
Telephone: 609-492-4090 FAX: 609-492-7550
THE OFFICE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
PLEASE USE THE PHONE OR EMAIL WITH REQUESTS.
OUR OFFICE STAFF WILL BE CHECKING IN REGULARLY.
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Staff:
Leslie Dinkfelt, Office Manager
Mary Beth Krieger, Staff Member
Tony DeGregorio, Custodial Staff
Kitchen Manager: Susan Berube
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LATEST
BULLETIN:
PRAYER BOOK:
WEB SITE:
PAVERS:
TREE OF LIFE
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE FORM:
KOL HAKAVOD DONATION FORM
KOL HAKAVOD
TRIBUTES:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rabbi Michael S. Jay
Michael Babst, President
E-mail Editor: Rose Valentine
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