Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island E-Letter
February 12, 2021
30 Shevet 5781
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LEGACY PROJECT - SEASON I EPISODE II
This week hear the story of Jeri Riffle, born and raised here on LBI. Jeri is the former Executive Director of the JCC.
Thanks to Diane Buskirk for suggesting the project and to her daughter, Dr. Allison Buskirk Cohen, for being such an able interviewer.
CLICK BELOW TO VIEW OUR SECOND INTERVIEWEE
JERI RIFFLE
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If you missed the first video in our Legacy Series - a interview with Herb Shapiro - it can be found on the JCC web site. Click on this:
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The Torah is clear that we are required to not abuse those who are in weak positions. This week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, is one of the texts that highlights this requirement. Therein, God tells Moses:
“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the Land of Egypt. You shall not ill-treat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, I (God) will heed their outcry as soon as they cry out to me.”
Indeed, the idea of protecting the widow, orphan, and stranger occurs often in the Torah. But what does it mean to “not wrong” or “oppress” a stranger? And what does it mean to “ill-treat” a widow or orphan?
A narrow interpretation would mean that we should not take any action that would directly hurt a disadvantaged person. The usual explanation is that we should not use our “better” position to take advantage of those less fortunate. It is sad that God should have to write a law that specifically addresses this because, in doing so, God must have seen a need for it. In other words, enough people were abusing the foreigner, widow, and orphan, that God was compelled to write a law about it. This recognition is an “oy” moment. Humans can be cruel.
I would posit that this idea shows up often for another reason as well. I think that by constantly raising this issue, God is not content with the narrow interpretation. It is not enough that we should not hurt those less fortunate than us, rather, we should go out of our way to help them. And I think that if we DO NOT go out of our way to help the widow, the orphan, and the stranger, (or anyone less fortunate than us) then we are violating this commandment. (Being passive as another suffers is a big Torah no-no. See, Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor”.)
Why do I raise this issue this week? The Rabbi’s Discretionary fund has received many generous donations that have specifically been earmarked to help people who have been impacted negatively by the pandemic, and people, in general, who need assistance. A simple google search will show that the numbers of families that have been economically injured are staggering. This means that we undoubtedly have members or folks in our community that need our help. To date I have only heard from less than a handful of people.
If you need help, or if know someone who needs help, please reach out to me. Our conversations can remain confidential. Together we can work to repair the world, one person at a time.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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Rabbi & Sheri spotted this seal on the beach Thursday morning.
Thursday's Winter Wonderland on LBI
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Candle Lighting Time
Friday evening,
February 12, 2021
5:08 PM
(So. Ocean County NJ)
JOIN US FOR SERVICES
ON ZOOM
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SHABBAT SERVICES
Shabbat Shekalim
Shabbat Shekalim ("Sabbath [of] shekels"), read in preparation for Purim, requests each adult male Jew contribute half of a Biblical shekel for the upkeep of the Tent of Meeting.
Friday evening
February 12, 2021
6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Saturday morning
Women's Shabbat Service
February 13, 2021
Torah Study
9:00 AM
Services
10:00 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services
Torah Portion
Parshat Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1-24:18
Here is the Parshah
Haftorah
II Kings 12:1 - 12:17
Here is the Haftorah
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Havdallah
Saturday
February 13, 2021
6:00 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Sunday - Thursday
Ma'ariv Service
7:30 PM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
Thursday evening service begins at 7:00 PM
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Sunday - Friday
Shacharit Service
8:15 AM
Here is
your invitation from
Rabbi Jay to
Join Zoom Services:
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HAMANTASCHEN BAKE
SUNDAY, 2/21 @ 10:30 AM
MEGILLAH READING
THURSDAY, 2/25 @ 7:00 PM
COSTUMES ENCOURAGED
MEGILLAH STUDY
FRIDAY, 2/26 @ 10:00 AM
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WOMEN'S SATURDAY MORNING SERVICE |
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The women of the JCC of LBI will be conducting the Saturday morning service this Shabbat. It is a first for our congregation and we hope everyone will join in to support our efforts.
YASHER KOKACH TO ALL THOSE WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING
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Service Leaders
P'Sukei D'Zimira
(Introductory Service):
Irene Babst
Shacharit: Marlene Herman
Torah Service & Musaf: Eve Lehrer
Kol HaKahal
(Representing the Congregation):
Deb Schweighardt
Gabbai: Penny Leifer
Torah Readers
Dara Van Naarden
Martha Schleifer
Kayla Lombardi
Beth Zemble
Kim Braun
Torah Aliyot
Ina Morgenthal
Sheri Jay
Elyse Pepose
Sue Margulies
Patty Lombardi
Sophie Braun
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Readings and Prayers
Diane Buskirk
Jill Denker
Noralyn Carroll
Gloria Cantor
Joanne Babbitt
Marcia Gonsalves
Suzie Geier
Lexa Merson
Joanne Ramer
Renee Van Naarden
Lenore Forsted
Diane Hoffman
Karen Shatz
Arlen Schragger
Rose Valentine
Ellie Braun
Special thanks to Rabbi Jay
for his guidance
This is a WAX program
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THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
SUNDAY 2/14 @ 7:30 PM
Concert & Wine Tasting Program
MONDAY 2/15 @ 10:00 AM
Chumash Class (Peoplehood) with Rabbi Jay
NO CLASS THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY 2/17 @ 8:00 PM
Rabbi's University Class
THURSDAY 2/18
11:00 AM Torah Study with the Rabbi
2:00 PM Beginning Hebrew with Ira
7:15 PM Leonard Bernstein: The Musician, The Man"
A Talk by Larry Rosendorf
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HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR THE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK |
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Last call for reservations for Valentine's Evening
Concert and Wine Tasting
CONTACT JILL DENKER FOR INFORMATION
973-214-2767
CONTACT IRENE BABST FOR TICKETS
856-904-5145
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Valentine's Day
AN EVENING OF 0PERA, BROADWAY & GREAT JEWISH CLASSICS
And Wine Tasting
Featuring
CANTOR DAVID BABINET
WITH PIANIST YISROEL EDELSON
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH
7:30 PM - ZOOM EVENT
$50.00 Per Link
This event is a collaboration between JCC and the Women’s Auxiliary (WAX) of Long Beach Island. Thank you to our sponsors for their support!
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A great way to make a difference In Israel's future from the comfort of your home.
In Israel, access to the English language is really dependent on your economic status, and is English proficiency is the largest barrier to University entry for underprivileged students. Some of the members of our Synagogue have been mentoring a student through an organization called Israel Connect. This organization works with Israel's Ministry of Education to identify regions most in need, and works with the teachers to provide access to all students. Using Zoom, you can tutor a high school student in Israel from the comfort of your home. The whole interaction is enjoyable and simple, and it makes all the difference for the student. You can see a little more from the video below, or from their website www.IsraelConnect.Today
OR
ARLENE SCHRAGGER @ 609-240-1306
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FEBRUARY
WAX Valentine's Day Wine & Song
Sunday, 2/14
7:30 PM
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."Leonard Bernstein -
The Musician, The Man"
A Talk by Larry Rosendorf
Thursday, 2/18
7:15 PM
WAX Hamantashen Bake
Sunday, 2/21
10:30 AM
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WAX Book Club
Wednesday, 2/24
4:00 PM
"An Unorthodox Match"
by Naomi Ragen
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MARCH
Discussion of Award Winning Short Films with
Larry Rosendorf
Thursday, 3/4
7:15 PM
Shabbat Dinner
Friday, 3/5
6:00 PM
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Movie Nite
"Yentl"
Thursday, 3/18
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Women's Seder
Sunday, 3/21
11:00 AM
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WAX Book Club
Wednesday, 3/24
4:00 PM
"The Guest Book"
by Sarah Blake
Community Seder
Sunday, 3/28
6:00 PM
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UPCOMING FEDERATION PROGRAM
Oy Corona II A Night of Comedy:
The Sequel Purim Edition
Tuesday, February 23rd 7:30PM
Join Ocean County Jewish Federation for a fun joke-telling competition: tell a joke or help decide the winner. Jokesters get to choose the local non-profit they are competing for to win prize money!
Want to register to watch, sign up below!
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THIS WEEK'S YAHRZEITS
The following names will be read at Friday night services.
Madeline Goldberg
Gussie Herman*
Belle Saferstein
Esther Tannenbaum
Arlene Babst
Rachel Bendavid
Nancy Brill
Adam Heller
Esther Hirsch
Fay Schragger
Jeffrey Weiner
Melvin Denholtz
Max Gottlieb*
Jeffrey Gross
Bella Karp
Max Kopelman
Eleanor Marcus
Hilda Rosenberg
Theodore Brod*
Harry Dudkin
Lisa Ellen Kaufman*
Israel Koller
Aaron Lox
Frank John Lamagna
Eric Moss
Moshe Neustadt*
Steven Fisch
Gussie Gross
Irvin Babbitt
Ethel Dalinsky
Irving Newman
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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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Beth Gottesman
February 14
Jill Ratner
February 14
Susan Shapiro
February 14
Elaine Rudolph
February 15
Helene Scharf
February 15
Rose Valentine
February 15
Barbara Werbel
February 16
Bonnie Eisner
February 17
James J. Shrager
February 18
Daniel Blattner
February 19
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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 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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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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