Preparation for Passover is so exhausting that, by the time we get to the Seder, we should be more ready for sleep than we are for a meaningful ritual. And yet, we sit around the table and we become moved by something that far exceeds our personal feelings or needs. The Tradition breathes energy and life into us.
The intention of the Seder is that its rhythm, its meter, and its words, take us from one peek to the next. Each symbol, and choreographed symbolism, infuses the next bit of symbolism which, in turn infuses the next bit of symbolism. The participant is instilled with meaning after meaning after meaning. There is no static time. The goal is growth in spirit and in connection to past and future.
Somehow, having lost my mom, the holiday has taken on a new meaning. It is no longer just about the present. It is about the past and the future. It is about constant connection.
Before there was "internet connection", there was intergenerational connection. And here I sit, remembering. I remember my mom's desire to make the Seder special; I recall her need to have the Seder plate placed just right. I can see her in the kitchen making soup and matzah balls and Passover rolls. Measuring, mixing, shaping, cooking. I can hear the sounds, I can smell the smells. The same mom who taught me to measure dry ingredients, and who taught me to separate the yolk from the egg white. The same mom who taught me seemingly simple tasks like how to peel a potato (It might sound trite, but no one peeled a potato quite with my mom's finesse), or how to cream sugar and margarine, or how to roast a chicken.
So here I am on this first Passover after losing my mom, and I find myself seeing the whole process a bit differently. When I was younger, I saw the Seder in the present moment; which of the four children was I, which were my brothers. Now I am wondering which child my mom was; wise, wicked, simple, or without even a question. I'd vote for wise, but it really doesn't matter. But I also find myself thinking about my own daughter; which child is she? What about her cousins?
But it goes further than that. I now am also thinking about, God-willing, my daughter's children. Which will they be? Wise, wicked, simple, or without even a question. Will they be wondering about their mom; will they be wondering about me?
Recall the good memories you have of Seders past, and create memories today that will be recalled in the future. Don't think of it as merely Passover. Think of it as "Pass over from", or "Pass over to". We remember, we do, we take, we give. We are the perpetual tradition machine.
Chag Kasher V'Sameach - Rabbi Michael S. Jay
TRAVEL TO ISRAEL WITH THE JCC
The JCC trip to Israel will take place October 7-18, 2018. The itinerary will take us from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights, to a winery, to the Kineret, to a Kibbutz, to Sefad, to Jerusalem, to the Dead Sea, to Massada, to many museums, and more. At Massada we will be sharing in a bar mitzvah of one of our fellow travelers. What joy!
The JCC's first trip to Israel will take place October 7-18, 2018. The itinerary will take us from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights, to a winery, to the Kineret, to a Kibbutz, to Sefad, to Jerusalem, to the Dead Sea, to Masada, to many museums, and more. At Masada we will be sharing in a bat mitzvah of one of our fellow travelers.
We will be immersed in Israeli history and culture and, at the same time, we will get to better know our selves, and each other.
So far an extraordinarily nice group of people have chosen to travel with us.
This trip that has been designed both for the person who has never been to Israel, and for the person who has visited frequently. Come be a part of what is sure to be a trip of a lifetime.
In addition to a set itinerary, we will have some evenings where we will be free to explore on our own. We will be provided with information on concerts or cultural events in the places where we
will be.
The tour is officially flying El Al; however, if you want to fly United, ITC can help you to make arrangements.
To view a full itinerary and to download an on-line application, go to
ISRAEL TOUR.
For additional information, call Rabbi Jay at 973-865-9534 or email him at
[email protected]
KOL HAKAVOD CAMPAIGN
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
WINTER OFFICE HOURS
Beginning January 3, the JCC Office will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 - 1:30.
VOLUNTEER
VOLUNTEER
at
Interfaith Health & Support Services of Southern Ocean County, Inc. in Manahawkin.
a coalition of different faith communities, social service, and health care organizations
that provides volunteer physical, emotional and spiritual support to those living at home who are vulnerable because of age or disability.
Here is a list of various volunteer opportunities at Interfaith: INTERFAITH
Interfaith is collecting old cell phones, glasses, hearing aids and used stamps on envelopes.
We will have a box at the JCC for any donations.
NAME BADGES
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: TAGS
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.
Please help us create a special atmosphere by not using electronic devices (phones, cameras, games etc) in or around the synagogue on Shabbat and Holidays. No
food or drink is permitted in the sanctuary.
YAHRZEITS
FOR NEXT WEEK
These names will be read at services on SATURDAY March 31, 2018
Elissa Biester
Sylvia Frankiel
Benard Gubar*
Irving Koseff*
Alfred Levin
Samuel Pepose
Jacob Saferstein
Fanny Fuhrmann
George Gubar*
Joseph Indzel
Felix Schoenberger
Vera Sidel
Irving Bzezensky*
Laura Kaplan
Harold Katz
Allan Mayro
Pearl Corson
Rose Gottlieb
Claire Levin
Malvina Malmed
Louis Rubinfeld
Edward Albert*
Donald Bosswick
Robert Jack Bzezensky*
Harry Millstein*
Norman Shaer
Pearl Weinzimmer
Jacob Britz*
Kathryn Hadley*
David Rosenbloom
* Yahrzeit Plaque - These names are lovingly enshrined on our synagogue memorial boards.
Join Herb and Selma Shapiro z'l to help assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area.
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.
We are proud to announce that Judith & Donald Pripstein have joined the Shapiros with a $50,000 donation and have established The Pripstein Family Endowment Fund.
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.
A Endowment Fund Committee has been established headed by Arnie Galer.
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary. Here is the order form:
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.
TEXT BLAST SIGN UP
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 ([email protected]) 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.
ADS FOR JCC BULLETIN
Please contact the JCC Office (609-492-4090) if you would like to place an ad in the Bulletin
The Jewish CommunityCenter of LBI 
