Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
November 27, 2020
11 Kislev 5781
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A HAPPY AND HEALTHY THANKSGIVING TO ALL |
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Meet Miss Boots Babst - the JCC First Dog |
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A THANKSGIVING MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT |
Well the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, and like many of you, I have been wondering what is there to be thankful for? With 10 million of our fellow Americans fighting the COVID-19 virus and over 250,000 of our fellow citizens having succumbed to it. The more I thought, the more I realized, there are things to be thankful for, like the:
- health care professionals that have given countless hours helping those in need regardless of the risks to themselves.
- the necessary workers that stocked the shelves in the stores we shopthe transportation workers that made sure these stores had the product for us to buy.
- the military who set up make-shift hospitals, supported our health care workers, and had a hospital ship that went from coast to coast to help those in need.
Let us not forget that a global pandemic occurred during a Presidential election year and in spite of this, over 140 million of us cast ballots for our chosen candidates.
Four pharmaceuticals companies have developed vaccines that will fight this virus, and we should hope that with the coming of 2021, the majority of Americans will be vaccinated against Covid-19. And we should also hope, like all Presidential elections that America has been through, this one too will have a peaceful transition of power.
Though many of us could not be with our loved ones for this Thanksgiving, with the hope that the vaccinations will prove successful, we will be able to join them again on November 25, 2021. So yes, there is a lot to be thankful for in 2020. On behalf of Irene, myself and Boots we wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe Thanksgiving, and we look forward to seeing you all on Zoom for Hannukah.
Mike
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
Being perfectly honest, at first blush, this seems like a good year to cancel Thanksgiving. On so many levels, for so many people, it would be very easy to raise our hands to the sky and shout “I will be not be giving thanks this year!” But this is not the American way, and it is not the Jewish way. In fact, this is a year when we absolutely need to find reasons to give thanks.
I think the Rabbis understood that life (and the world) can get out of hand. It is for this reason that they created the requirement that each of us should say 100 blessings a day. This task forces us to look at the world, even in its imperfection, and find things to be thankful for.
Obviously, this year is not like others. Reasonable caution will have many of us forfeiting the chairs around our tables for devices around the country.
Our houses will not be overflowing, the smells will not be the same, the sounds will be more muted. Others will try to make Sheri’s cornflake topped carrot kugel, but it will not taste the same. On a personal level, a Thanksgiving without my brother-in-law’s fried turkey will not be Thanksgiving.
I think that it is okay to spend some time thinking about the things we are not thankful for. Doing this will help us to appreciate, with greater energy, the things that we are thankful for. Mostly, I lament the loss of time. The time to be together, the time to touch, the time to laugh and sing in the same room. The time just to sit and be “present” with each other.
So, excited or not, tomorrow will be Thanksgiving and we will all need to figure ways to give thanks. I have much, much, much to be thankful for, but I am going to keep this list very short. It starts with Sheri, Sammi and the rest of my family. My friends. The JCC’s Executive Board. The JCC’s Board. The JCC community, Our congregants. Everyone who has been to services, classes and programs (and there have been so many of you!!!). The Torah. Our country, our government, and our forefathers. Our first responders including police officers, firefighter, soldiers, all healthcare workers. Farmers, business owners, and employees. I am thankful for curbside pickup. I am thankful for Lysol and Purell.
This year in particular, I am thankful for the technology that has enabled us to be together virtually. Since March, we have not had one single day that we were not together for something. That is an incredible statistic. (A double thanks to you, dear reader!)
Finally, I am thankful for the vaccines that will soon be made available and for the continuing improvement in methods of treatment of the virus.
We already know that thankfulness is not always easy. Perhaps this is why during every Amidah, we acknowledge gratefulness (to God) by saying Modim anchunu lach. Rabbi David Wirtschafter wrote a meaningful prayer using this phrase to acknowledge gratitude during this Covid crisis. (I have added a few verses) Please include this at your Thanksgiving dinners whether they are virtual or in person:
For doctors and nurses continuing to treat their patients,
Modim anachnu lach.
For mental and behavioral health professionals continuing to offer comfort and encouragement,
Modim anachnu lach..
For teachers and professors continuing to offer instruction,
Modim anachnu lach.
For first responders continuing to rush to our aid,
Modim anachnu lach.
For essential workers continuing to put food on our tables,
Modim anachnu lach.
For nursing home employees and care givers continuing to tend to the elderly and infirm,
Modim anachnu lach.
For the unemployed and underemployed continuing to help their families and communities,
Modim anachnu lach.
For family and friends continuing to inquire about us,
Modim anachnu lach.
For every person who has gone out of his/her way to help others,
Modim anachnu lach.
For every person who has sought to grow and strengthen community by spending time with us virtually for services, classes or programs,
Modim anachnu lach
For continuing to see and hear one another remotely until we can gather in person,
Modim anachnu lach.
Baruch ata, Adonai, hatov shimcha ul’cha na-eh l’hodot.
Blessed are You, Adonai, Your name inspires goodness and Your caring deserves our thanks.
May we each find many reasons to give thanks.
Hodu L’Adonai Ki Tov, Ki L’olam khasdo – Give thanks to God, for God is Good, God’s love endures forever.
Happy Thanksgiving and Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
and
NEXT WEEK SCHEDULE
THURSDAY MORNING MINYAN
@ 8:30 AM
We are joining the Rosenberg Family for their baby naming. See link below.
THURSDAY 11/26
No classes this Thursday
No Thursday Ma'Ariv
FRIDAY 11/27 @ 6:00 AM
Kabbalat Shabbat
SATURDAY 11/28
No Torah Study
Services at 10:00 AM
No Havdallah
MONDAY 11/30 @ 10:00 AM
Chumash Class (Family Dynamics) with Rabbi Jay
TUESDAY 12/1 @ 8:00 PM
Rabbi's Class at the Jersey Shore Jewish Virtual University (see article below on Virtual University to register)
THURSDAY 12/3
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
12/3 - Thursday evening Movie Discussion after Maariv
Woody Allen's "Crimes and Misdemeanors"
An eye doctor (Martin Landau) and a documentary filmmaker (Woody Allen) are married men with different moral dilemmas in Manhattan.
See trailer below
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HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR THE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK |
We are pleased to report the wonderful response to the High Holiday Appeal 5781. Members and friends have already generously donated $60,000 to the Appeal. It is a reaffirmation of the work we have done during this pandemic to keep our congregation vital and current. If you have not made your appeal contribution yet, it is not too late. Make it a Thanksgiving gift. |
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Candle Lighting Time
Friday evening,
November 27, 2020
4:17 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
ON ZOOM
Friday evening
November 27, 2020
6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Saturday morning
November 28, 2020
NO Torah Study THIS WEEK
Saturday morning
November 28, 2020
10:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Torah Portion
Parashat Vayetzei
Genesis 28:10-32:3
Here is the Parshah
Haftorah
Hosea 12:13 - 14:10
Here is the Haftorah:
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NO HAVDALLAH THIS WEEK
Saturday
November 28, 2020
Sunday - Thursday
NO MAARIV ON THANKSGIVING
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:
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UPCOMING SPECIAL SHABBAT
Women's Shabbat Morning Service
February 13, 2021
Over the years, the Sisterhood has conducted a Sisterhood Friday Night Service. After hearing women conducting portions of the liturgy on Saturday mornings, we are excited to announce a service to be conducted exclusively by the women and girls of our congregation.
We hope many of you will participate.
We need gals to volunteer to:
Read passages in English
Conduct various Services: P'sukei D'Zimra, Shacharit, Torah Service, Musaf
Read Torah
Chant Haftorah
Take an Aliyah
Recite Ashrei
Lead in singing Ain Kelohanu/Adon Olam
Read Prayer for our Country, Prayer for Israel
Lead Torah Study
Respond to this email if you want to participate or need some help with parts of the service.
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We have a lot of exciting plans in the next few months
Please join us.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Sunday,December 13 at ll:00 AM
Direct from Israel
Joel Chasnoff "Jokes on Us"
8 Nites of Hannukah
12/10 -17, 2020
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Tuesday, 12/1, 8 and 15 at 8:00 PM
Rabbi's Class at the Jersey Shore Jewish Virtual University
Mondays at 10:00 AM
Chumash Class
Rabbi's deep dive into the Moses Story
IF IT'S THURSDAY, IT'S THE JCC
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
12/3 - Thursday evening Movie Discussion after Maariv
Woody Allen's "Crimes and Misdemeanors"
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
Our Federation is planning an evening of lighting Chanukah candles, celebrating the end of the year and new beginnings, and honoring our Community of Caring Heroes.
Among those who are being honored are two our own.
DR. MAX SCHEER
Dr. Scheer, a longtime member of the JCC, is an Infectious Disease Specialist in Woodmere, LI, NY and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. While treating patients, Dr. Scheer became infected with the virus. Ultimately, he was forced to spend a day in the hospital. Three weeks later he was back to caring for his patients. Since then, Dr. Scheer reports he has been telecommunicating with 40-50 patients each day. Max Scheer is our synagogue’s Dr. Fauci. He has guided us these last months as we have had to make difficult decisions regarding COVID and the use of our building during the ongoing pandemic. We are truly blessed to have him as a part of our congregation.
LENORE FORSTED
In March of 2020, Lenore's husband David, a retired physician, was diagnosed with Covid-19. Lenore was diagnosed as well. However, David was subsequently admitted to the hospital where he stayed for months in critical condition. All that time, Lenore could not visit him and spent most of her days on the phone with the hospital and his doctors and nurses making sure all that could be done for David was done. Now David is home having to relearn how to walk, eat and return to a normal life. Lenore has had to keep a positive attitude through all of this. Now that he is home, she has made sure he has the therapy, equipment and help he needs to continue to make progress. It is our honor to highlight the courage of the non-professional caregivers, the family of COVID-19 patients.
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JCC WOMENS AUXILIARY: BOOK GROUP DISCUSSION
THE 3RD WEDNESDAY, AT 4:00 PM
CONTINUES....
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The second novel in a dramatic trilogy set in eleventh-century France about the lives and loves of three daughters of the great Talmud scholar
Rashi’s middle daughter, Miriam, is determined to bring new life safely into the Troyes Jewish community and becomes a midwife. As devoted as she is to her chosen path, she cannot foresee the ways in which she will be tested and how heavily she will need to rely on her faith. With Rashi's Daughters, author Maggie Anton brings the Talmud and eleventh-century France to vivid life and poignantly captures the struggles and triumphs of strong Jewish women.
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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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Ocean County’s Jewish Virtual University!
As part of our efforts to connect members of the Jewish community with each other and with great Jewish opportunities, The Ocean County Jewish Federation is pleased to present this array of interesting, exciting, and meaningful learning opportunities from great Rabbis in our community, as well as some phenomenal educational resources from Israel.
Take a class, get connected, and support our Jewish community!
Here is the link for list of classes and to register.
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Rabbi Jay will be teaching a course entitled "Jewish Values in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict". Explore different attitudes towards the conflict through a study of Jewish narratives about Israel and the unpacking of the complex meanings of peace in Jewish tradition.
6 Tuesdays starting Nov. 10 at 8 PM.
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THIS WEEK'S YAHRZEITS
The following names will be read at Friday night services.
Irving Kanis
Chris Makos
Mildred Mashberg
Bertha Rothstein
Jeffrey Rudnick*
Murray J. Sklar
Henry Berman
Sylvia Gussin
Rae Konner
Neal Chilton
Rabbi Jacob Friedman*
Maxwell Kohn
Herman Pokras
Marcus N. Silverman
Miriam Levine
Milton Luxemburg
Mindy Iris Morgenthal*
Anna Mott
Frieda Ross
Charlotte Frank
Jeanette Kaufman
Abraham Weissler
Alfred Berson
Pauline Kolsby*
Abe Morgenthal*
Lillian W. Pacharz*
Bertha Simandl
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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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Joshua Braun
November 28
David Horowitz
November 30
Michael Piscetelli
November 30
Helene Gordon
December 1
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DANA AND ZACH ROSENBERG
on the birth of their daughter
We will be joining the family for the baby naming at Thanksgiving morning services at 8:30 AM
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STACY & LARRY GARB
on the bar mitzvah of their son
Chase
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SHEILA & HARRIS WEISEL
on the bar mitzvah of their grandson
Eric Reilly
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We regret to inform you of the death of
RUTH IGNATOFF
Mother of Jonathan Drill (Rabbi Paula Mack Drill)
Grandmother of Noah, Sarah, Benjamin and Joshua
"May God remember forever our dear ones who have gone to their eternal rest. May they be at one with the One who is life eternal. May the beauty of their lives shine for evermore, and may our lives always bring honor to their memory."
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SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND PICTURES
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 Chairperson,
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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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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PLEASE LET THE OFFICE KNOW YOUR "WINTER" MAILING ADDRESS.
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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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